by Ilona Fridl
Sarah felt his strength flowing through her veins. “You’ve helped me more than you know. It was our love that kept me going.” Her fingers stroked his rough cheek.
He cradled her and rocked back and forth. “My Sarah.”
Her mother appeared at the curtain. “Do you want me to come back later?”
“No, Mother, come sit.” She straightened, but Amos remained beside her.
Grace resumed her knitting. “Should we postpone the wedding a couple of weeks?”
Sarah shook her head. “The doctor said I’ll be out in a few days. I’ll still have time to recover enough in two weeks. We won’t need to wait a month.”
Amos glanced at them both. “If I may say something, I think we should wait a week and see if you’re strong enough. We can make any decision then.” He kissed the top of her head. “I have to get back to the office. I’ll be here this evening.”
She snuggled into his arms. “I’ll be looking for you.”
As Amos left, her mother smiled contentedly over her project. “I know now he’ll do everything to protect you.”
Sarah sank back on her pillow. He never stops looking out for me. Her happiness overcame the discomfort of the wound.
Chapter 24
Amos strode into his office feeling more relieved than he had for two days. Sam came to the door. “How’s Sarah?”
Amos related what the doctor had told him. “At least she’s awake. I’m sure she’ll recover.”
Sam nodded. “We all care for her here. I’m glad.” A slow smile spread across his face. “I’m happy for you, too.”
Amos cocked an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Get back to work.”
Sam had a glint in his eye as he closed the door. “Right, sir.”
Amos’ stack of papers rebuked him while his mind was full of Sarah. Damn, that woman has bewitched me. I can’t concentrate on anything else. He forced himself to get to work.
About an hour later, a knock at the door caught his attention. “Who is it?”
It opened and Sam stepped in. “Sir, Assemblyman Hastings is here to see you.”
“Send him in.”
Hastings came in, hat in hand. “Sheriff, first I want to offer my condolences on the injury to Miss Lakat. The entire Assembly heard of her heroism.”
Amos warily nodded. “I thank you on her behalf, but I don’t think that’s the reason for this visit.”
“May I sit?” Amos waved him to a chair. “Darcy, I told you I’d tell you what the Assembly has decided as far as Miss Lakat keeping her position.”
“Get on with it, man!” Amos roared.
Hastings fingered the brim of his hat, going around it full circle as he hesitantly announced, “We, the Assembly, have decided that, even though Miss Lakat has been outstanding in her duty, we can’t back down on the married-woman rule. Her place would be in the home.”
Amos ran his fingers through his hair, stalling for time. He didn’t want to kill Hastings outright. Maybe if he started with a removal of the first organ he could get to. “Even though she is one of the best detectives I’ve ever worked with, you would deprive the community of her experience?”
“I’m afraid so. You see, women have to stay in their place, and their place is taking care of a home and family. Besides, she’s only an Eskimo.”
Amos’ hands came down heavily on the desk and papers flowed to the floor like an avalanche. He practically leaped over the desk at Hastings, who fell out of the chair with a startled expression. Amos grabbed the lapels of his coat and hauled him up and shook him. “You bastard! I should string you up and let the buzzards at your carcass! That 'woman Eskimo' has saved my ass several times lately. You’d have a dead sheriff here if it weren’t for her!”
Hastings turned red. “But―but―”
“If that’s what the Assembly decided, you can tell the rest of the bear bait I quit! I’m not plying my trade for a bunch of jackasses!”
Amos released Hastings, who scrambled across the floor to the door and stood. “You’ll be sorry, Darcy! You won’t get work in this town.”
Amos threw his badge at Hastings. “Get the hell out of here while you’re still in one piece.” As the man hurried out, Amos swiped at the desk, and everything still there crashed to the floor. He sighed as he glanced around the shambles of the office. Maybe I was too fast to quit my job. How’s that going to look, starting out a marriage out of work? On the other hand, I couldn’t work for someone who has no respect for my wife. He shrugged on his jacket and jammed his hat on.
