Author's Note: Russian ballet did not reach its peak until the 1890's; however, ballet had always been prized among Russian royalty and the nobles. It was common for Grand Dukes and noblemen to keep ballerinas as their mistresses. I do not think it is a stretch that a Russian ballet troupe could be touring Europe and America.

Chapter Fifty-Six

It was ten days after the Vice President's dinner, and Heath came back from doing some business at the Mining Exchange. He was not surprised to find Sharon sitting at the table in the alcove of the sitting room. What did surprise him was that she was in a pretty wrapper – pale mint green with slightly darker sprigs of pine green. Her hair was pulled back in the braid she wore to bed; Heath was way too familiar with her routine.

The morning after the dinner, they had received quite a few invitations for what Heath knew were very important society events. It had been a relief when Sharon had turned them all down – albeit with very pretty handwritten notes. She had explained to Heath that they were on their honeymoon after all!

Heath, in a small part of his brain, was relieved that she seemed to have no interest in grand society. He was still in awe of how well she had handled the Vice President's dinner. There were any number of ladies – both married and single – who would have capitalized on their newfound admiration.

Instead, the days fell into a familiar pattern; Heath would leave early, liking to get outside as soon as possible. Sharon slept in, having told Heath that she had never been able to do that before. When he arrived back at the suite, she would be dressed in a very feminine, pretty day dress.

They had gone to the theater, the opera, and a supper club in a sumptuous Telegraph Hill mansion; everything was painted white and gold, with lots of red velvet draperies. The entertainment was a Russian ballet troupe that did several skits from Hans Christian Anderson's tales.

Heath was agog at how much Sharon knew about theater, opera, dance, and art. He found himself listening to her intently, even as he was swept up in the action on the stage. It was as if a whole new world was being opened up to him, and he relished all of it.

"Is there from hot coffee?" Heath asked, as he sat down at the table. "Are you feeling all right?" He was curious because she was usually dressed to go out to shop.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask" Sharon took a sip of her tea, and then put the cup down on the saucer. "I know we are supposed to be up here for another four days, but could we go home early?" Her brows were puckered, and her eyes were not bright as they usually were.

"Well, we certainly can, but why?" Heath was puzzled as to why she wanted to cut their trip short. Privately he found it funny that he had been dreading two weeks in the city, but now was unsettled at having to leave so soon. Deep in his heart he knew that it had nothing to do with the city, and everything to do with Sharon.

Heath had stayed in any number of very grand hotel suites, which always felt impersonal even with as grand as they were. However, Sharon had somehow managed to make the suite feel warm and comforting. She was easy-going and understood that he had business to take care of. Heath had asked her opinion on one matter and had been intrigued at her take on the situation.

Of course, Sharon had been busy with various shopping tasks for the house and the children. Heath by now was willing to trust her judgement, and in fact was interested to see the final result. His only request had been that his study, and the bedroom he would use, were off limits.

"Well, I have to say thank you so much for this trip! The theater, opera, ballet" Sharon smiled at him. "It has been first rate. I have already sent several letters to Lady Emily about it all." She enthused and noted Heath's puzzled expression.

"I worked for Lady Emily at the castle, but in fact we were friends. Because of her and her family I learned so much." Sharon explained, not sure how to explain the special relationship she had with her employers.

"I miss Sean and Tara, and I have seen and shopped everything worthwhile in the city." Sharon's eyes were full of love as she mentioned the children. "I am also looking forward to getting our home put together. I also want to work on the garden, with the plants I use for my creams."

"Your creams?" Heath felt a tightening in his body; he took a deep breath. "Part of our agreement is that you will not work in town." He hoped he was controlling his emotions, but judging by Sharon's reaction, clearly, he was not.

"I am fully aware of our agreement" her voice dripped with condescension. "However, I do not need to be in town to make my creams. Further, Priscilla has her bees and honey, while your sister has her berries and jams. Are my wares any different?" Sharon looked directly at him, her hands on her hips.

"Clearly I overreacted" Heath sighed, realizing that as much as he had enjoyed their time together, he had been sure it was too good to be true. It was almost like – he paused as a revelation came to him – he wanted a snake in the garden.

"My experience with Sarah, I hope you understand, left me" Heath paused trying to find the words to say. He knew he needed to mend this fence fast but found himself at a loss for words. There was also the raw emotion of the revelation he had just had.

"That Sarah could not be honest with you? Were you honest with her?" Sharon could see that he was regretting his words, even as he had an odd far-away look in his eyes. "I think that you can admit that I have never been anything other than honest with you." She tilted her chin as she made the comment and was rewarded with a smile.

"Of course! You are right," He sighed with regret. "I am not good at opening up to people." In truth her jab about how he had not been honest with Sarah rang in his ears. No, he had not been honest with her, wanting to keep the peace so he would not have to deal with her emotions.

"Well Heath Barkley you will have to work on that, as you now have a step-daughter, step-son, as well as a son of your own. Not to mention a wife." She tossed her head with delight, and Heath was sure she was enjoying his predicament. "There are four people now who need you to be open and honest with them. I am going to go change. Can you make arrangements for the train to take us home tomorrow?"

