“Is there anything else you want?” he asked.
She couldn’t imagine she did, but walking around the shop, she saw bath salts. She picked up a small tin that held a lavender-scented variety and added it to the purchases.
The seamstress in her was impressed by the dresses on display. “Celestine, do you do your own sewing?”
“No. I buy them ready-made from a woman in San Francisco. I just wish she were closer, so that my customers wouldn’t have to wait so long for their dresses to arrive.”
Mariah shared a look with Logan before asking, “Would you be willing to look at some of my sketches?”
“You sew?”
“Yes. In fact, what I’m wearing I sketched and made myself.”
Celestine evaluated her gray suit and hat and appeared impressed. “If your other sketches are all as beautiful as the costume you have on, I know a number of seamstresses who’d pay a good price for your creations.”
They spent a few moments discussing the ins and outs, and Mariah agreed to return in a week or so to show her some of her work.
With that decided, Logan turned over the money for their purchases. Offering their good-byes, they left the shop.
“Now, one last stop and we can head home.”
The stop turned out to be one of the city’s finest jewelry establishments. Mariah stared up at him. “Who are you buying something for from here?”
“Diablo.”
“Diablo?”
He shook his head as if she didn’t have a lick of sense and opened the door so she could enter ahead of him. Inside, the shop’s quiet atmosphere seemed to make all the beautiful gems on display and in the cases even more stunning. She saw emerald necklaces, diamond bracelets and lots and lots of pieces made of gold.
The salesman approached. “May I help you folks?”
“Looking for some things for my wife.”
The man nodded a greeting to Mariah before resettling his attention on Logan. “What do you have in mind?”
“She’ll need something for everyday. How about a solitaire on a chain?”
“We have an excellent variety.”
“Earbobs, a few necklaces for special occasions. A bracelet or two, and oh, a wedding ring.”
Mariah almost fell on the floor.
Logan told her, “Take a look around, querida. If you see something you like, let me know.”
Look around! Mariah couldn’t even move. While the salesman went to get his keys to the glass cases, she confessed, “Logan, I don’t know the first thing about jewelry.”
“Then let’s look together, and no fussing about prices, okay?”
She nodded.
So for the next hour, a very stunned Mariah watched as the man she’d agreed to marry showered her with so much beauty that when she left the store carrying the bag of boxed jewels, tears were streaming down her face.
“What’s the matter?” he asked softly. “And please don’t ask me if I can afford it.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that. You are so incredibly kind to me.”
He smiled. “Jewels for my jewel.”
“But?”
“But, what? You are my love and my life, Mariah Cooper. And because you are, I’d give you the moon should you ask for it. I’m going to spoil you for the rest of your days, so get used to it.”
Then she really started to cry. She dug a handkerchief out of her handbag.
An elegantly dressed woman passing by them on the walk stopped and peered into Mariah’s face. “Are you all right, miss?”
“I am. Thank you.”
“Saw your tears.”
“They’re happy tears. This is my intended and he’s so wonderful.”
The woman smiled kindly, and upon giving Logan a quick once-over, said, “Honey, if he was my man, I’d be crying tears of joy, too.”
With a nod, she moved on, and a happy Mariah hooked her arm into Logan’s so they could walk to their loaded-down wagon to start the long journey home.
Alanza was in her sitting room reading the newspaper when Bonnie entered. “You have visitors, senora.”
“Who is it?”
“The woman claims to be Mariah’s mother.”
Alanza was speechless for a moment. “Really.”
“There’s a younger man with her—a Tillman Porter.”
“Is he kin, too?”
“I don’t know. I left them at the door. Shall I show them into the parlor?”
“Yes, and I’ll be right down.”
Alanza wondered if Mariah knew her mother would be coming. Heading for the stairs, she hoped the woman had come seeking reconciliation, because if not, she and her companion would be back on the train before nightfall.
When she entered the parlor, a storklike woman was standing in the center of the room looking impatient and the man was staring at the vase he had in his hand.
“Sir, that vase has been in my family for generations. If you drop it, I hope you have the necessary funds to replace it.”
He jumped. Seeing the cool anger on her face he quickly but carefully set it back on the shelf.
The stork looked her up and down and asked skeptically, “Who are you?”
“Alanza Maria Vallejo Yates, the owner of this house. Who are you?”
Once again Alanza was given a slow once-over. “I’m Bernice Cooper.”
Alanza settled her attention back on the now very uncomfortable-looking man. “And you?”
“Um. Tillman Porter.”
“Why are you here?”
Bernice answered. “To get my daughter Mariah and take her back to Philadelphia, where she belongs.”
Tillman asked almost apologetically, “Do you know where she might be?”
“Sacramento.”
“I was told she lived here,” Bernice countered coolly.
“She does, but she’s away on a shopping trip.”
“When’s she coming back?”
“Sometime today.”
“Then we’ll wait.”
“Be my guest.”
