Chapter Twenty-One

Heath and Nick made it to Stockton an hour early to meet the train, "Big brother, you came in early for lunch. And took a bath. When in tarnation have you taken a bath straight up noonday?"

Nick straightened his tie in the storefront window.

"Iff'n I didn't know better, Nick, you are nervous?" he said with wide eyes.

"Just a tad. Been out of the saddle quite a while."

"Nick, I am real glad for ya "

"Thanks, brother. I can't wait for you to meet her and her son. Something special."

"I know that already because you have good taste."

"You have always been observant, boy" he winked at his younger brother.

"Nick, let's get a beer. We will be back in plenty of time and we can hear the train whistle from Harry's."

"Sounds good."

—&—-

Maris checked her appearance in the long mirror. Their plush rail car was owned by JD's business and was used for California travel. He made it available for her to travel to Stockton.

"Absolutely no public transportation my dearest. James David will procure all the necessary connections until you are in the care of the Barkleys; I have spoken in length to him about his role as a gentleman. I am still miffed about you riding in a rig—-unchaperoned in San Francisco after the dance."

Maris nodded her head in respect, "If he only knew—"

She was so nervous. "It's as if I dreamed up last month in San Francisco. It is with me when I fall asleep and the first thing I think of is Nick. I so wish Missy were here to talk this through. I didn't dare even share anything with my dearest Alice. Except for my legalities."

"Mother! I saw them. They are on the platform. Chip and JT too."

She smoothed her dress and pinched her cheeks as the whistle blared and the train slowed.

They patiently waited until a porter came and opened the door for them.

—-&—-

JT and Chip had driven a rig in themselves to bring the trunks and begin their week with James David.

Nick was on the platform in a new black leather vest, white starched shirt, and his characteristic black hat, Heath had never seen Nick this antsy for years. He paced and paced as the silver spurs clipped on the boardwalk.

The porters started unlatching doors and Nick watched as they made it to the red, black, and gold Autonberry car. He wiped his palms discreetly on his pants and walked toward the car.

Heath shook his head and grinned, "Ain't this the dangest? Nick's worked up in lather. Can't wait to meet the lady who is stirring big brother up."

JT answered, "She is mighty nice. And pretty."

Chip answered after a moment, "Uncle Heath, she's pretty special. I am hoping Pa and Miss Maris—you know. My mother wouldn't want him alone. He's a good man and he will take real good care of her. He knows how to take care of a lady."

Heath patted his nephews on the shoulders. Nick had told him all three boys had given their approval of him, "Getting back in the saddle again."

The porter handed Maris's arm to Nick. He was over a foot taller than the petite beauty.

"So good to see you."

"I have been counting the days."

They stood there for a few moments until James David cleared his throat.

Nick spun around and shook the boy's hand. He made his way quickly over to the boys and Heath.

Nick took her hand and clasped it over his arm. He continued to hold her small hand in his. Several people took notice of Nick Barkley meeting a lady on the train and whispered to each other.

"Heath, I would like to introduce you to Miss uh Mrs., Miz Maris Authonberry."

"Maris, please." as they all laughed at Nick's stuttering. He laughed at himself. The waiter checked their reservation and escorted them to the table at the Cattleman's.

Nick ordered wine and asked about the trip. The boys were already visiting among themselves.

"It was a good trip. Better than my earlier rail trip through there." She proceeded to tell Heath about the kindness of his family.

"To hear Nick tell it, you and yore boy was the highlight of the trip." Heath laughed taking a bite off of a roll.

"Orders?"

She nodded to Nick to order for her.

"Barkley beef tips for the table and bring enough for those growing boys. Bring side bowls of whatever you have today. Fix us up."

The waiter smiled, "Miss, what would you like to drink?"

"Tea, please." and she handed the menu back.

Nick noticed his choice of greetings to her and followed her hand. A smile crossed his face as he realized the sapphire ring was missing from her hand. She caught Nick looking and noticed her lack of a ring.

"JD always had me wear his mother's ring after David died. I took my band off after the formal year of mourning. The way I see it, JD isn't on this trip so I shan't need to wear his ring."

Heath looked from Nick to Maris and back again. They were sharing a long look with meaning.

