Abrianna waited until they’d crossed the busy street before replying. “They are never against me. They chide and cajole and do their best to raise me right, but I am a stiff-necked woman. Of course, I am trying to correct that mistake. I do not tell it to you in order to revel in it. The fact is, I’m most ashamed. I just find it so hard to be good—like Lenore,” she added, remembering her promise to promote her friend.
“Lenore is always in perfect accord with her elders and the obligations society has put upon her. She never grieves her parents, except when she comes to spend time with me.”
“I find that hard to believe, Abrianna. You are charming, and better still, you are smart. I’ve not ever met a young woman who knew her mind so well. You are well read and capable of handling people in a way that never leaves them feeling belittled or undermined.” He paused. “However, your assessment of Miss Fulcher does seem accurate. She is a lovely young woman. How is it that the two of you became friends?”
“Church. We met at church while doing charitable service. We were just girls but found that our contemplations were similar. We both found it important to be honest and loyal, as well as trustworthy. Lenore has always been good to keep my secrets.”
Kolbein cocked his head to the side. “And what of you? Have you kept Miss Fulcher’s secrets?”
“Of course,” Abrianna replied. She thought of Lenore’s interest in knowing Kolbein Booth better. “However, Lenore doesn’t have that much to hide.”
“And you do?”
Abrianna cocked her head to one side and grinned. “If I did, I wouldn’t admit to it. Besides, I’d much rather talk about Lenore.”
“I can’t say that it is an unpleasant topic. In fact, since you are good at keeping secrets, I will share one. I find myself quite often thinking of Miss Fulcher.”
“You do?” Abrianna grinned. “That’s wonderful.”
A group of boys approached from the end of the alleyway. Abrianna felt Kolbein tense at her side. She knew the boys looked like trouble and were purposely intimidating in their behavior so as to be left alone by anyone who might seek to return them to orphanage living.
He shoved the basket into her hands and pushed her back. “Get behind me. We may have trouble.”
She giggled. “No, Kolbein. These are some of my friends.” She gave a wave to the boys with one hand while balancing the basket with the other. As they approached, she said, “I knew I would find you here. It is, after all, Monday. Did Mr. Brindle have any old bread for you?”
They nodded in unison, and Bobby, the youngest, held up his loaf. “He was real good to us. Let us have a cup of milk to share.”
Abrianna nodded. “Milk is a wondrous thing. What about you, Toby?” He was the oldest and as such had become their unofficial leader. “Were you able to get the leftovers I arranged for you from Steinman’s?”
“I did. We shared them for our supper last night. We had some fried fish and some apple pie. It was good, some of the best we’ve had in a long time.”
“I’m glad. Mr. Steinman said you could see him each Saturday night after nine. He will endeavor to save what he can for you. Sometimes people leave a great deal of food behind on their plates, and he promised to set it aside for you.
“Now, I have someone to introduce to you.” She saw the look of apprehension in their eyes. Especially Toby’s. He was used to being harassed and kicked around by authorities and probably figured Kolbein to be no different.
“Is he gonna send us to jail?” twelve-year-old Seth asked.
“Goodness, no,” Abrianna replied. “He is a lawyer from Chicago, but he isn’t here to cause you problems. He has lost his sister. She ran away and came to Seattle.”
“She ran away from a rich family?” Toby asked in disbelief. “Why would she do that?”
“Mr. Booth isn’t rich. He’s just a hard worker who earns his keep. His sister most likely ran off because she wanted an adventure.” Abrianna didn’t wish to put Kolbein in a bad light, though he had mentioned once that his sister thought him a tyrant. Given some of his comments, Abrianna could understand why she’d take on that thought, but she also considered that perhaps Kolbein had learned his lesson.
“The problem is, she is quite young and unescorted and knows nothing of being on her own. Not like you boys. You know everything about life on the streets, and that’s why we’ve come to you. I’m certain you can learn information by asking around and watching out for her. Kolbein . . . Mr. Booth will show you her picture, and that will get you started.”
