Chapter Sixteen
La'akea, who had not been all that surprised to receive word that Mrs. Barkley wanted to see her at the main house, walked with Silas down the path that led from the home she shared with her husband to the Barkley mansion. He had come and told her that Victoria Barkley wanted her to go to the main house The faithful servant hadn't said a word when it came to what Victoria had told him, but it didn't matter. La'akea-who had a way of telling when someone was holding something back- was tempted to ask Silas just what Victoria had figured out. Instead, she told Rebecca-Duke McColl's daughter- who was staying with her that morning- that she would be back as soon as she could.
As the two drew closer to the house, La'akea changed her mind and asked, "Just what does Mrs. Barkley wish to see me about?"
Silas simply smiled and assured La'akea that she was not in trouble in any way, shape or form. "She's waiting for you in the study." Silas opened the kitchen door-it was the closest door. You can go ahead. I have work to do around here." What he would find to do was another story-as he'd already finished his morning chores. However, he saw no reason to disclose that fact.
La'akea took a deep breath and then, walked through the kitchen and into hallway. It didn't take her long to make her way to the study or to knock on the thick wooden door. The whole time she felt as if she had been called away from her work to be talked to by her own parents for doing something wrong. Only, in this case, she had done nothing but keep back the fact that she knew the truth about her husband's relation to the Barkleys and that Matthew Shaw had left California in order to keep Jeremiah with him and his wife.
"Come in!" Victoria, who was inside the room called out when she heard the light tapping on the door. She stepped away from the window where she'd been standing when the door opened and La'akea entered the study.
"You wished to see me?" La'akea asked when Victoria leaned against the desk.
"Adam Pierce stopped by a while ago. Their trick worked. Barrett is in jail charged with obstructing justice, and Jeremiah, Nick, Heath and the others have left to capture General Alderson if they can." Victoria wasn't surprised when a mixture of relief and concern filled La'akea's eyes. "They'll be fine; I'm sure of that. However," Victoria gestured towards the couch, "there is something else I'd like to talk to you about…before the men get back."
La'akea, who had seen a large book with the word JOURNAL across the top cover laying on the desk, pretty well guessed what was coming. If she was right, she just hoped Jeremiah would forgive her for putting the fire under Victoria-as it were-a fire that got her looking into the past. La'akea sat down on the couch and surprised Victoria when she said, "You wish to discuss my husband."
Victoria, who had not expected for Jarrod's wife to guess why she had been sent for, didn't reply for a moment. She couldn't…as she quickly noticed the way La'akea kept glancing towards the journal and then to her-as if she already knew what was in the journal and was simply waiting to hear Victoria confirm it. "You know?" Victoria finally asked in a voice filled with shock and disbelief.
La'akea didn't know why she should be amazed that Victoria could read her so well. After all, she had seen the Barkley matriarch 'read' others more than once after arriving at the ranch. "I made my husband a promise, not to tell you or anyone. He only found out the truth when Mama Shaw lay on her deathbed…and she didn't have the true facts until Matthew lay dying himself-a mere three months before her passing. My husband thinks too many years have passed, and that he doesn't have enough evidence." La'akea went on to explain exactly what had happened and why Matthew had made the choice he had. "It does not justify keeping your son only it does explain it." La'akea then went on to explain her husband also feared the case would have been endangered if the focus was turned away from his mission. "I promised my husband not to tell you or any member of the family of your true relation, I never promised not to speak of the fire and how my father-in-law saved his life" La'akea then sighed. "I can't promise how he'll react when he finds out I did." She went on to ask if Victoria would expect Jeremiah to change his name back to Jarrod Barkley once the truth was out.
Victoria - who's initial reaction was one that said 'Of course, his name never should have been changed and, if he's upset with you for pointing me in the right direction, I'll set him straight the moment the men get back- realized that, as much as it hurt, she could not do that. After all, her son was thirty-two years old with a wife. "How he handles the names is up to him, not us. I just want my son back—just what that will entail is up to him. No matter what, the door is open…for both of you." Victoria smiled, as she'd seen the fear in La'akea's eyes and knew it was because her daughter-in-law was wondering if the family could truly accept her as a part of their family.
La'akea visibly relaxed and smiled. "Thank you. I admit, I hesitated to tell you what I did…not knowing if you could truly accept a Philippian daughter-in-law." She wondered if she sounded childish to the regal lady before her. The thought was quickly vanquished as Victoria smiled even wider and she closed the gap between La'akea and herself.
"You are more than welcome by me…and I think I'm safe in saying that will be the case when the others are told." Victoria gave La'akea, who had risen to her feet, a hug-one that La'akea returned.
"You will allow me to talk to my husband first, before you tell your other children?" La'akea didn't want the rug pulled out from under her husband before she had a chance to explain everything to him.
Victoria struggled only a minute before agreeing. Again, her son's age and circumstances made it so she knew she needed to respect La'akea's request. "Of course," With a smile a mile wide, she assured La'akea the matter was being left in her hands.