Author's Note: Steamships were in use for passengers during this time. A Portuguese ship, the SS Hankow left Madrid in April of 1883, and after sailing through the Straits of Magellan, arrived in Chile on June 13, 1883. They made a brief stop they continued to the Port of Honolulu. I am including this information to show that it was possible for ship to come up from Mexico, dock in San Francisco, and then continue to Honolulu.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Heath walked downstairs, looking happier than he felt. When Jarrod, earlier that afternoon, had told him that Simon's grandparents had arrived he was not surprised. He had been glad when he had heard that Victoria had invited the couple to stay for the holidays. It was clever of his mother to do that, as it gave them more time with Simon, and the chance to get to know the grandparents.

However, when he went into the nursery to spend time with the boys he found out about the luncheon. Heath also saw how excited Simon was about his grandparent's arrival. He forced himself to be cheerful as Simon talked about the couple, with Thomas Henry adding some extra details. When Jarrod had told him about the couple arriving, Heath had not realized the implication of lunch. It bothered him that he had been left out but reasoned that Victoria and Jarrod had probably wanted to assess the couple before introducing family.

"Heath there you are." Victoria smiled at him as he entered the parlor. "Please come meet our visitors." She indicated an older couple that were standing by the fireplace. Heath noted that the couple were looking at him with interest. Introductions were made, while Nick brought a drink over to Heath, who responded with a grateful look.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Heath. Will your wife be joining us?" Maud inquired, and he grasped his glass very tight. Heath looked over at Victoria and realized that the couple did not know his story.

"My wife and I are divorced, by mutual consent." He answered truthfully, knowing the couple would find the story out in good time. Heath noticed that conversation had stopped in the room when Maud had asked her question.

"Olaf, I met your son and was quite impressed with him" Jarrod spoke up to change the subject. "I am curious as to how he ended up in mining, while you work in the maritime field." He made a mental note to talk to Victoria about what to tell the couple about Heath's situation.

"I had hoped Erick would follow in my footsteps, but when he was seven years old, we had a boat accident." Olaf replied. "Nothing dire happened other than a dunking in the cold sea. However, after that Erick never cared to be on a boat."

"How did he get interested in mining?" Heath asked, quite curious.

"Maud's father, Erick's grandfather was head of geology at the University in Stockholm. When he was not teaching, he was always exploring mountains and traveling the world. Erick loved to go with him and learned a great deal. By the time he enrolled at the University he was quite advanced and graduated in less than three years."

"I think part of the reason why Erick took the job in Mexico was because my father had just passed away when it was offered. Erick had been very close to him, and the change of scenery appealed to him." Maud added, a sad smile on her face.

"Erick spoke very highly of you Heath, from when you worked together. What projects have you done since then?" Olaf asked with sincerity. Heath told him about his latest work, for better safety for miners, and was impressed with the comments Olaf made.

Dinner was not enjoyable for Heath, not because of the food, but because of his private thoughts. During the meal Heath learned that Olaf came from a naval family – his father had been a decorated Admiral – and he had brothers in the Swedish navy. Maud's father had been the younger son of a Swedish count, and she had been presented at court. It was clear that Simon's grandparents were well regarded and successful; the perfect guardians for a young boy.

At the end of the evening he found himself alone with Jarrod, in the study as they finished their drinks. They were comparing notes about the couple, all of which were positive, when Victoria came into the room. She had gone upstairs with Maud and Olaf, to make sure everything was satisfactory for them.

"Jarrod, can you expedite the Pinkerton report from Sweden?" Victoria went straight to the point. Heath noted how serious she looked, and it made him wonder what she had seen with the couple.

"Lovely lady, I will go into town tomorrow and send another request to the office in San Francisco." Jarrod took a sip of drink. "Why are you in a hurry? They are staying with us for the next several weeks." He offered her some sherry, which she accepted.

"I had an interesting conversation with Maud, about their arrival in San Francisco." Victoria stated with a tilt of her head. "She was telling me about their trip up from Mexico on the SS Golden Eagle." She looked at the men, as if they should know what that meant.

"Is there something off about that?" Jarrod asked. Heath was sure that his brother was as puzzled as he was.

"The SS Golden Eagle docked in San Francisco two weeks ago. There was a write up about the ship in the paper, because the Mexican Financial Envoy was on board. He was heading to the Hawaiian Islands, where he would meet with the King. The article noted that the ship would only be in port for two days, before it sailed." Victoria's lips formed a straight line.

"If the ship did in fact leave as scheduled, it should be in Hawaii by now." Heath understood what his mother was implying. "Why did the couple spend two weeks in San Francisco, before coming to Stockton?"

"When I was talking to Maud this morning, she told me that the moment they heard about Erick and Magda they made their travel plans. They were very worried about Simon, which I felt was right and proper." Victoria stated. "Now though I am questioning their motives." She added, crossing her arms.

"Mother it is possible that something came up when they arrived in San Francisco. One of them might have been too sick to travel, or maybe there was an issue with their travel documents." Jarrod said smoothly. "I will have the Pinkerton's in San Francisco see if they can backtrack what Maud and Olaf did for the two weeks."

"I hope you are right Jarrod." Heath signed sadly. "They are, as you have pointed out, Simon's legal guardians. I have no recourse at all in the matter." With that he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Jarrod and Victoria to stare at each other with concern.

Meanwhile upstairs

"I am worried." Maud announced, as she settled into the bed in the guest room. She adjusted the pillows, as Olaf, already in bed, looked up from the book he was reading.

"Why? Simon is doing fine and being well cared for. I was talking to Elspeth – did you know her late husband was a minister?" He replied, regretfully putting away his book. Maud would want his whole attention.

"Yes, Simon is happy. The Barkley's have been more than welcoming, and I have no qualms about his care." She stopped and looked expectantly at her husband.

"So, what is the problem?" Olaf asked, reaching over to take her hand.

"Heath! You heard what he said, about him and his wife? The lawyer in Mexico had told us that Heath was married. Clearly, he is not now, so Simon was probably the cause of the divorce." Maud explained, her brows puckering.

"We don't know that for sure. Maybe they were already planning the divorce when Simon arrived." He answered reassuringly. "Why are you concerned about Heath? He reminds me of Erick in some ways."

"What if Heath resents Simon for ruining his marriage? Is that why Simon is living here, instead of with Heath?" Her voice was full of worry. "Maybe he really wants nothing to do with Simon, which is why Nick's wife and grandmother are caring for him?"

"Min Karlek, we don't know what the story is about Heath's marriage." He patted her hand, before going on. "You heard Victoria explain about why Simon was here, because her daughter-in-law had a nursery setup."

"It sounds plausible, but I am still worried about Heath and Simon." Maud declared, laying back against the pillows.

"Well then I suggest you spend time talking to him and find out what the story really is. He seems like an upstanding and honorable man. I told you he reminds me of Erick; just talk to him as you would have to our son." Olaf kissed her on the forehead.

"Why don't you talk to him, man to man?" She asked but watched as her husband shook his head.

"No, I think it will be better coming from you." He paused and then said "there is the fact I need to go up to San Francisco. I also want to explore the wharves here in Stockton."

"What are you going to tell the Barkley's about your trip? Without revealing everything else?" Maud inquired, as she adjusted the covers. "I think Jarrod will be likely to ask questions about your activities."

"I rather doubt that Jarrod would be so impolite to impinge on my privacy. However, I will say that I have to visit the Swedish Consulate; that part will be true." He said with a smile, before they said good night and turned off the light.