Chapter Ten 10/14

TWO DAYS LATER

Nick telegraphed Jarrod and McColl, they were on their way home.

"Want something to eat before we take the train? Food may perk you up and start the healin'. It's a long ride to the first stop with provisions. There is only one way out of here once a day, but we got time."

Nick went over to the cafe and ordered steak sandwiches for them. The waitress wrapped them in brown paper before she closed up shop and he headed back towards the small station several blocks away.

The rest of the town was shuttered and closed. Townspeople lined the street and men took off their hats. Women dabbed their eyes. Children were standing tall in front of the adults. The last thing Nick wanted was to be in the way of this funeral procession.

He could see the train smoke of the engine arriving as well as a black hearse drawn by four white horses. JT had said they were his prize possession and were his gift to Emily Anne.

He went six blocks at a sprint on the same side of the street. The procession had slowed to his relief and he crossed over at the very end of the Main Street. He doubled back eight blocks and jumped into the train, found his seat next to Ben, and tossed him the sandwiches. He was winded running in his dress boots.

"Big Daddy almost caught us again." and Ben winched at the memory of the past week and a half in Jack County.

—&—-

Liesel was up and around under Jarrod's watchful eye. He was being very over-protective.

For the moment, it was very reassuring to her after how Charles had harangued her for losing a child. It spilled over to Katarina also. Heath was watchful over Isabella's every move.

"These boys of yours, Victoria, are pretty amazing men. I bumped into Heath taking flowers up to Bella's room then Jarrod asking Silas to prepare bone broth for Liesel to build up her constitution.

Katarina finally shooed Jarrod away when he tried to stoke the fire for her. "I am with child, Jarrod—-not infirm."

"I admit I am very proud of them for taking charge after all the pain those ladies have been through these past weeks. I came upon Jarrod talking to Tab and Jack that as young men, they should take care of the ladies in our home. My mind went back to Reverend Stacy visiting our home after my miscarriage. No one dared speak of it of course but he knew. Tom wouldn't acknowledge it. All he said was, "You don't have to get up and around for a few days, I will bring a lady from town to help". I lashed out at him in my despair and Jarrod was old enough to understand. He was only eight at the time. Nick was four. I heard him question the Reverend. He was always so direct and wanted to understand what happened to the baby."

She drifted off in her thoughts for a moment. Jane knew why. Tom left for Strawberry soon after.

"Jarrod had checked in on me constantly after his talk with the Reverend. He and Nick picked me flowers, played quietly, tried to dust the parlor, and fed the chickens."

Jane began talking again, "Joey and Will were never in the situation with a houseful of servants— but I have seen glimpses of what I tried to teach them with their own wives and sons—-I wanted them to be better men than Bill. Victoria, I wonder who taught Douglas to be such a man. He lost his mother and sister early in life to diphtheria—" and she grew quiet thinking of his losses.

"Yes, Jane—all four of his sons are better men. And heaven help me, I miss Tom every day of my life."

—&—-

"Are you sure you are well enough for me to leave? My cousins are due in two days. I could stay one more day if you aren't feeling well."

"No Jarrod, you need to get back. Your cousins will be in town, you need to meet with Nate and Tom then decide about Beaufort Shipping. You have already postponed the meeting with Scott's business manager twice. I am fine. If you would let me, I would go back with you myself."

"No, absolutely not. You have been through too much. Bella too. Nick should be home in four or five more days. I can't wait to hear this story from Ben and Nick. The telegrams have been brief of course. Lia, Valeria, and Rosa are all here as well as Mother, Aunt Jane, and Silas. Heath has everything in line until we can get back here. "

"Jarrod, thank you for the past few days since—"

"Liesel, I love you and that is what men do. We take care of our ladies. I am sorry with all of my heart that it hasn't been that way before,"

She leaned in and kissed him. It quickly developed into a deeper kiss and left them both breathless. "Two weeks can't come soon enough, my love."

Tab and Jack interrupted the embrace.

Jarrod leaned over to the boys, "Remember what I told you this morning. You are the men of the house and I need you to watch over our ladies, your Mother, and Mamere and Aunt Bella."

"Yes sir and Grandma and Aunt Jane too and. Of course Audra and Scotty and Sophie and Mae and Rose and Lia and Valeria and Rosa" they said quite seriously. Jarrod hid his smile.

Liesel thought to herself, How can I love him anymore…he is making my son into a good man

—&—

Jarrod arrived at his townhouse. He opened the door. He hadn't let Charles know he was coming early so he was alone.

His home for the past six years now seemed strangely empty. He looked over towards the stairs. Rose's beret was on the hook; Jack's rubber boots by the landing. The new vase on the foyer table with Harris Kirk's calling card next to it.

He walked upstairs with his valise. Stopping by the children's room, he smiled at the hobby horses, the rocking horse, and the dollhouse. The trundle was barely visible under the twin bed. He picked up an errant hair ribbon of Rose's around the bedpost.

Walking into his room, the familiar scent of bay and cigars was tempered with lavender and rose water. He picked up the new vanity brush and smelled the rose perfume on the mirrored tray.

Running his fingers over the carved back of Liesel's new rocking chair he bought her—-she would look so beautiful holding their child in it.

He looked toward the other wall. "Its empty expanse would work for a crib one day—-I wonder what age she would move our baby to the nursery with the others"

"Dr. Merar said there would be more babies. I pray he is right."

"Two months and two days ago—I rode out with Liesel to the moors. "I am not sure who actually asked who to wed. We just seemed to know it was meant to be, or Scott—he knew Liesel was what I needed."

"Amethysts—-serenity, grace and calm, my Liesel. I am starting to get a better picture of who you are every day."

He plopped down on their bed and removed his boots. He lay back on the pillows and closed his eyes. He moved his hand instinctively to her side of the bed. He missed his wife, "my wife", the mother of my children, my lover—- and several large tears escaped his eyes.

—-&—-

"Sorry Janie, we haven't had much time for ourselves. With Nick gone and Heath up at the house since the horse sale, it's been sun-up to sundown working." As he took off his work gloves in the cabin.

She had dinner on the table as he washed up in the kitchen sink with the pump.

"Oh, darn it."

"What's wrong, Douglas?"

"I had a shard in my glove. It's worked its way into a blister. I think part of it is still in the raw skin."

"Let me see."

She took his large calloused hand and looked at the soft side of his index finger.

"I see it ", she took a pin out of her hair and worked out the shard. She gently massaged and pushed on the wound until it broke free. Little droplets of blood pooled and she dabbed them with a napkin.

She impulsively pulled his hand to her mouth and kissed his palm. She kissed his fingers again and he audibly groaned.

"Oh, Janie" and he pulled her head in the most passionate kiss he had ever dared. She returned the kiss and allowed him to part her lips. She made little mewling sounds as he taught her a new way to kiss—at age 60 of all things.

He pulled away from her lips and held her tightly to his chest. "Oh Janie"

She took his hand to the dinner table, "Seems like we worked up an appetite we didn't know we had." and winked at him.

He looked at her in surprise then loudly guffawed. "Ain't you something, Janie"