Sam knew something was bothering Jarrod as he hadn't said a word since they left Stockton. She had tried to talk to him but he wasn't talking. She sighed as she looked at him and knew it probably had to do with his family. When she asked him last night about his bruised chin he had told her what happened between him and his brother.

Sam could not believe what she was hearing. How could brothers fight between themselves like that? Her brothers had gotten into a few tussles but nothing serious like that. Oh her family disagreed from time to time but they had always managed to work it out. But after listening to Jarrod she knew that had not been the first fight the brothers had been in. She hadn't spent that much time with Jarrod but from what she seen she knew he didn't have a violent side to him.

Sam decided to try to talk to Jarrod one more time. "When was the last time you were in San Francisco?"

Jarrod had been staring out the window and heard Sam say something but he hadn't been paying any attention. He rubbed his temple as he closed his eyes willing the headache to go away. He smiled weakly at Sam and said, "I'm sorry Sam, what did you say?"

Sam smiled as she got up and sat beside Jarrod, "I said when was the last time you were in San Francisco?"

"About two weeks ago. I try to make it there at least twice a month unless I have a case or a client that needs me."

"Do you make it to Sacramento very often?"

Jarrod smiled at Sam as he answered, "No I don't. I haven't been there in about six weeks."

"But you have a townhouse in San Francisco right?"

"Yes I do. I've had it about five years now. Just made sense to buy a house rather than pay for a hotel since I am never quite sure how long I will be staying."

"Which do you like the best? Stockton or San Francisco?"

Jarrod sighed as he thought about his answer. "Both. Stockton will always be home for me but I love being in San Francisco as well. Stockton doesn't have all the plays or operas that San Francisco has to offer."

Sam asked, "You enjoy the opera?"

Jarrod smirked, "Yes I do. Why?" He raised his eyebrow to her.

Sam giggled as she answered, "Not many men I know like the opera."

"Yes I know, my brother likes to remind of that every chance he gets," Jarrod spat. "He takes great pleasure in teasing me about my choices of entertainment or reading material."

Sam answered, "There's nothing wrong with expanding your horizons."

Jarrod snorted, "Hmph. All Nick cares about are the ranch, drinking and going to Big Annie's."

Sam frowned, "He doesn't know what he's missing. What do you like to read?"

Jarrod looked at Sam and smiled, "Besides my dusty old law books, Mark Twain and poetry."

"Really?" Jarrod frowned at her as he nodded his head yes. "I love to read but I haven't had much time to do any reading lately due to opening the newest Emporium."

Jarrod smiled and said, "Well I'll have to show you my collection at my townhouse. I have quite a library there."

Sam smiled, "I would love that Jarrod."

Jarrod chuckled at Sam as he looked at her. Not only was she beautiful but she was intelligent and well read. She was not like the other women he had taken out; only nibbling at their food and gossiping non stop about silly things. "Thank you."

Sam frowned at him and asked, "Thank you for what?"

Jarrod raised his eyebrow at her and said, "For being you." He leaned towards her and lightly brushed his lips with hers. She leaned in to his kiss and was disappointed when he pulled away. She was glad he was coming with her to San Francisco a few days earlier so they could spend some time alone before her family arrived to meet with Jarrod.

She knew her family would approve of him whether it was to be the family attorney or her beau. Her parents started the same way and now they had been happily married for almost thirty five years which gave her hope. She didn't want to get too ahead of herself but no other man had affected her the way Jarrod did. And when he told her he wanted to court her, well that just made her day.

Both of her brothers were recently married and she knew how protective they were of her but she also knew they would like Jarrod. She was their baby sister after all even though she was considered an old maid by some people's standards. How could someone be an old maid at the ripe age of twenty eight? She had concentrated on the family business and really didn't have time for romance, not that anyone had ever gotten her attention. She had been on a few dates here and there but no one made her feel the way Jarrod made her feel.

She wasn't what people consider a good girl but she wasn't loose either. In college she had thought she was in love with a young man and he had convinced her if she truly loved him she would give herself to him, so she did. A week later he unceremoniously dumped her. Her mother had the talk with her before she left for college so she had been prepared for the first time but it wasn't what she thought it would be.

Then there was Jarrod Barkley. He was by far the most handsome man she had ever met. He was suave, dapper and dashing and she could stare into his blue eyes all day. He was extremely intelligent but was also witty and had a mischievousness about him.

She had suggested they come to San Francisco a few days early to do some more research about starting the franchise but she had other plans. She hoped once she got him away from Stockton and the drama from his family he would relax and they could enjoy each others company.

"Sam?"

Sam blushed as she realized she had been daydreaming about the handsome attorney. "Yes."

Jarrod looked at her and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yes I guess my mind drifted for a little while."

"Oh?"

"Yes I was just thinking about the next few days."

Jarrod smiled and asked mischievously, "The days or the nights?"

Sam blushed while she answered, "Both."

Jarrod laughed as he looked at her, "And what have you planned for us my lady?"

Sam smiled and said, "Doing research and work during the day and going to plays or operas in the evenings, if that is agreeable to you."

Jarrod cupped her face in his hands and said, "Very agreeable." He kissed her on the cheek.

Sam let out a breath she had been holding and placed her hands on Jarrod's. "My family will be coming in on Monday so we'll have plenty of time to work and um...well you know." Sam blushed again.

Jarrod looked at her and laughed as her face turned a deep crimson red. "Court?" Sam nodded her head yes. Jarrod laughed again and leaned back in his chair as he held Sam's hand.