Chapter Thirty-Six
Jarrod looked up at Heath, standing in the doorway, and inwardly groaned. The last thing he wanted to do was deal with Heath, especially after last night. No, correct that, the last three days, ever since he'd been back in Stockton. His quarrel with Nick seemed to have seeped into every area of his life, and Jarrod was mentally and physically exhausted, not to mention hurt too.
Yesterday afternoon, after what he termed the ghastly encounter with Priscila, Jarrod had gone back into his office, shutting the door much harder than he meant too. Once within his private sanctuary he had gone over and poured himself a very large glass of scotch, which he finished in two gulps. The memory of the shock in Priscilla's eyes, as he'd summarily dismissed her, caused him to wince.
He had decided that instead of another drink, tempting though it was, he would tidy up his desk and call it a day. His plan was dinner and a quiet evening, which he felt he needed. The Cattleman's Hotel had their chicken fried steak on the menu, which Jarrod was looking forward to. The hotel didn't have the best bedrooms, but the food was first rate and it had the added benefit of being across from his office.
Jarrod was just putting away the last piece of paperwork when Lewis made a cursory knock on the door and entered. "This just came for you, Mr. Barkley." Lewis approached his desk and briefly met his eyes, as he jutted out the envelope clasped in his hand.
"Thank you Lewis." Jarrod took the letter. Lewis only nodded in response and then abruptly turned and exited the office. He had witnessed the scene with Priscilla. Perhaps that was the cause of his curtness but Jarrod knew that he would not say anything about what was obviously a private matter of his employer.
Jarrod turned his attention to the envelope, opening it with his silver letter opener. The cream colored vellum bore his name in a fine feminine hand, and Jarrod wondered if maybe Priscilla had responded to his earlier letter. As he read, the contents of the missive caused him to go still, and he reread it three times, to make sure he was reading what he was.
Completely forgetting about dinner, Jarrod quickly slipped into his jacket, grabbed his hat, and almost ran out of the office. Only as he exited the building did he pause to gather his thoughts and some decorum. It wouldn't be done for a lawyer to be seen bolting across the street in haste. Even taking the short cut to the river front, it still felt like hours to Jarrod.
Arriving at the house he noticed the even more than usual oriental reserve that Chin Lee greeted with him. Jarrod demanded to see Rosemary right away, but instead of getting his wish, was ushered into Maisy's private sitting room. There, Jarrod flashed the letter, and demanded an explanation for Rosemary's behavior. He soon found out though that Maisy either didn't know, or wouldn't tell him – the experienced Madame could lie as easily as she breathed – and Jarrod was left with no answers.
Somehow he found himself back at his office, staring at the letter still clutched tightly in his hand. Jarrod had never thought his relationship with Rosemary was anything permanent; it had always been based on knowing the game, so to speak. Rosemary was not an innocent young virgin, nor had she presented herself as such. For Jarrod, looking for an easing into a physical relationship again, Rosemary had been perfect. The fact that she had been intelligent enough to understand his life was the icing on the cake.
He would have understood if she'd come to him and explained why she wanted to move on, and Jarrod would happily have given her a generous settlement. It was the fact that she had left so abruptly, with just a rather formal letter that really said nothing, which hurt him. For one moment Jarrod thought about going to the train station, the stage stop, or even the waterfront, before he realized how pointless it was. Rosemary had wanted to leave, and Jarrod was astute enough to realize that she didn't want to be followed. Hell, he didn't even know why she was leaving, as he reread the note again, letting his fingers touch the writing.
Dear Jarrod, I am writing to let you know how much our time together meant to me. People come into your life for a reason, and I know that you gave me warmth and comfort. I realize now though that it is time for me to move on; I never meant to end up where I have. There are certain things I want to accomplish with my life. You will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope that you find someone to love – Jarrod, you deserve love and happiness. God bless you Jarrod. Rosemary
Instead of dinner at the Cattlemen's, Jarrod had made do with some leftover tea biscuits that he kept in his desk drawer. Those had been washed down with almost half a bottle of scotch, as he contemplated his life, such as it was. As the alcohol started to mellow him out, he felt a melancholy over take him. Yes, he was a successful, accomplished lawyer, but at the end of the day he came home to an empty room.
