Chapter Eighty

Sharon went upstairs, figuring that Victoria and Jarrod had ranch business to talk to Heath about. She was aware that his absence from the ranch, during the busy time had no doubt impacted operations. However, Sharon had seen how Nick balanced his work and family responsibilities – she had told Heath that he needed to do the same.

When she entered the nursery, she saw the older children working on a jigsaw puzzle – it looked like a picture of a Scandinavian port, based on the mountainous cliffs in the background. Even as she had that thought, both Sean and Tara looked up at the same time. They jumped out of their chairs, and launched themselves at her with such force she was on the ground, with them hugging her tightly.

Sharon wrapped her arms around her children, loving that she was with them again. The next several minutes were taking up with Tara and Sean, both telling her how much they had missed her. She pulled them close against, telling them how much they mattered to her. She then noticed Simon sitting at the table and stood up to greet him.

"Simon, it is good to see you. Hopefully you and Sean have not been up to too much mischief?" Sharon asked as she hugged him, which he returned.

"Welcome Tante Sharon, the fever epidemic has passed?" Simon had stood up and bowed before they hugged. "I hope your family is safe?"

She was touched at his concern, and as she went to answer him, she noted a woman in the nursery. It took her aback because she did not recognize the person.

Meanwhile downstairs in the parlor ….

"Heath we have some news for you." Victoria stated, before she looked over at Jarrod who nodded his head. This put Heath on alert, because clearly there was a problem on the ranch. Heath wondered if Nick had been hurt? Or rustlers?

"Maud and Olaf are here. They have settled their affairs in Sweden and have already established themselves in San Franscico." Jarrod announced going to detail out the house the couple had bought on Telegraph Hill, and a summer cottage in Sausalito across the bay. "Heath the school they have picked out for Simon is the top Episcopal school for boys. It is associated with Grace Cathedral, the seat of the Bishop." Jarrod went on to explain that the school not only taught the classics, but also emphasized sport and charity work.

What Jarrod did not say was that he was Olaf's lawyer and had handled the purchases. He had not told Heath, because of lawyer – client confidentiality, but also because he knew the distress it would cause Heath. Jarrod was hopeful that Heath's marital happiness would outweigh Simon going to San Francisco.

Heath heard was Jarrod was saying, noting the details he was providing. He connected the dots, and was annoyed, even though he knew he should not be. It had always been on the table that Simon would go live with his grandparents in San Francisco.

Up until now he had not understood Nick's past annoyances about Jarrod's choice of clients. Heath had been a lawman and knew that justice was not always black and white. Further he understood Jarrod's need to look out for the underdog – he shared the same trait.

In this case though it wasn't the underdog Jarrod was taking care of – it was the people that would raise his son. Heath was disappointed, but not surprised at how Jarrod was willing to overlook family loyalty. The law was sacred to his brother, and Maud and Olaf held the right paperwork and all the cards. The thought came back to him, that he was merely a footnote in his son's life.

"I am sure the fee you have received as Olaf's lawyer was generous. Are you hoping to get the shipyard as a client also?" Heath stiffened his spine as he looked at his mother and brother. "I am going to go upstairs." He wanted out of the parlor, away from Victoria and Jarrod. It was clear that his mother was in perfect agreement with what Jarrod had done.

"Are you Olaf's lawyer?" Victoria asked after Heath left the room, already knowing the answer. It came to her that as much as she loved Simon, he should have gone back to Sweden with his grandparents in January.

"Yes, I am. And no, I had not told Heath" Jarrod paused as he took a deep breath. "Mother you know I take my legal duties very seriously. I was not in a position to talk to Heath about the matter. Further the last almost three weeks he has been spun up with his personal life." In truth, the last thing he would have done was tell Heath about Olaf and Maud, as he was upset about Eamonn.

"I do not fault your judgment, Jarrod." Victoria went over and hugged her oldest son. It came to her that for the last ten months he had been the one to deal with Heath. The illegitimate son, the divorce, Heath's remarriage - she was sure that Jarrod had shielded a great deal from her.

"Mother, he knew all this back at Christmas, we had always known how it was going to end." Jarrod sighed, feeling a weariness coming over him. Suddenly he wanted to go away from his family, the ranch, and Stockton. Leitza and Carlos had invited him down to their ranch south of Los Angeles. He decided that once he had prepared the documents for the roundup he would go down there.

Meanwhile upstairs ….

