As Nick ate his breakfast he continued to watch Jarrod. He knew his brother did not get home until after one am although the dance ended at ten. Nick was fuming inside wondering what had kept Jarrod in town since all the saloons had closed for the dance. He gritted his teeth thinking of Jarrod spending time with Sally.

Victoria noticed all of her children were rather quiet this morning and attributed it to the dance from the night before. All of her children arrived home shortly after eleven except for Jarrod; it was well after one am before he came home. She knew he was trying to sneak in but mothers always knew when their children came home no matter how quiet they thought they were being.

"Did everyone enjoy themselves last night at the dance?" Victoria questioned.

Audra pouted as she answered, "No, all Carl wanted to do was talk to the other men, he only danced with me twice."

Heath sighed as he answered, "It was nice enough, although some of the ladies were a little too..."Heath searched for the right word, "they were husband hunting."

Victoria and Audra laughed out loud at Heath's statement but Victoria had noticed Nick and Jarrod hadn't spoken a word.

"Do you agree with your brother Nick?"

Nick shook his head and looked at mother. "I dunno, I guess so."

Audra asked, "Did you even hear what Heath said?"

Nick frowned at his sister and admitted guilt, "No I didn't. Guess I wasn't paying attention."

Victoria looked at her eldest who was happily eating his breakfast. "Jarrod do you agree with Heath's statement?"

Jarrod looked at his mother and smiled politely. "Well I can't speak for all of the young ladies but I had a nice time last night." He knew Nick had been eyeing him all morning and although Jarrod was grinning from ear to ear it certainly wasn't for the reason Nick thought.

Nick asked sarcastically, "Is that so?"

Jarrod answered, "Yes that's so." Jarrod smiled at his brother knowing what it was doing to his brother.

Nick sighed in disgust as he took a bite of his breakfast. Jarrod just continued to smile as he finished eating his breakfast.

Audra asked, "So you are going to see her anymore Jarrod?"

Jarrod thought about her question before he answered, "I'm not sure. She's not exactly my type."

Nick bellowed, "Not your type? What the devil is wrong with her?"

Jarrod grinned mischievously as he answered, "She reminds me of you Nick. Loud, rude and obnoxious."

Audra and Heath chuckled as Nick stood up angrily, "That's not a very nice thing to say about her."

Jarrod looked up at Nick and simply said, "I'm only telling the truth Brother Nick. If you don't believe me why don't you take her out yourself?"

Nick stood glaring at Jarrod and said, "I will. When we leave church today I'll go call on her." Nick stomped out of the room.

Jarrod grinned while he continued eating but Victoria knew something was up.

"What was all that about Jarrod?"

Jarrod once again smiled politely at his mother, "Whatever are you talking about mother?"

Victoria motioned to Jarrod with her hands, "That little charade you just pulled over on Nick."

Jarrod shrugged his shoulders as he answered, "I take the fifth."

Victoria eyed her eldest and said, "You're not in court young man. Now tell me what's going on."

Jarrod was not about to admit anyone about meeting Sam so he simply said, "It was obvious Nick was quite taken with Sally and she with him so I helped him along."

Audra asked, "By insulting her?"

Jarrod chuckled, "I was only telling the truth." Jarrod rolled his eyes as he continued, "I didn't think anyone could complain as much as Nick but I was mistaken. She is also loud and overbearing, much like her mother. They are a match made in heaven." Jarrod rolled his eyes again causing the rest of the family to laugh.

Now since that was out of the way the next business at hand was to slip away after church so he could meet Sam. He had convinced her to allow him to take her to lunch to introduce her to the other business owners in town. The thought of Sam brought a wide smile to the attorney's face.

They had talked for well over two hours last night and neither one wanted to call it a night but they both knew they needed too.

The conversation flowed easily between the two and Jarrod found out she had graduated from the top of her class in New York at the school for women. She was the youngest of three siblings having two older brothers. She was born and raised in New York and after the war her family relocated west hoping to find their fortune. Her mother and father were currently living in Reno running two of the pool emporiums with her brothers running three more each.

Her family supported Sam when she decided she wanted to get into the family business of running pool halls.

Unfortunately it was rough going at first as most people did not like doing business with a woman, hence why she either used Sam or Harris Business Company. She was tough as nails, well educated and absolutely breathtaking. She loved working in the family business and the relationship she had with them.

Jarrod had to admit he was jealous of her and the relationship she had with her family. Based on what she told him they all did their share of the work, whether it was physical or mental. He wished Nick had their attitude about the ranch business.

"Jarrod?" Victoria called.

Jarrod looked at his mother and realized he had been daydreaming about Sam. He blushed slightly which did not go unnoticed by Victoria.

"Did you hear what I said?" Victoria asked again.

"No I didn't sorry mother."

Victoria eyed her eldest and knew something was up with him. "Will you be joining us after church today?"

Jarrod frowned at her and asked, "Why? Are you having company?" He hoped she wasn't.

Victoria smiled when she realized Jarrod had met someone else last night. "No I just wanted to let Silas know how many to cook for."

"Oh, well if it's okay with you I need to stay in town for a little while."

Audra asked, "Oh? Whatever for Jarrod?"

Jarrod smiled at his little sister and said, "That young lady is private."

Victoria spoke, "That's fine with me Jarrod."

Jarrod smiled as he got up, "Thank you mother. I need to get ready and let Ciego know to saddle up Jingo for me." Jarrod excused himself and hurried out of the dining room.

Heath watched Jarrod leave and said, "Appears big brother has a date he doesn't want to tell anyone about."

Victoria and Audra laughed at Heath's statement.