With tomorrow's Vignette, this will be the longest story I have ever written. Many times it did not feel like I was writing-these characters took a life of their own. Dwelling in the valley as we do, that isn't a surprise. We wouldn't write fan fiction if we didn't believe there were many more stories waiting for the family outside of hour-long episodes. I tend to have our boys become husbands and fathers because those men would have thrived at it. And the gilded age was right upon them in California. Thank you to each and every reader/commenter. You keep me going! J
Chapter 113
Jarrod and Lissy returned to the ranch a week later. They had changed their plans to help with the baby and the repairs to the house.
Their nights had ended passionately in each other's arms; Jarrod was invigorated each morning after sating his pleasure with his wife. Lissy was even more emboldened by their marriage and Jarrod was greatly enjoying her enthusiasm. He only still hesitated to ask her if she was with child. It seemed unbroachable in his mind, time and time again.
San Francisco had been hit hard by the storms and with a new baby in the house, the damage needed to be fixed quickly. Jarrod and Gene repaired the walls and installed a new window in place. The gardener and the driver patched the roof and set new storm shutters on the house.
Jarrod worked hard all day on the house; Bax had no skills, being raised in wealth and privilege in Boston but he was an eager learner. He would help Gene and Jarrod carry, set and hand them items they needed.
"I can tell much was taught to you on a ranch." he said breathlessly after holding up a beam. Jarrod and Gene had barely broken a sweat.
"Father was quite the taskmaster. We worked by his side from our childhood. He believed you needed to know how to do every task so you could if you needed to or supervise your men."
"And Jarrod and Nick did the same for me." Eugene added.
"You Barkleys are top drawer."
—&—-
Priscilla and Eugene took the twins to town to choose a new wallpaper. He treated the ladies to lunch and Ghirardelli's for chocolate.
Henry tagged along to help "carry things" when he heard the plan, "Boys, don't pick wallpaper."
Priscilla and Eugene were spending a great deal of time together much to Lisette and Jarrod's approval. They would exchange knowing looks at the young couple as they would hang wallpaper together or sweep up the debris from the gardens. They managed to end up side by side quietly conversing.
He impulsively asked her to attend the wedding next week in Stockton; she readily agreed.
Prudy and Bax were all in favor of the match.
Gene took Jarrod and Lissy to the rail station, "Don't worry big brother, I will keep checking in to make sure that they are doing fine."
"I am sure you will," Jarrod laughed.
Lissy whispered in Gene's ear and the young man blushed.
Jarrod and Henry looked back at the two of them, conspiring.
The train whistle blew and Eugene handed Lissy to the first-class car, "See you soon sister. And I shall take your advice."
"And what my minx, was your advice to my innocent little brother?"
She coyly responded, "To obey of course, "
"Of course my dear, it has worked well for you this week."
"I haven't heard any complaints, my husband."
"No and you won't, Mrs Barkley."
—&—
Nick held the basin with one hand and her hair with the other as she lost the contents of her breakfast. It was the third morning in a row.
When she was finished, he handed her a cool rag.
"Thank you Nicholas. I still can't believe you would do this for me."
"Well, I figures it is my fault getting you with child and I have been a rancher since I could walk. Not much bothers my stomach I promise."
"Oh Nick. How was I so lucky to find you. This is the third morning I have held you up. You are usually out of here two hours ago."
"I don't mind sweetie. I know we weren't going to tell but we might want to let Mother in on our little secret. She might have something in her wisdom to help."
"I would love to let your Mother know."
He kissed her on the forehead and she got up for some mint. Her head spun and she quickly laid back down.
He emptied the basin into the water closet and rinsed it out. He placed it back in the wooden pitcher stand.
Anna lay on the bed with her eyes closed.
"Stay put. I am going to get Mother."
Victoria came in a few minutes later with a big smile on her face. She sat down beside Anna on the bed and placed her hand upon her daughter-in-law's.
"Dearest, Nick told me. I am so proud of you both and welcome a new baby in our family. But first things first, let's see what we can do to make this first few months a little better. I stopped and had Silas start some chamomile tea. I will send for some ginger candy from the Chinese market. It does wonders."
"Oh thank you Mother. Nick said you would know what to do. My sister always said not to tell until the quickening but I have been so ill in the morning."
"I am honored you shared with me. Living all together it may be difficult to hide but we shall do our best."
