At the request of the Stockton Fund Raising Organization, through the offices of Jarrod Barkley, Attorney at Law, he and his crew had brought the ‘Party One’ to the Port of Stockton. A long trip and usually out of the question for a vessel such as his. This vessel and others like her usually plied their trade around the harbour of San Francisco and the other lands around the bay.

His vessel was one of only a handful that could handle a party crowd. Not like a regular paddleboat that hauled cargo livestock and passengers over long distances, his boat was designed to carry passengers only. On his boat the cargo area, most of the space normally set aside for crew’s quarters and the forward area were all set aside solely for the use of passengers. You could easily fit five or six tables on the lower deck in the open for a nice late evening supper and still have plenty of room for a three to four piece band and a small dance floor.

The glassed in area behind the wheelhouse was more suited to dining in the more inclement weather. Eight to ten tables could be set up in there, and it was accessible to the well-appointed galley much larger then a normal galley on any other vessel.

The ‘Party One’ was a party boat. That was what the Captain/Owner specialized in. Hiring himself, his vessel, his crew and if necessary a band, to the partygoers for a modest fee of course.

The modest fee to come to Stockton had turned out to be a very generous one. For that kind of money he would’ve gladly taken his vessel to Mexico. And now there was an unexpected bonus. Last night had been a public event, lots of people and plenty of noise and fun. Tonight he’d been hired for a private party. All that would be needed on his part would be his vessel, himself to pilot it, the use of his galley and the engineer and his mate to keep the boiler pressure up.

The party in question was supplying the food and entertainment. Their own chef would be handling the bulk of the food preparation. A request had been made to stop along the pre-arranged journey and collect some meat that would be prepared in a barbeque pit on the riverbank. The organizer of the party had even agreed to supply the required fuel in order to make the journey, saving him from digging into the supply he had onboard for the return trip to S.F

As he passed by the reserve of wood, covered by the tarpaulin to keep it nice and dry he thanked the powers that be that he’d come into a well-timbered area and hadn’t been forced to dig into it just yet. Giving the tarpaulin covered pile a small kick he continued on his rounds, making sure that everything would be just right for the evening to come.

Under the covering a piece of wood moved, revealing a wooden crate with the words. Live…. Be careful.

Victoria Barkley hummed quietly to herself as she went about the tasks she’d set herself before the late afternoon.

The family dinner to celebrate the engagement of her daughter Heather to Captain Paul Roberts was going to be a success. Nothing and nobody was going to spoil it. Plans to hold the dinner here at the house went out of the window after the overwhelming success of the dinner cruise on that party boat two nights ago. What a stroke of luck having the party boat in Stockton in the first place and being able to persuade the Captain/Owner to delay his departure by two days.

So far everything was right on schedule. The first course and desserts were taken care of thanks to Silas. The Captain had assured her that the stove in the galley would be more than adequate to handle the warming of the pre dinner nibbles and the soup. There had also been no problem with requesting Silas be in the galley rather than the regular chef that came with the boat. This was after all a family thing.

For their part her second born son Nick and her youngest son Heath had arranged for the main course to be waiting for them at the turnaround point, the landing at the start of Ed Converingtons property. Ed was an old and trusted friend not to mention a close neighbour.

Nick and Heath also had one last surprise up their sleeves and not even the constant pleading and, dare she think it nagging, from Audra their youngest sister and her youngest daughter could drag the secret from their lips.

“Well Mother.” Margaret Barkley, Jarrod’s wife as she came in the door with an arm full of flowers. “That’s the last of them.” She deposited the flowers on the old cloth on the dining room table. “How do you want them arranged?”

“Hmm.” Victoria pondered the flowers. “Two vases for the table I think dear and if there’s enough left over how about a circle for over the entrance way like you did for the Orphans dinner.”

Flower arranging was one of Margaret Barkley nee Sommers talents. Victoria thanked the powers to be for the day that Jarrod had meet and fallen for the steady, level headed Margaret, she was an asset to him both in family life and his everyday life as a practicing lawyer.

