Chapter Twenty-Three
Heath walked up the stairs to Jarrod's office, curious as to why his brother wanted to speak to him in this manner. He was sure the subject would be Sarah and the divorce; Heath wondered if Jarrod had bad news for him. Earlier this morning a note had been delivered to the ranch, for Heath from Jarrod, asking him to come to his office alone.
It had surprised Heath, not the least because he had thought his brother was still in San Francisco. Jarrod had left almost a week ago; since that time the family had heard nothing from him. Now it was Saturday afternoon, and Heath paused to enjoy the fresh breeze and sunshine of the October day.
"Hello Heath, thank you for coming into town on such short notice." Jarrod came into the waiting room as Heath had entered. He noted that neither Jarrod's clerk nor secretary were around, but then reminded himself it was Saturday afternoon. Most businesses, except for the mercantiles and saloons closed early on the day.
"I didn't know you were back from the city." Heath followed Jarrod into the office and watched as his brother shut the door. He felt bile in his stomach, sure that Sarah had refused his offer of the house. Heath's resolve not to give into her stiffened, as he took a deep breath.
"By the time I made it back yesterday it was too late to ride out to the ranch, so I stayed in town." Jarrod replied, indicating for Heath to have a seat, while he sat down on the other side of the desk. "So, I have the financial settlement drawn up, for you to sign. As you can see Sarah has already signed off." He handed a blue bound document to Heath, who unfolded it slowly.
"I was right about Sarah and Adam!" Heath almost snarled, after he had read the document. There was no reason for Sarah to agree to his terms unless she had been unfaithful to him and Jarrod had proved it. His anger roiled inside his body, as he tossed the paper on the desk. The dark, lonely nights of the last week he had spent wondering about the couple, came to him in a rush. "No, I have changed my mind about the settlement. I am not giving her anything, as I am the wronged spouse here. Please file the countersuit Jarrod." He stood up and started to walk for the door.
Jarrod had been afraid that Heath would react as he had had, and he was prepared for it. His conscience bothered him at what he was about to do – not quite lie to his brother but not be honest either. His justification was not only to protect their mother and the family, but also Heath himself. Jarrod knew that right now Heath was consumed with anger and hurt – emotions Jarrod had almost let ruin his life. He was going to help Heath as his brothers had helped him before.
"Get back over here and listen." Jarrod projected his voice across the room, as he jumped up from his chair. He could see that Heath was taken aback by Jarrod's response and raised voice. Jarrod had not realized he had been holding his breath until he exhaled as his brother came back to the desk. Jarrod sat down, forcing a calm demeanor on himself.
"Why else would she have signed this if she wasn't guilty?" Heath said tersely, still standing in a belligerent pose. Jarrod indicated for him to sit down, which Heath did after a moment of silence. He let it linger a little longer, as he said a silent prayer that this would go well.
"My investigator found no direct evidence of an affair between Sarah and Adam. Lots of rumor and several suspicious circumstances but nothing definitive." Jarrod told Heath in a solid voice; it was true after all.
"So why did she sign the paper?" There was questioning in his voice now, Jarrod heard, not the anger from before.
"Sarah didn't know that I had no evidence. I met with her privately, bluffed her that I did have evidence about the adultery. I stated that the papers were drawn up for you to countersue, naming Adam in the case." Jarrod sat back in his chair and smiled with satisfaction.
"Honestly, I do not know whether she really believed me, or she just didn't want Adam involved in the matter. A case like that would do his business no good. Either way, she signed the document." Jarrod chuckled to himself, sure that Edwin Jr was madder than a wet hen, at losing out on both money and a high-profile case.
"The investigator – a Pinkerton? He didn't find anything?" Heath's insides were still coiled tight, ready for a fight that he could now see was not going to happen. It was one thing for Jarrod to meet privately with Sarah and bluff her, but open court would be another matter. He had been sure that there would be evidence that could be used against Sarah. Heath, as badly as he wanted to go after Sarah and Adam, could see that it would be futile now.
"No Heath, the man did not find any direct evidence of the affair." Jarrod affirmed, as he stood up and went to put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "This is your chance to put the matter behind you Heath. You and Sarah spent more time apart in the last two years than together. Take this opportunity for what it is – a fresh start."
