Chapter Twenty One
Ciego drove Davina and Victoria the long way through the orchards to the blending house. They admired the peach orchards, the olives, the apricots—plum and orange trees. She showed Jarrod's lady friend the large orangerie the boys had built in the middle of the orchards.
A large storage building for equipment like carts,rakes, saws and bushel baskets had been built around. A covered patio with a wooden floor, a roasting spit to the side and a well trough for water. Hand hewn tables were pushed to the side for the time being and Victoria showed her two barrels of quilts for lounging upon the family enjoyed the harvesting season together with picnics and parties.
"Sometimes, we stay out with torches picking until midnight, great memories with my boys growing up and we carry on these days."
"This is glorious. A little bit of heaven." Davina spoke up thinking of spending time with Jarrod out here. "I think I shall enjoy living on the ranch most of the year—as long as we get to San Francisco during the social season."
"Its beautiful out here with the wind in the trees and the stars in the sky. Nick will roast something on the barbecue, sometimes a deer or a steer or a hog. Jarrod and Heath will spend the time making sure all the men are fed—bushels up from the animals and all the things that go with harvest."
"Oh I hope to see the harvest! How fun!"
"Nick brings up a cask from the winery and breaks open the wine he deems ready for market. I will admit—-we all endulge a bit too much."
"Oh," Davina bit her lip.
Victoria noticed, "I may have exaggerated but my family likes their wine."
"I know and it's in the Bible and all. But Mrs. Barkley, my family abstains. We are a temperance society folk." with a tremble in her voice.
"Oh Davina, then I must sound like a hooligan. I am so sorry. I would never disparage your family's belief and yours—mutual respect for beliefs is something I hold to my heart."
Davina smiled, "Thank you. It is something Jarrod and I have discussed."
"Good. My son is very respectful. I hope of such."
"Yes ma'am. He is." thinking all the time how she would get Jarrod away from drinking scotch when they married.
"Would you still like to see the blending house?"
"Of course. I want to see everything that your family loves."
Victoria smiled and had Ciego walk them down to the blending house; he unlocked the heavy door and they walked down six steps. It was cool and lined with wooden casks. Davina looked around in appreciation at the large operation. Two walls were lined with wine bottles and a large hewn table filled the middle of the walls. Wine skins were hanging from the peg hooks in the storage with oilcloth aprons.
Still surprised by the girl's temperance position and her Scotch-loving son—-"He must really be in love. I must do my best to make her feel at home in our family. And he has taken his time this time. And thank goodness he didn't find her on a train."
Victoria explained the process and Ciego opened a cask and filled two tasting glasses on the table. Victoria arched her eyebrow and looked at Davina. Ciego had not been privy to the earlier conversation.
"Yes please," Davina asked.
"You don't have to—-" Victoria spoke up.
"A little wine is good for the stomach and I want to understand all of Barkley life."
Victoria sipped on her sample, "Ciego, let's get some from this new one."
"Of course Mrs. Barkley."
Davina sampled along with Victoria and found one she liked.
"Good taste. It's ready this year."
Davina grinned quite proud of Victoria's approval and just as determined to make the grand lady like her—-and become Mrs Jarrod Barkley.
—-&—-
Nick proudly took Anna's arm as they went out the back of the mansion, "Beautiful day for a walk."
"It is. The ranch is so lovely."
Nick grabbed a blanket, walked past the gazebo and stopped, "Not as lovely as my view."
She blushed and he took a wisp of her curl off her forehead and winked.
"Let's walk down to the pond. It's not far." and he reached over and took her small hand in his. He ran his thumb over hers and was pleased to sense her shiver.
He spread the blanket on the grass and helped her sit down. He sat close to her on the blanket.
"Well Annie, this is a red-letter day. Gonna circle it on the calendar."
"Why?" Anna asked confused
"First time we ever have been alone. Now don't get me wrong, I am pretty partial to the little mite but I have been hoping to have some time to get to know Miss Annie."
"Annie is what my family calls me."
He gave her a wink and smile of approval.
She blushed and he laughed.
"Call the hand I see."
She looked at him quizzically
"Poker."
"Oh, Nick, you have a way with words."
"Annie, I know you are from back East. Close to where Lisette lives in the summer. You are the youngest in your family—-all the rest of them married. Like to read and play the piano. You are great with Henry and good in a crisis, And you went to college last year—tell me something I don't know."
"Hmmm let me think—-, I can catch a frog better than most."
Nick roared, "That was the last thing I thought I would hear."
"If you don't think me shameless—I can catch that bullfrog if you want to bet?" She laughed.
"I bet you can't. What is the bet?"
"Hmmm I will decide after I catch your old slippery frog."
Anna tip-toed over to the log over the pond; the frog looked at her and croaked. She inched toward the frog. Nick's eyes twinkled with mirth. His grin was as wide as it could be.
She looked back over at Nick and nodded.
