Chapter Fifty Four Two Weeks Later
Anna drove Nick out to the hotel site. His shoulder and chest wound was too painful still to hold the reins so he reluctantly allowed her to drive. She had grown up with carriage carts in Maine so it was easy to teach her to drive the light rigs of the ranch. She had taken him out several days for fresh air and to check on the crews he had sent work messages to. The men didn't dare jest behind his back about Anna driving him around the ranch. They had all heard the story of him left to die and bleed out in the woods and no one thought the tough rancher would live. Nick's legend actually grew among his men that he fought death and won.
Every day he grew a bit stronger but he found himself delighting in depending on Anna. He thought back to the morning.
"I think I may want you to shave me the rest of my days," as she dried his face with the warm towel earlier. He pulled her down with his good arm and kissed her soundly—
She reached up and went to button the top button that came loose in his embrace.
"Leave it honey, I like the view from here." he whispered.
She blushed and covered the buttonhole with her fingers. Her eyes met his and she quivered with feelings she had never experienced before. He removed her fingers and kissed them. She lay her head on his good shoulder—-and did not button the dress. He smiled and was quite proud of the effect he was having on his gal.
They got out of the rig and he used the cane to walk the property slowly. He had brought Jarrod's plans with him, covered in Lisette's notes.
"The little lady has some fancy ideas but I like them. I like them a lot." as he scoped out the property.
"She is an exceptional woman, Nick. I have never met anyone like her."
"Well, I think she is pretty special. After all, she brought you to the ranch."
—-&—
The clearing of the land had begun by a crew from Mexico. Heath had approached his oldest brother about bringing some men north, "The heat is unbearable this year and they are in the third year of a drought. They are struggling to feed their families." Jarrod readily agreed and sent food wagons south with the offer. The men jumped on the chance and several asked to bring their families with them. The brothers agreed.
Jarrod had wanted to make sure all the possible drainage and foundation structural issues were settled before announcing to the town that a new hotel was being built.
He had routed all his correspondence and bills through his San Francisco office and paid them through the Carrington bank account of his cousins. He had a great relationship with his lifelong friends at the Bank of Stockton but the confidentiality had been stressed by the casino debacle.
"This is too important to Lissy and Henry and in turn my future to let small-minded people hurt this project before they know the economic boon to the town."
Rumors had already started that the Barkleys were expanding the river markets. The mayor was anxious to talk to Jarrod about it since the city was struggling to manage the current river travel and its unwanted crime element. The state hadn't come up with necessary improvements funds and the city couldn't keep up with the traffic.
"And this land is on the outskirts of the incorporation. I won't have a damn bit of input nor will the town council. Roads and sewage—-people, shacks, squatters, Shanghai gangs , gambling— all making their way into town."
"Surely the Barkleys aren't bringing more riffraff into town. The casino would have been better than this"
He rode by the Spanish speaking crews but never saw an English speaking foreman to ask. Jarrod hadn't returned his messages and he hadn't seen the Barkleys in town since the horrible kidnapping.
"Jarrod is wily. I give him that. We bested his client on the casino land, but building a department store on the Main Street will bring in money to the town too. The Barkleys helped build this valley. I can't imagine him doing anything to hurt Stockton. But what else could he be clearing river land for? Warehouses? That brings more boats to a congested channel that the state would need to dredge. Doesn't seem feasible. Even with their unending resources."
He dropped by his office and left another message with Esther.
"Yes sir. I will get it to him."
Jarrod laughed as he heard the door shut.
"Thank you Esther. Hard to be on the other end of the waiting game, isn't it." Jarrod smiled big at his secretary.
—-—-&—-
Davina sat in her father's judges chambers, "So Auntie is right. Our family has terrible hidden secrets."
He put his head down and nodded, "She was wrong to tell you."
"Father! I broke it off with the only man I ever loved for our family name. All our talk of propriety and honor and lack of scandal—now to find out our own family has such secrets—out of wedlock? An illegitimate child? Suicide? I want to apologize to Jarrod and Mrs Franklin, uh Taylor. We are not without sin."
"Absolutely not! You will not involve yourself in their problems. Likely there is something untoward about her if her husband was attracted to her in the first place. And a failed marriage is squarely on the shoulders of a woman in my estimation. And her father must have been weak-minded to be manipulated in such a way. Yes, people tend to bring on their own problems I have found from my years in the courthouse."
