Victoria kissed her son on his cheek as she left with Audra and Abby in tow. They were going to the telegraph office first to send a wire to Danny Well's parents regarding Abby and then shopping and finally a bite to eat. Jarrod rolled his eyes and laughed saying the three of them would bankrupt him before the day was over. Victoria had arranged it so Jarrod and Mary could spend some time together and talk without being interrupted.

As his mother left she gave him a stern look and said, "Remember what we talked about last night." She left with Audra and Abby.

Mary frowned at Victoria's statement and asked Jarrod, "Do I want to know what that was about?" Mary was already concerned since she knew Jarrod wanted to speak to her and now with Victoria's statement she became increasingly worried.

Jarrod sighed as he looked at Mary. "We need to talk Mary."

"Oh?" Mary felt a sense of dread coming over her.

Jarrod cleared his throat not really sure how to start the conversation. He struggled to sit up and could not without Mary's help. He cursed as she stepped back, "Damn it. I'll be glad when I can get out of this blasted bed and I can take care of myself without any help."

"Jarrod you have three broken ribs and a deep knife wound it will take time to heal."

"Hmph." Jarrod paused as he looked at Mary. "I'm sorry, it's just that I am tired of lying here." Jarrod motioned around the room with his good arm.

Mary smiled as she looked at the dashing attorney. At first she told him she liked the beard on him but after she had shaved it off for him she had to admit she liked him without a beard much better. She blew out a breath and said, "You wanted to talk?"

"Yes. I've been putting this off long enough." Mary's face fell immediately. "Mary if it hadn't been for you I'm not sure me or Abby would have been able to make it this far. You are quite literally our guardian angel." Jarrod smiled as Mary smiled and blushed at him. He stopped her from talking. "Please let me finish before you say anything." Mary nodded her head in agreement. "I need to tell you about my late wife and the circumstances surrounding her death."

Mary interrupted Jarrod and said, "That's not necessary Jarrod."

Jarrod disagreed, "Yes it is Mary. You see I met her on the train on the way back from Washington and was immediately drawn to her. We talked and spent every minute we could together as the train headed to Denver. She was going to teach school in Denver and when she left the train I followed her. After another three days I was convinced she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I proposed and much to my surprise she accepted. We eloped and spent another day in Denver before coming back to Stockton."

"To say my family was shocked would have been an understatement. We were in Stockton less than two days before she was killed by a man who was seeking revenge against me." Jarrod closed his eyes as he took a few deep breaths to collect his emotions. "The sheriff questioned him but let him go. I was enraged and went after him hell bent on killing him to avenge her death. I found him in Rimfire and bribed the sheriff to turn him loose which he did. He finally admitted he killed her by mistake and I lost my mind; he threw his gun to the street to surrender but I went after him regardless. If it hadn't been for Nick and Heath I would have killed him with my bare hands."

Jarrod paused as he wiped his eyes and continued, "Hyatt was sentenced to life in prison but shortly after arriving he was killed in a fight. I thought I would feel relief when he was killed but I didn't." Jarrod sighed and said, "All I felt was more shame. All my life I have fought for justice and defended the legal system and with one gunshot I almost threw it all away."

Mary listened to Jarrod and couldn't help the tears that fell but she remained quiet as he continued talking.

"It's been two years and some days it feels like it just happened yesterday. I will always love her but it's time from me to move on." Jarrod looked at Mary and reached for her hand. "I don't know what the future holds for me or Abby but I do know I would like for you to be a part of that future whether it's just as friends or if you'll allow me to court you once I am well enough."

Mary looked at both of their hands and smiled. "I would like that very much as well Jarrod."

Jarrod frowned and asked, "Which one? Friends or..."

Mary interrupted him when she kissed him lightly on his lips. As she pulled back Jarrod grabbed her with his good hand and brought her back to him and he kissed her passionately. Mary broke away from him as she tried to get regain her composure.

Jarrod froze suddenly as he realized maybe she didn't want to be nothing but friends and that was a friendly kiss and not...

Mary interrupted Jarrod's thoughts, "To be quite honest I thought we already had been courting seeing as I have already seen so much of you." Mary pointed to Jarrod's shirt which was open revealing a good bit of his chest.

Jarrod cut his eyes at her and growled, "Well in that case." He pulled Mary to join him on the bed as he kissed her.

After a few minutes Jarrod pulled away as he knew he still had to bring up the subject of Abby. Mary was out of breath as she looked at Jarrod and noticed the serious look on his face.

"The wire my mother sent this morning was to Well's parents asking them to come to Lincoln so we can talk about Abby."

"Jarrod, I don't know if anyone has told you or not but no one has claimed Well's body." Jarrod frowned as she continued. "According to the sheriff the undertaker sent his parents a wire and they still haven't responded."

"Well that's odd."

"Especially since it's been two weeks."

Jarrod rubbed his chin and said, "Has anyone tried to contact Wells attorney?"

Mary shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know but I can sure find out."

A noise behind the couple interrupted them.

"Sorry to bother you Mr. Barkley but your mother said as soon as I get a reply from your wire to let you know."

"Oh, yes thank you." The young man handed Jarrod the wire and quickly left since Victoria had already tipped the boy handsomely earlier.

Jarrod looked at the wire and read it aloud to Mary.

Coming to Lincoln. STOP.

Will talk about child then. STOP.

Will arrive tomorrow. STOP

James Sherlock

"The family attorney?" Jarrod nodded his head. "But I thought your mother sent it to Abby's grandparents."

"She did."

"I wonder what is going on."

"Guess we'll find out when he gets here tomorrow." Jarrod put the wire on the table.

Mary watched Jarrod for a few minutes and decided it was time to tell him about her past since he had shared his with her.

The couple talked for the next few hours. Jarrod held Mary while she told him about her step-father abusing her as a child. Her father ran off not long after she was born and her mother had been devastated when he left. She wondered from town to town until she met Matt; he was kind, caring and gave her mother the attention she wanted and needed. They married soon after and everything was good with the couple except for one thing; Mary.

Her mother hoped Matt would learn to love Mary but he never did. As she got older his hatred of her grew and he started abusing her when she was only seven years old. When Mary turned fifteen she ran away from home depending on the help of strangers. She went from town to town making a few dollars here and there but she refused to work in a saloon; she would rather starve than sell her body.

As she told her story Jarrod's anger rose and he vowed if he ever ran into Mary's step-father he would rue the day he laid a finger on her.

Victoria, Audra and Abby returned from their all day excursion to find Jarrod and Mary sound asleep. Jarrod was under the covers with Mary lying beside him on top of the covers but he had his good arm wrapped around her.

Victoria knew Jarrod had finally talked to Mary and she hoped her son would finally be able to move on.