Chapter Ten
Nick and Heath would have killed Crown and Jordan on sight after reading that note. But both realizing for the first time, Jarrod had given them a great gift; he chose the family over his legal secrets. They would never take that lightly for the rest of their lives.
Profanity laced the air when Jarrod walked in… "I guess you read it. Can you imagine how I had to hold my tongue standing next to her when she read it?"
"She's a strong woman like you said, Nick." as Jarrod put the top on the decanter.
Nick laughed, "Horses and women, I can pick them."
Heath chuckled, "I am thinking Nick's got some memory loss from getting kicked last month. Better call Dr. Merar"
Jarrod had missed this more than he ever knew.
They worked late into the night on the plan. Jarrod had sent for two young attorneys he sponsored for the bar to come to Stockton. Nick would go south and west with an attorney. Heath would go north and east with the other one. Jarrod would have the briefs written and the attorneys would present them to the judges. Each would travel with a Pinkerton and a deputy from the town they enter. Go straight to the sheriff when you go into the town. We want the law on our side. I have a list of the Judges and counties. Three for you Nick and three for you little brother."
"I know it's a lot of money for the Pinkertons but I feel a lot safer with them with us," Nick remarked.
Jarrod, "I have that taken care of. I don't want the Beauforts out of any more funds."
The plan was set to commence when the young attorneys and the Pinkerton agents arrived. Jarrod was still waiting for the Pinkerton confirmation telegram with names and times.
The first young man, Todd Freeman was the son of one of Jarrod's Harvard older classmates. Their family lived in Colorado and Jarrod sponsored him for the California Bar. He was intelligent, courageous and not afraid of a challenge. Plus his Father and Grandfather had fought the railroad in Colorado and grazing lands. Working provisionally as a clerk reading law in Sacramento allowed him insight into the legislative process that this mess would likely end up in. Jarrod thought the boy had a future in government.
It would take another day or two to get his other protegee, Ben Issacson here from Los Angeles. These two young bucks would be perfect to take his petitions to the courthouses and he would remain in the background until the time was right.
Another portion of the plan was for Nick and Heath to show up in town and complain no one would represent them, berate Jarrod for being in New York, mention ladies backing out on the deal...act like they were losing. Have a few beers, play some cards and head back to the ranch just in case railroad ears were listening. Stop by and check the Barkley mail again. Esther had not sent word of the deed arriving, still.
Sunrise showed through the windows of the Barkley main house finding most of its inhabitants awake or drifting in and out of restless sleep. Everyone seemed to feel that something big was on their horizon with the coming storm.
Breakfast was centered around normal ranch conversation. Jarrod kept checking on Elizabeth's state, cutting his eyes towards her after last night's revelations to him. She seemed tired but she focused on cutting her breakfast steak and maintaining a polite conversation. Nick and Heath were still angry about the note and had thought of little else during the night. They might actually be angrier in the morning light.
Nick and Heath finished up breakfast and the children were taken outside. Jarrod went over all of the details of the plan.
"Nick, you and Heath head into town today and begin your act in the saloon. Crown will have a lackey or two listenings, I guarantee. They have gone to a lot of trouble and they will want to keep an eye on us."
"I am sending Sam Goodwin's boy, Paulie, to pick up Todd on the noon train. He won't attract too much attention that way. I am waiting for Ben Issacson to arrive tomorrow."
"The rest of us will stay close to the house. McColl has men posted in inconspicuous places doing normal chores just in case. If all goes to plan, Pinkertons arrive and you two hit the road with Todd and Ben. I am betting the charges will all be dismissed as frivolous or the majority of them. Elizabeth has the fraud charge over her head from the auction company and it will take some legwork to prove she paid in cash. I have someone there working on it."
About that time, the squeals of the twins and Rosa's admonishments ran through the open window. "Sounds like Nick's children are up to it again" smiled Victoria.
"Nicholas, we need to hire help. Poor Rosa. I don't know what we would have done without Camellia this week. They aren't going to live here forever." pleaded Katarina.
"Of course, Sugar." and he went over to kiss his beautiful wife.
Heath and Jarrod found them leaving disconcerting in their own way. Victoria caught that brief look in Jarrod's eyes before he masked it again. Is it possible after all this time? Elizabeth? She dared not hope.
Nick agreed to send someone to Rosa's home and inquire about her cousin coming to work. They needed all the hands they could get with three children in three years. I seeded a strong line!
Heath and Nick headed off for town and a young woman around seventeen arrived with Rosa's uncle. Her widowed father had sent her north to California this year.
