Chapter Seven
Everyone stayed pretty close to home the next day. Nick mended the fence around the corral, Heath brought in the small stock to a closer distance and McColl set up shifts of men to patrol between the house and the range.
Jarrod took the ladies into town to file a motion for the Wheelers while they shopped. He took four rifles with him in the wagon. He knew his mother, Liesel and Isabella could all shoot if need be.
Dr. Howard and Iva Merar were coming first thing in the morning and hopefully freeing Katarina from bed rest. The servants were keeping the children close in the fenced rose garden and in the nursery.
Liesel gave her shortlist to Isabella, "I think I want to see where my husband will spend his time."
Jarrod reached out to hold her hand as they crossed the busy street. "Bella, whatever you and Liesel have on her list, charge to my account."
He was quite aware of the stares they were getting. He was proud of Liesel and wanted to show her off. He doffed his hat and introduced his wife to everyone they met. They both were still reeling from the close call with the panther. It had actually brought them closer.
He opened the office and a window to air out the room. He kissed her soundly and showed her around. She fingered each leather volume with an appreciation.
"I will make myself at home. Take your time. May I take a couple, home to read?"
"Of course. How lucky a man I am. The rest of the ladies are spending our gold and mine is coveting my books."
She read and he would look up from his desk in appreciation every so often. The panther at the creek had shaken them all.
"I wish Esther were here. I need this copied in triplicate."
"I will do it Jarrod" and she sat down and copied the motion in an elegant script and even caught a Latin mistake in the original.
"Liesel, every day you amaze me. What will I learn about you next?"
"It's not a secret how much I desire you, Mr. Barkley."
"And I love you, Mrs. Barkley"
He smiled and took her in his arms. Their desire was escalating and Jarrod was tempted to lock the door until he heard someone clear their throat.
She pulled away breathlessly as a client came by to say hello. They visited for a few minutes and Jarrod looked at his pocket watch.
"It's almost time for our lunch reservation."
He finished up the motion and took it to the rail station to Shad for posting. He sent three telegrams and escorted his new wife across to the Cattleman's.
"Jarrod, do you realize we will have been married a month this week? It doesn't seem possible"
"One month of the rest of our life."
He had sent a message to Abraham inviting him to town soon. He needed his services and his protégé, his nephew Ben Issacson for the Wheeler case and the Breckinridge holdings.
—-&—
Audra looked extraordinarily beautiful in her French-designed mourning dress. The ranchers had almost made her a 'folk hero' for saving their land. Folks lined up outside the mercantile to express their condolences.
"Thank you…thank you…thank you…this means so much to me and my daughter and our family….thank you…I will…."
The line finally ended and Jane got her inside while Victoria dispersed the well-wishers.
"I had no idea the town felt that way about me and Scott."
Jane didn't correct her nor did Victoria.
The town hated Scott Breckinridge with venom for the land grab in the first place and running off with the Barkley daughter in a trade-off for the short-term loans.
They shopped at the mercantile, then the millinery then the dressmaker. Audra's spirits were good and she was enjoying the morning. Isabella filled Liesel's small list quickly. Audra encouraged her to buy some new items and showed her several materials that would look good with her strawberry blonde hair.
"I always wanted a little sister." grinned Audra.
Victoria and Jane noticed the small changes in Audra and smiled.
"Little baby steps" Jane whispered.
Jane bought a new wallet at the saddlery shop for Douglas while Victoria was leaving Nick's saddlebag for repair.
Audra bought new toys for the children. More blocks for Tab and Jack. A teething necklace for Rose and another rattle for Scotty.
The owner of the new toy and wood wares store had a candy counter. Isabella bought several bags of confections to take home.
"I am Jim Rivers and this is my store. I have been open for three months; my uncle owns these stores in San Francisco and other towns. I don't believe I have met you before." directing his comments to all of the ladies but only looking at Isabella.
He was sandy-blonde wavy-haired with beautiful hazel eyes. All of the single ladies in town had been gossiping about his good looks and his busy new business venture in town. He lived in the back of the shop for now.
"I am Victoria Barkley, my sister Jane Carrington, my daughter Audra Breckinridge and my special house guest, sister to my new daughter-in-law, Isabella Beaufort. I am always pleased when Stockton gets new business. It shows our town is growing."
