Chapter Nine
The brothers woke up at dawn to aches and pains. Sleeping on the ground again and sharing a tight space with their active grandsons' abet with a great deal of joy—-caused their bodies to revolt. They stretched and smiled, clenched their teeth, and twisted their sore backs.
Coffee hit their nose, and they looked around to find the smell. McColl was up early and put several pots on—he had his familiar grin on his face. He was so much better in the mornings, but as soon as the sun began to set—-
"Well, well, I was wondering if I would have to drink all the coffee myself. Miss Janie probably wishes I was bringing her cup bout right now."
Nick growled, "Just pour me a cup, Duke."
Jarrod and Heath shared a grin.
"Some things never change."
The men and boys ate in shifts; the other half went down to the dam site and bathed. Maria Victoria had admonished him all not to come back "smelling of fish and whiskey."
They brought their clothes for the election ceremony and family portrait and party in their wagons. They would meet the Barkley women at the courthouse for the ceremony to begin the long day.
Nick's youngest son James was first back from the river dressed in Sunday clothes. He and his oldest brother Jon worked the ranch, the cattle side with their father. He was in deep conversation with him and their middle brother Alexander, home from college.
Nick nodded and waved over to his three sons. He couldn't be prouder of them. He grinned and then furrowed his brow.
"They's got the same look they had as boys. Somebody or all of them got some news, and it ain't good."
Jarrod noticed Nick's sons too. He got the same feeling something was wrong.
"Pa? Uncle Jarrod? Could we have a minute before we load up for town? I got all the horses tethered to take back to the ranch and brushed down."
Nick frowned more, "Just like he was a boy. Doing his chores extra early before he took his discipline. Hmmm, Jarrod. Look at those faces, it ain't good."
"I concur, brother Nick."
The five of them headed away from the group and walked toward an open picnic pavilion almost a half mile away.
"Pa, Uncle Jarrod. I am gonna get married tomorrow. Either at the judge's chambers in town or elope to Modesto. I was gonna do it, but I want to face it like a man—-like you both and Uncle Heath taught us."
His brothers stood on both sides of him as he told his father and Uncle. It reminded Jarrod of him and his brothers so long ago—-and yet just the other day in his mind.
Nick swallowed hard and frowned at James, "Well, I expect you have yore mind made up."
"Yes, sir," he said with a hitch in his voice. Nick, at 66 years old, could still strike fear in his 19-year-old son.
Jarrod looked at Nick, who was staring at his son. He knew immediately why he was invited to this private father-son conversation. He would wait for Nick or James to address it.
Alexander and even Jon at thirty—-a father himself of sons— stayed protective of their youngest brother and in trepidation of their father.
The silence continued as Nick picked up a blade of grass, "No eloping son. Yore Uncle Jarrod blew up that bridge once or twice," with a slight smile on his face.
"All the family is here. Will have it at the ranch i'ffn her family, agrees. What does her Pa say?"
"I am talking to him this afternoon. In town."
"Jarrod and I will be around if you need such." as his eyes bored into his son, "There is more to this story."
A collective sigh of relief was released at Nick's calm demeanor.
James gulped, "I gotta say this once. Don't interrupt me—please She's only sixteen and you know I have been sweet on her for years. We were waiting until she was eighteen like Madre and her momma wanted. But at her sweet sixteen party—-"
Jarrod took a deep breath; he had bailed James out of jail for a fight with Senator Files' son, the morning after. All reports stated they thought James would have killed the man if he hadn't been stopped. It was so out of the ordinary for the mature young man to brawl .The Senator came to the jail and used his influence to drop all charges. Jarrod questioned him, but he declined to answer with sad, angry eyes.
"Boy from San Francisco forced himself on her. I beat the hell out of him; shoulda have killed him. She told me, and I followed him back to the hotel. I spent the night in jail, you remember. Uncle Jarrod got me out. Boy's father didn't press charges. She was ashamed and didn't want anyone to know; she made me promise. Knew folks always blame the girl."
Nick finally exhaled loudly.
"Anyhows, I take responsibility for her and the child. It don't matter to me; I swear I can raise the child as my own; it's about Viola and the baby. She and I talked all night. She saw a new doctor in town to make sure. She rode out here alone last night, and we stayed up north of here. I saw her back into town and rode back before dawn. "
His brothers were as speechless as Nick and Jarrod. He had only told them Viola was with child.
"I am proud of ya, boy," and he strode toward his youngest son. His brothers had their arms on his shoulders, and Nick bear hugged them all.
Jarrod watched, trying to swallow down his emotions. Tears stung at his sapphire eyes, and he quickly wiped them away.
Nick took off his bandana and blew his nose into it.
"Lots of dust up here, boys."
"Yes sir," they parroted.
"Jarrod, you have known Nate Springer longer than any of us. I guess my smart kid here wanted you as part of the 'talks' that will happen after the election parade."
"Yes, sir" James looked at Jarrod with pleading eyes.
"Of course. James, has Viola told the truth to her father?"
"No. She's scared. But I told her I would do it. "
"James, with your permission, we all will do it. Nate will be angry as hell that it was kept from him. Knowing my friend, the boy will be dead. And I know you would have done it yourself now. I saw pure hate in your eyes at the jail. Makes sense now."
