Chapter Fifty-Three
Branch sat back in Peterson's fine leather chair imbibing in his best bourbon. He plopped his feet on the desk. He held a letter written to JD from his grandson. It was rerouted to him from the ranch.
"Two copies. Smart boy. So he is safe on a hunting trip north of San Francisco. Probably got permission from that hoyden Alice and her emasculated husband or old Maris herself. They stowed him somewhere. Doesn't matter. He is not with the Barkleys or anywhere close. Seems I won't be paying Pinkerton as much. Hoped for a report already."
"And that asinine headmaster. When I told him he had been working for Peterson—–rogue and not the old man. He almost had an apoplexy. I couldn't get the pen in his hand fast enough to sign the affidavit. I will submit it in court when I finally get a court date, in case Barkley and Springer try to use it against us. The extra check, a year's earnings soothed him a bit. A good faith deposit. And since he owes me a favor or two now, I may have to collect on it if we don't get this settled."
"It's a good day to be Branch Davis." and he put down the third bourbon of the day.
—-&-
"What would you like to do today?" Nick asked Maris at breakfast. He was pleased after just three days in Monterey that the pink had come back to her cheeks and she was getting her energy back a bit slowly.
"Nick? Could we do a little shopping? The holidays will be here soon and Ruthie says the artist community shops have lots of one-of-a-kind gifts."
He pretended to frown but then broke into a smile.
"Yep, Audra and Mother broke me years ago. I just know I am whipped and go carry the boxes. But you must feed the old workhorse or he gets grouchy."
"I can manage that."
"Seriously Mare, will take it real slow. I know we rested most of the day yesterday on the beach and on the porch. You look like it did you well. Don't want to go backward."
"You have my promise we will take it easy. Plus I was tired yesterday but we had so much fun with Ruthie and Vincent. We stayed out way past midnight and slept till mid-morning."
"I just know you are a fearsome lady at cards. First poker on the train should have been an inkling but you at whist. You gave them a run for their money."
"We made a good team."
"Yes we do," and he squeezed her hand at the table and kissed it.
She whispered "Swans".
"Swans."
—&—-
Nick borrowed a rig. He put a pillow and blanket in the back.
Maris shook her head, "I will be fine,"
"Woman, obey your husband."
She just shook her head, laughed, and took his hand to get into their ride.
The first stop was the stained glass artists' shop. They walked in and Maris gasped.
Every color possible was glowing in the room set off by the morning sun.
"Can I help you?"
"I would like to order a piece for our home. My brother Jarrod Barkley owns two pieces in his home. Now it's our turn."
Maris beamed.
"Peg didn't give a fig about the house 'cept keeping it nice and clean. Plenty of seats at our table. Still using those extra tables she had built and the orangerie pavilion. And she was wanting to expand the corrals—-" crossed Nick's mind, "Maris will want to spruce up the house for sure. Just been me and Chip upstairs for ten years. Mother will be happy I know. She hasn't been able to use those stairs in years and stays pretty much in the dining room or her private quarters. Peg and Maris are only alike in one way—they are both kind ladies who love their children. I know Peg would like ya, Maris."
"Nick? Nick?"
"Sorry honey."
"Is something wrong?"
"Nah, thinking something is right. I figure you will want to do some changing up the second floor fer sure. Just don't go all frilly like Audra."
"I won't."
They sat with the artist for a few minutes and the idea came to him.
The artist smiled and sketched swans on a lake.
"Perfect." as Maris teared up. She wiped her single tear and sighed, "Just perfect."
"I like it. I will leave a deposit and I will send you the exact dimensions when we get back to the ranch."
"Thank you, sir and madam. We appreciate your business."
"Thank you, Nicholas. Our first purchase together was absolutely perfect."
They walked down two doors and walked arm-in-arm through an art gallery. They both appreciated the work but whispered, "I like Vincent's better."
"Me too"
Maria started to walk into the next colonnade of shops but Nick grabbed her arm.
"No ma'am. Time to sit a spell and have a rest. Dr. Nick's orders."
"Yes sir" and he ordered tea and coffee.
"Dessert?"
Maris laughed as his eyes lit up.
"Reckon I will."
"We will," she corrected him with a giggle.
They looked at the menu and could not decide.
"May I recommend a high tea service?"
"Perfect," Maris answered for them. He nodded in agreement.
"Just so you know Miss Maris, I know the order of the service; bottom trays have little sandwiches. I am proudly raised by the great lady herself."
"I knew you did, all along."
After their respite at the tearoom, they walked down to several more shops.
The first was a lady's shop. Maris looked at him, "Doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother you,"
The clerk looked down at Nick and he tipped his hat gallantly. Maris snickered.
"I remember quite well the shopping at the derailment. They are still my favorites."
"First time I claimed you for a wife."
"Yes, you did."
Maria picked out several handmade items for the ladies of the family with Nick's help.
"Seven nieces, correct?"
"Yep. Heath has four girls and Jarrod has three."
"The Barkley quiver is full." She mused.
"Do you want anything for you, Maris?"
"I am good. But thank you."
"Wrap it up. And I will be back to pick it up in a little while."
—-&—
They sat on a bench under a tree—-and watched children fly a kite and busy shoppers pass by. A baby in her pram with her doting parents. An elderly couple with a cane and arm-in-arm. A barking dog chasing a squirrel.
Nick and Maris commented and rested in their mutual conversations.
"I wanted to get James David a real knife, Nick. I noticed his knife was boyish compared to the others this summer. Could you help me with that?"
"That's a good idea, Maris. I know just the place back home."
"So that leaves your brothers and nephews?"
"I will take care of it. Let me think about it. Like this marriage thing, signing both our names to the cards."
"Me too, Nicholas me too."
—&—-
They walked down another block and came upon an importers shop. European antiques and jewelry.
They went in and looked around.
"Like any of the furniture, Maris? We can ship it to the ranch. You can redo anything you like. Elisabeth has done over Jarrod's house when they married three years ago. Sally is always changing up things over at her and Heath's place; he grumbles about it but he loves her. Don't even get me started on Audra's." he laughed and was proud of himself anticipating what she might make her happy as his wife. He knew about the luxury she lived in as an Autonberry.
"No thank you, just yet, Nick. This is all too formal. I have a new life with you. The ranch will suit me just fine. I reserve the right later on. But I love the new window. That's enough for now."
"Ok honey, ya just gotta ask."
They walked around a few more minutes and Maris spied a vase, "Nick?"
A beautiful cobalt vase handpainted with swans in a castle shaped like a swan and gilded in gold.
"Yep. You got it, I like this game. Finding swans. We are tied 1-1 right now. "
He took it to the register and had them wrap it. His eyes glanced around the jewelry case at the counter, "I will take that too. I win."
—&—-
Nick and Maris were sitting on the porch watching the sunset. She was snuggled in the blanket in his strong arms.
"Hey, I got ya something today. I won the swan game."
"I thought we were tied. A draw. You with the window and me with the vase."
"Nope. Scored this while you were still looking around."
He handed her a brown paper parcel. Small with a red ribbon around it.
She opened it.
"It's Italian according to the man."
"Oh Nicholas. How gorgeous."
An ornate brooch with two golden swans.
She pinned it to her dress and gave him a big kiss.
"I will treasure this always,"
"I treasure you, Maris. And can I hear it again? I won."
"We won," and she kissed him again before he could say a word.