Jake arrived in town as a fugitive looking to clear his name. Michael Grande had that proof, but wouldn't use it unless Jake spied on Megan Gordon for him. Megan became aware of Jake's spying. Jake then passed himself off as a reporter working for a soap opera magazine. Jake and Megan began a friendship. Michael Grande was murdered and Jake and Megan were the main suspects. But when Megan went on trial, Jake found the real killer (Megan's father, Roger Gordon) and freed Megan. With Megan free, their friendship blossomed into love.

Megan's sister Sarah was kidnapped by the new crime boss, Carlo Hesser. Jake pretended to be interested in Carlo's daughter, Charlotte, to get information. Carlo saw through Jake's attempt and threatened to harm Megan and Andy if Jake didn't marry Charlotte. Jake married Charlotte and then when he tried to divorce her, she faked blindness. Jake soon realized he was being fooled and left Charlotte for good and won back Megan. Love prevailed and Jake and Megan were married by the Reverend Andrew Carpenter.

After the wedding, Jake suddenly became obsessed with providing for Megan, so he takes a job as an arms trader. He had to travel, but swore he wouldn't be gone for long and would not be in any danger. On one trip Jake was taken prisoner by General Gaza in Jaba and was reported missing. He was rescued by Andrew Carpenter, who told him that his wife was deathly ill. Andrew and Jake escape the prison, killed the General, and rushed home to Megan's side. Jake took his wife in his arms and showed her the tree he planted and decorated for her outside the window, the same tree they planted at the church on their wedding day. He held her close as her life slipped away and she died in his arms. Devastated by his wife's death, Jake left for California.