Chapter 3
"So, who is she today?"
Eugene heard his older brother's low baritone voice even before he went into the Green Man at five o'clock. He was startled. Jarrod wasn't supposed to meet him here until six. "Why aren't you in court?" he asked.
"Don't ask," Jarrod said. "Things got so stupid the judge adjourned for the day at four. I went home and Charles told me you were headed over here. So," Jarrod's eyes twinkled. "Who is she today?"
"Adelaide," Eugene said. "Tomorrow it's gonna be Maud, and she has several days planned but I forgot the names. The middle names of Queen Victoria's daughters."
Jarrod raised an eyebrow. "Wow. I take it you didn't guess that. She had to explain it to you."
As they went into the saloon, Eugene said, "You're right."
Adelaide was walking past the door, going from the bar to one of her tables, carrying a tray with drinks. She gave the Barkleys a smile. Eugene gave a big one back. Jarrod smiled more about his brother than at Adelaide.
There was an empty table near the window that Jarrod ushered Eugene to, and in a moment, Adelaide was with them, saying, "Good evening, gentleman. You're here early. That Bolen case ended early today?"
Jarrod was impressed she knew who his case in court was about. "Read about it in the paper, did you? I didn't realize we were front page news."
"Page 2," Adelaide said.
Jarrod raised his eyebrows, more impressed she remembered a page 2 story.
"She told me she remembers everything she reads," Eugene said.
Now Jarrod looked dubious. "Everything?"
She smiled. "You came in here three weeks ago. You were sitting at one of the back tables and talking to a couple of the other regulars. A messenger came to the door, and I was closest. He asked me to find you and he handed me an envelope to give you. The envelope had your name on it and just some numbers – '77-201773-14.' I had no idea what they meant and I still don't, but those are the numbers. I remember what I read."
Jarrod's face went from you're pulling my leg to all right, I believe you. "That's amazing. I saw you take it from the messenger and bring it to me and you only looked at it once."
She shrugged. "It's the type of memory I have. If I read it, it sticks with me."
"Why didn't I know that before?" Jarrod wondered.
"Well, what the Ghengis Khan! You didn't ask," she said.
Jarrod gave an all right, you win, I don't get it nod. "Doesn't that get a little bothersome, having all that information always in your brain?" Jarrod asked.
"I've always been that way," she said. "What's to be bothered about? Are you bothered by the fact that you have incredibly beautiful blue eyes?"
Now Jarrod almost blushed. He chuckled instead. "I see your point."
"What can I bring you gentlemen?" Adelaide asked.
"Scotch for me," Jarrod said. Then Jarrod said, "Great conquerors?"
Adelaide shook her head negatively. "That's far too easy."
"I'll have whiskey," Eugene said.
"We have a very good roasted beef for dinner tonight," Adelaide said. "I can get you a rare piece from the center or the end piece if you're more inclined."
"Center piece for me," Jarrod said.
"Me, too," Eugene said. And he noticed Sandy at the bar looking their way. He gave the man a nod and a smile.
Jarrod noticed Eugene's nod to Sandy and did the same as Adelaide headed for the bar. "Trying to impress Uncle Sandy?" Jarrod quietly asked his brother.
"It can't hurt," Eugene said.
Jarrod chuckled.
"But now comes the big problem – how to ask to court her? Should I be asking Uncle Sandy?"
Jarrod raised an eyebrow. "You're that enamored, are you? You actually want to see the girl socially?"
"Why not?"
"It might be a little tough, and not because of Uncle Sandy. You don't live in San Francisco, remember? How are you going to court a girl when she's here and you're in San Jose?"
"Saturday nights?"
Jarrod chuckled again. "She works on Saturday nights."
"Then, Sunday afternoons. I'll figure out something."
"Well, give it a shot and good luck. And do talk to Uncle Sandy first. Like I said, he is protective. But remember, Donna has the last word."
"I know," Eugene said, "and I'll be philosophical about it if either one of them turns me down. There are girls in San Jose, too."
"My, my," Jarrod said. "You're a bit more assertive than your older brothers have been."
"That's because I can see what you guys have tried hasn't worked," Eugene said. "You're all still unmarried."
"I have an excuse. I've been too busy raising you and your sister."
Jarrod was nearly 16 years older than Eugene and knew in some ways he was more of a father figure than a brother sometimes, but even if he was inclined to give Eugene courting advice, he was not about to bring up his own failed relationships. The one that counted most – the beautiful singer in Washington during the war who turned out to be a Confederate spy – was one no one in his family knew about. Jarrod knew he didn't want to pass his bad luck onto Eugene.
Eugene said, "Don't go blaming me and Audra. We're out of your hair with you here in San Francisco."
Jarrod's eyebrow went up again. "Gene, you're here in San Francisco with me right now. Not that I want you to go away, and not that I resent having to step in as the substitute father." He smiled sincerely. "I wouldn't have had it any other way, and if you come here every weekend I'm here, I won't mind it at all."
"Will you lend me your house when you're not here?"
Jarrod laughed. "All right, you can have the house when I'm not here – as long as you behave yourself. No parties, and no women alone in there with you – not even Donna."
"It's a deal," Eugene said. And he got up and immediately went over to Sandy at the bar.
Jarrod watched, chuckling to himself, trying to read Sandy's face. Then, when Sandy looked his way, Jarrod tried not to smirk. He just kept the smile and gave a reassuring nod, one nod. He trusted Eugene. He was willing to let Sandy know he trusted Eugene. Sandy said a few words to Eugene, and Eugene came back to the table and sat down.
"He says it's up to Donna," Eugene said. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Don't be too broken hearted if she turns you down," Jarrod said. "You realize she's probably had plenty of offers, and she may be seeing someone we don't know about right now."
"Oh, I get that," Eugene said. "But aren't you the one who always keeps reminding me, nothing ventured nothing gained?"
Jarrod saw Adelaide/Donna come out of the kitchen carrying their dinner. "Well, here she comes. Take your best shot."