Beth had loved him, bringing warmth and laughter into his life. He had met her a year after the encounter with Julia Saxon, which had reawakened all the painful memories of the war. When Beth's death came, after only a few brief days of happiness, Jarrod had felt intense pain and rage. It almost made him commit murder, and he never wanted to feel like that again.
It struck him as interesting that he had met Priscilla and Rosemary at almost the same time; just when he was becoming aware of the world and the people close to him. They were very different, but both beckoned him to open up to life again. Now, having come out of the dark period, Jarrod felt like he was being pulled back in, hard and swift. The quarrel with Nick, the encounter with Priscilla, and now the news about Rosemary all encroached on him like a heavy grey fog.
The upshot was that Jarrod decided he was just a little too under weather to make it back to the hotel. He was very conscious of his standing in the community, and to be seen staggering into the hotel would only be detrimental to his professional reputation. Instead, he fell asleep on the couch in his office, knowing it would only be a light, fitful sleep.
When he awoke, sore and stiff, he made it to the washroom, where he stripped off his shirt and pants. Jarrod always kept a second kit at the office, so he was able to clean himself up almost as well as if he'd been at the house or the hotel. He also kept two changes of clothes in his office, so by the time Lewis showed up at nine o'clock Jarrod was his usual well groomed self – at least clothing wise.
He sent the clerk out get him breakfast from the hotel, knowing that his eyes, with their puffiness and dark circles, belied his fine suiting. Jarrod didn't want to be scrutinized by the men he knew would be doing business over breakfast. Lewis accepted his explanation of having arrived at the office early, and Jarrod planned to plead research, to get his lunch brought in later. He shied away from the idea that he was hiding out, instead rationalizing his actions by telling himself he was protecting his reputation. That thought was in his mind as he forced himself to greet Heath casually.
"Heath, hello. How are you doing?" Jarrod strove to achieve a pleasant note, not wanting Heath to start his gentle poking into his personal affairs. "I have been meaning to stop by, but my work load is very busy." He left it there, knowing that Heath wouldn't pry any further. His youngest brother had been a lawman in his past, and understood nuances of the legal field.
"Not a problem, brother; I do understand." Heath replied with an easy smile, as he went on. "I was looking for some company over lunch, since I had to come into town about the supply order. What with Sarah being in Modesto I'm fending for myself." His brother's response had Jarrod breathing a sigh of relief.
He knew that his brother's wife had been in Modesto since yesterday, and wasn't expected to be back until tomorrow. The owner of a chain of hotels in the San Joaquin valley, who lived in Stockton, had commissioned the Rose Dressmaking Firm to outfit his female hotel staff. It was all based on Sarah's outreach to local businesses, and this one had hit the mark. Jarrod had been impressed when Sarah had brought the contract to him, for his oversight.
Jarrod admired Sarah's business acumen, and her ability to see a money making opportunity. If the woman had been married to anyone besides Heath, Jarrod would have been concerned about Sarah's drive to succeed. He knew though that his brother, having been raised by independent strong women, would always support Sarah in her desire to succeed. He shied away from his mother's observation, and the implied caution that Heath and Sarah, with their strong work ethics, were both trying to atone for their father's failings.
"Yes, I looked over the contract before she left, and it is a good deal." Jarrod reply was bright, pleased to have another topic of conversation. "I have to tell you that your wife is a sharp businesswoman and you should be proud of her." Jarrod stated firmly, glad that his younger brother had found a woman he could relate to.
"Sarah is very determined, and a hard worker; I admire that so much." Heath replied, and Jarrod was happy to nod his head in agreement. His happiness was short lived as a loud knock on the door disturbed the peacefulness of the office.
