Chapter Fifty Five
Heath, Grete, Reverend Stacy and Victoria walked from the parsonage to Jarrod's office.
Several men quit talking and pointed at the four. Heath continued to walk straight on with Grete on his arm. Victoria cast a look of disdain on their way despite a "tsk" from the Reverend.
Jarrod invited Lisette and Esther to join them for lunch.
"Strength in numbers," he joked warily.
They walked across the street.
"Table for seven please"
"Sure Mista Barkley. It will only be a minute or two. Clearing some right now." He glanced back and saw Grete on Heath's arm. His eyes grew wide and he crossed himself.
Jarrod cleared his throat. The boy scurried away to set the table.
"I will have a word with the Padre,too." Reverend Stacy whispered to Grete.
Lisette and Esther kept a hedge around Heath and Grete. They could read the menacing look on his face at the serving boy.
"Grete, you look beautiful. That dress suits you perfectly."
"Yes it does," Esther added.
"Thank you—-Mother Barkley and Audra showered me one afternoon with a new wardrobe."
"I can't wait to see it," Lisette winked.
The door opened behind them, "Table for one."
Jarrod turned quickly; he recognized the voice, "Macklin!"
"Jarrod. Was heading to see you. Train switch delay and I am starved. Wanted to get a bite to eat."
Jarrod extended an invitation to join their table.
"Sounds good."
"Miz Taylor, Miz Barkley, Miz Barkley, Miz Townes. You ladies are looking lovely today. Reverend. "
They exchanged pleasantries as their table was announced. Jarrod and Lisette went first; Heath and Grete, the Reverend and Victoria, "May I have the pleasure?" Macklin extended his arm.
"Why Mr Macklin, of course." Esther laughed, "We seldom are outside of the office for such gallantry."
Macklin grinned, "Yep last time you saw me I had a three day beard, a few choice words for your boss and saddle sores."
"I remember well," as he pulled out her seat. He lowered his voice, "but our evening ended quite well."
"Yes it did. Thank you for your letters. I hope you received mine." she whispered back.
"Keep them close to my old coal and ice" he spoke for her ears only with a wink.
—&—-
Heads turned around the room for several reasons. Most wanted a good look at Heath's wife.
Some looked nervous as she was branded a witch; others gossiped that she had been seen in her nightgown running away from her cousin's bakery—-other men just appreciated the Barkley luck of finding such a beauty. Two ladies tried to look at her stomach to see if she was really with child; several more expressed sympathy about the bruises on her face and the kidnapping.
Grete looked ahead gracefully; Heath looked as if he could rip someone's head off. He hoped the boy at the door was long gone out of his sight.
Two clerks whispered the story about Lisette, "She owned the casinos. Lost them all."
Jarrod kept his charm about him greeting people right as left as well as Victoria. Reverend Stacy spoke to several parishioners.
Macklin whispered to Esther "What's going on?"
"Some traveling preacher took a liking to Grete. She married Heath instead and he has branded her a witch. Says she made love spells to bewitch him."
"Why that don't beat all. Won't be surprised if ole Heath knocks a few heads around"
"This lunch is to help folks see her and know the stories are crazy."
"Yep. Look at her. She didn't get Heath's attention from any potion. Those curves would catch any man straightaway." then he colored.
"Sorry Esther, I am not polished on my manners today"
"But I agree, Mr Macklin. She is quite fetching."
The men pulled out the chairs for the ladies.
A waitress brought menus, coffee cups and bread to the table.
Two ranchers came by and asked about Nick.
"Give him our regards."
"Will do," Heath replied.
Jarrod added, "Have you met my new sister-in-law?"
Heath searched their faces for any malice and was pleased to see none.
"Welcome to the valley. We would like to have you out next month. The ranchers wives are a special group of ladies, right Victoria?"
She smiled with appreciation, "Yes we are. They will love Grete as much as we do."
The girl came and took their orders. The owner stopped by the table, "Welcome friends. It's been a busy day but not too busy to say hello."
"Hotel booked up?" Jarrod asked.
"Yes. No room at the inn is the norm. And I am getting old, Jarrod. If I were younger, I would expand but all I want to do is head home to the wife and see the grandchildren."
"Would you welcome some competition?"
"It wouldn't be competition. It's just common sense. I send travelers to boarding houses, saloons, homes with extra rooms—Many a day they get back on the train since I don't have a room—I welcomed the hotel and casino. It won't hurt my business a bit. This restaurant pays all my bills. The rooms will rent no matter another hotel or not. Can't come close to accommodating whole families much at all these is growing and so is the railroad. We are an important junction north and south."
"Good to know." Jarrod smiled.
Lissette buttered her roll intently not to show her relief at the conversation.
Folks continued to stare on and off but the Barkley table continued to ignore them and talk about their day.
"Macklin, what brings you to town?"
"Federal marshal business," and they were interrupted by their food being delivered.
Lisette clasped Jarrod's thigh under the table and he squeezed her hand.
"It will be ok." he whispered.
But she knew him well enough to know it worried him too.
They got through their meal well enough and Jarrod added it to his tab. They all got up to leave and the stares began again.
One older lady got rattled and threw salt over her shoulder. She slipped and the whole shaker flew through the air. It grazed Lisette on the cheek, spilling salt on her.
Jarrod angrily moved to protect her but she waved him off.
"Doesn't work for keeping away French women." she whispered in a hiss to the woman.
"Why I never—-it was an accident."
"Apology accepted," Lisette took Jarrod's arm and walked away.
They made it out to the foyer in relief.
Victoria spoke first, "Can you imagine throwing salt over your shoulder? Ignorance at its best."
"Thank you all—-for Kai. I must get past this."
"Of course. We are family."
They walked out and ran straight into Brother Jehu and several followers. They had been picketing Big Annie's.
He took one look at Grete and cried, "Get behind me Satan."
He never knew what hit him as Heath decked him with a single punch and stepped over his unconscious body.
Heath looked menacingly at the followers, "This ends now."
A crowd began to form around him. Some sympathetic, "Poor servant of the Lord," and some voiced ,"He got what we deserved."
Jarrod spoke up, "Let's get to the office." as one of the women closest to Lissy yelled "Witch" loudly.
Lisette's foot jutted out as the Barkleys moved out of the crowd and the woman fell face down.
Jarrod arched his eyebrow, "Was that necessary?" he whispered as they were safely in his office.
"I don't know what you mean Mr Barkley. But the answer to you, counselor is always yes."
He just shook his head at his paramour.
Jarrod tried to suppress his mirth but the sides of his mouth turned up slightly.
She just shrugged her shoulders in feigned innocence as he sighed.
"This one will keep me on my toes-the rest of my life."