Bermuda: A vignette for Jarrod and Rose 1884

Five years later…

Jarrod Barkley was turning forty, and the twins were turning fifteen this month. Jo had just passed her 30th birthday celebration, a few months enceintes again. Five years of marriage had brought three more children to their home. They had finished building their house by the time Violet Victoria-Marie made her appearance eight months after their wedding at the ranch.

Victoria was thrilled with her namesake and decided to ignore the math. She remembered the wooden spoon comment she overheard of Jarrod's the day of the wedding, which explains that…

"Pappy, can I go to the church social dance Saturday night with Finn Merar? He said he would ask you himself at church if that's possible."

Jarrod looked at her quizzically. Dr. Merar's great nephew was here this summer and at 17, he seemed to be a fine boy.

"Rose, I will talk to the boy. Is there something else I need to know?".

"Yes. He's nervous about asking because of Mamere"

"Go on…"

"Remember when the Miller boys had been saying some bad words around us girls and we told the teacher. Rufus Morton of the school board talked to their parents and threatened to expel them. The boys said, "we would be sorry for tattling."

Jarrod and his brothers had wanted to have a talk with their Pa after that...Barkley justice had not been dispensed for a while.

Nick pretty much told their Pa what he thought quite loudly in the saloon. He had said he would control his boys better and he slunk out. Nick told him he would hold him to it or else...

"I asked Mother what those words meant. She told me and I was so embarrassed. But I am glad she told me though, I have heard them in town since then... She didn't want me to go back to school after that but Grandmere talked her out of it."

Jarrod knew about that. His mother and Rose were so close and she was worried that Jo was holding on too tight to their shy daughter. Rose already tended to be hesitant and tentative about the world and Victoria worried that Jo's experience at 15 was coloring her judgment. She had shared her concerns with her oldest several times. She adored Jo, but she was troubled on how tightly she held onto Rose.

"Ever since that thunderstorm— after the school picnic—- where the creek overflowed and we were hours late and Uncle Heath had to come to get the stuck wagon out and us home… Finn and Jay and two of my friends and me… Mama lost her temper and yelled at the boys and blamed them. It wasn't their fault we were late. It was just a storm but Mama cried and cried and cried. Finn thinks she hates him. It wasn't anyone's fault. She told him to stay away from the ranch and - me."

"She hasn't let me out of her sight since then."

Jarrod hugged his oldest daughter, "I will talk to her." He had been in San Francisco for business when the last event happened but his brothers had let him know when he returned.

Heath and Nick had tried to be tactful when they told Jarrod but they thought Jo overreacted.

Yes, they were all worried but assumed they had taken cover for the surprise thunderstorm. Jo assumed the worst and wanted them to find the Miller boys immediately. She had a look of terror they had never seen before as she wouldn't listen to reason. They were already heading out to search for the children but Jo's reaction had worried them just as much. Jay was very responsible, trained by all the Barkleys and BlackJack in survival and safety. The boy would know what to do.

After supper, Jo was nursing their youngest in their room. "I know this will end soon as the new baby takes her place. I don't know how my Mamman did it."

Jarrod loved watching her feed their children. He was reminded of the Madonnas he had seen in Europe and he thought it the most natural act in the world. Her hair was gloriously unbraided and falling across her shoulders.

He was very attracted to her at this moment as usual. Their amorous moments had not cooled with children but only changed the timings and the settings.

After three children in five years and another on the way, he was comfortable with motherhood and all its glory. He wouldn't admit that to anyone but Jo. Men were supposed to stay out of the nursery. Jo was the most beautiful woman in the world to him and each child only increased his love and desire for her.

"Jo, I think we need to talk about Rose."

She immediately panicked and the baby at her breast cried out in displeasure.

"It's those Miller boys. They tried to hurt her?"

"No," he said in his calmest voice. She soothed the baby and continued to listen.

"She wants to go to the social with Finn Merar."

"Absolutely not. She is too young and those Miller boys may be around. Plus, he let them get stuck in the storm."

"Jo, she will be 15 next week. I will go and chaperone as well as half the church ladies we know. He's a good boy and I trust him. The storm was not his fault."

"No"

"Yes, Jo".

He looked her straight in the eyes.

"It's not Bermuda."

She started to cry. She knew as she heard her own lame excuses come out in her words.

"You are right Jarrod but I can't help it. Ever since she got her monthly, I am terrified". He winced.

That was not something he wanted to think about.

"Do you want to know what those boys said to our daughter?"

"I have a good idea. Jo, when did you first hear those words? Did anyone explain them to you?"

"In the village. Drunken sailors." He had suspected as much.

"Mamma told me and Isabella at a lot younger age than Rose." She realized what she said and started to cry.

"I couldn't protect Lily and I can't protect Rose from all of this either." She started to sob and Jarrod held her and let her get it all out. She just needed to cry.

Jo went into Rose's room the next night. It took her all day to still her raw emotions. "Rose, I think you should go with Finn to the dance. Would you like for Calixte to make your first dance gown? With my input of course" and she smiled at her daughter.

Rose was amazed and hugged her tight. "Thank you so much."

She sat down on the bed with her oldest...

"And Pappy will be there all night."

Jarrod and Rose headed to church on Sunday. The babies stayed home with Jo and Cosima. All of them had stuffy noses and sore throats. Jay had ridden in with Victoria.

"Pappy, how did you get Mamere to change her mind?"

"I didn't. This is her idea. She will ask Calixte to make your first dance gown and I will take you there and bring you home. And that young lady, that is my idea."

"Your young man can find me after services."

She beamed and hugged her Pappy, the best father in the world.