Chapter Eighty-Six
David and Ximena left Monterey immediately when they got Nate's letter about the kidnapping and the injuries of the boys. They packed up little Jimmy, and left immediately for San Francisco only to find they left for Stockton.
David was raging with anger that he wasn't notified until it was all over.
"I would have just paid the ransom and not got them hurt! And the school—-why did they let them out of their sight? I blame them too. And what in blazes was Nick thinking, taking them back so soon with injuries that could be aggravated on the train? I am going to give him a piece of my mind, recklessly risking my son's life. And I am half a mind to take James David away from them. I can keep him safe at least."
Ximena arched her eyebrow at him, "I have never seen your Wolf come out before—hmm, I learn more each day." and she handed Jimmy a teething ring of amber.
He made a deep growl of dismissal.
"Ruthie says these work well and she was right—-magical." she continued calmly.
David settled down and picked up Jimmy, "Xi? What do you mean by wolf?"
"Protect those you love at all cost. A wolf will protect its young to the death. Sacrifice themselves. You seem like such right now—- For James David, and I think Jimmy—-
"Yes," was his simple whisper.
He relaxed for a moment, "I would do that for you, Ximena—too."
"You better but I am a she-wolf. Have you read Romulus and Remus? I can see myself."
He laughed and pulled her into his arms, "Yes, is that why we have a wolf pelt in our bedroom?."
"Yes, it's an ancestor—or maybe another wolf who got in my way."
They both laughed and kissed her passionately.
Jimmy interrupted them a few minutes later, tugging at their legs.
"Bad timing little man," as he picked him up.
He immediately reached for Ximena and said "Momma"
They both paled and took a deep breath. Ximena hugged the boy and kissed his forehead.
"That's what I feel like, son. A Madre."
—-&—-
Lila was sitting in the garden of her private cottage on the grounds of the finest sanitarium in California. They prided themselves nationally on the latest treatments. It was an hour out of San Francisco with a view of the ocean and settled in a lush forest. Her young companion read to her, made sure she ate, walked, and slept—and did embroidery with her. An unobtrusive guard whittled by the gate.
David and Timothy paid for the finest care possible and Nate acted as her guardian.
"Working with your hands, " according to the phrenologist at the hospital, "unlocks your mind."
She did embroidery as her task and after a few days, roses were on everything she owned.
The young lady would smile, "See you are getting better every day, the beauty is shining through. We are awakening your metaphysical spirit."
Ximena had sent a picture of little Jimmy as he was now called at the seashore. She looked at it every few minutes with love.
"I hope to see you again, my boy. But if not, you will never grow up with your father, thankfully."
The phrenologist had measured the bumps and the circumference of her head. He decided she was a kind, empathetic soul with one area of concern, her metaphysical spirit in the parietal lobe. There was an indention in that area. He prescribed root vegetables, chamomile tea and dandelion greens
The psychiatrist diagnosed her with hysteria. They prescribed a nerve tonic of bromide, iron, and quinine—alternating hot and cold mineral baths daily. A massage each night before bed with watered wine. An electric shock to her femaleness was the most-common and accepted treatment of choice but was discarded since her child was less than a year old.
She smiled at her companion and began to embroider another handkerchief," Pink roses, this time I think."
"Perfect Miz Lila."
The widow had been completely docile and almost vacant in expression since she was brought in. A few drops of tears over her son's picture but eerily calm and peaceful except when they admitted her as Mrs. Autonberry.
She screeched an unearthly wail, "I am not married. Call me Lila."
The physicians agreed not to upset her under the circumstances and had the staff address her as "Miz Lila."
And from then on she was calm and docile and began to heal—"Miz Lila".
—-&-
The first day home was filled with rest and food. Rosita brought in several more cousins to work and the two nurses stayed busy. Jarrod stayed in bed all day and Nick made it to the chair and back several times. Elisabeth and Maris found themselves staying close to their master suites exhausted mentally and physically from the toil of the past weeks. Both were swollen and short of breath from the child they were carrying. The babies had dropped considerably in the past week and Dr. Merar was due for a visit at the end of the week. They both dozed as their husbands rested.