He nodded. Jon and Alexander chimed in, "We got your back too."
"Nothing to Madre or my sister-in-law or Aunt Elize yet, please. Viola is only sixteen; she is scared to death. But I am so glad she's going to have them to lean on. Even Maria Victoria and my sisters. Barkley's are a wolf pack. They don't leave the weakest behind. She's pretty weak-kneed right now."
"Ok. Will go to the parade and eat lunch there. I will have Viola at her father's office at about four. There is the balloting ceremony with our ladies, then a citizenship ceremony at the courthouse. That should give us plenty of time."
Jarrod went straight to let Heath know, and the men headed back to town.
James could see the love in Nick Barkley's eyes and felt empowered by it.
—-&—-
The ladies dressed carefully, and a line of cars drove them to the city. The Barkley ladies would cast faux, symbolic votes on the referendum and a photo opportunity would be taken for the newspapers and the historical society. It was a representative act for the women of San Joaquin county to show the state where their support was.
There would be twenty-eight Barkley women, including their daughters-in-laws casting a vote for change. Many of the other ladies of the town wanted to join in once Maria Victoria marshaled her family to be first in line at the ballot box draped in an American flag.
A town parade, box lunches on the green, and a citizenship ceremony. Jarrod rented a private room at the Cattleman's for a family dinner and a birthday cake for his mother and Aunt Jane. A family portrait would be taken afterward. A town dance would begin at 8 pm.
Melly chose a blue satin. Elisabeth chose a blue and black day dress. Miranda a Carmel day dress with a fabric overlay. Audra a pink satin. Maria Victoria, a navy suffragette dress with a sash. Melissa a green tassel dress while her sister Jasie picked a purple satin dress with Spanish trim. Elize a French one-of-a-kind peacock dress. Victoria wore a royal blue with a victory sash. Jane, a navy print day dress. And Viola Springer joined James Barkley for the day in a shell Swiss dot day dress with red roses.
The older family members sat at a family grandstand. The men greeted their wives with a kiss and sat down beside them.
Miranda and Maria Victoria narrowed their eyes at Nick, "What is wrong? I can tell something is wrong."
Nick played it off well, "Heck yeah. My back is killing me, and this three-piece monkey suit is riding up. It's too warm to be sitting up in the sun. You got parasols. I am going to find my cowboy hat; this derby hat ain't doing a bit of good. Don't say a word cause a man should be able to wear the hat he wants."
He crushed the felt Bowler hat and tossed onto the floor.
"Gonna find a real hat."
His wife and daughter twisted their mouths and nodded. They recognized his tone and would not change Nick Barkley's mind.
Heath squeezed Melly's hand, "It was good up at the dam. You ladies have fun?"
"Yes but my back could use a rub, later. I held a baby all night."
"You gotta a deal; but turnabout is fair play." and he winked at his wife.
Jarrod kissed Elize and squeezed her hand, "I slept with the boys."
"Camille was with me and she wasn't still one moment. Like her mother."
"Elize, I wouldn't trade our lives for anything. Thank you for stealing my heart, Mrs. Barkley."
"It is you that stole my heart. The very first breakfast."
She subconsciously fingered the aquamarine heart Jarrod gave her when they decided to truly marry when she was sixteen. He gave her the velvet pouch when they went riding up to the waterfall. He put it in the picnic basket with a handwritten note: You stole my heart that I didn't even know I had. Always JTB
They held hands and shared private smiles. He looked at his wife with admiration. At 45, she was still a very beautiful and attractive woman. He had gotten used to—from the beginning being mistaken for her father. His brothers often would tease him about it but it was all in good fun.
Miranda called out to Elize, "Look at my James. He is so handsome. And his Viola in that dress. So precious."
Victoria smiled under her parasol, "I recognize young love when I see it. My grandson has been besotted with Nate's daughter since primary school. He even got in trouble for punching a boy who dipped her pigtails in ink. When Nate's wife died, he moved the family back to Stockton. Viola was just a toddler. She is so pretty and sweet. He has made a good choice—-but both of them are still too young."
Audra added, "She is the prettiest girl in Stockton—-that's not a Barkley" she teased.
Jane added, "Well, I hope they wait a few more years. She's just sixteen."
All of their eyes were drawn across the street to where Miranda pointed.
Jarrod and Heath shared a look. Elize and Melly noticed their concern—-and shared one of their own.
As they were watching the young couple across the street, Nick came from the parking areas with his black hat. He spied the young couple and crossed the street. Miranda watched with confusion as Nick had his "angry" stride as she called it.
All the eyes in the Barkley grandstand were on the couple, unbeknownst to them. Nick reached out and held both of Viola's hands. He kissed her on the cheek and spent a few moments talking to them. He patted James again on the shoulder and crossed back across the crowded street.
Maria Victoria and Miranda whispered in curiosity.
Jarrod uncharacteristically interrupted, "Let it be—-please."
All the ladies looked his way and Heath nodded in assent.
The brass band passed by and the suffragette ladies passed by, holding their banner announcing the day. And the Barkley minds were full of questions.
