Chapter Nineteen
Davina had her Aunt's man drive her out to the ranch for lunch after Brother Jehu's. church. Heath picked up Grete and Kai from Reverend Stacy's church; they arrived at the same time.
Davina raised her eyebrow at Grete's simple church calico and straw hat. Grete eyed Davina's blue silk day dress, matching hat and gloves. She had chosen a brand new stylish pale green silly dress for her visit to Victoria Barkley and the ranch.
"Good day,"
"It shore is," and Heath helped them off the rig. Kai jumped off.
"I can't wait to see your ranch, Mista Heath."
"You got it, buddy."
Grete nodded in return, "Hello, Miss."
The awkward exchange was interrupted by Nick and Henry coming outside.
Henry went straight up to Kai, "Henry Franklin."
"Kai Bjornsen"
"Kai?"
"Yep rhymes with rye. It was my Fader's name. It is Danish for man of the earth."
"Good to meet you Kai. I need to look up what Henry means."
Nick took Davina's hand and escorted her into the house. The boys followed, already chatting away.
Heath squeezed Grete's hand, "Can't wait for you to meet Mother."
Her nerves were evident and her eyes flitted from Davina's extraordinary celery green dress and the large mansion they were entering.
"I have never been in such," Grete stammered.
"Neither had I, Grete when i came here." Heath whispered back.
Victoria met them in the foyer, "Welcome. Davina, Grete, Kai. "
They all responded and thanked her for her hospitality. Silas opened the French doors to a finely dressed table.
Anna came up behind the boys, "Let's wash up."
Nick escorted Davina to the table and pulled out a chair. Heath pulled out a chair for Grete furthest from Davina in consideration for her nerves.
Victoria took an end chair next to Davina and Heath took the chair next to Grete. Nick took the other head seat. Anna and the boys joined him at the end of the table.
Nick said Grace and Silas began serving each course on Victoria's silver platters and domes.
Grete kept her eye on Kai worried that he would forget his manners. He smiled at his mother and winked.
"I remember." He mouthed back to her.
Heath whispered, "He's a good boy. I reminded him too. Elbows and the napkin."
Grete blushed and smiled back at Heath. Victoria noticed the exchange and was pleased. She wanted Heath to find a lady to make a home with and stay on the ranch. "Nick and Jarrod had always known security but Heath—"
Her thoughts came back to the table as Henry described the ranch to Kai.
"Mista Nick is the best cowboy ever."
Kai frowned for a second, "Mista Heath is."
Victoria laughed aloud, "The competition is great at this table."
Davina made a comment, "I can imagine if Jarrod was here. No one gets the best of him either."
"That's his story," Nick chewed on a roll.
Heath chuckled.
"Grete, the yellow favors you. I love the calico with your eyes," Victoria complimented the nervous woman.
"Dank you, I made it myself."
"Quite a lovely dress."
"Yes it, I couldn't even tell you made it." Davina added awkwardly, "We could look at patterns one day. I love new styles; I admit I rarely wear a dress more than two times. I am always looking at the pattern books,"
Grete couldn't decide if that was a compliment or not—-but she knew she wore the dress one or two times a week to church. There were no more choices.
"Davina, I love the green silk. Laura the dressmaker?" Victoria changed the subject past Grete's self-consciousness.
"Yes she is simply the best with all the new styles. She has patterns from Paris,"
"Yes Audra knows that quite well." Nick said between bites.
The brothers laughed.
"Not a dress maker in the state that Audra Barkley hasn't visited."
"Davina, how is your aunt? I haven't been by in a week or so."
"Well, getting around with a cane."
"That's good news," and she took another bite of her food.
Nick asked Anna, "Can you pass me the butter?"
"I would be glad to, " with a little blush and taking her time with his hand on the dish.
Victoria covered her smile with her napkin.
"Grete? How is Adolf?"
"Betta each day. It was so kind for Mistress Parks to stay with him."
"Grete, do you know why?"
She nodded no.
"Adolf was a good friend to her husband. Made sure his crops were harvested until he recovered. In fact, many a good deed in this town were begun by your cousin."
Grete smiled widely, "Dank you. I know he was so kind to take us in when my husband passed."
"How long ago did he pass?" Davina finally thought of something to add to the conversation.
"Almost a year. Logging camp accident."
"My father was the strongest tree feller in camp." Kai boasted.
"Yes, he was." Grete said softly.
Henry encouraged his new friend, "That is some feat. My father is a businessman but he works all the time. I don't see him much."
The table went silent at his acceptance of his fate.
Victoria changed the topic to a tour of the vineyards and orchards after lunch.
"We will have several skins ready to taste, Davina."
"Oh," was all she awkwardly said.
Dessert was served and Victoria spoke up as Silas passed the plates, "I am a bit hesitant to serve my peach torte after the fine pastries and breads you have sent to us."
Anna added, "Nick enjoys that peach braided bread. He keeps telling me."
"I have good taste." he winked.
Davina was enjoying her time at the Barkley table but was still confused how Victoria cared nothing for the social status of Anna and Grete. Her family had always been serious about people "knowing their place."
She decided to join the conversation again, "Henry? Where is your mother?"
The Barkley's exchanged looks.
He piped up, "Mr Jarrod took her to San Francisco. They promised to bring me some new books."
"Oh," was all she could say. She looked up and down the table. It was obvious they all knew but then again it crossed her mind, he invited her. In her petulance she had not asked more questions..
"I am sure the books will be very interesting if Jarrod picks them out. May I have another dessert fork, Silas? I seem to have dropped mine."
She knew it was in her lap and she was squeezing it tightly not to show her anger and frustration. A tine of the fork was actually bringing blood as Silas brought her another piece of silver.
She dabbed her finger with her napkin as the family pushed away from the table.
"I will take the boys with us. Gotta show Henry that I am the better cowboy. Will go see the cattle and the horses." Heath said with sarcasm.
Nick popped off with a chuckle, " The boy already knows the truth."
Victoria took Davina's arm, "Ciego will take us out to the blending house if that is ok with you."
"Yes ma'am," Davina reluctantly agreed. She knew if she and Jarrod and her had a future, his mother would be part of it.
Nick took Anna's arm, "Looks like we got left out. Want to take a walk?"
She blushed and took his arm, "That sounds delightful"
"Yep that's me, delightful Nick."
They shared a special look and took off down the path.