CHAPTER THREE

San Francisco

By the time Nick got home, it was almost dark.

"Isabella is putting the boys to bed," Victoria said.

"Thanks." Nick ran up the stairs. The boys were still awake. He gave Isabella a quick kiss. "Why don't you go rest and I'll take care of this?"

"But I don't need—"

Nick grinned. "You never know. It might be an exhausting night. You better get some rest now."

Isabella's eyes sparkled. "I'll take a bath."

Nick winked at her. He picked up a book and crawled into bed between the boys. He pulled them both close to him and read the book. Then they said prayers and he kissed them both goodnight. "You boys be good. See you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Papa," Levi said, and Andy echoed.

"Goodnight, boys."

Nick went to the library.

Jarrod nodded at the pool table. "I've been waiting for an easy mark."

Nick chuckled. "I think I'll pass tonight, but I have some questions for you."

"Yeah?"

"Where did you get the bathtub for the foreman's house?"

"San Francisco."

"Where in San Fran? I need to get another one."

Jarrod frowned. "Another one?"

"Yeah. We're adding a room and a bathroom to the cottage."

"Seems a bit excessive." He shrugged. "But whatever you want." Jarrod went to the desk and looked through some paperwork. "Here," he said. "This is the bill of sale."

Nick accepted the paper, looked it over, then looked at Jarrod. "You going to the big city anytime soon?"

"Wasn't planning on it."

Victoria glided in. "Wasn't planning on what?"

"I want to order another bathtub for the foreman's cottage."

Victoria frowned. "Are you planning to move in there?"

"No. We're gonna build our own house."

"Then why—"

"I also need bedroom furniture," Nick said.

"You can look in the attic and take whatever you want," she answered.

"Thanks, Mother." He kissed the top of her head.

"Oh, I almost forgot. You got a telegram today." She walked into the foyer and returned with the envelope.

Nick opened it. It was from Sam. "Need extra week," was all it said.

"Everything all right?" Victoria asked.

"I think so. Sam just says he needs an extra week." Nick hoped Jeannie and the baby were doing okay. But that would give him a bit more breathing room for getting the cottage ready. "I need to go to San Francisco," he mumbled.

"San Francisco?" Victoria asked.

Nick nodded. "Shouldn't take long. Maybe I'll go tomorrow, spend the night, and come back on Wednesday."

Jarrod smirked. "Why don't you take Isabella with you?"

"I don't know if the doctor will let her travel."

"You haven't had a honeymoon yet," Jarrod said. "It would be nice to stay for a couple of days. After all, once that baby comes, you're not going to have much alone time."

Nick tried not to grin—tried not to get his hopes up. He'd check with Dr. Merar first thing in the morning.

XXXXX

Isabella clung to Nick's arm as they walked through the busy streets of San Francisco. "I've never seen so many people in my life," she whispered.

Nick smiled. "And not a one of them hold a candle to you, my love."

Isabella laughed, then tensed up again. "Do you think the boys are all right?"

"I'm sure of it." He stepped out of the way of two schoolboys running down the sidewalk. "Mother kept me alive. And I got into a lot more trouble that our boys do." He shrugged. "Plus, she has Audra to help her."

"I still think we should go home tomorrow. One night away from them is long enough."

Nick's dimples expanded and he drew her closer. "I hope I can change your mind about that tonight."

"Oh, Nick!"

"Here's the shop that has the bathroom stuff." He pulled open the door and held it as she walked through.

The store was much larger than it appeared from the outside. It had bathtubs of every description, basins, sinks, fixtures—anything a person could possibly want for a bathroom.

"We do need to be careful. The bathroom will only be about seven by eleven feet, so we can't get anything too large."

"Look at this," Isabella whispered, looking at a decorative clawfoot tub with gold fixtures.

"You like that?" Nick asked.

"Yes, but it's probably too large, isn't it?"

"If we put it against the back wall, it should fit. But that might crowd the toilet and the basin and the cabinet." Nick rubbed his chin, still considering. "There would also be a door in the way. But if you like it, let's order it for the bathroom in our house. Or do you want to wait?"

"We can wait."

Nick still wrote down the model number and manufacturer of the tub and the fixtures.

A smaller version of the tub wasn't far away. Isabella went right to it.

A salesclerk approached. "May I help you?" he asked.

"Do you have this tub in stock?" Nick asked, pointing to the smaller version.

"I'll check," he stated and left.

While the clerk was gone, Nick and Isabella looked at pedestal sinks. Isabella loved one that had scalloped edges and matched the bathtub. They also found fixtures that matched the others they'd chosen.

The clerk returned. "Yes, sir, we have one in stock."

"Good." Nick pointed out the pedestal sink they wanted and the fixtures for both pieces. "Could you check on those as well?"

"Yes, sir!"

Nick turned to Isabella. "If you see anything you really like, just let me know and we'll put it on order now so we'll have it."

"I do love that first tub we looked at, and this sink would match is as well."

"And the same fixtures?" Nick asked.

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll put in an order for them for delivery in a couple of months."

The clerk finally returned. "Yes, sir. Everything you've chosen is in stock."

