Chapter Two 1877. Washington DC almost 12 years later
Jarrod was in town for negotiations for the San Joaquin River navigation district to increase interstate shipping and commerce. Senator Marsheton had invited Jarrod to testify about California's water issues and railroad issues to his senate committee.
Jarrod dressed for a grand dinner party at a mansion on the Potomac. Making connections for the valley was his primary concern tonight. His personal life was weighing heavy on him. It seemed every lovely lady he met for the past two weeks was married or single for a reason. He was 34 this year and his life seemed to be settled enough to look for a wife.
Thomas Barkley's death had interrupted Jarrod's life plan. He left San Francisco and never looked back to become the head of the family's varied business interests. He had his family to take care of and help usher Nick and Heath into their destinies on the ranch.
All of the women of the last ten years in his life had already settled down with other men; all of his friends were married to lovely women and many of them had several children. Women like Barbara Redden and Julia Saxon filled his dreams.
An hour or so into the party, Jarrod was working the crowd thinking about going home a day or so early. He was very tired of the political wrangling and if he admitted it to himself, lonely. He was ready to look for a wife and begin a family. The last few nights in the hotel he made mental lists of qualities he would like in a bride.
He might as well do this logically since the women he was actually attracted to had not been the kind you brought home to Victoria Barkley.
"Jarrod!" and John Jackson made his way across the room.
Jarrod grinned and returned the greeting. Since the war, they had exchanged a few letters in the past eleven years and kept track of each other through mutual friends. They had even met up once in San Francisco while John was in the shipping business. Jarrod and John had invested in several mutual freight enterprises.
An absolutely stunning auburn-haired woman was standing beside him. Jarrod gave a mock bow, "Elizabeth, you look lovely. I believe the last time I saw you was your wedding. I believe you only had eyes for this old guy." and he patted him on the back. John was distracted.
"I do remember your kind eyes, sir. You are the very first cowboy I ever met. I had always assumed you would have had a six-shooter and spurs."
"That's my brother, Nick," he laughed. They conversed pleasantly for a few minutes. Jarrod was trying not to stare at her extraordinary green eyes, the kind of eyes a man could get lost in. Oh and those auburn ringlets…
"Call me Liz, my friends do."
Jarrod enjoyed the visit immensely with John and his wife. They made plans for lunch with their four daughters the next day. Her husband made a couple of jokes at her expense about "only producing girls". She lowered her eyes down for a moment.
Jarrod didn't laugh as he saw the pain flash in her eyes before she masked it again with her social prowess.
John cut his eyes towards the door several times as a statuesque blond entered. She was beautiful and alluring with a much too low décolletage. She made eye contact with every man she passed and her appeal was undeniable.
The hostess took Liz away for a moment, and John whispered conspiratorially to Jarrod, "That is Melanie DeLand. She and I are friends. Can you distract Lizzie for me while I set something up?"
Jarrod had hardly time to answer, and John ducked away. Damn annoying of him…
Liz made her way towards Jarrod. He mentioned that "John went to meet a friend and he would be back. Would you like to show me the river? I hear the hosts have a bar and dancing set up on the Potomac".
She took his arm, and they walked outside. "Jarrod, you don't have to be kind. I saw her come in. She is his latest mistress. I know my role quite well. John reminds me well if I forget."
Jarrod didn't know what to say with such honesty. He offered her a glass of champagne from a passing servant. She accepted and took very small sips.
They walked to the banks of the black rushing waters. Jarrod felt like he towered over Liz's diminutive stature and he enjoyed her small hand on his arm.
"I am sorry" was all Jarrod could think to say.
"It's really ok, Jarrod. I have four beautiful daughters and my sister. My cousin is coming to live with us next month. My life is full. It is enough." with sadness in her voice.
She lightened the conversation by describing, "her cottage garden, her nicknames for the girls. Lillie is eight, Rose is six, Daisy is four and Flora is two. My own little cottage garden. All are named for my mother's garden in LeHavre, France and of course, family names to carry on. There were six of us girls but Adrienne and I are all that is left. My cousin Isabella's parents passed this year and she is coming to live with us. She is between Adrienne and me in age. About 21, I believe."
Her acceptance of these painful situations unmanned him and made him a man of few words. She was 13 when they married? Liz is about 24 now? Trying to do mental math in his head…
He was content to allow her to talk. She was very well-educated and current on the news of the day. They chatted for almost an hour until John came back to find them.
"There you two are. I have a late business meeting so I will stay in town. The carriage is ready for you to go back to the house when you like. Jarrod, see you tomorrow for lunch?"
He decided at this moment, "Sorry John, I have another engagement I remembered. Next time?"
John looked disappointed but left with a goodbye leaving for his assignation. Jarrod walked Liz to her carriage.
She gave him a brotherly kiss on the cheek, "Thank you." and she tapped for the driver to leave.
He watched the carriage drive away with a sad feeling in his gut. I feel more lonely than I ever have in my life.
Jarrod went back to the hotel and took the train back early the next day for Stockton.
On that early ride, he met Beth and it was "love at first sight" thanks to his orderly list from the hotel. Then came Cass Hyatt then Rimfire then the Randalls.