Chapter Text
The Governor's Ball was in full swing and the entire Barkley family was in attendance. Jarrod was to play a prominent role during the new Governor's term, maybe even being appointed to the role of Secretary of State or Attorney General eventually. Neither office was openly sought by the eldest Barkley, but Jarrod was eager to help in any way he could. One of the platforms the new Governor had run on was prison reform, a subject close to Jarrod's heart.
He'd been told that he probably would have achieved an office sooner in previous administrations except for the business that had happened in Rimfire. Although it had been almost a decade since the events had unfolded, people seemed to have difficultly forgetting how crazed Jarrod had become during that time. Most didn't take into consideration that the man had lost his wife of only a few weeks, only that he'd lost control. Because there were no charges filed, it wasn't brought up unless he was being considered for a political office. Then inevitably there would be a private investigator who would find out the details, and Jarrod's name would quietly be removed from the list of candidates.
The new Governor, however, seemed to not have any concerns about Jarrod's past. The man stated plainly that he would probably have killed anyone to get to the man who had murdered his wife and the fact that Jarrod Barkley showed enough restraint to walk away was proof enough for him to want Jarrod to be a part of his cabinet in some form.
Jarrod had danced with his mother and sister several times but didn't really seek the company of anyone else. He was keenly aware that he was considered one of California's most eligible bachelors, but he pushed all that aside. He had been seen in the company of several woman since Beth's death but never more than for just a few outings. It wasn't that he was opposed to getting married again, no one had never seemed to catch his eye.
The thought of Beth made Jarrod sigh. His heart still constricted when he thought of her. His grief had been palpable, and he'd lost all control. He knew what he felt was guilt more than anything. He tried to imagine her with him at the ball but couldn't quite get the image to materialize. He knew a dark part of him existed, but he kept it tightly under wraps and never allowed himself to lose control, not until Beth's death at the hands of Cass Hyatt. He had come close when he'd lost his sight due to the actions of Joshua Cunningham but had managed to reign it back in with the help of his family. Having no control was not something Jarrod would ever allow to happen ever again.
Jarrod walked out to the veranda and lit his cigar. He could see the couples on the dancefloor, Nick dancing with his new bride Mary and Heath with his fiancé, Holly. Both couples looked extremely happy and content. For the first time in a while, Jarrod felt the stirrings in his heart of longing.
He took a few more drags of his cigar and extinguished it. His mother had been asked to dance by the Governor and Audra by a young man in attendance. Jarrod would wait until either were free before he'd join the others on the dance floor again.
The door to his left opened and he saw Judge Peterson enter. Martin Peterson was a California Supreme Court Justice and well respected. Jarrod had listened to the man speak in one of his classes during his law school days and was impressed. On his arm was his wife. Jarrod was about to turn away when he noticed someone had entered behind them.
The woman had dark hair and was wearing a dark green dress that fit her form perfectly. She scanned the room as though looking for someone. Her eyes met Jarrod's and he couldn't help but feel his breath catch. The woman was beautiful. She smiled slightly at him and then looked away as someone asked her a question. She answered, but then turned her eyes back to him before looking away again.
Jarrod realized he was staring but he couldn't tear his eyes away. He found himself walking toward the small group, hoping to learn the woman's name and for an introduction.
"Judge Peterson," Jarrod greeted, including the man's wife in his salutation.
"Jarrod Barkley," the older man replied. He introduced his wife, Eliza. He then gestured and the woman who had captured Jarrod's attention was motioned to join them.
"And this is our daughter, Ava."
Jarrod bowed slightly. "Miss Peterson," he said, hoping against all hope that she was truly a "Miss" and not a "Mrs."
Ava nodded her head slightly and looked down demurely. She had heard of Jarrod Barkley – of all the Barkley's – and was always impressed with anything said about the prominent family.
"Mr. Barkley," she said in a velvety soft voice, extending her hand. Jarrod took it and noticed that although her hands were soft, there were some slight callouses and it intrigued him all the more.
"Ava has just returned from abroad…" more was being said but Jarrod didn't hear any of it. He was lost in Ava's emerald eyes and dark lashes.
For both, time seemed to stand still. Jarrod realized he was still holding Ava's hand and he reluctantly dropped it.
