Restless Hearts (14 page)

“Did you plan to do that in the morning? I thought perhaps Missy and I would go out and see about selling pies around noon.” She looked down at Walter, who was sleeping quietly, lulled by the rocking of the chair. “You could take care of Walter, if you don’t mind. We won’t be gone long.”

“I could take care of him.” Neither of them had noticed Addie. The woman stood in the doorway to the kitchen, a lop-sided smile on her damaged face. “If you don’t mind, that is.”

Both women stared at her; Sarah recovered first. ‘Do you have any experience with babies?”

Addie crossed the room to stand behind Anna’s chair. “I took care of my younger sister when I was small, and then she had a baby of her own before we left to come out here.” Her voice was wistful as she looked down at the sleeping child. “I love children.” She looked from Sarah to Anna. “I just thought I could help you out.”

“Well, of course,” said Anna, finding her voice. “We’d appreciate that.”

“May I hold him?” The sleeves fell away from her arms as she reached for the child and Anna winced at the sight of the bruises.

“Yes, of course,” she said, transferring the sleeping baby.

“Thank you.” Addie’s eyes softened. She rocked the baby for a few moments and then handed him back. “I’m sure you must be wondering about my story.” She glanced at Missy, who had fallen asleep in the big chair beside Sarah. Her breath hitched in her throat, but she carried on. “And I think I owe you that much.”

Neither Sarah nor Anna spoke as Addie gathered her thoughts along with her resolve.

“I met Marcel in New Orleans when I was seventeen.” A faint smile curved her bruised lips. “He was a handsome, exciting man, and I fell deeply in love with him.” She paused for a moment, lost in thought. “I never did know how much older he was, but I think he was about twenty four when we met. Anyway, we became inseparable, and when he asked me to marry him a couple of years later, I was more than ready.” She slid a sideways glance at Sarah. “We’d been living together since we met, so it was just a formality.”

“He was a gambler on the river boats. A good one, too, or so I thought. But then one night he was caught cheating.” She looked at each woman in turn. “An unforgivable sin for a professional gambler. This sounds almost unbelievable as I tell it, but he jumped overboard. He’d told me several times that if anything ever happened to him, I was to get off at the next stop and wait for him. I did that, and he showed up two days later as if nothing had happened. His reputation was ruined so he couldn`t gamble any more on the river boats, but he made California sound like he’d chosen to come out here.” She spread her hands. “So we arrived late last year, when men were making so much money they couldn’t spend all of it.”

“Marcel heard about the gambling tents up the American, so that’s where we went.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “By then, I knew he was cheating, but I couldn’t stop him. He got caught, of course, and he was shot.” She lowered her eyes. “It took him half a day to die.”

A cart rattling past on the street was the only sound for several moments. When Addie spoke again, her voice was little more than a whisper.

“I remember the first time.” She swallowed, and for a moment it seemed as though she wouldn’t continue. “The man who brought me back from the gold fields insisted that I pay him for the transport.” She blinked back tears.

“You don’t have to tell us this.” Sarah reached out, but Addie was pacing back and forth, caught up in her story.

Addie stopped, and her focus returned. “Yes, I do,” she said, her throat clogged with emotion. “Because it might help me to understand what happened.”

“After that,” she said, “it got easier.” She paused again. “Well, not easier, but I learned to close my mind to what was happening. And then I discovered that a little brandy helped. But soon one or two drinks of brandy wasn’t enough to numb me to what I’d become. Someone offered me some fortified brandy.” She let out a strangled laugh. “I was desperate enough to think that fortified brandy actually existed. It contained opium and I very nearly became addicted. Perhaps I was, in a small way, but I realized it just in time, and went back to the regular brandy.”

She stopped pacing and stood looking out the window. “Hiram had decided that he wanted me to work in one of his common brothels.”

“Common brothel?” Sarah interrupted. “As compared to what?”

