by Jody Hedlund
“There’s no guarantee she’ll be better off with someone else—”
“I can guarantee it. With me. Violet will be better off with me.”
Abe swallowed a frustrated sigh.
“’Course, I’m planning to get married. If I can’t keep Violet without getting married, then I’ll hurry things along and find a husband right away.”
“It’s not wise to rush into marriage. Choosing a spouse is too important to be undertaken without a great deal of thought.”
“And I am planning to think on it long and hard.”
“You’ll need to take your time and get to know the young man. Surely you see the importance of having shared values as well as shared affection?”
“All I need to know is that he’ll take care of me and Violet. And I also need him to take me up to the mining camps so I can find my brother.”
“Your brother?”
“Aye. My twin.”
Miss Hart had a twin brother living in the mining camps? Abe was sure his surprise showed on his face. “My circuit takes me among many of the mining camps and puts me into contact with many men. Perhaps I know your brother.”
“Zeke Hart?” she asked hopefully. “Six feet tall, medium build, dark hair, and green eyes?”
Abe searched his mind for the fellows he’d come to know that resembled Miss Hart. But he’d never run across a Zeke Hart. And of course the description could fit any number of men.
With Miss Hart’s expectant gaze upon him, he continued to mentally comb through the many people he’d met. “When did he arrive? And do you know approximately where he’s located?”
“He left over a year ago, and all he said was that he was going to the Fraser River Valley.”
“The Fraser River Valley spans hundreds of miles. And many of the miners have pushed farther inland into the Cariboo area. Has he written with a more specific address?”
She dropped her gaze. If she was hoping to hide her guilt, it was written into her expression as clear as daylight. “I haven’t heard from him, but I was hoping once I got up into the Fraser River Valley and started asking around, people would be able to point me to him.”
“It’s possible.” Especially if he’d made a name for himself by striking a vein of gold. But it was also possible she’d never locate him, that he could have been one of the many thousands of miners who’d hoped to make a fortune last spring or summer, only to leave more destitute than when they arrived.
“I really need to find him,” she stated, the guilt still creasing her face. “And I need a man who can help me do that.”
Since Abe had been born late in his mother’s life and many years after his siblings, he’d never been close to his older brother and sister. He didn’t have a relationship with them—certainly not the kind of bond that twins had. Even so, whatever Miss Hart’s connection to her twin brother, her predicament didn’t sit well with him. “I would still urge you to use a great deal of caution in choosing a spouse.”
“Some nice fellas came calling last night. I’m sure it won’t take too much longer to pick one of them.” She met his gaze head on, as though daring him to stop her.
With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he realized he couldn’t prevent her from a hasty marriage. But perhaps he could slow her down. “Violet is not yet yours, Miss Hart. Herman could very well show up later today and collect her. It would be best to refrain from any drastic measures until we know Herman’s intentions.”
She hesitated, the moment drawing out so that the sounds from within the house became more prominent—the footsteps overhead in the women’s bedrooms, the chatter and laughter in the sitting room across the hallway, and the clinking of utensils and pans from the kitchen at the back of the house.
Finally, Miss Hart nodded. “I’ll wait a few days until after Jane’s funeral. But then I’ll be ready to move on.” Without sparing him another look, she crossed to the door and left.
Abe could only stare after her, worry nagging him. Although he was tired from the long hours of searching for Herman, he realized he wouldn’t be able to rest anytime soon. Not until Violet was back where she belonged and Miss Hart was safe from the pressure of rushing into marriage.
six
Zoe stared at the plain wooden coffin as the men lowered it into the gaping hole. Slowly the ground swallowed her friend, taking her away forever. Though Zoe’s chest ached with the need to sob, her eyes remained dry, probably because she’d already shed all the tears her body held. The past two sleepless nights with Violet had given her too much time to cry over the loss of Jane.
Violet grunted, and Zoe automatically began to rock the babe. She certainly didn’t want the babe wailing now, not with all the other women around mourning for Dora and Jane. Most were already irritated enough that the babe woke them at night with her noises. They’d only complain all the louder if Violet disturbed them again.
If Zoe had ever entertained the idea of living at the Marine Barracks with Violet, she’d quickly tossed it aside. Not only were her bride-ship companions grumbling, but the ladies from the welcoming committee were too—all except Mrs. Moresby, who’d been kind enough to collect donations of baby clothing, infant napkins, blankets, and more.
Zoe had reassured everyone she’d soon be married and would take Violet away from the Marine Barracks.
Today. She’d find a man today. In fact, earlier, as she’d walked to the cemetery, she’d made a point of spreading the word that she was looking for a husband. Surely when she returned to the Marine Barracks she’d have a line of fellas waiting to meet her.
Zoe had tried not to let her gaze stray toward Pastor Abe during the ceremony. She had no doubt he’d overheard her announcement when she’d arrived. And she’d kept her attention on the coffins so she didn’t have to chance seeing his disapproval.
