“I want you to see the ocean,” he’d told her. “Just like you’ve always dreamed.”
She smiled from the inside out. What a lucky woman she was to be married to Grey Paladin!
They stopped in front of a small building made of board and bat siding. “Is this the train depot?” she asked, confused by its exterior.
“It’s more of a coach supply house, I was told. The spur runs from Lamy to here. Guess the town couldn’t afford a genuine depot.”
She shrugged, and they stepped up to the window.
“Two tickets to San Francisco,” Grey said, pulling some greenbacks from his inside jacket pocket. They’d traded in the nuggets for cash money and put the bulk of it in the bank for when they returned. Even though he hadn’t decided where they’d settle, they’d be coming back for the animals, so after discussing it together, they both decided it would be safer to keep their money in the bank than carry it on them.
“Yes sir,” the train employee said.
Grey handed over the cash and said, “Is there a sleeping room available on this train?”
“I’ll check, sir.” The man perused a logbook.
Josie’s mouth dropped. “Are you sure?” she whispered.
He nodded and winked again. “I’d pay a hundred dollars to get you alone tonight,” he said, not bothering to whisper. “We just got married,” he told the man in the window. She felt herself heating from embarrassment.
“I understand,” the man smiled. “I do have one, sir. It will be…”
Grey cut him off. “Whatever it costs, we’ll take it for both nights. And we can eat on the train, is that correct?”
“Yes sir. The meals, I’m told, are limited, but tolerable.” He handed Grey the tickets and wished them a safe journey. “The train is due in fifteen minutes.”
“Thank you and Adios.” Grey tipped his hat, and they took a seat on a bench in the shade of the tin roof with the carpetbags at their feet. “It won’t be long now,” he told Josie. She snuggled against his arm. This was the beginning of a new life for both of them. She was still eager to see the ocean, but that dream had been somewhat eclipsed by the new dream of finding a place to settle with her husband and setting up their home, and someday starting a family.
Separately, a Mexican man and an older couple arrived at the coach house and purchased tickets. Grey nodded a welcome to the couple, and he and Josie moved down so the woman could take a seat on the bench.
“Grey,” Josie whispered, “have you been giving any thought to where we might want to buy our ranch?”
“I’ve been thinking about that for five years, darlin’.” He took her hand and squeezed.
“Maybe there’s land in California,” she offered.
“Maybe. Not around San Francisco though. It’s a big city, you know.”
“Yes, I know. Are you going to like it there? You prefer quiet open spaces. Maybe there will be too much city noise for you.”
“Ah, I think I can take a little noise for one week. We have a whole lifetime of open space ahead of us, though I don’t know how quiet it’ll be once we start making babies. A house full of children can become pretty loud.” He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose.
“A house full? How many children are you wanting, Grey?” They hadn’t discussed their preferences when it came to children. She wasn’t ready for one child yet, let alone a house full. They’d just gotten married!
He must have seen her gulp, because he laughed and said, “I’m teasing, honey. I do want children someday, but not right away. A couple will do when the time’s right. A boy and a girl would be nice. What about you? How many kids would you like?”
She smiled and repeated, “A boy and a girl will do.”
They heard the whistle blow, and she glanced down the tracks. “The train’s coming!” They stood, and he picked up the carpetbags. She wrung her hands. A tingle of anticipation moved across her shoulders.
When the train chugged to a stop, steam blasted up through the chimney pipe and the conductor appeared outside on the small deck on the back car, which had a railing around it. He came down a set of steps and greeted the travelers. “Welcome aboard the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, folks. Watch your step as you board. Please have your tickets ready. All aboard!” he shouted.
When Grey handed him their tickets, he said, “We paid for a sleeping room.”
“Please see the porter inside, and he’ll show you to your room.” When the porter opened the door to the private space, Josie gasped. The inside was paneled in wood, the floor was carpeted, and a day couch upholstered in sturdy fabric was positioned where they could sit and watch the passing view out the large window. Behind another door, enclosed in a separate space, was a small sink and toilet.
