Chapter Twenty Eight
Anna and Nick had taken a horseback ride out to the north ridge since her charge was in Heath's care. She loved the scenery and the gallop. Nick was pleased with the joy on her face from riding. Her hair tumbled from the perfect coif she wore and twisted in the wind. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.
He spread out a blanket under some cottonwoods by the stream.
"I will refrain from catching frogs this time."
"I don't know about that. I kinda liked it.I heard you are pretty good with crabs and lobsters, too." and he winked.
"Henry—-he's quite the storyteller."
He pulled a bottle of wine and two wine glasses from his saddlebag.
"I am impressed, Mr. Barkley."
"I am a man of surprises."
"Well- so am I today."
She walked to her saddlebag and pulled out a tied up dish towel and a pouch.
He cocked his head in surprise.
"I made you cookies this morning—and a little gift to thank you for the past few weeks. You have been so kind to us."
Nick was touched by her sincerity.
She sat down on the blanket and patted for him to sit beside her. He opened the wine and handed her a glass. He sat down close to her with his glass and the bottle.
He sampled the cookies with pleasure and a chunk broke off. She picked it up and handed it to him. He covered her hand and brought it to his mouth. She quivered and fed him the bite. He kissed her hand and rubbed his thumb over her hand. He leaned in and kissed her. She closed her eyes and sighed in contentment. He smiled at her innocence and the desire on her face.
"Delicious—-" he drawled.
He picked up another cookie and ate it quietly. They locked eyes and each bite seemed to have a romantic implication.
She handed him the suede pouch. He untied it and pulled out an intricate braid for his saddle.
"My grandfather taught me. He loved working with leather as a hobby. Being the youngest, I got to spend more time with him after he retired."
Nick appreciated her thoughtful gift, "You did a fine job. I will be mighty proud to put it on my saddle. I like the black and brown. Never saw one with the loop you made either."
"It was my grandfather's signature, a rose. That was my grandmother's name."
Nick swallowed at her intimate gift.
"Thank you Annie. This is a mighty fine gift. Nothing better."
He leaned over and kissed her. Their breathing increased and he allowed himself the liberty of increasing the pressure on her lips and his hands found themselves intertwined in her hair, dislodging the rest of her curls. He stopped himself from parting her lips on a more passionate level. He tried to remind himself she was much younger than he was—-and he didn't know how experienced she was in romance.
He pulled back with regret and she gave him a hazy smile with her swollen lips. He snatched another kiss before he sat completely up. He offered her a toast.
"What are we toasting?" She asked.
He shrugged her shoulders and huskily said, "Your choice. Amazing cookies, the saddle braid—frogs? That kiss?"
She swallowed her nerves, "To all of that then?"
"To us," and he clinked the glasses.
"To us," she whispered back.
—&—-
Anna was excited to see Lisette home from the trip—-but she immediately noticed a blue bruise on the side of her face. And she was pale—-very pale.
She accompanied Kai and Henry out to the quail pen to show Jarrod and Lisette. Heath and Grete followed slowly behind them, her arm tucked in his blue shirt. They quietly visited.
Jarrod patiently listened to the boys' plans and business goals.
Kai would start and Henry would finish the sentence then vice versa. Jarrod and Heath grinned ear to ear at the boys's exuberance. Lisette and Grete smiled at their boys.
"Grete, I would love to have lunch with you in town soon. A thank you for Kai and their friendship. Is the cafe good for you? I know morning is your busiest time baking so a late lunch?"
She looked relieved that Lisette had picked the working class cafe where her clothes would not stand out. Heath noticed too in approval.
"I vould love to Miss Taylor."
"Lisette please. We are past formality thanks to our boys."
"Danke."
—&—-
Victoria enjoyed the full table. All three ladies and the young boys joined in the conversation with ease. It was different from the formality of the last Sunday lunch. She enjoyed her time with Davina very much but she noticed that Anna and Grete were quite comfortable with Lisette. It was interesting to her since Lisette had come from a long line of wealth and privilege and yet she could discuss the crops or recipes or the children with ease.
She was was raised to be a great lady. I wish I could tell her Mother what a good job she did.
Kai and Henry continued to talk about their business exploits. Jarrod offered his legal expertise and some seed money if they added to their flock. Lisette as usual looked at him with gratitude and appreciation.
Towards the end of the meal, Silas brought out a platter of small cakes and pastries for dessert. Lisette looked over the choices several moments and the lace of her jabot caught on the silver filigree.
He pulled the tray away after she chose a strawberry tart. The threads caught and pulled the lace away slightly.
She untangled the thread but the tie in the back loosened. It fell slightly away from her neck as she took a bite.
"Delicious, Silas."
Henry yelled out, "Mother what happened? Your neck?"
She instinctively reached for her jabot but it was halfway off. All eyes on the table saw the purple marks on her neck.
"I uh—got hurt in Modesto. I am fine Henry."
"Are you sure?" he asked with fear.
"Yes sir."
The adults at the table could barely hide their expressions. It was obvious she had been choked. Eyes averted to Jarrod and they could tell there was much more to the story.
She reached up and re-tied the jabot. She nervously finished her tart and excused herself to freshen up. She hurried out of the room.
Henry eyed her suspiciously and Jarrod assured him, "Mother is fine. Just some nasty bruises."
He scowled for the first time at Jarrod.
The good-natured boy furrowed his brow, "I am not a baby."
"No Henry, you are not. It did hurt your mother but she is healing each day," Jarrod kindly explained.
He took a deep breath, "Yes sir."
""Henry, I am going to check on your Mother," Victoria added.
"Thank you," he barely whispered, trying not to cry.
—-&—-
Victoria sat on the bed with Lisette and allowed her to cry.
"I appreciate you telling me what happened. I know that was hard."
"Jarrod was so good to me. I have never seen a man so attentive to a woman's needs. You have raised a fine gentleman."
"Thank you. I sensed Jarrod was still very unsettled when you arrived. It makes sense now."
"So good—-he is," and she cried again as Victoria held her.
"What should I tell Henry?"
"Well, he is smart. Very. Enough of the truth. That a bad man tried to hurt you but —,"
"Jarrod saved me,"
"Yes, I believe it will satisfy his mind."
—-&—
Silas took the boys outside to see the quail as Jarrod ended up telling his brothers, Anna and Grete that Lisette was attacked by the same men he believed that caused the death in Stockton. They were incensed.
"I think they are long gone but I don't want Lisette alone until we get this hotel mess straightened out."
They all agreed to help out.
The hand listened at the open window, "Boss will want to know the lady and Barkley can identify Miller's men. Tying them to Stockton and Modesto. Hoping they are long gone as the lawyer said."
Heath went to take Grete home and everyone retired for the evening. Henry kissed his mother goodnight and she explained her bruises "as a possible robbery and that Jarrod scared the men off."
He believed her and decided he would sleep beside her tonight so she wouldn't be scared. She welcomed his company and Anna slept close on the trundle.
—-&—
Jarrod had a hard time getting to sleep after several scotches. The last thing he thought of as he fell into his light sleep,
"I never let Davina know I was home. Damn."