Margaret was the kind of wife the hard working lawyer needed. Steady and level headed yes but beneath it all there also lurked a spitfire. Well educated she could debate with Jarrod on many points from law and legal matter to the financial and day to day running side of the vast Barkley enterprises. If women had been allowed into the vast monetary or legal systems Margaret would’ve been right at the top.

With her by his side Jarrod’s success had grown and grown.

Watching Margaret work Victoria remembered the same function the family had held when Jarrod had announced to them that he had finally found the women he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

For the new engaged couple she’d planned a very formal dinner. A lavishly set table, three courses of Silas’s best food, vases and floral decorations in Margaret’s favourite flowers, roses and tulips.

“Bringing back some memories?” Margaret looked up at her mother-in –law.

“Yes, seems like only yesterday Audra, Heather and I were setting this very room up for your formal dinner.” Victoria continued folding the napkins that she was taking.

“Something else?” Margaret continued. “Like maybe you’re not really ready for this, with Heather I mean or could it be something about Paul?”

Margaret, of course, knew about the circumstances that had brought the twins Heather and Heath to live with the family. In her opinion Victoria had done the right thing.

“No it’s not Paul.” Victoria answered the second question first. “I know she’s a grown woman but it still feels like..”

“You’re loosing one of your babies?”

“It’ll be the same with Audra when the time comes”

“No it won’t.”

Victoria threw her daughter in law a puzzled glance.

“Audra’s been your daughter her whole life. You’re still, relatively speaking of course, getting to know your second daughter.” Margaret shortened the stem of another rose. “And now just when you’re getting to know her she’s leaving.”

Silence reined in the room as Victoria pondered on Margaret’s words.

Margaret Barkley smiled she’d hit the nail right on the head.

Pulling his watch out of his pocket the Captain studied it again for the third time in ten minutes. The boat and her crew were due to leave for the designated pick up point in under thirty minutes and still neither of the required crewmen were about.

All his crew had been given the day off to enjoy the town delights of Stockton, but to the engineer and his mate he had given notice to be back on board by three o’clock on the dot ready for sailing at a quarter past the hour.

“And the cargo?” The tall well built man growled to the group of men standing before him in the seedy back room of the boarding house close to the docks of the Port of Stockton.

In front and beside him stood men of vary heights and weights, some big and well muscled, those were his body guards and his fighting force, a couple of them although just as evil looking as their larger companions were smaller in stance and less well endowed in the muscle department. These were his information gatherers; they could watch, listen and blend into a crowd at a moments notice.

The one exception was the rather nervous looking engineers mate of the ‘Party One’

“Hasn’t even been touched.” The mate fidgeted, wishing now that he’d never gotten involved with this crowd in the first place. “We stocked up for the do two nights ago, and the lot tonight have supplied their own wood to be burned.”

“And just where is this little trip going tonight?” The big man began to circle the mate.

“To a place called Coveringtons Landing, then back passed the boarding dock and up river for another couple of miles. There we’ll be stopping for I’m not sure how long and then turning round again and heading back to Barkley Landing. Four hour trip altogether.”

“Coverington’s Landing.” The boss mused. He had on that particular spread already in place a few people. This was going even better then first planned. Just ride to the Coverington spread and wait for the boat. “Ok you’re done.” He looked at the mate. “Get out, go back to your job and wait.”

“What about my payment?” The mate asked. He’d risked much more than just his job for this and now he wanted his share. “You’ll be paid once we have the goods.” The boss reassured him.

Not really likening the tone in his bosses voice the mate added.

“There is just one more thing you should know.”

“What?” The headman growled again. This little weasel was beginning to annoy him.

“Do you remember a man by the name of…”

Slowly the mate laid down the additional information he had.

“You may have just earned yourself a bonus.” The boss smiled evilly. Already ideas were spinning around in his head as to what to do with the information. “Now go.”

A similar conversation was also taking place in another part of the waterfront. The only difference being that instead of being a nervous informer, the spy was in control and well known to the people around him.

“Four men, four women just floating on the river waiting for us to pick them up.” The shadowy figure told the assembled gathering before him. “Three of them perfect for any of the sailing ships in San Francisco.”

“And the women?” One of his companions asked.

“The older one we can’t use she’ll have to be killed but the three younger ones will do very nicely for our friends needs. And don’t even think about touching them. They’re worth more to us whole.”

