Chapter Twenty-Eight

Two Months Later

Nick got off the train in Oakland and took a hack the longer route into the city. He was sure no one followed him getting on the train at Contra Costa where his olive canning facility was. Heath had taken him himself and driven an employee back in the rig wearing Nick's hat and black vest.

Jarrod and Elisabeth had taken the family rail car yesterday with their children to their brownstone. They decided to go separately just in case JD still had a man following Nick; they hadn't seen one in over a month but where Maris was concerned, he wasn't taking any chances. The brownstone servants had couriered the letters from Nick to the arboretum and Alice had mailed Maris's for her each week.

Audra and Carl had come to San Francisco a week before and set the plan into motion. They rented a suite of rooms for business guests of Wheeler Ranch for an entire month at the brand-new hotel Occidental Hotel near the wharf. They visited the arboretum for the afternoon and delivered a parcel to Maris. They took their nephews to dinner and shared the plan for meeting Nick—and more letters from Maris to James David.

Maris was delighted to see Audra and was overwhelmed by how the whole family had contributed to the plan for the couple to meet up after the court ruling. Jarrod and Nate had forbidden Nick to attend; he would be waiting at The Occidental. They expected JD to testify and Nick would be salt in the wound. The boys had told Nate about the innuendos of his mother's sanity in James David's letters. They had filed an affidavit that the engagement was off to expedite the case.

Nick went straight to a cafe near the school and met up with JT and Chip. He had had Audra relay a midafternoon visit that wouldn't call attention to his presence. Carl had scouted around for a family cafe near the school—-but off the beaten path.

They met him with big bear hugs. It was the longest they had ever been apart. Nick had lost some weight and his hair seemed more tinged with gray.

He told them all about the ranch and a funny story he had forgotten to write about Heath's sons and fishing—in his weekly letters. Telling the boys about the ranch seemed to help his—-and their homesickness. Between Chip going off to school and losing Maris, Nick felt like he aged ten years. Just eating pie and coffee with the boys helped take the load off his mind for an hour.

"Can't wait a couple of weeks for you boys to be home all of December; We just have a week and a half until Thanksgiving."

"Us too but it's been a good semester— made lots of friends but we still miss hanging out with James David. We leave him messages and we all meet down at the bluffs every night.

"The bluffs?"

The boys shared a look of uncomfortableness, "Yes sir, there is an area past the archery lanes, the woods and a set of bluffs past that. We meet up just to have some private time without adults. The gatekeeper, the security man, doesn't care as long as we don't cause any trouble."

Nick nodded, "I understand. Just don't break any rules, women and alcohol."

Chip looked at him straight on, "Pa, since the fair I haven't touched a common girl. I swear. You kinda scared the hell out of us. Oops didn't mean to curse."

Nick grinned, "It happens—just not in polite company or the ladies."

"Just so you know Uncle Nick, me either." JT popped up.

The boys omitted any denial of alcohol which flowed freely at the bluffs. The gatekeeper himself purchased it and sold it to the boys at a profit. The Underground was an open secret among the boys.

"How is James David, really?"

"Tries to cover pretty well. He was supposed to have two visits with his Mother—-both times Mr Peterson showed up and said she was ill. He knows it's a lie. He gets letters from her twice a week. Said she never got those times to visit. His grandfather hasn't shown up at all. Just sends money and letters that Maris is insane. And—"

Nick was seething. JT and Chip shared a look.

"And?"

"That you took advantage of her." Chip barely whispered it out.

Nick was stone-cold silent.

"We will see about that. Finish up your pie boys. You will need to get back to campus before you are missed. "

And they sat there quietly as Nick paid the check.

—-&—

Nick took a hack to Grover's stand. He had expanded his business to five drivers and purchased several new rigs for himself too. Nick's first large tip had started his business.

"Mista Nick. So good to see ya. You are early. Come on in," and they walked into his office. It contained two chairs, an old desk, and a pot-bellied stove.

