Chapter Thirty Four
Jarrod had awoken early to head into town to his office—-and see Davina. He had slept poorly thinking of his conversation with his mother. He volleyed between anger at her father's impertinence talking to his mother to regret for not letting Davina know he was home and left to get her information from the gossips in town—-and wished he had responded to the note—he admitted he took her a bit for granted.. If they were to marry, she would have to have a thicker skin about his clients and his choice of cases. That was non-negotiable in his estimation. And gossip was completely out of the question if she was a Barkley.
"A wife cannot determine her husband's caseload. She cannot run to her father every time I make her upset." He had told his mother. She agreed, "Son, you need to have some hard discussions with Davina before you propose. Marriage is for life and you should not go into it trying to change the other one. Lord knows I learned that lesson the hard way with Tom Barkley—-" and she didn't expound on that anymore. He looked at her with curiosity and received no further explanation.
He dressed in his blue suit and western tie. It hung a bit looser after his illness. Victoria was downstairs with Heath. They stopped talking immediately when the door opened.
"Just who we were talking about," Victoria smiled.
Jarrod arched his eyebrow, "May I have my coffee first?" assuming it was about Davina.
"You will need it." Vic arched her brow and poured his coffee. He frowned.
"Big brother, you are a magistrate, still?"
"Yes," Jarrod looked up at him with curiosity.
"Will you marry me and Grete this week?"
Jarrod couldn't keep the surprise off his face, "Of course, I will. May I ask?"
Heath proceeded to tell Jarrod as he had his Mother and Nick earlier. Nick had been thrilled with the news and wanted to go give Adolf a piece of his mind all at the same time. Jarrod felt for his younger brother.
"Then we have a wedding to plan." Jarrod said with genuine pleasure.
"Thank ya," with emotion in his voice.
They discussed a few details and Jarrod would pick up the marriage license at the county clerk's office when he was in town.
Grete walked shyly into the dining room, "Morning."
The men quickly stood up with big smiles.
"May I be the first to kiss the bride-to-be?" Jarrod spoke with charm.
He kissed her on the cheek and pulled out the chair next to Heath. Heath leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled at him with love. Victoria and Jarrod squeezed hands knowing this hurried marriage was founded on love.
"Grete, I know you and Heath have a lot to talk about. But let's get some food into you."
Victoria fixed her plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and fruit.
Grete took a bite, "These eggs are wonderful."
Jarrod sipped on his coffee again, "Already a member of the family recognizing Silas's eggs."
"Nick will be home at about ten. He had some chores to do. He offered to take Kai and Henry fishing this morning. I accepted the offer i'ffn that is fine with you."
"Thank you. He is going to be confused after last night,"
"I thought we would both have a talk with him beforehand."
She smiled and a tear rolled down her face. Heath squeezed her hand and Victoria turned to Jarrod to give the young couple privacy.
"We will get through this together," he whispered.
Kai and Henry bounded in followed by Anna and Lisette. They had been surprised to see the boy in the hall but they didn't ask any questions.
He told them "Mista Heath and his Mother woke him up and brought him to the ranch."
Kai came around and kissed his mother—-then joined Henry at the buffet.
Jarrod fixed coffee for Anna and Lisette. They both fixed small plates of fruit and bread.
"I still don't have my appetite back," as Lisette munched on her toast.
"Me either," Jarrod added.
Anna looked down at her fruit and toast—-she smiled thinking of the late night pie she shared with Nick at midnight. They had spent an enchanting evening under the stars and completed the evening in the Barkley kitchen. Neither had wanted to part.
Both ladies were curious about Grete's presence but had the good manners not to ask. Heath was sitting very close to her and whispering in her ear. Jarrod and his Mother were talking privately too.
Grete looked up and smiled, "Miss Lisette, Miss Anna—" and she looked at Heath.
He winked and nodded.
"Henry, Kai—-Heath and I are going to be married." she beamed.
Kai looked at his mother and Heath, "Like be my fader?"
"I'ffn you will have me."
"Well I had the best fader in the world but since I get another one—-I would be mighty glad to be your new son."
Heath smiled in relief. Jarrod and Victoria were relieved and pleased at the boy's answer. Lissette and Anna smiled in surprise at the announcement.