“What about the fourth male?”

“A bit soft not worth as much as the other three. But I’m sure somebody will be able to make use of him.”

“How do we get them outta here?”

“That’s what you lot are going to be doing for the next few hours.” The figure turned to face the questioner. “You lot are going to be stealing the fastest boat in this port. Bring it to here.” He pointed to a spot on the river map.

“Coverington’s Landing?”

“The boat will be stopping there to load on extra food. Best place.”

“And you’re sure?” Another of the group asked. “Heard the trip planned out myself.” The figure turned to leave. “Now remember be there, no foul ups understand?"

“Mrs Barkley.” The captain greeted the lady who’d booked his services for the evening. “Right on time.” He held out his hand and helped Victoria onto the deck.

“Captain Sims.” Victoria accepted the hand and then turned to watch as he accorded the same curtesy to Margaret.

“And Mrs Barkley.” He greeted Margaret. “You’ll have a clear twenty minutes before we have to leave to set up.” He looked around. “Just the two of you? What about you chef?”

“Thank-you Captain.” Margaret said as she stepped onto the deck.” It shouldn’t take as long as that. We should be out from under your feet in say ten minutes.”

“Silas will be waiting for you at the Barkley landing.” Victoria assured him. “Where are your crew?”

“I’ll be bringing only a small crew with me tonight.” Sims told her. “Just myself, the engineer and his mate.”

“But you had more than that with you yesterday when we went over the route.” Margaret pointed out.

“Yes ma’am but after you’d gone I decided to cut the crew size down to what I thought the size of the trip needed.”

“It’s your boat Captain Sims and your crew.” Victoria headed for the covered in eating area. “You know what you are doing.”

“Now you know where and when to let these off.” Nick Barkley asked his assembled crew as they stood on the banks of the Stockton River near the Barkley landing.

Heads nodded. Nick had already briefed them on the plan and how he wanted it executed, right down to the last detail.

“So that’s what you’ve been planning.” A feminine voice said from behind him. “A fireworks display, how wonderful.”

“Audra!” Nick exclaimed in frustration as he turned and faced his youngest sister with a look of anger on his face. “It was supposed to be a surprise. And since when did you start spying on your brothers?”

“Since they started to plot a surprise and wouldn’t let me in on it.” Audra Barkley told him “And so if nobody will tell me anything then I just have to find out for myself.”

“Anyway why aren’t you back at the house helping Mother and Margaret with the flowers and stuff?”

“They’ve got that well in hand.” Audra kicked the dirt in front of her.

“Now honey what’s wrong?” Nick knew the sign at once. His blonde headed sister was troubled by something.

“I don’t know. I’m just feeling a little useless. Mother and Margaret are busy handling the flowers and other things needed for the boat, Jarrod’s keeping Paul and Heather busy in town. You and Heath have arranged for the meat and stuff to be ready at the turn around point and now you’ve both arranged for this fireworks display.”

“What about that wedding sampler Mother asked you to stitch hmm?” Nick squatted down by his despondent sibling “She could’ve chosen to do it herself, but decided to let you make knowing that it’d mean a lot to both Heather and Paul as a gift from you. So while we’re all doing our bit now you’ll be doing yours come wedding day when both of them open your gift. Besides you’re also the maid of honour. Who else will Heather be relying on more heavily then you in the next few months?”

Audra smiled a small smile and nodded.

“Come on sis give me a proper smile now.”

“Thanks Nick.” Audra did as instructed and gave him a full Audra smile.

“Now scoot so Heath and me can finish of here properly, that’s if that brother of ours turns up. And so help me if I hear that you told Heather, Paul, Mother, Margaret or Jarrod about this. I’ll hide Golden Girls bridle and saddle for a month.”

“Sisters.” He reflected as he watched Audra ride back in the direction of the house.

A cloud of dust coming towards him and the approaching sound of horses told him that riders were close by; the size of the dust cloud told him that it wasn’t the party he was expecting. Heath, as far as he knew was travelling alone.

It was in fact his missing brother and with company.

“Look what I found.” Heath called as he pulled up beside Nick.