Addie shrugged. “As compared to a High-End brothel, or one of the cribs.” She gave a shudder. “I would have ended up in one of the cribs, eventually. Most of the women working there are alcoholics or drug-dependent. Or both.”

“Anyway, he couldn’t convince me, and you see the results.” She raised a hand to her face. “Do I look terrible?”

Sarah nodded. “It’s pretty bad.”

Addie nodded. “Thank you for being honest.” Once again she looked from one woman to the other. “I know I can’t stay, but even so, thank you for everything you’ve done.”

Anna stopped rocking. “Are you going back to work... as... you know?”

“No, Anna. I’ll never return to that life, but I can’t imagine that you want me around here.”

Anna glanced at Sarah. “It’s Sarah’s house.”

Sarah looked back at her friend. “We’ve already decided that we’d like you to stay.”

Even with her distorted features, the look on Addie’s face was incredulous. “But what about your customers?”

“What about them?” challenged Sarah. “If they don’t like you being here, they can go somewhere else.”

“Are you sure?” Addie looked hopeful for the first time since she’d arrived.

Sarah rose and hugged her. “We’re both sure.” She pulled back and looked at the other woman. “So tell me, can you cook?”

* * *

“You should have come to me straight off.” Lucy settled Sarah in her front room and gave her a cup of tea. “I make the best baked beans in Boston.”

“I believe you,” said Sarah with a laugh. “But are you willing to divulge your secret?”

Lucy listened to Sarah as she described how she had made the beans. “And how much mustard did you use?”

“Mustard?” Sarah frowned.

“Yes. Powdered mustard.” Lucy gave her head a shake. “Everybody knows that.”

“Evidently not.” Sarah was glad to hear that her friend had lost none of her directness. “But now that you mention it, that’s exactly what we’re missing.”

“Of course it is.” Lucy set down her cup and turned serious. “And now tell me about Anna. How is she coping?”

“Surprisingly well. She’s going out today to sell some pies. Addie is going to take care of Walter while she’s out.”

“Addie? Another of your strays?”

“In a way.” Sarah filled the older woman in on Addie’s story. “And when we get busy, we’ll be able to use the extra pair of hands. Everybody wins.”

“I hope so,” said Lucy. “I really hope so.”

* * *

“I’ll take good care of him.” Addie stood in the doorway with Walter as Anna and Missy started out. Missy had insisted on wearing a pink bow in her hair, and held her mother’s hand as they walked the short distance to Portsmouth Square.

Anna recognized the Custom House from Sarah’s description, but the constant movement of people, animals and transport in the square made it difficult to concentrate. Perhaps this wasn’t the best place to sell her pies after all. She shifted the basket to her other hand.

“Hello ma’am.” A bearded man in a blue shirt and muddy boots lifted his hat to greet her. “You might want to walk around the edge of the square, ma’am. It’s a lot safer that way.” A cart rattled past, spitting up mud from its wheels.

“Oh, yes. I see.” Anna thanked him.

“Is this your young one?” The man smiled down at Missy. “I have a daughter at home, not much older than this young lady.”

“I’m eight,” announced Missy. “Would you like to buy a pie?”

“Is that what I smell?”

Anna folded back the linen cover, revealing the pies. “We have meat, and apple.”

“Those look right delicious. How much are they?”

Anna felt a flush creep up her cheeks. “You know, we hadn’t decided.” She looked into his kind eyes. “What would you say is a fair price?”

“Now let’s see.” He pretended to think. “I’d say two for a dollar.”

Anna tried not to gasp. “Isn’t that a lot?”

Several men were starting to move toward them, and he winked. “From two lovely ladies like yourselves, that sounds about right.”

“All right then.” She raised her voice. “Two for a dollar. Take your pick... meat or apple.”

“I’ll take four,” he said, putting a generous pinch of gold in her palm. “Better find a place to stash that, ma’am. I think you’re going to get busy.” He leaned over and put a few flakes in Missy’s pocket. “And some for you, as well.”

