by Mona Ingram
Sarah nodded. “She’s still there waiting for her husband to show up, as far as I know. Is there any way you can find out his name?”
Charlie thought for a moment. “I heard about it from young Angus, a reporter for Alta California.” He paused at the curious look on Sarah’ face. “That’s our newspaper.” He consulted his pocket watch and then snapped it closed. “He spends a lot of time at Parker House. He takes his meals there, and mingles with newcomers. Gets a lot of stories that way.” He pushed himself up from his desk. “I’ll walk over there right now, get the chap’s last name, and be right back.” He seemed eager to get away from the women. “Might as well find out,” he murmured to himself as he strode out the door.
He was gone before Sarah could recover. “Does he always move that quickly?” she asked, turning to her friend.
Lucy nodded, and a devilish smile curved her lips. “Looking back, it’s how he bowled me over the first time we met.” Her eyes lit up. “Speaking of bowling, did you see the sign for the bowling alley back there...” she twisted around, trying to get her bearings. “I forget which street we were on, but one of the public buildings had a sign advertising a bowling alley. How extraordinary.”
“A bowling alley.” Sarah gave her head a small shake. “A form of entertainment, I suppose, but I never would have imagined it.” She glanced around Charlie’s sparsely furnished office. “I have so much to learn about this place.” Her voice drifted off, and she faced what both of them had been avoiding. “Do you think it’s possible? Do you think it’s Anna’s husband?” She shuddered involuntarily.
“If so, I have no idea what the poor woman will do. Charlie said the young man in question put all his money into a fluming company.”
“What is that, anyway?” Sarah was grateful for the change of subject.
“It’s a process whereby they divert the water from a stream, or an area of a river, and mine the riverbed.” She gave a dismissive shake of her head. “According to what I’ve read in the paper, none of them have been successful so far. But I can understand the men wanting to try anything. Charlie says that some of them are simply gripped by gold fever and refuse to acknowledge that the big strikes are a thing of the past.” She walked around her husband’s desk, tidying piles of papers. “But for some of them, it’s pride. They can’t bring themselves to go home without having made their “pile”, as they refer to it, so they put all their money into these companies in one final act of desperation. It’s sad, really.”
Sarah considered Lucy’s words. “If it is him, I wonder if there’s any chance of getting his money back?”
Lucy shrugged. “Not if the money has been spent. But let’s wait to see what Charlie has to say.”
At that moment, Charlie entered the outer office, muttering to himself.
Lucy stood. “What is it?”
“Damned mud.” Charlie looked down at his boots, which were coated in mud up to the laces. “Sorry, my dear, but when this winter’s over, we really have to do something about the streets.”
Sarah had risen to stand beside Lucy. Charlie couldn’t bring himself to look directly at either of them.
“His name was Walter Taylor, and his wife was on WindSprite,” he said at last. “Anna Taylor.”
Sarah’s hand flew to her mouth, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
“You’re sure?” she asked, her voice little more than a whisper.
“Yes. I’m sorry.” He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a photograph. “He had very few possessions, but this was among them.” He showed the picture to the women.
“That’s Anna and Melissa,” confirmed Lucy with a sad smile. She looked from Sarah to her husband. “Someone has to go out to the ship and tell her.”
Charlie cleared his throat.
Lucy touched him on the arm. “I didn’t mean you, my dear.” She returned her attention to Sarah. “It should be one, or both of us.”
Sarah steadied herself on the edge of Charlie’s desk and then sat back down, her mind whirling. “I’ll do it,” she said after a moment, and looked to Charlie. “I know this is asking a lot, but could you arrange for someone to unload Anna’s trunks from the ship and bring them to my place?”
“Yes, of course.” He scurried from the room.
“Sarah, you can’t take on such a responsibility.” The horrified look on Lucy’s face was soon replaced by grudging acceptance. “Foolish of me to say that; of course you’re going to help her. Just make sure you call on me when you need another pair of hands.” She rose to follow her husband.