"We have a wedding to plan." Victoria stood up and hugged the couple.
—-&—-
Jarrod stopped by his office and drafted some letters for Esther. He stopped by and sent telegrams to Modesto and San Francisco about the hotel details. He sent some personal business inquiries to Sacramento and San would head to the county clerk for a marriage license after the Franklins.
He finally made his way to the Franklin home and had himself announced by the butler.
"Miss Davina, please."
"Her father would like to see you first if you arrived today."
"Of course," Jarrod said with a clenched jaw.
Judge Franklin came downstairs and showed Jarrod to the parlor. He closed the door behind him. He handed him a cigar out of the humidor.
"Jarrod, I am sure you have talked to your Mother. First let me start with an apology. I was out of line."
"Yes sir. You were."
The man chewed on his cigar, "I will give you that—-you nor your Mother mince words."
Jarrod laughed sardonically and lit his cigar.
"Seriously I do apologize for whom I directed the comments but not my intent. Davina is very upset with good reason. You left town with a spurious woman, returned and did not let her know."
"Spurious? A client in need of my services. A daughter who recently lost her father and is mired in complicated legal dealings."
"Jarrod, you are a master of words, I respect that. I don't want Davina hurt by gossip. Period. You must be careful of her reputation. Thus be careful of yours. I cannot allow my daughter to marry a man who does not protect his good name. You will be a family man one day. We don't want these cases and innuendos to follow them too."
He took a deep breath and exhaled, "I would like to speak to Davina about this."
"Of course. Jarrod, I will reserve judgment on this situation after I talk to Davina,"
"Judge—" Jarrod exhaled his cigar smoke and watched him walk away in a huff.
He exited and Davina came down a few minutes later. She was dressed impeccably but he could tell she had been crying.
He took her hand and kissed it.
"Jarrod, I am glad you came."
"I apologize for the tardiness. I apologize for not letting you know I got back sooner. It was inexcusable for me. When I got back home, I was struck down by illness. This is literally my first day back to town." in quite a formal voice.
"I can tell you have been ill. Your eyes still show it. And you have lost some weight."
"Thank you for your note. I appreciated it very much and read it several times," in a warmer voice.
"I did not know my Father spoke with your Mother."
"I am very glad of that. If we are to make a future, we must talk. We are not children."
"Yes Jarrod. I was so upset. People are talking about you—-and that woman."
His tone turned harsher, "Her name is Mrs. Lisette Taylor. She is a family friend, a mother to an amazing little boy, and my client. Period. Nothing untoward happened. She is of impeccable character."
"But people are saying—-"
"Davina, I am a very public figure. My family settled this valley. I have held political office and prosecuted criminals. I have served as a defense attorney for men who ended up in the gallows and at San Quentin. I have had fake newspaper articles written about me and my family. I have killed a few men in self-defense and ridden in a posse. I commanded troops in the army. I know this sounds harsh. But you must recognize who I am. I am not some social dandy who goes around impressing people. And if we are to have a future, unfortunately I will be the target of gossip in the future,"
She started to cry, "I know and I love you but when you didn't let me know you were home and people started talking—-"
His protective nature took over and he pulled her into an embrace. She cried and cried. He just held her tight.
"I am sorry, I will do better I promise."
"We both will."
He tipped her chin up, wiped her tears with his handkerchief and kissed her gently.
They backed up and sat on the settee. They visited for a few minutes and Jarrod kissed her softly several more times.
He pulled away thinking of the other news he had received this morning.
"Davina, would you like to come out to the ranch? Heath is getting married on Thursday."
"Of course. I didn't know they were engaged. The Swedish or Italian, the foreign girl from the bakery?"
"Danish and she was born in the United States." he said with some annoyance in his voice.
She didn't notice and continued, "I haven't seen an engagement in the papers and you haven't mentioned any announcement parties."
"Well, it's been quick. I am going to marry them."
"How sweet. But why so sudden? Oh my, is she?"
"No! Davina." he said gruffly.
"I am sorry. It's just what people think of with a sudden marriage—-Yes, I will be there." she simpered.
"Thank you. I will send a driver and a note when I know the exact details."
He kissed her again and headed briskly out of the house. He felt the frustration rising again at Davina and their future.