Sharon became aware of the older woman, sitting at the table with the children. She was wearing a crimson silk day dress, with garnet jewelry – her grey hair was formally put up. Clearly a lady, but Sharon noted the kindness in the woman's pale blue eyes.

"Tante Sharon, this is my Mormor Maude." Simon turned to the older woman as he introduced her. The older woman stood up and smiled at Sharon.

"I am Maud Folsom – you are Sharon Barkley? Simon has told me a great deal about you, and I have enjoyed getting to know your children." Maud looked over at Sean and Tara who looked at her with affection.

"Yes, I am Sharon, Sean and Tara's mother. It is a pleasure to meet you; Simon has spoken of you often. He has been looking forward to your arrival." Sharon was glad that Heath was not here, because she knew the news would hurt. However, because Sean and Tara were close to Simon, she knew a great deal about what his feelings were.

"I would like to say thank you to you and your children, at how welcoming you have been to Simon." Maud stated, going on "Olaf – my husband – and I were happy at how you all took him and treated him like family."

"Actually, we have been delighted; Simon and my son are very good friends, and Sean has appreciated someone else with red hair." Sharon laughed as she made the comment, which caused both boys to laugh also.

The next several minutes were spent with Maud and Sharon talking, and they found a great deal in common. Maud was impressed with the young woman, and her family loyalty. She would tell Olaf later that based on what she had heard about Heath's first wife, clearly, he had chosen well the second time.

Heath had gone upstairs quickly, and went down the hall to nursery, where the door was open. He stopped in his tracks as he heard Maud and Sharon talking; his wife's comment at how Simon had been looking forward to his grandparents' arrival. Sharon's comment, about how she had known Simon's feelings, made him think back to the talk they had had, when he had proposed the arrangement.

Standing in the hall he suddenly felt like the gold brocade wallpaper, mahogany wainscoting, and crystal chandeliers were stifling. Heath, even as he was struggling to breathe remembered the comment that Victoria had made, when Simon first arrived in the Valley.

It was along the lines that the hardest part of being a parent was putting your personal wishes aside for the good of your children. Heath was aware of all the opportunities Simon would have, because of his grandparents. He acknowledged that a small part of him had hoped that his son would want to stay on the ranch. Heath was pragmatic enough to understand that it was not to be, and he did want the best for his son.

Heath entered the nursery, and the next several minutes were spent with happy greetings. He had missed Sean and Tara, as remembered the night before he had gone down to Kilkenny Farms. He looked over at his wife – how wonderful to say that – and hoped that they would have children of their own.

The rest of the afternoon was nice. Victoria had set up a grand tea in the garden, with Silas making ice cream. Heath noted that the boys ate heavily, even as in his mind it was appetizers. Tiny sandwiches of various meats and chesses, along with desserts of pastry, cream, and fruit.

He had the chance to talk with Maud and Olaf and was pleased at how they made it a point to talk to him about the school. Further, he appreciated their compliments about Sharon. They also understood how close the children all were, and there would be lots of shared visits. It was now after 6:00 o'clock, and Heath was feeling overwhelmed. He wanted his house, and Sharon – he could hardly wait to have relations with her in their bedroom.

"So you all have had way too much fun, but it is time for bed." Priscilla announced, as she came into the garden followed by Rosalie. Heath, who at this point was on overload, because of the Folsom's. He had never been in favor of the nursery regulations, but now he wanted Sharon and his house.

"Mum, Papa can we stay here for the night? Simon leaves tomorrow, and we want to have a last night with him?" Sean came up, and followed by Tara as he made the request.

"Sharon what do you think?" Heath was sensitive enough to understand that Sharon would want final say with the children. If it had been left to him, he would happily want the children to stay at the Big House. The idea of having Sharon all to himself, in the house, if only for one night, pleased him.

Sharon had been paying close attention to Heath, understanding how hard this all was for him. She knew about men and their sons but understood that Heath would never have that relationship with Simon. He was hurting, she knew, even as he did not show his pain.

"I am perfectly fine with it all, and I understand why you would want to stay." Sharon replied, looking over at Priscilla "is it all right with? Honestly, we owe Rosalie extra wages for the last several weeks."

"Please having Sean and Tara has been no trouble at all." Priscilla went over and hugged her sister-in-law. She had seen the changes with the couple and understood how it had come about. Further, she thought that the couple needed one night alone in their house.