An hour later, Alanza eyed the two visitors with a barely veiled dislike. As far as she was concerned, she’d had to endure their presence in her home an hour too long. Knowing what she did of Mariah’s pain-filled relationship with her mother, it took all Alanza had not to grab a shotgun and chase them both away. As it stood, she’d had very little to say.
But, because Alanza had been raised by a gracious mother, she’d had Bonnie bring out tea and a tray of macaroons.
“You have servants?” Tillman asked.
“Yes. I’ve had them most of my life.”
Bernice glanced around at all the fine furniture and paintings. “And you own all this?”
Alanza sipped her tea. “I do.”
“And you own this ranch?”
“Along with my sons, yes.”
“And our Mariah works for one of your sons?” Tillman asked.
“That was the original arrangement.”
“So what’s changed?” Bernice asked.
“They’re going to be married.”
Bernice’s eyes widened. “Since when?”
“I’m sure Mariah will explain when she returns.” And Alanza hoped it would be soon, otherwise Logan might be forced to scour the bordellos of Yerba Buena in order to find Andrew so she could be bailed out of jail.
Mariah and Logan arrived home tired from the long ride. All she wanted was a bath and maybe a short nap. The day had been one of the happiest in her life. “Thank you again for all the lovely gifts.”
“You’re welcome.”
They left the wagon parked out front and wearily climbed the two steps to the porch. There was a note stuck in the screen door. Logan took it out and read it.
By the look on his face, Mariah knew something was wrong. “What’s the matter?”
He passed it to her and when she was done with the reading, her features matched his. “I suppose I have to go and see them.”
“But not a
lone.”
She was grateful for his support. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t take them more than a few minutes to grasp the meaning of the word no.”
Sighing, she joined him on the wagon seat for the drive to Alanza’s.
Bonnie ushered them into the parlor, where the closed-faced Alanza sat on a chair facing Bernice and Tillman seated on the beautifully embroidered settee.
“It’s about time,” Bernice snapped.
Mariah saw Alanza’s dark eyes flash angrily before she asked, “How was the trip?”
“Very pleasing,” Mariah replied.
She turned to the unwanted visitors. “Hello, Mother. Tillman.”
Tillman smiled widely in response and rose as if to approach her, but he must’ve seen something in Logan’s stormy face because he stopped and sat down again.
Logan took the opportunity to walk over and place a kiss on his mother’s cheek but there was no welcome in his eyes for the people on the settee.
Mariah made the introductions. “Logan Yates, this is my mother, Bernice Cooper, and Tillman Porter.”
He offered a nod, nothing more.
“You the one she’s supposed to be marrying?” Bernice asked while looking him up and down in the same way she’d done Alanza earlier.
“Will be marrying. There’s no ‘supposed to be’ involved.”
“Pretty uppity.”
“Thank you.”
Mariah saw Tillman viewing Logan with what appeared to be nervous fear. “Tillman, I received your letter, but sadly, you’ve come all this way for nothing. I won’t be returning to Philadelphia.”
Bernice countered, “Yes, you will. Get your things so we can leave.”
“Did you not hear me?” she asked coldly. “I won’t be returning.” Mariah looked over at Tillman. “And how dare you lie to my aunt about your intentions so she’d send me your letter. After the way your mother treated me, you must be addled to believe I’d go back and help make her anything, least of all a gown for your wedding.”
He looked down at his shoes.
“So both of you, get your things and go.”
Bernice stood. “Do you remember what happened the last time you smart-mouthed me?”
“I do. You slapped me and knocked me down, but it won’t happen again, believe me.”
“Get your trunks!” Bernice demanded.
Mariah kept her voice evenly toned. “Mother, you may rant and rave all you like, but I won’t be going. This is my home now, and these people are my family.”
“What do you know about them? A bunch of foreigners, the lot of them. You been here less than two weeks.”
“And I’ve been given more love in these two weeks than I received in the thirty years I lived with you.”
Bernice crossed the room with fury in her eyes. She raised her hand and Mariah snatched her arm and held. “As I said, you will never strike me again.”
Bernice was taller and weighed more, but Mariah was angrier and that anger gave her strength. She leaned in to her mother’s face. “For the last time. Go home!”
And she tossed her free.
Bernice looked at Mariah as if she’d never seen her before. “I’m your mother! You will obey me!”
“Or what? You’ll make me get the strap, or send me to bed with no supper?” You may be my mother, but I’ve seen dogs treat their puppies better than you treated me.”
She slapped her.
Mariah slapped her back.
Bernice’s eyes went wide as the moon.
Logan was across the room in a flash. Mariah stopped him. “It’s okay. She’s leaving, aren’t you, Mother?”
Apparently, Bernice finally grasped the meaning of the word no. She eyed Mariah malevolently for a long moment, then snapped at Tillman. “Let’s go.”
He scrambled to his feet.
Logan’s voice was cold. “I’ll show you out.”
They made their exit and Alanza opened her arms. Mariah went to her without hesitation and let the embrace salve the hurt she felt inside. More than likely, she’d never see her mother again, and in spite of the past, she’d hoped for a reconciliation. There seemed little chance of that happening now. “I think I’ll be needing some ice, if you have any.”
