Ruthie Murphy in Down Shadow Street is one of my favorite characters in BV. In Birds, Bees and Boots, I give Ruthie a happy ending with the man of her dreams. Jarrod after his wife's death becomes involved with Ruthie and in time realizes she deserves better from him. He buys a boarding house on the beach in Monterey and gives her half to run it. She is a booming success and buys him out soon, along with building seaside cottages for Victorians to rent. She keeps her impulsive, warm, and boisterous personality in her dealings. She meets Vincent a local homeowner; he is an entrepreneur, artist, and part-time Pinkerton. His heart has been broken by an unfaithful wife. Jarrod had represented him in his messy divorce and he retired to the seashore. They marry and have two children, Annie and Matthieu. So here they are interwoven in my new story of Nick and Maris.
And heading out to Fort Worth Stockyards for a couple of days vacation with Bob. Visiting the Chism trail on horseback on a touristy ride. Hope these old bones don't get too weary. See you in the valley on Monday.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Saturday morning before dawn, Nick picked up Maris and placed her in Grover's rig.
"I am perfectly fine to walk."
"Nope, you still got colt legs. Saw it this morning."
His second-in-command brought the closed carriage and took them to the rail station. She wore her blonde wig and cape.
Since Nick found out they had ten days before JD could possibly find out their whereabouts, he began to plan a short trip before Thanksgiving with the family.
They boarded a private car Nick had borrowed from a fellow Cattlemen's Association friend who was on a hunting trip to Mexico. His San Jose placard was painted on the side. Jarrod and his family, along with Chip, had left on Friday and sent word that James David was doing well.
It was a great story on arrival. A perfect spin of coincidence. See you Wednesday.
"We agreed that we still shouldn't travel together in the Barkley car or as a family. And I think you need some time to recuperate before a big Barkley Thanksgiving. Plus Nate and Alice had their family coming in. We all agreed after everything, you needed some peace and quiet. Doctor recommended a convalescence of a month or so—-since it will do your soul better to see James David, this was my compromise. Four days at the ocean with some old friends of the family."
"I am thankful—Nicholas. The past week has been such a blur. My memory is still foggy. And the headaches come and go. But to know James David is safe and at the ranch. And to have some time together, alone with my fiancé."
He grinned and kissed her on her forehead, "Agreed. Thought about the lodge at the ranch. May still do that when you are better but it's not an easy trek by wagon. This is a straight shot by train."
"James David will be so happy to fish and camp with your family this week,"
"I am going to take all the boys deer hunting after Thanksgiving—-if you have some strength back. Hoping the ocean air is what you need."
She squeezed his hand, "Tell me about your friends."
"Vincent and Ruthie own cottages by the ocean. They have their home up on the nearby cliffs but come down each day to run their boarding house and rentals. We will get our food from them. Two children, Annie and Matt. Vincent is a Pinkerton too as well as a painter and entrepreneur. Good people. Fine people. Known ''em for years."
"Will they think of me as shameless staying in a cottage with you?"
He chuckled thinking of Ruthie's past, "Not a bit. They aren't judgmental and they tend to be free-thinkers, let's say."
"Did they ask any questions?"
"Nope. Took a reservation for me and my friend."
She kissed him softly back, "I don't deserve you, Nick Barkley." and she yawned.
"Putting ya to sleep already?"
"Just a little nap," and she laid her head on his shoulder.
"That's what I am here for. Get some sleep, honey. I will wake you in Monterey,"
He caught a look at the black eye and angry bruise. The anger welled up in him again. Everything in his mind and body wanted to kill JD Autonberry. He promised Jarrod and Nate he would let them handle it—-for now. He just wasn't sure how much longer he could keep his word.
—&—
Ruthie's porter was waiting on the train with a wagon. They could smell the sea air even if they still had a thirty minute ride to the secluded property. They passed the famous Hotel Del Monte.
"I will take ya back there when we are official. Maybe our honeymoon? We can have a fancy dinner one night at the hotel if you end up feeling better.