“How about right now?” Sarah tried to lighten her request with a smile. “While I’m getting Anna and Melissa from the ship, I was wondering if you would mind getting something ready for supper. Anna probably won’t feel like eating tonight, but she has Melissa to consider, not to mention her unborn child. Something like a bowl of soup would be good.”
“Of course, and I’ll bring your personal belongings as well, but...” Lucy’s voice trailed off. “Are you sure about delivering the news?”
Sarah nodded, more to convince herself than anything. “Yes, I am.” As though to confirm her words, Charlie came back into the room. “I have someone outside right now, if you’re ready to go.”
“Thank you, Charlie.” Sarah gave Lucy a quick hug. “See you later, my friend.”
* * *
Charlie handed Sarah up onto the seat of the wagon. “Eduardo here will take you down to the docks. He works for a group that specializes in unloading passengers and freight from incoming ships, so they’ll row you out to WindSprite, and collect you when you give them the signal.”
“Signal?”
“Probably a piece of colored cloth. You’ll be asked to tie it to the rail when you’re ready to come back.” He gave her an encouraging grin. “They’re quite reliable, so don’t worry.” He backed onto the wooden planks in front of his office building. “Let me know if I can be of further help.”
The driver didn’t speak on the short drive to the dock, but glanced at her several times. Sarah knew that a woman alone was probably an unusual sight, but she was too concerned with what she would say to Anna to think much about it.
“Here,” the man said, stopping abruptly by the pier. Sarah looked out at the jumble of masts in the harbour and wondered how they would ever find Captain Johnson’s ship. But the Chileans who owned and worked for the company seemed to know every vessel that was jammed into the harbor, and within a few minutes a different man was transporting her across the water with long, sure strokes of the oars.
Sarah’s nervousness grew as they drew closer to the ship. She scanned the deck, hoping that Anna wasn’t outside. She had no idea what she was going to say to the other woman, and was worried that the shock might send her into premature labor.
A large lighter was busy unloading cargo near the bow of the ship, so they tied up near the rope ladder toward the stern. The man handed her a bright red piece of cotton and mimed tying it on the railing. Sarah nodded, tucked it in her bag and started to climb.
Breathless but triumphant, she stood on the deck and looked around. The ship was silent, except for the unloading by the forward hatches, and she wondered if she should look for the captain first.
“Sarah!” Melissa ran up the companionway and threw herself at Sarah’s skirts. “You came to visit!” Her bright eyes looked toward the land, barely visible between the moored ships. “We’re waiting for my Daddy. Have you seen him?”
Tears filled Sarah’s eyes and she turned away to see Anna’s head and shoulders as she, too, came on deck. She observed the reunion with a gentle smile, one hand resting on her stomach. But then, as Sarah watched, the light faded from Anna’s eyes, and the contented happiness that had illuminated her face a moment before was replaced by uncertainty, then outright fear.
“Missy, go to the cabin, please.”
“Mommy!” The child wailed.
“Melissa.” Sarah gave her a gentle pat on the top of the head. “
Do as your mother says.”
Sensing the tension in the air, the child’s lower lip trembled, but she did as she was told.
Anna took a few tentative steps forward. “Sarah?” Even as her gaze met Sarah’s she was shaking her head slowly back and forth. “No,” she said, continuing to shake her head. “Not my Walter.”
Tears ran down Sarah’s face unheeded. She hated herself for crying, when it was the other woman receiving the bad news, but she couldn’t help it. Anna was about to collapse, but Sarah recovered enough to catch her, and eased her down onto a pile of rope near the mast. Anna clutched at her stomach and her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. Haunted eyes searched Sarah’s face, hoping for signs that she was wrong, but in the timeless ways of women everywhere, Anna knew.
“Tell me,” she said finally. “He’s dead, isn’t he.” It wasn’t a question.
Sarah nodded. “I’m sorry, Anna.” Her words seemed so vapid, so useless, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“What happened?”
