Chapter Fifty-Five
"Thirty-six days," came to fruition before they all were ready for it.
A memorable Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner with the whole Barkley clan in attendance. Victoria would find herself wiping tears away daily watching her whole family happy and grandchildren on top of grandchildren—and a new grandson by choice, James David. He was especially attentive to her never having grandmothers of his own. She prayed daily that his grandfather would allow him to vacation with his mother and in that regard, the whole family. She couldn't imagine the selfish and bitter soul that would take a son from a mother, especially one as exceptionally good as Maris. If she were ten years younger, she would get on a train to Denver and give the man a tongue lashing he wouldn't forget and a swift kick where he needed it.
And Jarrod and Elisabeth's spring surprise. She was feeling tired but overall was well. Benjamin was quite the handful but the whole family took turns entertaining and corralling the energetic three-and-a-half-year-old.
The cousins had hunted and fished so much that they shared their bounties with the elderly and widows at church. The men delighted in watching the next generation interact with nature the way they had growing up. James David always managed to find himself close to Hannah at meals and outings. They always found time to talk and walk together even in the midst of the family.
And Maris and Nick—-Victoria would look at them sometimes and tear up too.
"I never thought my boy would find love again. Peg was his dream but Maris is his future. Never were two women so different and yet so alike. The fire in his eyes of love and protection is so strong I can feel it across the room." She wrote to her sister Jane in San Francisco.
Christmas morning was especially poignant for Victoria as she gathered first with Nick, Maris, Chip and James David for their first holiday together. She had begged off but Maris insisted.
"This is your home. Please come for our gift sharing before we all go to Jarrod's for the family exchange."
Nick reiterated the invitation, "Mother, it's been you and me and Chip for ten years before the gathering. You were my rock during all those hard years having Christmas without Peg. You kept me going. Let me share my first Christmas morning with Maris and her boy with you."
She accepted and sat quietly watching this new family being born. The lump in her throat was large and her heart was full.
"Thank you, Nick," she told him afterwards.
Maris and Victoria exchanged gifts first. The Belgian lace insert from Monterey. Victoria gave her a tiny emerald bracelet. "Tom gave this to me when Nick was just a boy. I want you to have it.".
Nick gave James David and Chip large hunting knives from a local artisan with the date and brothers inscribed. Maris knew about the gift but the inscription made her cry as well as Victoria.
The boys got quiet and both hugged Nick for the thoughtful gift.
Maris gave both boys new calfskin wallets and Nick a new watch fob for his father's watch. The gold link had a small swan charm on it.
Nick choked up at her sentimental gift.
"Ok open yours." and he brought out a large crate.
He pried upon the slats and she unpacked a beautiful set of dishes.
"Como? Giacomo's?"
"Yep. From his family in Tuscany. They have a factory and the little ladies paint them."
"Oh, Nicholas it's perfect, just so perfect" and she walked over and kissed him on the cheek. The boys hooted and Victoria chuckled, grateful to be part of such a day!
They all dispersed to go upstairs and ready for the brunch at Jarrod's house and the present opening of all the family. Nick had a little boy twinkle in his eye as he watched her walk into her suite. The boys had run ahead down the hall to their rooms.
"Nicholas? You look mischievous."
"Maybe I am. Maybe I just have the Christmas spirit" and he winked.
She grabbed another quick kiss and went into her room.
On her bed was a brown parcel with a bow on it. She couldn't quit smiling as she opened a deep emerald green peignoir set. The card simply said Saint Nicholas with a line through the saint.
"Oh, Nick. Ruthie was right. Men do think of such gifts. I can't wait to wear it for you my love."
She carefully put it away and the card into her jewelry box.
They had tried to be so careful and proper at the ranch. They were the model of decorum. They slipped up twice in complete abandon. Once at the waterfall on a horseback ride and once on a picnic to the ridge. She was surprised as she was so willing to give herself to him in such venturesome circumstances. In fact, she relished those moments with him. They were the subject of her dreams at night along with the days—-and nights in Monterey.
—-&—-
James David and Hannah met up in the mansion study after Christmas lunch. Everyone was sated from the big meal and the youngest were put down for naps. The men were sitting in the parlor with cigars, the girl cousins were playing with their gifts, and the boys headed outside. The ladies were visiting over a cup of Christmas tea.
Chip and JT were headed out to sight their new rifles, "You coming?"
"Give me thirty minutes. Want to take care of something." James David deferred as the boys went out the door. He watched them leave.
"Hannah?"
She nodded, grabbed her small purse and they went into the study. James David shut the door.
"I have a little something for you."
She beamed "And I you."
He handed her an oval packet. She handed him a similar-sized packet.
"Ladies first"
She opened a small pen and ink drawing of a lupine.
"Oh, James David. Like the one you gave me at the stream. You are so talented. I love it."
He colored and turned red when she squeezed his hand. She embarrassedly pulled away.
He unwrapped a braid of leather. Intricately woven.
"For your cowboy hat, you got from Grandmother. A band," she smiled and blushed.
"I love it and I will wear it with pride. To have something made from your own hand—-"
They awkwardly squeezed hands and pulled apart when they heard steps in the hall.
"We better go."
"Yes, Chip and JT are waiting."
"Thank you. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas Hannah. I will never forget this holiday and our—-friendship."
She winked and ducked out of the room.
He grinned and headed out in a few minutes to join them in shooting their new rifles.
—&—
Nick sat at Harry's with a beer in his hand staring straight into space.
He had put Maris on the morning train to Sacramento: Nate and Alice were waiting for her. They would return to San Francisco the next day.
Heath took James David up to the olive cannery to catch a train back to school.
He and Jarrod would accompany the boys back to PineCrest in two days.
"This spy ring is for the birds. Jarrod and Nate surely will have a court date soon. Maris was puny when I put her on the train this morning. I know the stress of all this is weighing on her. Phil better have some news too."
"This all has to end soon."