Chapter Three
Heath and Nick were at the train station early with four wagons and men to meet the family. They knew they had the coffin plus the family and luggage. They were anxious to have the family all back together again.
Aunt Jane was waiting at the house for them to return with all her preparations.
Mother and Audra got off the train first; Audra ran into her brother's arms loudly crying.
"There, there, little sis, we gotcha."
"Ok kitten, let's get you back to the house. Where's the pretty little niece of mine?"
She turned just as Isabella got off the train holding a sleeping Scotty followed by Jarrod and Liesel each with an awakening child.
Liesel was looking around at her new town.
Exhausted but glad to be off the train with three fussy children. They had been confined for two and a half weeks.
"Jarrod, I am so glad that we are here. The children just need to run and play for days. Les enfants jouent dans le jardin. "
"I agree, my love. And I need time alone with my bride. I can't wait to take the children out on the ranch. Is it too early to buy my son a pony?" and he winked at her.
She gave him an appreciative smile while she took her first look at Stockton. He kissed her on the cheek.
A bit overwhelmed viewing the dry, dusty town for the first time…
The dirt streets with a haze of dust framed the wooden boardwalks and storefronts interspersed with a few brick buildings. Noisy carts, a timber wagon obscuring her view, the pungent smell of manure and steam from the blacksmith
So different from the ancient masonry, stones, ivy, conifers, and stucco she had grown up with…But safe with Jarrod and her children...free to make a life of her own choice.
Jarrod and Liesel held back as Audra spoke privately with her brothers after three years of separation.
She sobbed and sobbed into Heath's shoulder and held onto Nick.
Jarrod looked away. He was worried about Audra and her inability to cope and control her emotions. He also was concerned that she seemed content so much of the time for others to care for Scotty. His mother had mentioned the same.
He thought about his mother's words, "Jarrod, we have to help her live her life. I am afraid it's too much with a newborn and the loss of Scott but it is the cards we have been dealt."
He had analyzed and over-thought for the past three years with Audra.
Being the only daughter, stunning looks,Barkley stubbornness,an impetuous nature all came together in a perfect storm of pampering, entitlement, immaturity, and naivety about the world.
"When father died, I couldn't bear for her to want anything or have to work, I am to blame for part of this."
After conversations with his mother on the ship to London, He found she blamed herself for the very same reasons.
He shook off his guilt and turned to Liesel, "I can't wait to get us settled in our own rooms. I want to show you the ranch, the orchards, the vineyards, the blending houses…all things Barkley. Then we will go to San Francisco and I will show you my house and offices and treat you to the finest meal west of the Rockies and dancing and clubs and shopping." sensing his wife's bewilderment.
Jack interrupted, "Pappy can we ride a horse?"
"Of course, son." Liesel smiled as Jarrod had immediately after the wedding calling her children, son, and daughter. It warmed her soul.
Isabella brought the sleeping baby over to Nick and Heath. They cooed and complemented Audra's beautiful baby girl.
Audra introduced Isabella to their brothers sniffling, "My brothers, Nick and Heath, my sister-in-law, and my dearest friend, Isabella Beaufort. I couldn't have made it without Bella and Liesel."
Heath turned and looked into the brightest green eyes he had ever seen. Strawberry blond dark ringlets were escaping from her intricate braids and bun. Their eyes met and caught for a few seconds.
There was an instant attraction between them but Heath immediately pushed it aside.
"I don't need some princess like my brothers."
"Pleased to meet you, Bella. We are all thankful for all the help getting Audra home safe and sound with little Scotty."
"That goes for me and Katarina, M'am. Much obliged. We are looking forward to having you at the ranch."
They started getting Audra and the baby to the rig. She stopped and handed Scotty back to Isabella. The brothers looked back at Jarrod and Liesel and realized they had not greeted them in their concern for Audra and her obvious distress.
"Pappy! Come on and let us meet your bride."
Jarrod and Liesel made their way over with the two still groggy children. Their exhaustion was evident on their faces.
Nick realized immediately his new sister-in-law's look, "I am Nick, Pappy's most handsome brother. Would the little lady mind if I took her from your shoulder? I got some experience with little girls. Welcome to the valley, Elizabeth."
"Thank you, Nick. Merci beaucoup. Call me Liesel. My German grandfather called me that from childhood and it stuck." in her soft French accent.
"Liesel, it is."
Heath tipped his hat at her from Audra's side. He wasn't leaving her side. She held him tightly and was still crying.
Victoria's letters about their royal blood had not set well with him. He did just fine with Nick's Russian princess but two more? The saloon talk had devolved several times about the Barkleys being so high and mighty. Two more foreign women with fancy ways would only fuel the fire. And Senor Montero passed through his mind. Bloodlines...
The ladies gratefully got in the rigs and Nick handed Rose back up to Liesel on the seat. Isabella took Scotty next to her. Jarrod handed up Jack.
"I will be back in a moment. I just need to make sure our bags and trunks make it to the wagons along with—"
Liesel nodded knowing he was talking about the coffin. They were all worried about Audra's reaction. She was so volatile and unpredictable since they passed Denver.
Jarrod whispered something to Nick and he shook his head.
"Nick, we need to talk and I am going to need your help with this."
They walked back together after visiting the back of the train. Nick's brow was furrowed and Jarrod was just tired.
"We are ready. Let's go home."
"But Jarrod, I want to make sure Scott gets off the train. What if something happened? Did you check? You know how important this is to me." frantically gasped Audra.
"He did. I do. Nick and I brought the men to bring him home."
"No. I need to make sure."
"Let your brothers take care of it, Audra," said Victoria a bit too sternly.
She broke into sobs again and tried to get out of the wagon. Victoria held her arm.
"Audra, please trust your brothers with this."