"Hello, Jarrod, Hello?" Nick's voice trumpeted outside the closed door, even as his knocking shook the door at its hinges. "Honestly, isn't Lewis around? Did you send him out for lunch? I need to talk to you!" Jarrod registered the annoyance in his brother's voice and wondered what the hell he was doing here! It didn't surprise him in the least when his brother forced the closed door open and strode into the office, his spurs leaving marks in the fine Turkish rug.
"Don't you know how to knock?" Jarrod leapt up from his desk, the headache forgotten as his anger at Nick and his behavior to him leapt to the forefront. "Are you here to dictate my law practice? Don't you have enough with the ranch, vineyards, orchards, mines, and whatever else comes under your control?" He wasn't going to give one inch to his brother, who had tried to interfere in his professional life. Jarrod knew exactly his worth as the legal counsel to the Barkley enterprises, and he wanted Nick to understand that position.
"I'm sorry for not knocking, but Lewis seems to be at lunch. I need to talk to you; oh hello Heath." Nick was by now next to Jarrod's beautifully carved mahogany desk, acting as if he had every right to be there. "As far as your law practice, let me state that my issue was not about your clients, but rather the family." He didn't get any further, as Jarrod cut him off with a quick comeback at what Nick had told him the night of their initial argument.
"Your issue was with my whole life, both personal and professional, brother!" Jarrod sneered. "Don't think I've forgotten that nice lecture you gave me, about my actions affecting the family. It was rich, coming from you." Heath saw the fury in Jarrod's eyes, but before he could intervene Nick, who wasn't going to let comments like that pass opened his mouth.
"Well whose fault was it that Priscilla was called to task by the school board? You, because of your deception in how you enrolled Noah in school." Nick's voice rang around the room, and Heath wished that their mother was here. "Did they teach you that at law school? Or did you learn it from your clients?" At that point Heath mentally wanted to throw up his hands, as his two brothers were going at it full force.
Heath had not been pleased to see Nick show up; his plan was to take Jarrod out for a nice lunch and remind him of his status as Pappy. He had been concerned when he'd first stepped into the office, that the quarrel with Nick was affecting Jarrod deeply. Now though, watching how Jarrod had sprung into fighting mode at the sight of Nick, his previous melancholy did not make sense.
Heath started to wonder if what was really bothering Jarrod had nothing to do with Nick, which piqued his curiosity. He and Nick had often speculated on Jarrod's life in Sacramento and San Francisco, mostly regarding female companionship. They had both hoped that their brother would find a lady, and Heath now remembered Nick saying something about a widow Jarrod was courting?
Even as he thought that, he realized he needed to get back to dealing with his brothers. It was clear that both men, proud and strong, had drawn lines in the sand – Nick with Priscilla and Jarrod with his law practice. Forcing himself to think clearly, the first thing that came to him was why Nick was here in Jarrod's office?
By Heath's calculations, Nick should be stomping around the ranch, waiting for Jarrod to turn up, hat in hand so to speak. However the hot-tempered, fierce rancher was here in Jarrod' office? Heath, getting tired of trying to puzzle it all out, finally had enough of the loud bickering.
"Stop it right now!" Heath deliberately raised his voice, and both his brothers paused in the midst of their argument. Their youngest brother was normally the softest spoken man to ever come along; now, his fine timbered voice ringing around the room caused silence.
"Nick, what are you doing here?" Heath decided to start with his middle brother, because after all this was Jarrod's office. He was beyond curious as to why Nick had left his domain, to meet his opponent. It didn't make sense, because in the larger scheme of things, Nick held all the cards.
"Priscilla is concerned about Noah and his future." His middle brother replied, shifting his heels and causing his spurs to rake the rug. Heath saw Jarrod wince at the action, and was simultaneously surprised and not surprised that his eldest brother would be fussing over his Turkish rug – rather ugly in Heath's opinion – but he kept that thought to himself. Heath saw that Nick had more to say, but Jarrod cut him off with a sneer.
