Chapter Forty-Two

James David located his trunk at the stop. It hadn't been unloaded but he was able to find a porter to retrieve it.

"Sorry son. It's tagged for stations ahead. Found it."

"Thank you, sir," and he tipped him well. He walked to the boardwalk for departure.

"Son, there don't seem to be no Barkleys 'round to pick you up. You sure they knew you were coming?"

He checked the telegram again, "Yes I was to come to the ranch," thinking of the wedding plans Nate had told him about.

"Ok boy. The livery don't rent to kids. Do you have money?"

"Yes sir."

"Might have to hire ya someone."

"Yes sir"

—-&—-

James David continued to wait as additional trains came and went. His gnawing hunger was overwhelming him again.

"Sir, I am going to walk over to the cafe before they close. May I leave my trunk?"

"Shore. I will keep an eye out for a Barkley rig and let them know where ya are."

James David crossed the street and ordered a meal. He hastily ate it and washed it down with milk. The waitress offered him pie.

He smiled thinking of Nick's fondness for pie, "Yep. What kind do you have?"

"Apple, sweet potato, and blackberry."

"Apple it is!"

He laughed to himself, "I think Nick would rather have pie this week instead of wedding cake. But I don't think Mother will allow such. I can't wait to talk to her and see how she worked out the legal stuff with Grandfather. It's just such a relief that it's over."

He pulled out the telegram and read it one more time.

We settled the guardianship. I will meet you at the ranch for the holidays. All is finally well between your grandfather and myself. Your Mother

"A Thanksgiving wedding and a month off school! Horses and my new family. Hunting and fishing and riding. And good food! What a way to end the term."

—-&—

James David walked outside and caught sight of a Barkley covered-livery pass him on the other side of the street. He grabbed his valise and followed them for several blocks. Rounding the corner, he came upon a dance. Torches and food and a wooden dance floor at the Stockton Upper School Academy.

He made his way through the throng of students and parents to the field where the rigs were parked.

A beautiful young girl was being helped out by Heath Barkley.

"James David, boy howdy. Didn't expect to see you here."

"I followed you from the cafe. My train came in and I was looking for my ride to the ranch."

Heath cocked his head for a moment, "Well boy, you can ride back with us after the dance."

James David recognized the confusion on his face and handed him the telegram.

Heath read it, "Well that's good news."

"Nick planned to marry Mother this week if the ruling went her way and here I am. Are they at the ranch?"

"Nope, just came from there. Don't worry none, they will all show up tomorrow or so I bet on those Frisco trains."

Heath schooled his expression. Nick had telegrammed that the trial was delayed for up to a year and the wedding was off.

"Come on James David, let's get some punch, un—-liquored up, of course. You remember my daughter Hannah?"

James David turned and gave her a mock bow, "No sir, I haven't had the pleasure."

She blushed at his proper manners, "Pleased to meet you, James David. I was visiting our cousins that week in San Francisco. I heard what a wonderful week it was. I can't wait to meet your Mother. Uncle Nick can't talk about anything else."

He grinned, "They are very smitten. I am here for the wedding this week."

Hannah mirrored her father's look of confusion and quickly covered it up.

James David's heart fluttered as he got his first real look at Heath's oldest. A tall young lady with blonde hair and the largest blue eyes he had ever seen. She was wearing a baby blue dance dress with white lace trim. It perfectly suited her trim figure and was the epitome of modesty and style. He figured she was close to his age, to be at the upper school at least. He was a month from sixteen and she would have to be within a year or two. At the least, fourteen or so.

Heath took her arm, "Let's go and see what the night brings."

James David followed them to the dance.

—-&—

"Good evening Mr Barkley. I see you have escorted your lovely daughter tonight. As a father of daughters, I understand your concern. We fathers are particular." the Headmaster greeted them.

Heath nodded and furrowed his brow, thinking of the grief one of his daughters had caused JT and Chip. His nephews left the city school for PineCrest boarding school soon after. Nick and Jarrod both assured him it was for the best. He still wasn't sure it was for the best—-still missing his nephews and worrying for his own to leave the ranch.

Hannah got his attention back, "Pa, there is Mary Nell. I want to catch up with her. She just got back from San Francisco."

He nodded and kissed her on the cheek. He glanced around the room noticing the boys who noticed her entry into the room. He frowned at them—Heath Barkley was still an imposing presence, even more so as a father of four daughters. He had brought up his two sons to look out for their mother and sisters.

James David watched her walk across the room with appreciation. He already had quite a bit of experience socially with young ladies from Loyola and their travels—-but Hannah Barkley was refreshing in some way. He couldn't detect an ounce of pretense. Maybe a dance?

"Let's get some punch," and Heath walked him over to the table.

James David immediately noticed a group of boys spiking a second punch bowl in the corner. Heath narrowed his eyes and James David immediately went for the closer punch bowl.

"Tell me about my nephews and school. And how is your Mother doing?"

James David shared with him honestly the travails of the semester: missed visits with his Mother, Nate keeping him abreast of developments at the cafe, his anger at Mr. Peterson and his grandfather, secret meetings with JT and Chip and all of the letters passed between them—-he couldn't believe how easily he told Heath everything. Except for the alcohol at the Underground. That was still a secret between the boys.

Heath just listened and nodded, "That's a lot for a grown man even. But James David, you are a man now. I am pretty shore Nick and your Ma appreciate all of this. Holding it on your shoulders. I am might proud that you are going to be family."

James David looked at him in disbelief and then pride. He even stood a bit straighter.

"Thank you, sir."

"Go out there and find ya a pretty girl and dance. I will be holding up the wall with the old men."