Chapter Ninety Nine
Jarrod and Lisette boarded the private car at midday for Modesto. Nick and Anna had brought it back the night before and the railroad crew readied it for another trip.
Jarrod watched Lisette carefully as the train steamed and jolted hooking up to the train north. She seemed tired and worried. The natural circles that framed her large beautiful eyes were dark and puffy.
His eyes went to her midsection covered by voluminous fabric. He couldn't discern any difference to confirm his suspicions that she was two months along with his child. He still couldn't find the words to ask her about her monthlies—he knew every inch of her intimately and she never denied him her love—
Jarrod had even ordered a book under the guise of a legal trial. THE EXPOSITION OF HUMAN GESTATION was written in London by the Professor of Midwifery in the Kings and Queens College in Ireland. He figured it was the most logical book on the subject despite the 1837 publication date, "Surely things haven't changed".
He stayed up all night reading it to no avail. He was just as frustrated with the symptoms.
"Mood, tenderness, fatigue, sleepiness, tears—-monthlies"
"Unable to truly confirm until two cycles and exam—"
"Maybe after Modesto, we can talk. With the divorce started and Paul Franklin humbled a few notches?"
She yawned and stretched, "Jarrod? I think I shall nap."
"Good idea. It may be a long week. And our child needs a healthy mother."
—-&—-
They arrived at the rented house Nate procured for them outside of town. A widow had passed away unexpectedly and her family had not been able to arrive from Denver yet to disperse her estate after the funeral. Two weeks' rent paid by a reputable lawyer and keeping the housekeeper were appreciated by her family; Modesto was not a town where an empty home of valuables fared well. A man was coming by daily to see the stock. Nate had overheard about the home when he was filing the probate claim. Jarrod had not wanted Lisette anywhere near the casino and this would also give them space to plot legal strategies in private. It was a win for everyone.
Nate and Alice were on the wraparound porch waiting for them. They were dressed casually and eating sandwiches. The housekeeper in her early fifties was coming out of the door with a pitcher of lemonade.
"Jarrod, Lissy! Just in time for supper. It's so warm today we decided to eat outside."
"I am famished, " Lisette said gratefully.
The housekeeper smiled, "Beef sandwiches or cold chicken?"
They answered in unison, "Chicken."
Alice and Nate laughed, "You two now finish each other's sentences."
Jarrod took Lissy's hand and winked at her, "It's not a bad way of ordering supper."
He was glad that Alice and Nate had accepted his relationship with Lisette without question. He doubted Alice knew they were lovers but Nate certainly did and didn't pass judgment.
"I need to freshen up."
"I will go with you and show you the lay of the land. Quite a quaint lovely home. No indoor plumbing though."
The housekeeper grabbed her valise and took them upstairs to a quaint bedroom with doilies and lace curtains and a brass bed.
"This was her daughter's bedroom. Didn't touch a thing after she married and moved away. Her granddaughters still stay here when they visit."
"It is quite lovely. I shall be very happy here." Lisette graciously responded.
"If I am not being too nosy, will the house be sold?" Alice asked.
"Yes. Three daughters in Denver and San Jose and Placerville. All married city fellers. No one wanted to ranch. They will all be back to town in three weeks to divide up her things and sell the house and stock. She left me two hundred dollars in the will when the house sells. Not sure where me and the girl will go—"
"My condolences. Did you work for her for a long time?"
"Ten years," she said with a sniffle, "When my husband and daughter died, the bank got the farm. That Buck Turner swallowed it up for pennies on the dollar. I live downstairs in the back with a young girl we took in. She's real quiet. Won't bother ya a bit. Teaching her to keep house. She's sixteen and on her own."
Lissy shuddered, "Buck Turner?"
"Yes. Worse than an animal in my opinion."
"Yes he was." and she swallowed knowing she needed to say it aloud, "I killed him. Self-defense."
It was the first time actually saying it.
"Oh child, you did the women of the world a great favor. Are you the lady from the casino?"
"Yes."
"Oh honey, can we sit down?"
Lisette nodded and sat on the bed. Alice watched protectively from across the room.
"My name is Mildred Smith."
"Lisette Taylor."
"The girl I took in, me and the widow. She used to be a saloon girl until those men of his hurt her, real bad. No one knew what to do with her; she had gone mute."
"I did hear that," Lisette whispered.
"Me and the widow brought her out here. Fattened her up. Started doing chores with us. Talks quite a bit more each week."
"I am so glad she is safe and with a loving woman as yourself. I know—-I know how hard it is to forget such. Three times I was hurt by those men—and I killed to stop the pain."
Alice and Mildred sat on each side of her. Tears poured from all of their eyes. Lisette sobbed and sobbed. She had held it all in for so long except with Jarrod. And she knew she used to his touch not feel the repugnant, reptilian hands upon her. He had healed her, she knew.
Finally she composed herself, "I would like to meet this young lady. What is her name?"
"Sissie,"
Lisette sighed deeply, "My mother's name."
—-&—
The ladies went downstairs and found Sissie in the kitchen. She was fixing plates of cold chicken and corn.
"Ma'am?" she looked confused seeing Mildred with the two guests.
"There is someone who wants to meet you."
"Do I know you?"
"No but we share a burden. I think we can help each other."
Mildred cleared her throat, "I will take those plates out front."
"I will help you," Alice added, squeezing Lisette's arm.
"Sit down with me, Sissie. That was my Mother's nickname too."
The girl hesitantly dropped her head and sat down.
"No ma'am. You hold your head up and look in my eyes. You did nothing but face evil—and live to tell the story. "
"How do you know?"
"I do grievously. I am the woman from the casino and the kidnapping and—I killed Buck Turner. And I am not sorry."