Amos marched out the door and swung around to Sam. “You have to take over, Sam, I just quit.”
Sam gazed at his hands. “I know. We could hear.” He sighed. “I’m sorry to see both you and Sarah go. I agree. The Assembly is a bunch of jackasses.”
Amos half-smiled. “Take care, and I’ll see you about the wedding. You’re still Best Man.” He started to the front door, then turned around and jerked a thumb toward the room he'd just left. “Sorry about the office.” Sam grinned and nodded.
As Amos entered the ward, Sarah lay snuggled into the pillows at her back, reading the newspaper. She glanced up and smiled. “You didn’t have to take the day off. I’m feeling better. Mother even went home a while to help Aunt Jane.”
He took his hat off and sat on the edge of the bed. “We have a problem.” He told her what had happened with Hastings. “I tell you, my love, this is a hell of a way to start a marriage.”
Sarah hadn’t closed her mouth as he told the story. She took a deep breath. “Can you tell Hastings it was all a mistake?”
He set his jaw. “Why? So he can insult you some more?”
“But what will we do for money?”
“Let me ruminate on this for a while. I can find a job somewhere, I’m sure.”
Sarah put her hands over her face. “Maybe we should put off the wedding.”
Amos grabbed her hands and pulled them down. “Listen to me. We still have money to tide us over for a while. We’ll be all right.”
A nurse entered the ward and looked around. She spotted Amos and hurried over. “A courier dropped this off for you.” She gave him an envelope.
“Thank you.” With a nod, she strode out.
Sarah watched him open it. “What is it?”
Amos quickly read the note. “It’s from Sam. He wants to meet me at Millie’s at five for dinner. I’m afraid I left him with a mess.”
She shook her head. “I don’t like this.”
“Now, see here, woman. I won’t put up with the blues.”
“All right. I’m willing to look for a job, too. As soon as I get out of here.”
Amos planted a kiss on her lips. “That’s the Sarah I know.”
Later, he strolled into Millie’s and found Sam waiting at a table, tapping his coffee cup. Amos slid into a chair across from him. “Evening, Sam.”
Sam glanced up. “How’s Sarah?”
Amos noticed he didn’t use his usual “sir.” “Still in some pain, but she’s getting better.”
Sam studied his hands as Millie came over to take Amos’ order. When she was on her way to the kitchen, Sam sighed. “You know, as leader of the investigating team, you still have to testify.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Also, you and Sarah were doing so much of the detective work, I’m standing bare naked in the middle of a field. I’m going to need help. Too bad there aren’t any private detectives around here.”
Somewhere in Amos’ brain a light bulb lit. “You’re right. There isn’t an agency, is there?” He hit Sam on the shoulder. “Boy, you might have solved our problem. Sarah and I could get territorial licenses and open an agency. You could use us as consultants.”
A light dawned in Sam’s eyes, but then he slumped. “What can I do in the meantime?”
Amos grinned. “We can get together over dinner. You can buy.”
Sam gave him a sidelong glare, but he was smiling.
After dinner, Amos made a beeline ba
ck to the hospital and told Sarah of his idea. She beamed for the first time in days. “What a wonderful idea! We can still do what we love and the Assembly can’t do a thing about it.” Amos gently hugged her.
“While you’re in here, I’ll find a storefront or office to move into. We can get our licenses fairly easily, since we were in law enforcement to begin with.” He gazed into deep brown eyes that sparkled with happiness.
“I love you.” She buried her face on his shoulder, and he felt the twinge of desire. To spend his life with this woman was going to suit him fine.
****
Sarah grinned at Dr. Lindsey as she placed her extra clothes in a small suitcase. “You’re letting me out today?” If she weren’t so weak, she’d be doing handsprings.
Lindsey’s smile was bemused. “Yes, but take it easy for a while. And no wild time at your wedding.”
“I hope you’re able to come.”
“I’ll be there with bells on.” He laughed.
