Jarrod paced nervously outside their cabin in the rail car as he did not want the ladies to know he was worried. Something was nagging at him and for the life of him he could not figure out what it was. It had been gnawing at him for awhile but he had been so busy taking care of Abby he really didn't have time to think things over. But now Mary was travelling with them and she was definitely a big help in keeping Abby entertained and getting her ready in the mornings.

He quietly poked his head in the cabin and was greeted by soft snoring from both of the ladies. He chuckled to himself thinking he would have to pick at both of them for snoring. He slowly entered their cabin and closed the door as he got his valise and spread some papers on the table. He hadn't looked at the papers since he had fled with Abby over a week ago and he hoped he would find the answer to whatever was bothering him.

He decided to put everything in chronological order as he looked over everything. Two hours later he was still looking at the papers and more frustrated than ever. He replayed every conversation he had with Martha and Sister Catherine and something was not adding up. He knew to trust his instincts but what were they trying to tell him. It was going to eat him alive until he figured it out. He stood up ready to exit their cabin to start pacing again.

As he headed toward the door he continued to go over his conversations he had with everyone involved in Martha's case. Suddenly something caught his eye on the floor and he realized a piece of paper must have fallen out of his valise. He bent over to pick it up and the name Toby Mitchell was on it; as Jarrod put the paper back on the table that was when it hit him.

He quickly sat down and rifled through the court documents looking for Martha's information and there it was. According to Martha's statement in court under oath her father had beaten her mother so when she married Danny, Martha didn't know a man wasn't supposed to treat a woman this way. Jarrod read further and found what had been bothering him.

Martha's father had killed her mother in a drunken rage and her father had been sentenced to life in prison. Jarrod silently cursed as to not wake up the ladies. Who in the devil was Toby Mitchell? He thought to himself. It couldn't be Martha's father since he was still in prison, wasn't he? And if he wasn't Jarrod sure as hell wasn't going to turn Abby over to him. He knew or thought he knew Martha was an only child so Jarrod assumed Toby Mitchell was her father. Jarrod looked at the paper and realized it was Sister Catherine's handwriting but he knew she most likely had gotten the name from Martha.

Jarrod got back up and walked out of the cabin to continue his pacing more feverishly up and down the car. He had to find out who this Toby Mitchell was and where had Sister Catherine gotten his name. Jarrod knew he was taking a chance but he had to contact Sister Catherine immediately. He ran from the rail car and found the Porter.

"When are we stopping again?"

The Porter looked at Jarrod confused but answered, "A few hours."

"What town?"

"Yerka sir."

"Very good. We'll be leaving then."

"But your tickets are good for Medford and if you get off and don't return..."

Jarrod interrupted the Porter, "I'm aware of that young man. Please make sure you have all my family's luggage and my horse ready." Jarrod reached into his pocket and handed the young man a twenty dollar bill.

The young man smiled and said, "Yes sir. I'll get right on it."

"Thank you." Jarrod rushed back to the rail car and entered the cabin, looked around knowing he had a little bit of time to get everything together but he would need help. He hated to wake up Mary but he didn't have a choice. Besides he had to let her know what was going on.

He quietly walked to the bed and nudged Mary softly so she wouldn't wake up Abby. He whispered in Mary's ear, "Mary, wake up," as he gently shook her.

Mary was still half asleep when she turned and threw her arms around Jarrod's neck startling him. They were now eyeball to eyeball and she was mumbling something in her sleep. "Not now honey."

Jarrod choked back the laughter and shook his head wondering what in the world she had been dreaming about. He gently removed her arms from around his neck and once again whispered in her ear, "Mary wake up."

Jarrod was still holding Mary's arms as she groggily opened one eye of her eyes to find herself looking into Jarrod's deep blue eyes. She jumped slightly as she tried to sit up but Jarrod held her down as he talked softly to her.

"Mary we need to talk now."

As Mary looked at Jarrod she caught her breath in being so close to him. He had the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen. Mary shook her head that she understood what Jarrod wanted so she allowed him to help her down from the bed. She blushed slightly as the robe she was wearing was open exposing her sheer nightgown but Jarrod didn't seem to notice.

Jarrod turned his back to allow Mary to gather herself before he spoke to her. She cleared her throat to let him know she was presentable as she sat at the table and ran her hand through her hair trying to straighten her appearance.

"What's wrong Jarrod?" Mary questioned.

"We are getting off at the next stop."

Mary frowned and asked, "Why?"

Jarrod stood up and started pacing in front of the window again. "It's not adding up." Jarrod continued to pace as he talked, "Martha stated under oath her father killed her mother in a drunken rage and was sentenced to life in prison. And Martha was an only child so..."

Mary interrupted Jarrod, "I thought we were taking Abby to her mother's family."

"I did too." Jarrod sat back down as he scratched his beard. "If Martha's father is out of prison I have no intention of handing Abby over to him. Wells parents are living in San Francisco and from what I understand they are their son's biggest supporters."

"So who are we supposedly meeting in Medford?"

Jarrod got up again and started pacing softly speaking, "I don't know but I'm sure as hell not going to hand Abby over to him until I find out." Jarrod stopped and spat, "Damn it, why didn't I see this before?" He ran his hands through his unruly hair.

Mary sighed and said quietly, "Jarrod the most important thing is you caught it before we met him."

Jarrod turned to glare at Mary and said angrily, "What the hell is wrong with me? I should have known to check this man out before doing all of this." He motioned around the room.

Mary joined Jarrod and placed her hand on his back, "Jarrod..."

Jarrod walked away from Mary and spat, "Damn it. I let my emotions cloud my judgement. What in the devil has happened to me?"

Mary looked at Jarrod and said, "Jarrod..."

Jarrod interrupted Mary again and spat as he flung his arms around, "I'm losing my edge. Ever since..." Jarrod's voice trailed off.

Mary looked at Jarrod perplexed and asked quietly, "Ever since what Jarrod?"

Jarrod looked at Mary and it nearly broke her heart when she saw the sadness in his eyes. He shook his head and said, "Never mind." He turned his back and said quietly, "Can you help me gather all this stuff up? According to the Porter we'll be in Yerka in a few hours."

Mary sighed at Jarrod and said, "Of course. I'll get dressed and be back shortly to help you."

Jarrod sat down as Mary left and put his head in his hands. It had been almost two years since Beth had been killed and some days it felt like yesterday. He suddenly jerked his head up when he realized what today was. He sighed heavily and fought the tears as they threatened to spill.

Mary reentered the cabin dressed haphazardly and found Jarrod sitting at the table with his head in his hands and she thought she heard him sniffling but wasn't sure. She walked over to him and touched his shoulders lightly. When he raised his head it was obvious he had been crying.

She bent down to take him into her arms and tried to confront him, "Oh Jarrod, it's okay." although she did not know why he had been crying.

He leaned his head onto her shoulder and let her hold him while he tried to regain his composure. After a few minutes he finally stood up and wiped his face with his shirt sleeve as he took a deep breath. He knew he owed her an explanation.

He looked down as he spoke quietly, "I'm sorry it's just that when I realized what today was I overcome." Mary smiled tenderly at Jarrod but did not question him; if he wanted to tell her so be it.

Jarrod swallowed slowly and continued, "Today was my late wife's birthday and I forgot about it." Jarrod hung his head ashamed he had forgotten Beth's birthday.

Mary fought the tears that threatened to fall and said, "I'm so sorry Jarrod."

Jarrod looked at Mary and said, "Thank you." He moved to start gathering their items.

Mary followed his lead and started gathering other items as well. She would not push him and if he wanted to talk to her she would listen.