Kolbein reached into his vest pocket and produced a small photograph. Each of the boys took a moment to study the picture before returning their eyes to Abrianna.
“Sure, we can keep a look out for her. What should we do if we find her?” Toby crossed his arms over his scrawny chest.
“Follow her and learn where she’s living,” Kolbein said before Abrianna could reply. “Don’t give yourself away, or she might seek to flee once again.”
“We can do that,” Toby said, answering again for the group.
“Thank you, boys. I knew I could count on you.” Abrianna held up a basket. “I have some treats here you might enjoy. The cookies and cakes were left over from Saturday’s reception. And Liang thought to put in some roast beef and bread for sandwiches.”
The boys were used to this routine on Mondays and eagerly dug into the basket to retrieve all that Abrianna had brought. Meanwhile, she turned to Kolbein. “Do you have any walking money?”
He looked at her oddly. “Of course.”
“Might you spare two dollars?”
He raised a brow but otherwise only nodded and reached into his pocket. Within a moment he had produced the sum and handed it to Abrianna. She in turn handed it to Toby. “Make certain you use this wisely. I would suggest you each get a new pair of shoes at the secondhand store. You look to be all but barefooted.”
Toby laughed. “Well, summer is comin’, and we won’t need shoes.”
“It’s not coming soon enough.” Abrianna glanced overhead at the cloudy sky. “You will find yourself down sick, what with the rain and the chill. Spring is always a dangerous time. Please just do as I ask.”
Toby sobered and nodded. “We will, Miss Abrianna. I promise.” The other boys nodded in unison.
She smiled and touched each boy’s cheek. There was no telling the last time they’d had a human touch of kindness. If she wagered, Abrianna would bet it to be the last time she’d met up with the boys. “I’ll see you soon.” She turned to go but whirled back around.
“By the way, are you continuing to pray each day?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the boys replied.
“And we’re readin’ the Bible you gave us,” Toby added. “I’m trying to teach them to read, just like my granny did for me.”
Abrianna couldn’t contain her pleasure at this news. “You are all wonderful. Keep working hard. I will bring you some pencils and butcher paper when I can. Then you can practice writing what you read. You’ll be amazed how wonderful it is to read and write. It will open the world wide to you. If you prove yourself capable with numbers and words, you may very well be able to get a better class of job.”
With that, she moved away and Kolbein kept easy step with her. Abrianna considered the boys’ plights and wondered what more she could do. Surely there might be someone who could help the boys without forcing them to go back to the orphanage.
“You’re truly a remarkable woman, Abrianna,” Kolbein murmured.
She shook her head. “Nonsense. I’m just being mindful of those who are poor and sick, just as the Bible encourages us to do.”
“And do you offer such encouragements to others on the street?”
“Of course.” Abrianna giggled. “Aunt Miriam cannot understand why I am always losing my Bible, but I think she’s finally guessed after all this time. She is hardly a dense woman.”
“No, not in the least.”
Abrianna shrugged. “If she has figured it out, she must thin
k it a good cause.”
“Why do you believe that?”
She smiled. “Because Aunt Miriam ordered an entire crate of Bibles to be delivered to the school.”
6
It’s always so nice to have you walk with us to church and back,” Mrs. Madison told Wade.
“Especially when you are clean-shaven,” Abrianna added with a grin.
Mrs. Madison looked confused for a moment, then continued to speak. “And what a beautiful day. Don’t you think so, ladies?” Everyone murmured an approval.
Wade glanced back at the line of young women who followed after them like ducklings following their mother. Mrs. Gibson and Miss Holmes walked behind the long line of ladies to ensure that no onlookers took liberties. The murmurs and giggles from the young women always amused Wade. Sometimes the ladies were captivated by someone who’d come to the Saturday receptions. Other times they chattered about upcoming events. Today they were concerned with what fashions and accessories they would need for Easter Sunday, which would fall on the first of April, just two weeks away.
Abrianna seemed to be the only one not caught up in the nonsense. She had come abreast of Wade and Mrs. Madison.