He had no reason to be upset with her decision. She’d agreed to wait until after the funeral. He couldn’t expect her to put off a wedding indefinitely, could he? Especially since he hadn’t been able to locate Herman. He’d kept her up-to-date on his progress each evening when he came to check on Violet. He’d been kind enough to continue his visits and clearly took his responsibilities for the infant seriously.
Though he hadn’t admonished Zoe again regarding her efforts to find a husband, she’d sensed his caution, and she understood the need to be careful about getting into a potentially bad marriage. She’d seen her fair share of unhappy situations in the slums.
Like Pastor Abe, the welcoming committee had assured the bride-ship women that they needn’t hurry, that they could take time to be properly courted by their suitors. But people married for convenience all the time. Some people got lucky and developed affection for each other, and some people didn’t. If love never came for her, she’d make the best of it.
Besides, did love really matter? All the people she’d loved had either left or died. Maybe she’d be better off if she didn’t allow herself to love again. Maybe a marriage of convenience to a complete stranger was exactly what she needed to keep from giving her heart away only to have it crushed.
“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, amen,” Pastor Abe concluded, making the motion of the cross. Even today, having changed out of his casual attire into a dark suit and clerical collar, he still didn’t look like any reverend she’d ever seen. She couldn’t figure out why, except that he was simply too handsome.
A murmuring of amens came from around the graveside followed by the thud of dirt hitting the coffins as the gravedigger and his apprentice shoveled from the waiting pile. The others took that as their cue to step back and give the men room to work. Even Pastor Abe began to walk away and was immediately flocked by several of the bride-ship women who’d made a point of noticing and speaking to him whenever he came to visit the Marine Barracks. After he left, they giggled and whispered over him like schoolgirls instead of grown women.
Zoe couldn’t make her feet move. Instead, she stared at the dark opening as the
damp scent of earth rose up. The weather was warmer and balmier, the cold nip gone. Though the sky was overcast with low gray clouds, the rain had held off during the funeral. And now it was sprinkling, finally shedding tears upon the departed.
Good-bye, Jane, she said silently. You were a dear, heaven-sent friend when I most needed one. Thank you. I will never forget you.
The clacking and whirring of the looms reverberated in Zoe’s head, the noise that had been their constant companion every day from before dawn until after dusk. She could see the floating pieces of cotton in the dusty haze that filled the cardroom, the same dust that eventually filled Mum’s lungs, and Jane’s, and the lungs of countless other mill women, who were hired on for half the pay of men. The long hours, the stifling air, the dim lighting, the dangerous machinery that easily caught fingers and hair—at the time they’d considered themselves lucky to have work. But had it really been worth it?
Zoe stood for several more long moments, an ache pulsing through her. This wasn’t how things were supposed to end for Jane. This wasn’t what they’d dreamed about during the voyage over. They’d both wanted to find husbands with good jobs that didn’t involve weaving or textiles. They’d planned to be neighbors and help each other when their babies came along. They wanted to have better lives here in this new land, free from the sickness that ran rampant in the Manchester slums.
“Miss?” said someone from close behind.
She turned to find a man holding his hat in his hands and watching her expectantly. Of medium build, he was stocky and rugged with his brown hair slicked back and beard neatly trimmed.
“Rumor has it you’re wanting to find your brother. Man by the name of Zeke Hart.”
Ever since the true culprits of the mill fire had been caught, she’d been bursting with the need to find Zeke and set him free from the guilt and heartache that had forced him to run away from Manchester. Everyone now knew he’d been accused of a crime he hadn’t committed and that he wasn’t responsible for the deaths of the mill workers. He was a free man. She wouldn’t be able to rest until she told him the news. “Aye. He’s my twin. Do you know him?”
“I know a fella who goes by Jeremiah Hart. You share a family resemblance.”
Jeremiah Hart? Was it possible Zeke had changed his name as an extra precaution? It made sense. And it also made sense that he would have taken the name of his best friend—Jeremiah Millington.
The man perused her again, taking her in from her scarf-covered head down to her muddy boots. His gaze hesitated on Violet before landing on Zoe’s face, a slow smile forming. “Yep, just what I remembered. You’re the pretty one.”
He remembered her? From when she’d come ashore? She studied his face again. Aye, he was the cocky man who’d tugged at her scarf and cloak and made lewd comments about her body and how he wouldn’t mind having her warm his bed this winter.
She scowled.
He tossed back his head and laughed. “Good. I see you remember me now too.”
“Not willingly.”
He laughed again. “I like you.”
“What do you want?” The others were drifting farther away, and she needed to join them. Also, she needed to get Violet out of the drizzle.
“Heard you’re looking to get married right away, and I’m here to tell you that I’m the man you want to marry.”
Her sights narrowed on him. “And why would I want to marry you?”
“You did say you want a man who can take you to your brother, right?”
She could feel Zeke’s pendant in her pocket weighing ever heavier with each passing day. “That’s right. But how do I know this Jeremiah Hart is really my brother?”
“Like I said, you look alike—same black hair and green eyes.”
“I’m sure that could apply to lots of fellas.”
“It’s obvious you’re twins.”
