No wifi this upcoming week so I will be back next Friday after hiking with the grands! The story is 3/5 finished and chapter 13 will be here Friday. Thank you again for your kind words and encouragement. They mean more than you know! This AU of an AU trek I am on feels right to me for our favorite family, The Barkleys! Writers much better than I delve into the episodes so well that I could not dare to. I will just enjoy the many BV fan-fiction writers out there myself! (And for all you visual folks, Todd is a young Matthew McConaughey and Ben is a young Robert Downy Jr or Charlie Chaplin look-alikes :)
Chapter Twelve
Isabella met Heath for an early ride to catch the sunrise, "Heath's favorite part of the day" as he had told her. They went up to the North Ridge and held hands as the sun rose.
"Heath, you mind if I say a little prayer up here?"
He nodded and smiled. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. His head popped back up as she began to sing clearly:
Father most merciful! Glad in the dawning.
All things awake to sing praises to thee;
Thou art the Giver of joy in the morning,
Spreading thy sunlight o'er meadow and sea.
Bright birds soar up in the thin air to greet thee,
Sweet-scented blossoms look forth for thy face;
Thy children go out into daylight to meet thee,
Finding thy footprints in every new place.
Joy in thy presence whate'er may befall,
Courage to fight, or to carry the burden,
Faith to be cheerful and quiet through all. (Marianne Hearn 1834-1909)
She noticed that surprise on his face, "I just like to sing my prayers." with a nervous smile.
"Boy howdy, I think I could listen better in church if they did all their prayers like you" and he sweetly kissed her on the cheek. She turned her head bravely and kissed him back.
"This is a mighty fine way to start my day."
Breakfast was in full measure when they got back.
"Sorry, we are late. Just showing Bella, the North Ridge. Her being new to the ranch and all."
"Bella?" Camellia giggled.
"North Ridge?" arched an eyebrow knowingly Nick.
Katarina joined in, "I don't remember you showing me the North Ridge when I came."
"Me either" bantered Elizabeth.
"I have been away awhile Heath. Anything interesting up there?" said Jarrod as he drank his coffee.
"Nothing we will ever see, Jarrod" guffawed Nick and he helped himself to more eggs.
Heath looked at Isabella to see how she was taking to all the family jibes. Her cheeks were pinked up but she was smiling brightly. Heath took that as a good sign and a confirmation from the family that they approved of their courting.
Todd looked up cluelessly from his plate, "Is there something interesting I should see before I leave?"
"Nope, nothing at all" retorted Heath.
Nick swallowed a laugh and Katarina hit him under the table.
Audra got in early mid-morning and hired a buggy from the livery she drove alone. She rushed into Jarrod's arms in the foyer.
"Oh big brother, I have missed you so much."
Jarrod hugged her back and kissed her on the forehead. "I wished I had known you were taking the early train. We would have sent someone"
"Oh Jarrod, always the big brother. I have taken that route hundreds of times. You worry too much"
He grimly smiled and Victoria spoke up. "You look beautiful my dear but there's been some trouble with the railroad again."
She guided them into the parlor and told her what was going on. "I am sorry Jarrod, I had no idea."
"I know sweetie, I know" and he chewed on the end of his unlit cigar
Todd came in at that moment. He saw her on the settee. "She has to be Audra. She's the quiet one's twin."
"I am not afraid of the railroad. I am Tom Barkley's daughter." Everyone smiled indulgently at her. If it were only that simple.
Her attention was turned to the newest entry in the room. His eyes were glued to her.
"Well no matter what little sister, you are to not go anywhere on the ranch alone without a man," Jarrod said firmly expecting an argument.
"Of course, Jarrod." said Audra, still smiling at Todd. Victoria and Nick rolled their eyes.
And Audra went promptly over and made her introduction to the awestruck young attorney.
Ben Issacson was at the ranch by late mid-morning. A small man of about 5 feet 5 inches with wildly curly black hair in an ill-fitting dark suit. His deep-set brown eyes accentuated with round spectacles seemed to carry the weight of the world in them. Silas fixed him an early lunch in the kitchen since he had forgotten to eat yesterday. He was the kind of man that dove into his work and pushed out the rest of the world.
"Mr. Barkley! It's so good to see you" and he embraced Jarrod. He returned the hug, almost picking the smaller man up. "Call me Jarrod, son". He lowered his head in a grin.
Ben had brought telegrams with him from the liveryman Jarrod employed. "The Pinkertons will be here at lunch and stay at the Cattleman's awaiting orders. You all can leave tonight under cover of darkness and be in your first town at breakfast."
The young protégés had some more unique legal avenues for Jarrod to consider. "These are good, Ben. One of these we will put in effect this afternoon. Excellent idea, just brilliant. We will establish residency for the sisters this afternoon and with us and the shipping company in the same county, the railroad will have to come to us in Stockton upon countersuit." The young man reddened upon the compliment.