Heath felt uncomfortable and began concentrating on the roll in his hand and began asking JD about going fishing with the family.

"I'd love Mr Heath too. You have three boys, right? "

"Yep. And some pretty little girls who can outfish their brothers when they set their mind to it."

JT added, "So can my sisters. Worms or crickets don't bother Francie. Now me or Pappy still bait the hooks for Adeline and Amelia nmmm—-."

The boys started describing bait of all kinds and telling their own fishing stories."

Heath took a glance over and Nick was holding Maris's hand at the table. He suppressed his grin.

"What say you, Miss? I hear you are going fishing with us?" Chip asked.

"Pardon? Did I miss something?"

The boys and Heath laughed loudly.

James David swallowed his laugh and answered for her, "Mother is a bit moon-eyed at the end of the table. Mother, will you bait your own hook?"

She laughed good naturedly, "I just might try."

Nick squeezed her hand, "That's my girl."

—-&—-

The boys conspired with Heath to ride back together and let the "moon birds" ride in the second rig. The boys nicknamed the couple after James David used the word, moon-eyes at the table.

Nick admonished the boys to drive slowly around the bend and take it easy on the horses.

"Yes sir. Uncle Heath will keep us straight."

He rolled his eyes at his nephews as they rode off with JT driving, "See you at the ranch. Mother has supper waiting."

"You know they planned that," Maris said as Nick got onto the carriage beside her.

"Yep and I don't mind a bit."

"Me either,"

They rode out of town and as soon as they passed the city limits, Maris took his arm.

He pulled her a bit closer and kissed the top of her head as he drove.

"I missed you something fierce."

"I missed you, Nicholas."

He liked the way his full name rolled off her tongue.

"Want to see the Orangerie on the way home? Elisabeth and Sally designed a covered area where the old picking shed was. We will have a big family get-together there now 's a small greenhouse for seedlings and the room where we keep the smudge pots."

"Smudge pots?"

He proudly described how they kept the orange crop from freezing in the winter. She listened with interest as he spoke with obvious pride in his life.

"Nick, you speak as a man who loves his life—-his ranch."

"I do, Bella Dona. I do. This land is in my blood. The cattle, the crops, the timber, the Tanner dam, Heath's horse farm, all of it. Most of all my family."

And you didn't mention money once," she smiled.

"Well, it's nice too for getting stuff done and helping folks and investing in the future. And new pretty green dresses. I noticed right off you were wearing green."

"I hoped you would."

They turned down a dirt road and drove into a grove of orange, lemon, and olive trees over-hanging with fruit. He helped her out of the rig and walked her back to a cleared area. A lattice-walled shed with a fire pit in the middle. Rough-hewn timbers framed the area. Nick pointed out the spit barbecue pit across the way where he cooked and the shed that contained the pots and wood for the makeshift dining tables. She tripped over a horseshoe pit and he caught her with a quick kiss. He continued to show her one of his favorite places on the ranch.

Nick grabbed a burlap roll from the shelf and rolled out a place for them to sit on the grass.

She ran her fingers over the burlap and the roughness of it.

He noticed and asked, "Do you mind? I think Sally took all the quilts up to the house."

"I don't mind at all. Just another new experience in my life. Could I try an orange?"

He grinned and got her one.

"Should be a good one."

"Uh, how do I peel it? I have only had them already cut," she said sheepishly.

"Want me to start it." and he took the knife and nicked the naval.

He started it and took her fingers into his—-they peeled together. With each peel, their breathing increased. He kissed her forehead and then her cheek. He placed a slice of the orange into her mouth.

"That's good," she whispered.

She placed the next slice into his mouth and he nipped her fingers in a kiss. The juice rolled down both of their chins.

They wiped off each other's faces slowly and seductively. Nick laid her back and began to kiss her face; she closed her eyes and made soft sounds that spurred him on. He began to nip her bottom lip until she couldn't take it anymore. She raised up and engaged him in a deep kiss. He moaned and responded with fervor. It took every bit of his self-control not to seduce her at this moment.

He finally pulled away in regret knowing her innocence; he sat up on one arm.

"Sweetest orange I have ever tasted in my life."

"Agreed," as she slowly sat up straightening her hair.

"Better get back before they send out a posse."