watch for a Saturday post tomorrow, friends in the valley!
Chapter Seventy Two
Nick and Anna took an afternoon buggy ride out to the hotel site.
It was bustling with energy. Heath's mining crews were working hard on creating a pond in the courtyard; his lumber camp men were putting the finishing touches on the seawall and dock. Workers were dragging up the landscaping plants that Eugene has purchased and sent to the site. They had been soaking in the river water San Joaquin ballroom was framed and a red tile roof was beginning to take form. Bricks were being laid for the smoking verandah. The plumbing to the powder rooms was in place with a drain to the river. The site was filled with piles of dirt, mortar bins, dug up rocks and boulders as well as mud.
Nick and Anna got out and walked arm-in-arm through the grounds.
"I woulda never thought we could have pulled this off. My little brother is quite the engineer and he sees talent in his men. They will run through a wall of fire for Heath. I didn't want to be a naysayer but I didn't think he could get it done. Amazing. Downright a miracle. He is going to be pleased when he gets back from Merced."
Anna smiled, "It is going to be perfect. The way your family works together."
He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and they continued to inspect the work.
"What's Miguel working on? A masonry fountain? I don't remember that on the plans but it shore looks nice."
The Mexican foreman frowned at Nick—-he spat out a string of Spanish words and his local masoner translated, "Si. It's a change. Mista Heath wasn't here to ask. The overflow drain is under it. Had to make a quick change. Get some painted tiles to go over the adobe. Will make it look real good."
"Didn't mean no offense. Thinks it looks pretty nice. Heath and Jarrod will like it,"
"Si. Problema drenar, uh drain. Me fix." he continued to frown.
"Good job, Miguel."
"Gracias," and he continued to brace the foundation for his fresh ashlar wall. The foreman crossed himself several times and placed a rosary in the fresh mortar.
The local worker, translator shrugged his shoulders, "Been mad for two days. Got here early and found the pond drain messed up. Dug it out himself, put the new drain in and built the fountain. We all showed up regular time and he had it half done. Been a bear but can't fault his work. He is very loyal to Mr. Heath. Doesn't want to disappoint him."
"Well, tell him he hasn't and my brother will be pleased."
"I will. He even had the Padre out here to bless the pond. Taking it real seriously."
Nick in turn shrugged his shoulders, "Each man has his own way to worship."
"Yes that's true."
"Come on Annie, let's go get some grub in town. Celebrate the wedding in three weeks,"
"Mista Heath back from Merced?"
"Expect him by the evening."
"Sheriff came out looking for him. The missing preacher."
"I heard," Nick answered in a tone that shut the conversation down completely.
—-&—-
Anna and Nick stopped by Jarrod's office late afternoon after their meal. The curtain was pulled and Esther didn't answer the ring.
"Hmmm, they talk about bankers hours. I am thinking lawyering has some pretty good ones."
Anna held tightly to his arm and they strolled to the back. Jarrod's rig was tied up at the back.
Nick frowned, "Not like him to not answer the door. Better make sure he is ok.I know where the key is."
He took a key from the ledge above the kitchen window.
"Durn, he got a new door? Didn't hear about that. That heavy oak musta cost him a pretty penny. Lawyering and all."
The key worked in the door but the door wouldn't open. He pushed with his weight but only an inch opened.
"Some kinda bar contraption?" as Nick pushed again.
He yelled through the small crack, "Jarrod? Jarrod? You in there?."
Nick heard Jarrod's voice answer back in a slight fluster only his brother would recognize.
"Coming, hold your horses."
Nick stepped back and took note of the rig. Lisette's parasol was on the seat. He immediately realized the situation.
He yelled through the crack again, "Nevermind, take yore nap. Headed over to the mercantile."
—&—-
Jarrod took a sigh of relief at his brother's change of tone. He had hastily put on his Union suit as Lissy hustled with her pantaloons and chemise. She was beet red with embarrassment and flustered.
"It's ok honey. He's gone. We will dress and meet up with him in town so he knows nothing untoward was going on."
"But Jarrod—something was. He will know by looking at us."
