Restless Hearts (16 page)

She dragged herself back to reality as Diego led them through to the kitchen. “Senora Thompson loved to look out over the vegetable gardens,” Diego was saying, gesturing out to the large cultivated patch of land visible beside one of the outbuildings. “She was a good gardener. She taught Teresa how to grow flowers and Teresa taught her how to dry beans.”

Sarah laughed. “A fair trade.”

He shot her a bewildered look. “That’s what Senora Thompson used to say.”

“Is that corn?” Jamie’s eyes lit up. “I love fresh corn.”

“Si,
senor.
That corn is for eating. The corn for the animals is out in the field.”

“There’s more?” Jamie looked from Diego to Sarah.

“Yes,
senor.
I can show you now, if you like, but Teresa has your meal ready.” He paused. “Chicken and roasted potatoes, the way Mr. Thompson liked them, but she can make some corn as well.”

Sarah intervened. “We’d enjoy that, Diego, but we don’t expect Teresa to cook for us.” She gave him a curious look. “How did she know we were coming?”

The foreman lifted his shoulders. “I don’t know. She just knows these things. She also said you would be tired after travelling all day.” He turned to Jamie. “I can show you the animals tomorrow, if you like.”

The scent of roasted chicken wafted across the compound and Jamie’s mouth started to water. “That will be fine,” he said, clapping the other man on the shoulder. “Now let’s go pick some of that corn.”

Sarah watched Jamie stride across the compound, bending his head to listen to Diego as they headed toward the corn. At this time of year even a late harvest corn would be far beyond its prime, but somehow she didn’t think that mattered to Jamie. She’d noticed a change in him the moment they drove onto the property. In the space of a few moments, he’d relaxed, the tension that had been building since he arrived in San Francisco magically falling away.

He was in his element here, she realized, and a shiver of foreboding tiptoed down her spine. Would she lose him to the ranch? Would he want to stay? He disappeared from view, but she continued to stare out the window, deep in thought. She’d known from the very beginning that he’d inherited this property, but until now it hadn’t seemed real... it hadn’t been imprinted on her mind. Now that she’d seen the beauty of the ranch, and been enveloped by its peaceful atmosphere, she would understand if Jamie wanted to live here. After all, he had a right to his dreams, in the same way she had a right to hers.

And if their dreams took them in separate directions? She shuddered, finding that she didn’t want to think about that. Jamie came into sight again, holding up three ears of corn as though he’d just won first prize at the fall fair. For now, this was the only dream she needed. The rest would sort itself out later.

“Is this heaven?” Jamie pushed his plate away. “If not, don’t tell me. I don’t want to break the spell.” He reached for his cigarillos and raised his eyebrows, silently asking for permission.

Sarah smiled her approval. “But let’s go outside,” she said, blowing out the candles on the candelabra, leaving just one flickering flame. “I saw some comfortable looking leather chairs out there.”

Jamie got to his feet and patted his stomach, groaning with pleasure. “Roast chicken, roast potatoes and corn.” He stopped to light his cigarillo. “And a good smoke. Yes, I really am in heaven.”

“I could make you a cup of tea. I put a pot of water on the back of the stove.”

“They have tea?” He sounded surprised.

“No, I brought it with me.” Sarah started to rise, but he restrained her with a hand on her arm. “Not tonight, Sarah.” His fingers trailed down her arm and intertwined with hers. They sat silently for several minutes, watching the fireflies danced across the yard. “What do you think?” he asked finally, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

“It’s...” she struggled to find the right words. “It’s so much more than I dreamed it would be.” A sigh escaped her lips, but she didn’t care. “It’s perfect, and I haven’t seen it all yet.”

“I’m glad you feel that way.” He released her hand and released a lazy stream of smoke up into the leaves of the tree. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was smiling. “I feel like I’ve come home.”

“Maybe you have.” He didn’t respond, so she carried on. “I don’t mean that in a spiritual sense, but maybe you’ve finally found where you belong.”

He stared, unseeing, out into the darkness. “I think you’re right,” he said finally. “Odd, isn’t it? I’ve only just arrived and I feel as though my entire life is about to change.”

“In a good way?” she asked, her heart in her throat.

“Definitely,” he said, rising and offering his hand. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

He pulled her close.  “I’m tired of pretending, Sarah. I’ve wanted you from the moment I first saw you, standing there on the deck of
WindSprite
.” Their breaths mingled for a moment before his mouth settled over hers. A soft whimper escaped her lips as she felt the evidence of his desire, rampant and demanding attention.