Amos appeared through the ward door. Sarah stopped packing and went into waiting arms. “I’m discharged! I can go home now.”
Amos pulled back and looked her over. “The rose is back in your cheeks. You’re beautiful.” He strode to the doctor and shook his hand. “You did a wonderful job on her.”
Lindsey shook his head. “That was Sarah. People don’t usually mend as fast with that kind of wound, but she has a strong constitution.”
“Like a horse.” Amos ducked as Sarah swung a fist at him. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her back to packing. “I’ll take you home. Your mother will be staying at your house with you.”
Lindsey turned to leave. “Let your mother do any of the work, and you can take aspirin if there’s any pain.”
Sarah agreed and finished putting her toiletries in. A nurse came in with a wheelchair. “Are you ready?”
Amos started out. “I’ll bring the auto to the entrance.”
Sarah sat with her suitcase on her lap. She gasped when the nurse opened the outside door. At the entrance was a brand new Model A Ford, with Amos exiting the driver’s side. He took her case and deposited it in the back, then gallantly waved her into the passenger seat. “Well, what do you think of our new auto?”
“The bee’s knees. But can we afford this?”
He slid into the other side. “Might as well get a good auto to start out. We’ll probably need it quite a bit.”
She looked at her shoes. “Part of me still forgets. We’re out of work.”
“Not for long. I’ve got an appointment for both of us to take the license test at the courthouse next week. That will give you time to study the rules and regulations. I left a copy at your home.”
“Are you sure we can run our own business?”
“I’ve been studying that, too. We’ve got enough money to get started, and then some. Sam said he would like to use us as consultants.” Amos stopped the auto in front of her porch. “I think we’d hate ourselves if we didn’t at least try.”
Sarah’s mother came out to greet them. “Welcome home. Amos, are you staying for midday meal?”
“No, but I can accept your earlier invitation for supper. I’ll be here at four-thirty.” He turned a loving glance at Sarah. “Until then, woman, take care of yourself.” He clasped her hand and kissed her, then tipped his hat to her mother. “Grace.”
Grace put her arm around Sarah’s shoulder as Amos drove off. “Come. We have much to discuss.”
Later, with her feet propped up on the couch, Sarah reached for the book of territorial rules and regulations for detectives and set off on an afternoon of dry reading.
Chapter 25
Sarah turned in front of the full-length mirror and her white gown shimmered in the sunlight slanting through the window. It was sleeveless, with material draped front and back. On each side and around the squared neckline were appliquės of small brown bears.
Kata stood back with a critical eye. “What do you think?”
“I see you’ve brought it up to date. The sleeves were very old-fashioned.”
Kata nodded. “It looks better without.”
“It doesn’t seem at all to be the outfit I had the first time, when I was jilted.”
Kata helped Sarah remove the dress. “Since Joey is sleeping, would you like to take some tea with me? I just finished steeping a pot.”
Sarah agreed while she slipped into her day clothes. Kata carefully hung and covered the wedding gown. “Since you’re going to help me get ready beforehand, why don’t you keep the gown with you?”
“Sure, I can.” Kata slipped it into a locked wardrobe. “So Joey can’t get it.” She laughed. “He’s such a scamp.”
Sitting at the kitchen table in the Nikolaevich home, Kata poured the tea and set a plate of sugar cookies in front of Sarah, who inspected the fragrant delights. “Mmm, those smell fresh baked.”
“They’re Ivan’s favorite. Help yourself.” As Sarah bit into one of the cookies, Kata watched her thoughtfully. “Have you heard anything about the detective licenses yet?”
“We should hear soon. Amos is so confident that we passed, he’s been asking around about an office or storefront.”
“I’m sure you’ll pass, too. The way you both brought down that murderous gang...”
Sarah shook her head. “We were fortunate Sally was willing to testify. That was hard for her, to have to face her brother in court, knowing she was surely sending him to prison―or death.”
“Have you heard if the canneries have taken the salmon traps down?”
