Chapter Twenty One Conclusion Vignette will follow tomorrow
Elizabeth was thrilled to get back to the ranch. She had never been away from Camellia more than a night and she missed her so much. Her voice was returning, just softer, airy, and hoarse but it sounded like heaven to her mother. Cammie loved the shells her mother brought back to her and a book of verse from Pappy. The shells were placed next to Katarina's horses on the nightstand.
The whole family except Heath was home to greet them. He had gone to a Mexican horse sale in Modesto. He would be back any day.
Audra couldn't wait to start sharing wedding plans. "It will be next Saturday and they have a lot to do. Have you decided on a color or fabric for your dress? I have found some patterns for you to look at and some samples. Marjorie, the dressmaker is ready and waiting for your decision. We can go to San Francisco if you like and pick a fabric and do some shopping tomorrow."
Victoria intervened, " Audra, let her be. She's only been home thirty minutes." She smiled at her mother.
Todd and Ben had gone to San Francisco with Nat Springer to meet Ben's family and spend a few days there. They were all coming back for the wedding. Nat had offered them both a job after their performance in Stockton but they declined. Jarrod has asked them to consider becoming junior partners with him. He still would not take criminal cases after Beth but they would be free to. He was going to take a deeper interest in the ranch holdings and of course now, Beaufort Shipping. Her first inclination was to sell the last offices in San Francisco after all the publicity. Elizabeth hated being in the public eye. He convinced her to let it be under Harris Kirk's management for a year and then make the decision. He was impressed with the young Scot.
No one had any idea how much Jarrod had made in New York after two years in the stock market and investments. It was enough that he would never have to work again the rest of his life and live very well, even after all the deposits to Barkley Sierra accounts. The brownstone was double of what he paid two years ago and it likely would garner a bidding war even at that. He was going to be able to take the cases that he could make a difference in...taking clients that had faced injustice...bettering society. There was no money in changing Sacramento but it was worth it to him to try...
He had gone carefully through Elizabeth's and Isabella's finances and realized how independently wealthy they were. He already suspected that Isabella wasn't ever leaving the Valley. Heath was too smart to let "his songbird get away as he called her." Neither of the sisters ever showed airs or spent money wastefully. Their totaled dresses between the sisters did not even equal one of Audra's seasons. He had been one of the major reasons that Audra was so spoiled and unaware of finances. He saw the error in his ways.
Of course, ice cream, chocolate, licorice straws, and books were not spoiling Camellia, they were necessities. He liked what he had seen with Elle's parenting. Camellia could pick out anything she wanted dress-wise but it needed to last until the next season. Isabella as well as Elle wore the same beautiful elegant gowns multiple times. His little brother would feel comfortable with that. Heath still would not touch Barkley's holdings, leaving it in the bank and living on the money he earned separately.
Well, Heath would be surprising Jarrod soon; he had made his first withdrawal from his bank account for the horse auction. Nick had heard that the rare Isabella horses would be available. Heath was interested and he put down a deposit for the right of the first refusal down on a breed pair.
Nick had offered to go in with him but declined, "I want to do this one myself." Nick understood that feeling. He had been wanting for a while to add his own portion to the extensive holdings and this was perfect for him and Bella to begin together. He had admired the blending house and wine enterprise that Katarina had become an integral part of. He liked the idea of a husband and wife working together.
His second withdrawal would be coming in a few days when he met Jarrod's friend, Abraham on the way back. He had several rings and jewelry items that he thought the young Barkley would like. He felt like he knew the brothers well through Jarrod.
He picked out the largest diamond he had for Nick and surrounded it with topaz to Katarina's caramel-colored eyes for her wedding ring. He sold him a choker of pearls and drop earrings for her "name day" and three diamond bracelets for each child's birth along with stunning pieces for holidays that drew attention.
He would send Mr. Jarrod's latest request from Monterey with the items he had already purchased with Heath. The Barkleys were good business and good friends most of all.
Audra got her wish when Elizabeth agreed to go on a shopping spree to San Francisco.
Dr. Merar agreed "Camellia could go with a nap and light walking. Lots of water and juices too to keep the throat moist."
Audra asked, "Where would you like to go?"
Camellia smiled and said, "Ghiradelli chocolates and the book store".
Jarrod kissed her on the forehead, "that's my girl"
They headed out at dawn for the early train. Elizabeth asked Valeria to go with them. She smiled widely.
The ladies first went to get fabric for Elizabeth and Camellia's dress. They chose pale green silk. It went beautifully with their green eyes and auburn hair. The pattern she selected from Audra's collection was tailored and simple. A high waist with a low off-the-shoulder bodice and a flat train. Understated elegance
Camellia wanted a poofy sleeve French cut dress and her mother agreed. She bought a simple white trim. Isabella had already had her dress made in soft lavender. She bought some of the white tatted lace to add. Victoria was wearing a deeper shade of muted orchid. Katarina purchased a white lace bodice insert for a dress she had reworked in a rich leaf green. Rosa and Valeria had even been given fabric money for new gowns. Audra still couldn't decide between three dresses herself but assured them all they would coordinate.
Victoria treated all to lunch at the Oriental Tea Room. Valeria had never been in such a beautiful place and she couldn't believe the ladies had brought her inside. Camellia drank two glasses of hibiscus tea quickly. Since the tracheostomy, she seemed to never get enough to drink. Valeria took her to the water closet several times.
"Audra, are you sure Marjorie can get this done by Saturday, in four days? and Camellia's?"
"Yes she has extra help if she needs it"
"And we all can pitch in on Camellia's."
