Chapter Sixty Two
Audra, Grete, Victoria and Anna sat around the breakfast table. The boys were working on a handwriting lesson from Anna. She was still doing a few summer lessons to keep the boys busy.
Heath had left before dawn to work; Grete packed him a breakfast for his early departure. She put fresh bread, butter and bacon into a burlap bag, wrapped in a bandana and cheesecloth along with two apples.
"You know the men are giving me a hard time."
"Oh no Heath, I won't do it again. I am sorry. I just hate you leaving so early and being hungry—- while Nick is still recuperating."
He kissed her, "Nope, keep it up. I pull out that bread real slow and eat it in front of them, slather that butter on and chomp on the bacon, right in front of them. Tell them to keep it up. I was doing just fine. The only thing I hate about leaving before dawn is missing your arms. Getting quite used to having you beside me."
He kissed her in the kitchen, pulled her robe open and kissed her shoulders.
"That's to remember where I left off."
Anna's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"My brother sent me a letter yesterday with a bank draft for the wedding. I don't quite know where to start. It is in six weeks."
"I don't know how we will get everything done. I literally have been planning a wedding my whole life and I am four months away with so much still to do."
Anna's eyes grew big and Grete held her breath as Audra went on and on about what Anna would need for a proper wedding. Victoria picked up on their reactions.
Victoria intervened, "Audra, let's ask Anna what she wants. We just had one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended here last month with Grete and Heath. We can accomplish anything that Anna and Nick want."
"I am sorry Anna. Mother is right. I just love planning—-"
"And spending money," Victoria thought.
"Lisette is doing some shopping for me in San Francisco. My sister is bringing me my hope chest—not sure what I would need of it living here. And I am so thankful that we shall stay here—I have never kept a home before. I have a lot to learn."
"Oh my dear, you will be just fine. You are an answer to prayer for my Nicholas."
"Thank you, Mother Barkley."
Grete found her voice, "I think you should start with a dress."
Audra started with styles and ideas, "What do you think of an empire waist? A train? And uh—"
She quieted with one look from Victoria.
"Let's go into town and look at pattern books."
"Oh yes? Let's go and make a day of it."
"I shall stay here with Kai and Henry. Heath does not wish me to go into town without him. And I believe him to be right in that." Grete quietly responded.
Anna put her hand on her, "Then we all stay. Mother? Could the dressmaker come here again? I can pay."
"That's a splendid idea—-I would like all of my daughters to be here for you, my Anna. McColl is headed into town and I will go stop him."
"Also, my family will need four rooms for the week in July of the wedding. Can he make a reservation for me?"
"Of course. Good thinking. I wish Jarrod and Lisette's hotel was open. A wedding on the river would be beautiful with all of the guests."
Audra got an idea but decided to ask her mother privately.
"I want an early mid-morning wedding in the rose garden; I would be too nervous to wait all day."
"Nick will appreciate that too. He's not at his best waiting too."
"Grete, will you make the wedding cake? I would like a simple white cake with the almond syrup you made for Sunday lunch? Maybe fresh flowers on the top?"
"I would be honored." Grete blushed.
"What kind of flowers?" Audra asked.
"I would like red roses and ivy."
"That will make a beautiful still life by Lisette. I want lilies and orchids—everywhere. We are growing them in the greenhouse right now." Audra went back to her own wishes.
"I have seen them—so beautiful, Audra."
"Veil or no veil?"
"My sister is bringing my mothers along with her brooch. I shall attach it to my dress or my bouquet."
"I like that—Mother? Do we have a brooch that would work for my bouquet?"
"Yes Audra—" Victoria said, a bit peeved.
Audra had planned her wedding for a solid year to Carl.
Nick and Heath often teased Carl that Jarrod was counting the days to get her off the payroll. "She is our third biggest expense after the hands and the cows."
Carl would grin and accept the jibes, "I know what I am getting into—-"
Aside from all the jokes, the brothers were united in their approval of Carl and knew in their hearts, they had continued their father's ways of spoiling their baby sister.
