Chapter Thirty Three
Every person in the warehouse and outside on the docks was intimidated by BlackJack Jackson. He was a formidable man. Everyone except Jo. She met her father's gaze with unflinching directness. He didn't seem off by her unabashed defiant look. In fact, he seemed to appreciate it.
"Let's not air our family's complications in public. We will all go back to the Palace. We have a suite." She took Jarrod's arm and headed to the hack. BlackJack smiled to himself, that's my Jo.
Jarrod made small talk in the buggy. Jo stared out of the window and listened. BlackJack told grand stories of Tahiti and the fortune he had made in pearls. "I have three sets of rare Tahiti black pearls for you and your sisters." Jo nodded but she would not be bribed.
"I am very proud of you, Jo. You increased the value of the trust by thirty-two percent since you took it over." She simply nodded again. Compliments were not going to work either.
"I received several letters that caused me to get on the next ship back here. Isabella's invitation to her wedding and … a letter from the Admiral informing me of the annulment. Why did you not write to me?"
That got Jo's attention. "He gave me an annulment?" Jarrod squeezed her hand.
"Yes… you should have already got the filings. Jean is nearing the end of his life and wants to make sure you are safe and happy." BlackJack gave Jarrod a challenging look. There was no doubt in his mind that he could still break him in half if he desired.
"Pappa, I haven't gotten anything except the crate today without a note. Washington hasn't had a filing and our attorney has received nothing."
"I don't understand why not. I assumed I would be coming home to your wedding too."
"By the way Barkley, Scotland Yard found nothing on you."
Jarrod said, "Well, that's good to know" with a smile.
They arrived at the hotel. Jarrod ordered a meal and drinks to be sent up to the suite. He also sent a telegram to Heath and Isabella that her father had arrived and would be coming to Stockton. BlackJack gave directions to the concierges about his trunks and to be moved to the Palace luggage room. He kept his valise with him.
BlackJack grilled Jarrod on the Barkley Holdings and seemed pleased with his answers. He asked about Heath and Isabella. He was furious about the attack on her and Audra. He talked about his letters from Adrienne and her arrival in the valley after Thanksgiving. Jo added little to the conversation allowing Jarrod to carry her portion of the discussion.
He asked about their plans. Jarrod took the lead once again. "We will be married soon when the annulment is final. My mother asked that we marry with the family and not elope." He explained his first impulsive marriage in Denver.
BlackJack narrowed his eyes. "I assume you have spent much more time with my daughter than that". Jarrod blanched but Jo was livid. It was the last straw. She exploded at her father.
"Don't you DARE question Jarrod's motives? He has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. He has been there every step of this hellacious fall. He has fought for me, comforted me, kept me sane, raised my children, and been my rock. He didn't desert me when things got hard. He fights for his family."
BlackJack knew he had to face Jo's wrath. He had dreaded it all the way back from Tahiti. He knew he would get Isabella and Adrienne to forgive him if Jo did. There was nothing coming that he didn't deserve and had beaten himself up over for years. Jo unloaded all the pain and injustices of the past ten years.
Jarrod was surprised to hear his intended, intersperse profanity within her diatribe. He smiled to himself; I need to remind myself to never get her this angry at me… Jarrod had always thought expletives unbecoming a lady and he still did… but now with Jo, he found them a bit provocative and risqué. Damn that pink peignoir again. . His thoughts were interrupted with her sailing a wine glass into the fireplace.
Her father was non-plussed. "I deserve all of this and more, Jo. I have told you I cannot live ably without your Mother but I am here now...it's all I can promise, I would like to try to make it up to you and your sisters. I would like to try my hand at being a Grandfather too. I am 50 years old and it's time for me to face my sins."
"We will see" as Jo marched out of the drawing-room into her private bedroom and slammed the door. A picture fell off of the wall.
"Well, that went well. Sit down Barkley and talk to me."
Jarrod and BlackJack shared a cigar and another drink. They talked some more and set up an uneasy truce. Jarrod was anxious for BlackJack to talk to their attorneys and share the letters he got from the Admiral.
Jarrod showed him to one of the bedrooms in the suite. "Good night sir".
"Don't be bedding my daughter with me a bedroom away...I have a few tricks left,".
"Yes sir, I have heard about the sharks." BlackJack smiled.
BlackJack was the first one awake the next morning. He took his coffee black and added a little something from his flask to bolster his confidence, he was going to need it by the time Jo finished with him.
My stars, she is so like Marie of all the girls. She is so strong and yet, so vulnerable. I loved that about my Marie. I am a good judge of character and Barkley definitely seems like a good match for her. Curious about the younger brother though... Actually, it's Jo I trust more. She's been able to read people since she was little. Her mind is so sharp...pity she's a woman. Sometimes I regret saddling her with Jean but I had felt it was the right thing to do. It's all working out now.
Jo was awake in her room. She was bolstering her confidence in a different way. She pulled out her Bible and read to still her mind. Forgiveness….why did it have to be in every verse she chose. Marie always forgave him too.
She just wasn't ready to, yet.
Jarrod was awake. He was bolstering his confidence in his own way. Analyzing all of the facts over and over again.
