Author's Note: Modesto was one of many towns founded by the "Big Four" google it or see Wikedpia. My inspiration for the Crocker House is because Charles Crocker was one of the larger-than-life personalities in the development of California. I am not sure what the hotel situation was in 1884 but am using my historical knowledge of hotel and the expansion of the railroad.

Author's Second Note: For a visual of the ring – "Big Valley Writing Desk – Behind Closed Doors" it is at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Seventy-Six

It was a week later, after Heath's arrival, that they left the settlement. Heath would have left sooner, but Sharon needed to rest. Then, she and Patrick had been busy dealing with the remnants of the fever. Heath had put his jealousy aside and made it a point to get to know the man.

He had been impressed at how much medical knowledge the man had learned, and how he cared about his patients. Heath had suggested to Sharon that they pay for his medical school, so he could get his license to practice medicine officially. Sharon had cried when Heath told her that, and then cried again when they told Patrick about the offer.

Heath would have been glad to do it anyway, but seeing how close Patrick and Sharon were, he was happy to make the grand gesture. He was still in awe that she wanted to stay with him and be his wife. He wanted to make her happy. That was why one day he borrowed Jimmy's surrey and went up to Modesto.

Before they left the settlement, Sharon met with Eimear about her future. Eimear understood that it would be a month before Eileen would be able to take care of Gavin. Sharon gave her the wages in advance, and further told her that she had left money with Jimmy to pay for her train fare. She reassured the young woman that she would meet her at the train station.

Sharon had also talked to Jimmy and Eileen about having Eimear stay at the house. Patrick had let her know that there was sentiment against her, because she had accepted Sharon's offer. Sharon knew that Jimmy, because his position as founder of the settlement, was protected, but there were people who would consider Eimear fair game.

When they arrived in Modesto, it was late afternoon and Sharon noted how they went straight to the train station. It would put them in Stockton at eight o'clock, which was late, but she was sure that Heath wanted to get home. For her part she realized it would be too late to see Sean and Tara – they would already be asleep. Further she was still having bouts of fatigue, because of her head injury. However, she resigned herself to the train ride to Stockton.

She became aware that Heath was talking to one the porters, before he hailed one of the hack cabs waiting outside of the station. Heath indicated for her to follow him, as he helped her into the cab. Out of the corner of her eye saw their bags on a separate cart. Heath then sat next to her, as he gave directions to the driver. Sharon was puzzled at what was happening – why were they leaving the train station if they had to board their next train in less than an hour?

Even as she was trying to puzzle it all out, the surrey pulled up in front of a building that was a two-story edifice of red stone, with white pilaster stucco detail. There was a portico, with Grecian inspired columns; a red carpet that led into the building.

"Mr. Barkley, welcome to the Crocker House." A negro attendant, in livery, came out to greet them. "We have everything ready for you and Mrs. Barkley." As the man made the statement he bowed to Sharon, as Heath was helping her out of the surrey.

"What are we doing here?" Sharon stood on the carpet and looked at him expectantly.

"I would prefer to explain upstairs, in private." Heath flashed her a smile, as he made the comment. He extended his arm, and when she took it, they walked into the lobby.

She admired the gold brocade wallpaper, silk curtains, cut crystal chandeliers and sconces, all offset by a very elaborate oriental rug. The rug was done in shades of gold, cream, and browns, which echoed the colors in the lobby. The effect was elegant, but restful; several plants in Chinese urns added brightness to the lobby.

Sharon had already been aware of the greeting they had received – clearly, they were expected. It did not make sense, since this morning Heath had said they would travel straight through to Stockton. She then became aware that they were not going to the front desk, but rather to the grand double staircase, which was made of marble.

"Mr. Barkley, it is a pleasure to see you again. Mrs. Barkley, my name is Arthur." An older, grey-haired man wearing a suit came up to them. He bowed to Sharon before he spoke again.

"I have our best suite waiting for you, along with champagne on ice." He indicated the grand staircase, with another bow.

"It sounds so lovely." Sharon smiled at the man, before she turned to look at Heath. She could not believe that he had arranged this, and without a second thought she reached up and kissed his cheek. Heath was enjoying how she felt towards him and wanted to get upstairs.

They followed Arthur up the staircase, as he led them down a hallway to a set of double doors at the end. He used a bronze key, with a C that was done in script. He opened the door, and let the couple enter. Sharon was taken aback to see a good-sized sitting room, with a vase of flowers and champagne chilling in a silver bucket.

He showed them the bedroom, which included a water closet that was very up to date. It was done in black and white tile – the towels were thick, and there was an array of soaps, bubble baths, and lotions in a basket next to the tub.

Heath took note of how large the tub was and decided that he and Sharon would need to spend time in the tub. Arthur also pointed out the large dressing room, just off the bedroom. Sharon was taken aback to see that their luggage had been unpacked, and her dressing case open.

"Mrs. Barkley, one of our staff, who is trained as a lady's maid took charge of your clothes. Her name is Florine, and she is available to you anytime you need her." Arthur bowed again, and by now Sharon was looking at Heath with disbelief.

The Heath she had seen the last three months would never have done anything like this. That Heath would want to get straight home, so he could go out on the range tomorrow morning. They would arrive at a house that was cold and dark; while Heath put the horses away, she would be left to fend for herself.

Sharon watched as Heath smiled and tipped Arthur, as he walked out the door. Heath followed him and turned the lock on the door before he turned to look at her. His eyes were regarding her with both admiration and trepidation.