"Oh, Priscilla told you about the whole thing?" Jarrod's tone was cold. "Why am I not surprised? She doesn't keep anything from you; or don't you let her? How is that tower coming?" The meanness in the reply took Heath aback, and once again he had the feeling that there was more going on with his brothers than he knew about. He felt rising annoyance as he watched the two men he loved dearly go at it.
"I am here because Priscilla wants Noah to be aware of what his parents, and this Colonel Kelling wanted for him. Those people gave their lives defending a United States Army Post, and Noah – who lived through the slaughter – should have the gift left for him." Nick's voice boomed around the room as he stood up very straight, while raising his chin with pride.
Heath saw Nick's response and understood where it was coming from, as well as now knowing why Nick was here in Jarrod's office. The man had been a brave and decorated cavalry office during the war, and Heath knew that Nick was still close to the men he had served with. That his brother would admire Noah's parents and commanding officer, who had sacrificed their lives and family for the sake of the army didn't surprise him. Heath also was not surprised to hear that Priscilla was at the back of Nick's appearance in Jarrod's office.
He had seen, on so many occasions, how well Priscilla and Nick related to each other. Heath had silently chuckled when, more than one ranch hand, outside of Nick's hearing had commented on how smitten their boss was with the fine young lady. Only because of Priscilla's asking would Nick ever have been the one to make the first move in the quarrel with Jarrod.
"Jarrod, I don't know the matter with the boy, but I think it needs to be the main priority." Heath decided that moving the focus to a young man would get both his brothers off of their high horses, so to speak. "Will you tell me the circumstances of his case?" He hoped that by stating it in legal terms, Jarrod would remember his calling as a lawyer. It pleased him to see Jarrod nod in response to his request, and the next several minutes were spent with the man telling Heath the story, even as he worked hard to ignore Nick.
"Ok, now that we are all on the same page." Heath paused here, looking for Nick's agreement, which the man happily gave. He was sure that if it wasn't for Priscilla Nick would still be skulking around the ranch. "Nick, what does Priscilla want Jarrod to do, to help Noah and his situation?" It seemed best to leave the quarrel his brothers had about the young lady out of the conversation.
Listening as Nick explained what Priscilla wanted gave Heath more amusement than it should have. What she wanted meant crossing societal borders, which Heath could only applaud. He had never given the young teacher credit for being as open minded as she obviously was, but then a student of hers was involved. No doubt Priscilla would always be soft hearted about children; she was a natural teacher and would make a good mother. Heath could see her dealing easily with Nick and a large family, with love and laughter, which is what his brother needed and wanted.
"Jarrod, I think Priscilla's request is the best way to proceed." Heath announced, even as he knew that his oldest brother probably didn't want to hear that. "Get everyone together, let Noah hear what his options are, and then he can decide what he wants to do. It makes sense to have Rufus there, since he is Priscilla's boss and Noah is spending time at the man's ranch." At the back of Heath's mind was the niggling thought of why he had to referee what was such a simple matter. Heath then remembered his earlier thought, that there was an unresolved issue between his brothers that he knew nothing about.
"Fine Heath, since you think it is best!" Jarrod conceded with bad grace, which Heath discerned clearly. "I will have Lewis set it all up for day after tomorrow, provided the involved people are available." Heath heard Jarrod's barely concealed fury at being back into a corner by Priscilla, via Nick. It bothered him, because he had always thought that Jarrod admired her.
Heath wondered if Jarrod was upset at Priscilla confiding in Nick; but that didn't seem reasonable. Nick and Priscilla were clearly in love, and Heath had no problem seeing that Priscilla would tell Nick about the situation. As Heath sighed, he knew that it all came back to something else going on with Jarrod that he wasn't privy to. So be it, he thought to himself; right now he least had his brothers in the same room, on somewhat of the same page, for a young boy's sake.