Chapter Eleven

"You look so beautiful," Nick beamed as Maris came out the side door of the Palace. She was wearing the dark green gown he had picked out.

He helped her into the carriage with Jarrod and Elisabeth. The boys had slept over at Pine Crest. Jarrod made reservations at Delmonicos on the Bay.

Maris had been delighted at Nick's invitation, "But let me meet you at 8 at the side door. I don't want to draw any undue attention to my plans."

"Maris—-I promise I am a gentleman and a worthy suitor." he joked and pretended to puff up with indignation.

She smiled at him and put her hand on his chest intimately and drew it away quickly.

"I liked that," he spoke huskily.

"Nick, I trust your intentions but my father-in-law—-he's particular and sees me as his child, a pet. I would rather not have his nose in my life right now. Do you understand?"

"I do, my lady, and I quite enjoyed my time in the shadows at Giacomo's with you."

She shivered at his words and he winked, delighted at her obvious response.

Nick and Jarrod ordered for the ladies. Lobster, crabs and oysters with vegetables and bisque. Jarrod ordered a fine wine and they toasted the day.

"I am pleased with Pine Crest," Jarrod spoke up first

Elisabeth smiled at Maris, "Your son has been an important part of our boys."

Maris smiled back, "Yes but the boys seem like family already. James David always wanted siblings."

Jarrod grinned, "JT has already asked for James David to visit the ranch. With his lovely mother." as he glanced over at Nick.

His brother took the hint, "I wouldn't want JT, to be disappointed."

"Me either," she bravely replied but with fear of how she would explain such a trip to Stockton. She put it out of her mind and was so happy to be out with the Barkleys.

Elisabeth was bursting with glee at seeing Nick flirt. She had seen her brother-in-law's charm around the ladies of the family but she had never seen the full force of his personality toward a lady he was interested in. Jarrod had told her about what a ladies' man Nick was before Peg—-how in love they were—-and how he closed himself off that way when she died.

"A door is opening before my very eyes," Elisabeth whispered.

Jarrod downed his wine still smiling at the couple who only had eyes for each other. He and Elisabeth shared a look of matchmaking satisfaction.

"Maris, would you like to dance?"

"Yes, Mr. Barkley I would."

The candelabras around the room gave an ethereal glow. The dancing tonight was more formal than the Italian restaurant but Nick managed to make it just as provocative as he had the night before. His thumb on her wrist, allowing brief moments of touch, breathing in her ear whispers about the room and night air—-No one in the room would have given them a second notice unless they could look directly into their eyes.

Jarrod and Elisabeth danced and shared whispers about the couple.

"Jarrod, it's just as you said, he falls hard but they seem so perfect together, I can't imagine we won't be planning a visit to the ranch soon or maybe even a—-"

"Don't say it, Lis. Don't want to jinx it but honestly, I can't imagine anything that would interfere with this—-she doesn't need his money, she's beautiful and very much a lady, she is a very good mother—-she laughs at his jokes. He doesn't have to impress her and he seems to be himself around her. And they both value family."

"Jarrod Barkley, shame on you husband. You tell me to hush and obviously, you have put more thought into this than I have,"

He laughed and grabbed a quick kiss as they moved to the side of the dance floor, "Guilty as charged. It's just been a long time coming and brother Nick deserves a taste of what we have found. Love after loss."

"Agreed."

They cast one more look at the dance floor as they sat down—-holding hands.

"Where did they go?"

Jarrod looked around and gave her hand a squeeze, "Brother Nick went for the French doors and I assume right now is pointing out the harbor lights or constellations,"

"Hmmmmm, I seem to remember such at Giacomo's rooftop."

He kissed her hand and nipped her wrist, "What can I say? We grew up looking at the stars on the ranch—and we want to share that with our loves." and he whispered something very risqué in her ear. She blushed.

"Why Mr. Barkley, you are a scamp."

"Guilty but—Only with you."

"And I like your suggestion."

"Is it too early to ask for the check?" he grinned.

"Jarrod—we are chaperones, remember?"

"You made me forget."

—-&—

Nick waltzed Maris out the French door onto the huge deck overlooking San Francisco Bay. He held her from behind as he pointed out the sights of the harbor and the constellations.

"Just beautiful, Nicholas. Uh, do you mind if I call you that sometimes?"

"Just you and my mother—-but I am usually in trouble or headed toward a serious talk."

She laughed, "I look at stars from my balcony at our ranch all the time, almost every night. I used to sing to James David out there before he went to bed."

"You have a ranch?" he said with surprise.

"Well JD raises thoroughbreds for racing and breeding? He got the ranch in a settlement when he took over a freight line. We have men that work the horses. James David had a horse master that taught him to ride before he went to school. A tutor that lived with us too. It's near Milton. We have a beautiful home that JD remodeled for us. He didn't want him raised in the city as David was."

Nick was very quiet, discerning all she told him.

"The Fuller ranch?"

"Yes sir. That was his name."

Nick took a deep breath, "He was a close friend of my father and worked with Barkley Freight on some deals."

"It's not my place to tell her that the man committed suicide losing his business, home, and wife in the same year. Drought had hit the area hard and he mortgaged the farm. Autonberry must have picked it for pennies on the dollar. Out of Scott Breckenridge's script.

He changed the subject not to hurt the beautiful woman he was holding, "Do you ride?"

"Carriage and side saddle That is all JD would allow. I envy you, men, the freedom to of galloping and riding astride."

He blurted out with his unrestrained thoughts, "I will teach you when you visit."

"Thank you," she whispered, leaning back onto his strong frame.

"What do you like to do on your ranch, Maris?"

"I have my own greenhouse. I grow orchids and roses. I do needlepoint and sew for the poor. I also learned how to bake but that's another secret from JD. He doesn't like me to fraternize with servants. Also—James David and I raise hunting dogs. Cattle dogs and bird dogs. Two compete in field trials at nationals. They have a trainer but I love to feed and groom and walk them. James David is very good with them. We travel too. The seashore, New York, Denver. Wherever JD needs a hostess or to school James David on business. He does dote on the boy."

Nick held on a little tighter and she did not mind, in fact, she nuzzled in closer to him.

"Maris, pardon my lack of manners. I am fifty years old, long in the tooth. Do young people these days ask a lady to court as I did back in the day? I have been out of the saddle for a long time. When you think it's right, I would like to ask James David permission to see his mother, it's only proper. But I would like to ask you—-first."

She turned around quickly and he could see tears in her eyes. He thought he had offended her.

She stood up to her full five feet, "Well I am thirty-four years old and you are the first man in my life—-ever to ask me what I wanted."

"Oh honey," and he pulled her back in tight to his chest and held her crying,

"Yessssss," she whispered through her tears and hiccups.

He smiled and pulled her face towards his and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. He took his handkerchief out and wiped her tears with his thumb.

"Dry them tears up. I will be doing plenty of asking from here on."