“So will Bernice if that’s any consolation.”
Alanza rang for Bonnie.
While they waited for her to return with the ice, Alanza said to Mariah, “You may have been her daughter by birth, but you are my daughter by heart. Always remember that.”
Mariah had no doubts that she would.
Outside, Logan made sure the unwanted visitors got back into their rented buggy before issuing a warning. “Never bother Mariah again. If you return, I will shoot you for trespassing. Now get the hell off my land!”
Tillman set the carriage in motion and drove away.
That night, as she and Logan lay in bed, he asked quietly, “How are you?”
“Other than the pain in my face, I’m okay I suppose. The day started out so gloriously and then . . .”
He eased her back against him and held her close. “I know.” He kissed the top of her hair.
“I’ll not be like her. Our children will have more kindness and love than their arms can hold.” She twisted around so she could make out his features in the darkness. “Thank you for loving me.”
“You’re welcome.”
Chapter 22
In the weeks following her mother’s departure, Mariah threw herself into her new life. She put up her curtains, positioned her new furniture, and filled her brand-new kitchen cabinets with all the items a kitchen would need. She also mastered driving, worked on Feather’s wardrobe, and she and Alanza journeyed to Sacramento to show and sell four of her sketches to Celestine. In the evenings, she took her baths and made love to Logan.
By mid-July, the rancho geared up for Alanza’s birthday party and her relatives began to arrive. Andrew stopped by one morning and had with him a particularly special one.
“Mariah, this is our little brother, Noah.”
There was nothing little about him. He matched Logan in height but was leaner. He also had an ugly scar slicing his left cheek that gave his handsome face a sharp edge. “Welcome, Noah.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mariah. I hear you’re going to be a member of the family.”
“I am.”
“Not sure my big brother deserves someone so lovely, but welcome.”
Andrew said, “We need to get back before Logan and Mama find out we’re missing.”
Noah added, “They have a list of work for us to do that reaches Los Angeles. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Mariah.”
“Same here.”
Drew said, “We’ll see you later.”
The brothers departed.
In a way, Mariah looked forward to meeting Alanza’s family, but she was also very nervous because she had no way of knowing how’d they’d treat her or react to having a so-called servant marry into their illustrious family.
Later that day, Alanza arrived. She was carrying something draped over her arm encased in brown paper. When Mariah held the door open for her to enter, her friend and soon to be mother-in-law placed a kiss on her cheek. “Brought you something for my birthday dinner tonight.”
They moved to the parlor and Alanza handed over the item she’d carried in.
“What is this?”
“A dress.”
Curious, Mariah eased the paper off and her eyes popped. The dress looked like something from the closet of a queen. Made of beautiful blue silk, it dazzled the eye. “Where’d you get this?”
“Celestine. I didn’t know if you’d have anything fancy to wear so I took the liberty of commissioning this. I hope I haven’t offended you by doing so.”
“Oh, not at all. This is gorgeous.”
“You’re my daughter-in-law, and I want you to stand out tonight like the beautiful woman that you are. You have jewels?”
“I do.”
“Then make sure y
ou put them on. The women in my family like to show off by dressing like they’re at the court of Queen Isabella. There’ll be lots of beautiful dresses and jewelry.”
Mariah gave her a strong hug. “What would I do without you?”
“You’d manage.”
“I met Noah.”
“Ah. My baby. He’s the most even-tempered of them all. I’m enjoying having the three of them home. I’m glad you like the gown. Now, I must get back. So many things to do. So little time.”
She kissed Mariah’s cheek and hurried away.
Later, at the dinner, Logan eyed his beautiful intended in all her finery and wondered how much trouble he’d be in if he spirited her away so he could take her home and make love to her. The dress she’d been given by Alanza made her look not only elegant but tempting as hell. The way the bodice cut across the tops of her breasts made him want to find a dark corner so he could ease it down and pleasure her to her heart’s delight. The jewels at her throat and in her ears were equally as stunning.
Andrew sidled up next to him. “We may have to get you a hood.”
“A hood, why?”
“If we don’t get something to put over your eyes you may burn the place down the way you’re looking at Mariah.”
“Is it that obvious?”
He sipped his champagne. “Yep.”
“You have to admit she is the most gorgeous woman around.”
“No argument here.”
Noah joined them. “Logan, Mama said she’ll take a buggy whip to you if you sneak away with Mariah before she announces your wedding and cuts her cake.”
Logan rolled his eyes heavenward and prayed for strength.
The large formal parlor was filled with women in luxurious gowns and men in evening wear. There’d been fifty people at the two dining tables.
Andrew noted, “This gathering seems to get bigger every year.”
Logan silently agreed as he watched Alanza introduce Mariah to one of the late-arriving male cousins. Although he loved Alanza with each beat of his heart, he wanted this to be over so he could take his beauty home.
Alanza then called out, “Everyone, may I have your attention. Logan, will you join me please.”
“Finally,” he said under his breath.
Destiny's Embrace Page 23
