Champagne and Candlelight

Audra invited Amber to join her on her weekly visit to the orphanage, so Jarrod brought some contracts to work on at home. He had just poured himself another cup of coffee when there was a knock on the door. Jarrod opened it to find Rev. Stacey standing on the porch.

“Hello, Reverend,” he greeted cautiously, having a feeling he knew what prompted the unexpected visit. “Won’t you come in?”

Rev. Stacey came into the house, noting the lawyer’s reluctance. “I hope I’m not disturbing you, Jarrod, I can certainly come back.”

“Not at all,” Jarrod assured him, indicating the papers on the coffee table. “A break from paperwork is always welcome.” He hoped he’d be able to say that after the visit was over. “Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll get you some coffee.”

Rev. Stacey sat while Jarrod fixed the coffee and resumed his seat.

“So how is your sister?” the dark-haired attorney asked.

“She’s fine,” the minister replied. “I’m glad I got a chance to go visit. My nephews are growing up so fast.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I didn’t see you in church last Sunday.”

Jarrod sat back and steepled his fingers. “I guess I wasn’t sure of my welcome, Reverend.”

Rev. Stacey shook his head with a smile. “Everyone is welcome in a house of God, Jarrod. Surely you know that.”

A wry smile passed over Jarrod’s face. “I’m not sure if Rev. Allen knew.”

“Well, Jarrod, we’re all human. And welcomed is not the same thing as welcome.” The reverend put down his cup. “I only got to meet Amber briefly before I went to Denver, but she seems like a charming young woman. Is she home?”

The mention of his wife always brought a smile to Jarrod’s face. “No,” he replied, “she went with Audra to the orphanage.”

“Do I take that to mean your family’s accepted your marriage?” Rev. Stacey wanted to know. “I must admit, I did hear some talk and you probably guessed Rev. Allen had a few choice words to say about your planned nuptials.”

Jarrod shook his head and chuckled dryly “I can only imagine,” he said, remembering the man’s denunciation of he and Amber’s intention to get married, finally able to find some humour in the situation. “No, Reverend,” he said more seriously, “some of my family’s accepted it. Mother…” Jarrod heaved a sigh. “She’s barely speaking to me and won’t acknowledge Amber at all. The fact that Amber and I are cousins is abhorrent to her. I’m not sure what to do.”

“Well,” Rev. Stacey told him, getting to his feet, “the first thing you need to do is bring that little wife of yours to church on Sunday. I’ll see what I can do about your mother. Not everyone believes as my esteemed colleague, that marriage between cousins is sinful. Brothers and sisters, yes, but cousins, no.” He held out his hand and Jarrod shook it warmly.

“Thank you, Reverend,” Jarrod said, his gratitude heartfelt. “And I promise you’ll see us on Sunday.”

Rev. Stacey decided the next order of business would be a visit to the Barkley ranch. He’d known the Barkleys for years; in fact, Eugene had been the first baby he baptized when arriving in Stockton. His wife had related to him the gossip she’d heard when some of the town’s ladies gathered for tea, about Jarrod Barkley’s marriage to his cousin and his family’s reaction. The stories apparently ranged from the outrageous, the Barkleys formally disowning the eldest son, to the truth, which seemed to be that he and Victoria weren’t speaking.

Everyone had an opinion about the morality involved and Mrs. Stacey reported the prevailing view was the same as held by Rev. Stacey, that cousins marrying wasn’t strictly prohibited by the Bible, the closest being, "None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin." That particular passage went on to list the relationships that were forbidden and cousins were not mentioned. The reverend felt it was his place to help Victoria and Jarrod come to terms and re-establish the close family relationship he knew the Barkleys enjoyed.

“Why, Reverend, this is a pleasure,” Victoria greeted when she answered the door. “Why don’t you come in? I’ll have Silas make us some tea.”

“Thank you, Victoria.” Rev. Stacey removed his hat and went to his accustomed seat in the parlour that he used when visiting the Barkleys. He almost regretted the etiquette of tea or coffee when visiting his parishioners; a drop of whiskey might make this upcoming confrontation with the iron-willed Barkley matriarch a little easier to deal with.

“How is your wife?” Victoria asked when she returned and sat across from him.

“She’s fine, thank you for asking.” Rev. Stacey decided to take the bull by the horns. “In fact, something she heard is what prompted me to visit today.”

“Oh?” Victoria wondered. “And what might that be?”

“Well, she heard some disturbing rumours concerning your family, Jarrod in particular.”

Victoria’s face showed an expression of relief. “I’m so glad you want to help, Reverend. I just haven’t been able to get through to my son about the inappropriateness of his so-called marriage and my other children aren’t helping matters any.”

Rev. Stacey sighed, knowing his wasn’t an easy task. “I was hoping to be able to help reconcile you and Jarrod.”

Victoria looked at him suspiciously. “Reverend, my son is living in sin with his cousin. How can I reconcile myself to that?”

“Because I don’t believe they are living in sin,” the minister informed her. “Their marriage was properly witnessed and recorded by the state of California, and if I would have been around, it would have been sanctified by the Church, as well.” Victoria was rendered speechless by his statement and Rev. Stacey pressed on. “You came to terms with finding out about Tom’s infidelity when Heath joined your family. Can you really deny your son the same understanding?”

Rev. Stacey stood, having said all he had to say and guessing by Victoria’s expression she wasn’t ready to talk any further. “Please come find me if you need to talk, Victoria,” he urged gently. “I’ll see myself out.”

Victoria was still sitting in a state of shock when Silas came in with the tea tray.

“I see Rev. Stacey left already,” Silas noted. “Would you like some tea, Missus Barkley?”

“Oh, yes, please, Silas,” Victoria said absently.

“Well, I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me,” Silas told her, noting her state of distraction.

Victoria didn’t touch the teacup. She continued to sit, a myriad of thoughts whirling through her head. She’d always considered Rev. Stacey to be a true man of God, but his support of Jarrod and Amber’s marriage had her outraged. It wasn’t much more than incest, what that woman was doing with her son, not to mention the act she’d witnessed and who knew what else. And comparing Jarrod’s situation with what happened with Tom and Leah, well, that was just preposterous. Jarrod knew full well what he was doing and Tom had been struck with amnesia. Her husband hadn’t remained with Heath’s mother, he’d returned to his family and that made all the difference. Jarrod was staying with his whore and defending her, flaunting the morals of family if not society.

Victoria decided it was time to find a different church.