As Jarrod read the letter he could not believe what he was reading. Nick hired Phil Archer to be the family attorney. According to his mother everyone had been shocked when Nick made the announcement. Jarrod had to admit to himself he was shocked as well. It wasn't that he and Phil were enemies it was just that...well he didn't trust the man and Nick knew that.
Jarrod wondered if Nick hired Archer to get back at him for turning the ranch business over to him. He knew Phil was a decent enough attorney but he questioned his tactics. Well it wasn't his decision to make or question he just hoped Nick would not regret it.
Jarrod tipped back in his chair and looked out the window. He had thoroughly enjoyed the last week with Sam. During the day Jarrod got as much information as he could regarding franchises and all the legalities of it. It was a rather new business idea but from what he had read about it, it could be very prosperous for both parties.
Sam's family had been delayed in coming to San Francisco and won't be able to make it for a few more weeks which gave the couple more time to research and spend time together. Sam had been anxious and nervous for Jarrod to meet her family but he wasn't that concerned. It wasn't that Jarrod was being arrogant but he had been preparing for meeting her family; not only as their newly hired attorney but as Sam's new beau. What he was dreading was telling his family about his new clients.
Although he was working for Sam's family he knew it would be a much different situation from the ranch. First off he would be getting paid rather handsomely although that wasn't an issue. Based on what Sam had told him the family still wasn't completely sold on the idea of creating a franchise so it could be awhile before they pursued it. She was concerned about her parents and wanted to take off some of the responsibilities of running the business, thereby having Jarrod take care of it. Sam knew Jarrod wanted to continue to practice law which she promised him would not be a problem since their business pretty much ran itself.
Jarrod turned back around in his chair and looked out the window. He had been going back and forth from Sacramento to San Francisco in order to see Sam. She was running the Pool Emporium in Sacramento and Jarrod would go up in the evenings to see her and come back the next day to do more research for the franchise. It was tiring but to this point it had been well worth it.
Jarrod had surprised her with tickets to the opera. He also managed to get them box seats which he had to call in a few favors but he knew it would be worth it. He looked at his pocket watch and knew she would be in shortly. He arranged for his carriage to pick her up and bring her to his townhouse where he would surprise her once again.
He sighed as he looked at the elegant gown on the settee and hoped she would like it. Tonight was a special night at the opera and it would be a formal event. Jarrod picked up his tuxedo earlier in the day and had the dress he ordered for Sam delivered as well. He also looked at the jewelry box on his desk and hoped she would like the necklace he planed to give her. It was a gold chain with a diamond charm in the shape of an oval. When Jarrod saw it he knew it would match her eyes perfectly.
He looked at his pocket watch and decided to start getting ready. He knew once Sam arrived she would need to get ready so he figured he better get a quick bath and shave first. Based on his sister he knew it sometimes took women several hours to get ready. Although Sam was arriving around five and the opera didn't start until eight he knew they would be pushed for time.
Jarrod heard Charles answer the door and wondered who was here. Before he could check it out Sam entered the room and greeted him with a hug and kiss. Jarrod returned Sam's kiss and hug happily.
He finally pulled away and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Sam smiled and said, "I thought I would surprise you."
Jarrod smiled as he continued to hold Sam and said, "Well you have certainly surprised me my dear."
Sam wrapped her arms around Jarrod's neck and said, "Well I thought it would be best if I got here early since tonight is opening night and I don't want to be late."
Jarrod pulled her closer to him as he whispered in her ear, "I have a surprise for you my dear." He motioned to the settee behind them. Sam turned around and gasped at the beautiful gown.
"Oh my Jarrod!" She exclaimed. She went to the gown and gently picked it up as she pressed it against her body. "It's beautiful Jarrod."
Jarrod smiled widely as he watched Sam model the dress. He was glad she liked it. "Well then I have another surprise for you my dear." Jarrod turned his back to Sam and presented her with a large jewelry box.
Sam put the gown down gently and walked over to Jarrod. She looked at the jewelry box and knew it was too big to be a ring but what in the world was it?
