Chapter Twenty Seven
Jarrod and Lisette rode the train silently home to Stockton. She had sold the San Francisco property for a good profit as well as completed the Denver sale.
The brokers in San Francisco offered less than the Modesto offers due to "Cowtown violence and lack of law enforcement control in the city." The offers she had in her valise paid off the lines of credit for Denver and San Francisco and a second mortgage she didn't know existed at the California bank. Jarrod was discouraged but refused to add his worries to Lisette's. Neither of them wanted to sell to the group from Modesto but they had not garnered enough money to break even.
"Let's give it a week, Lissy. Just see if any other offers come in. Bax was looking at other investors too. Along with the broker we met. It might be that there is something else out. Neither of us want to sell to Miller's cronies." He had taken to calling her by her family and friends nickname.
"How many days do I have?"
"Thirty to forty five thanks to the deal in San Francisco."
She stared out of the window and Jarrod tried to concentrate on his new book to no avail. He hated feeling helpless most of all.
—-&—-
The boy at the train station ran over to Harry's to let the men know that Jarrod Barkley and the lady were on the train. They sent a message to Modesto.
Package arrived. Advise.
Stay put was the quick answer from the telegraph office in ten minutes.
"Let's go play some poker."
"Good thing the boss is paying."
"Yep."
—-&—-
Heath picked up Jarrod and Lisette at the station. Henry was sitting beside him in the rig. He couldn't wait to see Lisette and give her a big hug and kiss.
His pale skin had tanned the week she was away and it did her heart good to see him, happy and healthy.
"Mother, you have to see our quails. Kai and I. I feed them everyday, twice a day. Their mother died and we saved them. A California king snake got her in a fight with a rattlesnake,"
Lisette's eyes grew wide.
"Don't worry Mother, Mista Heath killed the rattler. We don't kill king snakes. Kai, my best friend, has been out twice to help with our flock. We helped Mista Heath build the fence and pen. Kai is the strongest boy I have ever met. Did you know boys made fun of him at school too for talking funny? Those boys didn't understand accents. We had lots of different accents at home. I am writing a book about my time on the ranch."
Lisette ruffled his hair and kissed him on the forehead, "Sounds like you had a wonderful week."
"Best of my life."
Jarrod couldn't help but smile at their banter.
The brothers put the last of the bags and trunk in the rig.
Lisette smiled at Jarrod, "And Henry, Mista Jarrod kept his promise. He bought you some new books."
"Boy howdy! That's the best news I heard all day." in a voice similar to Heath's.
Jarrod laughed, "Seems like my little brother has been quite the influence."
"And Mista Nick. Best cowboys in the world. Kai and I decided it was a tie." Henry added.
Lissette grinned in pride at the exchange.
"Sarah and Samantha, Aunt Prudy and Uncle Bax send their love. They want to visit this summer at the shore."
"I can't wait."
"Heath, we need to stop by the bank for a bit." Jarrod mentioned.
"Sounds good. Maybe me and my little quail-puncher here can get a cool drink at the cafe. Meet you there?"
Jarrod and Lisette went into the Bank Of Stockton. They opened an account for her and notarized the contracts, along with his power of attorney to access the account. Jarrod noticed her hand shake as they were going through the deposits.
"Lissy, have you had anything to eat? You hardly touched supper last night."
"No,"
"Let's get you a cool drink and some food for you before the trip back to the ranch."
"Thank you,"
He walked her out of the bank and across the street to the cafe. He kept his arm in the small of her back for support. He knew how deeply she was grieving the loss of her father's hotels and still recovering from the attack in Modesto. Several town ladies noticed his hand on her back and raised their eyebrows.
—&—
Jarrod ordered a sandwich and fruit for Lisette as she went to the water closet. Henry continued to talk to Jarrod about the week at the ranch. Heath was eating a sandwich himself.
"Do you know how long we will stay?" Henry asked conspiratorially.
Jarrod answered, "Not sure yet, your Mother and I have a lot of business this summer."
Henry grinned, "I hope I am here all summer. Quail eggs are a delicacy and Kai said we can sell them for good money."
"A head for business like your Mother," Jarrod smiled and winked.
Lisette came out of the water closet. She had washed her face in the basin trying to fight off the anxiety that was closing in on her.
Jarrod recognized her expression after the past week. He pulled out the chair and handed her the tea. She smiled in appreciation. Several ladies from Brother Jehu's church watched the interaction with concern from a close table.
"I thought he was affianced to Miss Davina Franklin. She was at our church again last week."
"Me too—I saw her. Beautiful girl. Very much the lady."
"He's awfully familiar with her. Victoria would be abashed at his behavior."
"Hmpf—-she put up with Nick's whoring and debauchery for years. And took in Tom's by-blow."
"True."
The ladies continued to gossip as Heath finished up his sandwich.
"Henry, want to go see if Miz Grete and Kai would like a quick trip out to check on the quail?"
"Please."
"Henry, don't badger Mr. Heath."
"It's fine, Lisette, I offered."
Jarrod grinned, "We would be glad for the company."
Heath walked out with his hand on Henry's shoulder.
Lisette took a few more bites of her sandwich, "I shall be forever grateful for your family. Henry is so happy and he gets to see what a strong man looks like—-with you and your brothers."
"I think you have gifted our family a great deal. I am glad we picked up the new easel. I want to see you relaxed on the ranch and painting again. Mother would love the painting you mentioned doing for her. The flower paintings were exquisite and I think the four of them will look perfect framed in Prudy's solarium."
"I am grateful you encouraged me to start again—-well you and the twins and Prudy."
"Lissy, let's just relax this week. I will take care of the business that comes up and we will look at Modesto next week. Fresh air and horses and painting and my Mother—and obviously quail."
She laughed for the first time, "We shall replenish our fortune with quail."
Jarrod grinned with relief at her smile, "It's a start."
—-&—
Grete and Kai joined them and they headed out to the ranch late afternoon. Jarrod never saw Davina on the boardwalk by the mercantile. She was visiting with the ladies from Brother Jehu's church.
The tears stung her eyes as she had not heard from Jarrod all week and now he had returned without even a note. The ladies filled her ears about the lunch he had with the stranger.
The men at Harry's watched from the window.
"The man at the ranch will pick it up from here. Let's go to Big Annie's."