From Rockville to Stockton Chapter 7

After Danny sent the telegram to his mother, he had no idea what he would do next unless he went back to his room at the boarding house. He had honestly thought of finding Jarrod's office, but he was unsure if he should or not since he wasn't supposed to start the internship for two more days. So, he finally decided to go back to the boarding house. He brought along a deck of cards to play solitaire, and of course, he brought along some law books and other books to read. He even brought his Bible with him, a gift from his grandmother before he left for Harvard.

Retrieving the Bible from one of his bags, he held it in his hands for a few seconds, remembering that his grandmother didn't really like Jarrod when he came walking on their property, after Jarrod was injured by falling from his horse caused by young Danny shooting toward him to scare him away. Then later when Danny's grandmother felt that her daughter-in-law was having feelings for this stranger, not knowing if her son was dead or alive at that time, while also knowing that the stranger was starting to have feelings for her daughter-in-law, neither thought sat right with her at all.

Danny was sad that his grandmother had passed away before he finished college, he knew how proud she had always been of him, just like his mother. He knew she would be especially proud that he went to a college as prestigious as Harvard, but he couldn't help but chuckle at what she might think of him now that he was going to be interning for Jarrod "Dakota" Barkley's Law Office.

Libby and Danny both were happy and relieved that before Hannah died, she told them both that "if she ever got the chance to apologize to Dakota she would." Even though they all knew that if Jarrod's accident had not happened there would be no need for an apology, because of the reasons for his arrival on their ranch in the first place.

"Thank God all that is in the past now!" Danny said to himself out loud.

Just as he started to read in his bible again, there was a knock at the door that caused his nerves to act up once again. "Who, who is it?" he said very nervously

"Danny, it's Jarrod Barkley."

Danny breathed a sigh of relief as he got up from his bed then made his way to the door. He took one more sigh then opened the door.

"Hello Danny, I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Jarrod said cheerfully then his demeanor changed when he took a good look at Danny. "Danny is something wrong?"

"Um no sir, I was just reading and the knock on the door just startled me that's all, really I'm fine."

"Well alright then, what I was wondering is if you would like to get something to eat, even though I have heard Mrs. Weaver is a great cook?" Jarrod grinned

"Sure, that would be great. I'll let Mrs. Weaver that I'll be having Dinner with you, so she won't be expecting me to eat here tonight, thanks."

"Fine, fine," Jarrod said happily. "While we enjoy our meal, we can get to know each other better, if that's alright. We'll have plenty of time to discuss law over the next few months. Does that sound alright with you?"

"Yes sir, that sounds great."

As they made their way to the Cattleman's, Jarrod pointed out business after business and even pointed out the courthouse on their way. And of course, introduced Danny to many of his friends and acquaintances.

When they arrived at the Cattleman's they both gave the waitress their order. Then after she walked away, they took a sip of their drinks and just sat in silence for what seemed like forever to them both.

Then Jarrod finally broke the silence, when he asked Danny about his life back in Rockville. "Do you have brothers and sisters?

"No sir, it's just me and my Momma now; my grandmother lived with us until she died a few years back."

Danny took another drink of his water, thinking to himself that if Jarrod would remember him, this would probably be the time. "I grew up mostly on a ranch just outside of Rockville, but we moved to the town of Rockville oh, I'd say about seven or eight years ago." He felt he was going to faint because he knew that he had opened enough of himself that Jarrod should know who he was…unless because of the circumstances back then Jarrod could have pushed that memory out of his mind.

And really who could blame anyone that would forget such a time? Danny then felt a knot in his stomach; he thought about excusing himself, but he felt that would be rude, so he tried not to show how nervous he was yet again.

However, what he didn't know was that Jarrod had already begun to be nervous by now, the mystery of who Daniel Scott Matthews really had been solved. He was beside himself, so many emotions were turning inside of him as well. Thankfully he did not feel as if Danny was there out of revenge. He had to admit that he was proud to think that he had possibly made a positive difference in Danny's life.

"Mr. Barkley what about your family, if you don't mind me asking about yours?" Danny said nervously

Jarrod was lost in thought so much so that after Danny had asked the question he did not answer right away. Danny thought he would have to ask the question again, or maybe just let it go, then Jarrod finally spoke.

"I'm sorry my mind suddenly went somewhere else. To answer your question though, and no I don't mind at all, I have two brothers and one sister. I am the oldest, and my sister is the youngest. And my mother is still alive, my father passed away several years ago. We all live on a Ranch just outside of town "The Barkley Ranch."

"That's sounds great having siblings," Danny said wishing he had had siblings.

"Yes, it is a joy, but of course we have our moments we don't see eye to eye with each other all the time, but that's in every family any and everywhere."

After Jarrod and Danny finished their meal, they walked back to the boarding house and just before they arrived there Jarrod abruptly stopped.

"Say Danny how would you like to see my office, I mean our office?" he asked, clearing his throat and they both laughed.

"I would like it very much sir thank you." Danny felt his stomach turning in knots once again.

"Ok let's go then, I think my secretary is still there unless she left for dinner, I will introduce you to her then show you to your new office."

"Thank you, sir," is all Danny could say

Both men were silent for just a moment when Jarrod asked him again. "Danny, I do have something I want to ask of you if I may?"

"Yes, sir go ahead and ask."

"Would you just call me Jarrod? Danny, I'm not one for many formalities. And if we get together with my brothers, too many "Mr. Barkleys" get in the way."

"Yes, yes sir I will, thank you, Jarrod."

Jarrod patted Danny on the shoulder then smiled. "Well, here we are Jarrod Barkley, Attorney at Law."