Grey gazed around. “This is nice,” he told the porter, “but where do we sleep?”
When the porter demonstrated how the day couch folded out and turned into a bed large enough for two, both of them chuckled. She was amazed to find a mattress, linens and pillows all hidden inside.
“Will this do, sir?” asked the porter.
Grey pushed on the mattress, which seemed springy under his touch. “Yep. It’ll do just fine,” he assured the man, sliding a wicked grin Josie’s way.
“The dining car is the last one on the end,” the porter informed them before leaving them to their privacy. When the door was closed and they were alone, Josie smacked Grey’s arm playfully. “You’re a devil! I think you enjoy embarrassing me.”
“That’s not all I’m going to enjoy tonight,” he said, swatting her bottom.
* * * *
For two days they luxuriated in the comfort of their private accommodations and enjoyed the forever changing scenery that rolled past the window. They only left their love nest for meals in the dining car, moments that afforded them time to talk about bringing Rusty home and their future as a family. As the train slowed and pulled into the San Francisco depot, the conductor walked down the aisles, ringing a bell shouting, “San Francisco stop! Prepare to disembark!”
Josie’s legs felt like jelly as they stepped off the train into the station swarming with travelers. The noise and commotion only became louder once they went out into the street. Horse hooves clipped down the streets pulling carriages and wagons. Streetcars rumbled, bells dinged, and people bustled here and there like ants to and from an anthill.
“What do we do now?” she asked Grey, clutching his arm, feeling both thrilled and scared of the city at the same time.
“We find a hotel. Let’s get on that trolley bus.” He pointed at the funny red car on tracks, which was stationed near the depot.
“Imagine this!” she exclaimed. “A bus that rides on railroad tracks!”
They jumped on moments before it lurched and started down the road. Grey spoke to the driver, who looked friendly. “Can you tell me where we can find a nice hotel?” He motioned toward Josie. “We’re here in California on our honeymoon.”
“Congratulations,” said the bearded, heavyset man. He didn’t hesitate with his suggestion. “I’d go to the Palace Hotel if I were you, mister. The building is so large it sits on three acres, and the exterior looks imposing, but I hear it’s reasonable in price. Your lady will love it. It’s a few blocks ahead. We’ll be stopping almost outside its doors.”
Josie and Grey beamed at one another. “Thank you,” Grey told the man.
When they gazed upon the massive seven story brick and stone building, she shook her head. “We can’t afford this place. This is for kings and queens.”
He chuckled. “We won’t know for sure until we go in and find out. Anyway, you’re my queen. You deserve the finest on your honeymoon.”
“The ranch is most important,” she reminded him. She was afraid Grey might be forgetting they only brought so much money with them, and there was only so much remaining in the Santa Fe bank. “Let’s see if we can find someplace less fancy.”
“Link your arm through mine,” he said,
since his arms were full of their carpetbags. “I want to look inside, even if we don’t stay here.”
They found themselves staring with open mouths when they crossed the grand central court, a circular driveway surrounded by a marble-tiled promenade and a tropical garden of exotic looking flowers, complete with statues and fountains, where carriages dropped off guests. Once they were inside, the hotel became even more magnificent. The central court opened to the main entrance and check-in office. Opposite the main entrance was a music pavilion, in which an instrumental band played cheerful tunes. Elegant urns and vases of colorful flowers and plants festooned the marble floors, and the ceiling was close to thirty feet high. As they strode around, they peeked into the entrances of a breakfast room, a grand dining room, a ballroom, a reading room, a billiards room, and a barbershop—and that was only the first floor.
Their paces quickened as Josie guided Grey past the check-in counter on the way to the door. She argued this hotel was much too extravagant for them.
“Can I help you?” called a voice.