Katarina hired her on a trial period and immediately sent them with Silas and Rosa to show them the house and meet the children.
Her uncle took Rosa aside, "Keep an eye on Valeria. I think there was trouble in Mexico and that is why she was sent to us. I know you have a heart of gold but I do not want to cause the Barkleys trouble. She is much too beautiful for her own good and she likes to make the hombre look. She is a hard worker and I would keep her very busy."
Rosa agreed. What had she gotten herself into?
Rosa, Valeria, and Camellia kept the twins and Tab content all morning. Katarina felt comfortable enough to go with Ciego to the blending house to catch up on her work. The rest of the family spent the morning quietly inside relaxing.
Jarrod found that Elizabeth played chess and he challenged her to a game. Victoria and Isabella fixed the hem in one of Camellia's dresses she tore chasing the twins. The chess game ended at a draw and the sewing was complete. Jarrod suggested a picnic and went and asked Camellia to join them.
Valeria looked him over and made direct eye contact with him brazenly. He reminded himself to talk to Nick to keep the ranch hands away; this one was going to stir up the bunkhouse. And to check with an agency in San Francisco when this was over for a Nanny. This one wouldn't last.
Valeria seemed frustrated that her glance did not get the proper attention she craved. He even looked annoyed. Oh well, there were plenty of other handsome men on this ranch her cousins had told her.
Jarrod loaded up the ladies and headed to the forked creek. It was a beautiful day on the ranch and Silas had packed a hearty lunch. He popped the cork on a bottle of vintage Barkley wine and heard a buggy coming up.
He put his hand on his sidearm and noted the position of all the ladies. His caution was unnecessary this time.
It was Todd Freeman. "I dropped my bag at the house, your butler told me where you were and I asked Paulie to bring me out. I was anxious to talk about business."
"Todd, you remember my Mother, Victoria Barkley..this is Elizabeth Beaufort and her sister Isabella Jackson… and of course, Camellia Beaufort."
"Well Jarrod, I think you have the most beautiful lunch dates in the whole state. I am glad I invited myself." charmed the young attorney.
"And this ladies is why I know my young friend will end up in politics" and Jarrod handed him a glass of wine.
He sat next to the sisters on the quilt. "Tell me, Jarrod, about the plan. I am at your beck and call of the finest lawyer in the state."
Elizabeth finished her wine and took Camellia's hand. "We will be going down to the creek, Jarrod while you visit." Isabella stood up, "I will go with you."
"Elizabeth" Jarrod spoke a little too firmly, "Please stay where I can see you."
Elizabeth didn't seem to mind Jarrod's tone. She softly smiled at him and walked down to the creek.
"Do you think they are in danger all the way out here on your ranch?" asked Todd.
Victoria shuddered at the innocent implication of the young man. Obviously, he had no idea of what he had said.
Jarrod's face hardened in a way that chilled his young friend, "I will never take a chance on losing anyone again."
Jarrod filled his wine glass again and changed the subject. He spoke in-depth about the legal strategy and how he would be attended by Heath and a Pinkerton to challenge the injunctions and subpoenas.
"Brilliant, Jarrod, just brilliant", Todd was always in awe of how Jarrod's mind worked.
The men watched the ladies for a few minutes in silence. Victoria was lost in her own reflections too.
Todd broke the silence first, "This may not be the time to ask...just for purely case information...are they married?"
Jarrod jerked his head and abruptly said, "No, they are not."
Todd grinned oblivious to the look on his boss's face, "Well, I can't believe some man hasn't grabbed them up and dragged them down the aisle. They are exquisite."
That annoyed Jarrod irrationally. Yes, they are closer, much closer to Todd's age. He is 25, I believe. His mind raced with all the reasons why they were not right for his young friend.
Victoria could sense her son's distress, "Todd, please tell me how your parents are doing. It has been a year since I saw them in Denver."
He began to answer her. Jarrod stood up impulsively and went to join the ladies splashing their feet in the water and skimming stones. He put his hand possessively on the small of Elizabeth's back several times to steady her as they kicked. He stayed as close to her as decorum allowed. She didn't seem to mind nor move away. In fact, he thought she moved in slightly closer to him. Her eyes crinkled with a mischievous smile as she made sure he got wet too. Her laughter was infectious. He lit a cigar and relaxed.
He was close enough to smell lilacs. He could breathe deeply.
Hamlet's words came to his mind, "Thou doth protesteth too much, methinks."