Chapter Nine
Nick and Victoria Barkley went to Sacramento to a funeral of an old friend of Tom's, a state legislator; he had passed away a few days shy of eighty. They left the week after Widow Jones' funeral. They spent the night after the funeral and boarded the first class car for the round trip back to Stockton.
Nick's mind had drifted back to his night with Patrice as an appetizer tray of oysters passed by. He grinned. Jarrod had asked him on the way home that night if he planned to see the beautiful woman again.
"Nope. She's absolutely beautiful and enchanting and not for me. Jarrod, nothing against Davina's friend but she isn't what I am looking for. It was just a good night between us all."
Jarrod had been surprised assuming Nick would have fallen head over heels over the lovely Patrice,
Nick just made his way to his room with a smile on his face, "May read Casanova again."
"Me too," Jarrod laughed and patted his brother on the back.
—/—&-/—
"Is there a doctor on board?" asked a nervous passenger. A porter ran to the back of the car. Nick and Victoria had been dozing from their quick turnaround but awoke at the commotion.
"Shhhhh, we will be fine. Just boiling water, it's asthma." a young woman replied.
Victoria's ears perked up and she stood up, "Maybe I can help."
Nick stood up to let her pass and walked back to the back to the first class cross-country sleeping berths with velvet curtains were located. A small sitting area was in front of the beds and a woman was cradling her son. Her companion was pulling an asthma pipe out and mixing some camphor.
"May I help you?" Victoria asked.
Lisette looked up impertinently to decline the offer but something about the woman's eyes and countenance deflated her anger.
"No thank you. He has asthma. We have traveled cross country for awhile now and the smoke sometimes gets him. The window was open between cars where he was reading."
Victoria knelt down by the young mother, "I remember the feeling well. My oldest suffered terribly with it for years. Such a helpless feeling."
Lisette let her guard down and weakly smiled, "Yes it is."
"Is his father on the train for me to get?" The porter asked.
"No", she shook her head.
Nick helped the young woman with the boiling teapot, "Here let me."
He deftly poured the water into the ceramic pipe. Anna mixed the camphor in and handed it to Henry and Lisette.
Within a few minutes as they all watched the boy, he began to breathe better.
"Sorry to scare you, Mother."
"You didn't. I know how strong you are, my Henri." in a French accent.
"Have you tried hot tea? Jarrod did wonders with it."
"Can I have a lump of sugar?" Henry smiled.
"Of course if your mother agrees," Victoria ran her fingers through his brown curls.
"Yes he can," Lisette overwhelmed by the calm she absorbed from this lady.
"I will get it," Nick volunteered and headed back with the porter.
"Lisette Taylor."
"Victoria Barkley,"
"And this is my son, Henry and our companion, Anna Devereaux."
"Pleased to meet you both. That was one of my sons, Nick gone to get the tea. Where are you headed?"
"Stockton"
"We live there. Coming back from a funeral in Sacramento."
Victoria and Lisette were still on the floor holding up Henry.
He answered, "We went to a funeral last week. My grandfather's in Denver."
"My condolences." seeing a grief etched on Lisette's face.
Anna came back with the blanket and a book just as Nick returned with the hot tea. Victoria handed it to Lisette and Henry took some sips.
"Hey that works"
Victoria and Lisette grinned at the same time, "good."
"I can't thank you enough, Mrs. Barkley."
"You are very welcome and you have a mighty fine son."
The train jerked for a moment and Anna lost her balance. Nick caught her.
"Let's sit down right here. This section of track can be rough." Nick pointed to the arm chairs across from the sleepers.
"Nick Barkley,"
"Anna Devereaux"
"Pleased to make your acquaintance. First time in California?"
"Yes. First time past St. Louis or Chicago. My parents took me on business trips there. They have since passed. I am on holiday from college and I took employ with Miz Taylor to travel West. It is such beautiful scenery."
"Yes, it is." Looking directly in her big doe eyes, "Just beautiful," not taking his eyes off of her.
"She's young but Lord have mercy she's everything a man could want. Those eyes—-that bosom—her lowered voice like a melody—-smart too."
She blushed with his attention. Quickly she surmised that Victoria and Lisette were deep in conversation about asthma; Henry was reading his book again. She relaxed and began a conversation with Nick.
"I have never met a cowboy before and with such charm. This shall be an enjoyable conversation to say the least."
—-&—-
Nick picked up the sleeping Henry from Victoria's and Lisette's laps on the train floor. They smoothed their skirts and stood up.
"Mrs. Barkley, please join us in my sitting area, please. Henry can nap in the bunk."
Nick slid the boy gently into their compartment and Anna went out of the area. They heard her call the porter for coffee.
She came back in and closed the velvet curtain.
"Thank you, Anna, for thinking of coffee for our new friends," Lisette smiled at her companion.
Nick winked at her, "Yes ma'am, good thinking."
Anna blushed.
"Tell me about Stockton, Mrs. Barkley."
She smiled and Victoria told of the ranch, her family, the San Joaquin valley and the growing town.
Lisette smiled, "I can hear the pride in your voice. Stockton sounds quite lovely,"
"We think so." Victoria said, "What brings you to Stockton?"
"My father's business."
Nick could help but see Anna's expression change at her choice of words.
"There is more to it." He thought.
The ladies continued to talk and Nick made small talk with Anna. It was obvious she cared about Henry and respected Lisette.
"What is the best hotel for me to stay in?"
"The Cattleman's. Nick will escort you over to make sure you get a room. If not, if I am not so bold, you would be welcome at our ranch outside town."
"Thank you, Mrs. Barkley. What is the mayor's name? I will need to meet with him and maybe his town council. "
Victoria told her.
"Also, Mrs. Barkley, would you give me several names of reputable attorneys?"
"That's easy. My son, Jarrod, is the best in the state."
"I will remember that. He had asthma too, correct?"
"Yes, until he was twelve. He grew out of it."
"Good to know."