Jarrod was in his office going over the mail and correspondence since he had been in San Francisco. He saw a few items he would need to take care of before he went to Nevada with Sam in a few days. Edith had been happy to see Jarrod and was quite pleased to let him know that none of his family had showed up unannounced. Jarrod chuckled at Edith's happiness that Nick had not shown up without notice.

Jarrod had escorted Sam to the Emporium and told her he would be by to see her later after he went by his office and went to see Archer. However on the way to Archer's office Jarrod stopped suddenly and waved down a young boy he had used on occasion to deliver messages for him. Jarrod wrote down a few words and asked Jimmy to deliver the note to Archer and let him know what he said.

Jarrod had to admit it would most likely upset him to receive his message but he would be able to gauge his reaction more honestly to Jarrod's request. And much to Jarrod's surprise Jimmy showed up less than thirty minutes with the response. He would gladly meet him at Jarrod's office in twenty minutes.

Jarrod got up and told Edith he was expecting a visitor shortly. He went back into his office knowing Edith would purposely make him wait before notifying Jarrod his appointment was here. Jarrod knew how to ruffle his feathers and he planned on testing him right out of the gate.

Jarrod was still stumped how this unlikely union had formed. He thought Nick did not care for Archer but apparently he had been wrong. Was Nick doing this to get back at Jarrod for walking away from the family business? Had Archer heard about Jarrod walking away and approached Nick? Or were they working together to get back at Jarrod? Jarrod shook his head at the last thought knowing no matter how mad Nick had been at Jarrod he would never stoop to that level.

He heard his outer office door open and looked at his pocket watch, he was right on time. Jarrod got up and listened through the door as Archer and Edith spoke with Edith finally getting up to alert Jarrod to his visitor. Jarrod stepped back as Edith came into his office.

Jarrod chuckled at the frown on Edith's face. She shook her head and said, "I still don't know how your brother could have hired that man." Edith shook all over causing Jarrod to laugh.

"Edith those are my thoughts exactly." Jarrod went back to his desk and sat down. "You can show him in please."

Edith opened the door and called for Archer to come in. "Would you like some coffee Mr. Barkley?"

Jarrod smiled politely and answered, "No thank you Edith." He turned to Archer, "Archer?"

Phil cringed at Jarrod calling him Archer but answered politely, "No thank you."

"Edith, please make sure we're not interrupted."

"Yes sir." Edith closed the door quietly behind her.

As Jarrod sized up Archer he did not get a good feeling. Before Jarrod could speak Archer did.

"When did you arrive in town Jarrod?" Phil asked nicely.

"A few hours ago, although I haven't even been to the ranch yet. Thought you and I needed to talk about a few things beforehand."

Archer pointed to the contracts on Jarrod's desk, "So you received the contracts I sent you?"

"Yes I did. But I'm curious as to why you sent them to me? Surely you didn't tell my brother you did that."

"I don't want to appear that I'm hiding anything from you and I went to your mother and brother and they agreed with me given our past."

Jarrod rubbed his chin as he cut his eyes at Archer, "My brother was on board for that? I find that hard to believe given his feelings towards me right now."

Archer smirked, "He wasn't at first. It was your mother who convinced him it was a good idea."

Jarrod leaned forward, "But why? I am no longer the attorney for the Barkley holdings so why send me the contracts?"

"You are a major stockholder in the Barkley Sierra Mines and you have a viable interest in the Barkley family business."

Jarrod frowned at Archer when he realized Archer had done enough research to discover Jarrod was indeed a major stockholder. To protect the family from anyone taking over again and ruining the mine Jarrod had quietly been buying shares in the Barkley Sierra Mines. He had not even told his mother this. Jarrod leaned back in his chair and put his feet on the desk.

"Is that why you changed a few of the clauses in the mine? Due to my shares in Barkley Sierra?"

"Yes."

"Have you told anyone else what you have found?"

"No, I haven't."

"Why not?"

"I wasn't sure of the circumstances and since your brother or mother did not mention anything to me I assumed they did not know." Archer paused for a moment before continuing. "Jarrod I'm now the attorney for the Barkley's which includes you whether you like it or not and being as such I have a duty to not only protect the business but the individuals which includes you."

Jarrod sighed as he listened to Archer. He knew he was a good attorney but the tactics he had used in the past was a red flag to Jarrod. Legally it was none of his business any longer but he still had a very vested interest in the Barkley holdings. When the opportunity presented itself Jarrod would purchase various shares or holdings in which the Barkley's had a vested interest in. He had not told anyone in his family this because in his mind Jarrod was protecting his family.

Jarrod picked up the contracts Archer had sent him and slid them over to Archer. "Well it appears you have done your homework so you know how much I have invested in the Barkley holdings. With that being said this is to stay between us. In fact as far as I'm concerned this conversation never took place. But I will be watching you Archer."

Archer frowned at Jarrod as he spoke, "Jarrod I know we've had our share of disagreements over the years and I've done some shall we say underhanded things but I can assure you I have nothing but the best intentions regarding your family's interest. I hope in time I can earn your trust back."

"It's not me you need to worry about, it's my rather volatile brother you need to be careful of."

"Yes well we've already had a few words but thankfully we were able to work everything out."

Jarrod frowned at Archer and decided it was none of his business what had happened between the two men. "That's between you two."

"I take it you're satisfied with the contracts I've drawn up?"

"The contract between you, my mother and brother is none of my concern. However the Barkley Sierra contract looks fine with the changes you've made."

Archer finally allowed himself to smile, "Thank you Jarrod."

Jarrod got up, "Now if you'll excuse me I have some paperwork I need to go through."

Archer offered his hand to Jarrod who sighed as he finally shook his hand. "Thank you Jarrod."

Archer smiled politely to Edith as he left.

Edith joined Jarrod in his office, "I don't trust that man and I can't believe your brother hired him."

"Nick did that to get back at me."

"Hmph, sounds like something he would do."

Jarrod laughed at his secretary. "Edith what do you say we call it a day? I need to go check on something and I'm sure you'd like to see those grandchildren."

Edith smiled at her kind employer, "You are such a good man, Jarrod."

Jarrod laughed again as he helped Edith get the office ready to close. "Just remember that when I ask you to work late or one weekend."

Edith laughed at Jarrod, knowing those times were few and far between.

"I'll see you in the morning Edith." Jarrod and Edith walked out his office together but going in different directions. Edith went to see her grandchildren and Jarrod making a beeline to the Pool Emporium to see Sam.

Archer watched as Jarrod and his secretary left his office. He smirked watching the attorney make a beeline to the Emporium. Archer had been keeping tabs on Jarrod while he had been in San Francisco and knew once he accidentally told Nick what he had heard, he would never have to worry about Jarrod interfering with him anymore.