Grey glanced over his shoulder. Swinging around to answer the man at the reception desk, he winked at Josie and said, “Yes, you can. We’d like a room, please.” She elbowed him in the ribs, but secretly, she was pleased.
A young man carried their carpetbags up to the second floor, even though Grey had insisted he could carry them. After unlocking the door and depositing the bags on the floor inside the entry, he smiled at Grey with his hand out. Grey dug into his jacket pocket and slapped some coins into the boy’s hand and pushed him out the door.
Josie gazed around the room at its massive furniture, heavy carpet, artistic art on the walls and bay window overlooking the crowded street. Her heart was about to fly out of her chest. “Oh, Grey! This is so beautiful. Thank you for bringing me to California!” She flung herself onto his torso and let his strong arms envelope her. “How did I get so lucky to find such a wonderful man? I don’t deserve you.”
“I’m the one who got lucky, Mrs. Paladin. You thought I was an outlaw for the longest time. I wasn’t sure you’d really marry me when the time came to ask. You deserve this and so much more.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, teasing, “You’re still an outlaw.”
He tossed his Stetson on the bureau and carefully removed her hat, and then swept her up and strode to the bed. After laying her down gently, he stretched next to her and branded her lips with several scorching kisses. He unbuttoned her jacket with nimble fingers. She closed her eyes and arched her back as his tongue danced across her neck and down her collarbone. That familiar tingle coursed through her body, the one she’d grown to expect every time he touched her.
“We just arrived,” she panted. “Don’t you want to do some exploring?”
The jacket popped open, and he tangled his legs between hers and dipped his lips between her breasts. “That’s exactly what I’m doing, darlin’.”
Chapter Nineteen
After a hardy breakfast the following morning, they headed out to find the ocean. That was the whole reason for coming to San Francisco in the first place. It was all Josie had wanted to see. As they walked hand in hand along cobblestone streets, gazing at the various businesses in the downtown district, Grey noticed flower stands on nearly every street corner. For twenty-five cents, he bought her a colorful bouquet of blossoms. He wanted to make this trip special for her in every way.
Again during breakfast, she’d grumbled about the hotel costing too much and even wondered out loud if he was a secret spendthrift. He’d assured her that wasn’t the case, and had leaned over and whispered in her ear that he only wanted their trip to be memorable, which seemed to set her at ease.
He was pleased she was thinking about the ranch and their future. She’d asked him several times where he thought they might end up, and he’d been honest when he’d told her he had no idea. It didn’t matter to him as long as she was by his side.
Last night after they’d made love, he’d peered into her brilliant blue eyes and told her how much he loved her, and always would. She’d fallen asleep before him, so he watched her breathing for a while, thankful to be cradling her in his arms. Life was a funny thing, he’d thought. A few short weeks ago, he never would have imagined he’d have that rascal, Leroy, to thank for how happy he was now.
“There’s a trolley bus,” she said, tugging at his sleeve. “Let’s see if it goes to the beach.”
When it stopped, they jumped on and Grey asked, “Does this trolley go to Ocean Beach?”
“Yes, sir,” the driver answered. “Hold on.” He rang the bell and the car lurched forward. “First time in San Francisco?”
“Yep. My wife wants to see the ocean.” He grinned at her.
“Well, Ocean Beach is the place to go. It’s adjacent to Golden Gate Park. You might like to stroll through the gardens when you’re done swimming.”
“Oh, we’re not going to swim,” Josie replied quickly. “I want to stick my foot in it. That’s all.”
Grey squeezed her shoulder. She’s so precious. They’d traveled a thousand miles for her to stick her foot into water. A chuckle skipped deep within his belly. When the trolley halted and they stepped off, the ocean swelled in the near distance. He felt her hand tighten around his. He could practically hear the blood rushing through her veins with exhilaration. This was the moment she’d been dreaming of. Her pa had thought she might want to go to San Francisco, and here she was.
“Let’s go,” he said, but her feet seemed to be frozen to the ground. He waved a hand in front of her eyes. “Don’t you want to feel the sand between your toes, honey?”
