Chapter Eight
"Adam this has been a wonderful meal." Victoria sighed, as she put the lace edged damask napkin to her lips. The meal had been a perfectly cooked fish in a savory sauce, new potatoes with butter, and a vegetable medley that included fresh tomatoes. The meal had been accompanied by a light German white wine that had subtle citrus notes that complimented the food perfectly. "The view is breathtaking."
They were in the executive dining room of the Bayview Department Store, which boasted a highly polished mahogany table and drapes made of laurel green silk shot with bronze threads. They framed a full-length window that provided a spectacular view of the harbor. San Francisco was having a rare sunny day, so the blue water sparkled, as frothy whitecaps danced on the surface. The color of the drapes offset the blue of sky and sea in perfect harmony.
Not only had the food and décor been superb, but her host had been impeccable. Adam Cohen was sophisticated, urbane, well-read, and very attentive. There was something continental about him that reminded Victoria of the men she had met in Europe. She had been impressed on his knowledge of not just the business side of San Francisco, but also the political issues.
"I have had a lovely morning, and a delightful lunch. However, I need to let you get back to business." Victoria stood up, meaning every word she had said. Sarah and Adam had shown her around the store, which was bright and bustling, prior to the lunch. Goodbyes were said as Sarah and Adam escorted her out of the store. Adam hailed a cab for her, bowing over her hand as he helped her in before he took care to pay the driver.
Victoria had, in front of Adam and Sarah, given the address of the townhome; once she was out of sight of the store, she told the driver a different address. The park was a small one, on Russian Hill; it was peaceful and usually quiet. She had discovered it many years ago, and it had been a refuge for her to think in peace if she was in the city. The trees surrounding the park blocked out the city noises, letting her feel a little like she was back on the ranch.
The bench was wrought iron, and even with her warm clothes and fur jacket she could feel the cold from the metal. The sun was out, but it was early September, so the city was damp and chilly. Victoria took a breath of the cold air, as she looked across the green grass to where an obelisk with a memorial bronze plaque was standing. There was a nanny pushing a baby carriage, but no one else was in sight.
She had been in San Francisco for five days now and was slated to go home tomorrow. Her time had been spent catching up with old friends, as well as visiting with Sarah. Victoria had asked her daughter-in-law to help her buy fabric to redecorate her room back at the ranch. Sarah had been glad to and seemed to enjoy their time together. Victoria had not talked to Sarah yet about spending more time with Heath; the chance had never come up.
There was also the matter of several oblique references Victoria had overheard, about Sarah and Adam. Victoria had decided that she wanted to see the two people together, to assess the validity of the comments. Now she recalled the tour of the store, earlier this morning, and the lunch; Victoria sighed sadly.
Adam had been full of praise for Sarah, as they walked around the department store, pointing out displays and items. Victoria had seen how attentive he was to both her and Sarah; that and the compliments had Sarah beaming. She knew that her daughter-in-law was emotional, and the constant attention and approbation was like honey to a bee.
Victoria had been so concerned about Heath comparing Sharon to Sarah that she had not given thought to the fact that Sarah might have someone to compare – badly – Heath to. Her youngest son was a good man, a strong man, and an upright one. If he gave his word Heath would never go back, and Victoria knew that he loved Sarah, and would never betray his vows.
However, Heath had a solitary streak, and liked to be alone. Further he was not the type of man who would give fulsome compliments, especially in public. Nether was he urbane and happiest in the parlor or office, like Adam and Jarrod. Heath liked being outside, working hard, long hours; his hobby of wood working was not a sharable activity. All that contributed to the gulf between him and Sarah, which she had been worried about when the couple was courting.
Her thoughts made her feel better about the rumors she had heard while in town. No, there was not an affair between Sarah and Adam. Victoria could see how Adam's attention to Sarah, and her response to it could be misconstrued. Sarah was young, and had been badly hurt by her father's actions, so would be very responsive to Adam's continental manners and attentiveness.
She also knew that she needed to speak to Sarah tonight, and then to Heath as soon as she returned to Stockton. The situation between Heath and Sarah had to be addressed quickly before it was too late to be fixed. Victoria stood up, and headed back to the townhouse, to have a nap before dinner.
"I have had a lovely visit Sarah." Victoria offered, sipping sherry as she and Sarah sat in the front parlor after dinner. The fire glowed warmly, illuminating the crystal and gilt fixtures in the room. The amber colored velvet drapes and upholstery offset the Aubusson rug woven in cream, blue, and olive. The furniture was pale wood with gilt accents; one of the tables had a floral arrangement in soft pinks that echoed the medallion in the center of the carpet. The whole effect was one of warmth, elegance, and sophistication.
"It has been a pleasure to have you, and I'm glad that you had a good time." Sarah answered, "I am looking forward to seeing your room when it is all done." They chatted about the choices they had made, and furniture placements.
"Unfortunately, it won't be done when you come in two weeks for my birthday." Victoria knew this was her opportunity. "I wanted to talk to you about doing a favor for me, in regard to the party?" She went on to explain that with Priscilla being so far along, it was hard for her to do as much as she had originally planned on.
"Would you be willing to take charge of decorating the gazebo in the garden? You have a good eye for color and design." Victoria praised Sarah and saw her eyes soften and glow. Privately, Victoria thought that her daughter-in-law reminded her of a lap dog, who wanted to be petted all the time.