"Coffee or something stronger?"

"Whiskey?"

"Here ya go," as he pulled a bottle and glass from his drawer.

Nick took two shots and downed them. Grover took one.

"I delivered the flowers each week to Miz Maris just like you asked. Miz Alice always met me and gave me your lady's 'ppreciation."

"You have been a good friend to me, Grover."

"And you to me. Got my own business stand cuz of ya. I got ten rigs; fixed up the old ones and bought new ones. Five drivers on the tab. No bank notes, neither. Own it all fair and square. Got me a new lady, a widow who owns the fabric store on Fifth. Fabric for working men and Sunday go to meeting clothes. Nothing fancy but it's a nice living."

"That's good to hear my friend."

"The reservation is made for Giacomo's at eight. Will pick up Miz Maris at the servants' gate when the evening staff goes home. Miz Audra told me about the disguise."

"My sister is quite the matchmaker. But I am hoping this ends this week. And I can take my Maris to the ranch and put a ring on her finger with her boy there."

"You a good man, Mista Nick. It's gotta work out."

"That's what I keep telling myself."

—-&—-

Jarrod held little Benjamin in his lap and helped him cut up his supper. Elisabeth had gone upstairs to check on Adeline with an upset stomach.

"Here you go son, meat is all cut up."

"Can I sit in ya lap, Pappy?"

Jarrod grinned and allowed the three-year-old to stay with him at the head of the table. He and Elisabeth indulged their surprise baby; she had been thirty-two and assumed her childbearing days were over.

Jarrod looked out at his happy table, Frances, Amelia, and William jabbering away about their day in San Francisco. He and Elisabeth had taken them to the green to fly kites and a candied apple cart came by. They all indulged and he assumed that a green apple might have been the source of Amelia's upset.

"We will pick up JT and Chip after the trial from school. Hopefully, we will be heading home for a wedding. I am a blessed man with a quiver full of children—-but Nick is never far from my mind. He deserves happiness too. I have prepared my case over and over—I see no way aside from greased palms that the prenuptial guardianship can stand. Judge Turner is known for his honor and integrity. Maris signed away the money rights immediately and agreed to share custody of James David, even. JD can't win, can he? And yet Nate and I have prepared an appeal immediately if we fail."

Elisabeth came back downstairs, "Addie just has a tummy ache. I have put her to bed with a hot water bottle and a book. I will go check on her after dinner. Want me to take Benjamin?"

"No, we are good down here. He will be off to school before I know it—"

Elisabeth smiled and winked, "Just when I cannot love him anymore."

&—-

Nick checked into his room at The Occidental. He drew a bath and soaked an hour away trying to keep his emotions in check—and the strong desire to kill JD Autonberry. In his mind, he knew Nate and Jarrod were right, him staying away was the best thing but his heart, his soul, and his body wanted to rush in and carry Maris back to the ranch and take James David with them.

He dressed in a new suit; he had lost fifteen pounds since he left San Francisco and said goodbye to Maris.

Grover met him at the lobby and took him to the back of Giacomo's. He dropped him off and headed to the servant's entrance to the Springer's to pick up Maris. He hardly recognized the lady that Alice brought to her. A dark green dress with golden trim—the gold matched her locks pulled up with a feather hair comb. He squinted twice. It was Maris but not an ounce of her auburn curls were seen. Nothing but golden honey locks of hair half cascading down her back.

"Yes Grover, it's me." she laughed.

Alice added, "Nate thought we had a guest in the house. Audra had the finest wigmaker in the state create it. It took several of us to get it right but I think she looks beautiful. Nick's mother sent the dress. She had it made over from one she loved. Elisabeth brought over the black velvet opera cape.

"She does that—and an old cowboy I know is chomping at the bit to tell her himself" as he helped her up into the covered carriage. She giggled in excitement on this carefully planned evening with her intended.

—-&—-