Chapter Fifteen

Jarrod walked into his meeting with the City Attorney, the Mayor and the head of the town council.

"Well, I am glad you are in one place. Saves me time meeting with you all separately. I am filing an injunction on any third vote on the hotel." he spoke with a hint of sarcasm to his longtime friends.

"Now Jarrod, 'don't be hitching up to a broken newel post. The lady is pretty but she isn't worth riling up the whole town." the mayor spoke up.

Jarrod's angry eyes flashed, "She is a client. She recently lost her father and her husband is not available to negotiate—-she has a sick child and is trying to navigate a complex estate. What part of that has anything to do with how she looks?"

"Simmer down, just noticed the window dressing. Now Davina, she is just a peach. "

Jarrod turned to the city attorney in fury. "Can we talk without all this drivel? Why is her father's bid deposit not refundable? The city owns the property."

"He signed a contract." and the city attorney passed the document over to Jarrod, "See paragraph seven."

Jarrod carefully read the binding document, "Miller? Signed for the company? Not John Taylor?"

"Had his power of attorney. His son-in-law Paul Franklin too. Where did you say he was?"

Jarrod ignored the question, "I want a copy."

"Figured as much. Pick it up this afternoon."

"What if she drops the casino?"

"Nope. This project is steeped in Widow Jones blood."

Jarrod rolled his eyes, "So who else wants the Main Street frontage? This was a sealed bid auction if I remember correctly."

"Yes it was. Several others bid less but wanted a mercantile and emporium. Stockton's first department store."

"Your cousin I believe? So let me get this straight, you are keeping a sizable deposit, taking advantage of a daughter in dire straits and selling the property still at a profit to a family member? That sounds ethical to me." as the sarcasm oozed from his tone.

The head of the town council finally spoke up, "Iff'n her family hadn't killed an original settler, Widow Jones, we might be having a different conversation—-we don't want her kind here."

"Why doesn't she go to Denver or Modesto to one of them casinos or build her fancy new hotel in Frisco. She doesn't need Stockton but to bring in bad luck and rough elements."

"We need another hotel. The materials are already ordered and paid for for this hotel and she has a sizable deposit on the land. She has to recoup something." Jarrod spoke up.

The three men shook their heads, "Not our problem. She isn't welcome in Stockton. You are known for taking bleeding heart cases, Jarrod and we mostly admire that about you—but not this time. Widow Jones was one of us."

Jarrod packed the papers up from his valise, "See you in court."

He walked coolly to the rig and drove out of town. He pulled over and ran his fingers through his hair. He knew the contract was ironclad but he had to try. Her cash flow was nonexistent and most of the money was missing or tied up in resources that could not easily be sold. The iron works and chandeliers were one of a kind. The marble and granite had already been cut to plans. The mahogany furniture was paid for and was sent west from the port of Savannah.

"I guess I need to head to Modesto and San Francisco to see if she has any options. Ninety days and the lines of credit become due. And that money is long gone."

A thought crossed his mind and he embraced it. He headed back into Stockton, went to his office, wrote out a missive and headed to Shad at the rail station.

"I need these out today. In the courier bag.

—-&—-

Nick had taken Anna and Henry out to the south pastures where several foals were with their mothers.

Lisette had begged off the trip for time with Victoria.

Anna took Nick's arm; Henry volunteered to carry the picnic basket.

"This is going to be the best day ever." Henry chirped.

"It just might be," as he squeezed Anna's hand helping her into the rig.

"I just might agree with Henry." She spoke softly to Nick.

"I will be doing my best," Nick quietly replied to her.

"Can I say giddy up? Henry yelled.

"Shore can."

—&—

"Tea?"

"Yes please."

"Did you rest well?"

"Yes ma'am. I haven't slept that peacefully since we left the East. I have a small cottage in Massachusetts I lease by friends—and the seashore. I usually fall asleep by the sea but here—it was so peaceful. Thank you again for your hospitality."

"Lisette, I know things look bleak—but please know you are among friends."

"I do feel that way. Jarrod asked me not to come into town with him to his meetings—-he was honest about my presence in town. I am used to taking care of things myself but I trusted him on this."

"He is my son of course, but your trust is not misplaced."

"I saw that yesterday."

"It's a warm beautiful day, would you like to take a tour of the ranch? Ciego can bring the small rig around."

"Sounds perfect."

—-&—-

Davina checked on her aunt's household staff and read her correspondence to her. Her aunt told her, "Don't stay cooped up with me all day. You are too young to stay with an old lady. I am getting better each day and doing well with my cane. Your father, my brother was so kind to send you to me—Will you be returning to San Francisco soon or do something or someone keep you in Stockton?"

She laughed, "I am planning on staying longer to make sure you are well."

"Has he stated his intentions? In my day, a young man didn't wait so long and Jarrod is getting a little long in the tooth for such. Seems like he would be ready to start a family."

"He has made it plain how he feels and I know he talked to my father—-but neither shared their conversation with me of course. We have had a few bumps in the road."

"Bumps?"

"Our family supports temperance along with all the virtues, of course. But father and I both understand about the winery. And he does take some unsavory clients but Father reminds me that a good woman can change her man if she does it with submission and without a word—-like scripture says."

"Pah! I have no doubt about your beauty, child. I dare add one piece of advice to your wise father. Get Victoria Barkley on your side. Those boys revere their Mother as they should, even Tom's baseborn son. She is the key to pushing Jarrod to matrimony—-in my humble opinion."

Davina smiled and took it to heart, "I will remember that."

—&—-

Heath had been tied up on the ranch for the past two days but the rebuff by Grete was still stinging his mind. Nick had sent the peaches and she sent a thank you note back with the ranch hand.

He decided that he would talk to Silas as he knew the Bjornsens the longest.

"I thought things were fine. And all of a sudden, she got real quiet after I introduced her to Davina and then asked her to dinner."

Silas immediately suspected that the affluent Davina had made the young woman uncomfortable but he held his tongue. He would not dare speak poorly of Mr. Jarrod's lady.

"Where did ya ask her to supper?"

"Cattleman's? Wanted somewhere nice."

"Mista Heath, maybes that's it. Remember when you came to the valley? I am betting she doesn't have anything that fancy, 'specially after seeing the fine Miss Davina."

Heath smiled, "You are right Silas. I am going to change my plan."