Chapter Twelve
Heath volunteered to go into town to get the payroll from the bank. It had been a week since he had been able to check on Grete. Silas had picked up their weekly orders but made sure Heath got his baked peach braided bread.
Nick had teased him as they rode out, "All them baked goods from that pretty little blonde. Going to have to get some new britches before you know it."
"You are just jealous since I met her first and at least I shared some of that peach bread—-"
"It was mighty fine."
Heath went by the bakery before the bank. Kai ran up and greeted him.
"Look what I learned."
The boy bent down and showed Heath a trick shot he learned with the marbles.
"Boy howdy, you gonna be the champ of the whole school yard next year."
The boy grinned and Grete came out smiling when she heard the bell. She had his coffee in her hand and brought it to the table.
"Sweet bread or Kringle?"
"I think you know the answer to that."
"Kringle it is."
She brought it to him and sat down with him since no one was in the shop.
"I am headed over to the bank after this. Nick will be sending more peaches tomorrow. He's partial to your braided bread."
"Oh Heath. Thank you very much. The peach braided bread sold out immediately. Would you do me a favor?"
"Anything Grete." he grinned.
"It's been two weeks since Cousin Adolf got hurt. I do not know how to do a uh, uh ah deposit. I haven't been to the bank."
Heath grinned, "Course. Can Kai watch the shop?"
"Yes sir I can."
"Let's go,"
She took off her apron and he extended his arm. She shyly took it as they headed down the boardwalk.
—-&—-
Davina sat in her red brushed cotton day dress with matching petite hat at the cafe across from the law office. She had walked to Jarrod's office twice and Esther said he had come out and was in an important meeting and to cancel all his obligations. She was trying to be patient but Jarrod had never been late before.
She watched the office drinking her tea, "I will give him ten more minutes and then I will head home."
Davina saw Heath walking down the boardwalk with a blonde lady on his arm. She frowned.
"Who in the world is that?"
She left her table and pretended to bump into them.
"Oh Heath, I am sorry."
"No problem, Miss Davina. Have you met Miz Grete Bjornsen? She and her cousin run the bakery."
"Pleased to meet you. We order from you each week."
"Thank you. Glad to meet you," Grete said shyly.
Davina looked up and down at the worn calico and straw bonnet she was wearing. The disdain was obvious to Grete but Heath was looking away at a man who rode up, "Hey Sam."
"Morning Heath"
Grete pulled her arm from Heath's. He was confused at her actions.
"Well, we are heading to the bank."
"Heath, is Jarrod well? Haven't heard from him."
"Just lawyering and sticking his nose in a book. Haven't seen him much."
Davina laughed, "Well pleased to meet you Grete."
She nodded and looked down in submission. Heath knew something had happened but he wasn't sure what.
He held out his arm and she took it reluctantly. They walked to the bank and Heath introduced her to the tellers. They showed her how to make a deposit and she was appreciative.
As they walked back to the bakery, Heath got his courage up, "Grete, would you be amenable to dinner one night. At the Cattleman's?"
"Cousin Adolf is still not well enough for me to leave."
"Course. After he's better?."
"Thank you for taking me to the bank," and she scurried inside the shop and began filling an order.
He walked off in confusion and looked back at the bakery. Davina crossed his mind but he couldn't think of anything that transpired.
"Well I guess I will wait awhile before I ask again,"
Grete wiped a tear from her eye as the patron left, "I wouldn't even have a dress fit for the Cattleman's. That lady reminded me of my place just with her eyes.."
Brother Jehu came in a few minutes later, doffed his hat and asked to see Adolf.
"Of course," as she composed herself and took him upstairs to the room.
—&—
Nick and Victoria walked out of the law office with a young woman and a small boy in a cowboy hat. Davina walked out and caught their attention as they crossed the street.
"Good day, Davina."
"Morning, or should I say afternoon? Jarrod asked me for lunch and he hasn't come yet. Has there been an emergency? I decided to wait a few more minutes."
"Oh Davina, a legal matter of a client. Yes, it was urgent. Please eat with us. We have been back to Jarrod's office ourselves for lunch and they are still behind closed doors."
"I would like that," hoping to get more time to get to know Victoria.
She was not fond of Nick's personality and even more so since his shameless time with her friend— but she accepted him as Jarrod's beloved brother. She had enjoyed her short time around Heath and Eugene. Audra was fast becoming her best friend in Stockton. Audra was engaged to Carl Wheeler and would be married in the fall. Spring and summer weddings were not practical for ranchers. Davina thought Carl extremely handsome but a bit rough around the edges as Nick was.
