"Daddy!"
Jarrod put down his suitcase just in time to catch Chloe as she leaped into his arms. He hugged her tightly as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I missed you, Daddy," she said against his neck.
Jarrod buried his face in her soft curls. "I missed you, too, kitten. I thought about you all the time I was gone and all the way home." He hoped he wouldn't ever have to leave her that long again.
Heath came over and clapped Jarrod on the back before he picked up his brother's suitcase. "Reckon you got your hands full, Jarrod," he teased.
Jarrod smiled. "And I don't intend to put her down," he said with a kiss on his daughter's forehead. "So tell me everything that happened while I was gone," he asked as they walked to the waiting buggy.
Jarrod settled Chloe on his lap while Heath took the reins. He listened intently as she talked about her friends, her new horse and the upcoming school exhibition, but he couldn't stop the part of his mind that mulled over the other thoughts he had during the long trip from Silver Springs. For every five thoughts he had of his beloved daughter, one came of Rebecca Ashburn. Something about her had ignited an unexpected spark in him. He wasn't about to rush into anything, but he had to wonder if he should follow up on his interest.
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Dear Rebecca,
I hope you do not find it too bold of me to be writing you uninvited. Ever since I left Silver Springs, you have not been far from my mind. I find my thoughts returning to the pleasant time we spent together over the chessboard and our conversations. I also cannot seem to banish the warm feeling your smile gave me.
I hope you are not offended by my presumption. I will understand if I do not hear from you, but it would give me great pleasure if you choose to return correspondence.
Please accept my sincerest regards for your happiness and good health.
Sincerely,
Jarrod Barkley
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Dear Jarrod,
It was with great surprise and pleasure that I found your letter waiting for me at the post office. I did not expect it but knowing you are thinking of me gives me a warm feeling. I must admit to thinking of you often as well, and even though I have had a constant stream of boarders, the house seems empty since your departure.
I am glad that you arrived safely in Stockton and hope you had a wonderful reunion with your daughter. Please feel free to write as often as you wish and if you are ever this way again, I hope you will stop in to say hello. I hope things are well with you and your family.
Yours truly,
Rebecca
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"What are you smiling about, Daddy?"
Jarrod looked up from his desk to find Chloe standing in front of him with a plate of cookies. "Oh, I just got a letter from a friend," he told her in an offhand manner. At this early stage, he wasn't ready to discuss the possibility of a woman in his life with anyone much less his daughter. "What do you have there?"
Chloe beamed. "I helped Silas bake cookies." She came around the desk as he pushed back his chair and climbed onto his lap. "Do you want one?"
"I'd love one." Jarrod took a cookie and bit into it. "These are the best cookies I've ever tasted," he proclaimed.
Chloe put the plate on the desk before taking a cookie of her own. "Silas said they were your favourite kind." She ate it slowly. "Do you think they're good enough to give to Miss Nikolas when she comes for dinner?"
"I think they'd be good enough for the President," Jarrod assured her.
"Thanks, Daddy." She hopped off his lap. "I'm going to take them to the kitchen before you eat them all." She giggled as he playfully attempted to snatch another cookie. "You can have one later."
"Promise?" he asked, eyes twinkling.
"Promise," Chloe said solemnly and gave him a cheery wave as she left the room.
Jarrod looked back at the letter on his desk and then took out a clean sheet of paper, dipped his pen in the ink and started writing.
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Dear Rebecca,
I had been trying to constrain my hopes that you would consent to write me, and I am humbled and flattered to receive a response to my letter. I know we have both suffered grave disappointments in the past and to read that you have been thinking of me as well is more than I dared imagine.
In response to your invitation to stop in, I have to confess that I have thought about finding an excuse to visit the mine and do just that. But until the school term is over and I can bring Chloe with me, I fear I will not be taking so long a trip.
It has been a busy time around the ranch. We are moving the herds to winter pasture and since we are shorthanded at the moment, I have found myself out on the range with my brothers more than usual. As my brother Nick has said, this is a working ranch and there is always plenty of work to be done. My brother Heath is helping Chloe train her first horse and even though I know she could not be in better hands, I sometimes feel a bit sad that my little girl might be growing up.
I am glad to hear business is steady for you as well. I hope a few of your guests have given you the challenge of a good game of chess and I look forward to playing you when we meet again, which I am sure we will do.
Yours truly,
Jarrod
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Dear Jarrod,
In response to your letter, no one has been through whom I have enjoyed playing chess with as much as you. A gentleman staying here a few nights ago asked for a game and to my embarrassment, I lost my concentration more than once as I remembered your smile as you sat across the table from me.
I am glad to hear things are busy around your ranch and am sure you are correct that your daughter is in the best of hands with your brother. By the way you spoke of her, I do not think you ever need worry that your Chloe will ever grow out of being your little girl.
Although I wish I could be saying this to you in person, I understand it is your life and family that keeps you in California and mine that keeps me in Nevada. I will content myself with the promise that we will meet again sometime and the thought of receiving another letter from you as soon as I may.
With warmest affection,
Rebecca
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My dear Rebecca,
It is true that our lives are miles apart, but they have come together before and I believe they will again.
I must confess to thinking of you more of late. I attended a social in town with my daughter and family, as well as my brother Nick's sweetheart. I asked a few of the ladies to dance, but all I could think of was how much I would rather have had you in my arms. I am loath to admit the rather improper thoughts I have had of holding you close, of touching your silky hair and tasting your sweet lips. I know I am a divorced man raising his daughter, but dare I hope that you might feel a connection with me that is akin to the one I have developed to you?
I am tempted to tear up this letter and start again, speaking of only proper subjects, but I must be honest with you. If this makes you uncomfortable, I do apologize and hope you will forgive me enough to respond.
Yours always,
Jarrod
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Dearest Jarrod,
Never apologize for speaking of your true feelings to me. I fear all too often people use the excuse of propriety to hide from themselves and others.
Would it shock you for me to admit I have been having the same thoughts? That I think of having your strong arms around me and of kisses that would leave me breathless? I feel a thrill every time I receive one of your letters and am sad when I reach the end as wish it would go on forever.
But I feel I must change topics and speak of more mundane things before I write something that should not be put down on paper. Apparently I am not the only one in town who smiles at the mention of the Barkley name. I am certain you receive reports from those in charge, but I must say you made quite an impression on our small town and the increase in the production of the mine has been a great boon. I have not heard anyone speak of you or your family with anything less than respect.
I must go, the bread is almost ready and I wish for this letter to go out this afternoon.
With my fondest thoughts,
Rebecca