Chapter Eight
Jarrod convinced Nick to accompany Davina and him to The Gaiety for a show to make up for all the time apart lately. Her friend was passing through for the night and Davina wanted her to have a date. They had gone to preparatory school together in San Francisco.
"Jarrod, she's perfect for one of your brothers. She was the most popular girl in our class. Her father has turned down many offers for her hand. He is letting her decide—-within reason of course. Sweet, very proper, impeccably dressed—wonderful manners, just perfect. Beautiful brown hair and eyes—-not a lock out of place."
He chuckled, "Well maybe then I should accompany her."
She swatted Jarrod's arm and gave him a kiss, "You are a cad. You are all mine and you know it."
"Yes I am pleased to be on your arm. Let me ask Nick?"
She was disappointed but didn't let on. Quiet Heath was more her choice than what she considered was the less-polished Nick.
Jarrod and Nick picked up the ladies at the Franklin home.
"Nick Barkley, I would like to introduce you to my dearest friend, Miss Patrice Foster. Of the Baltimore Fosters, currently of San Francisco.."
"Very pleased to meet you. Nick of the Ranch Barkleys, currently in branding season." trying to make a joke.
Patrice looked at him with surprise at his unexpected comeback. This cowboy was a surprise.
Davina didn't laugh and Jarrod grimaced, "Let's go ladies."
Patrice took Nick's arm. She thought him very ruggedly handsome and he definitely appreciated her beauty.
"But he is from the sticks—-
They arrived at the Cattleman's for an early dinner, Nick pulled out her chair and she said "Thank you."
Jarrod did the same and whispered to Davina, "So far so good."
Jarrod ordered Barkley wine for the table and a plate of river oysters as an appetizer.
He ordered tea for Davina and she thanked him for his consideration.
"Good wine if I do say so myself." Nick commented awkwardly.
"Yes it is," as Patrice sampled it, "My family prides itself on its cellars. We import and buy locally too. My father is a banker with a hobby of oenology."
"A wine connoisseur or aficionado. My kinda man." Nick smiled.
Patrice gave him her first true smile of the evening, "You know what that means? Bravo!"
"We have a vineyard—-seven years now. I would be pleased to send your Father a bottle with our compliments." Nick suavely said.
Patrice warmed at his tone, "He or should I say would love that."
"And you are drinking Barkley wine as we speak."
"Full and rich taste—-excellente!"
Nick smiled a wide smile at her.
"These oysters are divine. Davina, you must try them. " Patrice said.
"I don't think so—-I am a bit squeamish."
Jarrod smiled, "I tried to tempt her in San Francisco too. They aren't for her."
She smiled at him, "And you were so gracious when I unladylike became discomfited from the first bite. I had to go to the ladies room."
Jarrod and Davina shared a hopeful look. The dinner went well and Patrice was falling quite under Nick's charm. She had a second glass of wine ignoring the raised eyebrow of her friend.
Nick flirted and she reciprocated. Jarrod found it amusing. It had been several years since he and his brother had been on a date together. Davina found her friend's behavior embarrassing. She was openly flirting with a man she just met. And she was annoyed that Nick was encouraged by her friend.
"Dessert?" The waiter asked.
Nick and Jarrod deferred to the ladies which they politely declined.
"Those oysters were so wonderful—-I think I shall remember this for life," Patrice spoke up as Nick helped her with her cloak.
"Yes I appreciated them very much," and Nick lowered his voice, "As well as your lovely company."
"Such a gentleman you are, Mr. Barkley."
"I try."
Jarrod rolled his eyes behind their backs and suppressed a chuckle.
Davina leaned over and whispered, "Well they are getting along. He's a bit forward. Don't you think so?"
"No my dear. Nick respects womanhood and is quite the gallant. They are just having some harmless flirtation."
It always surprised him how naive Davina could be having been raised in San Francisco. The Judge had kept her quite cloistered.
The waiter came to the table and Jarrod signed the tab.
"Was everything acceptable? To your liking, Mister Barkley?."
"As always." Jarrod handed him the receipt and a large tip.
"The lady sends her regards for the oysters." Nick added.
"Oh yes—Casanova worthy." she giggled then quickly put her hand to her mouth at her faux pas.
Jarrod and Nick couldn't contain their mirth.
