Chapter Thirty One

Heath got to church with his mother, Nick, Anna and Henry. Jarrod and Lisette were still tired from their week of illness and begged off to rest. The men escorted the ladies to the Barkley pew. Reverend Stacy greeted them.

Heath kept turning around looking for Grete and her family at their usual bench. It was empty. As were quite a few other benches. Brother Jehu's church had moved to a warehouse close to the wharf due to its growing population.

"I hope no one is sick—-they were with Jarrod and Lisette at supper that night too. But no one else got it." Victoria whispered to Heath realizing who he was looking for.

He nodded as the service began and worried all hour. The lingering feeling that something was wrong wouldn't leave. He would grab a horse at the livery and let Nick take the family back home.

—-&—-

Davina and her recently arrived Father escorted her Aunt into Reverend Stacy's church late. It was her aunt's first outing since her broken leg. Judge Franklin had gotten a note from Davina that concerned him and took the train down the day before.

His housekeeper had reported the encounter at the flower market but he had dismissed it as silly woman talk. His primary concern had been Jarrod was in town and had not let him know or at least stayed with him. Seemed to him a future son-in-law would have at least called on him or sent tried to dismiss it as pressing legal business. He hadn't given it much more serious thought until his daughter's note.

His thoughts went back to the night before and the crying Davina:

"What in the world is wrong with Jarrod Barkley? My daughter is the finest prospect in the state—-and you told me you cared for her—-and traipsing around the state with a married woman with a tawdry business—"

He planned to give Jarrod a piece of his mind and get the relationship back on track. He wanted Davina to be happy and if that was Jarrod Barkley, so be it.

Davina tightly held on to her Father's arm during service. She had asked to go to the new church in town she had been attending but her Aunt wanted to see Reverend Stacy.

She had cried and cried to him when he arrived.

"I should have gone as a chaperone as he asked. He probably was being tempted by that woman."

"He didn't tell me he was going with her—had to hear it from the children."

"He took her to the best dressmaker in San Francisco and left his address—"

"He got into town and didn't let me know he was home. Had to find out myself."

"They have some mysterious malady—-together."

"Haven't heard a word since I sent the note two days ago—"

"She abandoned her husband years ago—-raising the boy without his father. How unnatural."

"Jarrod's reputation is being ruined, I mean ruined by representing the woman who pretty much killed Widow Jones and hurt that bakery owner. The whole town's talking about him and trying to get the casino built. Brother Jehu alluded to him last week in his sermon."

"Oh Father, I love him. I know I can change him if it weren't for that woman."

Judge Franklin was disappointed to not see Jarrod at church or "the woman" Lisette, just her child.

Heath tipped his hat to them and headed out the door quickly. He walked up to Victoria and took her hand.

"Judge, didn't know you were in town."

"It was sudden. I am hoping that you and I would have a moment to talk."

"Of course." and he took her arm outside.

Nick looked back at Davina and tipped his hat in greeting. She weakly smiled back and continued to visit with people and her aunt.

Nick shook his head and mumbled to Anna, "She can be really uppity."

She smiled back at Nick not saying a word.

He winked, "I can read your mind."

"Yes, you can."

Henry interjected, "Mind reading isn't real. I read that in a scientific journal."

Nick put his arm around Henry, "It's real when you care about someone a lot."

Anna blushed and took his arm. He felt her shiver as they walked out of church. His grin was wide as he strutted her out of church. He hadn't ever been this content in his life.

—-&—

"Victoria, Davina is very distressed about Jarrod. I felt I had to come."

"I hate you came all this way. I would have sent her a note if I knew. I am so sorry. We worried it was contagious. All of us stayed away. He is much better and resting. It took a toll on him."

The judge relaxed "Maybe he really is sick and Davina misunderstood "

"Is he taking visitors?"

"I will check and see when I get home. I will send a message."

"Thank you, Victoria. It will ease Davina's mind. She has it in her mind that your houseguest has somehow beguiled your son. That's not the case of course." and he looked her straight into her blue eyes.

The rage flew over her face and she icily retorted, "Mrs Taylor is an honored guest in my home. I brought her to the ranch with her son. Jarrod is her attorney—-and a grown man. Beguiled? He knows his own mind. I believe you should speak to my son or better yet, your daughter speak to him."

He stuttered for a moment unused to such strong words from a woman.

"I apologize Victoria. I should not have brought this up to his Mother."

"As you damn well should not have." just as the crowd had a lull in conversations on the grounds. Victoria's "damn well" was heard by many of the parishioners.

Reverend Stacy raised his eyebrow and turned away to cover his smile. He knew his friend of thirty years and it was not the first time he had heard her rage. "The Judge must have crossed a line with her and most likely deserved her wrath," he thought to himself.

The Judge colored, bowed and walked away just as Nick and Anna walked up.

"What's going on?" Nick asked.

"I can't suffer pompous fools." she hissed and got her own self into the rig without taking his arm.

Nick looked at Anna with a furrowed brow, "I feel sorry for who stirred Mother up." he whispered.

Anna raised her eyebrows in mirth and surprise.

Henry got into the second seat with Victoria.

"I am sorry someone made you angry. I would punch them for you if I was a man. Mrs Barkley, if I had a grandmother, I would want her to be just like you."

Victoria softened and kissed the boy on the forehead, "If I had a grandson, I would want him to be just like you."

Nick and Anna shared a look from the front seat as Nick headed the horses out of the church yard—to several still staring people.

—&—-

Heath rode up the bakery and waited an hour. No one returned. He left her a note on the counter using the spare key under the eave.

Came by after church. Missed you. Tell Kai quail are good. See you soon. Interested in the flour. Heath