Chapter 6

Jarrod was due to head back to San Francisco in a week, but he decided he would have to leave a couple days early, "Since I have to find a new housekeeper," he said with a grin.

"I can go back with you if you need me to," Cilla said.

"No, no, no," Jarrod said. "I can see to myself for a while. But I do want those recipes Silas gave you."

It was the next evening just before dinner at the ranch. Everyone was there, including Nick and Hilda, to celebrate the marriages that were coming up. No one had set a date yet. There was still too much excitement about the engagements. Tonight, there was no work to do, just enjoy.

"How long will you be in San Francisco this time, Jarrod?" Heath asked.

"At least a couple weeks, probably longer," Jarrod said. "I have to check and see how things are coming on the house, and I have a trial coming up in about a month. Big one, a local councilman accused of embezzling city funds. That one's going to keep me there for quite a while. So – the happy couples here better start talking about wedding dates in the next few days. I'll need to block out some time."

"We want you for a best man," Nick said. "Me and Heath both."

"Wait a minute," Cilla said. "Hilda and I were both planning on him giving us away."

"I suppose I could do both," Jarrod said.

"A little unorthodox, but I don't see why not," Heath said.

"We can iron out the details later," Victoria said. "I just want both receptions here at the house. Let me throw the party, and I will be one happy mother-in-law."

Jarrod remembered that she never got to throw that reception for him and Beth. The memory made him twinge visibly, but he let it go and smiled.

Silas had made a feast fit for a wedding for dinner. After it was over, the couples made their way outside for a walk. Victoria and Audra invited Jarrod out for a stroll, but he begged off in favor of a cigar and a brandy in the library, saying, "I'd just like to savor the moment alone for a while."

They both understood and kissed him on the cheek. "We'll be back in a little while," Victoria said, and she and Audra went outside together, arm in arm.

Despite the fact that he was feeling very wistful tonight, Jarrod couldn't help but smile when everyone left him alone. He relaxed in one of the armchairs in the library, smoking and sipping brandy, and remembering. He remembered her smile. He remembered her kiss. He remembered the feel of her hair against his neck. He remembered the warmth of her skin against his in the darkness.

He didn't remember any of the horrible days that came after, when he lost her, when he lost himself. They didn't invade tonight. Tonight there was so much happiness in this house that he thought even Beth could feel it, wherever she was. He stayed behind in the house because he wanted to be alone for a while to share it with her.

And when he fell asleep by himself in the library, he dreamed. He felt her so close to him that it was absolutely real, every touch, every kiss, every sweet word whispered in his ear and every electrical shiver she sent through his body. When he woke up, he saw that only three minutes – only three minutes! – had passed, but it was as if an entire night together had come to him. Such a gift. Such a wonderful gift.

He got himself up, made his way up to the wc to clean up and to his room to change clothes. When he came downstairs, only Victoria and Audra had come in. They noticed he'd changed into a more casual pair of pants and his smoking jacket. Victoria and Audra were in the living room, having brandy there.

"Our lovebirds are still out sharing the moonlight?" Jarrod asked and came to sit down in his thinking chair.

"This has been such a wonderful night," Victoria said.

"You played a big part in it, you know," Audra said.

"Of course I know," Jarrod said. "I started planning it the moment Heath laid eyes on Cilla." Then he looked toward the refreshment table. "Funny, isn't it? If Nick and I hadn't had that big blow-up right over there, we wouldn't be having all this good fortune we're having now. One of our biggest arguments has led to all this happiness."

"Life is funny that way," Victoria said. "If your father had walked into our freight depot just one hour later, we'd never have met, and none of this would be here at all. None of YOU would be here at all."

Audra sighed.

Jarrod read a lot into that sigh. "Do I take it that Pappy needs to get to work for his little sister?"

Audra laughed. "You are having a run of good luck, so yes, get Cupid moving again for me."

"Got anyone in mind?" Jarrod asked.

Everyone knew that Audra did have someone in mind. "Of course I do," she said.

"I'll get on it first thing in the morning," Jarrod said. But then he gave her and their mother a look that asked them not to say anything about getting to work on his own behalf. They got the message.

Victoria got up, came to him and kissed him on the forehead instead. He squeezed her hand and smiled. "You've made a wonderful Cupid," Victoria said.

"Shall I get to work for you too?" Jarrod asked.

Victoria slapped his wrist, and he laughed.

The End