Mary jumped when she heard someone knocking on the hotel room door. She looked at Abby who was still sound asleep and picked up the gun Jarrod had left with her when he went to the telegraph office. She quietly moved to the door as she pulled the trigger back on the gun.

"Who is it?" Mary asked quietly.

"It's Jarrod."

Mary blew out a breath as she opened the door to let Jarrod in. Jarrod saw the gun and was glad she had followed his directions.

Mary placed the gun back on the bureau and plopped down on the settee. Jarrod stood at the window and looked out at the darkness. It was still a few hours before the sun came up and he hoped he would have his answers by then or at least one of them answered.

"Did you get the wire sent?"

Jarrod never turned around and said, "Yes."

Mary knew Jarrod was feeling guilty about overlooking the details regarding Martha's family but the man had a lot going on. Besides he did catch it before they met with him. Mary looked at Jarrod and sighed. She wished there was something she could say that would make him feel better but she doubted it.

"I don't know about you but I could use something to drink," Mary said. Jarrod never turned around or responded to her and she wondered if he even heard her. She decided to try again, "Jarrod."

Jarrod sighed as he heard Mary call his name. He turned slowly and looked at her. The sadness in his eyes was overwhelming. He moved slowly and sank down in the overstuffed chair and ran his hands through his hair. He looked at Abby and his heart melted; he would stop at nothing to keep her safe.

"Did you get the wire sent to Sister Catherine?"

"Yes. I paid extra so they would take it to the church immediately to get an answer for me."

"How do you know she'll even respond to the wire?" Mary assumed Jarrod used an alias when he sent the wire.

Jarrod sighed as he answered, "I signed my name." Jarrod saw the shock on Mary's face and said, "I didn't have a choice. And as soon as I get the response we'll be leaving again."

"Where?"

Jarrod shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. It depends what is in the wire." Jarrod stood again and walked back to the window. "I appreciate everything you have done for Abby but I can't ask you to continue to travel with us especially if what I fear is true."

Mary stood up and walked to Jarrod, "If my memory serves me correctly you didn't ask me I invited myself." Mary shrugged her shoulders and said, "Besides I've enjoyed travelling with you two although I wish it was under different circumstances." Mary walked over to Abby and covered her back up. "I'll go wherever you two go." Mary brushed Abby's hair out of her face.

Jarrod watched as Mary covered Abby back up and move her hair out of her face. It took some time but Abby had finally warmed up to Mary although she was still somewhat shy. He knew he was being selfish but he had hoped Mary would stay with them until he could figure this mess out. He hated the thought of how Abby would react if Mary did not accompany them.

Jarrod moved to stand beside Mary as she sat on the bed next to Abby. "I can't ask you..."

Mary waved her arm at him and interrupted him, "I don't wish to talk about this any longer Jarrod. I'm coming and that's final." Mary looked at him and smiled.

Jarrod sighed as he spoke, "What if..."

Mary shook her head, "We'll worry about the what if's if and when they come up." Mary stood up and was within inches of Jarrod.

Jarrod spoke quietly, "But this could be life as I know it from here on out; always on the run and looking over my shoulder."

Mary smiled and said, "Well then I guess we'll be running together and raising that beautiful little girl." Mary turned her back to him and said, "We need to keep her away from that animal," Mary shook her head trying to remain strong but was failing as her voice faltered, "I can't let her go through what I went through." Mary hung her head as she let the tears fall.

Jarrod stood frozen as he listened to Mary's confession. He turned her around gently and took her into his arms and whispered as he hugged her, "It's alright, let it out." Mary hugged Jarrod tightly as she sobbed at the memory of what she had been through.

Mary was finally able to regain her composure somewhat as she looked at him. He smiled tenderly and wiped her tears with his thumbs.

Jarrod jumped when someone knocked at the door and he motioned Mary to go beside Abby and he grabbed the gun. "Who is it?"

"Jacob from the Telegraph office Mr. Barkley. They responded to your wire, sir."

Jarrod looked at Mary and opened the door slowly leaving the gun hidden behind the door. He took the wire from the boy and closed the door since he had already richly tipped the boy earlier. He put the gun back on the bureau and looked at Mary.

He swallowed as he opened the wire to read it. Mary did not like the look on his face as he read the wire.

"Sister Catherine is on her way to Lincoln. She is following my family who in turn is following Wells."

"Is that all it says?"

Jarrod sighed, "Yes."

"Sounds like Wells got a lead on you while you were in Lincoln."

Jarrod paced and said, "Apparently." Jarrod continued pacing and made a quick decision. "I am going back to Lincoln."

Mary jumped up and said, "You can't. That's where Wells is, he'll find us."

"Not us Mary, just me. This has to end now."

"Jarrod you can't. You told me how sick and twisted Wells is and if he finds you..."

Jarrod interrupted her, "Oh, he'll find me alright, I'll make sure of that."

"NO!" Mary protested.

Jarrod grabbed Mary's hands and said, "My family is on the way there as well. Don't you see my brothers will be there with me."

Mary shook her head, "NO Jarrod it's too dangerous."

"I can not continue to run with you or Abby. Both of you deserve a better life than that. This ends in Lincoln one way or another."

"Fine, we're going with you." Mary put her hands on her hips.

Now it was Jarrod's turn to protest, "No, you'll stay put right here with Abby. Wells had no idea who you are and you'll both be safe."

Mary continued to shake her head, "No we won't. If Wells found out you were in Lincoln he'll definitely find out you were here."

Jarrod frowned as Mary was correct. "In any case you're not going to back with me. I'll get you two train tickets to another city until I can come for you."

Mary was not budging and said, "No. And I am sure Abby will feel the same way as I do. You know she is still skittish around me and if you leave her with me I'm worried how she will react."

Jarrod sighed and said, "I'll explain it to her and make her understand." Jarrod reasoned.

"Jarrod she's only five years old and she has already lost her mother and been through God's knows what. If you leave I'm scared of what it will do to her."

Jarrod looked at Abby and knew Mary was right. "Fine but you will do exactly as I tell you. No arguments, understand?"

Mary smirked, "Yes."

"Fine. I'll go to the train station and get our tickets." He looked around the room and was glad they had not unpacked anything. "I'll be back shortly." He pointed at the gun and said, "Remember."

Mary rolled her eyes and said, "Always."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When the Barkley's arrived in Lincoln they looked around and noticed the town was almost about the size of Stockton. Wells could be anywhere or gone again for all they knew. And what of Jarrod, was he still here or gone as well?

"I'm gonna check with the Sheriff's office and see if he has heard anything," Heath walked off.

"Let's get a room and see if anyone knows anything," Nick suggested.

Wells watched the Barkley's from his hotel suite and laughed. He knew they would follow him here. But he also knew the townspeople would be more willing to talk to Barkley's family than him.

He had gotten nowhere with these hick town people and the sheriff refused to answer any questions which made Wells very suspicious. He wondered if someone had alerted the sheriff he was coming. But it didn't matter Wells had a feeling everything would be settled soon.