"Jarrod, please."
"Audra. The men have it taken care of. We can talk at the ranch and not in the middle of the train station."
"Heath, please-I need to check on Scott."
He couldn't decide what to do. Victoria and Jarrod were shaking their heads, "no", but this was his little sister. "Shouldn't she be able to check on her husband's coffin?"
"Audra, we will be home soon. You are exhausted." said her mother.
Scotty started to cry and Isabella was struggling to comfort her.
Victoria, "Audra, why don't you take the baby?"
"No. I want to check on Scott."
Jarrod had enough. "Audra, stop now!."
"You all hated him. You know you did" she burst out and immediately regretted it by the wounded look on Jarrod's face. His face fell with unmasked pain.
"I didn't mean that Jarrod. I am sorry. I didn't mean that."
Victoria said "I think we all need some sleep"
Heath menacingly looked at Jarrod. Their blue eyes flashed at each other.
Heath slapped the reins and left first with a sobbing Audra and a frustrated Victoria. She was rehearsing her words for her daughter in her head for when they returned home.
Nick stayed back with the men and Jarrod rode in with Liesel and Isabella and all three children.
Silently all the way back to the ranch.
Jane was waiting on the verandah when she heard the wagons come up the road.
She met them with big smiles and quickly hugged all of the new arrivals.
Victoria opened her eyes widely and Jane could read her expression, "things were not going well."
Audra went straight to her Aunt's arms and began to cry again. Heath moved the buggy to the back and came back with her valise and purse.
Jarrod helped Liesel and Isabella down with the children. Nick came to help.
"I am already getting a feel, Jarrod, for what's going on with Audra. Keep your head up, Pappy. You and Mother have some help now. And we are all going to get Audra through this."
Jarrod nodded with appreciation.
"Plus—- you have a new little family to look after. I will be able to give you some pointers, Pappy. 'Me being all experienced and all." grinning.
Nick's three children bounded out and grabbed him around the legs. He affectionately kissed them. He tossed the twins up in the air.
"Pappy!" cried Tab as he jumped into his uncle's arms.
"Tab! You have grown so much. And my Sophie and Mae. I have brought home cousins for you. This is my son, Jack and my daughter, Rose."
He looked confused then whooped loudly, "Pappy, you usually bring candy. This is better."
Jarrod laughed along with the family. "And this is your Aunt Liesel and your Aunt Isabella."
"Pleased to meet you. Can we play?"
Rosa and her nieces, Lia and Valeria answered from the porch, "It's a beautiful afternoon. We will watch the children outside so the adults can visit. If that is fine with you, M'am."
Liesel looked relieved and gracious. "Thank you so very much. Merci. The children have been pent up too long."
Isabella, "I am even looking forward to a little quiet time myself" .
Heath thought she sounded selfish-after all, Audra had been through and she was worried about herself.
Jane used the opportunity to meet Jarrod's wife and sister-in-law.
"Liesel, Isabella. I am so thrilled to meet you. Welcome to the family. I have visited Paris and LeHavre. It is a very beautiful part of the world." and she chatted pleasantly walking inside the house.
Audra needed to go up and feed Scotty. She hinted around for one of the servant girls to come inside and attend her but Victoria nixed the idea.
"Darling, you can do this alone. Take the baby and feed her. Why don't you rest after you clean up? I will come up before supper. Scotty probably is ready for some time with you not moving on a train."
Audra looked skeptical but agreed.
Everyone seemed relieved when she went up with the baby.
"Jarrod, I think we are all due for a drink-and a stiff one. Let's go into the study." and the matriarch shut the door to the room.
Jarrod and Nick poured drinks and Victoria began to speak, "I am so glad to be home. London and Paris and of course LeHavre" nodding towards the sisters "was beautiful but I am ready to be home. I want to be as direct as possible while Audra is upstairs. She has been through a lot. But we all need to help her get on her own two feet"
Heath frowned as the others listened.
"Jarrod is going to be taking care of all the legal and business matters but I need the family's help helping Audra become independent again. She left here at 18 quite cosseted by my own fault,—Scott, God rest his soul took care of her every step of the way and we have taken up that mantle in France quite unwittingly. She is 21 and a mother. She needs to find her confidence to live her life again."
Heath spoke up annoyed, "Don't you think it's mighty soon for her to be on her own? Isn't that what family is for?"
Jarrod answered. "Heath, we aren't feeding her to the wolves. She just needs to become more self-sufficient. I will take over the business parts but all Mother is saying is she needs to take care of Scotty. It will help her heal."
Heath wasn't content with the answer.
Jarrod glared back. Liesel stepped back, surprised by his anger. She had not seen that before.
Victoria looked son to son. "I know we all have Audra's best interest at heart. Jane, Liesel, Bella, let's go see Katarina. I can't wait to introduce you. I have missed my daughter-in-law."
The men refilled their drinks.
Nick asked Jarrod, "Do you think she is going to be ok?"
Heath answered for him, "Of course if you give her a chance." and he stormed out.
Dinner was served and Jane had outdone herself with her plans. The family dispersed after the meal and caught up in conversations around the home.
Victoria and Jane made plans to catch up with a nightcap in her room while Jarrod whispered an escape plan to Liesel. She smiled at him; he winked at her response.
Nick caught Jarrod on his way up, "Tomorrow, we need some time to do some ranch business. Been taking some losses on stock, need to sign a few contracts, and got a couple ideas to run by you. I need to talk to you about the Wheelers. Katarina is doing better and Dr. Merar may let her up and around next week. That will take some weight off my mind but I will still be worrying until this little one makes his presence known."
"Jarrod, " with raw emotion in his voice, "don't know what I would do without her."
Jarrod touched his shoulder, "I know Brother Nick, I do."