Jamie came in about two hours before Octavia served the midday meal.

"Mother where can I find some cleaning rags Marcella spit up all over the wall," Valerie asked.

"In the cupboard next to the sink dear, hello Jamie," Octavia said.

"Hello my darling, hello Valerie," Jamie said. Valerie nodded a greeting and hurried off.

"You look done in," Octavia said studying Jamie as her daughter in law went to fetch the rags.

"I am, do you mind that she calls you mother?" Jamie whispehered.

Octavia shook her head, she figured with the cold fish Olga as a mother Valerie probably felt more like a daughter to her then she did her own mother.

"Great news," Jamie said.

"You have found Ross," Octavia asked.

"Not I some friend of Lissa's I wish to give him the reward but no one seems to know where he is and Lissa said he would not accept it any way," Jamie said.

"That is unusual." Octavia said, but then Lissa probably had a lot of unusual friends amoung the horse racing set.

"It is I am done in," Jamie sighed.

"What happened, why did Julius take off like that with Ross?" Octavia asked softly, she did not want Joseph and Nicholas to over hear.

"I am not sure, things have been so bizarre around town with Neils loosing his mind temporarily and Julius running off. But I think it has something to do with Swensen and son. You know Pharnum has been caring for Neils, he says that Julius had been acting stranger and stranger and the day Neils was rampaging with the horse pistol, Julius stopped to clear his desk of papers then he argued with Neils who had a gun. Most odd behaviour, Pharnum pleaded with him as well but Julius did not know the gun was empty. Julius knows nothing about guns." Jamie explained.

"True, I probably know more then he does," Octavia said, she had actually fired them, when Jamie had been gone Oly had thought she should have means to defend herself.

Jamie looked around to make sure they were alone.

"Yes exactly, makes one wonder, Delilah told me that they quarreled she screamed for the children to run, they did, but Julius snatched up Ross before they could get to the school." Jamie said shaking his head, "The girls were terrified of their father Monique told me."

"Yes when I went to town to see my daughters Monique told me that part of the story, she was frightened for Ross, Julius is not the best horsemen," Octavia sighed she was so glad her grandchildren were all safe.

Just then Andrew started to cry. Jamie smiled it was good to have small ones around again.

"I can't believe he is two and Marcella is almost a year," Jamie laughed.

"Valerie is busy with Marcella, I will get him," Octavia said.

"I don't understand Julius and never did, he seemed to be doing better at work but Delilah said he was never happy, yet he refused my ticket to Europe," Jamie said.

"You were right about him he is not right for our daughter, poor Delilah what will she do now?" Octavia sighed, "Come on Andrew, dance with grandmother."

"That my darling is up to our daughter, but I am looking up the marriage law to make sure if we gift her anything he can not come back for it after the church annulls it.

"So you do not think it is a tiff and he will return.

"If he returns I will personally make sure it is not for long, my poor grandson is very upset. According to this once the church annulls the marriage he has no rights and he abandonded them so the annulment will not take long, I must go see Clive Martin." Jamie said.

"I can not imagine what poor Delilah must be going through," Octavia sighed.

"I am going to lie down for a while I have a town meeting at four could you awake me for an early tea please," Jamie asked.

"Of course," Octavia said, wondering what Delilah would do without a husband. Delilah was not made of the same stuff Maylissa and herself were made of. Maybe that was why Octavia always favoured her, the other three girls were made of the same stock she and Jamie were. Delilah was more like Gabrielle incapable of doing much on her own.

At that moment Delilah was selling the piano. She was glad to see the thing go, but she haggled to get the very best price, Maylissa talking to the men last night about horse breeding made her realize that she could argue about price.

"Thanks Mrs. Orphington, I know my children will love having this piano, they were both learning from the Mister it is a shame he had to go back to Europe." Eddie said softly.

"Well his career was more important then me, and my father will see that I get an annullment I am sure," Delilah said thinking about what Lewis had told her this morning when he checked in on her after Tristen left. Lewis had told her what he thought would happen, and what she should tell people and do.

She loved Lewis but knew he would never leave his wife for her, even though he loved her, she almost thought she did not want a man. She would have widow status and could go to dances and have men call on her. She already had sent for Cass Timberlane to repair the roof. Her first step in getting a man who would escort her out. She was not sure which of the Timberlanes were single but she thought Cass was.

"Mother may I keep the violin?" Ross pleaded.

"Yes mother may we," Rochelle pleaded.

"If you two will enjoy it, I refuse to make you learn it," Delilah said.

"We will," Rochelle and Ross echoed.

"It is all right Missus I will take just the piano," Eddie said knowing it was a good deal, pianos were dear and he had gotten this one for the price of a good horse. Todd had paid more for his forte.

"Father is not coming back is he?" Rosalee asked after the man had left paying her for the piano.

"No if he does he will be sorry," Deliah said thinking Lewis had hired a couple of men to keep an eye on the house.

"What are we going to do without father?" Rochelle said, she and Rosalee were only seven but they had attended school with their aunt Monique who they both adored and secretly wish she was their mother.

