Chapter 11

Audra was excited to go to San Francisco with Ella. They had wired Jarrod who was already in San Francisco for a trial, and he agreed to let Audra and Ella stay with him at his townhouse. Dr. Merar had seen no reason why Ella couldn't go since her fall, though Jonathon was still a bit leery.

"I'll be fine," she had assured him over and over the night before he left with Heath for the auction. They were lying in bed, watching the flames as they danced around in the fireplace.

"I know. I just can't help but wonder if I shouldn't go with you."

"What could you do if you went? I'll be sure to tell you all of what the doctor says. Besides, I know you're going to find the perfect mate for Carrington at this auction."

Jonathon sighed as he held his wife close.

"When do you think you'll be back?" she asked.

"Probably in two or three days. I don't want to stay away longer than that."

"So you'll get home before me?"

"Looks that way."

They were both silent for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. Perhaps an outsider would have looked at their marriage and taken pity on one or both of them. Yet Jonathon had not felt this content since his first few years with Christine. Once she'd become ill, his days were consumed with caring for her. He didn't consider Ella a child.

Ella, had never felt as safe as when she was in her husband's arms. True, Jonathon was only a few years younger than her father, but she'd never thought of him that way. He was a kind, considerate man, who rarely lost his temper or spoke a harsh word. He was loyal, almost to a fault, some would say. Ella sighed and wrapped her arms around her husband. Other people's opinions meant nothing to them.

"I don't think Audra and I will stay longer than a four or five days," she said, yawning.

Jonathon kissed her head and both fell into a peaceful sleep.

"Ella? Are you listening?"

Ella looked over at Audra who had been chatting non-stop since the train had pulled from Stockton.

"No, Audra. I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't."

"Are you feeling alright?" Audra asked, her blue eyes wide with concern. Heath had told them of the fall Ella had taken and hoped her friend was not more seriously injured than they had thought.

"Yes. I'm sorry. I'm just distracted."

Audra decided to leave her friend alone with her thoughts for the rest of the trip. In truth, she had been talking non stop to keep from thinking about Carl Wheeler. She'd seen the invitation for the party her mother had sent to Carl. They'd been to many of the same functions since Audra had broken things off between them. Audra had considered Carl a closed chapter in her life. She never wanted to betray Nick and that's what she felt like she would be doing if she started seeing him again. It had surprised her to learn that Carl was the only one of Audra's beaus that Nick had liked. Carl and Nick had been childhood friends. Audra had expected Nick to be upset when they started dating, but as she looked back, she realized he hadn't had a problem with it at all.

Maybe...maybe Audra would have a chance to talk to Carl some at the engagement party. Nick had obviously forgiven him. They met once a month to play poker in town, that much she knew. Perhaps it was time for Audra to grow up and forgive Carl as well. She had liked him so much. He didn't treat her as his friend's little sister, but as a desirable woman.

Audra's thoughts were interrupted by the train's whistle. They were arriving in San Francisco. They were gathering their things just as Jarrod entered the car. He greeted his sister with a kiss on the cheek and nodded to Ella. Jarrod took the heaviest of the bags, and took them to the waiting hack that would take them to his townhouse. Audra was standing beside the door waiting for Ella.

"Are you ready?" Audra called to her.

"I can't find one of my bags."

Audra came back into the railcar.

"Which one?"

"The small one. It was red with black fringe. It has the herbs in it that I need to take," Ella explained as she looked all around.

"Maybe Jarrod picked it up by mistake?" Audra suggested.

"No, I think I remember leaving it on the bed. Wilma said I'm supposed to take the herbs every day for them to be effective."

"Do you know the name of the herb? Perhaps we can buy more here?"

Ella smiled. "Yes, it goes by two different names. Queen Anne's Lace and Wild Carrot. I've seen the names on the bottle."

"I'll ask Jarrod if he knows where we can buy herbs," Audra said, trying to sound encouraging. Ella thanked her friend and the two went to find Jarrod.

Heath and Jonathon had ridden hard for most of the day. Jonathon was pleased with his purchase: a handsome stallion. His eyes were clear, his coat shiny and Jonathon was certain Ella would approve. He smiled when he thought about seeing the look on her face.