"Well, if you'll excuse us, Jarrod. We need to greet the Governor," Judge Peterson said. He noticed how Jarrod seemed enthralled by his daughter. And if the twinkle in Ava's eyes were any indication, she was equally captivated. Internally, Martin Peterson was thrilled. He'd been following Jarrod Barkley's career for a while and was most impressed. He knew about Rimfire, but he wasn't deterred by what had happened. Martin glanced over at Eliza and didn't know what he'd do if something happened to her.
As her parents moved away, Jarrod reached out and gently took Ava's hand again. He leaned in and whispered, "Save a dance for me?"
Ava smiled and nodded, then hurried to catch up with her parents.
Jarrod and Ava danced together several times before the night was over. His family noticed right away that Jarrod seemed smitten. All hid smiles so as not to draw attention but were excited.
The family planned to stay in Sacramento for the week after the ball to relax. The ladies spent their days shopping and wedding planning for Heath and Holly's wedding. Jarrod had several meetings with the Governor and some of his cabinet while Nick and Heath would spend the day exploring the city and thankful, they had a large open ranch to go home to. Living in the city was not for them, not that they had ever doubted.
As luck – or fate – would have it, Ava and her family were staying at the same hotel as the Barkley's. Ava and her mother joined the Barkley women on several excursions, and both families dined together the last evening in Sacramento. As dinner was finishing and everyone was dispersing, Jarrod asked Ava if she'd join him for lunch the next day. He and his family would be leaving on the late afternoon train. Jarrod had spoken with Ava's father, requesting his permission and it was granted without hesitation.
The two enjoyed their time together and Jarrod learned Ava was quite the horsewoman. That explained the callouses he'd felt.
Ava was considered in society an "old maid". She was only 8 years younger than Jarrod. She had been engaged once and her betrothed had passed away from illness before they could marry. She'd been devastated and had no desire to find anyone else. She spent her time working with horses and had just returned from Europe, having visited with family.
Their time together seemed to go by too quickly and the two promised to keep in touch. Jarrod and Ava exchanged letters and whenever Jarrod was in San Francisco – which he found himself going quite a bit – he was a frequent visitor to the Peterson home.
Six months after the Governor's ball, their engagement was announced. And six months later, they were wed. Jarrod and Ava took a train East and honeymooned in New York City. Jarrod had construction started on their home during their engagement and it would be completed while they were away.
Life was better than good for the dark haired barrister and a year to the day of their wedding, Jarrod Thomas Barkley, II was born. Thomas was a healthy boy and brought much delight to his parents. While the couple never did anything to prevent having children, they believed Thomas would be an only child. It wasn't until the young boy was almost four years old that Ava discovered she was expecting again.
It was during this time that tragedy struck. Eliza, Ava's mother, fell ill and never quite recovered. Ava was close to her time when her mother passed away and was unable to make the trip when the family was called in to say their goodbye's. Ava was devastated. Jarrod made the trip to San Francisco to attend the funeral and pay the family's respects.
Looking back, Jarrod would see how this event started the demise of his family's happy life.
Charlotte Eliza was born a month later. As soon as it was acceptable, Jarrod, Ava, and the children went to San Francisco and stayed with Ava's father.
Time pressed on and things returned to a new normal for all. Ava and the children made frequent trips to San Francisco with Jarrod and sometimes without. It was the times without Jarrod that he found concerning. He felt Ava slipping away from him, but he felt powerless in what to do about it. He knew she felt enormous guilt for not being present when her mother passed away.
While Ava did love her husband and children, she couldn't shake her sense of sadness. She knew the family's eyes were on her and she tried to be the same happy Ava they all knew. Instead, it was all she could do to make it through each day. Thomas was a quiet child who was content to read and could entertain himself. Charlotte was more needy, always wanting her mother and not satisfied with anyone else. Ava found herself feeling resentful of the child but knew that was not fair to her daughter.
Jarrod asked Ava to go away with him for a week. It was the last thing Ava wanted but she knew she owed it to her husband. She reluctantly agreed and left the children in the care of her mother in law. Thomas was now seven and Charlotte had just turned three. She was still very much attached to her mother and cried when Jarrod and Ava left. Ava hated the fact she felt relieved to be away from her daughter for a while.