"Eat your mush. You are just like your aunt Maylissa you ask too many questions," Delilah snapped.

"I wish aunt Maylissa was my mother," Rochelle whisphered.

Rosalee sighed, she guessed that they shouldn't make mother angry after all she was sick this morning and she argued with the man about the money for the piano.

"You know Dennis Chastains father left and now he has to work and he can not take time to attend school, do you think mummy will make us work?" Rosalee asked.

"No grandfather will see that we get to go to school," Rochelle reasoned.

"I am glad father went away on a boat and won't come back," Rosalee said after she was sure their mother was upstairs.

"Me too, he is mean he twisted my ear and slapped me," Ross said.

"I know Ross and I am sorry I wasn't big enough to beat him up," Rochelle said.

"Sissy I am kind of scared," Rosalee said.

"Well the three of us have to stick together, aunt Monique, aunt Maylissa, and our grandparents won't let anything bad happen to us." Rochelle said, she was glad her father was gone, and was not a bit afraid. Her mother being sick bothered her a bit, but she knew she could go to aunt Monique.

At the Inn the town meeting was getting under way.

"You gentlemen all know Justin Landers, he was just elected to the council beating out Amberly," Jamie said.

"Congratulations," Timberlane said.

"Yes, that is quite a feat we have wanted Amberly off the board for some time," Eddie Coats said smiling.

"You can thank Casper, he also wanted progress and ran against his father, split the Amberly vote and got me elected. I am sure Casper would have done a good job here as well," Justin said humbly.

"I always liked Casper and Paul, good men, but the elder Amberly blocked most the voting with Neils when a quarrum was required to approve a major improvement," Roland said.

"We were on a slippery slope, now to get down to business unless there are no questions," Jamie said.

"I have two questions, why is the press here and why is Jamie the chairman?" Justin asked.

"I am not here as a press I am here for Alexander, and Jamie is chairman because he has been on the council the longest, I can't report anything not approved, as if I were not here," Roland explained.

Justin was satisfied and they went on to vote to fire the constable and hire Warren Martin as the new constable, and have a fundraiser for the school. With funds raised and the monies gifted by Oly a new larger school would be built. Roland had helped the council invest the money wisely.

Both Jamie and Roland were very pleased with the progress made.

"I went to see father," Roland said as they sat alone.

"How is he?" Jamie said.

"A bit grumpy, so I think he is getting better, he also knew who I was," Roland said.

"Good to hear,"Jamie sighed.

"Pharnum is getting old I am going to see what we can do to set him up in a pensioners cottage," Roland said, thinking the man was one of the best.

"Did you wish to see me Roland? Mr. Warwick?" Warren asked.

Jamie looked at Roland.

Roland smiled, and Jamie said, "Warren do have a seat."

"Yes we do, you have the job as our new constable, now I want you to go fire the old one Amberly hired," Roland said smiling, then I have some things I want you to look at and call that captain Ferrin sent us in and consult with him tomorrow or at the earliest.

"Yes sirs," Warren said happily.

"It seems that Julius was not only a bad clerk but according to what Pharnum and Orsen have discovered this morning he is also a theif," Roland said, "I am sorry."

Jamie sighed, as Lewis walked by.

"So that is why Julius left in such a hurry, and maybe why your father tossed his fit?" Jamie said.

"No father doesn't seem to know about the robbery or at least he doesn't remember it," Roland said.

Lewis had something he had seen in the paper he wished to talk about, so he sat down with them and started looking through the paper.

Lewis paused, so he thought something else was going on as he had expected. One of his men had tracked down the guy who had recovered Ross, and he told them what he had seen.

Lewis just wanted to make sure Julius was really gone.

"Most likely nothing can be done, the goods were relayed to a wares holding building in the town of Dutchers mill but my rider says there is nothing there," Roland said.

"They boarded a ship going south last night I have been told," Lewis said

"Really, well it has cost the company a bit of gold, how do you know this Lewis?" Roland asked.

"I have my sources as do you," Lewis answered, he did not want to land Rafeal into something he might not be able to get out of.

One of the women he sleeps with, Roland thought. Roland nodded.

Lewis went to Delilah's house it was nice not to have to sneak in any more.

"Hello darling," Delilah said and kissed him.

"What a difference the piano is gone," he said as she climbed onto his lap.

"Yes now I can get something bigger so the children and I can all sit." Delilah said.

"You are so strong my love," Lewis said kissing her.

"Not really, but knowing your around helps," she sighed, part of her regretted that she would have to let him go home to his wife, but part of her thought it might be alright. She liked being her own mistress. When school started she would send Ross and it would just be her and sweet little Nathanial all day, that would be wonderful. The girls were old enough to watch him at night while she attended dances. Life would be great.

"I do love you, you know that don't you?" Lewis asked.

She kissed Lewis and they started to make out, she did love him, because he was a free spirit and she longed to be one as well. But women were not supposed to be that way.

"We should take this upstairs what if the children were to walk in." Lewis laughed, and he laughed because the old Lewis would not have cared.

"I suppose," Delilah giggled, she wanted him so much.

"Grandfather! Grandfather!" Rochelle cried with glee.

