CHAPTER TEN

Hester and Nick

The annual Fall Festival was the perfect autumn day in the Valley. The leaves were a myriad of colors, and the weather was crisp enough that all Jennie needed was a light shawl. She and Nick greeted everyone at the breakfast table and excitedly discussed the days' events and especially the ones he and Heath would be competing in. All work at the ranch and the new house construction were halted so that even the workers and the hands could join the day's activities. Dressed and ready to leave, the men mounted up, while the ladies settled themselves in the carriage for the ride to Stockton.

Arriving, they excitedly watched the buzz of activity. Audra and Jennie decided to wander the booths that had been set up with all sorts of baked goodies, jams and preserves, and pickled vegetables. Victoria and Jarrod went to the Cattleman's Hotel to have refreshments, which left Nick and Heath to watch some of the competitions they weren't involved with.

"I'll meet up with you at the shooting range", Nick called to Jennie as she and Audra waved good bye.

A wrestling ring had been set up in the middle of the street and Nick and Heath stood on the boardwalk to get a better view of the competition. Watching from behind a curtain in the Hotel, Hester waited patiently for an opportunity to catch Nick alone. He knew she was in Stockton because of the note she sent him, but he was fervently hoping he could avoid seeing her. Her patience was shortly rewarded when one of the contestants was slammed to the mat and apparently passed out. Nick ran to get the doctor, and Hester made her move.

She raced down the stairs and caught up with him as he was on his way back to the wrestling ring and pulled him into the hotel lobby. "How dare you ignore me" she hissed at him.

"What are you talking about? he countered, "and why are you hounding me?"

"Once I was the light of your life...the most beautiful woman you ever saw" she cried, "Everything in your life was going to revolve around me...and then you run off an marry that slip of a nothing and act as if I don't exist".

Nick stared at her incredulously. "If I remember correctly, you walked...or more correctly...rode out of my life at the exact moment I needed the woman I thought I loved by my side." he said angrily. Then he added emphatically, "I am very in love with my wife and she with me. Go away and leave us alone".

He turned to leave but she grabbed his arm again. "No one walks away from me, Nick Barkley" she stated angrily.

"Hester" he said removing her hand from his arm, "I don't know what it is you want from me, but go back to San Francisco and marry one of your fancy dudes." And with that, he stormed out the door – and right into Jennie and Audra.

They instantly saw the smoking anger in his face. "Whatever was that all about?" Jennie inquired.

He stared down at her and barked, "go enjoy the festival and leave me alone". Jennie arched her eyebrows in shock. Nick had never said a cross word to her, but aware of her husband's mood, she merely shrugged and walked away.

Audra turned to her brother, "what's wrong with you?" she scolded. "More importantly, what is Hester doing in Stockton?"

Nick angrily said, "I can't seem to get rid of her" Then he added, "Leave it alone, Audra. I just hope she gets tired of whatever this game is and goes away."

In the meantime, Hester turned around and encountered the disapproving stares of Victoria and Jarrod.

"Hester", Victoria started, "Nick is a married man now...why don't you leave him alone." Hester let out a deep sigh and without any acknowledgment, stormed up the stairs to her room.

Victoria and Jarrod left the Hotel and saw Audra standing on the boardwalk looking after Nick.

Victoria shook her head as she watched her son storm after Jennie.

"Apparently Hester will not leave Nick alone" Audra commented.

Jarrod looked after his brother, "I think Nick is smart enough to protect his marriage." Together they returned to watch the wrestling matches and allow Nick and Jennie some privacy.

Nick hurried to catch up with Jennie and turning her to him, enfolded her in his arms. She looked up and he could see the tears welling in her eyes.

"Jennie" he said softly, "I'm so sorry. I have no idea why she is here" She just nodded her head as he continued, "you are my world, my love and my life...don't ever forget that."

She laid her head on his chest and let the soft tears flow, "I guess I'm just being too emotional" she said. "You mean the world to me, Nick."

Nick kissed the top of her head, and lifting her chin looked into her eyes, "why don't I buy the most beautiful woman in Stockton a caramel apple" he said smiling. She laughed and taking his arm, they walked over to the apple stand together.

For the rest of the day and into the night, Jennie and Nick enjoyed their time together. She cheered for him as he competed in the shooting contests, and when he offered her the rifle, she laughed and politely declined.

They continued to sample the many tastings offered and eventually met up with the rest of the family for the evening's dancing. True to form, Hester was there and the center of attention. She danced her way from one cowboy to the next and reveled in the crowd of admirers that were surrounding her. She fervently hoped that Nick would feel a pang of jealousy, but instead she felt a twinge of anger when she realized that Jennie and Nick left the dance early.

The moon lit ride home reminded Jennie of another ride a while ago when Nick was first courting her. She shyly suggested a detour to their lake, and when they arrived, Nick gently helped her from the buggy. They walk arm in arm toward the fallen oak log where she had serenaded him on their first date, and looked toward the rising structure of their soon to be home.

"Nick" she whispered, "are you happy to be married to me?"

He knelt down in front of her, and taking her hands in his, kissed them as he answered, "you have made me the happiest man in the world".

"But...Hester?" she questioned.

Looking deeply into her eyes, he replied, "I am forever thankful that I didn't make the biggest mistake in my life by marrying her."

And gathering Jennie in his arms, they shared a passionate kiss in the soft moonlight.