Sarah explained how he had been hit on the head and ultimately drowned. She had been with her father several times when he’d lost patients in surgery and had taken it upon herself to inform the loved ones, but this was different. Anna was vulnerable and alone. And if Charlie’s information turned out to be true, she was penniless. This was personal, and Sarah had no intention of leaving the woman to fend for herself.
Anna looked down at her protruding stomach and spoke, almost to herself. “What’s to become of us? Surprisingly, she hadn’t cried yet, but Sarah sensed that tears would come later.
Sarah lowered herself onto a corner of the coiled rope and took Anna’s hand. “I bought a house today and you’ll stay with me. But before you agree, I have to tell you something.”
Anna gave her a blank look.
“I’m not married, Anna. I’m not even a widow.”
A tiny smile appeared. “I know that.” She looked directly into Sarah’s eyes. “Are you sure, Sarah? Because sudden as this is, I see no other option for Melissa and I at the moment. I would be grateful to accept your generosity, and I’ll do my best to pay my own way.”
Sarah laid a hand on Anna’s taut stomach, and at that moment, the child kicked. “I know you will,” she said, “but we won’t worry about that for the time being.”
Tears sprang to Anna’s eyes, but she held them back. “Help me up,” she said, trying to rise. “I’ll go down to our cabin and tell Missy.”
They rose, and Anna looked toward the hills beyond the harbour. “What happens next?”
Sarah was glad to be dealing with practicalities. “You pack up your belongings.” She paused. “I suppose they’re already packed up, aren’t they?”
Anna nodded.
“All right, then. Lucy’s husband has arranged for someone to transport your belongings from the ship to my new house.” She looked around. “Is Captain Johnson still on board?”
“Yes. The last I saw, he was supervising the unloading of Jamie’s equipment.”
Sarah flushed. “Jamie’s here?” In the shock of learning about Anna’s husband, she had forgotten about his safe and minting machine.
“He was here earlier.” Anna gestured vaguely toward the bow. “Check with the captain.”
“All right. You take your time with Melissa, and I’ll speak to the captain. I’ll be here on deck when you’re ready.”
The other woman took a deep breath and Sarah pulled her into a fierce hug. “I’m sorry, Anna. I don’t know what else to say.”
Anna closed her eyes, as though steeling herself for the ordeal to come. “You’re doing fine,” she said, and gave herself a little shake. “Now I just have to tell Missy...” She walked resolutely toward the companionway.
Chapter Ten
A cluster of men stood around the open forward hatch, and as Sarah approached, a large crate rose slowly from the gaping hole, controlled by a winch.
“Sarah!” Captain Johnson appeared and moved her back a few feet. “Just a precaution,” he said, then returned his attention to the crate. It hung suspended a foot or two above the deck, and then moved laterally through a gap where the ship’s rail had been removed. A voice shouted from below, and the winch creaked and moaned as it started to lower the heavy crate onto the waiting lighter below.
A minute or two later, a voice shouted from below. The captain seemed to understand what had been said, because he turned to her. “All clear,” he said, obviously relieved to have the large piece of cargo safely off his ship.
“Now,” he said. “What brings you here?” He grinned. “I’m happy to see you, of course, but...” His words trailed off.
Sarah’s face must have mirrored her emotions as she remembered why she’d come. The captain sobered, and she gave him a quick rundown.
“She must be heartbroken,” he said. “And in spite of her bad luck, she’s one of the fortunate ones, having you to take her in.” He looked toward the winch. “I’ll get the chair rigged up. She can’t possibly climb down the ladder.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“No, it’s you who deserves the thanks.” He gave her an affectionate look. “As a matter of fact, Levi and I were talking about you last night. You were such a help to all of us on the voyage, and we’d like to do something for you. Now that we know you’re settled, we’ll know where to send the token of our appreciation.”
“Captain, you don’t have to do that.”
