Chapter Eight
The sun rose on a clear and cloudless day on the ranch. The family had risen early to prepare to bury Scott Breckinridge. Audra had not come down to the parlor yet and the family was standing around deep in their own thoughts. Isabella was closeted with her and the baby helping her dress.
Jarrod poured a scotch and leaned back in his thinking chair in front of the fireplace. Liesel sat on the arm of the chair rubbing his shoulder, "Three years ago, I literally begged Scott not to take Audra with him. I offered him money, a mortgage, stock—anything not to take our Audra. My heart stopped beating at that moment. I was stunned; I was devastated. All my persuasive skills were for naught. I brought him to the Valley. I invited him. I wrote the contracts that bound her to him. I helped him and I lost my sister. And yet—-she loved him somehow. When I walked into that room in London, I could read it all over their faces—-he loved Audra and she loved him. It dissolved all my anger. All those extensive details he gave me. He trusted his wife, his child, his wealth—- to me. He never was scared to die. He was strong until the end. All he cared about was Audra and Scotty. He pushed me to let Liesel in; he saw I needed her before I knew I did. He told me to look at her for the amazing woman she is. I was being so damn stubborn. In the end, he was my friend again. He is the father of my niece. I promise Scott every day to take care of her and Audra, I do. I will carry out your wishes today." and he toasted him silently with his scotch.
Liesel continued to rub his shoulder, "Oh Scott, you were so brave at the end. It makes me so sad you won't see Scotty grow up. Jarrod and I will do our best. Please God give Audra extra strength and courage to get through today. I remember your words telling me what a good man Jarrod is. Did you know I would come to love him?"
Heath paced, " I don't think I will ever forgive you for taking Audra away from us for three years but I do believe you loved her. She's back home where she belongs as well as Scotty. I swear nobody is going to hurt Audra again."
Nick kept checking on Katarina on the settee, "You feeling ok, kitten? We will all understand if you stay home."
"Nicholas, quit hovering. I promise I feel fine and I want to be there for Audra.
His mind raced with all of his feelings, "Breckinridge, I could have killed you that day. Spent three years wishing I had —-but the good Lord knew, we needed Scotty and I am still not sure how my sister loved you. And Pappy says you loved her too. I will give you that on their word. Now Scotty and Audra are home safe and we are going to keep them that way."
Jane and Victoria rearranged the flowers on the foyer table absentmindedly.
"Vic, do you want me to go check on her?"
"Let's give it a few minutes more"
"I can barely remember the week that we buried Bill. I shook so many hands and the kitchen was plumb full of food. I couldn't have done it without my grandchildren around me. They were such a comfort. Bill was at peace when he died and I was ready to let him go. There are things worse than death I learned. Poor Audra, it was just so soon."
"The week Tom was shot, I don't think I slept. I was afraid Nick was going to go after the railroad alone or that Jarrod would be hurt in Sacramento filing an injunction. I didn't even have my Heath in my life. Audra and Gene were so young to go through the loss of their father."
"Audra is strong. She is already showing signs of coming out of the fog. Today will be a setback but she can do it. She's your daughter, Vic."
They all turned to look as Audra came down the stairs with Isabella holding Scotty. She was dressed beautifully and elegantly in a Spanish lace mantilla.
Victoria inhaled and tears sprang to her eyes, "Oh Audra, you look beautiful."
She tearfully responded, "Scott bought this for me in Spain for a Féria de Sevilla Festival. We had the most amazing time in the south of Spain that year."
Rosa, Lia, Valeria, and Silas rode to the grave together with the children. McColl and most of the men were already there with Sheriff Madden, the Merars, Judge Winters, and even Shad from the railroad. Reverend Stacy was there along with the Marvins.
A lone rider watched from the cottonwood on the ridge with his horse safely hidden away.
The family arrived and Heath helped Audra out of the carriage. She leaned heavily on her brother and little sobs broke through the silence. Isabella stood to his side with Scotty. Victoria stood on the other side of Audra. Tab stood with Jack in front of Nick and the seated Katarina. McColl had even thought to bring some chairs out. The twins and Rose were with Lia and Valeria.