"Why are we here? I thought we were going straight back to Stockton." Sharon looked at him wide eyed. She was very appreciative of the hotel, and how attentive both Heath and the hotel staff were.

"I know that you want to get back to the valley, to see Sean and Tara. However, it is very important to me that we spend time together – just us." Heath outstretched his hands, palms up. "If I had not been so wrapped up in my personal agenda, our trip to San Francisco would have been so different. Once we get back to the valley, we will not have a deal of time together." He felt his heart constrict as he looked at her, not sure what her response would be.

"I know that you said you want to be my wife, but if you are reconsidering, I will understand." Heath wondered if she had just been so grateful to him for saving her. He said as much, and she felt her eyes filling with tears.

"Heath, I want to be your wife!" Sharon exclaimed, even as she inwardly winced at what the act would be like. "Can change out of our traveling clothes and get some dinner. I assumed this fine establishment has room service." Hopefully a glass of wine or two would make it all easier.

"Well before we do anything else, I need to rectify a situation with our original proposal." Heath stated, and looked at her as he went on "when you agreed to marry me the second time around, we did not do a proposal at all. I want to correct my omission."

Sharon was looking at Heath, feeling totally at sea. 'Why did he think he needed to propose again she thought to herself?' All she wanted was out of her travel clothes, a bath, and dinner. When he went down on one knee, as he pulled a black velvet jewel box out of his jacket did she start to understand.

"The ring I gave you was our past – but the ring I give you today is our future. It represents the life I want us to make, going forward – not only with us, but children also." Heath presented the box to her, and she took it with shaking hands. When Sharon opened the box, she gasped in shock.

In the box was a half hoop 18ct gold ring, set with three well matched Columbian emeralds with two old mine cut diamonds in between. The shank was finely done scroll work with rose diamond points. Sharon had always been in awe of her original engagement ring, but this was even more dazzling. She could hardly breathe or speak.

"Sharon, Sharon?" Heath was suddenly concerned at how pale she looked, and he recalled her head injury. There was also the matter that he was still down on one knee. "So hopefully you know I love you – will you say yes?"

"Of course, I say yes! Will you put the ring on my finger?" Sharon put her arms around him. "You are welcome to stand up but thank you for the grand gesture." Heath put the ring on her left hand, on top of the wedding band of Barkley gold, and her original engagement ring. Sharon asked him where the ring had come from.

"When we were in San Francisco I saw it in a jewelry store, and it reminded me of you. I bought it, thinking I would give it to you for Christmas." Heath smiled softly at her, as he remembered when he had seen the ring. He then put his arms around her and pulled her close against him. Slowly he went to kiss her, and it intensified quickly.

"Well, I quite enjoyed that." Sharon found his kisses thrilling, but she was hungry, and wanted out of her traveling clothes. "Could you order room service for dinner? I want to take a bath, and then we can eat and enjoy the champagne." She looked at him with soft eyes and was relieved when Heath acquiesced to her request.

In the dressing room she removed her traveling clothes – the same ones she had worn down to the settlement. Entering the bathroom, she poured herself a bath, and washed everything, including her hair. The washroom facilities at the settlement were not as update to as at the hotel.

Once she was done, she used one of the plush towels to dry herself off, before turning her attention to her hair. It was naturally curly, and she had some special hair oil that she used to tame it. Sharon applied it, starting at the ends first, working upwards. She then used her comb to smooth everything out before she braided it back.

After taking care of her hair, she looked at the lotions in the basket by the tub. The labels were all in French, but she could read them with no problem. She choose a soft pink lotion that the label said was the scent of roses. It smelled heavenly, and Sharon reveled in being able to put the lotion on her body.

As she was applying the lotion to her body a thought came to her, and she gasped. Sharon wondered what it would be like if Heath was applying the lotion to her body. The idea sent shivers over her body, while her femaleness suddenly felt damp. It took her aback, because if she invited Heath to put lotion on her body he would want relations.

Sharon wondered if it was because of her head injury that she was having these conflicted thoughts. Heath holding her and kissing her had stirred physical desire – but her only experience of the act was her late husband. She then felt hunger pains, and realized she needed to eat. Standing in the water closet would get her nowhere.

She went into the dressing room, trying to decide what to put on. Her nightgown and bed jacket seemed too intimate, but she did not want to get all dressed again. Sharon then remembered how, at the last minute, she had packed a tea gown. It was Priscilla who had introduced this item of clothing to Sharon.

They were lacey gowns, that had enough boning in the bodice for support, before they flowed softly over the hips. It was designed to be worn for tea, giving the lady the chance to eat before she was laced for dinner; no corset was needed. Priscilla had shared what her cousin's wife had told her, about how men enjoyed the ease of the garment also.

The lace was a dark ecru, with an under cloth of pale lavender silk. The sleeves, neckline, and hem were trimmed with violet purple satin ribbon. Sharon put it on and felt feminine, but also enjoyed not having the corset against her body. She looked at herself in the mirror and noticed how well the tea gown fit against her bosom.

Sharon's hair was soft around her face, with some of the shorter pieces curling softly. Even as she admired herself, she felt trepidation overcoming her. What if she could not be a wife to Heath? Or what if Heath was like Paul? She grasped the edge of the counter, as waves of panic overcame her.

As she looked around the water closet, she saw a tray in the corner of the room; there were two crystal decanters and some glasses. The sterling silver tags identified them as brandy and Scotch. There were also some glasses, and Sharon walked over and poured some brandy into one of the glasses. She drank it in two gulps and decided that she was ready to go out to see Heath.