Beyond the Ashes

by Karen Barnett

  Abby shrugged one shoulder. “A little,” she whispered.

  The woman beside Ruby blew her nose into a large handkerchief.

  Ruby directed her eyes at Kum Yong, unable to face Ah Chin’s pain. Abby’s friend set her jaw, translating the young woman’s words with clarity. Is this Kum Yong’s history as well? Robert’s fears suddenly seemed all too real.

  No one protested Miss Cameron’s petition. The tall missionary seemed to relax, her shoulders lowering a few inches. A tentative smile crossed Kum Yong’s face, and she nodded to the trembling girl. The pair returned to the front table as the judge stamped the paperwork and passed it to Miss Cameron’s lawyer, dismissing the courtroom.

  Ruby studied the young attorney. He barely appeared old enough to have finished law school. The wide grin lit his face, a dimple showing on one cheek. The man stuffed the paperwork into a leather valise before turning to congratulate his clients.

  People rose from their seats, and the sounds of murmured conversations filled the room. Kum Yong waved at Abby, beckoning her to the front.

  Abby hurried to join the group while Ruby hung back. What could she say to these women? Her sheltered life provided no suitable words. A bitter taste filled her mouth as she pushed herself forward.

  Abby introduced Ruby, and Miss Cameron grasped her hand with a welcoming smile. “What an introduction to our work you’ve had.” She lifted the precious papers and drew them close to her shirtwaist. “Ah Chin’s story is particularly heartrending. I’m relieved her captors didn’t contest our case. She’d have had much more difficulty testifying if she’d been forced to face them. Many of our girls cave under such pressure.”

  Ruby glanced about the austere room. She couldn’t imagine living such a story, much less telling a room filled with strangers.

  Abby’s face darkened. “Did you have to do this when you were rescued?”

  The Chinese woman nodded. “I was younger than Ah Chin, so I had not faced some of the same—” she glanced down at the young woman shrinking into her wooden chair, “—the same struggles.”

  Abby grasped her friend’s hand. “I am overjoyed to see you again. It’s been so long. When will you return to San Francisco for good?”

  Kum Yong sighed. “I’m not certain. But Miss Cameron says gifts are arriving from all over the country to pay for a new mission home. I don’t understand why so many wish to help us, but I am grateful.”

  Ruby fiddled with her earbob. “San Francisco is rebuilding so quickly, soon you won’t even be able to tell anything happened. Perhaps as the city recovers, some of this vice will be cleaned up.”

  Kum Yong blinked. “Do new clothes change a person’s heart? Evil is not so easily cast aside. But we pray things will improve.”

  Ruby swallowed, her thoughtless remark sticking in her throat. “You’re right. Of course.”

  Miss Cameron turned back to them, taking Ah Chin’s hand. “Kum Yong, we need to be leaving. We should get Ah Chin back to Oakland before there’s any trouble.”

  Abby bit her lip. “I’d hoped maybe I could buy you lunch.”

  Kum Yong wrapped an arm around her, resting a head against Abby’s shoulder. “I wish we could, but it’s not safe for Ah Chin.”

  Ruby’s heart pounded as she watched Abby struggle against tears. How long she’d waited for her friend, only for a few stolen moments. “We’re staying with Dr. Larkspur and his family. I’m certain they would welcome you to their home for a meal. You would be safe there.”

  Miss Cameron smiled. “It’s a generous offer, but we have a long ferry ride back to Oakland. It would be best if we returned before dark.”

  Abby embraced Kum Yong. “Next time, perhaps? Or . . . you could both come to the wedding. I’d love to have you there.”

  The young Chinese woman smiled, her hands fluttering to her mouth. “Yes? I would be overjoyed!”

  With the attorney leading the way, Miss Cameron and Kum Yong surrounded Ah Chin and guided her from the courtroom with hurried steps.

  Abby sighed. “Robert will never approve.”

  “He loves you.” Ruby wove an arm around her friend’s waist. “He’ll come around.”

  35

  Gerald cradled his arm against his chest, swaying as he stared out across the camp. After four hours, the effect of the anesthetic had waned. I should have accepted the morphine. He straightened his shoulders as Patrick approached. “Afternoon, Reverend. How’s the flock today?”