He had not slept well at all. Tom Barkley was in all of his dreams. Tom always choosing Nick for his favor, for the ranch, for being a man. He never understood me. Mother always did. I have made sure Eugene found his place in the world. Father would have been confused about him too.
I told Jo when we were talking about our future, we would save the name Thomas for Nick. It was better suited to his brother's children. Heath would never use it of course. I loved my Father, yes and he taught me well but maybe...
A few years back, it had hit him. Mother was stronger than his Father. The world would never see it but he had. Her steeliness gave him the strength to conquer his corner of the world. Had Marie done this for BlackJack? Would Tom Barkley have done the same if Victoria had been taken first?
Somehow, Jarrod understood BlackJack better. He still didn't agree with his choices but he understood. Now to help Jo see her Father in a new light.
Breakfast was brought up to the suite. Jo was all business this morning. Jarrod noticed the circles under her eyes and the swelling from tears. Understandable of course but did her Father notice?
BlackJack had noticed but was afraid it would ignite another scene if he comforted her.
Jarrod took the lead, "Can you tell me what exactly you know about the annulment?" He did.
"Papers were signed and filed with the full agreement of the French church. The Admiral had made some conciliatory actions and it was approved. It should have been filed in the States and finalized by Christmas." Jarrod was puzzled. How did none of our attorneys or contacts know that?
"Papa, what did you mean by concessions? A donation? A bribe?" He hesitated and then replied.
"Well, you know about his friendship with Jean Baptiste Camille Corot? The Salon? They were just good lifelong friends." Jo nodded for him to continue. "The Admiral was a great admirer of his work. In his last years, he encouraged Jean to give more of his largesse away. Coret gave him several more paintings in appreciation."
"They were in the crate, too"
(With his success secured, Corot gave generously of his money and time. He became an elder of the artists' community and would use his influence to gain commissions for other artists. In 1871 he gave £2000 for the poor of Paris, under siege by the Prussians... In 1875, he donated 10,000 francs to the widow of Millet in support of her children. His charity was near proverbial. He also financially supported the upkeep of a day center for children on rue Vandrezanne in Paris. In later life, he remained a humble and modest man, apolitical and happy with his luck in life, and held close the belief that "men should not puff themselves up with pride, whether they are emperors adding this or that province to their empires or painter who gains a reputation.")
"Jean is nearing the end of his life and he was contemplating making some changes." "To the trust" "No"
"Spiritually" Jo was shocked. Jean had lived in defiance to convention and the Church his whole life.
"He is likely taking orders to live the rest of his life in contemplation and meditation... He has funded the orphanages and fed the poor for years at the vestry. I think he's taking the next step definitely of leaving the world behind now that he knows you are safe. The crate confirms it in my mind."
Jo had never imagined this turn of events. It was definitely something to think about on the way to Stockton. Jo took the sleeping car to nap. Jarrod took this chance to fill her father in on Charles Beaufort. He agreed with him that he had something to do with the annulment. BlackJack basically said he would geld the little namby-pamby himself if he was involved.
"You and my brother Nick are going to get along just fine."
They arrived in Stockton and grabbed the buggy at the livery. Jo had brought the smaller painting of the sisters, Isabella's pony painting, and Heath's gift with her. She left the rest in her hotel suite.
Heath met them in the foyer. His bristles are up, as Nick would say. He introduced himself to BlackJack firmly and challengingly. Tom Barkley would have been proud of that handshake too.
Jarrod sent the bags up to the room and Heath continued to stare at their guest. Victoria chillily greeted him next. She noticed that Jarrod and Jo were comfortable with him. She thought that a good sign, but she would stay on guard.
The twins bounded in and enthusiastically greeted their grandfather. He welcomed them with a warm embrace and had gifts in his valise for them. A small carved knife for Jay, and a doll for Rose. The children were thrilled and began talking to him animatedly.
"Not everyone has a pirate for a grandpa," announced Jay.
While the children held his attention, Victoria checked with Jarrod and Jo by the fireplace. "Are you two doing ok with this surprise?" They both nodded affirmatively. She felt better but was keeping her guard up.
BlackJack excused himself from the twins. "Would I be able to see Isabella?" he addressed Heath. He was already approving of this young man's protective nature of his daughter.
"I will see" and he curtly went up the stairs. "If you don't want to see him, you don't have too" "Oh Heath, of course, I do want to see him. He's made lots of mistakes but if you knew him before Mama died, you would love him too."
Heath couldn't imagine forgiving this man who left his three beautiful daughters alone to fend for themselves...two grandkids too. He would NEVER leave Isabella and their children. Dang, she is so forgiving too. With Audra too. Audra's rumor-mongering could have cost them their lives. 'Bella just forgave her. I just can't act as nothing happened.
Heath went down and brought BlackJack to her room. He moved over to the side quietly in protective mode. BlackJack sat tentatively on the bed. Isabella grabbed him and embraced him. He kissed her on the forehead and soon they were chatting as over a year had gone by. Isabella asked him to sit down with them and visit. He shook his head and left the room. He needed a drink and time to think.
Phil Archer sent a message by train. About the same time, Charles Beaufort heard that BlackJack Jackson had arrived in the Barkley private car with Elizabeth and Jarrod. An hour later, two telegrams arrived for Jarrod Barkley and the operator was looking for someone to take them out to the ranch.