Restless Hearts (15 page)

A flicker of fear shadowed the other woman’s eyes and Sarah laid a comforting hand on her good arm. “I understand. No laudanum. I’ll try to be as gentle as possible.”

The woman was made of stern stuff. Sarah worked on the arm for twenty minutes before she was satisfied. She covered the wound with salve and bandaged it tenderly.

“Thank you,” said the woman, closing her eyes for a moment and sitting back. “I’m sorry I listened to the rumors.”

Sarah gathered up her medical kit. “Think nothing of it. Can you stay for a cup of tea?”

The woman nodded. “I’d like that.”

Sarah brought a tea tray and sank down with a tired sigh. “It’s been a long day,” she said. “But I’m going to Sacramento tomorrow for a short trip. Will you come back and see me in four days? I’d like to check the burn and change the dressing.”

Addie appeared with a plate of pastry bites and the woman narrowed her eyes. “That’s the one,” she said, turning to Sarah. “Isn’t it?”

“Sit down, Addie.” Sarah turned to the woman. “I suppose I should know your name.”

“Ellie.”

“Well, I’m Sarah, and this is Addie.” She paused. “Adaline.” She waited to see if Ellie would get up and leave. Instead, she reached for a pastry, and Sarah continued. “The reason Hiram started those rumors is that he tried to force Addie to work for him, and when she refused, he beat her.” She looked fondly at the woman who had become not only a good friend, but indispensible. “It’s taken three weeks just for the bruises to fade.”

Addie covered her mouth with long, elegant fingers. “Have there been rumors?” Her expressive gaze moved fearfully to Sarah. “What are people saying?”

Sarah almost wished that the woman hadn’t come, but she supposed they would have heard the rumors eventually. “Hiram is putting it about that we’re running a brothel.”

Ellie reached for another pastry and washed it down with tea. “I wouldn’t worry,” she said, slanting a sideways look at Addie. “He’s been saying these things for about a week now, and nobody seems to pay him much attention.”

Addie opened her mouth to speak, but Sarah held up a hand. “No,” she said forcefully. “Don’t even think about it.” She leaned forward. “We’re family, remember?”

Addie’s eyes shone with tears of gratitude. “Right,” she said, pulling out a man’s pocket watch which had been left as payment last week. She ran the kitchen with something approaching military precision and she checked it now. “One hour until the men start arriving for supper.” She directed a faint smile toward Ellie. “Nice to meet you, Ellie.” She returned to the kitchen, her head held high.

Ellie turned thoughtful as she watched her retreat. “You’re a good woman, Sarah. I hope you know that.” She rose. “I have to go. My children will wonder where I am.”

“Just a moment.” Sarah ran into the kitchen and came back with four fruit pies. “Here. My gift to you. Enjoy.”

Ellie looked longingly at the pies, and for a moment Sarah thought she was going to refuse. “I’ll take two,” she said finally. “For the children, you understand.”

“How old are they?” asked Sarah, walking her to the door.

“Eight and ten. A girl and a boy.”

“Bring them with you when you come back. They can have a tea party with Missy.”

“All right. Ellie’s face softened and she smiled for the first time. “We’ll do that. In the meantime, have a good trip.”

“I had no idea it would be this luxurious.” Sarah peered through a window into one of the public rooms. “But we’ll have the whole voyage to explore. For now, I’d enjoy standing here on deck as we get underway.”

Jamie smiled at her enthusiasm. He didn’t really care what they did, as long as she was with him. Even on
WindSprite
, they’d never been truly alone, and he intended to enjoy all ten hours with the woman he’d fallen in love with.

“I got us a cabin,” he said tentatively. “We don’t have to use it, but it’s there if you want to freshen up or rest along the way.”

“I just might,” she said, reaching for his arm as the steamship got underway. They paused at the rail as the paddlewheel began to pick up speed, water spilling from the paddles in a silver stream. “I had quite a day yesterday.”

“You can tell me while we walk around the promenade deck.” He pulled her to his side. “What happened?”

She related what Ellie said, and watched the small muscle in his jaw that flexed when he was angry. “I’m surprised you’re not steaming,” he said finally.

“I was,” she admitted, “but that only lasted for a moment. As Ellie pointed out, it hasn’t done us any harm. Sometimes I think there’s no limit to the number of meat pies we could sell, and we’ve been working on offering a wider variety for the evening meal. Beef stew and beans with pork is standard fare. We’re thinking of adding fish chowder since there seems to be a decent supply of fish.” She stopped and looked up at him. “It’s all your fault, you know.”

“Me?” He placed a hand on his chest in mock horror. “Now what?”

“You’re the one who told me about the Cornish pasties.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “Remember that day? It seems like such a long time ago.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” The steamer shuddered as they rounded a corner. “And now we’re off to see my ranch, and I have no idea what to expect.” He opened a heavy exterior door. “Let’s go inside and have some coffee and a bite to eat. Especially since someone else is doing all the work.”