As Jarrod watched Sam and he knew he was losing his heart to her. He grinned at her mischievously and said, "Close your eyes."
Sam frowned at Jarrod and put her hands on her hips. "What?"
Jarrod laughed as he pulled the box back and said, "Close your eyes or..."
Sam grabbed his hands and said, "Okay, I'll close my eyes."
Jarrod looked at her closely to make sure she wasn't peeking, when he was satisfied she wasn't he opened the box slowly and said, "Open your eyes."
Her expression was everything he had hoped it would. Sam's expression went from pure enjoyment to shock and surprise to crying? Why on earth was she crying? Jarrod was now worried he had done something wrong. "What is it honey? Don't you like it?"
Sam sniffed as she looked from the necklace to Jarrod. "I love it," Sam said quietly.
Jarrod let out a breath as he walked slowly to her, "Then why the tears?"
Sam smiled, "Because the necklace is absolutely beautiful Jarrod but you didn't have to..."
Jarrod hushed Sam, "I wanted too." Jarrod took the necklace out of the box and walked behind Sam as she hurriedly moved her hair out of the way. Jarrod put the necklace around Sam's neck and clasped it. He bent down and placed small kisses on her neck.
Sam felt her knees grow weak from Jarrod's kisses and let out a small moan of pleasure which ignited Jarrod further. He turned Sam around slowly all the while kissing her neck and ears. He moved from her neck and kissed her passionately while he pulled her closer. He ran his hands up and down her small body as he pressed her close to him. Sam had wrapped her arms around Jarrod's waist pulling him as close as she could to him.
Jarrod finally broke away before he got too carried away. He looked at Sam and noticed the necklace looked perfect on her just like he knew it would.
Jarrod swallowed slowly as to try to regain some of his composure. "Honey we need to get ready so we won't be late."
Sam frowned but was not deterred as she once again pulled him close to her and kissed his neck. She mumbled into his neck, "We have plenty of time before we need to get ready."
Although Jarrod knew she was right he also knew if this continued they would not make it to the opera tonight. "Honey..."
Sam quietened Jarrod with a kiss which he returned happily.
Jarrod heard Charles open the door and for once was glad for the interruption.
Charles entered the library, "Excuse me Mr. Jarrod but this envelope just arrived for you," Charles handed Jarrod the envelope and left the room.
Jarrod frowned at the papers as he noticed the Barkley insignia and wondered what was in the large envelope.
Sam came behind Jarrod and asked, "What's in it?"
Jarrod sighed as he said, "I don't know but I'm sure it has to do with the new attorney my brother hired."
"Your brother hired another attorney?" Sam was shocked but not surprised. Jarrod had told her about his family dynamics and thought Jarrod's brother would show up sooner or later to make things right but so far she had been wrong.
Jarrod motioned to the letter on his desk, "Yes my mother wrote me a letter warning me about what Nick had done." Jarrod went to the desk and picked up the letter as he sighed heavily, "He hired Phil Archer."
Sam had never heard of that name so she was at a loss as to why Jarrod was upset. "I thought that's what you wanted him to do in the first place Jarrod."
"Maybe but I certainly didn't think he would hire Phil Archer of all people."
"You know this Phil Archer?" Sam questioned.
Jarrod smirked, "You could say that. We went to law school together and he never really cared for me." Jarrod looked at the envelope and made a decision. He threw the envelope and letter on his desk, "It's time to get ready or we will most certainly be late."
Jarrod picked up the gown and walked out the door and up the stairs to the guest room. Charles had been drawing some water for Jarrod but he could bath later. Jarrod placed the gown on the bed and motioned to the other boxes on the bed.
Sam looked at the other boxes and knew Jarrod had purchased everything she needed for tonight, right down to her shoes.
"How did you know my sizes? As she looked at all the boxes.
Jarrod smiled mischievously as he answered, "Your maid." Jarrod turned his back as he walked out the door. "I'll see you shortly my dear." Jarrod closed the door leaving Sam to get ready. She sat on the bed and looked at all the items Jarrod had purchased for her. She closed her eyes and knew she had lost her heart to Jarrod T. Barkley.