Chapter Fifty One
Jarrod and Lissette signed the three contracts for Modesto, Denver and San Francisco. Esther and Fred witnessed the documents; Jarrod sent them in the rail courier for quicker delivery and stopped by the bank to let them know the drafts were coming within the next two weeks.
He walked back to his office with a spring in his step. He had sent Esther home for the day after she made all the necessary copies for their files. He had Lisette on his mind singularly and he wanted her badly—and to bring their relationship into its next stage—-permanency. Jarrod was single-minded when he decided he wanted something and it was Lisette Taylor-and to be a father to Henry.
He walked into the front door, pulled the shade and trimmed down the front light. He locked the door between his private quarters and the office. He hoped to have some privacy with Lisette, taking off his attorney's hat as they had joked.
Lisette was on the small couch sipping on wine. He could tell she had been crying.
"Lissy, I know it wasn't what we wanted but I completely believe we did the best we could with the sales."
"I know we did, thank you Jarrod. Just wishing things were different—-with my father. It's hard knowing how miserable my mother was in her marriage. My father was weak. It's hard to say it aloud—"
He poured himself a drink and sat next to her; she laid her head on his shoulder. He just let her talk.
She dabbed her tears and said, "Thank you Jarrod, for letting me be sad. Just holding me."
He squeezed her tighter. They finished their drinks and sat silently.
"Lisette, I would like to spend some time together this afternoon."
"I would too, my dearest."
He wasted no more time and carried her to the sleeping quarters with desire coursing through his body.
—-&—-
Afterward, they lay exhausted in the brass bed. Lissette got up and got them more Barkley wine.
"Lissy, thank you. You are as sweet as this vintage,"
She smiled and winked.
He took another sip for courage, "Lissy, I want more. I want a future with you and Henry."
She snuggled in and her voice quivered, "I do too. But I can't see how—-I have consulted with attorneys before and they saw no way I could divorce Paul. Abandonment is the best avenue but who abandoned who? Three years is the legal standard. He would agree if I gave him Henry's trust management—I would rather die. My mother sacrificed so much to set that into place. Even the last remnants of her marriage to insure her grandson's future. I have no other money to buy him off."
Jarrod cleared his throat, wanting the answer to his question but fearing it, "Lissy, do you want to pursue it? I want to stand by you—-as Henry's guardian if nothing else—-"
"Even if—-" she whispered.
"Even if," he answered with a strong voice.
"Jarrod, I am afraid to get my hopes up—-"
"That's what I am here for—-to keep hope for us, for both of us if need be—-I will wait as long as we have to."
"Jarrod?"
"Shhhhhh trust me."
"I do with my heart and Henry."
"I shall keep them safe. I will protect you and Henry with my life."
And he pulled her close again—she closed her eyes and lost herself in Jarrod.
—-&—
Jarrod and Lisette dressed and headed back to the ranch at dusk. They moved slowly not wanting their privacy to end.
"I am resigning as your lawyer as soon as the deals clear the bank."
She winked, "Tired of taking that hat on and off?"
"Partly—-Lisette, I need a business partner. That will not be an ethical problem with taking my hat on and off as you say."
She giggled, "I may never look at your hat again without blushing."
"I might visit a haberdashers in San Francisco just to make you redden."
"Oh Jarrod—" she swatted him.
"I want to recommend my partner in San Francisco, Nat Springer."
"If you trust him, so do I."
He decided to broach the next part of his plan.
"Lissy, I am planning on building a hotel in Stockton. I own the land and I know where I can get some building supplies for a lark—and all the lumber I need from our camp. I need a partner. Know anyone?"
"I just might." with a giant smile on her face thinking he was joking..
"I am serious, Lissy. My brothers, Mother and Audra have all signed a parcel of land to my name near the river—away from the docks with a road straight to the rail station. A hotel in secluded woods less than a ten minute ride from Stockton."
"You have put a lot of thought into this." she said overwhelmed.
"I have. My family is quite supportive of my—-our endeavor if you agree."
She was speechless, "Then we could stay in Stockton, Henry and I—and we could—-"
"Take our hats off?" He chuckled.
She laughed and ducked her head, "Yes, that too."
"Mother is excited. She went for the deal first. I made Nick and Heath take their time. Gene and Audra were quite pleased with the idea"
"No casino, right?"
"Right. The town is too divided for that."
"A fine restaurant? How many rooms?"
"I will trust your input on that. The Cattleman's is constantly booked up.I have the original architect's plans. I purchased them. I would like you to look at them and re-draw up the plans-in stages and use the materials we have—I have access to the lumber camp of course. I have plenty of labor lined up with Heath. Will draw up the papers all legally with both our beneficiaries being Henry."
"You would do that, Jarrod? It's a lot of money you will have tied into the project."
"I am his guardian, of course I would. And I plan on being his father if you will have me. Yes, I know it's going to be a long process but if you don't get tired of me—-"
"Oh Jarrod Barkley. The stars were aligned when I met your mother on that train."
"Yes they were." and he snuck a kiss on the cheek just as they rode into the drive of the mansion.