“I wanted you, too,” she said, gazing up into his eyes. “Every time you touched me. Every time you brushed the hair back from my face. I wanted to be in your arms, in your bed.”

He sucked in a sharp breath.

“Make love to me, Jamie. Let’s not waste another day.”

He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. “Are you sure, Sarah?” He paused outside the door. “Because once we go through that door, you’re mine.”

“I’m already yours,” she murmured, burying her face in his neck. “Love me, Jamie.”

* * *

Sarah awoke with Jamie’s name on her lips. They had made love several times during the night, even though it had been her first time. One started, she couldn’t get enough of him, and assured him that she was ready for more.

She tried to stretch and found that she couldn’t move; he’d thrown a leg over hers, effectively pinning her to the bed. A large hand cupped her breast, and as she closed her eyes, recalling everything they’d done last night. They’d explored each other’s bodies boldly, as though needing to make up for lost time; as though these precious hours might be snatched away.

Relaxing back into the bed, she waited to be engulfed by shame, but it eluded her. She turned and found him watching her, his expression unreadable. Was he disgusted by her eager responses last night? Did he think less of her for rising up to meet him, matching his ardor with a passion of her own? He hadn’t at the time, but now, in the clear light of day, would he reject her as used goods?

The truth was, no matter what his reaction this morning, it had been worth it. She’d waited her entire life to be loved the way he’d loved her last night, taking her to the heights of passion, showing her the stars and then calling her name as he joined her in the ultimate pleasure.

Her insecurities must have been writ large on her face, because with one strong arm he pulled her toward him, moulding her to his body. “Sarah, my love” he said, pushing back her hair and planting a series of kisses on her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips, “thank you for last night.” His fingertips brushed her cheek, where his beard had abraded her skin. “I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”

She snuggled up against him, wishing she could remain there all day. “What time is it, do you think?”

“I don’t know, but I heard that damned rooster several hours ago.” He stretched lazily, and she admired the way his muscles flexed under taut skin. “I suppose we should get up.” He lifted the sheet and looked down at her body, his eyes heavy with desire. “Although something tells me Diego isn’t going anywhere.”

Sometime later, she joined him in the kitchen, tying back her wet hair. “Did you see that tiled enclosure near the bedroom? It’s rigged up as a shower, and the water drains away somewhere.”

“Is that what I heard?” He handed her a cup of coffee. “Let me know next time you use it, and I’ll join you.”

She sipped the coffee appreciatively. “Have you seen Diego yet?”

He ducked his head and looked out the window. “I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I’ve seen him out in the yard.”

“He’ll wonder what we’ve been up to.” Sarah flushed.

“Oh, I’m sure he knows.”

“Jamie!”

He tilted up her chin and looked into her eyes. “It’s okay, Sarah. No more wasted time, remember?”

She nodded, not quite convinced. “It’s a big adjustment, that’s all.”

“I understand.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let’s go and see the ranch.”

* * *

Jamie kept a close eye on Sarah as they rode up into the hills. She had taken riding lessons as a youngster and she soon found her seat, freeing him to return his attention to Diego.

“Is this the entire ranch?” asked Jamie, shading his eyes and looking into the distance. Here and there, the sun reflected from the river where it wound through the bottom of the valley. Cattle grazed placidly, and he knew it would take some adjustment to think of them as a commercial venture... as a crop. At the moment, they seemed like part of the scenery.

“Can you see that row of hills in the distance, senor?”

Jamie squinted.

Diego pointed. “Do you see those two hills that look like a turtle? That is the edge of your property.”

Jamie didn’t try to hide his surprise. “I didn’t know it was that large. How many head of cattle will it support?”

The foreman shrugged. “My guess would be around three hundred, but Senor Thompson was cautious about overgrazing. We average about one hundred forty.”

Jamie nodded, but his instincts as a businessman came to the fore. “How would you feel about expanding the herd?”

Diego’s gaze shifted between Jamie and Sarah. “Everybody has cattle. The miners were happy with beef for a while, but I hear in town that they are getting tired of the same old thing.” It looked as though he wasn’t going to say more, then changed his mind. “If it was me, I would grow more hogs. And chickens.” He warmed to his subject. “And vegetables. The miners will pay anything for vegetables.”

Jamie nodded his agreement, and they started the ride back to the main house. “In San Francisco, potatoes are like gold,” he said. “I can’t begin to tell you how good those roasted potatoes tasted last night.”

“Thank you,
senor.
I’ll tell Teresa. Or you can tell her yourself, if you’d like to join us for dinner tonight. It’s simple food, but we think you’ll like it.”

“That would be wonderful.” Jamie and Sarah spoke at the same time.