Jarrod stood with Reverend Tracy at the front of the grave. Liesel stood behind Jarrod a few feet with Jane.
Reverend Tracy opened up the service with a prayer and blessing upon the family.
"Audra has asked me to read from Isaiah 57…, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."
"And Lamentations 3... For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone."
Liesel made a soft gasp upon hearing the verse she treasured for Yves. Tears filled her eyes and she brought out her handkerchief from her sleeve. Jarrod looked back in concern but she waved him off. Jane put her hand in the small of her back.
"How did Audra pick that scripture?"
Isabella handed Scotty to Victoria and she sang Amazing Grace a capella by the grave. Her clear low alto voice pierced the beautiful day and even a mockingbird seemed to join in at the end. She smiled up at the bird and blew the bird a kiss.
Heath thought along with the rest of the family they had never heard anything so perfect for the day. It seemed to Heath that even the bird recognized her gift to Scott and the family.
Reverend Stacy stepped back and allowed Jarrod to speak.
"Scott asked me to read this today. He planned every one of his last days out and wanted more than anything in the world for Audra and Scotty to know how much he loved them and the joy they brought to him. He lived every day after his diagnosis to the fullest and he asked me to enjoin you to do the same. His last days of clear reasoning pushed me to be a better man and live my own life fully with my dear Liesel. Thank you, Scott."
Liesel cried again and lumps welled up in the family's throats.
His melodious baritone began after his deep breath and swallowing down his emotions. He opened the sealed the letter,
"Dearest Audra and Scotty, friends, and family,
I write this knowing that my time on earth is coming to an end. First and foremost, I want each and every one of you to know I have made my peace with God. I regret that it took me all of my life but in hindsight, I may not have ever reached out to him if I wasn't dying. So in that respect, dying saved my soul.
Audra, you are the love of my life. I regret the way in which we began our life but I do not regret one moment of time with you. Our marriage is the best thing that ever happened to me until the day you gave me Scotty and our life was completed. You are the sun, moon, and stars in my universe, Audra, never forget that. I love you and taking care of you for the past three years has brought me untold joy and happiness. I never truly lived until I met you.
Now that I have passed, I expect you to rise above your pain and remember me with love and joy. Let the grief fade. Live again, Audra. I know you are wearing the mantilla I asked you to. Put it away and soon. It is time.
Victoria Scott Breckinridge, you are loved and adored by your father. You shall be a fiery mix of Breckinridge and Barkley blood. You will be strong and courageous. You will be loved and cherished by your mother. Your uncles will guide you in life. Trust them. They are good, very good men."
Jarrod took a deep breath and swallowed.
" I ask forgiveness from all of you, that I have hurt, by my actions. Victoria for my impetuous, selfish nature and the way I took Audra from you. Jarrod for betraying your trust and our friendship and to the Valley ranchers for my greed."
"Live your lives fully my friends and family. Don't allow wasted years to accumulate and regrets at the end of your life. None of us knows our allotted days; live them fully."
It took Jarrod a moment to compose himself. He walked over to Audra and kissed her on the cheek. He took his wife and aunt's arms. He nodded toward the guests. They began filing out of the funeral and greeting Audra. She took each hand and the kisses from friends gracefully. Only the family remained.
The family watched Audra carefully for their leave to go.
"Rosa, can you take Scotty back with the other children? I would like to say goodbye privately. Heath, will you stay with me?"
The family headed back slowly keeping an eye peeled on Audra.
Nick noticed the rider on the hill. He tipped his hat at him. The rider then mounted his horse and rode back down the ridge.
Heath stood back and allowed Audra privacy. She cried and then dried her eyes.
She pulled a solitary mallard feather out of her sleeve and watched it drop into the ground.
She took off her black veil and allowed her pinned hair to fall down.
"I am ready Heath. I have a daughter to raise." and she kissed him on the cheek.
"Let's get back to our family the way Scott wanted."