Chapter 14

Victoria and Audra were sitting in the parlor when Heath came through the front door with Ella. She was leaning heavily against him and was clearly distraught. Both were soaked to the skin.

"Heath! What happened?" Audra cried out. The last she had seen of Ella was when she'd dropped her off at her home. They had been able to rent a horse and buggy from the livery once they had arrived in Stockton.

"Audra, go draw a warm bath for Ella," Victoria commanded. Audra hesitated for only a second before running up the stairs. Heath brought Ella into the parlor and gently placed her on the sofa. Victoria sat next to the younger woman and pushed Ella's dark hair, which was matted from being in the wind and rain, out of her face. She could see the tears in Ella's eyes and looked up at Heath. He shrugged, then excused himself to put on dry clothes, knowing Ella was in good hands.

"What's wrong, Ella?" Victoria asked softly. The tears began to flow, and Ella cried in earnest.

"Oh Mrs. Barkley," she sobbed. "I don't even know if I can say the words out loud."

Victoria looked up to see Audra had just returned to the parlor.

"Come on, Ella. Let's get you out of these wet things and into a nice hot bath," Victoria said in a soothing voice.

"I'm sorry I'm disturbing you. I asked Heath to take me into town, but he brought me here instead," Ella sniffled.

"I'm glad he brought you here. I would have been upset with him if he hadn't. Don't you worry. We have plenty of room," Victoria said as she led the distraught woman up the stairs. She saw Heath coming from his room, a look of concern on his face.

"But the party-" Ella started.

"Isn't for a few days. In the mean time, I want you to soak in the tub and then go to bed," Victoria said in a firm, yet motherly voice. She was just about to close the bathroom door to give Ella some privacy when a thought occurred to her.

"Ella, does Jonathon know where you are?"

Ella hesitated for a moment before shaking her head no.

"Do you mind if we send someone over to tell him? I'm sure he's worried."

Ella began to cry again. "I don't want to go home right now, Mrs. Barkley. I don't mind if he knows where I am, but I need some time to think."

Victoria smiled and closed the door gently. Heath and Audra were standing with her in the hallway, and she motioned for them to follow her down the stairs. She knew they had both heard Ella's words. Once they were in the parlor, she began to ask questions.

"Audra, what happened in San Francisco to make Ella so upset?"

Audra sat down heavily on the sofa and told the story. Everything from Ella forgetting the herbs she needed up until Jarrod put them on the train. Audra had asked Ella if she wanted help taking her things inside once they were at the Sommers' ranch, but Ella was eager to see her husband. She sent the other woman on her way, telling her she'd see her later.

"You don't think Jonathon knew about the herbs, do you?" Victoria asked out loud. Heath stiffened at the thought. He knew without a doubt Jonathon loved Ella, but what if he felt he was too old for children and had conspired with Wilma?

"Ella has never said Jonathon hasn't wanted children," Audra replied.

"I'll go over and let him know Ella is safe. He's probably worried about her," Heath said, excusing himself.

Victoria was going to suggest sending one of the hands, but thought better of it. Heath seemed determined to go. She accepted his kiss goodbye, then sent her daughter to bed. Ella was just coming from the bathroom when Victoria reached the top of the stairs.

"Let's get you into bed," Victoria said, putting an arm around her shoulders and leading her to one of the bedrooms. After making sure Ella had everything she needed, she left and went to her own room.

The rain had eased up, only falling in a slight drizzle as Heath dismounted Charger. Heath noticed as he knocked on the door, there was a lamp lit in every room of the Sommers' home. No one answered, which Heath found odd, thinking that Wilma should at least be there. He heard noises coming from the barn and went to investigate. As he got closer, Heath heard Jonathon's voice.

"Whoever finds her, shoot once to let us know and get back here with her as soon as you can. If she refuses to come, don't let her go, but send your partner for me."

"Jonathon," Heath called out. Jonathon turned around at the sound of his name.

"Oh, Heath. Thank God. I can't find Ella. Will you help?"

Heath led Jonathon away from his men and then said softly, "I found her about an hour and a half ago. She's at our house."

Jonathon sighed in relief.

"I'll get my horse."

"Jonathon, she doesn't want to see you. She said she didn't mind if you knew she was there, but she needed time to think."

Jonathon stared at Heath as though he were trying to comprehend the words he'd heard. He went back to his men and dismissed them, thanking them for their time. He walked back to Heath and motioned for him to follow to the house. They walked into the study and Jonathon poured Heath a drink. Heath noticed Jonathon's hands were shaking as he handed the glass to him.

"Did she...did she tell you..?" Jonathon began.

"She didn't say much. Just what I told you about needing some time to think," was all Heath said. He wanted to ask Jonathon about the herbs but refrained.

