Chapter Four
Jarrod was introduced to Isabella, Adrienne, and Julienne. All of them engaged personably with Jarrod and he was enchanted with the sisters. A happy family just as Elizabeth had said.
"Have you ever seen Elizabeth with such a handsome man?" "Never...but don't get your dime novel pen ready. She said they are talking business." "Of course, it's our Elizabeth." giggled her sisters in the foyer.
The sisters had already eaten supper but Elizabeth took Jarrod straight to the kitchen for some leftovers.
He didn't even know where the kitchen was in Miriam's home after a year. Some of my best conversations have come in the small oak table in the ranch kitchen with his brothers late at night or during morning coffee with Victoria or sampling Silas's latest baked goods. Elizabeth's complete lack of 'airs' was refreshing to him after living in San Francisco society for so long. She was much more like the strong rancher wives he had grown up with. She was extremely wealthy with a houseful of servants and yet, quite at home in the kitchen.
She made him supper and reheated some coffee. They had a lot to talk about tonight.
Elizabeth and Jarrod spoke until late in the evening. Several pots of coffee, leftover sandwiches, and homemade shortbreads later, they worked out an amicable arrangement for the child.
Elizabeth went up to get the guest bedroom ready for Jarrod so he wouldn't have to go back across town. New Orleans streets at night were not safe for travelers. He came across her in the hall and observed her not being able to reach the sheets at the top of the linen closet.
He said, "May I?"
"Would you mind?"
"Your wish is my command, m'lady?"
He helped her get them down and proceeded to help her make up the bed. She looked at him incredulously. "You know how to make up a bed?"
"Victoria Barkley and the army would not expect any less." They got tickled unfolding the sheets and she threw a pillow at him.
Jarrod woke refreshed and he shaved in the basin in the guest room. Elizabeth had left a razor for him along with fresh mint and a toothbrush. He came downstairs to the four sisters eating breakfast in the dining room. Julienne got up and poured him some coffee. Adrienne passed him biscuits and Isabella handed him fresh mayhaw jam and butter.
"I could get used to all these beautiful women waiting on me." He enjoyed being fussed over and poured out the Barkley charm. Elizabeth just smiled at him with amusement from the end of the table.
He and Elizabeth had made a plan to visit the attorney to sign papers for joint guardianship of Mary Margaret and hopefully bring her home to the mansion by evening if everything went to plan. Jarrod would move to their house from the hotel and spend two weeks with the family. Then he would return to California to tell his family.
Tell his family… he had made it sound so much easier than it would be when he discussed it with Elizabeth…
…... He had no doubt that Victoria would be disappointed at first and then embrace the idea of a grandchild. She wouldn't make it easy on him but she was his Mother. She knew most of his relationship with Julia. He of course never shared they were lovers but his mother wasn't naive. Sharing a woman with a best friend even not by their knowledge was reprehensible. How would he even address it? Reverend Hamilton would use the word, abomination….
His brothers and Audra would welcome her with open arms but the Valley? He frowned at that… the last time a Saxon had come to Stockton, a man died. The Parker family and the town had a long memory...
New Orleans was still a very complex city where all sides of the war lived side-by-side. Hell, Julia was still a hero in certain parts of this city.
He knew the child would do better staying here. It was the right thing to do but part of him wanted very much to show her his life. His daughter...it had only been a day but it felt right. If it were proven tomorrow she was John's, he knew he would feel the same way. Out of the destruction wrought by him, John and Julia came someone of great beauty, a child… a daughter.
Jarrod went back to the hotel to change and pack before he met Elizabeth at the attorney's office. He was determined to share custody with her.
Would it be selfish of him to be in her life? That was the decision he needed to make
They both signed the custody agreement for Mary Margaret Saxon in the attorney's office. Jarrod offered to take care of all the financials but Elizabeth wanted 50/50. She reminded him of Victoria when she dug her spurs in as they negotiated.
Elizabeth was the domicile guardian and she would live at the mansion and be provided a share in Beaufort-Jackson Shipping upon her majority. Jarrod assigned a portion of his Barkley Sierra shares and full decision-making rights until her majority, as his ward. Mediation could be requested by a neutral judge in case of any disputes between the said parties.
Her name was the only source of contention. They both wanted her to drop the Saxon name with its tarnish. The poor child had lived a sheltered life and she had no idea the venom her name carried, Hence the Parkers… Jarrod finally acquiesced and accepted Jackson.
He planned on claiming her as his daughter at some point but John would never get that chance so she should at least carry part of him. Plus coming to Stockton to visit, she would need a fresh chance among the locals. A new birth certificate was created for Mary Margaret Jackson and the old one sealed by the court clerk. It was official. They signed the papers.
They picked her up and her meager belongings at the convent; they headed for the Esplanade mansion and a new life.
Mary Margaret was in awe of the beautiful house, her new aunts, Pappy and Elizabeth, her new Mamere. When Jarrod had suggested for her to call him Pappy, she laughed, "You aren't old enough to be a Pappy." but she loved the play on the name.
She was polite and ate every ounce of food on her plate; she stared at her surroundings as trying to memorize them in case they disappeared. From the sparse rooms of a convent to lights, velvet, and mahogany...It felt like a fairy tale.
Pappy and Mamere took her upstairs to her new room and said her nightly prayers with the tired little girl. Pappy went on and addressed her name change.
She took it quite well and said "she liked the name, Jackson since her cursive J's were better than her S's". She was so compliant...maybe too much.
Elizabeth thought, "Here is a child who has had to make changes her whole life. She doesn't know any different. Living out of a theatre trunk or in a twin bed in a convent, she just adapts."
"If I get a new last name, can I have a new first name? Just for my family, my aunts to call me? My friend Katherine is called Katie by her mama and papa and brother. I will still write my whole name on my school papers, Mary Margaret...Jackson"
Jarrod asked her what she was thinking.
"Daisy".
"Daisy it is" and he kissed her on her forehead. Elizabeth did too and dimmed the wicks. "Good night, Daisy"
The next few days at the mansion were busy and filled with activities. The sisters took Daisy shopping while Elizabeth and Jarrod interviewed tutors and music teachers. They were in agreement that her convent education had been good, they wanted her exposed to music and art, more natural sciences, and a language, French of course. Elizabeth was amazed at how she and Jarrod shared interests and values. Jarrod was in his element; he loved poetry, opera, and theatre. He was looking forward to pouring his interests into his daughter as long as he could.
Jarrod and Elizabeth began a friendship those nights after Daisy went to bed. They found they had a mutual love for chess. Each night they played and found they were well-watched. They were both very competitive and liked to win. The sisters enjoyed watching their sister get bested by Jarrod and likewise.
Elizabeth also was educated in events of the day and 'read men's newspapers'. Jarrod was intrigued with a woman that read more than the society column. He had not known many women like Victoria Barkley. She had also coaxed stories of his time with the Buffalo soldiers from him. She respected him even more as she heard the unassuming courage and spirit as he talked. He was a truly remarkable man.
Several nights, they all went to the French Opera House. He had even purchased new tails while in the city. Daisy was literally blossoming in all of the attention. It felt like every day they noticed a new glow in the child. The Beaufort sisters had the eye of every man in the audience; Daisy was in awe of her new family. Jarrod was a proud man. It felt magical and Jarrod found himself not wanting this to end- California was waiting for him and uncharacteristically he had not settled on the best course of action.