Chapter Twelve
The next day, Jarrod arranged a visit to the arboretum. Nate Springer's wife was head of the ladies' auxiliary and was glad to organize a private tour; Elisabeth ordered a large picnic lunch for the Barkleys and Autonberrys on the grounds. Nick hired Grover again to take them to a street fair on the bay during the afternoon. He planned to take the whole group to Giacomo's for a late supper.
Maris stayed with Elisabeth most of the day watching Nick and Jarrod interact with the boys. Her heart was full to see the strong men with the teen boys—-answering questions, joking, reminding them of their manners. James David hung on every word and action of the Barkley brothers.
Nick escorted Maris during the arboretum tour. He never dreamed he would be looking at orchids—well if he admitted it, he enjoyed watching the guileless wonder of her face. They engaged in pleasant conversation and had their share of stolen glances and touches.
They had decided to talk to the boys at some point before the week was out. "I want to treat the boys like men, the way they should treat the family of the woman they love."
Maris's eyes grew wide at his choice of words; he sputtered then finally shrugged his shoulders, "Well, you know what I mean."
She could only shake her head overwhelmed.
They were interrupted by Jarrod walking up with two parasols.
"The vendor on the corner was just opening, Elisabeth forgot hers and I assumed you would need one to stroll at the fair."
"Thank you, Jarrod."
They tidied up the picnic lunch and headed to Grover in an eight-passenger carriage for the trip to the street fair.
Nick sat by Chip on the way to the harbor.
"Pa? Can I ask you something?"
"Always son."
"Are you sweet on Mrs. Autonberry?"
Nick took a deep breath, "Yes Chip. I was going to talk to you today."
"We all were hoping so. Talked about it last night. James David and Chip and me."
"And?"
"Ma has been gone ten years. I am a man now—-you deserve a pretty and nice lady."
"Thank ya son" with a lump in his throat.
"She's mighty nice."
"Yep. I think so. I am still gonna talk to James David." and he ran his fingers through his son's hair.
"That's the right thing to do, Pa. He will say yes but there is a way to treat a lady, you said." he smiled repeating Nick's words.
He got a private moment with James David in the line for lemonades; he hadn't planned on doing this at a street fair at the harbor but since the boys were already talking about it, he might as well.
He asked him to help him with the drinks.
"James David. I wanted to talk to you man-to-man."
The boy grinned from ear to ear, "Yes sir."
"I would like your uh, permission to court your mother."
The boy stood up taller and straighter, "She's pretty special Mr Nick. You know she's a real lady?"
"Yes sir I do. And you have my word as a gentleman, I will always do so."
"Next!" as the lemonade line moved.
"James David, I would like to spend more time with you, too."
The boy wasn't expecting that and his countenance grew more childlike, "Yes sir. Me too." with a tear in his eye.
Nick ruffled his hair as he did Chip's and his nephews.
"Ok boy, let's get these seven lemonades back without spilling them."
James David smiled, "It's going to be tricky."
"Nah, you and me got this."
"Yes sir."
—&—
The street fair had every type of tent and booth—-from animals to handmade items to wares from the Orient—-to games, hatchet throwing, bottle tosses—to magicians, fortune tellers, trick riders, snake charmers, oddities, and dime shows.
Maris was overwhelmed. She had never experienced such a sensory array of people and cultures. Her face was childlike with awe as she strolled on Nick's arm.
They stood in line for the boys to ride a real elephant and have a photograph made of the event. The seven watched knife throwers and trick shots as Nick would explain how it happened.
"Mrs. Maris, Pa was known as the fastest gun in the state for years. Old men still come up and tell me stories about his draw," Chip conspiratorially told her.
She looked at Nick with new eyes, "Nicholas, I had no idea."
"Well that was a long time ago," he puffed up with pride.
JT and Chip added a few more colorful stories that impressed Maris. Since their talk with Nick, all three boys had championed his qualities to her and vice versa at the fair. Jarrod and Elisabeth looked on in delight.
"Well, that's the last worry I could think of, Jarrod. The boys love this idea."
He agreed, "I was concerned, myself. The boys have had their parents just to themselves for over ten years. They are growing into fine young men."
—-&—-
"Pa? Can we go see the snake charmer? Please."
Maris and Elisabeth shivered at the same time, "Ewwwwww."
"Well ladies, let's let these boys go. I don't have a mind for it myself."
Maris asked, "Is it safe without a chaperone?"
Nick and Jarrod's minds flooded back to everything they had seen and done at fifteen.
Jarrod answered, "Yes. Boys see the flagpole near the dock?"
"Yes sir."
"Do not leave the fair, watch your wallets, button your pockets. Meet us there, let's say in two hours. Have your pocket watches?"
"Yes sir, " Chip and JT answered.
James David hesitated, "Mother? I won't go if you don't want me to."
She looked at the boys and the brothers.
"If Mr. Nick and Mr. Jarrod say it's safe, that's enough for me."
"Thank you."
They handed them money and watched the boys run off to the tents.
Nick took Maris's arm, "they will be fine.
Elisabeth asked, "Can we see the stereoscopes?"
"Oh yes, please," Maris added.
"Let's go."
—-&—-
Nick and Jarrod were entertained watching the ladies watch "Moving Magic Pictures"; they paid the fee several times just to see the women "ooh and ahh," at the images.
They walked through the fair streets: Nick and Jarrod bought the ladies' silk roses from a vendor.
Nick spied a taffy cart and scooted over to get in line. He bought several flavors and took them.
"I haven't had them in years."
"We would get them at the wharf, salt-water taffy when we were children. My sisters and I would pull them. They get so soft in the heat." Maris spoke up.
Jarrod found them a quiet space on the knoll looking over the harbor and the fair. He purchased a blanket from a peddler and they sat down.
They laughed as they pulled and tasted the three varieties Nick had brought them.
"I don't think you have ever looked more beautiful since I met you—-" crossed Nick's mind as he watched her.
Their eyes met each other several times and they both felt desire. Nick recognized it; Maris was unfamiliar with the feeling. She just knew she wanted Nick Barkley close.
Jarrod and Elisabeth flirted with each other and whispered endearments to each other—giving the couple their quiet space.
Nick reached for her hand under the folds of her dress,
"Oh, my hand is sticky. I'm sorry. Taffy." she replied.
"I don't mind," and he picked up her hand and kissed it.
She shivered and made soft sounds as he tasted the taffy on her hands.
She looked over and Jarrod's back was to them, holding his wife as they talked.
"Nicholas," was all she could whisper.
He kissed her hand and held it again. They stayed that way quite a while looking out at the fair and harbor.
"Nick? We better head to the flagpole. The boys should be there by now. Ladies, we take our leave to retrieve our wayward sons. Stay here. It's closest to the exit."
They made it to the flagpole and the boys were not there.
"Let's find those rascals, Jarrod. I am hungry for Giacomos."
—&—