"Please let's not tell my mother I said that. I blame it on the wine. Plus by the looks on you two gentlemen's faces, you have read it too."
"I plead the fifth," Jarrod smiled.
"What he said—he's my attorney and your choice of literature is between us."
They all laughed. Davina laughed along.
"I guess I need to read it too so I will get the joke."
Patrice and Jarrod looked mortified, "Oh no Davina. You wouldn't like it." she sputtered.
Jarrod put his arm around her, "Yes it is a bit out of your tastes I promise."
She frowned at them all and walked gloomily outside for the short walk to The Gaiety.
As they waited to present their tickets, Jarrod whispered an apology.
"Thank you Jarrod. You are always so considerate of my feelings."
"It was wrong of us to leave you out of the joke."
"Is Casanova risqué?"
"Yes Davina. I apologize again. Your endearing innocence is one of the things I appreciate in you. In my field, I often see the worst in the world. You are a breath of fresh air."
"Well I am disappointed in Patrice. I am appalled she would have read such."
They were interrupted by the manager showing them to their front row seats.
The comedy and music lightened Davina's mood and by intermission, she was smiling.
"Let's go to the powder room. I am sure the men would like a cigar."
"Read my mind," Nick stood up and pulled out her chair.
The men walked outside as the ladies joined the throng to the gold gilt powder room.
"Davina, I am sorry. I would not hurt your feelings for the world. It was just a slip."
"I am fine," and she hugged her friend, "I am so glad you came to town."
"I am too. I had a wonderful time tonight. Jarrod is everything you have written about. I have heard his name and only good things from those in society.."
"He is just perfect, I agree." Davina beamed, "I hope to be engaged by the end of the summer. You will have to come back and stand by me."
"Of course I will," and she kissed her friend on the cheek.
"You do know the Barkleys are millionaires according to my father."
"It's unseemly to speak of such I know—-Patrice but yes I know. My father told me too."
"Handsome and rich and quite enticing."
"Patrice! You are making me blush "
"He is worth a blush." She hugged her friend
The organ music signaled a return to the theatre,
"Well Patrice, are you enjoying your time with Nick?"
"Quite. I rarely meet a man who takes my reservations away so quickly."
The men came back in at the same time, "Ladies," and they pulled out their chairs.
The second half went quickly and Nick made sure he pulled his chair closer to Patrice which she welcomed.
They stood up and applauded as the show ended for an encore. The players came out and sang the finale.
Jarrod guided the ladies out of the theatre and they took a moonlight stroll to the Franklin's gated home,
Davina asked them into the parlor for drinks.
"Friend, I think you and Jarrod need a little quiet time. I would like my new friend to take me on a stroll around Stockton."
"My pleasure," Nick smiled and they scurried off the porch arm-in-arm. Jarrod and Davina stood there in shock.
Nick whistled and they walked back down the sidewalk together.
"Let's go inside at least. It's chilly." Jarrod pushed the door open and they walked into the wallpapered foyer.
Davina escorted Jarrod into the parlor. He smiled, looked around and pulled her into his arms. She returned his kiss chastely. He pulled her tightly and kissed her more ardently. She sighed and flushed; finally he pulled away and enjoyed her flushed lips and cheeks. He loved drawing out her passionate side she had no idea she had.
"I had a lovely time, Davina."
"I did too, Jarrod." she sighed still leaning into him.
He was enjoying the feel of her in his arms and her response to him.
It struck him and he chuckled, "It must be the oysters."
—-&—
Nick and Patrice found themselves in the park in the center of town. He showed her his father's statue and the story of his family and the valley.
She listened raptly and he enjoyed the nearness of her. She leaned in closer and closer until he could smell the lavender wash of her hair.
He leaned over and kissed her. She responded in kind and soon they were passionately involved on the park bench. The night watchman came upon them and they quickly separated
She smiled as they heard the clock chime midnight.
"Must have been the oysters." she joked.
He winked and walked her back to the Franklins home.
"I enjoyed tonight."
"Me too. I wish I could stay around to find out what the night watchman interrupted. I won't be back this way until the end of the summer if you are interested—-in oysters."
"It would have been good." Nick jested.
"It was good to meet you Nick Barkley," as they reached the porch.
Jarrod and Davina were waiting for them.
"Goodnight Patrice. Davina."
The men walked to their rig.
"Oysters," and they both broke out in laughter.