More Than She Bargained For
By Ginger Leigh
Chapter 2- An Extraordinary Woman
“Sign here, Mr. Lord, and we will be done.”
William Lord slid forward in the red leather chair opposite Attorney Barkley’s desk and signed the legal papers where indicated. As he did so, he spoke to Jarrod.
“Please, Mr. Barkley, call me William. I hope Rebecca and I will be counted among your friends in Stockton now that we have finalized our move.”
“Of course, William. And to hurry that friendship along, why don’t you and Rebecca plan to join us for supper tonight. I’m sure you two could use a break from setting up house. I’m looking forward to meeting this daughter of yours that is so obviously the apple of your eye.”
William set down the pen and slid the papers back toward Jarrod. He readjusted himself in the chair, crossed his legs, and joined his hands together, looking thoughtful.
I appreciate the invitation, Mr. Barkley . . .”
“First names, remember?” the attorney admonished.
“Quite. I appreciate the invitation, Jarrod. And you are right; Rebecca Louise is indeed the apple of my eye. She is beautiful and bright; she’s had a fine private school education and has been an asset to me in my business dealings. She has been everything to me since her mother died when Rebecca was just two years old. . .”
The distinguished gentlemen seemed as if he were drifting off and remembering that sad time.
“I’m sorry, William. It must have been tough raising a daughter alone.”
“Yes. And I’m afraid I’ve rather done the girl an injustice.”
Jarrod leaned forward and offered the older man a cigar from the box on his desk. William declined but Jarrod lit one himself, and took a long drag. After exhaling the smoke, he asked the obvious next question.
“Whatever do you mean, William? She sounds like an extraordinary woman.”
“Oh, she’s extraordinary, all right. Extraordinarily spoiled.”
Jarrod laughed.
“Oh, come now. It can’t be all that bad. However, I can understand your concern. I’ve been guardian to my younger sister since she was eleven when father died and there are days when I feel the same way about her, but then again, every girl deserves to be just a little bit spoiled, don’t you think?” Jarrod’s eyes twinkled as he said so.
“But you don’t understand, Jarrod, my boy. I have never been able to say no to her, from the time she was a little tyke until this very day. Now, I’m not sure anyone, husband included, could live with her bad temper when she doesn’t get her way! She may be unmarriageable. Even though I would love to have her near me always, it is not fair to her. That’s the unfortunate effect of my indulgence toward her.
Jarrod smiled at the worried father. Something stirred in the eldest Barkley son as he listened to this paternal appraisal of Rebecca Louise. From somewhere there sprang a desire to conquer this extraordinarily spoiled woman. Perhaps it was because he had attended a performance of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew last month in San Francisco. Yes, that was probably it, but watching a shrew on stage was one thing, living with her was quite another! Still, he had to admit; he was curious to see for himself if William’s assessment of his daughter’s temperament was accurate.
He didn’t have to wait long. There came a commotion from outside his door. Just as Jarrod stood to see what the problem was, Nick flung the office door open. With his right hand, he had a struggling, pretty young woman by the arm. Neither of them was happy.
“Let me go, you beast!”
“NICK! What is the meaning of . . .?” Jarrod began, alarmed at his brother’s behavior.
“Are you this lady’s father, Mister?” Nick demanded of William who was by now standing and walking toward the pair.
“Papa . . .” Rebecca said in a plaintive voice as she held out her arms toward him.
Nick rolled his eyes and let her go. She ran toward her father and wrapped her arms around his waist. William embraced her and patted her back as she cried feminine little sobs into his chest. He could only imagine what she’d done. He knew she only called him Papa when she was performing.
“Now, now, dear. Tell Papa what’s wrong,” he played his part.
“That man, Papa, he hurt me. He attacked me in the dress shop and . . . and then he . . . he drug me down the boardwalk to this office!”
“Nick, is that so?” Jarrod asked in a way that indicated he hoped it wasn’t.
“I DID NO SUCH THING!” Nick was as shocked by her accusation as Jarrod was.
Rebecca put her hands on her father’s chest and looked up at him.
“Papa, take me home, please. I don’t want to be in the company of this mean man another minute!”
“Now, hold on, Missy.” Nick fussed.
“Nick. Maybe it is for the best that you take your leave of Miss . . . Rebecca, is it?” Jarrod asked the distraught young woman with a smile, hoping to dissipate some of the angst in the room with his charm.
At the sound of his voice, for the first time Rebecca noticed the other man present. One good look and she was, for the first time in her life, in love. Never had anyone affected her as the handsome lawyer had in the moment her eyes met his.
What a delicious man! That voice! Those eyes, they are the color of sapphires.
“Mr. Jarrod Barkley, my daughter. Rebecca Louise Lord.”
Rebecca cast her eyes down while she performed a slight curtsey. Jarrod walked up to her, reached for her hand, and kissed it.
“Mr. Barkley, I’m charmed.”
“The feeling is mutual, Miss Lord, I’m sure.”
“Now look here!” Nick broke in again, agitated. “I brought Miss Lord here because . . .”
“Nick,” Jarrod interrupted and starred at Nick as he spoke, daring his hot-tempered brother to contradict him. “I’m sure that whatever the problem was, it no longer matters.”
Nick looked at the smug look on Rebecca’s face at Jarrod’s pronouncement that effectively put an end to his mission to tattle on her to her father. He could have sworn that she stuck her tongue out at him.
“Fine,” Nick declared but then pointed at father and daughter. “But hear this, Mister. That darling daughter of yours is way over due for a good old-fashioned. . . “
“NICK, that’ll be enough.” Jarrod scolded once more before Nick could finish expressing his thoughts on the matter.
Nick finally gave up. He threw up his arms, spun around and stomped out the door, spurs jingling.
“How can I ever thank you for rescuing me, Mr. Barkley,” Rebecca crooned. “Am I to understand that horrid man is your brother?”
“Rebecca!” William declared.
Jarrod laughed.
“Yes, that man is Nick Barkley. He is my brother, but I assure you, he is far from horrid. He is a fine man. It’s just that he has a propensity for . . . aggressive, and somewhat loud, action, sometimes before he fully assesses a situation. I’m sure you will get along famously as soon as you have a chance to get to know another, and if your father will accept my invitation to supper with my family this evening, getting acquainted will occur sooner rather than later.”
Jarrod spoke to William, “What do you say, William. Should we try to give those two a second chance to get along?”
William looked at his daughter who smiled up at him.
“I’m willing, Poppa. I would love to dine with the Barkleys. May we?”
“I don’t know, Daughter. I don’t know what you did to offend Mr. Nick . . .”
Rebecca started to defend herself but her father held up his hand and continued, “And I don’t want to know, but Mr. Nick seems like a mighty determined fellow. I’m not so sure he won’t just haul off and give you what he thinks you deserve! I’m not sure I could protect you from your just desserts!”
“Oh, don’t be silly, poppa. He wouldn’t dare! Besides . . .”
Rebecca sided up to Jarrod and put her arm through his as if for an escort, “I’m sure Jarrod can handle his brother, as he has already demonstrated today.”
She looked up at him and Jarrod replied in his deep silky voice, much to her delight, “Indeed, Rebecca. You are safe with me.”
