Comfort and Joy
Christmas 1879
Inside the Barkley mansion, the trimmings were all up and the egg nog was ready. Hundreds of cookies on a dozen trays were set out around the living room. Neighbors were expected to drop by all afternoon – it was, after all, Christmas day.
Jarrod had arrived from San Francisco two days earlier and was relaxing in his "thinking chair" by the fire, his feet up on the coffee table, a glass of egg nog in his hand. He contemplated all the opened gift boxes under the tree with a contented smile. His mother had given him the new boots he needed and Nick, Heath and Audra had all come up with dress shirts to replace the ones he'd managed to ruin over the course of the year. His family members seemed to be pleased with the gifts he'd given them. Silas contributed the best late morning breakfast ever made – and since Silas was one of the best cooks in California, it was surprising that he outdid even himself.
The only thing missing was Maggie, but she had declined to come here with him. She wasn't ready yet. He wasn't either – he hadn't even told his family about her. But he really missed her.
Victoria came in from the kitchen, touching Jarrod's shoulder. "What happened? Did you eat too much?" she asked.
"No, no, not at all," Jarrod said, and saw her disbelieving eyes. "All right, a bit too much, but I'm not collapsed. I'm just enjoying my egg nog and the smell of those wonderful cookies."
Victoria sat on the settee across from him. "Audra and I really slaved over the cookies this year. She had a new recipe Carl's mother left him that he'd never had anyone try, and she wanted them to be perfect."
Jarrod started to get up. "Guess that means I'll have to try one right away."
Victoria raised a finger. "No, you don't. She and Silas and I have already tasted them."
"And?"
"They're so much better than my recipe it isn't funny."
Jarrod laughed. "You know, this was about the nicest Christmas I can remember, maybe because I'm not here all the time anymore. Makes me appreciate the joy of the season more and being around the people I love."
"Are you still happy you moved to San Francisco?"
Jarrod nodded. "Yes. It was the right decision. My practice is growing all the time, and things are going exactly the way I want them to go. And let's face it, any minute now you're going to have a new son-in-law to take my place. You won't miss me in the slightest."
"While I really hope you're right about the new son-in-law, he will never replace my first born," Victoria said. "I am proud of you, Jarrod, in every way, but I do wish you could find time to come visit more often."
"I'll make a New Year's resolution," he announced. "Once every other month, for at least one day, at least."
Victoria was about to say she'd settle for that if she had to, but the front door opened. Audra came in with Carl Wheeler. She had him by the hand and he could barely keep up with her as she rushed into the living room.
"Mother! Jarrod! We have an announcement!"
Jarrod and Victoria both stood up. "Oh?" Jarrod said in mock surprise. "What could that possibly be?"
Audra popped him playfully in the arm. "You knew! How did you know?!"
Jarrod took hold of her hand and admired the ring. "Carl showed the ring to Nick and Heath and me and then swore us to secrecy. I figured this was one secret you wouldn't mind me keeping." He winked at his Mother.
Victoria hadn't known. Jarrod passed Audra's hand to her, and she was in tears the moment she saw the beautiful, single diamond ring. "Oh! Oh, my goodness! I have to start planning a wedding!"
"Not right this minute!" Carl said. "We set the date for June 15th."
"Here, I hope," Victoria said.
"Of course, here," Audra said, "with a reception in the garden. It ought to be beautiful in mid-June."
Victoria threw herself into Carl's arms. Surprised, he almost blushed, and he did laugh. "So you'll call me Mother from now on!" Victoria said to him.
"Yes, ma'am," Carl said, taking the hand Jarrod offered while still holding Victoria with his other arm. "Or, yes, Mother."
"Welcome to the Barkley family," Jarrod said. "And may heaven help you!"
XXXXX
Every visitor who came by that day was introduced to Carl Wheeler as Audra's fiancé, and it seemed like none of them was really surprised. The house was as festive as Victoria had ever seen it, but her mind was on that future wedding, what the house would look like on that day, how each of her sons would have a particular job to do – and yes, Eugene would come back to do his part or she would disown him.
When Victoria caught a look at Jarrod, if she had Audra's wedding on her mind, she automatically saw him coming in the front door with his wife beside him, nearly two years ago now, and she immediately looked away. Her only other child to have been married, and a widower unacceptably fast under horrible circumstances. She did not want to dwell on that, not when there was so much happiness in this room. Even Jarrod was grinning ear to ear and explaining to everyone that there was no way anyone else was going to give the bride away. This was Christmas, and the gift of a new member of the Barkley family was too glorious to be marred by what happened in the past.
Nick and Heath came in from the range at about two. They were immediately accosted by Audra, who gave them the same punch in the arm she had given Jarrod for knowing about Carl's plan to propose before she did. They kissed her congratulations, shook Carl's hand, and then quickly went upstairs to change clothes. Then they were back downstairs, greeting guests, drinking egg nog and eating cookies.
When all the guests had come and gone, and everything quieted down, Silas came into the living room and announced dinner was served. He was met by groans all around. Cookies had done everyone in – except for Nick, who popped up out of his easy chair and said, "Wonderful! Let's eat!"
Even Carl said, "Nick, someday your stomach is just gonna explode."
At the end of the day, Jarrod was reading in the library when he heard Carl and Audra talking out front. Carl was about to leave to go home. Jarrod caught a glimpse of them kissing in the soft porch lights, and he smiled before he turned back toward his desk to give them some privacy. For a moment, he did remember Beth, how delighted he was to bring her home through that front door, how the future was so bright for them both.
He sighed the thought away. It was something that was never to be, and right now he wasn't sure it was ever going to be with Maggie. But he hoped with everything in him that Audra's and Carl's future would be everything they wanted it to be. He vowed to himself that he would do everything he could do to make sure it was.
XXXXX
"You need to get some fresh air, get San Francisco out of your lungs," Nick said to Jarrod as the family finished breakfast the next morning. "You ought to come out with us and help us brand those cattle we picked up in Modesto last week."
"Strange time of year to be branding cattle, isn't it?" Jarrod asked.
"Not for these. Bought them unbranded from a guy who raises cattle for resale to ranches. He doesn't brand his calves, and these are yearlings we picked up. Beautiful stock, reputable seller, really good price this time of year. I just want to get them branded before bad weather sets in."
"Well, tell you what," Jarrod said. "I'll go out with you, but I'll do the cutting and chase the strays. The rest of you can wrestle those beasts to the ground and brand them. I'm too out of shape for that."
"Deal," Nick said.
Audra said, "I'll be with Carl for most of the day. Don't plan on me for dinner."
Victoria said, "I never plan on you for dinner these days, Audra, unless you make a reservation ahead of time and make it for two."
"Shall we start planning the wedding today?" Audra asked her mother with a twinkle in her eyes.
"I'll be giving the bride away," Jarrod immediately claimed his spot.
"Best man!" Nick said, raising his hand.
"What's left?" Heath asked.
"Ushers," Victoria said, "you and Eugene. But you'll be the one to walk me down the aisle."
Heath grinned. "I like that idea."
"Wonderful! That's settled!" Victoria said. "Now, we need to decide on flowers and food for the reception, and you boys will have to make sure you get haircuts and shaves in the morning. No scruffy just off the range look, and then there are musicians – "
Jarrod, Nick and Heath all got up from the table together. Jarrod said, "Time to go see the cows."