“Thank you,” said Missy, standing proudly beside her mother. “I hope you like them.”

They sold out within minutes, turning away several disappointed miners. “We’ll be back tomorrow,” called Anna. “Same time.”

“We’ll be here,” the men said good-naturedly. “Save some for us.”

“We sold everything,” Anna reported on their return. Tired but triumphant, she and Missy emptied their pockets of gold.

“How much do you think we made?” asked Anna, poking at the dull gold with her finger.

“It looks like several ounces to me,” said Addie, caught up in their enthusiasm. “You’ll find that the miners are generous when they’re paying for something they want. Each one probably gave you a little more than necessary.” She passed the baby to Anna and rolled up her sleeves. “You’d better tell me what to do if you’re going to go back tomorrow.”

* * *

The setting sun transformed the city as Sarah made her way back down the hill from Lucy’s. She smiled at the sight of simple canvas tents bathed in the pink glow, tucked in beside the town’s more permanent structures. She hadn’t been here that long, but she swore she could see an increase in the number of ships in the harbor. In some ways it felt like she’d been here forever, and yet deep down she doubted that she’d ever truly understand what drove these people to follow the siren call of the gold.

Her steps slowed as she neared Jamie’s office. She’d missed him these past couple of days, even though she hadn’t had much time to dwell on his absence. Standing outside, she debated the wisdom of going in to ask about him; he knew where she lived if he wanted to see her.

Her dilemma was solved when the door opened and he appeared at the top of the steps and grinned widely. “Sarah!” he said, coming down to street level. “I was just thinking about you. They were selling candles in the plaza today and I bought an extra crate for you. I’ll have them dropped off tomorrow.” He took her arm. “Would you like to go somewhere? We could have a quick supper.”

“No thanks. I’ve just come from visiting Lucy. That woman is enough to wear anyone out.” She slipped her arm through his. “But if you’re going my way, I could use a walk home. I have news.”

He listened to her story about Addie with growing concern. “Are you sure she’s safe from Hiram? I’ve heard he can be ruthless when his ‘girls’ get out of hand.”

“She never actually worked for him, so we don’t anticipate any problems.” She gave his arm a squeeze. “And Anna and Missy went out today to sell pies. I’m anxious to hear how they did.”

Candlelight flickered in the dining room as they walked up to the house. Jamie looked at Sarah and she shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said, in answer to his un-asked question.

They stepped inside to see three people seated at one of the tables. “Angus!” said Jamie, recognizing the reporter from
Alta California
. “What are you doing here?”

“Finishing some delicious stew.” Angus tore off a chunk of bread and wiped his plate. “You should try it.” He beamed at Anna. “These two ladies have been telling me about their success selling pies today.” He pretended to glare at Missy. “But they sold everything, including all the apple pies, more’s the pity.”

“Can I tell him, Mommy?”

Sarah and Jamie looked at each other as Anna laughed. “Go ahead.”

“We made a real pie this afternoon.”

Angus frowned. “You mean the pies you sold were fake?”

“No, silly.” She turned as Addie brought a pie to the table. “Those are pies that fit in your hand. This is a real pie.”

“Now, Missy. Don’t be cheeky.” Her mother chided her gently. She turned to Angus. “Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, please. And a piece of that pie would go down a treat. Join us, Jamie.”

“I’ll get the tea.” Addie cleared the plates and returned to the kitchen with Sarah right behind her.

“What’s going on?” she asked as Addie moved competently around the kitchen. “What’s Angus doing here?”

Addie loaded cups and the teapot on a tray. “He heard about Anna and Missy selling pies at Portsmouth Square today and came to interview them.” She didn’t try to hide her smile. “It’s better than advertising. This place is going to be busy.” She headed back to the dining room.

“I think you’re right,” said Sarah, checking the pot of stew on the stove. She looked up to see Jamie in the doorway, watching her.