“Perhaps not, but we want to. You can expect a delivery either later today or early tomorrow.” He grinned. “And we know you’ll put it to good use.” He strode off to look for the chair.
Sarah peered into the hatch and her pulse ratcheted up at the sight.
Jamie was assisting with securing the second crate, but it wasn’t his actions that took her breath away. He’d stripped off his jacket and cravat and loosened his shirt. Black, snugly fitting trousers hugged his muscled legs and emphasized his trim waist. Broad shoulders were clearly visible under the shirt, and his hair had fallen over one eye, adding to his rakish appearance. One hand grasping a rope, he looked very much like a pirate, and she had the sudden desire to sail away with him into the sunset.
Silly woman, she chided herself, and at that moment he looked up at her. Caught in a shaft of sunlight, his eyes flared in recognition, crystal blue shards among the smouldering grey. “Sarah,” he called. Did he sound breathless too, or was it her imagination? “What are you doing here?” He came scrambling up the ladder and stood over her, smiling into her upraised face. “It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too.” She couldn’t keep the smile out of her voice. “And I have a lot to tell you, but the reason I’m here isn’t good.”
He reached out to touch her, as though to reassure himself that she was all right. “What is it?”
She told him about Anna, and his face reflected his dismay. “The poor woman.” He looked beyond her, to ensure that Anna wasn’t within hearing distance. “What is she going to do?”
Before she could respond, he started to shake his head. “Wait. I already know. You’ve found a way to take care of her, haven’t you?” He seemed resigned to the fact... maybe even proud of her.
“Yes, and that’s my other news. I’ve bought a house.”
“Already?” He let out a short laugh. “You don’t waste time.”
“Charlie says you have to move quickly.”
Jamie nodded. “Well he’s right about that. According to the two fellows who came out from Chicago, we were lucky to get our building. They say it’s already worth double what we paid.”
“Where did you sleep last night?”
“Upstairs in the building.” He rolled his eyes. “Apparently it’s common not to have proper walls here, due to the shortage of lumber. Our sleeping compartments are divided by canvas, and I listened to them snore all night.” He gave a casual shrug. “I suppose I’ll get used to it.”
“How long will you stay b
efore you go to your rancho?”
“I don’t really know. A couple of weeks, at least.” He smiled down into her eyes. “Are you missing me already?”
She looked at him steadily, a challenge in her eyes. “And if I am?”
“Then we’ll have to –” He looked over her shoulder, then lowered his voice. “We’ll have to get together for supper one night,” he said hurriedly. “I’ll find you.”
Sarah turned to see Anna, holding the hand of a subdued, red-eyed Melissa. At the same time, Captain Johnson appeared with the chair, and they began the process of lowering Anna to the lighter.
“It’s ready to leave anyway,” said the captain. “You might as well go back to the docks on it.”
Sarah would rather have stayed and talked to Jamie, but the sight of Anna down on the lighter, cradling Melissa to her side brought her back to the task at hand. She looked back to see Jamie standing by the hatch, his hair ruffled by the breeze. A curl of desire started to unfurl somewhere deep inside, sending pulsing, insistent heat to parts of her body she’d forgotten about. She scolded herself for allowing such feelings at a time like this. But the truth was, she hadn’t consciously allowed them; they’d come rushing over her, swamping her normally composed nature with something new and exciting. Something she very much intended to explore when the opportunity arose.
Jamie gave her a long, lazy smile and tilted his head in what was becoming a familiar gesture. She acknowledge him with a small twitch of her lips, then settled into the chair, already missing his presence as she joined Anna and Melissa on the lighter that would take them to the docks.
* * *
Sarah tried to keep the pride out of her voice as she gave the driver directions to her new home. Despite the shock to her system, Anna’s head swiveled every time they passed an unusual sight.
“Look, Mommy!” Melissa pointed to a thin man in a long blue smock and blue trousers. “Is that a Chinaman?”
Anna lowered her daughter’s finger. “We don’t point, Missy, but yes, that man is from China.”