"It is kind of you to ask me, but I don't want to step on anyone's toes; wouldn't Audra want to do the decorations?" Sarah's face now bore a serious expression, and Victoria was impressed that she was thinking of Audra's feelings.
"Audra is overseeing all the food, along with Silas. Priscilla was going to do the decorations, but she cannot be climbing up ladders. Even if Nick would let her." Victoria gave Sarah a knowing chuckle, then they both giggled.
"Sarah, there is something else I want to talk to you about, and I hope you won't be upset or offended." Victoria decided to take advantage of her daughter-in-law's good humor. "It concerns you and Heath; my dear normally I try to stay out of my grown children's lives, but I am very worried about you two."
"I know better than anyone that marriage can be difficult at times" Victoria held up her hand as Sarah started to speak. The furrow of her brow made clear her displeasure at the subject. "My concern is how much time you and Heath spend apart, and how long the situation has gone on for."
"Are you keeping track of my activities Victoria?" Sarah snapped, sitting up very straight. "Oh wait, Jarrod has employed the Pinkerton's? Considering how much business the Barkley Ranch gives them I hope he gets a discount!" Her lips were in a tight line, showing her rising anger.
"Absolutely not Sarah." Victoria replied, with anguish in her voice. She had hoped to talk to Sarah as a loving family member. The accusations that Sarah was leveling at her hurt and she swallowed hard. The reference to Jarrod and the Pinkerton's though opened up a whole avenue; did Sarah see Heath's family as adversarial toward her?
"Sarah, I am only bringing this up because I care about you and Heath!" The statement was delivered with fervor, as Victoria went on "my dear, Heath is in so many ways his father's son. Goodness knows Tom would get so wrapped up in a new venture that I was sure he'd forgotten my name." She hoped that by opening her private life, it would help Sarah.
"How reassuring." Sarah's tone was snide, and Victoria did not like the pity she saw in her daughter-in-law's eyes as she spoke "you are talking to the wrong person." Sarah stood up to walk over to the window. She moved the drapes to look out before she turned back to face Victoria. "I would be very happy to spend time with Heath, and do things with him, but he has no desire for that." The comment was delivered with a tilt of her head.
"Heath has his own way of doing everything and prefers to do it all for himself. He is happiest out on the range, with his horse, or working non-stop; neither of which I can participate in." Sarah's voice rose as she spoke. "I don't want to be by myself in that house that feels like it is in the middle of nowhere. Even worse is when he works late, and I lie awake hearing noises until he comes upstairs. I have tried asking about his day, offering to help him with the books, but he just brushes me off."
Victoria mentally sighed, as she listened to Sarah list her grievances with Heath. The only thing that surprised her was the comment about the house, which she asked about. What she heard made her realize what an uphill battle she had let herself in for, trying to help the couple.
"The house is not the issue; it is the location. When Heath showed me the plans – which were already drawn up – he said I could make changes if I wanted." Sarah put her hands on her hips. "He had also picked out the location already, which I couldn't change even though I asked. I hate how isolated it is, and those trees around it make me feel closed in."
"Sarah, I am going to talk to Heath when I get back to the ranch." She decided to change direction, to get the focus off Sarah. "All that I am asking is that when you come to Stockton, you spend time with Heath. Go riding, let him show you what is happening on the ranch, have a picnic."
"Yes, I want to sit on the hard ground and eat cold food." Sarah's eyes flew open wide with horror which Victoria thought was an overreaction about her sessions.
"Well then go out to dinner. And what about you two getting away for a while, so Heath won't be focused on the ranch." Victoria smiled brightly, trying to cajole Sarah into a positive frame of mind. Really, I cannot believe I set myself up for this she fumed to herself.
"As I have already said, I am not the problem, and those all sound wonderful. Trust me though, Heath will have no interest in taking a trip somewhere." Sarah sniffed disdainfully. "I am going to bed Victoria. It is kind of you to care, but it won't make any difference."
The sadness in Sarah's voice was apparent, and Victoria was again reminded of a lap dog who was not getting enough attention. She hugged her daughter-in-law and watched her go upstairs. After she had left Victoria poured herself more sherry and sat by the fire thinking.
Sarah was upstairs in her room, sitting at her dressing table, having changed into her night clothes. The peignoir of almost sheer ecru silk was trimmed with crimson velvet and lace trim. The nightgown underneath was the same silk, ornamented with straps of the crimson velvet. Adam had surprised her with it, after a trip he had done to Europe the previous year. When he had told her about the trip, Sarah recalled how he had referenced everything he had wanted to show her.
She turned her mind from Adam, and as she brushed her hair out, she reviewed her conversation with Victoria down in the parlor. Thank goodness I knew the talk would be coming she thought to herself; it had given her time to have her response well-rehearsed. Sarah knew that Victoria was aware of Heath's fondness for going off on his own – it was an established fact in the Barkley family.
It was easy to take that trait and turn it to her advantage in dealing with Victoria. Sarah had been glad to hear that her mother-in-law was going to talk to Heath. "Good luck to her" she chuckled out loud. She wished she could be a fly on the wall, to watch Victoria try to get a straight answer out of Heath.
As Sarah slid under the covers, she sighed, wishing Adam were with her. She had been relived that Victoria had not brought up the rumors about her and Adam. Further she was not worried about Victoria's conversation bearing any fruit with Heath, and him changing his actions. Sarah had seen it before with her husband – he would say the right things, but his nature was too strong for him to change.