Chapter Ten
"Let's get a meal together while Nick checks on a room for you," Victoria suggested.
"At the hotel restaurant, the Cattleman's."
The restaurant was crowded and people were waiting—- but once Victoria requested, a table was found.
They made their way through the busy main dining area into an alcove table for six. Victoria greeted the townspeople and stopped at the Mayor's table.
"Mark, Mayor Smith, I would like to introduce Mrs. Lisette Taylor, her son Henry, Miss Anna Devereaux—-she is in town on business and would like to set up an appointment."
"My wife, Bee. Of course, any friend of the Barkleys is a friend of mine. Tomorrow afternoon? Let's say two? Pleased to meet you. I hope you enjoy our fair city."
"Thank you. I will be there."
They made their way slowly as most of the restaurant greeted the Barkley matron in one way or another.
The waiter pulled out the chairs and seated them. Victoria a bottle of Barkley vintage and lemonade for Henry.
"You have been so gracious to us," as the waiter handed them a menu.
"Grace has been shared with my family many, many times before. It is our job to pass it on."
"May I have chicken legs? And potatoes?" Henry asked.
Victoria looked startled, "That was my son's favorite at this age too."
"I look forward to meeting him."
Victoria ordered a steak for Nick and the special for herself. The ladies did too."
Nick finally showed back up with his hat in his hand, "No rooms at all. Tried every trick I could and even checked with Miz Maude's boarding house. They are real nice it was—- Full too."
"Will you please join us at the ranch? We have plenty of guest rooms."
"Well—-I would appreciate the room until one opens up in town. I have several appointments I need to keep over the next few days and I don't guide rigs well. Can I hire a driver? "
Nick popped up, "I can take y'all back and forth. Got a slow week."
Victoria cut her eyes at her son in humor. He had lamented about all the work he had to do when they returned. The pretty little Anna and the sophisticated Lisette had made quite the impression.
"Mrs Barkley, does your son live at the ranch? I need an outside lawyer for my business with a clear head to look through many documents. I have them with me. My family's lawyers all have the same opinions and I welcome fresh eyes."
"He does and if he can, I know he would be glad to help."
"It's quite the legal predicament."
"That would be his specialty." Nick laughed.
Lisette gave him the first wide smile of the trip she had allowed. Even in her black mourning dress, her green eyes came alive and her unconventional beauty was shown. Her almond eyes, full lips and porcelain skin reminded him of one of Audra's dolls. Her auburn hair was perfectly coiffed and very hair in place. When she smiled, he thought she was much younger than his first impression.
"I look forward to meeting your brother."
A disruption was heard from the lobby of a group of men demanding a hotel room. The voices got heated from the weary travelers.
"We really need another fancy hotel," Nick commented while drinking his wine, "But there have been complications with that."
Lisette looked him straight in the eye, "I am the complication it seems."
—-&—-
Henry wanted to ride up front with Nick as the ladies shared the bench in the carriage. Nick deftly loaded the three traveling trunks.
Halfway home, Henry fell asleep on Nick's arm. He lifted the boy gently and put his arm around him as he held the reins. Anna smiled at Nick and he returned the smile. Lisette's eyes filled with tears and Victoria silently handed her a handkerchief.
"He hasn't been around many men." she whispered.
Victoria shook her head in understanding.
They rode silently a while longer and Lisette began to speak quietly.
"The hotel and I understand the casino—- are my family's business. As you know, my father recently died. I am visiting all the sites to make some decisions for Henry and I."
She reached over and squeezed Anna's hand, "And it was providence that my dearest Anna decided to spend her break with us. I won't be able to do this without her kind care of us."
Anna squeezed it back.
"I need to make recompense for the loss of a widow, I understand here. I do not know who caused her death but I know our family has a duty to express condolences—-even if it is not accepted."
Victoria quivered for a moment and thought before she spoke, "The widow Jones was my friend. An eccentric, much beloved member of my church . Widowed thirty years or so. She outlived most of her children, save her son, Peter. He is a tailor and his wife a seamstress on Second Street."
"Do they blame my family?"
Victoria sighed, "Yes"
"Will they accept my call?"
"I will go with you Lisette. They will accept mine."
"Thank you for providence again. The asthma, the room and now a mediator. You have been a godsend, Victoria Barkley."
—-&—
They arrived at the ranch and Nick carried the sleeping Henry to the guest room.
"We would like to share a room, please."
"Of course, there are two with trundles."
Anna went back down to get their traveling bags.
"Whoa little lady, we got those. No lady carries her own bags when Nick Barkley is around."
"Thank you, sir."
Fritz carried up the trunks and Nick took the six tapestry bags up to the second floor.
He handed one of Henry's books to her to set down. He lingered his hand over hers and the red rushed to her cheeks. But she didn't move her hand.
"If I didn't say so before, miss, it was good to meet you all today."
"I agree," and she scurried to unpack Henry's blanket and garments. Nick winked and headed downstairs meeting his mother on the landing.
"Jarrod isn't home tonight. Stayed in town. I wish I had known to introduce Lisette to him. I have a feeling she is going to need the whole clan to help her the next few days."
"Yep, the tide is against her since the death and the shooting of the sheriff. The council is planning a revote next week of the whole project. It won't win again."
Silas came up, "Mista Jarrod stayed in town. He had plans with Miss Davina. Had me send in a suit to his office for tomorrow."
"Is he in court?"
"He didn't say."
"I will check with him when we go into town in the morning. I know it may be unpopular but that hasn't stopped Jarrod before. She needs his help, I can feel it in my bones."
Nick kissed the top of her head, "Me too, duchess. Me too."
Anna and Lisette fell fast asleep as soon as they trimmed the lights. Henry's soft snore and even breathing comforted them and they slept better than they had since leaving the east coast.