Elizabeth came down in a simple navy day dress. Jarrod thought she looked beautiful. She returned his look directly with a kind of sadness in those green eyes.
"Elizabeth Beaufort, meet Ben Issacson. The young man traveled all night from Los Angeles to help us. He brought this old dog some new tricks"
She graciously thanked him and was startled as he kissed her hand in a quaint old-fashioned way. She smiled beautifully at his sign of respect.
Jarrod explained the residency idea and how it would work. "I hold several land parcels that have been deeded to the Barkleys over time in town or I can sell you a piece of Nick's prime grazing land. He will love that if you plant your flowers on it. I will sell you anything but Mother's rose garden. The wooden spoon would come out if I did that."
Jarrod got up and poured Elizabeth a cup of her tea. He dropped one sugar cube in and a leaf of fresh mint. His intimate gesture warmed her heart. I will enjoy this until the case is settled… then Monterey.
Elizabeth bought two acres of the ranch. One for her and one for Bella for one silver dollar. Ben or Todd would file them today in the land office in town. Victoria or Nick would sign them so no one would still know Jarrod was home.
Crown and Jordan were feeling good about their plan. Nick and Heath's antics had reached them. Beaufort Shipping had CLOSED until further notice on their building. They heard she had borrowed out of her personal accounts to make the monthly payroll. Jarrod Barkley had not shown up. None of the high-profile lawyers in the state had been contacted to take the case. Things were going as planned.
Nick and Heath headed to town again to play their parts and discreetly contact the Pinkertons with plans. The twins and Tab went down for naps while Isabella and Victoria worked on lowering the hem in another of Camellia's dresses. Katarina and Camellia went to the blending house with Ciego.
Audra decided to give Todd a tour of the ranch and 'exercise her horse'. Todd was pleased to be favored with Audra's attention but got that tempered quickly with an admonition from Jarrod about his little sister. He took that to heart, for Jarrod Barkley was the most formidable man he knew. Audra took a gun out of the cabinet just in case.
"Would you like to play chess or take a walk? My keen, observational skills have already deduced that the lady does not like to sew. " Jarrod asked Elizabeth.
She conspiratorially laughed, "Definitely let's go outside. I hate sewing. I would bake all day long if you needed. I would ever rather muck a stall than sew. Let me grab my sketch pad."
"I would like to see you muck a stall, my dear."
"Isabella and I both can do it. I haven't done it with Camellia yet but Papa used that as punishment for arguing. He couldn't bear to spank us but work was always his choice. I can clean hurricane shutters with a hand brush and scrub mildew off of a porch."
"A lady of many skills." and he winked. Her stomach flipped a little with the wink.
As she went upstairs and he went to grab a book he was reading. On impulse, he grabbed a volume of poetry but quickly returned it to the shelf. What are you thinking, Jarrod?
Jarrod spread out a quilt in the rose garden. He took his jacket off and rolled up his sleeves again. "I wish I had grabbed a bottle of wine," he noted.
"I can go grab one." and Elizabeth went back in.
Jarrod watched her walk off. It had been so very long since he felt this way. He wondered if he could find it in himself to try again. But Randall's words kept coming to mind.
This was different from Beth. Beth was an impulsive "fall in love with love" moment. She was pretty, charming and sweet. She quoted simple, whimsical poetry. He was lonely and coming off a long trip to Washington DC. All his friends there were married; he was the odd man out. Always being fixed up with someone's sister or cousin or the occasional widow. He would have been happy married to Beth. She would have been an excellent mother and wife. She would have demurred to his wishes and plans. It would have been a fine marriage.
She was excited to build a house, cook for him, order china and silver...she wanted a houseful of children.
But passion….he wasn't sure and would never know now. He had only a week with his young bride. She was truly innocent and raised as such. She was nervous on the train and kept her long nightdress tightly around her. He didn't press the issue and wanted her comfortable. Maybe he had read too much-unfeigned poetry about love and passion. His expectations did not meet with reality with Beth. He was patient and kind but she was hesitant to respond to his touch.
He often wondered after meeting the Randalls if they taught her a hell and brimstone approach to coupling, for procreation only... I wonder if they skipped the Song of Solomon in their Bible. Probably did-
He had always believed that both should be found in marriage. She was so skittish to his touch in the bedroom. Responding to his kisses and allowing him to hold her was as far as she was comfortable. She of course allowed him his marital rights and he took them as gently as possible. She asked for the lights to be dimmed completely and he kept asking her to open her eyes. Her grimace was still stuck in his mind as he tried to love her. Their one night in his room at the ranch, she was terrified of someone hearing them, so he stopped. And then she was gone. He got her killed-
Elizabeth brought back a bottle with two glasses. "Silas found me one of your favorites."
Jarrod smiled, broken from his sad reverie. He started leafing through her sketchbook.
