Chloe and Rebecca took to one another instantly. When Jarrod got home after the one court appearance he hadn't been able to reschedule, he found them both giggling in the kitchen, covered with the icing they had used on the cake Rebecca helped Chloe bake as a surprise for him. There were also family outings, long rides across the ranch and strolls through the garden, and Victoria had even invited Rebecca to join her for tea with the Ladies' Aid Society and Rebecca instantly felt at home.

As the days flew by, Rebecca found herself feeling more and more a part of Jarrod's family. But she still held her own feelings in check, not wanting to commit to anything too quickly. Not because she had any doubts about Jarrod or the quality of man he was; it was more that she thought she was still a little bit gun-shy. She hoped Jarrod wouldn't make any declaration of intentions during her visit; she just wanted to enjoy being with him without that hanging over her head. Rebecca had to admit that her thoughts were moving in that direction, but she wanted to be doubly sure. If she missed Jarrod as much as she thought she was going to, and he missed her as well, that would go a long way towards dispelling the fears in her mind.

There was also Chloe to consider. It wasn't hard to tell how strong the bond was between father and daughter and Rebecca didn't want Chloe to feel resentful that someone else might receive Jarrod's attention. She was a bright, loving little girl and Rebecca knew that Chloe came first in Jarrod's life, as she should. She wasn't going to do anything that might harm their relationship.

The sun was shining brightly on the morning of Rebecca's last day in Stockton and due to the unseasonably warm day, Chloe insisted that she and Jarrod take Rebecca on a picnic to one of her favourite spots on the ranch, a small meadow surrounded by pines that overlooked the river. After they'd eaten the delicious meal that Chloe helped Silas prepare, Jarrod's daughter asked for and received permission to search for wildflowers as long as she didn't go too far.

'It's just so beautiful around here," Rebecca commented. She glanced over at Jarrod and her heat skipped a beat when she saw the look in his deep blue eyes. "What?" she asked with a self-conscious smile.

"It is beautiful," he agreed and ducked his head in to steal a quick kiss.

Rebecca cuffed him playfully on the arm as she scolded him. "Jarrod."

He only chuckled and looked over to where Chloe had found a small patch of purple blooms. "Chloe's going to miss you when you go," he observed.

Rebecca smiled. "I'll miss her too."

Jarrod reached over and lightly took her hand. "She's not the only one," he added softly. "I don't want to rush you, or put any pressure on you, but I want you in my life, Rebecca, and I'm not talking about letters and the occasional visit."

Rebecca was grateful he didn't say anything more. "I'm feeling the same way, Jarrod, but…" She shook her head briefly before meeting his eyes again and relaxed when she saw patience and understanding. "How much did I tell you about my husband?"

Jarrod released her hand to lean back on his elbows. "Not a lot. Only that you found him charming, that he turned out to be a con man and you told me you thought it was for the best that he died."

Rebecca gazed across the meadow to where Chloe was sitting very still amid a cluster of flowers as she thought about what to say. "I'd only know him a month before we married," she finally said. "He wined and dined me and showered me with attention and compliments. My parents very strict and not open with affection, quite the opposite of yours," she added with a smile for Jarrod. "But I was lucky that my great-aunt Gladys lived not far away from us. She was a wonderful woman and I spent a lot of time with her until she passed on. That was when I realized my mother encouraged me to stay with Aunt Gladys so much because didn't really want a child in the house."

"Well, then, I have to thank your aunt for helping to create the wonderful woman I have beside me." Jarrod leaned in and gave her a soft, lingering kiss, which she gladly returned.

Rebecca smiled before she grew more sombre and continued. "When Beau asked, I said yes because he made me feel like I was the center of his world." She ruefully shook her head. "I followed as he wandered from town to town, gambling and, as I found out later, selling fake land deeds. Sometimes we stayed at the grandest hotel in town, but when the cards didn't go his way or the townsfolk didn't open their pocketbooks, I was lucky to have a roof that didn't leak over my head." Sighing, she added, "At one point, he admitted he'd married me mostly so he would seem more respectable."

"I can think of a few reasons for a man to marry you," Jarrod told her lightly, "seeming respectable isn't on the top of my list."

Rebecca blushed and Jarrod chuckled before she continued. "When I got the news that he died in a mudslide while showing his latest mark the land he said he was selling, I was so guilty that all I could feel was relief. I suppose I could've gone home, but I didn't want to listen to my parents' 'I-told-you-so's'. There was a decent sized stake since he'd been winning at the poker table all week, so I took it and ended up in Silver Springs where I bought the boarding house. I was selfish, I know, I should've tried to return it to the people he'd cheated…"

Jarrod cut her off. "He swindled you too, Rebecca," he said firmly. "I don't think you have anything to feel guilty about."

"Thank you." She reached up and lightly caressed his cheek. "I know you're not like that, Jarrod, and I think we have something together, but I hope you can understand that I just want to be sure."

Jarrod captured her hand and turned it to plant a lingering kiss on her palm. "I know, Rebecca," he assured her. "I realize it doesn't help that my record's not too stellar, either."

Rebecca left her hand in his. "Somehow, I doubt it was your fault," she told him. "I don't think a man who was a horrible husband would be able to raise such a wonderful daughter."

Jarrod was about to respond when the excited cries of "Daddy! Rebecca! Guess what!"

They both turned their attention to Chloe as she ran up to them, scattering collected flowers in her wake. "I was sitting really still and a butterfly landed right on my hand, Daddy!" She plopped into Jarrod's lap. "You should have seen!"

"I'm impressed, kitten. It takes a lot of patience to do that, but the best things come to those who wait." He was looking at Rebecca as he said it and she blushed again when she realized he was talking about more than butterflies.