Sarah relaxed and took in the elegant surroundings. Gas lights flickered in crystal wall sconces, even though the day outside was bright. She ran her fingers lightly over the damask tablecloth and smiled appreciatively as their coffee was served in fine porcelain cups.

“Remind you of home?” Jamie murmured, studying her reaction as he raised his coffee cup to his lips.

“In a way,” she said, her gaze darting around to take in the other passengers. “But it seems decadent, somehow. I suppose when compared to the way we live in San Francisco, it is.”

She tilted her head to one side. “But let’s leave that behind for now. Tell me what you know about your ranch.”

He settled back into his chair and gave it some thought. “I know it’s at least fifty years old, and that my grandparents loved living there. They raised two daughters there...” He paused. “I told you that, I think.”

She nodded.

“As far as I know, they enjoyed their childhood. My grandfather talked about horses when he came to New York, and I pestered my father for riding lessons until he finally gave in.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “I wanted to be ready when I went to visit Grandfather.”

“But you never did.” It was a statement.

“No.” He shrugged. “But it was good of my father to indulge me. As for how the ranch supports itself, I don’t know the details. My grandfather had a trusted foreman – Mexican of course – who has stayed on. I expect he’ll fill me in.” He turned thoughtful. “He’ll probably want to know what I intend to do with the place, since his own future is at stake.”

“That’s quite a decision. The ranch plus this man’s livelihood. What’s his name?”

Jamie dragged himself back to the present. “Diego. He speaks English well enough, and I understand that his wife’s name is Teresa. When I first got to San Francisco, I wrote to tell him that I’d be arriving within the month, and he gave me instructions on how to get there. He says it’s about half an hour from the wharf and he told me where to hire a horse and buggy. I’ve been looking forward to this ever since we sailed into San Francisco harbor.”

Sarah laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry I asked you to wait.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said, looking into her eyes. He brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek, the gesture at once tender and intimate. “Even before we got here, I knew I wanted you with me when I see it for the first time.”

Sarah’s heart felt like it would leap out of her chest. “Thank you, Jamie. I don’t know what else to say.”

“You’ve said it all just by being here.” He covered her hand with his, and they sat peacefully for several moments, content with each other’s company.

Sarah’s head jerked upright as she caught herself nodding off. “I’m sorry,” she said, stifling a yawn, “but maybe I’ll make use of that cabin and rest for a while. What time will we get there?”

“It’ll be late afternoon when we dock. By the time we arrange for the buggy and drive to the ranch, the sun should be almost setting. A beautiful time of day.”

“Then I’ll want to appreciate it.” They rose and he walked her to their cabin. “Where will you be?” she asked. “I hate to leave you.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll either be out here or in the grand salon. Rest well.”

Sarah scarcely noticed the luxuriously appointed cabin. The moment she put her head down she fell into a much-needed sleep.

The whistle woke her some time later and she lay there, rocked by the movement of the boat. Judging by the light slanting through the window, she had slept for several hours. She relaxed for a moment longer, recapturing the warm glow she’d felt at Jamie’s words. He’d made it clear that he wanted her with him, confirming that she’d been right to make the trip. She rose and checked her appearance in the ornate mirror over the dressing table. Satisfied that she looked respectable, she stepped outside.

“Hello there.” Jamie stood outside the cabin door on the promenade, lounging casually against a support pillar. He was smoking one of his cigarillos, and the smoke streamed away in a lazy trail as the paddle wheeler cut through the water. He was so handsome her heart ached.

She sauntered up to him, swishing her skirt like a femme fatale. “For a moment there, you looked just like I’ve always imagined a riverboat gambler would look.”

“How is that?” he asked, adjusting to her playful mood.

“Handsome,” she said, her breath catching in her throat. “And decidedly dangerous.”

He looked both ways, but they were alone. “I like the handsome part,” he said, sweeping her into his arms for a brief kiss. “But I’d never want you to look on me as dangerous.”

“Oh, you’re dangerous,” she murmured. “If only you knew how much.”

“In that case...” he kissed her again, and she clung to him like some helpless female. She hated to admit it, but it felt good.

The boat’s whistle blew again and they both winced.

“It’s hard to get away from,” he said, moving her along the promenade. “Let’s go inside. We only have another hour to go.”

“So soon?” she asked. “I’d hoped to see the gambling salon.”

“Why Mrs. Howard,” he said with a devilish grin. “Does that mean the lady wants to try her luck?”

“Oh, no,” she said with a slight shiver. “It’s just that I’ve never been in a gambling salon before, and since this is a day of firsts...” She looked at him. “Indulge me?”

“Why not?” he took one last draw on his cigarillo and tossed it into the river. “Come with me.”

* * *

Several men looked up when they entered the salon, dismissing them as potential players with one glance. At a table set off to the side of the room, a group of men studied each other through a fog of smoke, their eyes red as though they’d been playing for a long time.