She nodded silently. Her gaze seemed to be stuck to the miles of water stretching out and touching the earth’s rim. He put a hand on the small of her back and shoved gently. “Walk.”
The moment their feet touched the beach, Josie bent to remove her shoes and stockings and squished her toes in the sand. “Take your boots off, Grey,” she urged. “It feels so good.”
He’d feel foolish walking around in bare feet, but the expression on her face made him cave. “The things I do for you woman,” he mumbled good-naturedly as he pulled his boots and socks off.
The sand sifted between their toes as they strolled to the edge of the water. Lots of people were on the beach: adults sitting on blankets, children building castles out of sand, and young people splashing in and out of the waves. Josie and Grey stood side by side gazing at the horizon with the water lapping at their ankles. It was a breathtaking sight, all that blueness for as far as the eye could see. “Go on. Walk in,” he coaxed.
She peered into his face and grinned, then held up her skirt and splashed in. “It’s freezing!” she cried, but the smile on her face told him she didn’t care. “You come in,” she begged.
“No. I’m fine right here watching you.”
She splashed back and grabbed his hand before he realized what was happening. When she yanked, he knew he was going in one way or another, so he threw his boots in the sand and let her lead him in. The water was frigid, and the current was strong. The wind smacked them in the face, but Josie’s smile was as bright as the burning sun. As she pulled him further into the waves, he complained about his trousers getting wet.
“Don’t be so silly,” she laughed. “They’ll dry, same as my skirt.” Her skirt was soaked around the bottom, but she didn’t seem to care one bit. Neither did he. Her happiness was his only concern.
They stood together, arms around each other, gazing out across the Pacific Ocean until their feet began to turn blue. When his teeth started clinking together, he suggested they sit on the beach a while and warm up. They hadn’t come prepared like the others on the beach—no blanket or lunches. Nevertheless, they still spent several hours sitting in the sand, mesmerized by the waves rolling in and out. When Grey’s stomach started to growl, Josie asked, “Is it lunchtime already? I swear the time has flown by.” She let him haul her to her feet and then brushed the sand from her sk
irt. “We should go find something to eat before you get grumpy,” she teased.
“We’ll come back later,” he promised, brushing the sand from his feet before pulling his socks and boots on.
“It’s alright. The fog is rolling in now. We can return tomorrow when the sun’s out again.”
When no trolley cars came by, Grey suggested they walk downtown and look for a café. It wasn’t far, and the exercise and fresh air would do them good. Luckily, they found a small place off the beaten path that served fresh fish.
“This fog is as thick as pea soup,” she said, holding his arm tightly as they left the restaurant. “Are you sure we’re headed the right way?”
“Which way’s the right way?” he asked.
“Back to the hotel, I guess.”
“I don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine.”
After stumbling around in the fog for a half dozen blocks, the air was punctured with high-pitched screams. As if by miracle, the haze separated long enough for them to see they weren’t anywhere near the Plaza Hotel. On the sidewalk in front of them, two men beat another man while a woman in a dingy doorway screamed and shouted in a foreign language.
With a quick survey of the situation, Grey could tell it was an unfair fight with two big American men against one small Chinaman. Without thinking and simply reacting, he rushed forward and grabbed the back of the collar of one of the Americans.
“Wha…?” When the man wriggled around, Grey punched him in the nose knocking him to the ground.
“Behind you, Grey!” Josie hollered. He spun as the other guy’s fist connected with his jaw. His head jerked back and then he swung—that man ducked—and Grey threw an uppercut to the underside of his chin. That blow caused the man to stagger back, which gave Grey a couple of seconds to shake off the stars in front of his eyes. From the side, he saw the first man lumber to his feet and lunge toward the Chinaman, which Grey now realized was younger than he’d originally thought. With arms and legs spread, the American let out a war cry and flew through the air.
Trail of Golden Dreams Page 22