“No, they’re not willing to. I think it’s foolish, after all that death because of them, but I guess they think making money is more important. I hope no more of our people try to take things into their own hands.”
Kata sighed. “Americans will be sorry when there’s no salmon left.”
Sarah gave a snort. “They’ll just go after something else to make money.” She took a sip of tea. “I hope you and Ivan are coming to the dinner tomorrow night at Mother’s.”
“Won’t miss it. I’m glad Amos is becoming part of the family. This is a good way to welcome him.”
Joey woke up a few minutes later, and Sarah gave Kata her thanks and goodbye. She was looking forward to the honors dinner. This would be a formal welcome into the family for Amos two days before the ceremony.
A stiff breeze from the channel ruffled her hair and threatened to lift her new cloche hat. It matched the rest of her recently purchased outfit. She had figured she should get into stylish fashion if they were to run a business. Anyway, the shorter skirts were nicer than the old heavy wool ones she’d had to wear as a uniform.
Suddenly she heard an auto horn cough that scared her to death. Amos pulled to the curb and leaned to the open window. “Hey, doll, want a ride?”
She put her hands on her hips. “Who are you? A masher or something?”
A smug expression crossed his face. “Just get your carcass in here, woman. We’ve got errands to run. We both passed the test.”
She whooped and jumped onto the seat. “We’ve got our licenses already?”
Amos grinned. “Yep. We have to go to the photographer for identification pictures. Then we’re going to the courthouse for a business license and our marriage license.”
Sarah planted a kiss on his lips, which he didn’t fight a bit. “You sure know what to say to a girl to get her worked up.”
He sighed as he pulled back. “You keep that up, we’ll never get anything done.”
Later, on Sarah’s porch, they were engaged in telling each other goodbye. She threw her arms around his neck. “The Darcy Detective Agency sounds so good. It fairly rolls off the tongue.” She ran her hands over his rough face. “You know, running a business, you should keep clean-shaved.”
He glanced at the toe of his boot. “If I have things on my mind, I tend to forget.”
“Well, you’ll have me to remind you.”
“Nag like a fisher’s wife,” he muttered almost under hi
s breath.
“I haven’t even begun yet.” She laughed as his mouth formed a straight line.
“All right! But the mustache stays.”
“Agreed. You wouldn’t be my Amos without it.”
His gray eyes softened. “I love you.” Finding her lips with his own, he kissed her thoroughly, and they clung to each other. Sarah didn’t want him to go, because he took a little piece of her every time. “I’ll come for you tomorrow at four.”
She sat on the porch railing as he drove out of sight. We’ve been tested, but we haven’t been found wanting. She sincerely hoped the worst of their trials were over.
****
Carefully placing the honors gifts in a crate, Amos settled them in the back seat of the Ford. He knew her family well, but a certain nervousness tightened his stomach. This dinner was the first step to the wedding, and he was as jittery as a flea on a hot plate. Too much of the old life was gone. His new life was heading at him as if he were stuck on the tracks and heard the express train whistle.
He climbed into the driver’s seat and felt a little better. He even hummed “Green Grow the Lilacs” because it reminded him of Sarah and their impromptu hiking song. Love for her swelled as he saw her hurry off the porch to greet him. He went around the auto to open her door and was met with a passionate kiss. “You want us to miss dinner? Grace wouldn’t be happy.” He blew out a breath and tried to control the intense tingling the kiss had instigated.
Sarah laughed. “I miss you when you’re not around.” She gave him the once over. “I’m glad you shaved. You’re so handsome that way.”
He helped her into the auto and slid into the driver’s seat. “I looked at several offices today and found a good one.”
“Where?”
“Not far from the courthouse. It has two offices and a reception area.”
Sarah bounced in her seat. “I’m getting excited about this. Our own business!”
They arrived at Grace’s home with a song in their hearts. After helping Sarah out of the car, he hefted the crate. They were greeted by the family at the door and ushered in to where the table was spread with various vegetables, fruits, and breads, all surrounding a magnificent smoked salmon.