"Oh no my father," Delilah said.

"I will wait upstairs," he whispered.

"Sorry grandfather did not bring you anything," Jamie said, "But I remember you want paints and will get them next time I go to Rivers Edge."

"That's fine we are just glad to see you, because we are kind of worried," Rochelle said.

"Sissy," Rosalee warned, wondering where her mother is.

"What would a pretty girl like you have to worry about?" Jamie asked.

"I will tell mum you are here," Ross said, and Rosalee grabbed his arm.

"She is busy she will be out in a minute," Rosalee said.

Jamie thought the children were acting a bit oddly but they seemed more natural and happier then usual.

"Well now that our father has gone away we are a lot happier," Rochelle said.

"But I worry about where we are going to get food and now that we have no father to bring home wages," Rosalee said.

"Why would you worry about that?" Jamie asked.

"Because mum said if father quit his rat hole job we would starve," Rochelle sighed.

"Well you shouldn't worry about that, I will make sure you always have food and anything you really need," Jamie said wondering if Delilah had meant to terrify her children so.

"Good see I told you silly girls, grandfather would . . ." Ross started then saw his mother, "Lets go finish the gardening."

"Hello father," Delilah greeted

"Delilah I just came from Clive to see about getting your marriage taken care of, instead of annullement we will claim him dead, that way you can remarry in a year and Roland will put ads in the paper and some in Portland as well." Jamie explained.

"Well I don't know father, perhaps I will never get married again," Delilah said thinking if she couldn't marry Lewis she would not marry any one.

"How will you get by? I mean we can afford to provide for you for a year or so, but Delilah, since Oly passed away I realize how fragile life is your mother will be taken care of by Lucas and Tristen if I were to pass away. But I don't think it is fair to ask them to take care of their sister and her four children. They have or will have their own children." Jamie explained.

"Oly was old father, you are in your forties, hardly old," Delilah sighed.

"Well Oly left Janette well off, but she is going to marry Clive Martin, that is the way things are Delilah, single women with children need a man.

"Why father? I do not know why I need a man," Delilah said, wondering if Lewis could support her and the children without Astrid finding out. Nathaniel after all was his.

"It is the way things are, it would be different if there were no children, children need a father, you need a man to support you. Hopefully you can find a better husband this time round." Jamie said, "You are so stubborn. But I have paid your rent for a year and I will have Tristen or Lucas deliver food."

"Children come say goodbye to your grandfather," Delilah said and flounced into the house.

"Is mum mad at you too?" Rochelle asked worriedly.

"No she is just having a hard time right now, you know you can come to your aunt Moniques or to the Inn if you need anything right?" Jamie asked.

"Yes grandfather, we love you," Rosalee said.

"Next time you come will you bring one of our uncles or Rafe so we can show him our fort?" Ross asked.

"I will sure try and I will bring you all a sweet, but do not tell your mother," Jamie said smiling.

Upstairs the lovers waited for Jamie to leave.

"What was that all about darling?" Lewis asked.

"My father thinks I should get married I don't want to get married not to anyone he has in mind . . . Timberlanes or who knows. I love only you Lewis." Delilah said.

"Surely he doesn't expect you to get married now?" Lewis said thinking surely she was blowing this out of all proportions.

"No I have a year. But my love that will not change anything." she sighed.

"Good maybe in a year I can find some way to delay this further," Lewis said wondering what he could do.

They made love then dressed and lay on the bed talking about the future.

"Lewis I wish I would have never married Julius, I was so stupid do you ever regret marrying Astrid?" Delilah asked.

"No, not really Astrid helped me when I needed it. But do I love her no, I do like her a lot and respect her. Delilah she is not a well woman, I have to stay with her now do you understand that?" Lewis asked.

"Of course I understand," Delilah said. She did Lewis had no money of his own.

"That is wonderful you do, oh Delilah I hope you believe that I love you," Lewis said.

"I do Lewis. Well I guess I could sell my jewelry" she sighed.

"Do not do it until you talk to me first," Lewis said, he knew it was paste. Orphington had given her a bunch of fake jewelry.

"I might get taken," she said agreeably.

"I hate to do this but I need to go home, and I imagine your children would like their supper," Lewis said.

"So early?" Delilah asked.

"Yes I have an appointment," Lewis said, "I will try to make it back tonight or tomorrow."

"Whenever you can is fine darling, you have spent so much time with me and your children probably would like to see their father more," Delilah said generously.

"You are so sweet, feel better I really must go," Lewis said.

Delilah went down and warmed up some beans, and hoped they didn't complain, they didn't. She was surprised.

"Mum who you going to marry?" Ross asked.

"No one," Delilah said.

"But I heard grandfather . . ." Ross started and Rosalee kicked him under the table.

"Do you children want a new father?" Delilah asked.

"Well Mr. Timberlane is nice he came by when you had a headache." Rochelle said.

"I like Lewis," Ross said.

"Mum can't marry Lewis, he is already married, besides Mum doesn't need to get married." Rosalee said.

Delilah smiled at her children, she did love them despite how they tried her patience.