Rebecca continued to gaze out the window when the conductor called out Stockton as the next stop. The butterflies that had taken up residence in her stomach multiplied as the train slowed. She was going to be meeting the man she had been writing over that past few months for only the second time and hoped she wouldn't be disappointed. Or, more to the point, she hoped he wouldn't be. It was very possible that Jarrod had built up an unrealistic image in his mind and would regret inviting her. There was also the fact that she was going to be meeting Jarrod's daughter and after travelling for several days, she didn't think she was in a position to make a very good impression.

Rebecca sternly admonished herself to stop worrying. If it happened, it happened and it was better to find out sooner rather than later.

The train lurched to a stop and Rebecca collected her belongings from the rack above her seat.

"Do you need directions, ma'am, or any help with your bags?" the conductor asked as he helped her off the train.

"No thank you," she said distractedly. Her attention was riveted on the handsome man holding the hand of a little girl and coming her way with a dashing smile on his face.

.

"Do you think she'll like me, Daddy?" Chloe asked with a worried frown.

Jarrod tried to reassure her with a smile, but in his mind, he was thinking the same thing about himself. "Of course she will, Chloe." It was certainly possible that the reality wouldn't live up to the expectations. It was one thing to consider getting involved with a divorced father from 600 miles away; it was another to be confronted with it directly. He tugged playfully on her hair. "What's not to like?"

He was happy to see Chloe relax. A moment later, she asked, "Daddy, what if I don't like her?"

Jarrod crouched down beside her. "Chloe, you don't have to like her. I want you to be honest with me about how you feel, all right?" He would never pursue a relationship with anyone his daughter didn't feel comfortable with.

Relief came over Chloe's face and she hugged him. "All right, Daddy."

A train whistle sounded and Jarrod straightened up, still holding her hand. He took a deep breath to calm the butterflies in his stomach as the train chuffed into the station. It came to a slow halt and the brakes let out a whoosh of steam.

Then he saw the conductor help Rebecca off the train, looking just like he remembered. He walked up to her, took her bags and set them down before taking her hand in his free one. "Rebecca, I'm so glad you could come."

"Hello, Jarrod," she replied and the remembered sound of her voice sent shivers up his spine. "I must look a fright."

"Nonsense," Jarrod admonished, the smile never leaving his lips, "you look wonderful." He then smiled down at Chloe. "Rebecca, this is my daughter Chloe. Chloe, say hello to Mrs. Ashburn."

"Hello," Chloe said politely as she reached out her hand.

Rebecca extended her hand and shook Chloe's. "I've been looking forward to meeting you, Chloe," she said with a warm smile. "And if your father doesn't object, I'd rather you call me Rebecca."

Chloe looked up at Jarrod expectantly and he nodded. "If that's what Rebecca wants, it's fine with me," he assured her.

"Okay," she said brightly before smiling back at Rebecca. "You're pretty," she observed, making Rebecca blush.

"And you're even prettier than your picture," Rebecca complimented back.

Jarrod smiled indulgently at both of them. "Let me grab your bags," he said as he picked up Rebecca's luggage, "and we'll head to the ranch. I'm sure you'd like to rest and freshen up." Then he smiled even more as he saw Rebecca reach her hand down to Chloe and Chloe take it without hesitation.

The ride home was one of the most enjoyable Jarrod could remember. Rebecca talked easily with Chloe, smiling at his daughter's stories of life on the ranch and answering all of her questions. He added a few comments and Rebecca shot him warm glances from time to time that he happily returned. It seemed like no time at all before they were pulling through the gates of the ranch.

Rebecca looked at the big house in wonder. "Jarrod, it's beautiful."

Jarrod set the brake on the buggy and lifted Chloe out before offering Rebecca his hand. "I hope you'll feel at home," he told her sincerely.

She let her hand linger in his. "I'm sure I will."

Jarrod went to grab her bags out of the boot when he felt a tug on his jacket. Chloe motioned him closer and whispered in his ear, "I like her, Daddy."