The ladies had a memorable lunch and chatted companionably.
Ghirardelli's was the next stop. The chocolatiers had had their first start in the early days of Stockton and Victoria and Tom were great friends with them in their storefront. His son went and got his Father out of the back, "Victoria!" And the old friends hugged.
She introduced Elizabeth as Jarrod's fiancee and Camellia as her granddaughter. "Oh, I have prayed for that man to return to California! I like you already!"
Isabella and Elizabeth hit the bookstore with Camellia as the others went next door to the haberdashery and leather shop. Victoria picked up calf leather gloves for all the ladies as she shopped including pairs for Rosa and Valeria.
Elizabeth found the two items, leather-bound as she wanted. Isabella found a Jane Austen book and Camellia found three new books for her and Pappy.
They came out of the shop and sat down on the bench. Katarina came out of the toy store with a train for Tab, stuffed giraffe, and monkey for the twins. She handed Camellia a beautiful German set of eight carved horses.
"Oh Aunt Katarina, they are beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen anything so lovely… each one of them is hand-painted too."
"Oh Katarina, thank you. They are exquisite." Elizabeth was so appreciative.
"Nothing is too good for our Camellia; she is a true heroine. And I am proud to call her my niece."
Elizabeth left Camellia with Katarina to rest on the bench as she headed off for the lingerie store. Thankful that just crossed her mind...I hope I can find something Jarrod will like. This is not my forte.
An hour later, Victoria appeared with Audra in tow loaded down with bags. Everyone laughed seeing the face of Victoria. She had had enough.
They stopped at a bistro for pastries and lemonade before they got on the train for home. It had been a memorable day for the ladies. Camellia was asleep before the train left the station leaning on Victoria, her Grandmere.
The day of the mid-morning wedding was bright and sunny. The Merars, Todd and Ben, Nate Springer and his wife, and Esther were the only other guests besides family. Eugene had been the last to make it home at supper last night. A brief rehearsal dinner and the family dispersed for last-minute wedding tasks.
Jarrod walked Elizabeth to the garden so they could exchange gifts the night before. Jarrod had a velvet box and Elizabeth had two brown paper parcels.
Jarrod opened the box and placed a strand of pearls around her neck. They were stunning. "Oh Jarrod…" he silenced her with a deep kiss. "Until tomorrow night when you will be completely mine."
She allowed him to caress her for a few more moments and kiss her neck. She pulled away and gave Jarrod her gifts. He sat down on the bench and she sat beside him. He opened the smaller gift, a letter-bound Sonnets to the Portuguese and Stevenson's An Inland Voyage. Both costly leather volumes had inscriptions written in them with their wedding date. The Elizabeth Barrett Browning book flyleaf said To My Boaz. The Stevenson volume flyleaf, To Monterey. Always Elizabeth. Jarrod let out an audible gasp at her words. They alone would know the truth of that.
The second parcel was his signed quote from Robert Louis Stevenson framed. The card said, To our beautiful adventure.
They kissed again and spoke words of love and passion to each other. They walked upstairs to say goodnight to Camellia. She looked at them excitedly talking about the wedding and her dress. She had the eight horses from Katarina on the trundle with her. They kissed her goodnight and said her prayers.
As they went to the door, she asked, " Would you mind if I keep calling you Pappy? It is going to be hard to change when you adopt me and you are my Papa and I am afraid I will forget and call you Pappy".
He laughed at her wordiness. "I will come whatever you call me and Pappy is just fine."
The mid-morning wedding went perfectly. Jarrod never took his eyes off his diminutive bride. Victoria's eyes never were dry during the ceremony. Tab got the ring down the aisle and Camellia looked beautiful escorting her mother down the aisle.
After the vows with Elizabeth, Jarrod called Camellia over.
"Do you take me as your Father today and for always?"
"I do". He placed a set of pearls around her neck to match Elle's. His family was complete.
They left their reception as soon as it was acceptable and headed to the cabin at the springs. Heath and Isabella had worked yesterday to get everything ready for the newlyweds. Jarrod carried Elle over the threshold and to the divan. He went back outside and brought in their bags while Elle stocked the kitchen and chilled the wine. Nick had the block of ice ready as they left the reception and Silas had packed an enormous amount of food. He made another box of cheese, loaves of bread, and fruits that Elizabeth liked to nibble on. Nick sent plenty of scotch and wine in the wagon. They had everything they needed.
Elizabeth hung their clothes in the wardrobe. It felt strangely intimate to be handing her genteel husband's garments. He came into the room and left his jacket across the chair.
"Would you like something to drink? Take a walk since it's still daylight? Eat something?" He felt strangely awkward considering the beginning of intimacy they had already experienced. This was the first act of their life together and he wanted it to be right. Memories of Beth crossed his mind fleetingly as Elizabeth looked him straight in the eyes. Oh Lord, she is not Beth...
"Yes my love, I would love some wine and I have your scotch already by the bed. Yes, I would like to take advantage of the daylight so I can see my husband for the first time love me as I have dreamed about. Now let me change into the negligee I bought for you."
He fixed her wine and took off his boots and belt. He came back into the room and saw Elizabeth in a sheer gown standing by the window. The sunlight was shining through the material and making the silk glow ethereally and provocatively.
He handed her the wine and she took a deep sip keeping her eyes upon him all the time. She put down the glass and began unbuttoning his shirt. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of her touch.
She removed his shirt and he picked her up and laid her on the bed. He did not stop from then on until he made sure they both were fully satisfied. They fell asleep in each other's arms. It was finally as it should be
To be continued