The boys came in with their handwriting lessons for Anna to correct.
"Kai, show your mother. You have excellent penmanship. An artist in those hands."
He frowned, "I can't draw especially like Miz Lisette or even Henry."
"Not yet but you can learn. And Kai, there are many ways to use the artistic gifts God gave you. Your mother can make her design in the focaccia bread or braided sourdough with thread, piping, scoring, cutting up the vegetables—it's art. You have good wood skills. The extra ramps you added to the quail pen.I saw the horse that Nicholas was showing you how to whittle."
"But I messed up the leg."
"That is how you learn. I am sure your Mother has had a few slip-ups?"
"Yep. Once she made a lattice on a cake and one whole side fell off."
"Thanks Kai," Grete laughed, "You can always depend on a child to tell the truth."
"Or that time you put too much cinnamon in and Fader choked on it." and then he grew sad at the mention of his name.
"Sorry," he sputtered.
Grete tipped up his chin, "Kai—-your Pa Heath wants you to talk about Fader. He has told you that and it doesn't make me sad. Happy for the good memories."
"Yes ma'am"
Henry tried to change the subject. He didn't like to see his only friend sad nor talk about fathers.
"What is for—caccia bread?"
Kai answered, "That flatbread with the flowers and stuff. "
Henry asked, "Is it Danish?"
Grete smiled, "No Mrs Giacomo from the restaurant taught me. I am still practicing the art."
"Can boys bake bread?" Henry wondered.
"Yah, I have been knee deep in flour before. Getting orders out for Cousin Adolf."
He was saddened again.
"Let's go make some focaccia bread." Grete got up, trying to nurse her own feelings too.
"I want to learn," Anna spoke up , "Come on Henry."
"Can we eat what we make?"
"That's what it is for."
Victoria smiled at them, "I think I will head into town with McColl . Take care of those wedding reservations myself."
"Can I go with you, Mother?"
She answered, "Yes of course."
"Can you make a bank deposit for me? Nick says I should go on and start using his account. Jarrod took a signature card before he left town."
Anna gave the draft for 500.00 to Victoria and signed it.
"Your brother is very generous."
"He is. My father left that portion for each of his daughters to make a home."
"What a kind man,"
"Yes he was. He loved my mother very much and we were a very close family. Much like your home. I think that's why I feel so comfortable with you."
"What a lovely compliment, Anna." Victoria kissed her on the cheek.
Grete's voice rose from the kitchen, "Do not play in the flour."
Anna and Victoria chuckled, "I better get in there."
—-&—-
Nick hobbled out to the corral as McColl was interviewing the last new ranch hands. They had lost four to the debacle of the kidnapping, including two paid off by Miller.
"Looking at these five?"
"References check out?"
"Yep. All local 'cept that one. He's from up north. But he's a cripple. Need men who can ride long and hard on the herd."
Nick stared at the well-built man. He was muscular and weathered. Nick looked down to his pant leg stuffed into a boot.
"Whatcha name?"
"Butch Jones."
"Where have ya worked?"
"Here and there. I will get back to town. I know when I am not wanted," and he hopped on his horse easily for a man with one strong leg.
"Prison?" Nick asked.
"Yep. Served my time. Lost my leg in there. I have a letter from Tom Lightfoot my attorney— Most folks don't keep with a man who served his debt to society."
"How do you shoot?"
"Good," and he narrowed his eyes at Nick, "Gun isn't for sale."
"Glad to know that. Here's some money for Maude's rooming house. Give McColl your name and whereabouts. If you shake out clean, I will have a job for ya."
The man cocked his head, "I appreciate the chance Mista Barkley. I won't let you down."
Nick nodded back, "McColl take all his information to the sheriff."
The man grinned and rode away.
Victoria listened from the walk, "What are you thinking Nicholas?"
"Jarrod and Heath want a guard. If he checks out, his loyalty and gun would be very useful."
"Good idea Nicholas"