Chapter Thirty of Thirty One
Elizabeth walked back into the cell. Jarrod thought she could not have been more beautiful at that moment. He resisted the impulse to take her in his arms. Being rebuffed would be more than he could take in his present state.
She motioned at the open slit of a window at the top of the cell. He shook his head in understanding. People were listening.
"You remind me of a deer in the woods. Trying to decide if I am a friend to come near or foe so you can bolt. I don't want to hurt you" he whispered into her ear as they embraced for the audience outdoors. She smelled so good.
"I practiced all night trying to hate you or be angry with you. I literally tried to feel all the emotions to bring on a seizure before I came. It didn't work. I decided I could come here then and talk. " She quietly told him. He took her hands and she didn't pull back.
"I am sorry. I have no explanation or excuses. I was wrong."
"That's true, yes you were." she nervously chuckled. That was another good sign.
He laughed back.
"Seriously, Jarrod...people are going to talk about my illegitimacy for the rest of my life...Daisy's too. You can't hit every one of them."
She still didn't know about the scandal rags of Henry's.
"It was more than that."
"Like what Henry said at the visitation?"
He nodded yes.
They pulled apart when they heard Fred come in.
Fred couldn't believe that they were standing there holding hands. He didn't think there was a woman alive who would forgive a man found in a brothel. Wonders never cease.
"Your sisters came by and told me to tell you they will be eating at the Stockton House if you need them." And he backed out of the room.
She changed the subject and told them about all of her sisters and Audra bravely accompanying her into town, He got the mental picture of all those beautiful women riding into town daring anyone to say a word. They were made of some strong mettle. He chuckled to himself.
Daisy was with Katarina as usual. Katarina was a natural teacher and they had developed quite a bond. Katarina had regrettably volunteered to stay home with her and the sisters were relieved. "If something happened stressfully and to her pregnant self, Nick would have their hides," commented Audra.
He told her quietly about Judge Peterson and Phil Archer's vendetta.
Lis finally addressed the issue at hand in a whisper, "Why did you leave and go to Big Annie's?" Her directness always seemed to prevail even in her whispered voice.
"I was angry and frustrated-not at you-my love… it just seems like we can't get on the same path at the same time."
She didn't respond and just kept reading his face.
"Lis, I am sorry. Can we get past what I did? I never meant to...I should have thought it through. I was selfish and wrong."
"Yes, I think so. I still want to be your wife" There! She got it out.
That's more than he ever dared hope for.
"Will you marry me at whatever date you choose?"
She lowered her eyes and smiled. "Yes, and you have the right to make me settle on a date. Epilepsy may not go away but I need to trust you aren't going away"
"And Jarrod, I am not going to ask you EVER about the incident.- I knew I would be able to tell when I saw your eyes if you had an indiscretion of some kind and I believe you did.- I see it in your face. ... I blame myself."
He went to interrupt her but she put her hand on his lips, "but I do blame you more. I ask we never speak of this again. I still have a hard time with my scars and believing you desire me."
A groan escaped him.
"I don't think I would be able to get past a second time, Jarrod."
"You won't have to, my love" and she nestled into his arms listening to his heartbeat and they both stifled some shudders and tears. She left a wet spot on his chest from her tears.
No more words were spoken even silently. If anyone was still watching through the window, they could only see a couple very much in love.
A California State Supreme Court Justice and the Federal Magistrate for the district of Central California wrote writs of Habeas Corpus for Jarrod Thomas Barkley immediately upon request. They were put on trains for immediate release and no bail required on personal reconnaissance signature petition to appear. The Secret Service through the Treasury Department issued a subpoena for JTB as a material witness in a federal case. All three were placed on the train with Phillip Davies heading to Stockton. He didn't care as long as one of them worked to free Jarrod.
Phillip got off the train and headed for the jail to secure Jarrod's release. Fred was thrilled that Peterson's order was overruled. He, Jarrod and Lis rode back to the ranch following the sisters in the Barkley wagon. Jarrod was very curious about what news had brought his friend to Stockton but Lis was his first priority. Lis was exhausted and fell asleep a few minutes out of town. Jarrod enjoyed her resting on his shoulder. A few hours before he thought he would never have her in his life again. He would never take her for granted again.
Phillip took Jarrod outside the house and told him the most surprising tale he never expected.
DECEMBER
The month of December and Christmas was wonderful for the Barkleys. Victoria was so happy and content for all of her children. She was keenly enjoying Daisy and they had developed a special Grandmere relationship. Daisy had written and illustrated a book of poems for her Christmas gift to Victoria. A poet as her Father. She had found Jarrod's poems on scraps over the years and kept every one of them in her bureau drawers.
Heath and Isabella became engaged and decided on a simple January wedding. The Isabella horses arrived and the couple was thrilled to begin their new life together.
Nick and Katarina were anticipating their new addition at the end of March and Nick were already settling into his new role as a proud Papa.
Julienne and Harris officially began courting and she was starting to spend more time in San Francisco learning the shipping business with her handsome manager. The offices were completely rebuilt and Julienne had a reopening ceremony. She hung John and Jack's portraits in the entry.
Audra had her choice of escorts for the holiday season and was thrilled to have her new sisters at home. Eugene and Adrienne were in the throes of a new relationship tempered by their college plans. They decided to enjoy the month together and see where this would take them.
And Jarrod, Lis, and Daisy finally broke through their impasses and began their future in earnest. Jarrod had the land cleared for their home and Lis began designs for a garden that would back up to Victoria's and double its size. She wanted some European elements in the house and the garden so she started the long process of sending inquiries to purchase.
Jarrod surprised her with watercolor pastels and an easel he ordered from San Francisco. She loved to draw and she left it behind when she took over the family business when John died. Lis was still struggling with her decrease in work and activity until she saw Dr Travers again so she enjoyed painting and drawing again. In the spring, she would plant her first rose garden which she was looking forward to along with creating a knot garden as the hedge between the houses.
Lis had one seizure during December while walking to the corral to see Isabella's new mare. She felt the aura, sat down quickly on the ground where she was walking, and made it through without injury. It wasn't what she wanted but it gave her confidence that she could manage. Isabella and Heath stayed with her until it passed. She would see Dr. Travers the first week of January before their trip to Sacramento.
Jarrod presented Lis with a beautiful sapphire and diamond engagement ring. He had a diamond band made to match at the same time for their wedding in the safe. Abraham as always was a gifted artisan.
They were still struggling to set a date not from fear but from scheduling. Heath's wedding was in January. Jarrod argued a major case before the state Supreme Court in February and Nick's baby was due in March. That's left April and May, the busiest times on the ranch. They were still trying to work on a date that worked for everyone. Their house would not be finished until the summer and they were considering taking Daisy to France. So much would depend on Dr. Travers in January and the military ball in January.
And Audra was in her element helping her sisters consult and fit with the dressmakers about the three dresses they would each need minimum for Sacramento plus traveling clothes. The men had their white tails, suits, and dress coats pressed, altered, and ready for the events.
Victoria was enjoying watching Audra take charge of the wardrobes, but she assured her only daughter, she could take care of her own quite firmly, "I am not in my dotage yet."
And the first Ambrose Bierce expose about corruption on the waterfronts hit the press and sold out newsstands immediately and was reprinted multiple times in San Francisco and TheArgonaut was an immediate success much to the chagrin of Henry Wilson.