Chapter Twenty Six

As Silas helped Victoria set the dining room table, he could hear Nick welcoming Eugene and Eliza. Nick had traveled to town and brought Jenny Hollister along with Heath and Elizabeth, who were now living in the guest house on the ranch, back with him. Alejandra, her two children, Isabel and Jarrod were already in the living room. He was sure Audra, who had been over at Will and his father's ranch, would arrive soon.

When it came to the Thanksgiving dinner, Silas would have felt nothing but happiness only that wasn't the case at the moment. How could he when he'd been watching, and listening to, Victoria these past few months…and doing both more closely than anyone was aware. It had taken him a little while, but he'd eventually realized why Victoria's behavior had been just a tad bit off since Jarrod had begun sending letters home. That conclusion was only enforced as he'd accidently overheard Jarrod and Isabel, who had stood a few feet away from the kitchen window, talking.

"This reminds me of the first Thanksgiving you and Mr. Tom had shortly after you were married, with all your brothers and sisters showing up and all." He said as he arranged the flowers on the table.

"You were kept pretty busy then too; I admit." Victoria admitted, though she was looking at him as if to ask 'why bring that up now'?

It didn't matter to Silas; he continued talking as he rearranged the flowers. "Only it's better. Everyone here, they belong together. But back then?" He shook his head as he smoothed out the tablecloth; he'd notice a few winkles. "I never said anything back then, only I knew the relationship between Jim and that gal he was seeing before he met his wife wouldn't work out."

"Silas!" Victoria was shocked; Silas seldom talked about anyone's relationship.

"Sorry, Mrs. Barkley," Silas looked at her and shrugged his shoulders as he continued smoothing out the tablecloth. "Only it's true. She was nice enough I suppose, but it's almost like she wanted to be the stronger of the two, to have Mr. Jim lean on her too much. He wasn't built that way. Sooner or later, it had to fall apart. No one here today is like that, no siree. Everyone standing on their own two feet and yet supporting each other like it should be. Yep, this is the best Thanksgiving yet."

Victoria, who had caught onto what Silas was indirectly saying, did her best to hide the grin that wanted to spread over her entire face. "You think that I've gotten it into my head that Jarrod isn't really in love with Isabel, and that he's simply leaning on her too much."

"I never said that, Mrs. Barkley," Silas finished smoothing the table cloth and the now nonexistent creases. "Just saying this is the best Thanksgiving." He said as he headed back into the kitchen, leaving Victoria to mull over what piece of wisdom, whether or not he verbally admitted it, Silas had just given her. Slowly, her mind still on Silas' words, Victoria made her way to the living room.

Nick was standing next to the fireplace with his right arm draped over Jenny's shoulders; the two were talking to Heath and Elizabeth who were standing a few feet away from them. Alejandra was sitting on the sofa knitting. Her daughter sat on the sofa next to her while her son sat in one of the chairs; they were both reading books. Audra and Will were standing near the farthest window talking to Jarrod and Isabel. As she looked at Jarrod with his left arm wrapped around Isabel's back, while his hand clasped her left arm, Silas's words repeated themselves. For the first time since Jarrod and Isabel had arrived, Victoria asked herself if she had indeed convinced herself it the history between Jim and his former girlfriend was simply repeating itself through Jarrod and Isabel; and that she hadn't really given the pair a chance.

Unaware of any of this, or that his mother was watching him and Isabel, Jarrod continued laughing and talking with his sister, her fiancé and Isabel.

"Are you sure the two of you won't consent to a double wedding?" Audra asked; she really liked the idea.

"No, Audra. Like I told you, as much as a part of both of us don't mind the idea, we want everyone we care about to be at our wedding. That would include our friends at the school for the deaf and blind." Jarrod answered with a tone that asked her to just accept the fact. "I'm sorry..." Jarrod, feeling his stress level again begin to rise, started to turn away. "All of a sudden my head hurts. I think I'll go lie down. But," he hurried on, not wanting to spoil the day's celebration. "Don't worry; I'll be up in time for dinner." He started to let go of Isabel only to find her holding on tight.

"I can at least go get you some headache medicine; that is, if you tell me where it's at." Isabel told him.

"Just ask Silas." Jarrod told her as he and Isabel walked away from his sister and her fiancé.

As the two of them drew close to Victoria, the Barkley matriarch spoke up only to be asked if it could wait. "I have a headache, mother." Jarrod told her and then repeated what he'd told Audra.

"I'm sure Silas will be more than happy to get you the medicine." Victoria told Isabel as the young woman let go of Jarrod's hand and headed towards the kitchen. "Jarrod…" Victoria took a step towards Jarrod only to have him ask her to back away for the moment.

"Later, Mother. I need to go lie down." Jarrod said more curtly than he meant to as he headed for the stairs. He told himself he'd apologize to his mother later, when he felt better.

Victoria sighed as she knew it was a headache caused by stress…something that had not been helped by her earlier behavior… behavior that she hated to admit was indeed bias and connected to her past feelings. However, seeing nothing she could do to make amends at the moment; Victoria turned her attention to her family who remained in the living room.