He heard what Jarrod was saying, and in his heart knew it was true. The comment about how much time he and Sarah had spent apart echoed what Nick had said, about how Sarah had not taken any interest in his life on the ranch. Heath knew that the last several years had not been good, but he had never seen them ending like this.
"What happens now?" Heath asked, after signing the document.
"I will return to San Francisco next week and submit this to the court. Once it has been processed a hearing date will be set, for the divorce to be granted. I am hoping that Sarah's lawyer and I can do it by proxy, so neither one of you must appear in court." Jarrod laid out the steps that needed to be done.
"Let me buy you a drink at the Cattleman's." Jarrod offered, adding "the divorce should be final by December. By then you can go to the Christmas parties and dance with all the pretty girls." His laughter struck Heath as incongruous with the subject.
"I have no interest in courting anyone. I am done with women!" Heath declared emphatically. He was surprised when Jarrod laughed again as he patted him on the back.
"Oh Brother Heath if I had a dollar for every time a man said that; well I'd have a lot of dollars." This time Jarrod chuckled as he shook his head. Heath realized that man was not going to believe him, so he said his goodbyes, turning down the offer of a drink.
Heath was glad to get out of Jarrod's office, being put off by his brother's casual attitude and laughter. In his mind marriage was scared – the ceremony includes the words let no man put them asunder – which is what had happened. He felt a sadness, not so much at the end of his marriage, but rather as if he had disappointed himself.
As he stood on the wooden sidewalk Heath also had a sense of anticlimactic emotion. He had geared himself up for a fight that was not going to happen; Heath did not know what to do next. Standing on the sidewalk though, was not going to accomplish anything. He thought about going over to the saloon but did not really feel like talking to anyone.
He started walking without a destination in mind; when he found himself in the park by the river Heath was surprised at how far he had walked. The sunshine was soft, and it was easy to rest his arms on the railing that overlooked the river. The San Joaquin was slow, it being autumn in the valley. There were not many people in the park, and Heath had picked an overlook that was secluded by some tall bushes.
The sound of children's voices had him turning around and peering through the crepe myrtles. Heath was surprised to see Sean and Tara Flynn laughing and jumping on the grass. Even as he wondered where Sharon was Heath saw her – and Tobias Anderson. They were sitting close together on a bench, watching the children, and looking happy.
Heath recalled what Sarah had said, at Victoria's birthday party, about Tobias' interest in Sharon. He remembered too how Tobias had taken him to lunch at the Sunnyside Café, for the purpose of seeing Sharon. Watching the couple now, it was clear that Tobias was successful in his pursuit of Sharon, which gave him pause.
There had been an announcement in the Stockton newspaper that Tobias had been selected to take over the Los Angeles Wells Fargo office. It was a huge promotion, and a big steppingstone for his career. Heath pondered now if Tobias and Sharon would be getting married; the thought did not just make him happy, but also made him angry.
Suddenly he was back in the moonlight at Kilkenny Farms this past June, looking at Sharon as he talked about the house he had built. Her dark blue eyes had been shining with emotion, and Heath remembered how he had wanted to take her into his arms. However, he was a married man and would not cross that line; he knew Sharon would never permit it either.
Her reasons for turning down his marriage proposal seven years ago had included that she would never be welcomed in his world, because she was Irish Catholic. Now they puzzled him because she was living in his world and very successfully. Sharon was a valued member of the community, well liked and respected.
She could have had all that years ago if she had accepted his proposal that day in the garden. Heath started to doubt the reasons she had given him – maybe she just did not want to marry him he thought. Had she already met her cousin, who she had married not even a month afterwards? Why could not he find a woman who wanted him he pondered. In his mind he reviewed all his past relationships and realized that the majority of the time the woman had been the one to say goodbye.
The words he had said in Jarrod's office, about being done with women came back to him. His brother had laughed them off, but Heath realized that he had meant what he had said. He was done being hurt and used by women. Sharon especially, who had aroused him so easily this summer, would not play with his affections anymore. Good luck to her and Tobias he thought to himself, as he straightened up as he turned away from the river. Heath was careful to go the back way, so as not to run into the couple. As he walked away, he could hear Sean and Tara's laughter – it sounded like mocking to his ears.