"Father, I don't agree. I want to help them."
"Davina, no. I have read much on the subject. Science of phrenology and eugenics shows us that some people are predisposed to such. I agree Jarrod is a fine man but with poor judgment. This isn't the first case I know of that he has been, a sort of bleeding heart."
She cried and he came around his desk to comfort her, "Davina, the season will be upon us soon. Proper society. Why don't you go buy a dress or maybe two to get over this? It always made your mother feel better."
"I just don't know."
(Term eugenics was coined in 1883)
—-&—-
Miller rode into Modesto on the train. He shaved his head full of his long locks at the last stop and trimmed up his full beard. He packed away his trademark pinstripe suit, bowler hat, polished black shoes and colorful vest. He purchased brown dungarees, a plaid western shirt and an oversized cowboy hat with work boots. He was proud of himself checking into the casino with no one recognizing him.
There was a new man at the desk.
"Has this place sold?"
"In escrow. Man outta Frisco. Most of the employees took the old owner's daughter's pay and took off."
"What do you mean?"
He looked as if he said too much. Miller pushed a bill across the counter. The man looked both ways and took it.
"Wasn't here at the time. Was looking for work outta town and this came open."
He lowered his voice, "The man who built this got swindled by his son-in-law and a partner. They took off after he died. Hired some guns who roughed up the daughter and all took a turn with her. She liked it, they said. Well some did. Some said she fought them off. Anyway, she and some family ended up kidnapped by them; all four men were killed in the rescue. Some Modesto people tried to buy the hotel. She wouldn't sell to them. Sold this to a man out of San Francisco."
"One more thing, you said Mrs Franklin paid the employees from her own money."
He narrowed his eyes, "I didn't say that name. 'twas a Mrs Taylor. The owner's daughter paid a month's wages that were due."
"Did a lot leave?"
"Most of them. One family even moved to Stockton to work for the lady down there last week."
"Hmmmmm," and he handed the man another bill.
"Thank you,"
He might not need to kill old Buck after all.
"Looks like he lost it all anyway."
—&—-
Heath brought Grete into town for the first time. The bruises had yellowed and Audra dabbed some powder on them. She wore a new dress of yellow gingham, high-necked and very becoming. The dressmaker had come out to the ranch at Victoria's behest.
"Are you sure honey?"
"Yes. I need to do this for Kai. Get it over with—-school isn't until three months away but the sooner I end the rumors, the better."
"I am by your side." he kissed her on the cheek.
"We will meet your mother at Jarrod's office. She came in earlier to meet with Reverend Stacy."
"We will meet up with her and eat a late lunch at the Cattleman's then your ladies auxiliary meeting. Hen party as Nick calls them. I will pick you both up after that."
She nodded and bit her lip. They rounded the corner onto Main Street. A couple of men waved to Heath and tipped their hat to Grete at the livery.
"So far so good."
They pulled up to Reverend Stacy's parsonage. Heath tied up the rig at the newel post. They walked up to the front door and his housekeeper brought them into the parlor.
"Heath, Grete—-welcome." Reverend Stacy stood up and greeted them.
Victoria was sitting in an overstuffed chair by the fireplace sipping on tea.
Heath and Grete took seats together on the settee.
"Your mother and I have been talking about the situation."
Victoria took another sip, "It seems that Brother Jehu decided to continue his diatribe this Sunday too." cutting straight to the matter.
Reverend Stacy frowned at his old friend, "Yes, he has—but I believe we can work this out with patience, yes patience Heath and some time. Brother Jehu is attracting some large crowds but this is not Salem and I find the majority of Stockton to be level-headed."
"It's the minority I am worried about. I am taking Grete home, right now."
"No," she placed her hand on his forearm.
"I must face this for Kai. I need you and Mother Barkley at my side." Her voice quivered.
"You are a brave young lady. Heath is very lucky to have found you Grete. I just want you to know you will stay in my prayers and I am inviting myself to this lunch today. I want to stand by your side too."
"Danke,"
Victoria's brow relaxed into a soft smile, "Thank you."
"You are more than welcome."
"Let's go." Heath stood up and took her arm, "But I want everyone to understand, I won't have Grete hurt. I will take a pound of flesh if that man keeps this up."
"Understood," the Reverend nodded, "I would think so considering the circumstances. But Heath, I am more worried about corralling your mother." and he jovially winked.
Grete laughed, "They are quite the pair."