He was left standing in the sitting room, feeling like he had done three rounds of boxing and come out down for the count. Sharon had called him out and seen through every defense he had thrown up. Her comment about the fact that he was now a father and husband resonated in his mind. It came to him that he had no personal experience of either of those roles, nor had he really seen a father-child relationship growing up. Heath at least knew how to arrange for the railcar, and he realized that his hot cup of coffee would have to wait.

That Afternoon Stockton, California…

Nick Barkley had come into town, to deal with paperwork for Jarrod, as well as to order supplies. Jarrod had stayed in town since the wedding; officially he put it down to family duties. However, he had confided to Nick that he had no interest in the feeding frenzy the Vice President's visit was causing.

The whole family had been taken off guard when the San Francisco papers arrived in the valley after the grand ball. Each paper featured, on the front page a picture of Sharon and the Vice President. Victoria admired Sharon's dress and how well Sharon wore the diamonds. In other circumstances she would have been pleased, but what weighed on her mind was that this was the woman's honeymoon.

Jarrod for his part had heard from his contacts that the Vice President had specifically requested Heath to be invited. It worried Jarrod because he knew how important mining reform was to Heath. Jarrod had friends in Washington, who had told him all about Cabot Burwell and his ambitions.

He was also bothered because Heath could be so single-minded - it was a trait they both shared. Jarrod, after the divorce proceedings, had no respect for Sarah, but was sure that this tendency of Heath's had not helped the marriage. Now Jarrod was afraid that his brother was going down the same path.

Nick and Priscilla had been discouraged – but not surprised – that Heath had interrupted the honeymoon. They both knew that Sharon had married Heath to take care of her children, and Heath had married Sharon because of Simon. Priscilla privately shared with Nick that she was glad that Sharon had dealt with it all so well.

For Nick, all he felt was sadness, for the relationship of Heath and Sharon. He could still remember how vibrant and exuberant it had been when they first courted. Nick wanted the couple to have what he and Priscilla had – companionship, joy, and love. He did not fault Sharon, because she had two children to provide for.

Everyone else in the valley rejoiced at how well Heath and Sharon had been received by the Vice President. The Barkley family though, each in their own way, felt bad for Sharon, even as they admired her. It was supposed to be her honeymoon, but instead she had been there to support her husband. Heath would have been very surprised if he had known his families' thoughts about his behavior.

Nick finished up at the mercantile and decided he had earned a cold beer. The telegraph office was on the way to Harry's, so he stopped to see if there was anything waiting. There was a telegram, addressed to the whole family, which gave him a pause. Nick decided that instead of waiting until he arrived home to read it, he should read it now. After reading it Nick wished that he had waited, so he could enjoy his cold beer. The news though in the missive made him aware that he needed to head straight to the house.

"Sissi, mother!" Nick came into the hall and looked around for someone. He put his hat and gloves on the table and took off his gun belt. When everything remained silent, he bellowed again.

"Mr. Nick, the ladies are resting." Silas came into the hall, wondering what the issue was could not wait.

"Well, they need to get up! Heath and Sharon are coming tomorrow!" Nick exclaimed. He had been sure that his brother would not last two weeks in the city. "The ladies will have to rearrange their party."

The party in question was the grand welcome home for Heath and Sharon, to their house. Victoria, Audra, and Priscilla had it all planned out, down to the last detail. Jarrod would take Sean and Tara to the station to welcome their mother home – with a pretty flower arrangement. They would go to the house, where the rest of the family would be waiting. Silas and Violet, who had been busy getting the house in shape, would have a buffet luncheon ready.

"Nicholas you are home early." Priscilla came down the stairs, carrying Ducky who was now seven months old. She greeted him with a kiss and handed the baby to him.

Nick forgot about the telegram, as he held his son and looked at his wife. Ducky had Priscilla's coloring and eyes, as well as her temperament. He was calm, and very loving. As he held the baby, Nick felt a welling up of gratitude for how blessed he was.

Priscilla was wearing a pink blouse, with a silk plaid skirt in pink, blue, and cream. Her hair was simply put up, and her only jewelry was gold teardrop earrings. He used his other arm to pull him close to him, and her floral scent was intoxicating.

"Mr. Nick" Silas cleared his throat, even as he was smiling at the group. He was so happy for the man, who had gone through so much before finding love.

"Yes of course." Nick remembered the telegram. "You are going to have to do the party tomorrow; that is when Heath and Sharon are coming home." He bounced Ducky who smiled.

"Tomorrow! They are not supposed to be back yet!" Priscilla's eyes went wide, and she started to think of everything that needed to be done. "Let me take Ducky up to Paloma, and then I will send a message to Audra. We can let your mother sleep; does Jarrod know?"

"No, once I picked up the telegram, I came straight home." Nick shook his head, as he passed Ducky to her. "I will take care of sending messages to Audra and Jarrod. Silas, can you let Violet know?"

Nick watched Priscilla head upstairs with Ducky, as Silas went to find Violet. It came to him that while he had been right about Heath not lasting it the city, Nick was not happy about being proven right; not only did he not get his cold beer, but there would be no afternoon pleasure with Sissi.