“Wade, have you seen Charlie lately?” she asked. She searched the sides of the streets.
“I saw him day before yesterday. Looked like he was getting along pretty well. Said his rheumatism wasn’t bothering him nearly so much.” Charlie was one of Abrianna’s “lost souls,” and on Sundays he usually met up with the ladies somewhere along the way home from church. Abrianna always brought a little paper-wrapped bundle of food to give him.
Wade admired her heart. She cared for the souls that no one else seemed to even notice. She met them on their level, despite the unconventional situation it created. She didn’t ask permission of anyone. She never had. She had been doing this since they’d been young and often convinced Wade to join her on her exploits. But today Charlie was absent.
Mrs. Madison pointed toward the Madison Building and smiled. “Don’t you think it looks beautiful on this bright day?”
“I do, Mrs. Madison. It looks very nice.” He knew she desired such a response, and Wade didn’t mind offering it. Indeed, today the edifice of brick and wood did look quite regal amidst the neighboring structures. They made their way across the street, careful to avoid a passing carriage.
This had become their Sunday routine. Wade would rise early, eat a light breakfast, dress in his best clothes, and arrive at the bridal school by eight-thirty. He would walk the ladies to church, sit apart from them in order to observe propriety, and then walk them home at noon.
Mrs. Madison insisted that for such gallantry, Wade should stay and partake of the Sunday meal. He couldn’t refuse the delicious food created not only by the young ladies training to be brides, but also by the older ladies themselves and Liang, who was becoming a good cook in her own right.
Most of the meal was prepared Saturday evening, but Liang would finish up on Sunday if there was anything left to do. Mrs. Madison kept the Chinese girl hidden behind the doors of the school, lest any Anti-Chinese League member tried to force Liang to leave Seattle. The ladies thought this choice their only wise one, but with Liang unable to attend church, they saw to her spiritual feeding. Abrianna had told him more than once that her aunts preached longer sermons than the pastor did at their church.
Wade couldn’t help but smile at the comparison. Abrianna was given to exaggeration, but this time he had a feeling she had merely related the facts as they were.
“I believe, ladies, that if it is this pleasant on Friday, we will set up our baked goods in the park and sell them to passersby.” This was one way Mrs. Madison funded the school. The young ladies were never charged to attend the school. They generally came and stayed a year. At the end of that year, the men who desired to marry them paid a bridal fee. Wade knew for a fact it wasn’t cheap. He’d heard many a man complain about it. However, as Mrs. Madison said, “Any man could save a goodly sum in a year’s time if he devoted himself to such a project.” And, of course, the men did just that.
Wade opened the door for the ladies but hesitated. An uneasy feeling fell over him, and the hairs on his neck tingled. He stiffened and stopped in midstep to cast a quick glance around the shadowed lobby and staircase. He felt the presence of another man before he actually saw him. Kolbein Booth stepped from the shadows and tipped his hat.
“Good day, ladies. I hope I’m not too early.”
“Your timing is perfect, Mr. Booth,” Mrs. Madison declared. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
Wade relaxed a bit. Abrianna had introduced him to Kolbein Booth in passing, but the two men had not had a chance to get acquainted.
“Ladies, to your places and don’t forget your aprons. I don’t want you staining your Sunday clothes while you set the table and help Liang bring the meal.” The older woman turned to seek out her sister.
“Poisie, please oversee the table preparations and see that we have enough places set.” Her sister nodded and left to quickly follow after the brides-to-be. Now only Wade, Mrs. Madison, Abrianna, and Mrs. Gibson remained to greet Mr. Booth.
“Mr. Booth, we are most happy to receive you today. I’m delighted you could join us for our luncheon. I want to hear all about your search for Miss Booth,” Mrs. Madison declared.
Mrs. Gibson couldn’t help but offer her comments. “And you must take time to speak to the young ladies. You never know, you might find a spark of interest, and it only takes a spark to start a fire.” She paused only momentarily for breath. “Mr. Gibson always said, ‘The relationship between a man and woman is a wondrous thing.’ He believed it was written somewhere in the stars; however, we know it’s all God’s arrangement.” She shook her head. “Poor man. I just pray he’s made it through the gates of heaven to seek God’s mercy.”