“I saw some red wine in the house,” said Jamie. “We’ll bring a bottle.”

* * *

“These tamales are delicious,” said Sarah, unwrapping another savoury bundle.

“Si.” Teresa’s dark eyes showed her pleasure at Sarah’s interest. “Pork tamales. We also make them with chicken, or sometimes with beef, but pork is my favorite.” She passed Sarah a small bowl. “Try the chile sauce with them. We find the green chile sauce goes best with pork.”

Sarah tried a small amount and her face lit up. “It’s amazing.” She turned to Jamie, who had been watching the exchange with a contented smile. “I’d love to learn how to make this.”

“It’s time consuming,” said Teresa, “but Diego always enjoys them.” Her gaze softened as she looked at her husband. “So I’m happy to do it for him. In my family, the women would get together to make them. It makes the work go faster and gave us a chance to gossip.”

“That’s too bad.” Sarah dabbed at her mouth with a napkin.

“Why do you say that?”

“I was thinking of my eating house.”

“Eating house?”

“Yes. I run an eating house in San Francisco.” Her face came alive. “Myself and several other women.” She glanced at Jamie. “I tell Jamie it’s all his fault. He told me about Cornish pasties, and the rest is history.”

Teresa edged forward on her chair, eager to hear the story. The voices of the women provided a comforting backdrop as Jamie and Diego wandered outside for a smoke.

Diego accepted one of Jamie’s cigarillos and puffed on it contentedly. “Your woman is full of ideas,” he said. “She cares about her business.” He slanted a sideways look at Jamie. “I admire her passion.”

“I do, too,” Jamie replied thoughtfully. “I do, too.”

* * *

“I’d be happy to show you how to make the tortillas.” Teresa smiled. “How long are you staying?”

Sarah sighed. “I can’t speak for Jamie, but I have to go back to San Francisco tomorrow.” She drank the remaining wine in her glass. “But I hope to come back soon.”

“I look forward to it.” Teresa rose. “Would you like some coffee?”

Sarah stifled a yawn. “No, thank you. It’s been a long day.” She rose and they wandered outside. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Yes, thank you.” Jamie rose to stand by her side. He extended a hand to Diego. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

They walked across the courtyard, Jamie’s arm around her waist as if they’d been together for years.

“That was nice,” said Sarah.

“Hmmm.” Jamie gave her an affectionate squeeze, but she could tell his mind was somewhere else.

“What is it?” she asked finally. They stepped inside the main house and Jamie lit a candle. She couldn’t quite make out his face, but she’d spent enough time with him to know that something was on his mind.

He toyed with the soft wax on the side of the candle, gathering his thoughts. “I’m going to stay here,” he said finally, raising his eyes to meet hers. “I hope you don’t mind.”

Sarah had anticipated this, but her heart skipped a beat anyway. “I’ll miss you,” she blurted out, blinking rapidly to keep back the tears. “I’ll miss seeing you every day.”

She wished he would take her in his arms, but he remained on the other side of the table. “I’ll miss you as well, Sarah, but I need to be here now.” He turned toward the window, even though nothing could be seen in the darkness. “I need to learn everything I can about the ranch, and I can’t do that in San Francisco.”

“I understand.” And in a way, she
did
understand. Much as he had to learn the ranch, she needed to expend more effort to stabilize her business.

“Will you be all right going back by yourself?” For a moment he looked as though he was hoping she would say no. Then he smiled confidently. “Of course you will. You set out to sail halfway around the world by yourself. What’s a little boat trip down the Sacramento?”

“Exactly.” Could he hear the tremor in her voice? She hoped not. “I’ll be fine.”

He walked slowly around the table and stood before her. “Thank you for understanding,” he said, tipping up her chin. “You’ll come back, won’t you? Soon?”

She nodded. “Soon.”

He pulled her into his arms, his kiss making it clear that he wanted to make love to her. With a sigh, she slipped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss with all the passion of a woman recently initiated into the joys of lovemaking.

They came together that night with a fierce, almost desperate need to please each other. After reaching the heights together she collapsed back onto the bed, gasping for air, aftershocks of pleasure rippling through her body. After a few moments, she rolled onto her side so he wouldn’t see her tears, wouldn’t see that she was already missing him.

* * *

Jamie walked down the pier as the
Senator
pulled into the current, dodging people, stacks of cargo and animals as he tried to keep eye contact with Sarah. Standing on the upper deck, she looked down at him with clear eyes, her chin tilted up the way she did when she was trying to be strong. But he waved as though he hadn’t noticed. As though he didn’t want to call her back, and beg her to stay with him... forever.