Chapter Twenty Nine
Victoria, Henry and Anna ate a late breakfast in the sunroom. Nick and Heath had headed out before dawn to the north forty;Jarrod and Lisette were still asleep in their respective rooms. Neither of them had slept well it seemed. Anna had said Lisette went back to bed before breakfast.
"I think she may be under the weather a bit. I hope she is just tired from the trip."
"She does need some rest after that awful experience in Modesto."
McColl took Henry on a ride to check on the fence crew so Victoria used the time to get to know Anna.
The ladies brought their needlework into the sunroom.
"Anna, tell me about your family."
"My father was an importer and we lived on the coast of Massachusetts. We also have a home in Maine. Mrs. Margot Taylor, Sissi as they called her and my mother were friends from school outside Paris. My Mother attended school in France while my grandfather worked in the port of LeHavre for a few years. Her family had vineyards and a grandmother in the area. They visited and corresponded the rest of their lives. I have their beautiful letters at home. I have two brothers and a sister. My oldest brother and his wife were Lisette's age. My sister and Amelia are the dearest of friends. My brothers took over the family business when my parents passed. She rented her cottage from them every year. I finished two years of college at Vassar."
"And that would make you twenty?" she just had to ask.
Anna didn't mind at all, "Yes ma'am—-in August. I jumped at Lisette's invitation to travel with her west this summer. I love college but I still don't know what I want out of life—-I had a beau last year but I couldn't see myself as a socialite in Philadelphia. I just felt there was more for me in life."
Victoria smiled, "And I believe you made a good choice this summer. I know the Barkleys think so,"
Anna blushed and grinned at Victoria. They settled back into their needlework
"She's young but she's solid."
—-&—-
Jarrod rolled over in bed and grabbed his stomach. His stomach ached despite being empty. He was so thankful for his private water closet; he had lost any sustenance he had in his body. The gripes were upon him.
His head ached and he felt like he had a slight fever. He was dizzy and the taste in his mouth nauseated him. He put a pillow over his head and moaned. If he stayed completely still, the room would not spin and the rolling in his stomach would subside.
Down the hall, Lisette was beginning to feel the same way. She had got up and laid out the clothing for Henry to wear for the day. Her head was hurting and her stomach felt upset so she went back to bed skipping breakfast. It wasn't an hour until the malady was upon her too.
"Must have been something I ate."
"Better send Anna and Henry to another room."
—-&—-
Two days later, Jarrod and Lisette moved out of their bedrooms simultaneously dehydrated but finally past their illness
She braided her long auburn curls and came downstairs in a simple day dress. He followed less than an hour later in his casual black slacks and smoking jacket. Both of them were pale and had circles under their eyes; Rosa's broth had been their only sustenance.
Victoria was glad to see them and they all took a seat in the sunroom. Anna had taken Henry into town with Silas for an outing. The new hand rode in with them. She wanted to post some letters to her siblings back east.
Silas and Anna rode up to Adolf's Bakery. Henry jumped down quickly to see his friend.
"I will be back in a few minutes. Don't leave the bakery."
"Yes ma'am,"
The hand walked over to the livery, Silas headed to the mercantile and Anna to the post office.
He walked through the livery, to the alley and to Harry's through the back door. He ordered a beer and motioned to the two men at the back at a table. He looked around and joined them.
"Haven't heard from ya in coupla days."
"Haven't had an excuse to come in. Don't want to call attention to myself."
"What's up? Buck wants to know."
"The lawyer-brother and Paul's wife been sick. Everyone staying away from them. Kid has been with the nanny and Nick a lot."
"Anything on the hotel deal?"
"Nope. The houseboy said they ain't left their rooms."
"Not much to report."
"Nope but here I am. Want to walk down with me to the post office? The nanny is in there and you might want to get a look at her. Mighty pretty and seems to be breeding old Nick."
The men made some more foul comments and they laughed, finishing up their beer.
"Where is Miller's men?"
"Hiding at Buck's until it cools down. They's all hot and bothered about Paul's wife. Want another go at her."
The men cursed and made crude comments as they headed out of the saloon.
The hand pointed out Anna across the street.
"Lookie there—-talking to the lawyer's girl."
"I won't forget that figure or face."
—-&—-
"Hello Anna, good to see you in town."
"Good to see you too, Miss Franklin."
"Davina, please."
"Of course ma'am"
"How's the family?"
"Good. Henry is at the bakery visiting Kai."
"How's Mrs. Barkley?"
"Good. Was in the corrals when I left with MistyGal."
