Chapter Fifty-Four

JD looked at the letter and the framed sketch over and over. He was bursting with pride. Denver was getting light snow outside his window.

"James David, I am doing this for you. Maris needs to be home where we can care for her around the clock. Branch said she wasn't hurt badly, just shaken up. And it was all her fault for fighting back. Fragile emotions he said. Her senses are gone. Maybe they will come back when we get her to Denver. Nice clean mountain air."

"I want our happy family again. You and me and Maris—-and baby James of course."

He went over and hung the print with care across from his chair where he could look at it at any time.

JD smiled at the art, "Such a good son, uh grandson."

He was struggling with what to do this week. He would need to get out of town soon to ensure he beat the first snowstorms of the year. A big deal was shaping up on the East Coast with freight shipments to the West financed by the Morgan Banks. He wanted his piece of the pie. Normally he would have gone alone or sent Peterson.

"Branch is too inexperienced for the job. Morgan would eat him for lunch. He needs to track down a San Francisco judge for the visitation rights but I won't be around to watch him—-at least he will have Pinkertons."

"Lila has finally lost that baby fat—I think I can convince her to be beautiful and shut up if I take her; she doesn't have Maris's conversation skills. She's as beautiful as any Mrs Astor's society lady. But will she be shunned as a mere manager's first wife or heaven forbid, they look down on me? At least the men will look at her and know why I bedded her. But the women rule the roost in the East. Maybe I can put her in a Worth gown. Women are judged by their adornings. I have all of Maris's jewels in the safe. Maris's dresses should be upstairs or at the ranch. I wonder if they can be altered temporarily so Maris can have them back. My porcelain doll is so tiny and perfect; Lila is so uh lovely in her own way. Oh, Worth a fortune—" he laughed thinking of his play on words, "I will have the housekeeper check. Or wire the ranch."

And he walked up to the nursery, "Lila, we are going to New York".

—&—-

Maris and Nick arrived at the mansion on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. The whole family was enjoying the warm night at the orangerie barbecuing a hog. Quilts, chairs, covered dishes on the long tables—children running through the trees chased by the older boys home from school.

Heath looked up as a small rig cut through the trees.

"Nick?"

"Yep. We made it. Looks like you slaughtered the fatted calf just in time. Smells wonderful."

"Get your eyes checked and your nose is stopped up with all that sea air. It's the sow. She got hurt yesterday so I had to go on and slaughter her."

Nick tied up the horse to the rails and Heath helped Maris out. "Good to see you, Maris. Gotta a boy who's been missing his mama."

"And I him, Heath."

Eugene was one of the first to hug her.

The family started greeting them and the younger children began jumping on their Uncle Nick. He tickled and fake punched and kissed the nieces. They all squealed as he was as happy to see them as they were to see him. Everyone made Maris feel welcome.

"Mother!" as James David quickly ran to her. He picked her up and hugged her. She kissed him on the cheek.

"Oh son, you have grown since I saw you. At least two inches."

"Yes ma'am. Three. I am so glad you are here." and his smile turned to a serious frown.

"I knew you were hurt but—-" as he gently touched her face, "I am glad the man is dead. Anyone who hurts a woman—-"

Nick spoke up, "I agree son."

James David kept his arm around his mother and put his hand out to shake. Nick shook it and slapped his shoulder.

"Good to be home and I am mighty glad we are all together."

"Agreed," Jarrod chimed in.

Victoria walked slowly over with her cane, "My dearest welcome. Welcome home" and she squeezed her hands.

Maris leaned over and kissed both her cheeks, "Home. I would like that very much."

Nick beamed and hugged Chip who returned the affection with a big Nick grin. He looked so much like his handsome father with wavy hair like Peg.

"Glad you are home Pa. I missed ya" he said with a low voice.

"Me too son. It's time to be home. I don't plan on going anywhere but the range or the woods or the creek for five weeks. Not even town if I can avoid it."

"Is Miz Maris safe? Her face looks rough."

"Yes for now. Pinkerton said the grandfather left for back east so we are in the clear during the holidays. Going to just enjoy our first holiday as a family and not think too hard about January."

"Pa, I am glad you found her. She's a gem," he whispered.

"Me too, son. And that means the world to me that you like her."

Elisabeth sat down quickly and it drew everyone's attention to her.

Jarrod immediately went to her side," My love, are you OK?"

"Yes. Just got a bit winded."

He didn't look convinced and hovered over her. The family surrounded her in concern. Sally brought over some cool water. Elisabeth sipped it and whispered in Jarrod's ear. "Go on, tell them- please not to worry anyone,"

He grinned. "Well family, we were going to make this announcement on Thanksgiving but now that everyone is home—We are expecting a new Barkley likely in May."

The family whooped and shouted out their congratulations. Jarrod and Elisabeth were beaming with excitement. Everyone lined up for a hug or kiss.

"I am thrilled Jarrod and Elisabeth" Victoria trembled with tears in her eyes, "Such a blessing from God."

"We think so, Mother. We thought Benjamin was our surprise. Now another boon." Elisabeth smiled.

"Pappy, you still got it," Nick whispered a bit too loud.

Elisabeth laughed and Victoria shook her head, "Nick."

Maris waited her turn and kissed her on the cheek, "A baby. What a joy! I am so happy for you. You are such a wonderful Mother."

"Thank you, Maris. Hoping that this one will be born with a new official Aunt Maris."

"Me too."

After supper, Nick and Maris rode back to the mansion with their luggage and parcels. They walked up the stairs together.

"The guest room is the same one you stayed in this summer. Mother said it was all ready. She had Rosita freshen it up. Just this time it's going to be real difficult knowing how close you are and how far away I gotta stay. Waking up every morning with you in Monterey spoiled me. I want ya Maris real bad. A month is a long time but you have my word—I will never shame you in front of our boys or the family."

"I know you won't. But Nick I will miss you just as much. I never knew—until I knew."

He leaned over and kissed her passionately in the guest room.

"Night ma'am"

"Night husband."

He winked, "Thirty six days to go."

—&—-

"Davo? I talked to an agent in town. He said the quickest way to San Francisco would be by boat. He has arrangements that way for the last week of December. A captain's suite for us."

"No Ximena. I hate the water after what happened. We will take the train from San Diego."

"I understand my Davo—" and she kissed him on the cheek,

"It will take longer I know but I cannot be on a steamer just yet."

—-&—