"Thanks, Nick. It's just beautiful."
He leaned back for the ride to the ocean with a smile on his face and his arm around Maris.
"Not going to worry about a thing but making the little lady happy and catching a few fish. With James David safely at the ranch, we deserve to sit a spell."
—&—-
Ruthie and Vincent were waiting for them with a key to the cottage. They didn't seem surprised that Nick had a companion.
Maris smiled as she looked at the waves crashing on the beach from the walk to the gingerbread-trimmed white cottage.
"Call me Ruthie and this is my husband Vincent. Pleased to meet you. When Nick sent the request, we were so excited. We think a lot of the Barkleys."
Maris looked at the warm and inviting countenance of the beauty before her. She was dressed in a stripe day dress of a fine cut and a straw hat on her wayward curls. Maris thought she was one of the most beautiful women she had ever met.
"Please call me Maris. Very pleased to have your acquaintance. Nick speaks so highly of you both. Old family friends." Maris chatted and noticed a quick snicker across her face. She would ask Nick later.
Ruthie took several side looks at Maris's large black eye and whelp on her cheek.
"Bet Nick took a pound of flesh for whoever done that. Wouldn't want to be him? Nick had said she needed time to convalesce. "A friend" If she is just a friend, I will eat this bonnet—-Somebody took a hand to her. She's mighty pretty and a tiny little thing. I liked Peg a lot. Hope this one makes him just as happy."
Vincent took her hand, "At your service milady."
He was a very handsome man with salt and pepper curls, a handlebar mustache, an unkempt look of a velvet vest, rolled-up shirt sleeves, and plaid pants with paint stains. A putty knife stuck out of his back pocket. His charm was immediately evident and disarming. The couple seemed very much in love and comfortable with each other.
Ruthie opened the door and handed the key to Maris. The cottage porch opened up to a large sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows, wicker armchairs, a leather sofa, and several large paintings on the wall. A small table and chairs for four was in the corner with a chess and checker set laid out. A small bookcase stood filled with novels as well as a well-stocked bar on a cart.
"I had a man bank up a fire. Take off the chill."
"Thank you, Ruthie. These paintings are wonderful."
"My husband is an artist."
"They are extraordinary," as Maris appreciated each scene.
Nick came in with the traveling trunk. Vincent set the two bags in the bedroom. A large brass bed, framed by chintz curtains with a view of the east. A matching bedroom on the other side faced west.
"Sun will come straight in if you don't pull the panels," Ruthie explained, seeming to read Maris's mind, to relieve the bedroom question.
They exchanged pleasantries and Ruthie reminded them, "Dinner at 5:00 at the boarding house or we can send down supper by six "
Nick immediately answered, "The little lady has been out quite a bit today. Would like supper brought down tonight. "
Vincent spoke up, "Absolutely. It will be at your front door and ready for you."
"Thank you," Maris added graciously.
"Nick, want to fish from the beach tomorrow? The rock jetty?"
"Shore do."
"Will have some deck chairs there for the ladies if they come down."
"Sounds good, Vincent."
Maris gave him a look of deep love for his enthusiasm.
"Ok see you both later."
"So glad you are here."
Nick put his arm around Maris as they closed the door.
"Thank you, Nick. This place is perfect."
He winked at her, "Now sit down and take a load off. I will unpack us."
"I can do it." she started to stand up.
"Nope, you aren't lifting a finger. Resting, remember?"
She watched Nick as he unpacked their clothing and turned down the bed.
Her stomach flip-flopped at the implication.
He had told her he didn't expect or need anything on this trip but for her to get well, "The cottage has two bedrooms."
"But maybe I do," crossed her mind.
She walked over and poured him a glass of whiskey as well as some sherry for herself.
She walked to the open door with the glasses just as he pulled out her celadon peignoir from the trunk.
He pulled it to his nose and sniffed the scent of her lilac sachets. He turned around and realized she had caught him. He sheepishly grinned at her.
"Can't help it, Maris."
"Neither can I, Nicholas."