"I do too," he whispered back with a wink.

Chloe took Rebecca's hand again. "Come on, I'll show you where your room is."

Rebecca and Jarrod exchanged smiles and she let Chloe lead her into the house as he followed with the luggage.

Jarrod kept himself back while Rebecca charmed the rest of his family. He longed for the opportunity to get her alone, but his mother had also invited Aggie Nikolas, recently affianced to Nick, for dinner so he didn't get the chance. However, Rebecca's eyes often strayed his way; Jarrod could feel the warmth and affection they held and hoped his reflected what he was feeling as well. Then when Rebecca invited Chloe to come upstairs and help her decide what to wear for dinner, Jarrod couldn't constrain his wide smile and winked when Victoria looked at him knowingly. It was still too soon, but Jarrod couldn't stop himself from envisioning a future with both his beautiful girls.

.

Rebecca stepped outside the open French doors as she waited for Jarrod to finish saying goodnight to Chloe. She was happy she'd taken the chance to come; her expectations had been met and more. The connection she felt with Jarrod wasn't only in her fantasies; even though they hadn't had a chance to be alone, it was an almost tangible thing. And the fact that she felt a similar connection growing with Jarrod's daughter was heartening to say the least.

She felt something warm drape around her shoulders and smiled up into Jarrod's blue eyes.

"I thought it might be a bit chilly," he explained and she pulled the edges of his jacket closer around her.

"Thank you." Rebecca had been thinking of things she wanted to say, but they all disappeared in the face of his dashing smile.

"I could offer you a game of chess," he suggested with twinkling eyes.

She smiled. "How about a stroll instead? Everyone's busy making plans for your brother's wedding, I don't want to interrupt them."

Jarrod offered her his elbow and Rebecca slipped her arm through it. They walked slowly through the garden and Rebecca found she didn't need to say anything. She just enjoyed being with him as he led her to a bench beside an arbour of roses and they sat, close but not quite touching except where he held her hand.

"I can't even begin to tell you how much having you here means to me," Jarrod said softly as he rubbed his thumb across her hand.

"I think I know," she replied and their eyes locked. Jarrod bent his head slightly forward and touched her lips lightly with his before pulling back.

He smiled ruefully. "I'm sorry, Rebecca. I promised you I would be a gentleman."

Rebecca reached up and brushed his cheek with her fingertips. "Well, then it's a good thing that I never promised to be a lady." She leaned in and this time their kiss was long and lingering. Jarrod's hand slid up to her shoulder while she slipped her arms around his waist and it was just as she'd imagined. Their lips broke apart, but they remained in each other's arms as Jarrod rested his cheek on the top of her head.

"I think Chloe likes you."

Rebecca savoured being so close to him as she thought of Jarrod's daughter. "She's wonderful, Jarrod. It's not hard to tell how much you love her and how much she adores you."

She felt Jarrod relax. "You don't know how relieved I am that you and Chloe get along." He pulled back. "It know it's early, but…"

Rebecca's heart skipped a beat. She'd rushed into marriage with her first husband and even though she knew she was falling hard and fast for Jarrod, assuming she hadn't before, she wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. "You're right, it is early," she said, cutting him off with a gentle finger on his lips. "And we have over a week before I plan to go home. Let's just see where this goes."

Jarrod smiled and softly kissed her again. "Wise as well as beautiful," he told her and chuckled when she blushed. He got to his feet and held out a hand to help her up. "It's late and I'm sure Nick is getting ready to take Aggie home."

Rebecca stifled a yawn. "You're right, it is late," she confessed. "I hate to admit it, but I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep in that comfortable bed."

"I'll try not to let Chloe wake you up too early," Jarrod said as they walked back into the house, "but she's so looking forward to showing you everything around here, that I'm not sure if I'll be successful."

"I won't mind, Jarrod, really," she assured him. Rebecca said goodnight to Jarrod's family and as she readied herself for bed, knew she was looking forward to the upcoming days as much as Jarrod's daughter.