Jarrod planned a romantic get away in San Francisco staying in the finest hotel. He knew Ava would want to see her father so he made time for that in their schedule as well.
Martin Peterson was grateful his daughter and son in law had made the trip to see him. He was also glad they were without the children. While he loved his grandchildren, he worried for his daughter. She never seemed to quite get over the death of her mother and he could sense the strain between the couple every time they visited. Martin knew Eliza would have said, "They just need a good dose of togetherness." He joined them for dinner one evening and then informed them he had been called away to Sacramento. He hadn't in fact been called away but knew Ava would insist on seeing him more if he were still in town.
Jarrod and Ava spent 4 days at one of the most luxurious hotels the city had to offer. The first day was a struggle as the two needed to remind themselves of the love and passion they once had for one another. Something that had been lost in the business of life, children, and Ava's grief. They spent their days roaming the city and their nights in each other's arms. It was a second honeymoon and one both agreed that was needed.
They weren't due to return for another few days when a telegram was delivered. They were needed back at the ranch. Both packed in a hurry and were on the next train.
Nick met them at the station. He dreaded having to give them the news. He wanted to wait until they returned to the ranch but knew he wouldn't be able to hold out.
The train stopped and Nick watched as Jarrod helped Ava from the train. Jarrod's and Nick's eyes met and Jarrod knew in an instant it was bad. He recognized the look on his younger brother's face. He just hoped it wasn't one of the children.
"Nick, what's happened?" Ava asked. Jarrod stood next to his wife, a protective arm around her.
"Let's walk over to your office, Jarrod. Pete here will get the bags and take them back to the ranch," Nick replied.
"No, tell me now," Ava demanded. For a woman who only stood just at five feet and four inches high, Ava had a commanding presence. Nick looked to Jarrod for help.
"Darling, let's go to my office. Whatever news Nick has, he doesn't want to give it to us here," Jarrod said quietly.
Ava looked from her brother in law to her husband. She knew they were right but her mother's heart was filled with dread. Don't let it be Thomas, she thought and then immediately felt guilt for not thinking of Charlotte. She of course, didn't want anything to have happened to either of her children.
They made their way to Jarrod's office where Victoria was waiting. Her eyes were red and swollen and Jarrod's heart sank. He knew then something had happened to one of the children.
"Mother?" Ava asked, going to her mother in law. "What happened?"
Victoria sat down and Ava sat with her.
"Yesterday, I put Charlotte down for a nap. Thomas was out on the range with Nick and Heath and their boys. I heard Charlotte cry out at one point but then I thought she'd fallen back to sleep when I didn't hear anything else. I went to check on her and she…she was gone. She'd passed away. Oh Ava, Jarrod, I'm so sorry!"
Ava stared at her mother in law, seemingly unable to comprehend what she was being told. She tried to take a breath but her lungs wouldn't cooperate. She felt hands on her, knowing they were probably Jarrod's.
Ava awoke in hers and Jarrod's bed in their home. Jarrod was sitting in the chair next to her, a lamp burning low allowing her to see he had been crying, the tears were still fresh on his cheeks.
Ava sat up.
"Please tell me it's not true," she whispered. Jarrod came over and sat on the bed next to her. The look on his face was all she needed to know. Her daughter was gone. Ava began to cry and Jarrod joined her. The two held one another until Ava pushed back.
"I need to see Thomas," she said. Jarrod nodded. Heath and Holly had offered to keep Thomas with them since their sons were the same age but Jarrod knew Ava would want him close. Victoria offered to stay with them to care for the boy but Jarrod thought it best if they were alone as a family.
"He's in his room sleeping," Jarrod replied.
"Don't wake him. I'll go to him."
Jarrod helped Ava out of bed and she noticed she was in her nightgown. Jarrod helped her put on her robe and the two made their way to their son's room. Ava noticed the door to Charlotte's nursery was tightly closed. Her heart ached at the sight.
The two stood and watched their son sleep. Neither knew how long they stayed until Jarrod noticed Ava was nodding off. He led her back to their room. The two climbed into bed and held one another until sleep claimed them.