"Thank you for coming by to tell me, Heath. I was worried about her," Jonathon said, standing. Heath stood with him, setting his glass down.

"I'll stop by tomorrow," Jonathon said, holding his hand out to Heath. The men shook hands, and Heath thought Jonathon looked years older.

"I'll let her know."

Ella woke up early the next morning, feeling disoriented. She couldn't remember where she was at first, then the memory of the night before came rushing back. She began to weep, muffling her sobs with her pillow. She couldn't have known that Heath heard every one. He had been walking past, and it took all of his energy not to go in and comfort her. He hurriedly walked down the back stairs and out to the barn. He couldn't stand hearing her distress.

Ella fell back asleep and when she awoke, the sun was high in the sky. She was embarrassed to have slept so late, but knew she wouldn't have been able to get out of bed any earlier. There was a faint knock at the door, and she called for whoever it was to come in. Victoria's head peeked around the corner and smiled.

"Good morning," the older woman said.

"Good morning, Mrs. Barkley. I'm sorry I slept so late," she said as she sat up in bed.

"Don't apologize, dear. You were exhausted. Your husband was here earlier to see you."

Ella looked up quickly.

"I don't want to see him just yet, Mrs. Barkley. Please. If someone could take me into town, I'll be out of your way in just a few hours."

Victoria looked at her guest with an upraised eyebrow. She quietly closed the door and went to sit in the chair beside Ella's bed.

"You don't plan to go back home?"

The tears formed again, and Ella couldn't hold them back. She shook her head slightly, unable to meet Victoria's eyes.

"Ella, I know we don't know one another well, but I'd like to help you. Audra told me about the herbs. You've only been married a short while. Why were you taking them? Had you been told you couldn't have children?"

Ella sighed.

"We had been married for a year and I hadn't conceived. Wilma knew a lot about herbs and said she might be able to help. I never thought...I never imagined she was giving me an herb to keep me from having a baby. Wong said..." Ella fought for control. "Wong said the herb I was taking wouldn't help me have a baby, but that it killed the baby. All this time, I thought she was helping me..."

" Did Jonathon know what Wilma was doing?"

"No!" Ella replied, surprised at the question. "He seemed shocked when I mentioned it."

"Then, why don't you want to go home?"

"Remember I told you how uncomfortable it made me because Wilma was so nice to him?" At Victoria's silent nod, Ella continued, "Now I know why! When I arrived home last night, I overheard a conversation between Jonathon and Wilma." Ella's voice choked up, and she couldn't go on for a few minutes. Victoria handed her a lacy handkerchief. Once Ella wiped her eyes and blew her nose, she continued.

"I was so angry with Wilma that the only thing I could think of was getting her out of my home. Before I could walk into the room, I heard Jonathon say that the night he and Wilma had spent together fifteen years ago meant nothing to him. I never knew they'd had anything more than just an employer/employee relationship! But now it all makes sense."

"Why were they talking about it?" Victoria asked. Ella's shoulders slumped.

"I don't know. I don't know anything," Ella cried. Victoria patted her on the back as she sobbed and waited for her to calm down before saying anything.

"Do you think your husband and Wilma have been having an affair?" Victoria asked.

"I don't know...I don't see how they could. I've never been away from home overnight without Jonathon until my trip to San Francisco. And whenever Jonathon has been away, Wilma has stayed home with me...I guess I don't believe they are. But hearing about them, even just one night. Even if it happened all those years ago...Why didn't he tell me? And why did he keep her on as an employee?"

Victoria debated about what to say next. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Ella, I'd like to tell you something. It isn't something I talk about often."

Ella watched Victoria as she thought about the words she was going to say.

"A long time ago, my husband had an affair and a child was conceived."

Ella's eyes widened at the confession.

"Nick was three and a half and Jarrod was almost eight. Tom and I had gone through a rough time in our marriage. I won't go into detail, but we both made mistakes. I'm not trying to excuse what Tom did. He made his choice. But I will accept the blame for my part in it. As far as I know, it only happened the one time, and it took a long while before Tom and I were able to forgive each other and ourselves. We worked through it and eventually were able to make our marriage work again. Jonathon made a mistake years ago. I don't know him that well, but from what I've heard from Audra, you both love each other very much. You need to listen to him. Hear his side of the story. Understand his view. Don't make any hasty decisions."

Ella nodded, the tears forming again.

"I don't want to hear any more talk of you going into town. You are our guest."

"But the party..."

"We have plenty of room, my dear. Don't you worry."

Victoria left her to think about what they'd talked about. Just as she reached the door, Ella called out to her.

"Mrs. Barkley? You said a child was conceived. Did you ever meet that child?"

Victoria smiled slightly.

"He lives with us now."

"He does?" Ella asked.

"Yes. His name is Heath."