From Rockville to Stockton Chapter 2

The next morning, when the family was eating their breakfast Victoria couldn't help but have her gaze on her oldest son. She so enjoyed the sibling banter between all of them. But he wasn't fooling her at all, she knew that this Daniel Matthews was bothering him. And she was very impatient to find out why.

Victoria was watching them all when her gaze fell on Jarrod who was smiling along with the others but not saying much, then he noticed his mother looking at him.

"A penny for your thoughts mother?" He said this in a way to put a smile on his mother's face.

"I'm just concerned about you Jarrod that's all!" she returned the smile in his direction.

"Well mother I appreciate that more than you'll ever know! However, I have determined to just wait until this young man comes and then take everything as they come!" he said with a smile

He thought that he had convinced his mother to stop worrying about Danny Matthews with his comment, but it didn't work. As a mother she would worry until this situation was resolved.

"Well, I had better get to the office, I have a case to review and then court this afternoon. I doubt I'll be home for lunch, but I'll see everyone at dinner tonight."

Jarrod then stood to his feet, then walked toward his mother and kissed her on the forehead telling her "See you tonight, Mother, don't worry I'm fine!" he said with his blue eyes shining in her direction.

Jarrod had just walked out of the dining room when the family noticed Heath stood up from his chair so fast that he almost fell and the chair was even knocked over, quickly he picked the chair up then looked at the family.

"I'm sorry everyone but excuse me please!" As he passed his mother, he placed a hand on her shoulder and kissed her on the forehead as well. When he shut the door to the house behind him that's when he called out to his brother.

"Jarrod!" Heath called out in urgency

Jarrod quickly turned toward him thinking something was wrong.

"Heath, what is it is something wrong?"

"No Jarrod, I'm sorry there is nothing wrong, but I wanted to tell you something in private, and Jarrod I don't know why I want to say this to you in private, but I just feel better doing so, at least now anyway."

"What is it?" Heath had Jarrod's full attention

"It's about Rockville, and Danny Matthews!"

"Oh, I'm listening, say let's walk toward the stable and talk!" Jarrod said smiling again noticing our tense Heath seemed to be.

Heath nodded as they walked toward the barn to get their horses.

"Jarrod, Does the name Libby Matthews sound familiar?"

Jarrod looked at his youngest brother as if he had slapped him in the face

Silence fell between the brothers until they went inside the stable.

They were both getting their horses ready for the day. When Jarrod looked up from saddling Jingo.

"Yes, Heath, I remember her, I went there on business, as I got near to their home her son shot at me to scare me off. Thinking I was one of the ranchers. That's what I was told by Libby when I woke up in her home.

Jarrod grew quiet again: "That's when I lost my memory! When I fell from Jingo"

"Say Heath, Danny Matthews is her son!" Jarrod said now sounding at ease.

"Now I'm not entirely sure about that, because I remember Nick and I arriving at their home looking for you. I know Libby Matthews had a son, but I don't remember his name for sure. I know her mother-in-law was living there as well."

"I am almost sure! thank you so much Heath, I'm glad at least one member of the family has a wonderful memory!" Jarrod said as he playfully slapped Heath on the shoulder.

"Jarrod, I am assuming he studied law, because of the influence you left on him and well, He probably picked you to intern for to thank you for being there for him and his family." Heath was happy with the way their conversation was going then he noticed a somber look on Jarrod's face yet again.

"What is it, Jarrod?"

"You forgot so easily that I arrived to persuade them to sell their land to the local ranchers! He may be here for revenge because of why I originally arrived there in Rockville." Jarrod was now sounding concerned again and even more negative this time.

"Now, Jarrod remember what mother always reminds us when we worry about something."

"Yes, she always says don't borrow trouble!" he chuckled

"Well, I am willing to place a bet that he chose you because he wants to repay you for your help. After all, in the end you were on their side anyway right!"

"You're right about that, and I was also…." Jarrod went silent again.

"You were what Jarrod?" Even though Heath asked the question he was almost sure of the answer that his brother would give.

Jarrod then breathed a heavy sigh,

"I was beginning to have strong feelings for Libby Matthews! Heath it wasn't known if her husband was alive or dead at the time. Of course, she assumed he was dead since he had been gone for two years already. I just didn't want to pursue things any further, I didn't want to set either one of us up for a heartbreak."

Heath shook his head in understanding then said.

"But didn't the two of you share a kiss before we left that day?"

Jarrod looked in Heath's direction and nodded his head yes!

"You know Heath as silly as this sounds, I'm sure I just forgot about him since he was just a boy oh, I'd say he was around ten at the time. And I guess I haven't forgotten about her, maybe because of the kiss we shared and the feelings I was starting to have for her. And of course, the interaction we had with each other I remember now that I had lots of interaction with the boy as well.

"Only time will tell Jarrod what the future will hold for all of us."

"Yes, it will Brother Heath see you this evening."

And with that the brothers went their separate ways.