Chapter Thirty Six
Jarrod lay in his bed not wanting to get up for the day. His head throbbed from one of the worst hangovers he ever had.
Everyone cleaned up after the wedding and he was the last one to bed. He took his full flask of scotch with him.
He had put all of the pressing issues aside for the wedding—literally refused to think about them—willed his mind to focus only on Heath. He wanted his little brother to have a wedding to remember. He liked Grete a lot and he thought she was perfect for Heath—-gorgeous but unassuming and most of all kind and loving. She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen—-and she didn't know it. It made her even more attractive. Kai was already looking to Heath as a father. He would look at the way Grete looked at Heath—he admitted after three swigs of scotch that he wanted that himself. But was it Davina? Could he change her ways? Could he live with hers and her father?
He had cursed and thrown her note into the fireplace. It was the last straw. They had just had a conversation about gossip in town and then for her to refuse his invitation to a family wedding—
He had to talk to her—some sense—-why he would like to take a swing at that pompous father of hers.
And Brother Jehu—and to think Davina hung on every word of his—witchcraft? This was Stockton and 1876 and not Salem—
He took a few more swigs and his mind went back to Modesto. Damn he said aloud. He carried a lot of frustration and anger for not being able to protect Lisette. He should have expected all three men—-
And the purple dress—-the shimmery silk that clung to her body. She looked beautiful and he fully appreciated her figure in that dress. And to see it in tatters—the fingerprints around her neck, the arms the way they held her down—-even her thighs as they tried to pull them apart. Carefully undressing her for her bath—-making sure the water was warm enough—-wrapping her in her robe—-waking to her head on his chest and her leg across his—-laughing and reading Twain—-drinking the room temperature wine, a bit flat from sitting all night—Buck and his leer undressing her with his eyes—-the offer—the threat—-
The parcel of the five by five square—-a warning for him and her and even Henry. The boy needed his mother and —
His thoughts rambled as he drank himself into oblivion.
—-&—-
Lisette, Anna, Kai and Henry took an early morning ride. A ranch hand drove them. She placed a blanket down to sketch as Henry and Kai ran to explore. Anna opened her book. A pastoral, idyllic scene looking toward the mountains, by a stream in a pasture mid morning. She planned on sketching there everyday for a gift to Victoria.
Her thoughts ran back to the wedding. She planned on finishing the painting of Grete's wedding bouquet this afternoon. She smiled thinking of the intimate family gathering. Joy, camaraderie, grace, happiness all filled the days before the wedding. The look of love between Heath and Grete was unmistakable. It made her happy to think such a love existed. The one downturn of the week was Jarrod. She worried about him. He didn't seem himself and the absence of Davina was keenly felt and never explained. She continued to muse as another ranch hand observed them from a scrub of trees.
—&—-
Heath and Grete made their way down for supper. Lisette and Anna had kept Kai occupied all day so the couple could spend at least one day privately. Heath wanted to take her to San Francisco soon for a real honeymoon but the early summer ranch work was overwhelming.
"Heath, I know no different. I am at peace with us and Kai. I shall enjoy my time getting to know your family during the day," and she whispered, "and my husband every night."
He groaned and kissed her soundly on the staircase.
The whole family was gathered around as Silas and Rosa served brisket from the wedding. Leftovers filled the table and were passed around family style. Conversation was hearty and robust.
"Grete. I have my gift for you. It's still drying but Rosa is going to bring it in."
A beautiful watercolor of pale pink and white roses with a single red rose with braided ribbon of blue to match Heath's suit.
"Oh Lisette, it's beautiful. I have never seen such. A memory of our day painted by a new friend. So lovely."
Heath complimented the painting too, "Thank ya very much. I appreciate it." with some emotion in his voice.
Everyone added their compliments and Audra hinted she would love one for her fall wedding."
"I can arrange that if you tell me what flowers to choose. I will be in Europe by the fall. I hate to miss your wedding but I would love to leave a gift."
The table grew quiet thinking of losing Lisette and Henry. Nick made eye contact with Anna. They seemed to share a secret.
"My cousins have an estate and I will get a tutor. Henry is excited as well as me."
Henry frowned and looked at Kai. The boys looked sad at the thought of parting.
Jarrod took her arm to the study, "You are an extraordinary woman; what a perfect gift," he whispered for her ears only.
"Merci beaucoup." and his touch warmed her.
—&—
The hand walked away from the window and waited for the rider to dismount.
"Men will be here first thing in the morning. You need to deliver this message first thing in the morning, "Got it from a rider on road."
"Ok."
"They shouldn't question it. Found out the foreman's name at Harry's and it will take Barkley six hours to ride up there. Plenty of time."
"Here is some sage. Put it into your pocket. Heard the blonde is a witch. Ain't taking any chances."
"Thanks," and he shoved it into his pocket.
"I know where the women and children go in the mornings. The lawyer has a meeting in town early and Nick is the only one I can't tell you his whereabouts. He wouldn't go to lumber camp during calfing."
"Buck says he wouldn't mind a dead Nick. He's the most dangerous in his opinion. They had a dust up over cattle a few years back. Keep the lawyer alive. He needs his power of attorney to negotiate."
"Got the Chinese stuff?"
"Yep."
"We are on."
—-&—