“What are they playing?” she whispered, drawing closer to Jamie. The tension in the room was palpable.

“Five card draw,” he said, his breath disturbing the loose hair by her ear. As he spoke, a man threw down his cards and stood up, knocking his chair over backwards.

“Evidently not his best day,” he murmured in her ear.

The dealer shuffled the cards, his hands deft. “Straight draw,” he announced. “Two draws of two.” He spun the cards out to the remaining players.

The hair on the back of Sarah’s neck stood up as she watched the game progress, and she wasn’t sure if it was because Jamie was standing so close, or the excitement of the game.

“Seen enough?” he asked after several hands.

She nodded, aware that nobody noticed them leave as they slipped out the door.

“It’s so intense,” she said, still whispering. “Did you ever play?”

Jamie let out a breath of air. “Once,” he said with a wry grin. “When I was young and foolish. I made the mistake of thinking that I could hold my own with some much older players. I suppose most young bucks do something similar at one time or another, but I was sure I was different.” He looked down at her. “Believe me, I’m not. I was telegraphing my hands so everyone at the table could see.” He chuckled. “I might as well have been holding my cards backwards.”

“What do you mean?”

He took a breath. “It’s a rare poker player who doesn’t exhibit some sort of a sign when he has a good hand... or a bad hand, for that matter. Apparently mine was rolling my cigarillo from one side of my mouth to the other when I had a good hand.”

She laughed. “I think even I would have seen that.”

“Exactly. As did everyone at the table. I haven’t gambled since.”

“Just as well,” she said, slipping her hand through his arm again. “Did I just feel the boat slow down? I think we’re getting close.”

The paddle wheeler eased up to the dock and was tied fast within minutes. With three trips a week, it was clear the crew had plenty of practice. They were soon down on the dock amid the noisy throng. Men started unloading the steamer right away, and Sarah noted the stacks of goods ready to be shipped in the other direction.

“I didn’t realize it was such a thriving city,” she said after they’d broken through the crowd.

Jamie agreed. “I’d heard it was like this, but it’s impressive to see it. Sam Brannan had his first store here, and he’s a smart man.” He led her away from the wharf and down a side street to a livery stable. He chatted with the owner for a few moments and they were on their way.

Golden light bathed the countryside as they left the city behind. Even the horse seemed to shake off the tumult of the city, and settled into a comfortable gait.

“Another thing I didn’t realize,” she said, trying to take in everything around her. “As we get farther away from the river, it’s dry, but it’s also beautiful.”

Jamie nodded. “Keep in mind it’s October.” He gazed into the distance. “I would imagine those hills are green in the spring. And I understand a small river winds through the ranch. My grandfather knew what he was doing.”

The horse slowed as they crested a rise, and Sarah’s fingers dug into Jamie’s arm as she gasped with pleasure. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured, noting the way the setting sun sent long fingers of shadow across the idyllic landscape. She glanced at Jamie, and the expression on his face mirrored her enthusiasm.

The main house, partly obscured by a large tree in the center of the courtyard, glowed with an inviting warmth that beckoned them closer. Built of adobe, it had been well maintained, and as they started forward again, Sarah made out a large garden beyond the house, and several slightly smaller adobe structures partially hidden among the trees.

Sarah was grateful for the silence that greeted them as they pulled up to the front entrance. It gave her time to take in the carefully tended flower beds on either side of the front entrance, and the chickens scratching industriously in the side yard. Contentment washed over her, and for a moment she felt like she’d arrived home after a long voyage.

“Whoa.” Jamie pulled up under the tree and stepped down. “I’ll see if I can find...”

“
Hola! Senor
Thompson.”

A short, dark man hurried toward them, a broad smile on his face.

“You must be Diego.” Jamie greeted him warmly, his hand extended.

“Si.” A brief frown furrowed Diego’s brow, then he smiled again. “Excuse me,
Senor
, but you look very much like your grandfather.”

“I do?” No-one had ever told Jamie that before. “Thank you, but please call me Jamie.”

“Your grandfather was a good man.” He smiled at Sarah. “Welcome to
Rancho Agua Dulce.
”

“And please call me Sarah,” she said. “Sweetwater. What a lovely name.”

“
Senor
Thompson named it.” Diego shrugged, and Sarah wondered if perhaps the Mexican considered it a fanciful name.

Jamie came around to her side of the buggy and offered his hand. “You know Spanish?”

“Only a few words.” She offered the Mexican an easy smile. “Thank you, Diego. I’m glad to be here.”

The foreman led them into the house and was quick to explain that his wife Teresa had maintained it the same as she had during the last few years of Jamie’s grandfather’s life. Simple leather chairs clustered around an open fireplace in the living room, and brightly colored throws were tossed over the backs of comfortably padded chairs. A large, well-oiled slab of wood served as a dining table, and Sarah allowed her imagination to run rampant, imagining herself and Jamie surrounded by several children.