"You are very good, seriously."
"Thank you, Jarrod. I hope the house in Monterey will have natural light and I can create a studio. That, a library and a greenhouse. If I do that, I might never go out again. Except to buy books, I guess."
Jarrod laughed at that. "I can help you stock that library. I have books everywhere in my home without enough shelves."
They settled into a comfortable mood. He read his novel as she sketched on a seascape. He found himself just watching her with interest. She noticed Jarrod watching her but was trying not to respond. She was afraid of the feelings she was having.
Jarrod took a deep breath and decided to take the first step, "Elizabeth, I know we have only known each other a few days but when this legal mire is cleared up, I would like to …"
"Jarrod? Elizabeth?"
Audra and Todd came in from their ride and joined them. Elizabeth was disappointed but trying not to show it, went in and grabbed two more glasses. What would she have said if he asked her to be his mistress? God knew she was tempted.
Their quiet afternoon was over and Jarrod decided it was a sign to think this through further. Mr. Randall's words came crashing back around him " ruining another woman's life".
She saw the sadness and distress in his eyes and realized it towards her. She had planned on enjoying this brief flirtation as long as it went. Another one wasn't likely for a fallen woman and Jarrod Barkley wouldn't want used goods. She knew a gentleman wanted a virgin or at least, a respectable widow.. Everyone knew that. She was mistress material and that she would never be one, for Camellia and God she had vowed.
"Mamere, can we talk? Remember you told me if you think someone is in danger, it's right to tell you?"
"Of course, sweetheart"
And Camellia told her mother what she had seen.
Elizabeth went upstairs to the nursery and asked Valeria to come with her, please.
Isabella and Heath were in the study so they went to the kitchen where Silas and Victoria were planning meals. The house was full of people and she did not want the children or Nick to hear. Audra and Todd were on the veranda so Elizabeth motioned to Valeria to go to the corral for privacy.
She opened the corral door to the barn and asked her to step in. "Valeria, please listen to what I have to say. Camellia told me she saw you leaving the bunkhouse during your break while the children were napping with a young ranch hand."
Her eyes grew big, "Please Mrs. Elizabeth. I need this job and don't tell Mr. Nick or Rosa—she will tell my uncle and I will be sent back to Mexico"
"Will you listen to me? Really listen?"
She fervently nodded.
"I see how you look at men—at hombres. This path you are on will only lead to pain and shame for you. Men will use you and leave you alone—-or with a child. Men separate love from what they can do with your ….body. A man will use love to get a woman to uh...lay down for him. A woman uses congress to get love. Does that make sense?"
Valeria was shocked that such a fine lady would talk about such base matters.
"You have no idea, Senora, how it feels to be lonely and poor."
"I haven't been poor but I know loneliness well. I took the same path as you, and it ended in worse heartbreak"
Valeria looked confused.
"Yes, I too chose to believe that someone loved me that didn't. He used me and left. No man of worth will consider taking me in marriage because of what I did at your age."
Valeria just stood and began to softly cry.
"And then when the right man comes along, he will look at you with sadness in his blue eyes and not want you because… you are used goods. Men want a virgin for the wife and if you have a child, it's a reminder of that. Trust me I am there-I saw it even today."
She didn't even realize she said blue subconsciously but someone else did.
"But I have already….several times in Mexico."
"Oh, Valeria. Sweet Valeria. Jesus teaches that we can be forgiven of anything. You just have to ask. Are you sure you are not with a child? "
"Yes, I have done other things." in barely a whisper.
Elizabeth reached over and held the young girl. They both cried.
"When I leave here for my own home, I will take you with me for a new start too. We will find the Barkleys some new help with the children, I promise. If you want to?"
Rosa smiled and said "Si Senora, I do."
They walked out. Jarrod stood up straight in Jingos stall where he was putting salve on a cut. He was going to make his presence known like a gentleman but the conversation progressed too quickly. He realized Elizabeth was getting onto the saucy tart and he was glad of it.
He assumed she would rebuke her soundly and be done with it. That way he wouldn't have to tell Nick and now...he couldn't tell her— he was there.
When she showed the girl mercy and told her how she thought, I looked at her this afternoon. "Forgive me, Lord. Oh dear God what have I done"
There was not much sleep in the big house that night… Victoria worrying and praying and talking to Tom about their family—-Nick and Katarina renewing their nightly passion several times as he prepared to leave—-Audra and Todd in the first bloom of a possible romance—-Heath and Isabella ruminating over the dangers to their respective families and their newfound love—Camellia worrying about tattling on Valeria—-Silas on his knees praying that Satan and the railroad would not win again and for Mr Jarrod to heal his soul and stay home—Valeria reliving her words with Elizabeth and beginning to take them to heed—-Jarrod and Elizabeth too much desire, regret, fear and pain to unravel in one night….
To be continued...