  Patrick ran a hand across his forehead before jamming his hat lower over his eyes. “A few new cases, I believe. But we’ve turned the corner. Most of the children are getting fractious and trying their mothers’ patience.”

  “They’ll need a few more days of isolation before we can lift the quarantine.” Gerald squeezed his medical bag under his good arm. “I’m down to a handful of doses. It’s good we caught this before things got out of hand.”

  “I appreciate your swift response, Doctor. I hate to think of what might have happened if you and Ruby hadn’t discovered it in time.”

  The mention of Ruby’s name brought heat to Gerald’s neck. The touch of her lips, the feel of her damp hair under his fingers. He shook off the memory. No more midnight meetings—it wouldn’t be safe for either of them.

  Patrick lifted a brow, his gaze searching Gerald’s face. “Will Nurse Marshall be joining us today?”

  “Yes. She said she’d meet us at two o’clock.”

  “Good, because you look a mite peaked, yourself.” Patrick glanced down to Gerald’s bandaged hand. “Trouble?”

  Gerald tucked the hand inside his jacket. “Just a little run-in with a scalpel.”

  The clergyman chuckled. “A hazard of the business, I suppose. I’m glad the most dangerous weapon I wield is the word of God—sharper than any two-edged sword.”

  “And far more powerful than a surgeon’s blade.” Gerald adjusted his arm, the throbbing reaching his elbow.

  “Well said, my friend.” Patrick clasped Gerald’s shoulder. “Now, who would you prefer to see first—the newest patients or the ones on the mend?”

  “Let’s begin with the Farley family. We’ll see the new cases when Ruby arrives.” Better let her handle the needle today. He’d rather not tackle it with his left hand.

  Two hours later, Gerald cradled a one-year-old in his arms, jabs of pain shooting through his hand in protest.

  The weak child barely uttered a cry as Ruby dosed him with the life-saving serum. She murmured to the baby, running gentle fingers over the flushed cheeks.

  Gerald pushed away his own pain, focusing on the kindness in Ruby’s eyes. She deserved children of her own. The idea sent a shiver through his stomach. If Robert was correct . . . God, she’s already lost so much. Please, don’t take this from her. The pressure of the child in his arms brought a lump to his throat. He tucked the baby up to his shoulder, wedging the fuzzy head under his chin and rubbing circles on the warm back.

  The child’s mother hovered two steps away. “And this will help him, like it did for my Liza?”

  Ruby replaced the cap on the needle. “It should. But you will want to keep him warm and quiet for a few weeks. He might need another injection tomorrow if he doesn’t improve.”

  Gerald placed the baby back in his mother’s arms and beckoned Ruby outside. “Hopefully this is the last new case. After today, we’ve only three doses left. Once they’re gone, we’ll be back to more traditional—and far less effective—treatment methods.”

  Ruby frowned, touching his arm. “Surely we can locate more.”

  “The county health department is working on it, but we’ve already brought doses in from far and wide. The country has been hard hit by diphtheria this year. We’re not the only ones.”

  She took his arm, touching his bandaged hand. “You left early this morning.” Her voice trailed upward on the last word, as if in question.

  He glanced around to assure their privacy. “I had to . . . see a patient.”

  Ruby pur
sed her lips. “I could have come along.”

  A wave of longing gripped his chest. He stepped closer, touching the underside of her chin with a bent finger. “You were up late last night. I thought you might need the rest.”

  A twinkle appeared in her eyes. “About that . . .”

  He lifted both hands, stepping back. “I know what you’re going to say. I was foolish. I apologize.”

  “I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it.” Her lips curved upward. She grasped his fingers and pulled him close. “But we need to be cautious.”

  The jab of pain in his hand didn’t distract him from the hunger in her face. He felt anything but cautious at this moment. He settled his arm behind her back, planting a brief kiss on her lips. “Yes, cautious.”

  She snuggled into his arms with a laugh. After standing there for a long moment, she lifted her head. “By the way, how did it go this morning?”