"I think the babe will come in June. Grete's will be here in early spring. It shall be lively for sure," she weakly smiled.
"That kind of lively is music to my heart. It couldn't make me happier. Now let's get you feeling better. "
Anna smiled at Victoria. The older woman picked up her hand and kissed it.
"Blessed we are."
"Yes. I need to get up soon. I am finishing up some things for Lisette's wedding next week."
"Gene telegrammed yesterday he was bringing a young lady."
"Has he ever brought a young lady home?"
"No, he saw quite a few young ladies growing up here a time or two. But nothing serious. He has been at college three years now and only a few friends. My interest is piqued. I have learned that all of my boys know what they want immediately when they find her. So if Gene is serious about someone I haven't met, I shall not be surprised."
"Was I a surprise?"
"No my darling. I think I knew from the beginning. Nick has had a hard path but I know deep down he always needed an Anna. And now my sweet, you carry his child. He couldn't be happier—and neither could I."
—&—
Grete and Heath retired for the night. He had avoided the issue of Cousin Adolf all week.
Her cousin had been out to the ranch every other day since he apologized to Grete. He tried to talk to Heath but he listened, nodded his head, tipped his hat and walked away.
He knew Grete was peeved with him but he wasn't ready to talk about it. He had made himself scarce when the old man visited and he didn't interfere with the old man's visits with put his foot down that they were not to leave the ranch.
Grete had tried to bring up the subject several times and he knew he was curt with her—but he wasn't ready to forgive the old man.
No one in his life until he came to the Valley had ever made him spill out his feelings before. Leah had been just too overwhelmed with life and his strong-will that she just let his bad moods pass with time. Not the Barkleys.
Nick settled their disagreements with his fist a time or two. Loud arguments usually released all the seemed simplest to Heath but none of the rest of the family did. Victoria would raise her eyebrow at him, change her tone and ask him questions she knew he couldn't live with. Jarrod just argued the point with a big brother tone until Heath couldn't ignore it. Silas just just shook his head at him.
"But Grete, a wife? How in the hell did he figure stuff out on his own, in his head with those sad eyes haunting him?"
He looked at her with love as she brushed out her long blonde hair at the vanity in one of her pretty nightgowns. It was the most arousing scene he looked forward to each night—he knew he could seduce her easily and she was too submissive to ever say no to him because of her old-country ways—
He hung up his belt and took off his boots. He tossed the work clothes down the laundry shoot. He went into the water closet and rinsed his face.
Heath dried his face with the linen towel and looked in the mirror. He knew he needed to talk to Grete but would he?
—-&—-
He stayed in the water closet for longer and went over his words of why he couldn't forgive the old man for how he treated his wife. He spoke them over and over in his head until they even sounded lame to him.
Grete was propped up in bed reading her Bible when he came back in.
He took a deep breath and got under the covers. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
"Grete, I want to talk to you about Adolf."
She closed her Bible and looked over at him with a kind smile, "I have been wanting to talk to you too."
He sighed waiting for the lecture he was due over holding a grudge, "You go first honey."
"Heath, I don't blame you for being mad at Cousin Adolf. He was wrong and he admits it. I know he called you some foul names and sided with those men who thought you killed Jehu."
"Oh no Grete—-I can't get past what he said to you. Thought the worst of his own kin. Folks called my ma such. "
"Oh Heath. He's family and I forgave him. He doesn't think like an American like you—he's more Danish in his upbringing, arranged marriages and such. He loves Kai so much and he sees the good family you have made for me."
"Grete, you have the kindest heart I have ever met. I have been a stubborn jackass."
"No. You are my husband whom I dearly love."
He rubbed her stomach feeling his child, "Wonder if this one is as stubborn as his Pa."
"I hope so. It means he loves his family fiercely."
Heath just shook his head at her and kissed her.
He began running his fingers through her hair and she stopped him.
"One more thing I would like your permission to do."
"Permission?" the word startled him from his intent.
"Yah. Adolf isn't wanting to reopen the bakery for several reasons. But he needs to stay busy. Would Lissy or Jarrod take him on as a pastry chef or baker at the hotel?"
Heath was relieved at her simple request, "It's worth a ask. Want me to do it?"
"I would like to. Save his pride and such."
"You have my permission Grete. I would do anything for you and Kai and that includes uh, Adolf." he said humbly.
"Thank you," and she ended the conversation with a kiss.