Once the children went upstairs, Victoria announced that before dinner drinks would be served in the front parlor. She then talked about the dinner menu, which to Sharon's mind sounded lovely. When she looked at her husband, Sharon knew that he needed dinner in his house – whatever it might be.

"Victoria, if I can be honest, I have missed my house." Sharon went over and hugged her mother-in-law. "After the last several weeks, I just want a quiet evening." She looked over at Heath and saw a smile on his face. What they would have for dinner, she did not know, but seeing her husband smile confirmed she had made the right decision.

"I so understand! Would you let me ask Silas to put together a basket for you?" Victoria replied happily. She had been watching the couple and knew exactly what Sharon was doing. Her son finally had his soulmate.

"If it isn't too much of a problem?" Sharon was secretly relieved that dinner was taken care of. It was almost half an hour later that the couple left, in a surrey with a basket of food. She nestled against Heath, as he drove, while she held the basket in her lap.

When they pulled up in front of the house, Heath set the brake on the rig, and then helped Sharon down. He then took the basket, and walked up the stairs, setting it next to the door, which he had opened, before he came back to Sharon.

"I would like to properly carry you of the threshold." Heath asked as he put his arms around her. Sharon put her arms around his neck and settled happily against him. He swept her into their house, and when he released his arms, Heath kissed her hard and deeply.

"You need to stop now, to take care of the horse, and we have dinner, otherwise it will not happen for a while." Sharon used all of her willpower to step back from Heath. Not that she would have a problem with the front hall, but there was the horse and dinner.

"I promise to be quick, just so you know I had our bags sent over earlier." Heath informed her, kissing her carefully.

Sharon, once Heath had left picked up the basket, and took it to the kitchen, lighting the lamps along the way. Leaving the basket on the table she went upstairs to their room. The issue of unpacking their stuff caused her to pause – Sharon was sure that Heath would want to share the closet with her. She decided to just focus on their immediate needs – they could figure out the rest later. An idea for dinner had also come to her, which she hoped Heath would enjoy.

Heath came into the house, and noticed the only lights were in the front hall. He was puzzled because he had assumed Sharon would be in the kitchen and dining room. He then noticed lights upstairs and went to check them out. What he saw took him aback.

Sharon had laid a blanket on the floor, with plates, silverware, and glasses on it. The basket with the food was off to the side. She came up to and hugged him, as she looked up at him.

"I think it will be fun to have a picnic up here." Sharon gestured to the blanket, as she added "why don't you take your boots off, and I will pour us some drinks. I also have a bottle of champagne to have with the meal."

"Heath, I was very proud of you this afternoon. I understand how hard it was." Sharon offered, as they sipped their drinks. She was at her desk, and Heath was in the chair next to it, his boots off. Sharon had seen the hurt in Heath's eyes, even as no one else had.

"It is not like I did not know this was coming." He took a sip of the bourbon as he made the comment with a sigh. "What I did not know but should have known is that Jarrod is Olaf's lawyer. He has been helping with the arrangements for the move to San Francisco."

"Your brother has a very good reputation, and Heath, he probably could not tell you. Lawyers are supposed to keep their dealings with clients private." Sharon hoped that Heath would not be upset with his brother.

"I know. It is that Jarrod has a habit of picking clients that are not always in the best interest of the family." Heath told Sharon about some earlier incidents, as they finished their drinks.

"This picnic was a good idea." He said, as they finished the meal of roasted chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. There were several brownies for dessert, which they ate while finishing the champagne. "I know you miss the children, but it is nice to have time with you." Heath added as he looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Mr. Barkley, I rather think you are having thoughts." Sharon tilted her head, as she made the teasing comment.

"What thoughts do you think I am having?" He had discovered what fun Sharon was, and how enjoyable it was to banter with her. She was always lighthearted, but elegant at the same time.

"Probably along the lines of are you going to ravish me on the floor, or the bed?" She gave him an appraising glance as she made the comment. "I have already seen that you are very talented, no matter the location." Sharon tossed head and winkled her nose.

"Glad you have noticed. Not sure how I feel about how well you read me." Heath shook his head ruefully as he made the statement. She was always one step ahead of him – his long ago thought of the queen on the chessboard came to mind.

"What would you think of" Heath reached over and started whispering in her ear. Sharon's eyes went wide, but then she nodded head. The rest of the evening was unforgettable.

Author's note: I know that in the epilogue of 'The Glitter & The Gold' it referenced Simon staying with Heath. Due to a plot twist with this story that would not work; all will be made clear in the final chapter of this story.