Riding beside him was their nearest neighbour and friend Ed Coverington. With him were his foreman Russ Mordant and two hands Pete Connors and Hank Summers.

“Who found who?” Ed retorted with. “Came across this lonely looking cowboy few miles back decided he really shouldn’t be out by himself it’s a big bad world out there.” He reached out and slapped Heath’s back.

“Thanks Ed.” Nick smiled Ed Coverington had been a family friend for over twenty-five years. Both he and his wife Susannah. “I keep telling the boy here not to stray too far, but he just don’t listen to me.”

Coverington looked from one brother to the other. Both were enjoying the little by-play that was going on.

Having worked with both of the Barkley brothers over the years he knew just how close and strong the bond between them was.

“What I really stopped by for was to tell you that everything is ready at my end. And your boys safely delivered the meat.”

“Thanks Ed, we really appreciate this.” Heath thanked their neighbour.

“Only to glad to help. Now don’t forget our bargain. I get to kiss the bride straight after the family at this wedding.”

“No worries.” Nick grinned.

“If I were twenty years younger I’d give that soon to be soldier brother-in –law of yours a run for his money. He’s a fortunate man. Damn pretty girl that red haired sister of yours.”

“I’ll remember to tell Susannah you said that next time I see her.” Nick winked at Heath.

Ed and Susannah Coverington were devoted to each other. Married for some thirty years and having raised a family of four the only thing now that would end their partnership would be the death of one of the partners.

“She won’t believe you. Look have a good time fellas. Say hello to your Mother and kiss your sister for me. Maybe Susannah and I might come down to the landing to see you all for a moment while you’re getting the meat.”

“You’ll be more than welcome.” Heath said. “Mother will be delighted to thank you herself.”

“Good luck fella’s.” With that Coverington and his men turned their horses toward their own spread.

“How’s it coming here?” Heath turned and surveyed the work Nick had already done.

“So far ok but I’d get done a lot quicker if somebody had turned up when he said he would.” Nick pointed out.

“Ok point taken.” Heath muttered. “So what else needs to be done?”

“Just marking the spots out.” Nick made for the first bundle of fireworks.

“What’s with Audra?”

“Our little sister is feeling a little useless at the moment.”

“This will never work.” Jarrod Barkley thought to himself as he sat in the tea rooms of the Cattlemen’s Hotel with his sister and her fiancée “She’ll see through me straight away. They both will.”

“Can I take your order Mr Barkley?” The voice of the hostess broke into his thoughts.

“Yes tea and cakes for three please.” He ordered. “If that’s alright with you two?” He looked at his companions.

“Fine thanks Jarrod.” Heatherleah Barkley smiled at her trying to be cool but not succeeding brother.

“No complaints for me either.’ Paul Roberts, Heathers fiancée and a captain in Military Intelligence confirmed.

“Look Jarrod if it’ll make things easier for you I’ll tell Mother you did a wonderful job at keeping the fact that she’s arranging our engagement dinner for the family tonight a secret.”

Jarrod threw his sister an ‘ I’m not sure what you are talking about’ look. Butter would not have melted in the Barkley family lawyers mouth.

“Don’t give me that look Jarrod Barkley.” Heather continued teasing her eldest brother. “Mother doesn’t literally push me out the door for nothing.”

“And Nick and Heath just don’t say things like ‘Don’t worry Paul we’ll manage’ to me when we all know that there’s horses need breaking, cattle that need branding, hay that has to be stored and peaches that need to be picked.” Paul Roberts put in his piece.

“Ok, ok enough you two.” Jarrod held up his hand. “Anyway that’s not the only reason I asked you two to have tea with me. There are one or two other matters that need sorting out, such as when are you two planning to get married? Where? How many people?”

“Jarrod.” Heather now held up her hand. “Slow down a bit, one thing at a time.”

Looking at his soon to be bride Paul took over the conversation.

“We’d like it to be in the Spring say late May or maybe early June.” He took Heathers hand.

“At home in Mothers rose garden it’ll be in full bloom by then and looking splendid.”

Jarrod smiled to himself, deep down he always suspected his sister to be a romantic at heart. Spring and roses. Being the start of Fall now they’d have plenty of time.

...Continued