The short chubby detective that Jaxon hired to find Sophie came into the office. He puffed and tried to catch the breath from having to climb up a few stairs. His face had an indifferent look like he couldn't care one way or the other about anything except his wallet that he touched a few times to make sure it was still there. He addressed Jaxon in the even tone of his voice. 

"The lady with a description of Sophie was seen on Sunday......." He took another puff of breath and settled himself in the chair before he continued, " At the Dayton market yesterday walking with a man...... We can't be certain it was her.....well they vanished ....before my man had a chance.... to ask them a few questions....." Now he started to look a little anxious and added. "Do you wish us to investigate further?"

"No, that will be all, but if you do find out by chance, let me know, and you'll be rewarded." 

The man's eyes flashed at the mention of the money and he quickly tried to reassure his client, "We will keep an open eye."

Jaxon paid him and waited until he was out before he clenched his teeth. She didn't lose any time to go to her lover.

The same afternoon he heard from his solicitor. He informed him that as for Eric's whereabouts, he didn't know where he was. After Eric left school the payments stopped and he never heard anything else about the lad.

It's been eight days now and Dallin got used to Jaxon being around, but still asked about his mom.Jaxon did spend as much time with him as he could, never missing to read and kiss him at night. He still had a hard time believing he had a child, but love for him was deep and real. He never felt this about anyone. Dallin's innocence and loving approach moved him. He inherited his mother's soft heart and unselfish nature.

Every time he thought about Sophie he felt rage when he thought about her with another man and how fast she moved on. 

Jaxon got a sudden urge to go back to "Morning Glory". He had no reason or care to stay in St. Paul's any longer. The next morning he closed his house and traveled back to Julesburg. Dallin asked about Sophie, but with a heavy heart he assured him that mommy will come after them. 

Jaxon had no idea when he told him that he told him the truth.

He was convinced that Sophie left, and already lived with some man, and it was actually her that got spotted walking around Dayton. The more he thought about it the more he became angry. Maybe she had someone all this time, a lover, he didn't know about, and she couldn't wait to be with him. Jaxon never knew a loving mother's heart and didn't know the strong pull it can have towards the child.

****

Ida expressed her concern for Sophie's wish to leave Immediately." You are not well enough for such a long trip. You are stronger, but if you collapse again, it will take you twice as long to recover. Stay with me for a few more days."

Sophie realized Ida was right, but knew her stay put the strain on the old woman to feed another mouth. 

"I don't want to be a burden to you." 

"You are not a burden. It is nice to have another person around, and a few more days will make a difference for you." 

Ida chatted in the evening while she made cheese in the tiny kitchen, and Sophie learned a lot about her. She told her about the days when she was a midwife. With sadness in her voice she remembered her husband, and that they never had children. He passed away some years ago and now she was all alone.

Ida found a dress for her to wear while her own was washed and dried. 

Sophie stayed for a couple more days, but her heart urged her to move on. She got too restless to stay any longer. 

"Thank you for all you have done for me, but I think it's the time for me to go. I'll take a stagecoach back to St. Paul's and from there after I sort things I'm going back to Julesburg. I miss my child." 

"I understand you, and wish you all the luck." Ida was reluctant to let her go, but knew she couldn't stop her. Sophie wasn't content and had made up her mind. 


Sophie managed to get to St. Paul's. She still felt weak, but slowly she packed and closed the house. The rent for the house she bought was arranged to be picked up and deposited. After all was situated a few days later she was on her way back to Julesburg. It felt good knowing that with each mile she was closer to her son. Nothing else mattered, and she tried not to think about Jaxon, the man who was the cause of her heartache. 

She stepped down out of the stagecoach and noticed that the town changed from the last time she left here. The butcher's, and the shoemaker's shop were still there, but there were a few more new buildings along the road she used to travel so many times. It's been a long time, and memories threatened to surface. Sophie pressed them down, this wasn't the time to go down memory lane. 

She needed accommodation first, and she found temporary one at the boarding house. The room was small but clean. Later on she'll look for something more permanent. 

To get a job was a necessity, the rent money from her investment house was reserved if Eric comes home and if she gets Dallin back. She couldn't erase hope out of her heart. If she did, she wouldn't be able to go on.

Irony had that the only job offering she got was at Jaxon's sugar factory. The manager that hired her had no clue who she was and told her she can start the next day. She was among a few women workers sorting the beets.

The next morning she showed up at her workplace. It was a long and tiring day, but she got the information she hoped for from the gossip chatter among women. She learned that Jaxon was back and with him came a little boy. 

Sophie couldn't wait too long, and decided it was time to go and see him. The only place she had a chance for that was his office.

The "Morning Glory" house was out of the question. She was aware she would be turned around as soon she would put a foot on the long drive. 

When she showed up at the warehouse Ben recognized her at once, " Miss Sophie you are here. It is good to see you." 

"Thank you Ben. I'm here to see Mr. Barnett. Is he here?" 

"Yes, but I'll have to see if he's available. He's been very busy lately." 

"I'm prepared to wait as long as it takes for him to see me." 

Ben looked at her with sympathy, but didn't say another word. After a few minutes he came back but his solemn expression told her it wouldn’t be as easy.