  A wave of cold gripped him. “What do you mean?”

  “Your new patient? Is he a good candidate?” She squeezed his waist with her arms.

  A patient. He didn’t like thinking of himself in those terms. Gerald tucked his hand under his coat, pressing it to his quivering stomach. “The tests were inconclusive. Robert took a second biopsy. We’ll know more in a few days.”

  Ruby cocked her head, studying him with narrowed eyes. “Are you feeling all right? You look so pale.” She lifted a hand to his cheek, running it along his jaw line. “You feel warm.”

  Gerald captured her hand and kissed her fingers. “I’m tired. Late night, long day.”

  “It’s only five o’clock.”

  He stretched his arms. “Feels like midnight to me. Come on, let’s head home.”

  “Let me say good-bye to Patrick, and I’ll meet you at the automobile.”

  He gripped the medical bag as she hurried off. Normally he’d escort her, having no desire to leave her side, but it consumed most of his remaining energy to plod back to the car. He set the bag in the back seat and plopped behind the wheel, shoulders sagging. One more day gone. Perhaps Robert would have good news tomorrow, and he could put all this nonsense behind him.

  Gerald laid his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, remembering the brush of Ruby’s skin and the touch of her lips. The past few days had given him a glimpse of Heaven here on Earth. He squeezed his hand closed. Now if he could trust God not to pull her away.

  * * *

  After visiting with Patrick for a few minutes, Ruby hurried toward the car, pausing to gaze at Gerald slumped behind the wheel. He looked so haggard and weary, as if the strain of their relationship dragged on his shoulders. A familiar prickle raced down her spine. She shook herself, forcing her muscles to relax. I’m trusting God to be in control, remember?

  Of course, she needed to be responsible, too. The first step would be to avoid traipsing half-dressed through the halls at night. Like a finely sewn garment, she’d make sure this relationship didn’t unravel because of poor choices. She walked the last few steps and brushed her fingers against his arm. “Are you sleeping?”

  Gerald blinked several times before his eyes seemed to focus. A smile toyed at the corners of his mouth. “Dreaming of a beautiful girl.”

  “Then I’m sorry to have woken you.” She stepped back as he exited the automobile.

  “Am I awake?” Gerald escorted Ruby around to her side, covering a yawn.

  Ruby slid onto the bench seat as she eyed his complexion. The man didn’t look at ease—his face pale and his arm clutched awkwardly to his chest. “Are you certain you’re well? You’ve been working so hard.”

  He leaned against the edge of the seat, staring at her. “Does lovesick count?”

  She shook her head. “Now you’re toying with me. Don’t expect me to fall for such frippery.”

  “You deserve as much frippery and frivolity as I can muster.” He covered a second yawn. “Unfortunately, it’s about as much as I’m capable of today.”

  She patted his hand where it rested atop the cushion. “Let’s go home. You look like you’re asleep on your feet.”

  He smiled before leaning over and pressing a kiss against her hand. “I’m just thankful it doesn’t mean good-bye.”

  Ruby shifted on the seat. “Yes, well. About that.” She waited as he hurried around the car and cranked the engine to life. “I think we need to tell someone about our incident last night.”

  He climbed in, eyes wide. “You’re jesting. Why would we do such a thing?”

  She pulled the veil around her hat and tied it under her chin. “We need a chaperone even more than Robert and Abby, Gerald. You must realize that.”

  He frowned as he shifted the automobile into gear. “We’re older and wiser than those two.”

  “And more experienced.” Her cheeks burned in response to her indiscreet words.

  Gerald’s brows shot upward, disappearing under the brim of his derby. “And all along I thought you were afraid of my lack of self-control.”

  Ruby’s stomach twisted as she fought against the urge to crawl under the car seat and hide. What must he think of her? “Women are not immune to such . . .” she swallowed. Why did she ever start this conversation? Oh, yes. Last night. “We’re not immune to such desires.”

  He grinned. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “You are?”

  “Of course. I’d hate to think I’m alone in this burning furnace.”

  Ruby pulled at her lace cravat, heat crawling up the inside of her corset and her chest. Furnace was an apt description.

