Chapter Sixty

Jarrod, Henry and Lisette arrived by private rail car. Bax's driver was waiting for them at the station. They had traveled to San Francisco for hotel business and decided to take Henry to visit the Vanderpools. Henry had been talkative the whole way, excited to see the twins and Aunt Prudy and Uncle Bax.

They arrived for a jovial family meal and lots of laughter and good conversation. Henry was escorted to the sunroom to see the framed art from the last trip. Ever the gentleman, he declined to say which one was best and complimented each of the four florals.

"My Henry is a ladies man already," Prudy commented.

The children played a game of cards while the adults took drinks in the sunroom. Prudy and Bax both noticed the familiarity between Jarrod and Lisette. They were pleased.

Finally Lisette and Prudy broke up the children's reunion.

"Time for bed. We will go to the city park tomorrow and fly kites. And stop at the ice cream parlor you liked, Henry."

"Thank you Aunt Prudy, you remembered."

"Of course. You are my favorite boy in the world."

"Upstairs." Lisette encouraged and the ladies shooed the children up the staircase.

"How are you feeling Prudy?"

"Very well. I felt the baby move. I haven't made it this far since the twins. I have a pooch."

She pulled her best friend's hand toward her and Lisette felt her stomach. She beamed.

"I couldn't be more excited."

"Lisette, are you and Jarrod—?"

"Yes—but we are very, very careful. Henry and his family. We would rather part ways than bring shame to them."

"Lisette, always thinking of others. I love you my dearest friend so much."

"And I love thee."

"Lissy, I can move Jarrod's room next to yours. It will be easy."

"No. I would love that—but Henry awakes still with nightmares of the kidnapping—-sometimes Jarrod goes to him too."

"Oh Lissy, you have found such a man?"

"Yes and I love him more each day. But I worry, how long will he wait? He wants a family and a wife. Will I ever be free of Paul?"

"Yes you will. I just know it."

"I pray you are right. We see a new attorney while we are here. Jarrod says he is a warrior in court, Nathaniel Springer?"

"I have heard his name."

The children interrupted them for their prayers.

"We will talk later?"

"Count on it."

—&—

Jarrod and Bax shared a cigar on the terrace. He updated him on all the hotel dealings in detail. Baxter asked some questions about the Stockton hotel project.

"Sounds like everything is finally on track for you and Lissy. I still am volunteering to put some money in the hotel."

"I will keep that in mind."

"How is she doing? Really? I worry about her. Prudy and I adore her. She's family to us."

"She is recovering from the kidnapping. It took quite a toll on her as did the attack in Modesto. Thankfully the four bastards are dead."

"Do you think Miller or Paul will show up? I know you said Paul won't agree to Lissy's terms in the divorce and rightfully so."

"Unlikely but I know what I would do if they did—-"

"I would join you in beating the hell out of them."

Jarrod chuckled, "We agree on that. Bax, have you heard the name Buck Turner? I am wary of him in all the casino dealings."

"No but I will keep my ears open. Pinkertons?"

"Nothing yet."

They talked for a while longer and excused themselves for bed.

"Thank you again for the help with Henry."

"It's no imposition. As I said—-he's family and my girls adore him."

"And he does them."

"And Jarrod, Lissy is special. I know the world sees her differently as aloof and different—- but she is a pièce de résistance.

"I agree."

"And enjoy yourselves this week. You both deserve it."

"I plan on it."

—&—

Jarrod stopped by Lisette's room. She was cuddled on the bed with Prudy laughing.

"Good night ladies."

"Don't leave Prudy, I will be right back."

Prudy gave her a knowing smirk, "I will be here."

Lisette stood up and followed him to his room. He opened the door and kissed her passionately. They held each other tightly.

"Good night my love."

"I wish we didn't have to part. Two days. We can wait." she said wistfully.

He groaned at the idea.

"Lissy? Where is Henry's room? In case he needs me?"

She took him out in the hall and showed him.

"I promise Jarrod, that our night alone will be one to remember. I love you," she whispered.

"I am counting on it, my love."

He went into his room, regretfully alone thinking of all the plans for the week.

—&—

They had an appointment to meet the real estate broker that handled the Modesto casino sale. Jarrod's mind was still not settled even though the deed had been signed. Lisette just agreed for his sake. She wanted nothing more than to build the new hotel with him and build a life in Stockton. She did not want to rehash the casino deals but stayed quiet for his peace of mind. He kept brooding over the loss of her millions not for himself but for Lisette and Henry. He hated it when evil won more than anything in the world.

Jarrod had written a terse letter to Paul, as her attorney with a multitude of legal actions that he would take if he did not give Lisette a divorce—-quietly and quickly. He sent it to her lawyer back east and hoped for a reply when they returned home.

An auction was to occur in three days that they had registered for along with two restaurants that were going out of business that Bax found for them. Lisette had appointments with wallpaper and fabric stores for linens and curtains.

Jarrod had an ulterior motive too about the trip. He had always been a man who kept his appetites under control—-but with Lissy, it was different. There were so few afternoons that they could sneak away from the hotel work site the past few weeks to meet up at his private office quarters. And they were both committed to complete propriety at the mansion and he refused to treat Lissy as a mistress and take his pleasures quickly and abruptly. It was obvious to him that his Mother and brothers had correctly read their relationship and left it unspoken. They treated her already as a daughter and sister—-but his guilt was still there.

"You are the love of my life. I would rather die than show you any less—" as he held her in his arms one afternoon. "But Lissy—" "I know my love, these moments are too few but I don't know how—".

He had been relieved when her monthly came last week but it made him cognizant of their future. He had kept his promise not to leave her with a child but his body revolted with his mind on several occasions. His will won but it always ran through his mind.

First, he asked Nate for lunch, a consultation with him and Lisette. She had agreed to ask Nate to push hard for a divorce. He was too close to think rationally he knew, his frustration with their situation—-and Nate would fight hard for them.

"Lisette, we will have to tell him the truth about us—-about Paul and the information you have on him. I trust Nate with our futures."

"Oh Jarrod—Henry cannot be hurt."

"I agree. He is mine now too."

"Thank you my love. My heart could not hold any more love for you when I see you with him and your care of him. The horseback lessons,'the endless patience with the quail plans, the books—staying with him as he learned to muck the stall. All of it Jarrod."

"That's what father's do—"

Second, he made overnight plans at The Savoy after the late auction. He wanted to wake up with her—-a leisurely breakfast, a day just for them. Something he was not afforded in Stockton. He had written Bax and Prudy asking them to keep Henry one night due to the late nature of the auction and early morning appointments, or an assignation in Jarrod's mind. They readily agreed—-Lissette agreed happily to have a night alone. She had no idea what else he planned for them except a night alone.

—-&—-

Henry did awake with a nightmare; Jarrod and Lisette got there at the same time. She soothed him with her touch and Jarrod with his words. They stayed by his side until he fell into a deep sleep.

"Our boy."

"Our boy."