The next few days flew by as Jarrod continued to improve ever so slowly. He was still sleeping quite a bit but he would wake up every few hours wanting something to drink. He was still extremely weak and was not able to move without assistance because of the knife wound and the broken ribs.

On this night Mary volunteered to sit with Jarrod as Abby stayed with Sister Catherine and Audra. She was glad that Victoria, Nick and Heath had finally agreed to go to the hotel and get some rest.

She had dozed off and was awakened by Jarrod talking to her. "You're snoring Mary."

Mary opened her eyes and looked at Jarrod as she disagreed, "I don't snore."

Jarrod grinned and said, "Yes you do."

Mary moved her chair so she was sitting right next to the bed and asked, "Are you thirsty?"

Jarrod nodded his head as she got up and fixed him a glass of water. She knew he needed to stay lying down and helped him raise his head a little so he could drink easier. She frowned when some of the water dribbled down his chest but he was able to drink most of it. When he had finished she laid his head back down and wiped off his chest.

"Thank you."

Mary smiled as she put the glass down and sat back down beside him, "Want anything else?"

"I'm hungry."

Mary frowned as she answered, "Sorry but the doctor said it would be tomorrow before you can try to eat."

Jarrod sighed but did not argue, "Okay."

Mary knew he was disappointed and said, "How about some ice chips?"

Jarrod smiled as he nodded his head yes. Mary went to find some ice chips for Jarrod. She returned a few minutes later with a glass full of ice chips. Some of the ice chips melted before Jarrod could eat them as it was a slow and tedious process helping him.

Finally exhausted Jarrod said, "Thank you."

Mary smiled as she wiped his face. "If the doctor clears it tomorrow I will make sure you have some broth first thing."

Jarrod frowned which made Mary laugh. "All in good time."

Jarrod dozed off again while Mary watched him and eventually she fell asleep again only to be woken up a few hours later by Jarrod.

"You were snoring again."

Mary frowned at him as she fixed her hair and said, "I don't snore."

Jarrod smiled and said, "Yes you do."

Mary shook her head and laughed, "Ladies don't snore."

"You and Abby both snore."

Mary just rolled her eyes as Jarrod watched her. He was feeling better every day and could not wait till he was able to get out of bed. He had so many questions and no one would give him any answers. He knew Mary would.

"What happened?" Jarrod asked.

Mary looked at him confused and asked, "You don't remember how you got hurt?"

"It's jumbled. Where is Wells?"

"Dead." Mary watched Jarrod's expression but he had none which didn't surprise her. "From what I have gathered from the Sheriff and your brothers Wells followed you to the saloon where he gave the bartendar a thousand dollars to close the saloon leaving only you two in there. After several minutes Wells attacked you and there was a fight over the gun and apparently you were able to shoot him."

Jarrod listened to her and now some of the memories made sense to him but he still had so many questions. "How's Abby?"

Mary smiled, "Much better now that she knows you're okay. She is with Sister Catherine and Audra tonight." Mary hesitated and asked, "Did you hear Abby talking to you Jarrod?"

Jarrod sighed as he answered, "I heard her but wasn't sure what she was saying." He looked at Mary and said, "I heard you too."

Mary blushed at Jarrod's statement and wondered if he remembered or knew that she kissed him twice. Jarrod had noticed her face turn red and asked, "What is it?"

"Nothing," Mary lied.

Jarrod grabbed her hand and said, "Liar."

Mary sighed as she looked at the blue eyed attorney. "So you heard us but didn't know what we said?" Jarrod nodded his head yes. "What about touches? Did you feel that?"

Jarrod frowned at Mary confused, "Touches?"

"Yes we were all holding your hand."

Jarrod knew Mary was lying to him, "Well if you show me what you did maybe it will come back to me."

Mary cut her eyes at Jarrod and wondered what he was up to. She reached for his left hand and held it. He shook his head no as he continued to search her face. She shifted nervously and leaned closer to Jarrod. "I, ah I ah may have kissed you like this." Mary bent down and kissed Jarrod lightly on his lips.

As she rose up she noticed the gleam in his eyes and said, "It's coming back, maybe another one will help me even more." Mary rolled her eyes at Jarrod but happily gave him another kiss.

Mary got up and ran her hand over his face. She remembered he told her he could not wait till he shaved off his beard and asked, "Would you like me to shave this off?"

Jarrod was getting sleeply again and said, "Later," as he fell asleep.

This time Jarrod slept a few hours longer before he woke up but Mary was already awake drinking a cup of coffee. She sat down beside him and smiled, "Morning."

Jarrod smiled and replied, "Morning."

"How are you feeling?"

"Hungry."

Mary smiled, "I have already talked to Dr. Warner and he said you can have some broth and it should be here shortly."

Jarrod ran his left hand over his beard, "Shave if off, please?"

Mary smiled as she got the shaving kit and walked to sit down beside Jarrod. "Are you sure you trust me?" Jarrod nodded his head yes. Mary lathered on the shaving cream and got the razor. She gently and carefully shaved off Jarrod's beard with extreme care. When she leaned down to wipe off the excess shaving cream Jarrod grabbed her head and gave her a passionate kiss.

Mary was shocked but didn't fight him as she leaned into his kiss. Finally spent Jarrod released her and slumped back down on the bed exhausted but grinning from ear to ear. Mary smiled at him as she straightened up and heard a noise behind her.

The entire Barkley family was standing at the door and Mary wondered if they had seen them kissing. She blushed slightly as Victoria walked past her and to Jarrod.

She leaned down and kissed her son's cheek, "Good morning dear."

"Lovely Lady."

Nick asked, "How ya' feeling Pappy?"

"Better."

Audra said, "Well I am certainly glad to see your beard is gone. Did the nurse shave it off?"

Jarrod shook his head and pointed at Mary. But Mary did not know she had some shaving cream on her cheek so when she grinned at the family she was confused when they looked at her strangely. She looked at Jarrod and noticed the look on his face and wondered what was going on.

Finally Heath could not take it any longer and said as he motioned to her cheek, "I think you missed a spot."

Mary's eyes got huge as she ran her hand over her cheek to find the shaving cream. Her face turned a deep crimson color with embarrassment while the family laughed and Jarrod just grinned.

Mary was saved from further embarrassment when Abby and Sister Catherine came into Jarrod's room.