"He'll see you, but he is busy at the moment. He said if you wish to wait. " 

"I'll wait,Ben. Thank you."

Ben left her alone in the small room next to the office and politely made his way out. Her nerves were in howick, and her tummy in knots. Now alone Sophie's confidence plunged. 

What if he says no? What if he never allows her to see Dallin? 

She sat at the edge of the chair and by her expression no one would guess the turmoil happening in her mind. The whole hour passed, but the door remained firmly closed and there was no other sound coming from anyplace, as if the building was abandoned. The quiet intensified her fear. It took another half an hour for the door to finally open up.

"Sophie! That is a surprise. You decided to appear at last. Is your lover with you? " 

Her mind first registered shock upon seeing him, and then registered the words he said. 

"Lover?" She was confused about his question. 

"Don't pretend. We came back for you, but you were gone. Couldn't wait to go into his arms." He turned away from her and looked outside the window. "I have the reports you were seen in Dayton with a man." The anger lined his voice, then he went back and sat behind his desk leaving her to stand by the closed door. 

Jaxon observed her, the porcelain skin, full lips, even skinny as she was now she was still beautiful. His reaction to her came as a shock. He wanted her, the desire to hold her didn't go away with his anger. 

"You are wrong." She tried to tell him, but he gave her a cold unbelieving stare. It was pointless to argue with him no matter how frustrated he makes her, and wouldn't be smart to anger him further. She needs his cooperation to see her son. Sophie kept quiet. 

"So, what do I owe this visit to?" 

It would be pointless to avoid the answer to the question he already had answer to. 

"I'm here to ask you to see my son." Her hands were trembling violently, and her knees were just about to give away. 

"Well I'm not sure if my proposal stands any more."

"I just want to see Dallin." She said very softly with tears in her eyes. 

He didn't answer her right away and it appeared as he was thinking. Sophie felt the panic rising in her throat and her hands started to tremble even more. He turned towards her and his eyes showed resentment, but despite his obvious feelings said. 

"You are in luck, because he misses you as well. I will allow you to see him, but I will be present at those meetings. Can't trust you not to run away with him. The visits will be supervised by me." 

"Thank you!" It was hard to say it for wanting to see your own child.

He stood, rounded the table and stepped closer to her. She flinched away from him, her back touched the door, and he registered the movement. Deep down he felt the pang of anger. She never used to do that. She was always warm and welcomed his touch.

Was it because she has a lover? Was he here with her? 

He turned away from her and went back to his seat. Sara shifted on her feet. If he touched her she knew she wouldn't be able to think clearly, and the last thing she needed is for him to know how vulnerable she is to him. She can't let him use her again. He was her weakness. She's been there and the only thing she got was a lot of pain and heartache.

"You can see him tomorrow morning." He startles her from her thoughts into lifting her head. 

 Her mouth went dry and she cast her eyes to the floor. She couldn't avoid telling him she has a job. 

"I can't. I got to work tomorrow morning."  

His eyebrows lifted, "Work? Where?" 

"In the factory." 

"I'm surprised! So, he can't support you, and you spent all your money."

She wanted to tell him, but didn't want to risk fueling his anger any further. 

He took some papers off of his desk and started to read them, ignoring her for a few moments.

" You can see Dallin tomorrow after your shift. He'll be happy to see you." 

"Thank you once again." 

"You can come to the "Morning Glory". It will be more private." 

She looked at his hard, unfeeling eyes. How would it feel if they would look at her with love and warmth in them. She was aware it would never happen. Sophie knew he was letting her see Dallin for Dallin's benefit, and if it was up to him she would never see her son again. In spite of everything the look of him arises tingly feelings in her. She still loved him, how she wanted to trace the line of his square chin, feel the rough texture of his hair, and have his strong arms around her. How could she still love him and how deep does she have to bury her feelings to prevent them from surfacing and exposing her. Somehow she was afraid he would use it to his advantage.

Sophie heard the door closed and she found herself in the dark, cold hallway of the warehouse. She got out as fast as she could. The outside air was crisp and the first misty raindrops started. She hurried up the road and after a half an hour she reached the boarding house which was a dwelling with eight bedrooms and all the occupants were women and girls working in one of the town factories. Her hair and clothes were damp, and the chill got right to her bones, but the tiny rented bedroom wasn't offering much warmth. Sophie shivered and crawled under the covers of her single bed. The tears started to slide on their own, their saltines reached her lips and soaked the pillow under her cheek. 

She was all alone. Sophie looked forward to tomorrow when she can hold her son. 

Jaxon watched her while closing the door behind her with a lust in his eyes. He still wanted her, his blood boiled just having her in the same room. The need to hold her took a lot of restraint on his part. Jaxon was looking forward to tomorrow night. Maybe he doesn't need a wife after all. She only needs to say yes and he'll take her back to his bed, and she can forget this man and her work at the factory.

He was single again, and eligible, and a lot of families in town would like to see their daughters married to such a powerful and rich man. He didn't lack a dinner invitation and he smiled at the thought. He's been that road once, now he'll look for satisfaction on his terms. He returned all the land he gained with his first marriage not wanting any ties to his late wife's family. Jaxon bought more land from his other neighbour that was in financial difficulties and was forced to sell, and now he had more than he needed. It was only the land. It didn't take the loneliness away.