“It’s happening,” he said softly, moving toward her.

“What?” she asked breathlessly. “What’s happening?”

“Your business.” He gestured to the pies on the work table, lined up in preparation for sale tomorrow. “Your success.” A fleeting shadow crossed over his eyes. “Your independence.”

She moved closer and laid a hand on his broad chest. His heart pounded under her fingers and she raised them to his cheek. “You almost make that sound like a bad thing.”

He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “That wasn’t my intention,” he said, igniting a fire in her heart as he kissed her fingertips. “Although I’d hate to lose you.”

She stepped into him and his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her even closer. “The only way you’d lose me,” she said, “is if you hold on too tight.”

He loosened his grip and she laughed softly. “Not that way,” she said, searching his eyes. “I need to do this, Jamie, and I’d like to know you’re with me.”

“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.” He lowered his head and paused, his lips not quite meeting hers. She smiled and rose to her toes, closing the distance.

He kissed her as if he’d never touched her before, slow and tentative, deepening as she molded her body to his. A jolt of desire unfurled deep inside as she inhaled his familiar smell and tasted his cigarillo. Her body ached for closer contact, but instead she pulled away and looked into his eyes, aware that something had just changed between them.

“I feel the same way,” she murmured, wondering how long it would be until they could be alone. “But we should probably join the others. Would you like something to eat?”

He nodded, and held the plates while she dished out the stew. She grabbed utensils and the remaining bread and they joined Anna and Angus at the table. Addie and Melissa had moved to the comfortable chairs with the sleeping Walter.

“I forgot to thank you for the furniture,” she said to Jamie. “As you can see, we’re all enjoying it.”

“I know of one more piece. I’ll have it sent tomorrow when I have the candles delivered. They call it a love seat, and it’s large enough for two people.”

Angus grinned. “You bought candles in the plaza today? So did I.”

“So that explains it.” Sarah’s eyes glowed in the flickering light. “Thank you both.”

“That reminds me,” said Anna. “Did you order firewood?”

“No.” Sarah gave her a curious look. “Why?”

“Addie says a fellow came by after we were gone and piled some firewood in the lean-to out back. She offered to pay, but he insisted there was no charge. Said you’d given him some pies when he dropped you off after the hospital.”

Addie looked up. “We can have a small fire in here when it starts to get cool in the evenings.”

Sarah briefly touched her heart. “That was nice of him,” she said, exchanging a quick glance with Jamie. “It sounds like we really are on our way.”

* * *

“It was nice to come home tonight and find people in the dining room.” Sarah and Addie were cleaning up in the kitchen. The men had left together, and Anna and Missy were upstairs, getting ready for bed.

“Yes, it was.” Addie offered a shy smile. “Did you notice how well Angus and Anna were getting along?”

“No, I...” Sarah sighed. “I tend not to notice much when Jamie is around.”

“I can understand why.” Addie lined the cutlery up in the bin. “But seriously. Anna and Angus really seemed taken with each other.”

Sarah looked at the other woman. “Don’t judge her too harshly.”

“Oh, no. I wasn’t suggesting...”

Sarah continued speaking. “There’s no doubt that she loved her husband, but she had been separated from him for something like six months. I think it would be good for her if she and Angus became friends.” She smiled to soften her words. “How did he respond to Missy and the baby?”

“He seemed quite taken with both of them. It’s just that...” she hesitated. “There are so few women here. The men’s emotions... their needs... are right at the surface. They can come on strong sometimes.”

Sarah flushed. “I see what you mean, although my impression of Angus was that he’s a sincere young man. We’ll just have to watch out for her, won’t we?”

“Yes,” said Addie, her relief evident on her face. “We will.”

* * *

Jamie’s predictions came true in the next couple of weeks. The women were having a difficult time keeping up with the demand for the pies, and each day, their eating house gained popularity.

