Oakwood Lake
Jennie was thrilled with the progress being made at Oakwood Lake. The interior walls were finished and wood paneling and flooring were being installed. Wong and Ling's little house had been completed and they were settling in nicely. Jennie and Ling planned out a vegetable garden and other flower planting for around the two houses once spring arrived.
"I haven't had a garden since my days at Laramie" Jennie reminisced to Ling. Then she added, "the rose bushes will add some lovely color."
Ling nodded her approval, "Yes, Miss Jennie" she said, "fresh vegetables will make the baby strong."
The barn and stable were also nearing completion, and Nick and Heath were arranging for some of the horses to be stabled there. Nick designated Joshua to instruct Wong on "stable maintenance" and Wong was more than happy to pitch in both at Oakwood Lake and at the main ranch house.
Furniture and other fixtures were arriving weekly and Jarrod arranged for storage for whatever could not be used immediately in one of the main ranch's barns.
Jennie and Ling were on their way back from a brief shopping trip in Stockton – having picked up some of the basic essentials and food stuffs. Jennie wanted to surprise Nick with his first meal in their house and Ling was more than happy to assist in the kitchen. Earlier, Victoria dropped off a couple of steaks, and she showed Jennie how to preserve the meat in shelled corn until the kitchen was better set up. She and Ling were sorting out the vegetables they bought and Ling was starting a fire in the newly installed stove. Unfortunately all the day's planning and the work of setting up the basics wore on Jennie. She was growing increasingly large in her pregnancy and was absolutely exhausted and short of breath.
"Miss Jennie, you rest and I will fix dinner" Ling said to her. "I think I'll lay down on the settee for a few minutes" she replied.
The next thing she realized, Nick was barreling into the house, "Jennie...Jennie" he shouted, "where are you?"
She called to him, "I'm in here resting." He came in and started laughing as he realized she couldn't get up and out of the settee.
"You looked like a turtle on its back" he chuckled. And taking her hand, gently pulled her up from the settee.
"I seem to have grown substantially overnight" she laughed.
He put his arms around her and giving her a kiss saying, "...lets have that dinner you promised."
She looked at his dusty appearance, "can you tidy up a bit?" she asked. He looked down and nodding, left to wash up at the outside water trough.
Feeling presentable, he went to meet Jennie and arm-in-arm they walked into the sparsely furnished dining room. Jennie had set the makeshift table with the lace linens and beautiful china they received as wedding gifts. Fine silverware, two crystal glasses and a candelabra completed the picture.
Nick held the chair for Jennie while Ling brought out the covered dishes of their dinner and bowing wished them a good night. "I will clean up later, Miss Jennie" she said as she left the house.
Nick looked at the dishes and gushed with anticipation, "I'm starving" as he lifted the cover of the first dish...and looked down at the cooked spinach. Then lifting the cover of the second dish, winced as he saw a salad. Jennie could see his face and didn't know whether to laugh or just stare. The third dish was uncovered and revealed rice and cooked string beans.
He looked across the table at Jennie and said, "are we eating just leaves and vegetables?"
Jennie started to laugh, "I guess she forgot the steak" she said simply.
"Can we just leave" Nick asked.
"We can't insult Ling" Jennie replied. "Eat what's here...and when we go back to the ranch we can see what Silas has made".
"I assume you can straighten this out?" Nick said with a wave of his hand.
"Well, I'll certainly try" she replied.
Nick and Jennie entered into the kitchen and saw Silas putting away the left-overs from the family meal.
"Hold on there, Silas" Nick said holding up his hand, "Jennie and I will finish the leftovers." And with that, he seated Jennie at the kitchen table and proceeded to serve the left over steak, mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Victoria heard his voice and upon entering the kitchen arched her eyebrows and questioned, "what are you two doing in here?"
Nick replied, with his mouthful, "Twying to eat a decent supper." Jennie started laughing and they both told Victoria of the meal Ling had prepared.
She joined in their laughter. "Well, Silas will just have to give Ling some cooking lessons about ranch food". Jennie and Nick finished their meal – and the three of them adjourned to the library where Jarrod was relaxing with a glass of sherry.
Jennie greeted Jarrod warmly, but then looking at the others, said "I really am exhausted, so I'm going upstairs to lie down and hopefully fall asleep."
Nick went to go with her, but she gave him a hug, "no, my love, you stay here and relax...I'll be just fine." and with that, she said her good-nights and headed upstairs with Victoria.
"Well, brother Nick" Jarrod said cheerily, "how was the first dinner in your new home?"
Nick gave him a sidelong glance and muttered, "it will get better".
Heath commented, "yes, Silas told me about your dinner of leaves and vegetables".
The brothers settled in for a game of billiards, and while Heath was setting up the table, Jarrod turned to Nick. "When I was in San Francisco, I ran into Brett Skyler and got some interesting gossip bout Hester".
"So what" Nick retorted.
"Well", Jarrod said, "it appears that Ms. Converse is the victim of younger beauty".
Nick looked at him, "Now, what the heck does that mean?"
Jarrod replied, "It means that there is always someone younger and prettier who enters the social scene and becomes the center of attention."
Nick leaned on his cue stick, "continue" he said.
"Apparently, Ms. Converse is not the toast of the town the way she once was...and it is having an effect on her social...and mental status" Jarrod answered.