Chapter Sixteen

Jarrod arrived home after supper. He had stayed in town to eat supper with Davinia. Her aunt allowed them quiet parlor time again as she decided to go to bed early. The servants even closed the parlor doors for the couple.

Davina laughed at Jarrod, "She is quite the match maker these days."

He laughed, "I don't mind a bit." and he pulled her close into several kisses. She sighed in delight.

"Davina, I have a question."

She did a surprise intake of air and he looked at her with a question in his eyes. She just shook her head waiting for him to go down on one knee. He didn't.

"Would you want to go back to San Francisco this week? I have business for a client that has manifested itself quickly."

She hid her disappointment with an annoyed tone, "I would love to Jarrod but we just got back. And my Aunt needs me." almost peevish still disappointed from not getting a proposal. She was trying to school her frustration and surprise.

"You are right. I was wrong to ask so soon and not take in consideration your responsibility here. I just enjoy our company." He was confused by the change in her mood.

She seemed angry at him. "Have I offended her?" ran through his mind.

She relaxed when she realized she discomfited him, "He will bend to my feelings when I am displeased, just like Father says."

"Do you have to go? I will miss you." trying to push her luck on how far she could push.

"I promise to be quick; it's legal business. Now let's see if you have a few more of those kisses to tide me over"

"I believe I do, Mr. Barkley." and she initiated one herself. She immediately knew how that pleased him. Then she did the forbidden, she placed her hand on his thigh, grazing it as if it were an accident.

His kisses became more ardent but he stopped himself before the next step of intimate deep kisses. He sensed she knew nothing past this stage of courting. He would have a lot of firsts ahead of him if he decided she was the one.

"And Jarrod?" as she walked him to the door, "Will you give your mother my calling card? I would love to get to know her better and visit soon."

Jarrod's face lit up even more, "Of course. She would like that and I would even more."

"Goodnight," and they stood at the door longer kissing.

Jarrod whistled all the way back to the office.

"Auntie was right!" and she giggled all the way upstairs.

—&—

Victoria and Lisette were finishing the day with their sherry on the veranda. The night was star-filled and bright with a slight breeze.

"May I join you?" Jarrod asked.

"Of course son and a refill please?"

"My wish is your command, lovely lady. Lisette?"

"Half a glass please."

Jarrod went through the French doors and came back with his scotch and the sherry,"

He took the third rocking chair next to Lisette.

"Thank you Jarrod. This ranch has to be a piece of heaven on earth. It's so quiet and peaceful. I live most of the year on the seashore or the city. This is a welcome change."

"I agree. I love San Francisco but the ranch always centers me."

"Centers? I like that, Jarrod. Life can be terribly hard and for a place to bring you back into balance. A Chinese maid of a friend would describe such. The ranch is definitely such a place."

"Tom and I built this home, our life for the future. Our boys, Audra. I miss your Father every day Jarrod but this home, "centers" me as our lovely Lisette says."

Jarrod sipped on his scotch thinking it unusual for his mother to share something so personal in front of a guest. But Lisette and her family seem to be affecting all of my family this way.

"Tell me about your day, well Henry's? I assume he and Nick are bonded for life."

Lisette and Victoria laughed, "Oh yes." and they took turns sharing the day through Henry's and Nick's eyes at dinner.

Jarrod sipped on his scotch and laughed. His eyes wrinkled with mirth. He looked over at Lisette. He had already learned that her eyes came alive talking about her son. Otherwise, she had the saddest eyes the rest of the time. And now he noticed, her eyes brightened with the presence of his mother.

"Mine too," he whispered his thoughts aloud.

Lisette looked over at his mumble.

"Sorry my thoughts rambled for a moment."

"Well Jarrod, I assume today did not go well or our conversation would have begun with the visit to town."

He laughed, "You may be the most astute woman I have ever met aside from present company."

She smiled a genuine smile back at him."

"Just as I feared. The city council and the mayor will fight the completion of the land sale and your father's deposit is forfeited. I filed a motion based on some things I found in the contract. But I don't expect to win."

"I understand. I hoped for a different response but I understand. The bidding process was quite convoluted when I read it." she twisted her mouth and bit her lip.

"I sent a courier message by rail to Pinkerton with some of the suspicions we shared in our first meeting."

"I hadn't thought of that. Thank you."

"I think we should travel together to Modesto and San Francisco. The more I thought about it, the more I became concerned about you traveling alone. I have a bad feeling about the men Miller may be involved with."

"I have been alone since Henry was born. I can take care of myself." she said with bitterness and her eyes grew hard again.

"And you have excelled but now as your attorney, I advise against it. I want to go. I have some preliminary ideas about Stockton that I need to pursue if Modesto or San Francisco bring no luck."

"I told Henry he can go with Nick to the formal horse auction at the end of the week. My son has found so little joy I don't want to take that from him."

Victoria interrupted, "Please leave Henry and Anna with us then. Please. He is such a felicity to our home—please."

Jarrod added, "I can find a chaperone if that is an issue. I asked someone earlier and it wasn't possible due to other plans. Mother, I would love to have you come."

Victoria hesitated and Jarrod realized she didn't want to leave Henry. Lisette's face showed a trace of fear before she covered it.

"I would ask Victoria to stay here with Henry. It would be my request. She understands asthma better than anyone I have met."

"She had lots of practice with me, Lisette. Audra, maybe?"

"Jarrod, Audra has the auction for the orphanage."

"I forgot. I will find a chaperone, I promise—lf that helps?"

Lisette sighed, "My reputation is already soiled, I go by my maiden name, I keep my own purse—-unless I shame you? And I wouldn't want to be a bother with your lady friend, traveling alone with you. It could be misconstrued."

Jarrod spoke up with a tone of anger, "I am quite happy to travel with you. Davina understands my work completely and is not the jealous sort. It's settled. Is tomorrow too soon? I want to get more information so we can make a plan for Stockton. There is a noon train."

"I will be ready—-and thank you."

"Mother, I will be up early for breakfast, I need to talk to you, Nick and Heath, Barkley trust business."

"Of course."

—-&—-

Jarrod stopped by the study and opened the safe. He pulled out the large velvet pouch of his father. He spilled the gemstones on the desk. He put the diamond aside that he had planned to give Beth; he didn't want to curse his new marriage nor tell his siblings that it was hers in his mind. The brothers had agreed that their inheritance of gems would be used for their wives one day. Beth died before he could make a ring. The family had given some small diamonds to Carl along with Barkley gold to make a ring for Audra. They were one of the first diamonds Tom brought home to Victoria. Carl had used the rest of the stones from his own mother's ring. Audra wore the ring with pride as an heirloom of both families.

Jarrod pocketed a sapphire and six small diamonds to take on his trip. He planned on visiting Abraham while he was in the city.

"It's time."