Slowly, she reached over and grabbed the frog a second too late. The log rolled, she slipped and she face planted in the pond. Nick jumped up to grab her and she came up on her own, holding the frog.
"Oh honey, I give you that, you won the bet and caught the frog," as he undid his bandana to wipe her face.
She laughed freely herself, "I admit I like to win." as she winked at the frog and tossed him back.
He gingerly wiped her face clean. With each touch, their breath quickened and she moved closer to Nick.
He pulled her face toward him and kissed her lightly. He couldn't help himself and kissed her gently several more times and then pulled her into his leather vest for an embrace.
"I won this bet," he whispered in her hair.
"I am getting you all wet."
"Honey, I don't mind a bit."
She nuzzled in and returned the embrace. They stood that way for a few minutes until she shivered,
"Can't let you catch a cold, Miss Annie." and he wrapped the blanket around her. They walked back to the house with his hand in the small of her back.
—-&—
Heath and Grete took the small wagon and sat together on the front. Henry and Kai wanted to ride in the back.
They rode out to the pastures where a small part of the herd was sheltered with some newborn calves.
Heath pulled up and tied the lead to a tree. He helped Grete out into the spring grass. The boys jumped out of the back in glee.
He walked them over to the newest baby calves and showed the boys. They were in awe of the mothers and babes. They quietly walked around the field and Heath explained how they moved the cows from grassland to grassland.
The boys hung on every word.
Kai saw a small mule deer at the edge of the pasture, "Look"
He pointed to Henry and the boys got excited.
Heath added, "There are some rabbits at that knoll too. And a covey—-a bevy, of quail."
"Can we walk over?" Henry asked.
Heath looked to Grete for permission.
"Yah, don't go far."
Heath pointed out a tree line, "Don't go past the scrub trees past the knolls. Look out for holes. Got a prairie dog over there too trying to share a home with the rabbits."
They watched the boys run across the pasture stopping and checking out the calves and all the wildlife.
"Want to walk or sit a spell?"
"Walk in this beautiful sunshine."
She took Heath's arm and they started walking.
They kept their eyes on the boys but visited about church and lunch.
Heath decided to approach the conversation directly , "Don't mind Davina; Jarrod says she is a good sort but she's not lived outside her fancy house much. "
"I didn't have any fancy ladies at home. It was a small village and we all wore the same homespun. She's a great lady and she is right about my dress."
"Davina, we are all equals in the West. Most folks don't see it that way but it's true. You are a great lady because of the way you treat folks. Like Mother. She has all the fancy clothes too—-but she treats folks good."
"I am sure Davina didn't mean it. This yellow calico is worn every week; she didn't say anything wrong."
Heath found himself feeling protective, "I like it just fine," speaking lower and closer to her ear. Their moment was interrupted by the waving of Henry's arms and Kai in a protective stance over him. They headed over to the boys quickly.
"In Wisconsin, we had timber rattlers and Massasauga. This is definitely a rattler."
"Yes it is boys. Hold back and let me get the rifle from the wagon."
A large red snake with black bands was fighting with a rattlesnake over a quail.
"Boys, the California king snake is immune to rattler bites. It's a good snake to all of us, —-'cept that mama quail there. She was likely protecting her brood. Back up."
Heath took one shot and killed the snake. He left the king snake alone with its feast.
"Now boys, the head still has venom. Never pick up them teeth, can clamp down on you,"
The boys shook their heads wide-eyed. Grete shuddered.
Heath cut the rattles of the tail and then the head. He tossed the head into the rocks.
He picked up the long snake, "This will make a hat band, least two i'ffn you boys are interested."
"I don't have a cowboy hat," Kai spoke up matter-of-factly.
"Well, you will tomorrow and Nick just bought ole Henry one last week. Getting hats and a new band in the same week."
The boys grinned, both missing several teeth. Heath allowed the king snake to drag off the prey.
"Mista Heath, what will happen to her babies?" Henry suddenly asked with concern.
Kai's face colored and he stuttered, "Likely something else will get them. There is six of them?"
Grete looked at Heath, "Likely," nodding her head.
Henry and Kai looked stricken.
Heath twisted his mouth around, "There is an extra pen on the other side of the chicken coop. Might need some repairs. You boys up for some work."
"Yes sir," Kai spoke up.
Henry looked hesitant, "If you show me how, I can do it,"
Heath realized that Henry had likely never swung a hammer whereas the stronger Kai already had some wood skills.
"I guess we men got some work to do. Boys round up those birds and put them in the wagon. There's a burlap sack or two under the wagon seat."
"Yes sir."
"Thank you Heath. Very much." She smiled at him in appreciation.
"It's going to be my pleasure, Grete." He winked.
They overheard Kai telling Henry, "My Pa could swing an ax, build a barn, put on a roof. He was the best."
Grete reached over and squeezed Heath's hand. He didn't let it go.