Though they were only a few hours from home, they decided to spend one more night on the trail to give the horses some rest. Heath had enjoyed his time with Jonathon and found that the man had a wonderful sense of humor. He could also tell the man was deeply in love with his wife. Heath turned his thoughts to Ellen. He was going to ask her to accompany him to Jarrod and Melissa's engagement party. They'd had a great time together during lunch and the picnic the week before. She was an intelligent and vibrant person. Yet there was a softness...a shyness that Heath found endearing.

"Ready for dinner?" Jonathon interrupted Heath's thoughts.

"Sure am. Figure I could eat a bear all by myself," Heath responded.

"Well, this ain't a bear, but some small fish. Hope you'll settle for that," Jonathon said, chuckling.

They began their dinner in silence, listening to the night sounds. The fire crackled, sending up sparks of flame and ashes into the air. Crickets sang to one another and birds called to one another.

"Beautiful night," Jonathon said softly.

"Yup."

"I like it when you can see the stars clearly and when the moon is full. Something about being outside at night...fills me with peace."

Heath nodded, having felt the same way many times.

"I bet you wonder how any decent man in his fifties could marry a child, don't you," Jonathon said. Heath hadn't been expecting this turn in the conversation, but years of playing poker kept him from visibly starting.

"Can't say as it's any of my business, Jonathon," Heath replied evenly.

"It isn't. But I like you, Heath. And I'd like you to understand, not to gain your approval, I don't need that. I consider you a friend, and I want to tell you."

Heath took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Did he want to hear Jonathon's explanation? He was torn. Yes, he did, because he couldn't fathom what Jonathon had been thinking. And no, he didn't want to know, especially if the reason wasn't good enough.

"I can't stop you from telling me, Jonathon. But I want you to know you don't have to."

"Thanks, Heath. I know that."

Jonathon was silent for a few minutes, and Heath assumed he'd changed his mind. The stars twinkled above their heads, and Heath focused on the brightest one he could find. His mother had called that star the wishing star. Most thought the wishing star was the first one to appear in the night sky. Heath's mama had told her son differently. The brightest star was the one you were to hang your hopes on, and Heath was doing exactly that when Jonathon began to talk.

"I married my first wife when we were eighteen. Neither of us had much, but we loved each other. Christine wasn't what some would call a beauty, but she had a good heart. She loved people and always wanted to help. She'd give someone the clothes off her back if she felt like they needed them more than she did. That was what drew me to her. She was my best friend, the one I wanted to grow old with. When she died..." Jonathon's voice trailed off. Heath said nothing, but waited for him to continue.

"When she died, a part of me died. My grief was too much for me to bear by myself. I didn't think I could ever love anyone again. I was doing business with Ella's father a few years later and he said he wanted me to consider marrying his daughter. He explained how he believed in arranged marriages and he thought we'd make a good match. I'd been missing Christine something fierce about that time and thought maybe I'd give love another chance. When I first met Ella, I had no idea she was so young. I remember the first time I saw her, she took my breath away."

Jonathon paused, and Heath thought he knew exactly how Jonathon felt. Ella had the same affect on him when he'd first seen her. He decided he wouldn't share that thought with his friend though.

"When I found out Ella was only 15 and just barely that, I told Caleb it wouldn't work. He asked me not to make any decisions yet, but to get to know Ella. Have you ever heard the term 'Old Soul', Heath?"

Heath nodded.

"That's what Ella is. She's young, but she has a maturity about her most young women don't have. I fought my affection for her, knowing that in society's eyes it wouldn't be right. I didn't want Ella to feel she had to marry some old man to satisfy her father. We talked quite a bit about it, almost as though we were discussing a business deal. Guess we were, if you want to look at that way. I told Ella it was her choice. I told her my age, about Christine...I let her decide. I told her she had the freedom to tell me no. She smiled ever so sweetly and said, 'I made up my mind the moment I saw you. I know you are the one for me.' And that was that. We were married a few months later. Has she regretted marrying an old man? I don't know. If she has, she hasn't let on in any way. Have I regretted marrying what some would call a child? No...because she isn't one. She's brightened my life up in a way I never thought possible."

Jonathon poured himself a cup of coffee and sat back against a fallen log. Heath watched him for a while, noting that as he talked about Ella, his face glowed. Heath sighed.

"I hope to find that kind of love someday," Heath said quietly.

"You will. Of that I have no doubt."