Chapter Seventy Three
Jarrod and Lisette saw the two couples walking on the boardwalk.
"This is a good distraction, Lissy."
He took her arm to join them. She was still nervous facing Nick and now that she saw Anna was with him, "Jarrod, What I'd I have not been a good influence on Anna? I promised her family to guard her virtue on this trip and I am the one—-"
Jarrod wanted to make a joke that she should be worried about his brother and Anna's virtue but knew better. She was not in a joking mood.
And he knew Nick would never take advantage of a virgin, the woman he wanted to marry.
"Nick? Anna?"
Nick turned and gave a big smile, "Come join us. Bill and Cindy Lou are in town. Bout to head over to Cattleman's for an early supper."
Lisette met Nick's eyes and saw nothing but kindness. Anna seemed relieved to see her too and there was no doubt she was oblivious to the office incident.
Anna immediately went to Lisette's side and took her arm. She was slightly trembling. Lisette noticed immediately.
Jarrod kissed Cindy Lou on the cheek and vigorously shook Bill's hand.
"May I introduce you to my dear friend and business partner, Mrs. Lisette Taylor? Bill and Cindy Lou Harper. Some of our oldest friends."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance," noticing Anna's slight discomfort at the introduction.
Protectively, she looked at Cindy Lou assuming she might have hurt Anna's feelings but she saw nothing but kindness and compassion on her face.
Nick, Jarrod and Bill began a lively conversation. Anna still held tightly to Lisette's arm and the ladies walked slowly together as the men talked.
"Table for six," Nick asked the waiter.
"I am in need of the water closet," Lisette whispered.
"Me too," Anna whispered back.
"I will join you, too. I haven't had a chance to speak since the store." Cindy Lou asserted.
The men nodded as the ladies headed for the powder room.
"Well, Nick, she's a beauty. How did an old coot like you latch onto her? Prettiest little lady you have ever brought home to roost."
Nick just grinned, "Old dog still can learn some new tricks."
"How about you, Jarrod?"
Nick swallowed uncomfortably but Jarrod handled it well.
"Always the bachelor."
"As Audra says, he is always secretive about the ladies."
Bill laughed, "I am just lucky latched onto Cindy Lou in primary school before you two caught her eyes. Then a shotgun wedding. Your Pa stopped him from tanning my hide.I really think her Pa would've killed me iffn he didn't fall in love with little Sally. We was kids with a kid."
"Worked out just fine." Nick guffawed.
Jarrod smiled.
—-&—
The ladies used the facilities and waited until it was empty. Cindy Lou spoke up when the last lady left.
"Anna, Nick Barkley ain't no fool. He waited knowing him until he got the best. The best. Don't dare that sniveling little clerk make you doubt Nick. He knows his heart."
"But she is right. I am just nineteen."
"Nineteen is just fine to hold onto Nick. He will keep you happy and you will keep him young, I known him since he was six years old. He knows what he wants."
"Well, that's that then," was all Lisette could get out with a smile on her face.
Anna took a deep breath and smiled, "Thank you. That's just what I needed."
"Honey, I got with child at sixteen on the wrong side of the sheets. Nick stuck up for me and Bill. The whole family, Tom and Miz Victoria. Jarrod too. You are marrying into the best. I don't hold back on gossips as you can tell."
Lisette seemed relieved too at that bit of information.
Cindy Lou smoothed down her skirts and pinched her cheeks.
"Anna, pinch those cheeks and find the smile that Nick fell in love with. And unbutton that top button. Things are going to be just fine."
—-&—
Heath rode into town to drop the contract at Jarrod's office.
"Your brothers are at the Cattleman's" Shep at the blacksmith told him.
"I am needing to get back home."
He twisted his mouth around like he knew something was wrong.
"Something you not telling me?"
"Betta talk to yore brothers before you go to the big house."
Heath narrowed his eyes and headed over to the restaurant.
He scanned the crowd and lots of heads turned toward him.
Jarrod and Nick stood up when they saw him at the entrance.
"Excuse us. We need to take Lissy and Anna to my office. Ladies lock up until we get back to you."
Bill spoke up, "Jarrod? Can I help?"
"Hopefully I am just being precautious. If you will walk the ladies over to my office so Nick and I can take care of some family business."
"Be glad to—-"
Jarrod narrowed his eyes at Lissy, "Stay put at the office."
"I will." she knew he was quite serious.
—-&—
"Heath? Outside." Nick hissed.
The brothers walked outside.
"Fred has been waiting on you to get back. He wants to question you. That damnable preacher has gone missing. And some folks said you were heading out there Monday before you went to Merced." Nick lowered his voice and began to update his brother.
Heath frowned, "Yeah I did. Wanted to shut him up for good."
Jarrod frowned, "Let's not say something that stupid to Fred."
"Does Grete know?"
"Nope. Figured we could get this cleared up and not cause her any more worry."
"Thank you."
Fred met them halfway. He had gotten the word that Heath had ridden into town.
The brothers walked stoically together into the sheriff's office.
The man on the second floor of Big Annie's watched the whole scene play out.
"My job is done." he toasted himself with a shot of whiskey.