Tom stood silent. God...he could feel his body stir, they were alone together. He relaxed for a moment in her warm smile, in her innocent blush...did he want to sit close to her? He shook his head. This woman was far from innocent and so was he. He had a purpose in this meeting and he couldn't forget it!

"Why are you here? What do you want? Where is your husband? And just how much does that friend of yours know?" Tom's questions came quickly, one after the other not giving time for an answer. His tone grew harsher with each inquiry.

Leah was shocked, hurt...sad. Her eyes pooled with tears. She had always wanted this moment and the reality was nothing like the dream she had mooned about over and over for years.

"Tom...I am here by accident...it was fate. We were on our way to Stockton to get Heath to a doctor. I had no idea this was your ranch until you entered the room.

"And the boy's father?" Tom was not going to let up.

"If you're asking if I have a husband...no I am not married, Tom." Leah was also growing a bit angered.

"Oh Leah...what have you done to yourself, to that boy in there?" Tom's holier than thou attitude was speaking as he pointed his finger down the hall.

Tears and heartbreak overwhelmed her. "So it was okay for you to share my bed, but no one else?" She always thought that if Tom met Heath that he would understand that this was his child, their child.

Tom shook his head. "I guess it's none of my business how you choose to live. I just want to make sure that you're not here for money. I want to make sure that friend of yours isn't going to tell my wife about something we did that is long past."

"So she doesn't know?" Leah questioned.

"No, she doesn't know. It was a mistake, my mistake. No reason to upset her about things that didn't matter. Victoria and I are happy. We're expecting our third child and I want to make good and sure that you are not here to start something."

The words rang over and over in her ears...mistake...she didn't matter to him at all. She closed her eyes wanting to stop the tears she knew were coming. How could she have been so wrong!

Tom stood in the silence and watched her. In a moment of regret he gave her heart some peace, peace that would allow her to move forward. "Look Leah, maybe if I hadn't been married...maybe we could have had more, but I love my wife. I did then and I do now. I'm sorry...but I have to protect my family, myself."

She smiled through tear-filled eyes. He did care. There would never be a future and he was so worried about Victoria finding out the truth that he had never even given thought or calculation that Heath might be his son. "Your secret, our secret is safe, Tom. It has been and will always be. We will leave here tomorrow if the doctor will allow Heath to travel. If Heath cannot, then maybe the doctor has a room in town that he'll allow us to stay in. Tom...I chose Stockton because I didn't have much money to get Heath the help he needed. You told me once...many years ago that if I ever needed something..."

"That you should let me know. I had forgotten about that, Leah. I wrote that in the letter I sent you. You know, I was so relieved when I didn't hear back from you. It was such a shock after all this time to see you standing in my house," Tom spoke more softly. He had hurt this woman again, this time with words. She had come to Stockton seeking help for her sick child and maybe some financial help from someone who had offered.

"Tom, you know how much I care for you. I would never ruin the lives of so many people because of my feelings for you. Victoria is a very lucky woman." Leah wanted him to understand. How she wished that he could love her the way he loved Victoria.

"I'm the lucky one, Leah. You rest and don't worry about the doctor's fees. We'll take care of them. I'd better get back to help with Heath. Howard and I will make sure you know what he finds when he's done tending to your son," Tom assured.

"My son... he is the joy of my life, Tom. Thank you." Leah was grateful, very grateful, relieved and a bit sad. Sad that Tom would never know his precious child. However, now she could move forward. The past was suddenly very distant...it was time to begin again!