Chapter Fourteen 14/19
Jarrod returned to Sacramento after an Easter week with the family—-bonnets and frocks, silver dollars and ham, church services, an Easter cantata, and hours with the family.
Privacy with Liz was at a premium but he enjoyed every moment he could find between a nursing baby, five little girls who missed their Pappy along with all their cousins, dining with Mother and the whole family, along with house plans and reopening the Stockton office details.
"It seems my love that Laurel has a sense of when I am trying to get Mamere alone and kiss you as I wish."
Liz laughed, "She started that early if I remember."
The house was close to being completed with only the inside trims and work to begin in a few weeks. Jarrod had very specific tastes in the woods, trim, and fireplaces. bookcases and railings. Liz chose the wallpapers and windows coverings with the ladies in the family. All the rooms were fitted with large windows and French doors. She ordered a large stove and a marble island for baking along with a double sink for cooking. Liz spent the rest of her time planning the garden and ordering plants.
Jarrod wanted a big home and he was going to make it happen. It was built with the large white columns of his family home but an Arcadian veranda and double staircases across the front. He had seen it on a trip to New Orleans but he adopted some of the Spanish influences in stucco and ironworks. It was a perfect compliment to his family home. Joined together by a walk, gazebo, and rose garden.
It exhausted and invigorated him all at the same time—-"Welcome to parenthood" laughed Victoria when he remarked the thought to her.
He slept the whole train ride contentedly and got off refreshed in Sacramento. He was ready to fight for the farmers of the valley again against the railroad. It would be his last stand as Secretary of State but not the last of Jarrod Barkley the attorney and man.
Three days later, he got a note that Amy was back from San Francisco and they should meet for their finale.
Amy chose The Sacramento Club, frequented by politicians and reporters and the social elite of the city. It would be a perfect place to end their engagement that in reality ended four months ago.
He was dressed in his black suit and western tie; she was in a scarlet-satin bustle dress. Her black hair was in an up swoop and accented with seed pearls. She knew it was her best look and she wanted tonight to be memorable. I really should have been on the stage.
Jarrod ordered drinks and appetizers for them. He reached out his hand for her gloved one. It was rebuffed; she made sure people noticed her in the room. He asked her to dance and she stayed distant in her posture. Jarrod kept his head down trying not to laugh at this farce he was playing out for both of their futures.
Jarrod asked her in a very audible tone, "Do we have to have this discussion every meal?
She dramatically hmphed and concentrated on her food, "Yes, Jarrod we do until you see things my way."
They made it to the meal portion when Amy announced an octave louder than normal conversation,
"Jarrod, I think you care more for the farmers in Stockton than me. I have told you and told you I do NOT want to be a rancher's wife or a small-town attorney's wife in Stockton."
"Amy, lower your voice. We can work this out. You will come to love the Valley as much as I do."
"No! If we don't live in Sacramento or San Francisco, the engagement is off."
"Amy, you don't mean that."
"Yes I do" and she took off her engagement ring. She placed it on the table, kissed him on the cheek, and walked out.
He closed his eyes and stilled his face not to smile. He looked down and covered his mouth. Damn, she was good.
He signed the check and walked dejectedly out. He took a covered rig back to his apartment and smiled to himself, "I think it worked."
He had several scotches and settled down to read. He woke the next morning and grabbed his delivered newspaper. He flipped over to the social column:
Jarrod Barkley and Miss Amy Marsheton Pierce break engagement in Sacramento Club over dinner. A close confidant of the couple spoke on anonymity. The couple could not come to terms with Jarrod's commitment to the San Joaquin Valley and Amy's commitments to her interests in San Francisco and Sacramento. The couple parted amicably according to witnesses in the restaurant.
Jarrod laughed, "It worked. All I have to do is ignore the stares at the Capital this week and it will blow over. Amy went back on the morning train, a happy woman."
And he did ignore the stares of sympathy and gossip all week until people found something new to talk about. He had to work to keep the smile off his face, whistle from his lips, and spring in his steps.
Amy arrived in San Francisco and was a bit surprised that the local social column had picked up the news with an addition
Jarrod Barkley and Miss Amy Marsheton Pierce break engagement
… Mr. Barkley was recently jailed over egregious comments he made to Judge Johnson of the sixth circuit….When his brother Nick Barkley was accused of manslaughter in the death of John Jackson. He was not charged at the inquest of his death. Our Secretary of State was fined and apologized to the court. Miss Amy Pierce has lobbied for women's rights for protection and guardianship of children from abusive husbands. The change to the law is expected to be signed on her Uncle's Desk, the Governor within the month.
She read the article and smiled. She hailed a rig to take her to Peter's home for the week.
—&—-
The Stockton paper was more amicable to Jarrod. His service to the Valley, the legislation he was working on, his pro-Bono work to the San Joaquin citizens, and his desire to return home were all mentioned in the social column. The two new dams for water sources and the freight/railroad legislation was mentioned more than the brief notice of the broken engagement.
Nick was thrilled to bring the newspaper home to Liz. "I don't think Jarrod ever fared so well in the press." He hugged his soon-to-be sister-in-law and said, "Soon you will be an official Barkley, and Jarrod will be home. You are already family in our minds."