"Pleased to make your acquaintances. The Barkley name is quite respected in this town."
He made his way to Isabella, "I haven't seen you in town before, ma'am. I am pleased to meet you. You have just moved here from France?"
She demurely smiled in her sweet accent, "Yes sir, from a port in LeHavre. My sister is married to Eugene Barkley and now my Elizabeth, Liesel, is married to Mr. Jarrod Barkley."
"Have you enjoyed your time in California?"
"Yes, I have. The Barkleys have been generous hosts. I love to ride and I have been able to do this every day. I am enjoying my American family and my new life."
He kept talking to Isabella to the amusement of the other ladies. He was clearly smitten.
"Do you like the comfits or the sugarplums the best? Delia, the cook over at the cafe has been making them for me but she is always asking for suggestions? I know the recipes originally came from France."
She sampled both and smiled. "I think they are wonderful. I would ask my sister, Liesel, she makes candied flowers and fruits all of the time. She even practiced making lollies. I will take some home to her and get her opinion."
He handed her a bag of treats. "On the house."
Victoria placed her hand on the counter smiling, "We will pay for them, sir."
He blushed and Isabella ducked her head shyly.
"See you soon, ladies."
Audra couldn't wait to get outside and tease Isabella, "Someone made quite an impression, Bella."
She grinned and they headed over to the Cattleman's for lunch with Liesel and Jarrod.
Heath was waiting for them.
Audra seemed so much like her old self, they felt like they had something to celebrate.
He sat next to his sister.
"Got the stock in earlier and decided to come in and get some more of that tincture for the cows. The one Gene wrote about. It works and Dr. Merar said last week, he had gotten some and reminded me it was in his office when he came to see Katarina today. She is released from that bed and Nick had her downstairs watching the children play on the verandah. They both were grinning ear to ear."
Jarrod ordered the table drinks while they all checked out the menu.
Liesel tentatively asked, "What is a special?"
He smiled, "Something they cook on certain days and is not available every day."
Audra answered too, "They don't have anything like that in Europe as far as I could tell either."
"Well, I am adventurous. I will try it."
He winked privately at his wife. She blushed.
Jarrod told the ladies, "Well this day has been interesting —-I was in a dusty old office with eyes only for my beautiful wife while she only had eyes for my book collection."
The ladies laughed and Liesel blushed.
He kissed the top of her hand lovingly.
Victoria took a deep breath and said a prayer of thanksgiving. "I don't know if they had time to talk it out or the panther scare, but they seem happier than ever. Damn that Ghislaine."
"Now what did everyone else do this morning?"
They all shared their shopping experiences. Audra went on and on about some fabric she bought for Rose and Scotty to match.
The table smiled in relief and appreciation of her good mood.
Audra added, "And our little Isabella got some extra attention from the new candy and wood store owner." and she winked.
Isabella blushed, "He was just interested in my opinion about the sweets."
The table laughed; Jane added, "Sweets? That's what they call it these days?"
Isabella continued to blush. "It's Liesel that he is interested in. With her opinions."
"Hey now..do I need to challenge this man to a duel? I have only been married a month and already another man is looking towards my wife" Jarrod teased.
Liesel swatted him playfully.
'Of course, not. He's interested in her recipes."
"That's what they all say."
Audra interrupted, "Well maybe he will ask you to the dance and you can take him Liesel's recipes then."
Isabella good-naturedly took the teasing. "I am used to this being the baby of the family at home and now in California."
The waiter came to take their order and everyone changed the subject.
Heath sat sullenly during all the banter. Victoria noticed her son's displeasure with the idea of Isabella courting.
"Well, I didn't see that coming." and she filed the idea away to ask Jane later.
A runner came in at the end of the meal and handed Jarrod a telegraph:
Accepting your offer. Will arrive Sunday. E Tanner
Jarrod remarked privately to his mother and Heath as they waited for the packages to be loaded, "This is good timing. The funeral is tomorrow and we will have all day as a family. Then church on Sunday and Ed's arrival Sunday afternoon. We need to get this panther soon."
Heath helped Isabella up to the wagon; she squeezed his hand in appreciation. He nodded and tried to quell the feelings her touch and smile brought him.