  Gerald’s fingers tapped out a rhythm on the wooden wheel. “So, who do you propose we bring into our confidence? Not your brother, I hope.”

  She choked back a laugh. “No. He’s still adjusting to the idea.”

  His lips drew back from his teeth. “And not my mother.”

  “Leaving Abby.”

  Gerald ran a hand across his jaw. “My cousin? I still think of her as a little girl.”

  “She’ll be a married woman in a little more than a month.”

  He sighed, slowing the automobile as vehicles stacked up behind a delivery wagon loaded with bricks. “And to my best friend, none the less.”

  She turned, gazing at his troubled face. “You and Robert are two of a kind. You claim to be friends, but neither of you fully trusts the other.”

  His gaze remained fixed on the road, furrows forming in his brow. “I don’t think it’s a matter of trust, exactly. There’s just an uncomfortable line between colleagues and friends. Friends and family. What if everything falls apart? Then you’ve lost all three.”

  “My father used to quote a proverb: ‘A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.’ Isn’t it good God gave you a friend who could be as close as a brother?” Ruby touched Gerald’s sleeve. “When he marries Abby, he’ll join your family. But, if we were to marry, you would join ours—you two would be brothers by law and by God.”

  Gerald’s gaze turned to meet hers, a darkness appearing in the depths of his eyes. The car rolled to a stop, traffic moving around them. “If we were to . . . marry?”

  A horn blast behind them shocked them both into reality. Gerald jerked his gaze forward and steered the automobile through traffic. His lips formed a thin line, and the muscle above his jaw twitched.

  Ruby shrank in the seat, pulling her hands to her lap. She’d said too much. What was she thinking? A few kisses did not mean a wedding. She turned her face to the far side, her heart lodging in her throat. But, did Gerald believe she’d simply kiss him in the hall—hide in the shadows of his bedroom and not expect to wear a wedding gown? Her vision blurred. She needed to finish Abby’s gown. The silk and lace sat forgotten in her sewing chest, waiting as Ruby fantasized about a second chance at love.

  She risked a quick glance in Gerald’s direction, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I’ve been a fool.

  36

  Gerald swung the front door open, standing aside to allow Ruby to precede him. The l
ump in his throat clogged his windpipe like a cork in a champagne bottle. If we married. The words echoed in her tender voice, the light dancing in her eyes. If only she knew how much he desired the same. Lord, Your hand cleared this path through her suffering. You wouldn’t deny us now—would You?

  Voices echoed through the house. Otto bounded to meet them, dancing around his mistress’s shoes. Gerald prayed for strength. He ached to scale the stairs and fall into bed. He and Ruby had finished the drive in silence, the lack of conversation weighing the evening air like an approaching storm front.

  Ruby stepped inside, shrugging her wrap from her shoulders.

  He caught the shawl as it swung down her back, draping the silk across his bandaged hand.

  Her eyes caught his as she turned, pulling the fabric from his grip. “I have it.” She gestured toward the parlor. “It sounds as if you have guests.” She paused, her head tipping slightly to the side. “In fact, it sounds like . . .” Her lips parted. She scampered toward the front room, Otto at her heels.

  Gerald followed, tossing his hat atop the coat tree as he passed.

  “Mother—” Ruby gasped. “You’re here, already?”

  Gerald froze, taking a quick step in reverse. Mother?

  A diminutive woman stepped into his line of sight, her wide skirt filling the space between the sofa and the low table. “Ruby, there you are.” She pulled Ruby into a quick embrace. “Mrs. Larkspur was just informing me how hard you’ve been working.” She clucked her tongue. “You’ll drive yourself to an early grave, just like your poor father. What is it with Kings and hospitals?”

  Ruby’s shoulders drew inward as if she’d determined to fold herself lengthwise. “We go where we can serve. Father taught us well.”

  Gerald brushed his hand against the small of Ruby’s back, where it would be hidden from view. “And fine work they do, too.”

  Gerald’s mother stepped forward, freeing herself from the shadow of Mrs. King’s skirt. “Mrs. King, may I introduce my son, Dr. Gerald Larkspur.”