"Please forgive me, Davina. Let me introduce you to Miss Anna Devereaux and her charge, Henry. We have been to the horse auction, the dry goods store and the bakery. A tour of Stockton."
"Very good to meet you Henry. Miss Devereaux."
Henry gave an endearing little bow , "Pleased to meet you," as he put the licorice rope politely in his jacket.
Anna smiled, "Our pleasure. Any friend of the Barkley's,"
"Let's get some grub, if Jarrod is lucky, we will save him some," Nick spoke up a bit too loudly.
Henry piped up, "I want some grub too. Mister Nick bought me a cowboy hat at the auction grounds. It's real. If my mother says I can, Mister Nick and Anna can take me back for the bidding. We found seven different horses I read about in my books."
Anna added, "We have one happy boy."
Victoria took Davina's arm and they asked for a table. They were seated at a large table for eight by the window to watch for Jarrod.
Anna took Henry out back to wash up.
"Are the family friends of yours?" Davina asked innocently.
"They are now. They are our guests at the ranch. Mrs. Taylor's father passed away last week or so. Jarrod is going over her finances and business interests."
Davina asked, "Shouldn't her husband or a man be in charge of such?"
Victoria frowned and ignored the comment.
Nick fiddled with his fork; he wanted to tell Davina it wasn't any of her business.
Henry came up behind them and answered clearly, "My grandfather always said my mother had the head for business in our family. My father isn't with us. He—-" Anna clasped his shoulder so he did not finish.
Nick saw the uncomfortable look on Anna's face, "Let's order. Anna, here is a menu for you and the boy. Henry, take your hat off inside."
"Yes sir. I forgot."
Anna asked him, "What would you like?"
"Chicken legs and potatoes."
Victoria laughed with a great deal of pleasure, "Jarrod's favorite meal at nine years old again."
"Now it's whatever I can have with my scotch." Nick laughed at his own joke at Jarrod's expense.
Anna snickered under her napkin. Victoria rolled her eyes.
Davina didn't laugh but studied her menu more carefully.
"Soup sounds good."
Anna spoke up, sneaking a look at the beautiful blonde. She was extremely attractive and knew why Mr. Barkley would find her so. Her nails were buffed, every hair was in place, her dress was of the latest fashion and she smelled like lilacs. Part of her charm was she didn't seem like she had a care in the world. She probably was one of the most beautiful, coiffed women she had even seen—like a porcelain doll.
"Unlike my own Lisette, yes I already think of her as mine, a sister, a companion, a friend, family—-so guarded, so veiled, so sad when no one is looking. And yet, the kindest and strongest person I have ever met. I still don't know everything that has befallen her and yet she gets up every day with courage, for Henry."
"Anna? Your drink?" snapping her out of her thoughts.
"I am sorry, tea"
The waitress took their order and brought their food a few minutes later. They engaged in small talk around the table. Henry cleaned his plate.
Anna looked over at him and smiled, "California is good for you. You have eaten more with the Barkley's than the whole train ride west."
He grinned, "I am trying. No one wants to be called a runt. That's what the boys called me in my old school. Bookworm too."
"Oh you poor baby," Davina said.
"No ma'am. My mother says adversity makes you stronger."
"Your mother is a wise lady," Victoria patted his arm.
"She is wise and smart. She graduated from Vassar at the top of her class. She can speak three languages. She taught me French when I was little. We both learned Spanish together and I am studying Latin at school. I hope my new school will have a Latin tutor,"
"New school?" Nick asked.
Anna shook her head slightly at him; he shrugged his shoulders in apology.
"Mother is changing my school again. The boys didn't like me much. Some mean tricks but I didn't mind much if they would just let me alone. I didn't mean to get on their nerves. The tricks they played didn't always hurt much."
The adults looked at the young boy in sympathy and anger.
The waitress broke the uncomfortable silence, "Pie?"
"Yes please" Henry asked
Nick grinned, "A man after my own heart. I will take some myself."
"Definitely pie," Anna grinned.
Nick and Anna shared a look of appreciation.
Everyone ended up ordering pie in solidarity with the big-eyed boy, happily eating away.
Davina looked up and saw Jarrod come out of his office. The woman with him was petite and very well coiffed, herself. She couldn't get a good look at her but she could tell she was pretty. They stopped outside his office and he handed her his handkerchief. She dabbed her eyes and he reached over and clasped both her hands, nodding.
He pointed to the cafe. They had left word with Esther where they were. He took her arm and they crossed the street slowly still talking. A wave of jealousy ran through her.
Nick saw them coming, "Bout time big brother."