Chapter Five
Jarrod was pacing his office floor as he waited for his appointment, Mrs. Melanie DeLand. He had received a message that she would like to meet him after hours in his office. It will be to both of our benefits.
He didn't tell anyone the name of the evening caller; he just told them not to wait supper on him.
Jarrod had been at the office all day but could scarcely concentrate on any of his work.
"No sense worrying anyone unnecessarily until I know what she wants,"
Sammy tapped on the back door to his office and Jarrod unlocked the door.
"Come in, Melanie."
"Thank you, Jarrod."
"A drink?"
"Yes. Let's not mince words. This is as uncomfortable to me as it is to you."
"I can imagine—or maybe I can't."
She sipped on her sherry he handed her and he sat down behind his desk. Sammy stood guard over the door.
"Jarrod, I have made mistakes. I have searched my conscience and there are two sins I need to bare. First, here is an apology note to Nelle Barkley. I know Nick would never accept it from me but maybe for you,"
She slid the note across the desk. He nodded and looked down at the elegant script fine envelope.
"Jarrod, I don't believe your Father had anything to do with the gold. But I have no proof for you. I am sorry about that but I didn't have anything to do with your Father's name."
He nodded not quite believing this admission and her choice of words.
"And second, I found these in my husband's possessions. They are from your maid, Eugenie for the past two years."
She slipped the leather valise crammed with notes, letters, stationary, letterhead-any scrap that could be written upon.
Jarrod recognized her childish flourish immediately.
"I am sorry for this," she replied and stood up.
He didn't touch the folio. His fists were clenched and his eyes were ablaze in anger. His heart was resounding in his chest.
"I would do things differently if I could Jarrod, but I can't. I must learn and go on with my life. Goodbye."
And she strode out the door with Sammy.
Jarrod was frozen in place with rage as he began to read the intimate surveillance of his family—-even of his coupling with Tessa—financial transactions and the leak of the relationships with the army investigators. Doolin has made licentious comments and underlined portions of the most tawdry observations. His words were vile and burned in Jarrod's mind. The bile burned his gut and seeped up his throat. His nose stung from the nauseous reaction.
"Damn him to hell. And Eugenie will be sorry she's ever came to the Barkley family."
He read each and every missive—he wanted to burn them and yet wanted them as evidence to put Eugenie in jail. He put them in his safe and headed out late back to the ranch.
"Nick loses this one. They are both dead to me. I am going to drag them off the ranch tonight with my bare hands."
—&—
"Miz Melanie, are you glad you gave the papers to Mr. Jarrod?"
"Yes, he deserves to know he has a snake in his house. I couldn't bear knowing I kept it from him—-and Nelle deserved an apology for what Sally and I did at the auction. But the gold? It's a different story."
"I ain't judging ya Miz Melanie."
"The way I see it, it can change my life. Freedom for both of us. Europe, charity. Whatever I want. No more garnets. Bloody jewels. I will sell all of them and the pearls immediately in San Francisco. "
"Good idea. Bad memories."
"The Barkleys have enough and Tom's name is partially cleared. He's dead and gone and his boys have millions. The government will just wipe out more Indians and give land to the railroad barons from the homesteaders. Why not me?"
He nodded and brought her a Madeira in the ruby crystal decanter and glasses.
"Sell these too, Sammy."
—-&—
Jarrod rode up to the big house, trying to decide if he would go straight to the big house or drag the couple from the line shack by the hair of their heads. The idea pleased him most but all the lights shining from the mansion concerned him. Most of the family should have been in bed at this hour.
He walked into his own house and put up his gun. JT and Rosemary were sound asleep on the trundle of the nursery. Mina, Rosa's niece was dozing in the rocker.
"Don't get up, Mina. Where is my wife?"
"Baby came. She delivered. Not good." in broken English.
"Where are they?"
"Big house."
Jarrod quickly went through the rose garden. He came into the back door. Two pots of coffee were simmering on the stove.
"Silas? Rosa? Mother?"
No answer.
Victoria and Sally came downstairs, "Jarrod?"
"How's Nellie? I didn't know they were back and now she's lost the child? Tessa delivered ?"
"Oh no. Tessa delivered Eugenie's baby. Eugenie died. We just got back from preparing the body."
Jarrod literally slumped, "The baby?"
Sally smiled and patted his arm, "She is a strong one. Tiny. Tessa saved that baby. Literally willed her to live. Gave her breaths of her own until she could take them on her own."
"She's up in the guest room with the baby and Rory. Feeding. "
"Rory is here?" and his eyes narrowed.
Victoria frowned back, "Of course. He will stay until we know what to do."
"Yes—-of course," he sighed in resignation.
He pushed the guest room door ajar and watched Tessa massage the premature baby's cheeks to take a handkerchief soaked in milk, Rory looked despondently out the window.
She looked up and saw him. She sadly smiled at him and he returned the same.
He mouthed, "I love you. Downstairs."
She nodded and winked sadly—and began working with the baby again.
He shook his head, "I need a drink."