“I hardly ever get to see you anymore.” He brushed a wisp of hair away from Sarah’s forehead and dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “But I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you.” Sarah had hired two more women to help at the beginning of the week, but she was still tired. “Caroline and Lizzie have made a big difference in our work load. As a matter of fact, I’m going to take a short break and sell pies with Missy in the plaza tomorrow. I like to hear what the customers have to say.”

Jamie and Angus had slipped into the habit of having supper with them a few times a week after the tent cleared out. She walked outside with him now and shivered in the cool air.

“Don’t catch cold.” He wrapped her in his arms and she laid her head against his chest, relaxing for the first time that day. When she didn’t respond, he pulled back and looked into her eyes. “What is it?” he asked.

“I think it’s time for a visit to your ranch,” she said, looking up at him. “I need a real break, and we need some time alone.” She gave a short little laugh. “That’s certainly not possible around here.”

“Anytime you’re ready,” he said, kissing her with the promise of more to come. “Just let me know.”

“When is the next steamer?” she asked, eager to set the date before she lost her nerve.

“Friday,” he said, with a smile that curled her toes. “I’ve been keeping track just for this very moment.”

“Then Friday it is.” She raised her lips for one last kiss. “I can hardly wait.”

* * *

“Aunty Sarah.” Missy had started calling her Aunty sometime in the past couple of weeks, and she found she liked it. “We should get a cart like those people.” They were in Portsmouth Square, and Missy pointed to a small hand cart. “Then we could bring more pies.”

“You’re right,” she said, handing four pies to a miner and accepting his gold. “Let’s look into that.”

A grim-faced woman was next in line. “May I help you?” Sarah wondered why the woman would be buying pre-cooked food, then noticed that she was cradling her left arm and hand, which was crudely bandaged.

“Four pies,” she said. “All meat.”

Sarah ignored the rude tone; the woman was obviously in pain. “Certainly,” she said, wrapping the pies in a piece of the newsprint she’d purchased from Alta California. “Please excuse me, but your arm looks sore.” She looked up at the line of customers behind the woman. “I’m going to be another five or ten minutes here, but if you’d like to come home with me, I’ll look at it for you.” She spoke firmly. “It looks like it might be infected.”

“Go home with you?” The woman’s voice rose as she turned away. “Well, I never.”

Sarah looked after her for a moment, puzzled, then continued to serve the next in line.

“Aunty Sarah, why was that woman mad at us?” Missy held her hand as they made their way back home.

“I don’t know, Missy. Maybe her arm was hurting.” She turned a corner and was surprised to see the woman standing on the side of the street, waiting for them. She bit back a sharp retort, then approached and waited for her to speak.

“I can’t afford to pay,” she said, her gaze darting from Sarah to Missy, then back to Sarah. “I got burned and I can’t work, can I?”

Surprised at the woman’s continued belligerence, Sarah struggled to keep an even tone. “No, of course not, but I don’t charge anything to help people.” She motioned ahead. “That’s our house just up ahead. Please come in and let me have a look at that arm.”

Missy ran ahead into the house and the woman turned to Sarah. “I must say, you don’t look like a soiled dove.”

“Oh.” The reason for the woman’s stroppy attitude became clear. “That’s because I’m not.” She opened the door and led the woman into the house. “Why would you think that?”

She looked around. “Because Hiram’s put the word out that you’re running a brothel here, and not to buy your food.”

Sarah settled the woman at one of the tables, then gave a soft snort of derision. “You can see for yourself that’s clearly not the case. Frankly, there’s no time for anything else. We have all we can do to keep up with demand for the food.” She lifted the woman’s arm and started to remove the soiled bandage. “I’ll show you the kitchen later, if you like.”

She examined the burn. “This is about to turn septic; I’m so glad you decided to let me look at it.” She looked into the other woman’s eyes. “I need to clean it up, but it’s going to hurt. Would you like me to give you some laudanum?”