Chapter Forty-Three
Justina immediately spied the tall, handsome, well-dressed visitor. He was wearing a traveling suit of the finest quality that was the nicest in the room.
The Headmaster's daughter ruled her group of young ladies with the sheer force of her cattiness and personality.
"That's the Autonberry that visited here this summer. Rich. Richer than the Barkleys according to my cousin at the bank. His widowed mother was supposed to marry Nick Barkley but he broke it off. Said couldn't agree on money or something like that. Wonder why he is here?"
She squirmed a bit and bent over adjusting her bodice. Her plump breasts peeked out of the top. She tried to make direct eye contact with him but he averted.
The other girls giggled and made eyes at James David. He politely nodded back and continued to visit with one of JT's friends he met during the summer.
"James David, I think some of our young ladies are trying to get your attention."
He laughed, "JT and Chip kinda steered me clear."
His friend laughed, "Well you don't have to marry them for a little rum and fun."
James David laughed again, "Well if you put it that way." but he didn't move from his place with the boys.
"Don't want to disappoint my step Pa. Heck, my new Pa. All he said to the three of us on how to treat ladies. Stuck in all of our craws."
He watched a little while longer and introduced himself to many of the boys. Justina and her friend sashayed by several times; the boys would smirk and make crude comments under their breath. James David assumed that several of them had taken the same path as JT and Chip. He would learn from their lesson.
He watched Hannah across the room with her friends; many would dance and come back to visit with their little group. Hannah had very few invitations despite the fact he believed her to be the prettiest girl in the room.
He asked, "Does Hannah have a beau?"
"Naw, she gotta daddy that will whoop your butt if you look at her twice. He makes it known"
Her friends left again for new partners and James David took his chance.
Justina noticed first where James David was headed, "Eww—-he is dancing with the wallflower cousin. They are practically family. Maybe he feels sorry for her. She's as flat as a washboard and always has her nose in a book."
Her friends giggled.
He walked over to Hannah and asked her to dance. She smiled and gave him her hand. He made eye contact with Heath across the room and he nodded back his approval.
"Miss Barkley?" he grinned.
"Mr. Autonberry." She smiled back.
He whispered, "James David"
"Hannah," she whispered back.
His stomach flip-flopped and he took a deep breath. They danced several refrains quietly and nervously.
"You are an excellent dancer, James David," Hannah spoke first.
"Thank you, well thank my mother—-she made sure I had lots of lessons."
"My mother Sally too. She loves music, dance, and theatre. All six of us—-Papa would just sigh and tell us to obey our Momma."
He laughed, "I can't imagine anyone telling your father what to do."
It was Hannah's turn to laugh, "Just Grandmother Victoria and sometimes Mama."
"I saw him tangle with his brothers"
Hannah laughed, "We have had stories for years. Way before they all married and when they were young," she lowered her voice, "they even came to blows."
James David chuckled, "I can see that. Chip and JT seem to have inherited some of that."
"Oh if you only knew—-"
"I am learning. Seriously, Hannah, you have an amazing family. I am proud for Mother to marry your uncle."
She got quiet again thinking about the lack of wedding plans at home, "Maybe, it's a surprise?"
"Did I offend you, Hannah?"
"Oh heavens no, James David. Something I forgot crossed my mind."
He relaxed at her explanation. He found himself caring very much about what this young lady thought.
Heath watched them across the room. The exact worry about Nick and Maris crossed his mind at the same time as his lovely daughter. He was filled with concern for his brother.
"Would you like some punch?"
"Yes I would," He took her arm and escorted her to the refreshments table. They spent the rest of the evening in conversation and an occasional dance.
—&—
Peterson paced and paced at the ranch in Milton. The Autonberry liveryman came back empty after waiting through three train stops at the Lathrop station. He parked the rig and his gut revolted at the news he was delivering.
"Sir, he never got off. I had the porter check each time in case he was asleep. There ain't no more trains today coming through 'cept cattle cars. It was a circle route. I can go back in the morning, sir."
Peterson pulled the telegram out of his pocket again.
"He got on the train. How in blazes did he get lost? He had no transfers. He can ride rails just like an adult. I don't understand. The headmaster assured me that the boy accepted the telegram and knew to come home. It said to come to the ranch. The only ranch the boy knows is here in Lathrop. Blasted."
"Did you check the telegraph station before you left?"
"Yes sir. There wasn't anything for you,"
"Ok. Get some supper in the kitchen. Stay close in case I need you."
"Yes sir, Mr. Peterson."
He walked out and shut the study doors. He checked the ranch telegram machine again, "Just in case."
"How do I tell JD that his most prized possession is missing?"
—-&-
It was almost midnight in Denver and the moon showed bright into his lavish office. JD was still at his desk working on business contracts and listening for the click of his private telegraph machine to begin. Several telegrams came through but they were business-related.
"Damn. I should have heard something by now. From Lathrop—-Peterson, Branch, the headmaster, from San Francisco. Someone! They all know how important this is to me. Where are they all?"
—&—-