Davina was frustrated wanting to ask about Jarrod but being embarrassed that he had not contacted her in three days after more than a week away.
Anna realized her discomfort, "Mr Jarrod has been very ill with a stomach malady. He wasn't the only one to get it."
Davina exhaled in relief, "Is it serious?"
"No I don't believe so. Broth was taken and the body humors needed time to get back in line."
"Can you wait for me to send him my regards?"
"Of course. I will be at the bakery."
"I will grab some stationary and be back in a few minutes."
It still did not explain him not sending word he was coming home but at least it did silence the anxiety of the past two days in her mind.
Davina stopped at Jarrod's office and gave her a notecard plus some papers that had just been delivered.
She jotted a sweet romantic note to him and thought herself helpful taking his correspondence to Anna at the bakery.
"Miss Franklin?" Esther asked, "just saw a note that he has telegrams and a package. Can you wait long enough for me to go get them?"
"They are on my way to the bakery, I will get them too." happy to help Jarrod and show herself useful.
"Here are two telegrams. A third one is on the wire. Let me get an envelope."
"Don't worry about it. I will put it in the stack."
She took a telegram and placed it in the papers she was carrying then went to the freight office.
She dinged the bell, "A package for Mister Barkley,"
"Yep, got several."
He brought out an envelope sized package addressed to him then a large parcel from one of the most exclusive dressmakers in San Francisco.
c/o Mr. Jarrod Barkley
Mrs. Lisette Taylor
Thank you for your business! See you soon! Written on the brown paper in a feminine handwriting.
She shook in anger at the familiarity and steamed with jealousy.
"The Barkley wagon is at the bakery. Can your boy bring it over?" gaining her composure back.
"Sure. Give him five minutes."
"I know he said it was business but why didn't he tell me it was her and what they went for—the dressmaker? One of the best in the city?"
She dropped the mail and telegrams in her snit. She picked them up and the telegram without an envelope stuck out.
Enjoyed meeting you. Girls send their love. Can't wait to see you and Lissy later this summer. You pick up the tab this time. Bax and Prudy
She swallowed, "Who are they?"
—&—-
Buck's men looked through the windows of the bakery. One came in and ordered a loaf of sweetbread. Anna and Grete were behind the counter visiting.
Kai and Henry were at a table under Silas' watchful eye, visiting and planning their next quail adventure.
One of the men outside pushed up the window without a fuss. No one noticed.
"I am liking the blonde behind the counter."
"She's got curves in the right places. I could find those real easy to find in the middle of the night."
The other hand laughed. Silas turned and stared. He flipped the major duomo an obscene gesture. Silas frowned and turned back to the boys.
The hand broke his bread in the store and sat down at the third table.
The bell jingled and Davina walked in with a pinched look on her face.
"There is a package coming from the freight line for Jarrod —-and his client. Here is his correspondence and package to take home. Here is my note," regretting the endearments she wrote to him.
"I will make sure they'll get to him." Silas picked them up.
"Have a seat, Davina. We can have some lemonade," Anna offered.
They sat at the table next to the boys.
Davina was quiet, not sure what to ask or say to Anna and Grete.
"Did they know?"
Henry piped up to Kai, "My mother was attacked by a robber. Hurt her real bad. Uncle Jarrod knows who did it and they are going to be in real trouble."
Davina's eyes grew wide.
Anna shushed him, "Henry—that is a family matter and should not be discussed." looking over at the ranch hand eating his bread seemingly not listening.
Davina scowled at her and Grete shuddered.
"Did you all know where Jarrod was cavorting about and with his so-called client?"
They all nodded and tried not to meet her gaze.
"Please tell Jarrod we must talk if HE has the time. Thank you for the lemonade."
"Davina, she is his client," Anna tried to be a peacemaker "and they have been so sick. I am sure Jarrod will explain everything."
"So she is sick too?"
Henry answered, "Yes ma'am. My mother is very sick."
"Hmpf, they must have caught it at the dressmakers together."
And she flounced out of the bakery.
The men at the window acted nonchalant as everyone packed up to head back to the ranch. The parcel was put in the back with Henry.
"Well I think we know now how to unnerve Barkley. The kid and the blonde and the redhead. Let's tell Buck."
"I am interested in the blonde behind the register with the nanny thrown in for dessert."
"Not me. I want Paul's wife. That skunk cheated me in cards. I will take it out on her hide."
"Ya know since Buck introduced us all to his way with women—-I admit. It's not much fun now unless they fight back and we put them in their place. Riles up the blood just like he told us. Remember that night? The saloon girl? When we all had a turn. Think about it every time."
"Me too."