Chapter Three

Miller headed to Stockton with the blessing of Paul and his father-in-law.

"Trust me, Paul. I can turn this casino deal around."

"Like you turned around San Francisco?"

"Wasn't my fault but you had full knowledge of our partnership. Wouldn't want your precious pappa-in-law to get wind of how the fire started. And that French wife of yours. Can't even control your own wife. And that simpering, tiny boy of yours. Looks like the wind would blow him over."

"Shut up about my family. Just get the casino started in Stockton."

"Yes sir, boss man" His voice dripped in sarcasm.

"Just go and make sure nobody gets hurt."

—&—-

Lisette tucked a blanket around young Henry. He immediately began reading his book she purchased before they left. In fact, she bought ten books for the precocious nine-year-old's cross country train ride. The Massachusetts air was still a bit chilly for the end of April. They boarded the train west with his new Nanny or companion, Anna. She had been hired a few weeks before by Lisette. Anna was the daughter of a family friend; both her parents died within a year of each other and all her siblings were already married. She was intelligent, responsible, and always ready for new experiences.

"I am ready for an adventure and to meet new people. I want to see the west."

She had finished a year of ladies college and jumped on the chance to travel with Lisette and her son for the summer. She had left a disappointed beaux back home.

"Anna, I am walking around the train for a few minutes to clear my head."

"Of course, Miss Lisette." she said with empathy remembering the afternoon before.

Anna picked up her own book and tucked an errant curl into her bun. She had thick lush brunette curls and large brown eyes. Anna was the kind of woman men appreciated because she was so beautiful but never seemed to notice it—and carried no airs, just manners.

Lisette smiled sadly at the two of them.

Lisette ended up in the food car. She sat down on a velvet bench and table for two.

"May I help you?"

"A knickerbocker please." (Victorian cocktail of lemon, raspberry syrup, rum and curaca.)

"It's early for the bar."

She cut him with her eyes and pulled a gold coin from her pouch. He brought her the drink in a dark glass.

"Thank you,"

She sipped on the drink and wiped the tear from her eye.

"Ma'am, Henry has been bullied most of the semester. We just found out about it last week and moved him out of the dormitory. He stayed with the house mother."

"What did they do to him?"

The headmaster looked down, "They have been taunting him all semester, name calling and such. Making fun of his size and how much he reads and his asthma. Well, last week some boys which we caned, stripped his clothes off and dunked him in the pond. Another student came forward and told us about the semester."

She broke down in tears. The Headmaster handed her a handkerchief and allowed her to express her anger and grief.

He was such a sickly baby. Most thought he wouldn't make his first year. Paul was absent most of the time,'disinterested in a baby who likely wouldn't make it while she spent all her time nursing him.

"Your son is a prodigy. Reading, the piano, three languages, mathematics But he doesn't have the constitution for school. In his best interest, a private tutor."

"Thank you for your honesty." and she walked out of the office with her head held high. Anna and the house mother had his trunk packed. There was a large stack of books by the trunk.

"Mother, may I donate these to the church charity bin? Others will like to read them."

"Of course son," and swallowed back the tears at his constant kindness and consideration for others.

"I will take care of it, Master Henry. You have been a very considerate guest in my home. In fact, the epitome of a young gentleman. Have a good summer out West."

"I will. Thank you ma'am for the past two weeks. You were very kind to me. I hope my coughing didn't keep you up."

"It didn't, son. You need a warmer climate, drier. My nephew's breathing problems went away when he moved to California."

"Good to know." as Lisette caught her breath. The idea ran through her head and she grimaced, "But that is where our problems live. On the East coast I can be oblivious to those who hurt us."

Her marriage, her father, the business dealings—-all were waiting for her in the West.

"But I will go for you, my son. The summer at least."

—-&—-

"Grete? The Barkley weekly order is wrapped up on the counter. Their man Silas will be here, usually before lunch. I have to head over to the blacksmith and check on our nag's shoe,"

"Yes cousin. I have met Silas several times."

Kai was sweeping the floor and Grete was putting her newest almond kringles in the display cabinet.

"Boy Howdy. That smells ace high."

"Excuse me sir, I do not understand. My English" as she stood up straight wiping her hands on her apron."

Heath grinned, "Pardon me. I was complimenting your baking. I guess that sounded real strange to a lady from up North."

She reddened and gave him a soft smile, "May I help you?"

"I am Heath Barkley. Come to pick up our order. Silas is over at the general store. I told him I would help him out at the bakery."

"Oh danke. Here is your order."

"Add some of those," and he pointed to the tray she was putting on display.

"Would you like a sample?"

"Shore. But my nose has never let me down before."

She handed it across the counter and he grazed her hand as he accepted it.

"What's the name of this bit of heaven?"

She frowned in confusion again.

"Of this?" as he happily ate the pastry.

"Almond Kringle."

"Well that was mighty fine. Give me all of them."

"All?"

"Yes. Add them to the Barkley order."

"Thank you, sir."

"Thank you, ma'am."

And he whistled out of the bakery. She reddened and swallowed deeply. It had been years since she felt the flip flop in her stomach.

"Silas was right. She is a peach."