"Good afternoon. I apologize for not sending word before my visit but the health of my son is of the most importance." David introduced himself at the door. Ximena and Jimmy sat in the rig waiting to see if they were at the right house. Their livery driver was new and wasn't sure which of the three large homes on the road was Nick and Maris's. He had guessed right with the white-columned mansion.
"Please come in. The Barkleys are convalescing and I will see if someone can speak with you."
"It's fine I am family and I don't need a formal visit."
He motioned Ximena and Jimmy to follow. The livery driver helped them down. They had left their belongings at the Cattleman's Hotel. Ximena shook her head in disgust. She had tried to talk David out of his plan to take James David with them but he would not listen. He was full of rage which she pointed out had little to do with the exact circumstances they found themselves in.
"You want to blame Nick for something that could have happened on your own watch. Let's think about this and what you are really upset about. Maybe just the fear of losing something you just found again?"
"Ridiculous, Ximena. I want what is best." with less conviction than before but unable to admit she might be right.
—-&-
Nick was dressed in a smoking jacket and silk pajama pants that didn't rub on his leg. He asked Rosita to send David up and make his family comfortable. Maris had not dressed for the day so she slipped into the nursery and her private dressing area to put on a day dress.
Rosita opened the door and escorted him in. Nick stood up with his cane and offered him the other chair beside the fireplace. He assumed he was here to check on the family.
"Nick," he said gruffly.
He immediately bristled at the tone, "David," he said just a bitter firmer.
David realized the pain Nick was in and suggested, "We can say this sitting down as easily."
Nick hmpfed but couldn't help but notice the throbbing pain in his knee. They sat at the same time like adversaries.
"I will come to the point. I am here to take James David. He will convalesce with me and we will head back to Mexico. This debacle shows me he needs more supervision and guidance than you and Maris are willing or able—-"
"What the hell," Nick yelled with a string of expletives, "He isn't going anywhere. He got himself into a foolhardy situation and we got him home. We all was scared to death. They could have ended up in China or died for not listening. I wonder where he got that from?"
"Don't blame me. He was under your care. I shall raise my son better than I was. I am a different man; why didn't you just pay the ransom? Gotta play the hero, cowboy?."
"The hell you won't," and the men got into a loud argument that bellowed down the hall.
The exchange went on for at least five minutes. If Nick wasn't incapacitated, he would have already punched him. He brought up all the old stories he heard about David and David grew more incensed.
Maris flew out of the dressing room with fire in her eyes.
"David, Nick be quiet. There are children all through this house and especially our sons." and she stood up straight to her whole five feet. The men stopped immediately as her large stomach captured their eyes.
"Sorry Maris, go back into the room. We will settle this quieter," Nick sighed.
Her eyes flashed at him, "No you won't, He is MY son born of ME—and David if you try to take him, it will be over my dead body."
His eyes were filled with surprise. He had never heard this tone and it shocked him out of his rage.
"I am sorry Maris. In your state and all, I just thought—-"
"I don't give a damn about your thoughts." she shrilled.
Nick and David exchanged their look of surprise.
"He will not leave and that is final. You may visit him down the hall. Ximena and Jimmy too. I would love to see them. The guest house is empty. But David, he is MINE."
David could fumble nothing out but, "Yes dear." still shocked at the woman he was seeing.
Her voice calmed a bit, "I need to dress. Nick, please stay off your knee. I can see blood again. David, see yourself to Rosita and she will take you to James David." and she slammed the door behind her.
Nick and David let out their breath simultaneously.
"I am sorry Nick."
"You should be."
"But where did that woman come from?"
"She's all mine, Autonberry."
—-&-
After supper, Hannah ran to the bunkhouse.
"GET DOC MERAR! IT'S AN EMERGENCY!"