Wade said nothing, though he felt almost obligated to add Miss Poisie’s usual “God rest his soul.” Instead, he turned to Kolbein Booth. “Nice to see you again, Booth.”
The man seemed most preoccupied but managed to return the greeting. “Thank you. You’re Wade Ackerman, correct?”
“You’ve a good memory.”
“Years of legal training have required such.”
Wade couldn’t help but wonder about this man’s story. Was he who he said he was, or was all of this a confidence game to take advantage of the women? It was certain he dressed like a lawyer, and Abrianna said he held intellectual conversations without difficulty. Still, they knew nothing about the man, and it made Wade most uncomfortable that the old ladies and Abrianna had so quickly taken on his cause. It wasn’t at all like Mrs. Madison to allow a stranger such latitude.
The women climbed the stairs, allowing the men to follow. Wade grew more uncomfortable with each step they climbed. The other man could be an escaped murderer or a thug looking for something to steal. He could imagine the man being many things, and it bothered him that Booth had managed to get so close to the women, for whom Wade felt responsible.
“You work as a wainwright,” Booth said as they reached the landing and handed their hats to Abrianna.
“Please wait in the small sitting room, gentlemen. We will call you when luncheon is served.” She smiled at each man and leaned in as if to share a secret. “Don’t discuss President Cleveland. He’s a Democrat, you know, and he held a staunch disregard for President Lincoln, whom my aunts dearly loved. If you don’t want to stir their ire, you’ll avoid Mr. Cleveland altogether.”
“You have my word,” Kolbein said with a wink, to which Abrianna smiled.
“We’ll keep in mind all of the topics of discussion which trouble the ladies.” Wade wasn’t sure he liked the man winking at Abrianna. “Come. I’ll show you the way.”
“I already know it,” Kolbein replied. His tone made it clear that he wasn’t to be made second man to any.
Wade nodded and allowed him to lead the way. Once they were seated, Wade lost little time. “I am a wainwright. I
learned at an early age to build wagons and make repairs to them. Abrianna tells me you’re a lawyer from Chicago.”
Kolbein Booth chuckled. “Yes, I am. I hope you don’t hold Chicago in the same contempt as the ladies.”
This made Wade smile. The women were very opinionated about a great many things besides the president. The safety and acceptability of various cities was something of which they often spoke, basing their opinions on newspaper articles and Sunday gossip. Chicago garnered no good thoughts from that trio.
“As I recall,” Wade replied, “they believe Chicago to be a den of no-good men who take advantage of women and children. Seems their opinion has something to do with the senselessness of a people who would allow a cow to set the town ablaze.”
“I’m not entirely certain that the cow alone bears blame,” Booth said good-naturedly. “I do not believe she brought the lantern which set the blaze.” He shrugged. “I also don’t imagine Chicago to be much worse than any large city. I know this place has dealt with fires of its own,” Booth countered. “What do you believe?”
“About cows setting fires?” Wade couldn’t help but smile. Against his will he was actually enjoying this man’s company.
“How do you feel about Chicago?”
Wade rubbed his thighs. “I don’t have an opinion one way or the other. I’ve never been to the place and don’t plan to visit there in the future. I like it here just fine.”
Booth nodded. “I can understand. Seattle is a fine city. It appears to rain a great deal, but the days of sun are quite pleasant. I am impressed that so many entertainments are available. I was afraid I’d be coming into uncivilized territory. However, reading the newspaper and walking about the town have opened my eyes. Even so, this city, like most, has its fair share of problems, from what I’ve read.”
“That’s true enough. We have ranching and mining, much like other western towns. We also have the sea. Earning a living off the water teaches one not to take things for granted. The sea is unforgiving and the men who sail her know that full well. Fishing is a big industry here, as well as logging and shipping. We are quite a complex city.”
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