Chapter 8

After dinner, Jarrod went back over to the saloon where Gwendolen worked and walked in. The room was crowded, and Gwendolen saw him before he saw her. Her heart fluttered, and she kicked herself for that. He doesn't want you, she kept telling herself. God, I wish he did, but he doesn't.

Gwendolen went over to where Jarrod stood just inside the door. He smiled when he saw her, but he could tell right away that her mind was troubled about something. He tipped his hat and asked, "Can we talk for a moment?"

Gwedolen nodded to an empty table far in the back. "Can I get you anything?" she asked as she led him there.

"A beer," Jarrod said.

Gwendolen fetched him the drink, and he watched her as she did. Her demeanor was far different from the one she had when he had come to talk to her and Cecily, and it bothered him. He wasn't sure whether to draw her out or let her come to him about whatever was bothering her, but he was sure it had to do with Cecily.

Gwendolen brought the beer over and sat down. "Thank you," Jarrod said. And then he decided to ask. "Did something happen after I left you and Cecily this evening?"

Gwendolen struggled with what to say. "She's a confused girl, Jarrod. She doesn't know what she wants – well, maybe that isn't it. Maybe she does know what she wants but she can't have it."

Jarrod didn't really hear sympathy in what Gwendolen said. "Did you two have words after I left?"

"Not exactly," Gwendolen said. "We only really met, and what with us both having problems with Abel, we talked very frankly right away and became friends, but…"

"But what?" Jarrod asked, and was afraid he knew what it was.

"What she wants is you," Gwendolen said.

Jarrod sat up straighter and sighed, thinking Dear God, not again. But he couldn't say it outright like that, because he could read the truth in Gwendolen's face. "And you're jealous," Jarrod said.

Embarrassed, Gwendolen turned very red and smiled awkwardly. She didn't know what to say.

"Gwen, you know our relationship has always only been professional," Jarrod said. "You know it can't be anything else."

Gwendolen nodded. "Of course, and I know me thinking otherwise got me into this mess, but Cecily has my head going around and just the thought of Cecily – " She stopped.

Jarrod said, "Cecily and I are never going to have any kind of relationship at all. As you said, she's confused, and she really doesn't know what she wants. I was kind to her, but there will never be anything between us – just as there will never be anything between you and me."

Jarrod knew that was awfully blunt, but he felt like he needed to be. And he felt like Gwendolen could take it.

And she did. She nodded.

"What can I do for you about Abel?" Jarrod asked.

Gwendolen shook her head. "As I said before, nothing. I don't want to take him to court."

"I could talk to him. I wouldn't threaten him with court, but at least he would know that I know he isn't living up to his agreement. That might mean something."

"Frankly, Jarrod, I don't want him to know that you know he's not paying me. I don't want him to know that you know about the letter. I just want to leave it all alone."

"I can understand that, but – "

Gwendolen got up. "No, Jarrod. You should just go back to Stockton and forget about me. Please."

Gwendolen went away then and began to give her attention to other men. Jarrod didn't even touch his beer. He just left money for it, got up and left.

Outside he stopped for a moment to get himself and his thoughts together. He hadn't expected his last talk with Gwendolen to go this way, and while he wasn't surprised Cecily was beginning to have feelings for him under the circumstances, he was a little surprised it was happening so fast. He sighed, exasperated. All he had ever wanted to do, from the first day he met Gwendolen, was get her what she deserved out of her divorce. He'd failed at that. All he got her was falling in love with him, and it was clear, she was still in love with him. Sure, this wasn't new territory for him, like he had told Heath, but it was never happy territory. Yet what could he do? Be someone he wasn't? Be less conscientious about his job and how he represented his clients? Never represent another woman for the rest of his career?

Now his head was spinning and he knew he was becoming foolish about it. He gave a sigh and headed back to his hotel.

And there she was, waiting in the lobby. Oh, God, Jarrod thought. Cecily stood up from her seat when he came in the door.

Jarrod did a quick look around and did not see his brothers, thankfully. "Cecily, what are you doing here?" Jarrod asked when she came over to him.

"I was hoping I could talk to you a bit more," she said and stepped closer than Jarrod found comfortable.

"I already told you," Jarrod said, gently but firmly. "I can't help you. You need to talk things over with your father, and if a prenuptial agreement is what you want, you need to find another attorney to draw one up for you."

"That wasn't exactly what I wanted to talk about," Cecily said.

"I think I know what you want to talk about," Jarrod said. "Cecily, you're engaged to be married, and I am not looking for any romantic entanglement with you or any other woman. I'm not available to you in any way, professional or personal."

Cecily backed off half a step. "Is it Gwendolen?"

"Gwendolen is my client," Jarrod said.

"She loves you, you know."

"Whatever she feels is one way," Jarrod said. "I don't love either one of you, and I'm not going to. Now, you need to go home."

Cecily stepped closer again.

Jarrod backed away and headed for the stairs, saying, "Good night, Cecily. Good luck." And he got out of there as fast as he could.

Jarrod fled to his room and closed the door behind him. It slammed a little louder than he would have liked, but he was tired and exasperated and wanted nothing but his bed.

That was why when the knock came, he tore the door open and said, "Cecily – " before he realized it was Nick and Heath.

They came inside before he even let them in. He didn't want to deal with them either. This whole night, this whole day, this whole trip to Sacramento was getting to be a bit too much.

"Heard you come in, loud," Nick said. "And obviously, you weren't expecting us."

"It's under control, Nick," Jarrod said.

"We're leaving first thing in the morning, Jarrod," Heath said. "You're going with us."

"Nothing would make me happier," Jarrod said. "Now get out and leave me alone."

Jarrod went to pull the door open, but Nick leaned against it and closed it again.

"Nick – " Jarrod said, beginning to growl.

Nick quickly said, "We're not here to give you grief, Jarrod. Just want to be sure you're finished here."

"I am finished here," Jarrod said. "I am beyond finished here. Now go to bed and leave me be."

Nick nodded and opened the door himself. As they went out, Heath said, "Good night, Jarrod."

"Good night," Jarrod said and closed the door.

And locked it.

XXXXXXX

It was nearly quitting time for Gwendolen when suddenly Cecily walked into the saloon. This was not the time of day for a young woman of her breeding to be there, but there she was. Gwendolen hurried to her. "Cecily, you need to go home," she said quickly.

Cecily hung her head. "No, I just need a word with you. Can we meet when you get off?"

"Cess, we've said everything – "

"No, I've done some thinking and I know I've been a foolish girl up and down and all over the place with this, but I think I have my thoughts together now, and I think we can help each other. I'd like to talk to you, just for a few minutes. May I meet you when you get off?"

Gwendolen sighed. "All right, right out front here in five minutes."

Cecily nodded and smiled. "I'll be here."