Aye, even though Zeke was bigger and broader and masculine in every sense of the word, they shared similar features, even down to having the same dimples. Was it possible she’d found Zeke? That this man could take her to him? For the first time since she’d arrived in Victoria, anticipation leapt to life inside her.
“Do you know where my brother is?”
“Yep. He’s up in the Williamsville area doing real well for himself. I know the way up the canyon. Traveled the route more times than most miners.”
“Then you’re a miner?”
His grin inched higher, almost as if he thought the question was funny. “I’ve made a sizeable fortune so far.”
A sizeable fortune? “Then you can support and take care of a wife and child?” She let her sights drop to Violet and stroked the babe’s back.
“I don’t want Herman Cox’s half-breed.”
Zoe’s head snapped up. “Then I don’t want you.” She spun and started to stalk away.
“Hold on now.” His footsteps pounded the earth behind her, and his hand closed around her upper arm, halting her.
She was tempted to jerk free and continue on. But this man knew Zeke’s whereabouts and was willing to take her there.
He spun her around and gentled his hold. “I’ll build you a house in Williamsville. A real big fancy one.” His expression was earnest.
A real big fancy house? She’d always lived with her family in rented rooms in one tenement or another in Manchester. And the possibility of finally having a house—no matter the size—sent a thrill through her. It was just what she and Jane had talked about. But she also wanted Violet. “I’m obliged to take care of this little one.”
“Let someone else be responsible for the babe.”
“Herman gave her to me. And now I have the chance to do her some good and give her a better life.”
The miner hesitated.
Would all the fellas feel the same way about Violet as this one? Zoe hadn’t considered the possibility that having a babe would limit the number of men who might be willing to marry her. With so many wanting wives, she’d thought she’d have no trouble. But what if she couldn’t find anyone to take her with the babe?
A sliver of anxiety worked its way under her skin. “I promise Violet won’t be any trouble.”
He stared at the outline of the babe within the bundle of blankets. “What if I find Rose’s relatives? And what if they’re willing to provide a home for the babe?”
“Herman said he already tried to find them and that they’re all dead.”
The man scoffed. “Herman’s a lazy drunk. He wouldn’t be able to find his face in a mirror.”
“Then you think Violet might still have family somewhere?”
“I’ve got connections. If Rose still has family, I’ll find them.”
Zoe wasn’t sure whether to be worried or happy about the prospect. ’Course, the babe deserved to have family raise her—especially if they were a loving family.
Yet Herman had all but given Violet to her, hadn’t he? Perhaps God had even ordained their meeting. After all, she’d still been at the hospital when Herman had come. And Pastor Abe had been there at the right moment too. Besides, she was experienced with infants and knew just the kind of care Violet required. How many other women would have been willing or able to take the babe? It was almost as if God knew she needed the babe as much as the babe needed her. Just when she’d been experiencing loss, new life had been dropped into her lap.
Whatever the case, she wasn’t planning to give Violet up. Not yet.
As if sensing her resolve, the miner released her and stepped back. “I’m giving you a good offer. Why don’t you take some time today to think on it?”
“Why don’t you think about the fact that if you want me, then you’ll have to want the babe?”
He grinned. “I’ll do that. You just might be worth it.”
As he walked away, she exhaled slowly, releasing the tension. She watched him join a couple other men, exchange a few words, and then laugh as they ambled away.
Maybe he wasn’t exactly handsome. But he was decent looking
and could provide for her. Best of all, he could help her find Zeke. That’s all she needed in a man. Wasn’t it?
A clearing throat startled her.
She spun to find Pastor Abe holding his Bible and prayer book against his chest. A scowl marred his handsome face as he stared in the direction of the miner who’d been speaking with her. “What were you talking about with Dexter Dawson?”
Dexter Dawson? Her face flushed with the realization that she’d practically agreed to marry a man whose name she hadn’t known. Was she really so desperate?
The truth was, she didn’t care what his name was. It was irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things. More important was that he might be willing to take care of both her and Violet.
“He asked me to marry him.”
“He what?” Pastor Abe seemed to choke on the words.
“He said he’d marry me and take me to my brother.”
Pastor Abe stepped closer, his brow furrowing even deeper. “You can’t marry Dexter Dawson.”
“Why not? He promised to build me a house and said he had a sizeable fortune.”
“Because he’s a crook.”
She scowled. “You’re saying that to discourage me, because you don’t think I should get married yet.”
“I don’t agree with hasty marriages—that’s true. But it’s also true that Dexter Dawson is not an honest, law-abiding man.”
“He looks normal enough.”
“He’s not innocent or normal. He’s dangerous and steals gold from the expressmen and caravans coming down out of the mountains.”
She paused at the accusation and glanced at Dexter’s retreating form. He had the confident swagger of a man who thought too much of himself. But he’d given her no reason to believe he was a dangerous crook. “If he’s such a bad criminal, then why isn’t he in jail?”
“Because he hasn’t been caught in the act.”
“So there’s no solid proof he’s doing the stealing?”
Pastor Abe drew in a breath, whispered something that sounded like a prayer, then spoke calmly. “Miss Hart, you must believe me that Dexter Dawson isn’t the type of man you want for a husband.”