"Honey, don't fret. Even if he figures it out, he won't care a bit. He is a man of the world. He's had his share of uh—-moments. He cares about us."
Lisette didn't look comforted by Jarrod's attempt to calm her, "Moments? Just moments with a liaison or a mistress? What am I? Not a whore since I am not paid—ala maîtresse ? A paramour? No, an adulteress is more the word—-" as she frazzled herself more by the moment.
He grabbed her firmly by the shoulders and pulled her close, "No! The word you are looking for is the love of my life. I am marrying you no matter what and no matter when."
"But Jarrod—" she spoke to his chest in his arms.
"Stop. Lissy. Stop. We were just startled. Nothing bad happened. Take a deep breath. We are a family. You and me and Henry. We just don't have the papers yet but we will—-"
And he worried how much a family they already were—-one week until he would know if she was already carrying their child.
—&—-
Nick and Anna went to all the stores and businesses in town. He signed her to the Barkley accounts as Mrs. Nick Barkley.
His chest puffed out and she smiled ear-to-ear with his countenance and the congratulations. His suspicions were heightened at the dressmakers when they opened the account books to the Barkley page: Victoria, Audra, Grete—-Lisette Taylor's name ℅ Jarrod Barkley esquire. He added Anna to the page without a remark.
"Honey, let's get a dress or bonnet or something today. Celebrating adding yore name to the accounts."
"Oh Nick, I am fine."
"What a woman I got, she isn't asking for a thing in Stockton's finest lady's shop. Annie, I insist."
"Well if you insist," and she began to look around.
Nick walked to the counter and leaned on it with his cane. He put a cigar in his mouth without lighting it. He enjoyed the view of Anna shopping with the clerk.
"Nick? Nick Barkley?" a beautiful redhead called out.
"Oh Cindy Lou! It's been ages!" and he kissed her on the cheek.
Anna turned around wide-eyed at the familiar exchange.
"Where's Bill?"
"Outside where all gentlemen should be." she laughed at Nick, "Seriously you know him, he wouldn't be caught dead in a lady's shop."
"He's missing out. Hey Annie, come meet an old friend. Cindy Lou, my fiancée, Miss Anna Devereaux."
"Pleased to meet you," the lady graciously took her hand, "Someone finally caught the attention of our old friend."
"Pleased to meet you." Anna politely responded.
"Nick, my husband Bill and myself went to school here together. Bill and Nick enlisted at the same time and fought in the Wilderness campaign."
Anna smiled and asked polite questions of the beautiful woman.
"I am going to leave you hens and go see Bill. How long are y'all in town?"
"Only two more days. We were checking on my great aunt, our office here and the land before we head up to San Francisco. We are to meet up with Sally and the other children there. My husband owns an assay brokerage," she told Anna.
Cindy Lou and Anna chatted as they shopped.
"My Sally is sixteen. She reminds me of you, my dear. Do you think she would like these gloves?"
"Oh yes. They are quite the rage back east where I am from."
She asked Anna some more well-bred questions about her family and college.
"I wish Sally were here. She would love to know more about Vassar."
"I would love to correspond with her or you if you think of anything I could help with."
Anna put some new gloves for riding and an order for a dress with the clerk. Cindy Lou had many more purchases in her arms that the clerk was handling.
"Good to meet you."
"Very pleased to meet you. Congratulations on your nuptials. We love Nick so much. He is the godfather of Sally. She danced with him with delight at her Sweet Sixteen party in January. I can't wait to tell her the news about her Uncle Nick."
Anna graciously smiled and shook hands as she headed out. The bell to the door rang as if it closed. But she shut it to tie her boot so she wouldn't have to bend on the street.
The clerk conspiratorially spoke too loudly to Cindy Lou, "That girl is only nineteen, you know. Seems like he would want more than a slip of a girl, barely out of the schoolroom. Robbed the cradle if you asked me."
"Ma'am, that is none of your business. And if you value the Barkley business, you should hush your silly mouth." with a mother's protection in her voice.
And at that time, Anna stood up straight. Both ladies realized she heard the whole exchange.
"I will come back for my purchases and a word with the owner." Cindy Lou said loudly.
"Come Anna. Let us find our men."