Nick grinned. "Perfect! I need it delivered to Stockton."

"Stockton?"

"The railroad will ship it, and I'll pay for the shipping," Nick said with a scowl.

"Of course, sir. Of course."

It took a while for him to write up the order and for Nick to verify the numbers were all written correctly and the address was correct. "If you will telegraph me when you know the exact delivery date and time, I'll have someone pick it up at the station."

"Yes, sir. We should be able to ship it in three weeks."

"Three weeks! You said everything was in stock!"

"Yes, sir, but it takes time to prepare—"

"You have it there by this Saturday or never mind."

"Yes, sir. I'll personally make sure it's there by Saturday."

"Thank you." Nick glanced at Isabella and rolled his eyes.

She squeezed his hand.

"Now, I have another order for you. An exact duplicate of that order, except I want this tub instead of that one." Nick pointed at the numbers he'd written down, and then went to the large tub and pointed at it.

"Yes, sir," the clerk said enthusiastically. "When do you need it?"

"Not for two months. If you need to send it before then, just telegraph me and I'll have it picked up."

"Yes, sir." The salesman handed the contract to Nick.

Nick examined it closely, then printed his name and "Barkley Ranch, Stockton" for the address. He signed the bottom and wrote out a bank draft for the entire order.

"Thank you, Mr. Barkley, sir. Thank you." The clerk couldn't stop smiling.

"You're welcome. Now, make sure those arrive as on the orders so I don't have to come back here and find out why they didn't."

"Oh, yes, sir. Yes, Mr. Barkley. I'll personally make sure everything is exactly as you want it."

"Thank you." Nick took Isabella's hand and they exited the bath store.

Once out in the sunlight, he looked more closely at Isabella. "You look tired, sweetie. Let's stop and get something to eat."

A café was just ahead, so Nick led Isabella inside.

"I'm fine," Isabella said.

"I promised Dr. Merar I wouldn't let you get exhausted," Nick stated. "And I keep my promises."

"Let's just eat and I'll be fine," Isabella said.

They sat at a table near the door and a waitress quickly came to take their order.

"I'd like coffee," Isabella said.

"No!" Nick raised an eyebrow.

"Dr. Merar said I could have it sometimes now as long as I eat."

"You had some this morning." He looked up at the waitress. "My wife will have a glass of milk." He hesitated. "And I'll just have water, please."

"Yes, sir."

Isabella glared at Nick. "If you're expecting to have a good time tonight—"

Nick laughed loudly, causing a few heads to turn his way. He sat back and relaxed. "Good. You're feisty and sassy again. You scare me when you're not."

"I swear, Nick, one of these days, you're going to push me too far."

Nick's dimples appeared. "And then what will happen?"

"I don't know yet, but you won't like it."

Nick laughed again. He picked up her hand and kissed it. "What do you want to eat?"

"Why? So you can tell me I can't have it?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Why don't you quickly pick something out to eat so we can get it here soon and you won't be so grouchy?"

"I'll be grouchy until I get some coffee."

Nick chuckled.

The waitress brought the milk and water, worriedly looking from one to the other.

"We're not ready to order yet, but could you bring a tiny cup of coffee? I mean, the cup don't have to be tiny, but just with maybe three or four ounces of coffee in it? And please bring some bread and butter?"

The waitress nodded and hurried away. When she returned, she placed the cup of coffee in front of Nick and the bread in the center of the table. "Are you ready to order?" she asked.

Nick looked at Isabella. "Do you know what you want?"

"Chicken vegetable soup," she said.

Nick nodded. "And I'll have the lamb stew."

The waitress left them.

Isabella reached for the coffee.

"Nope," Nick said, moving it away from her. "You have to drink your milk first."

"Mister, you are testing my patience."

"Drink your milk and you can have the coffee."

"Nicholas Jonathan Barkley! I'm going to tell your mother!"

Nick's dimples took over his face. "Please just drink your milk."

"Everyone in this place is staring at us!" Isabella hissed.

"You're the one yelling, not me." Nick canted his head. "Honey, are your ankles swollen?"

Isabella hesitated. "I don't know."

"Put them up here on my knee and let me check."

Isabella scooted back in her chair and put a foot on Nick's knee. Nick lifted her dress and rubbed her ankles. They were swollen.

"Sweetie, we're gonna eat lunch, and then we're going back to the hotel and taking a nap."

"If you think—"

"A normal nap. A sleeping nap."

The waitress brought their soups. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Is that lemon meringue pie I see on the counter?" Nick asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Two slices of that, please."

"Yes, sir."

By the time Isabella ate her soup and drank her milk, she'd forgotten about the coffee.

Nick pushed a slice of the pie in front of her.

"I don't think I can eat that," Isabella said.

"You don't have to. Up to you."

Isabella smiled. "You mean I finally have a choice?"

"Would you like something else?"

She considered. "We passed a confectionary shop on the way here," she said. "I'd love to try a chocolate."

Nick grinned. "You can have all the chocolates you want." He grabbed her pie and ate it, then dropped money on the table for their food and a generous tip.

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