Chapter Seven
Nick and the boys helped Maris into the carriage he procured. The driver put a blanket over her lap. Nick sat beside her. His black cowboy hat made him appear even larger next to her.
She laughed, "Oh what would Mr. Peterson think? I am wearing your socks, Nick. And without a hat—-"
The boys laughed at the quadruple rolled-over socks. Elisabeth's spare slippers fell off her tiny feet so Nick volunteered a pair of his wool socks. Nick liked that she had a dress knotted up at the hem, his sock, and a gold, embroidered Mexican shawl around her shoulders and she could have cared less. Her jokes about her own appearance endeared him. The boys kept up their chatter.
"Well I think Mr. Peterson would have an apoplexy but I think you look mighty beautiful."
She blushed.
The boys continued their conversation and they began to speak in lower tones. Nick recognized their conspiratorial demeanor.
"What you boys cooking up?"
They laughed and avoided his question. Nick shook his head.
"What's that smell?" Chip changed the subject.
James David answered, "Chinatown. They have wonderful food. We come down from school with a chaperone of course, Mother."
"Of course. I have heard about it but never visited such."
"Have you had wife cake?"
Maris cocked her head, "No. what is it?"
"It is a pastry. Filled with something called winter melon, sesame, and almonds. We have them all the time when we come down here." James David answered.
"I wonder why it's called wife cake," Chip commented.
"Well I asked that too, " James David replied, " Couple of legends depending on the shop." One story tells of a dim sum chef's wife creating a pastry with winter melon paste influenced by a recipe from her mother's family. The new pastry was found to taste better than the dim sums that were being sold in teahouses, and the chef proudly told everyone it was made by his wife, hence it was named "Wife Cake". Another tells the story of a woman sold into slavery to help her poor family, whose husband created a simple but delicious pastry, which earned him enough money to bring her back."
The driver interrupted them, "So'rrry to eavesdrop. The best one in town is by that carriage stall. Want me to stop?"
Nick immediately saw the light in Maris's eyes, "Driver, that's a great idea. Let's get some and enough for you to take home tonight too."
"Thank you, sir."
Maris beamed at his interaction with the driver. Her family always tipped but never interacted with drivers or servants. Her relationship with the Autonberry servants had always been a source of contention.
"Stay in your station. They will become lazy and ungrateful if you associate with them." Resounded in her head.
Nick and the driver got out. He purchased two sackfuls, one for them and one for the driver. He bought a skin of Chinese wine and cherry cider for the boys. They jumped back in and Nick handed them the pastry on brown paper.
"Boys, don't get it on your clothes." as they gulped their cherry cider.
"Would you like a swig, first one and all? I have had this before. Fruity but hits the spot."
Her eyes grew wide and for a moment, he thought he had offended her.
She took a breath, "Of course, Mr Barkley. I wouldn't want to be rude." And she winked at him.
He in turn widened his eyes with mirth, "We will not tell Mr. Peterson."
She took a polite, ladylike sip out of the wineskin.
"Have some more, Maris."
"I think I will."
She handed it back to him and he took two deep drinks before replacing the plug.
They all finished the treats and thanked the driver for stopping. They continued their ride into San Francisco. The wine had warmed Maris's cheeks to pink and Nick couldn't help but notice.
"A bit warm, my lady?"
"Yes, it seems so."
—&—
They pulled up to Pine Crest. Nick saw the boys share a look.
"Pa? Can I stay over with James David? You have to be here tomorrow for the first tour anyway. After his meeting, James David will give me a private tour. So I can make a better, informed decision."
Nick narrowed his eyes and then belly laughed, "You are my kid. No alcohol or common women or mischief or I will carry your butt back to the ranch myself."
"Yes sir." They said in unison.
"Maris? Are you ok with the plan our boys hatched?"
She was still laughing at Nick's forthright talk to his son. She stopped suddenly and stared at Nick.
"Did you just ask my opinion?" and she put her hand over her mouth and grimaced.
"I am sorry Nick. That just came out and your decision of course would be best."
"Honey, I know Mr. Peterson and his grandfather got the say, but you are his mother."
Her eyes welled up with tears and she said, "Thank you."
James David and Chip shared a look.
"Don't cry Mother" James David put his hand in hers, "I didn't mean to upset you,"
"You didn't son. Mr. Nick just gave me something I have always wanted to hear."
The three males were speechless.
"Go on boys and enjoy. Remember Mr. Nick's words. They are mine too but in a less colorful way. See you tomorrow," wiping her tears and smiling at them.
They jumped out and grabbed their luggage, "Thank you, Mother."
"You are welcome."
—&—
"Nick, please forgive my tears. I know a lady should not show her private feelings in such an untoward way."
"Maris, you did nothing wrong. If you knew my mother, you would know why it doesn't startle me. She's very independent and not afraid to let any of us know how she feels."
"You and Jarrod are quite lucky men. I noticed the difference quite quickly."
"There are three more of us, Heath, Eugene, and baby sister Audra."
"A warm, happy home."
"It was—-it is."
"Your father?"
"Murdered by the railroad, 1869. Stood up against a land grab." Nick said pensively.
"Oh—" she said simply but instinctively reached out to his gloved hand and squeezed.
He looked at her and she wasn't sure if she had made a faux pas. He nodded back and held her hand. They sat in the bumpy rig like that for a few minutes.
His mood passed in a few minutes as they sat in a downtown traffic jam.
"Maris? Let's do something tonight."
"I would like that Nick. But if I don't check in soon at the Palace, they will message JD or Mr. Peterson. And I don't have any clothes."
"Driver? Where could we find some lady's clothes real quick like?"
"Well, let's see. There is I. Magnin & Co., or City of Paris Dry Goods on Union Square. They's pretty fancy."
"What do ya say, Maris? Want to go shopping? Our driver here will keep our little secret."
"Yep, Grover knows how to keep his chops quiet." the driver added.
"And for a tip," Nick laughed.
"Yes sir. That always helps."
.edu/ch/article/100/1/80/195263/San-Francisco-s-Magnificent-Department-StoresLost
"Grover, first stop, the Palace. Then we are going to Paris."
Maris sat there basking in Nick's bravado.
"This is the most adventure I have had since I was fourteen. I wish Missy were still here to encourage me. I will do it for both of us."
