Chapter Fourteen
Lisette begged off supper and Anna fed the tired Henry in the kitchen. He came into the formal dining room and thanked everyone for the "best day ever."
Heath joined in, "I can't let Mr. Nick have all the fun. We have new cattle dog pups in the barn. I will show you after breakfast if you would like."
Audra added, "And I know where some kittens are under the porch. Just in time to chase those pups around."
Anna looked at the family with appreciation. They had only been in Stockton two days and Henry was thriving.
"I must get our little man up to bed. Thank you again for a wonderful day."
"You are very welcome." Nick answered first in a soft voice.
Jarrod and Heath shared a look of amusement. Victoria shook her head. Everyone knew when Nick wore his heart on his sleeve.
"Anna, let me or Rosa know if you need anything or if Lisette does. We will leave a plate aside if she gets hungry." Victoria offered.
"Thank you ma'am. Good night."
They watched Anna and Henry walk out. Nick got up and shut the doors.
"Jarrod, this isn't our first path with your attorney-client privilege." Nick began.
Jarrod chuckled and put a piece of bread in his mouth.
"Are these two ladies in as much trouble as I am figuring?"
"Yes," Victoria answered for her son.
"Just money?" He continued.
"No." Victoria answered, looking over at Jarrod still concentrating on his bread.
"The boy's father?"
"Abandoned them." Victoria answered.
Heath mumbled "Damn" under his mouth.
Jarrod took a long sip of his coffee. He stirred the coffee grounds with his spoon.
He cut up his pork chop and lightly dipped it in the gravy. He took a bite then scooped up some peas with his knife.
"How long are they staying? Not that I want them to leave." Nick pushed the issue.
"That I don't know. They are welcome here as long as they need us."
Jarrod nodded as he swallowed down more coffee.
"I am going to turn in early. Have a lot to do in the morning." Jarrod placed his napkin on the table, "Good talking to you, Nick."
"Thanks counselor."
Heath and Victoria laughed.
Jarrod passed Rosa on the stairs. She was carrying down the black mourning dress and the removed trim.
He cocked his head for an answer.
"Miz Lisette asked me to donate it to the mission aid office."
Jarrod sighed, "Make sure they know the trim is worth quite a bit."
"Yes sir." she said with questions in her eyes.
"Good night Rosa"
"Night Mista Jarrod."
—&—-
Anna and Henry took the bed. Lisette was already in her night clothes on the trundle.
She kissed Henry on the forehead and thanked Anna again for coming west with them.
"This was not what you thought you were getting into."
"Miz Lisette. I feel like I belong on this trip. It's hard to explain but I am supposed to be with you and Henry."
"Thank you dearest Anna. I am unsure about where we will end up this summer but meeting the Barkleys was a providence from God."
"I agree."
And they turned out the light for the night. Anna, warm in her thoughts about Nick; Henry happy about his adventurous day—and Lisette scared for what their future held.
—&—
Paul and Miller made it to Chicago. Miller had friends there and they needed to lay low after their quick exit from Denver.
Their valises were full of cash, bonds and stocks. They cashed out the last line of credit from the bank and headed out of town before Lisette got home.
Paul hated leaving the old man for the servants to find but he knew they would find him within six hours or so
"That frigid daughter of his will take care of the rest." he told Miller on the train.
"She was a beaut. Strong willed but I could have tamed her."
"I thought so too. She was the worst mistake I ever made. I misjudged her. She didn't have a submissive bone in her body. And she got with child almost the first month. The kid was so sickly. Never could breathe right and she never left his side. If she wouldn't come back to my bed, I found someone who would. She found me with the maid when the boy was about two months old. It was downhill after that. Barely tolerated each other and went our separate ways. Went a whole year without seeing them once."
"Will she come after the money?"
"No. Won't have me arrested either. Inflated Taylor sense of propriety and honor. Wouldn't go for a divorce either because of her father. Things have happened before and she swept them under the rug. She will be glad to be rid of me. Now that the old man is gone, no reason to stay."
"Will she divorce you?"
"I may just divorce her first." thinking of the secret she could destroy him with-"but it would taint her beloved son, too."