Dawn's Prelude (37 page)

The Constantine
harbored overnight in Sitka Sound, much to Evie’s dismay. When morning came and the launches were readied to carry the mail and passengers to Sitka, she and Dalton were the first in line.

“We will send your things over in the next launch,” a man assured her.

Evie truly didn’t care. She longed only to find Lydia. She stared across the harbor at the town and wondered how she would ever locate her stepmother. The town appeared larger than she’d expected. Would someone there know Lydia?

Dalton settled into her arms and went to sleep after a great deal of fussing. She knew he sensed her tension, and she wished she could calm herself. The best thing she could do for him was being done; aside from that, she had nothing to offer. For a moment, Evie dreaded finding Lydia. Dalton had been a comfort to her, and she had grown very fond of the boy. When she had thought Lydia dead, Evie was perfectly happy to become the boy’s mother.

However, when she learned what her brother had done, something inside her changed. She knew she couldn’t let things continue as they were . . . but oh, how she loved this little one. What if Lydia wanted her to leave and never return? Evie didn’t know how she’d bear giving up the child altogether.

“The weather is perfect,” someone was saying, but Evie didn’t acknowledge the conversation. “What a beautiful day.”

She sat in quiet contemplation, wondering what her future might hold. During her trip north, Evie had practiced what she would say to Lydia. If things went well, Lydia would know it wasn’t Evie’s fault that Dalton had been taken. Maybe she would even allow Evie to remain with her there in Sitka. Otherwise, Evie wasn’t sure what she was going to do.

Ellie and her sister had assured Evie she would always be welcomed in Sacramento, but that really wasn’t where she wanted to be. The thought of being with Lydia offered her great comfort, and Evie could only pray that somehow her stepmother would welcome her.

She shook her head at the irony of it all. She longed to remain with Dalton, but even more so, she longed to be close again to Lydia. Would the one act negate the possibility of the other? Would Lydia send her away, simply for being related to the wrong family?

Once on shore, Evie glanced around the docks. She had hoped there might be a cab to hire, but most folks seemed to be on foot. The smell of fish and other unpleasant aromas wafted on the air, but otherwise the day was, as the man on the launch had said, quite perfect.

“You look lost. Might I be of some assistance?”

Evie turned.

The older man smiled. “Your baby is a handsome one.”

She returned the smile. “I’m looking for someone. I need to find Lydia Gray.”

The man laughed. “Ain’t Gray no more. The name is Lindquist. And I know her husband well. In fact, his foreman is just over there. Josh! Josh, come here.” He turned back to Evie. “That’s Joshua Broadstreet.”

Evie watched as a young man fixed his brown eyes upon her.

He seemed momentarily mesmerized, making her feel uncomfortable. Then he smiled.

“What’s the problem, Briney?” he asked, crossing to where they stood.

“This young lady would like to get out to the Lindquist place.

She’s looking for Lydia. I told her you worked with Kjell.”

“I do.” He seemed to notice the sleeping baby for the first time.

Evie saw a frown cross his lips before he spoke. “I can drive you out there—that is, if I can borrow a rig.”

“Thank you.” Evie looked back at the man called Briney.

“And thank you for your assistance. I’m afraid I came a bit unprepared.”

The man laughed. “Ain’t no problem. Most everyone knows everyone else around here. I’ll just stay with you until he gets back. You’d probably be safe enough, but we have our share of unsavory characters.”

She nodded, thinking of Marston’s words about hiring someone to take care of Lydia. Shivering, she pushed aside the thought.

It would only be a short time until she could rectify the hideous wrong her brother had done.

Joshua finally returned with a small two-wheeled cart. It was pulled by a stout-looking gelding that seemed far from interested in attending to their needs.

“Come on, get up there.” Josh guided the poky beast into place, then set the brake. He grinned as he climbed down. “Patches is about a hundred years old, but he’ll do the job.”

He looked at Evie for a moment and sobered. “I can take the baby, if you like, while you climb aboard. I’d be hard-pressed, however, to help you up at the same time.”

“It’s no bother. I’m capable.” Handing Dalton to him, she admonished, “Don’t drop him.”

He met her gaze and grinned again. “I wasn’t planning to.”

Evie hiked her skirts, unconcerned about showing her ankles, and hoisted herself onto the cart seat. Reaching down, she took Dalton from Joshua and waited while he climbed aboard. He released the brake and slapped the reins lightly on the back of the horse.

“Pick it up there, Patches.”

The horse moved out onto the road and gently plodded past the shops and businesses that lined the waterfront.

“What’s your name?” Josh asked.

“Evie. Evie Gadston.”

“How do you know Lydia?”

She considered this for a moment. “Through my family.” The last thing she wanted was to have to explain herself. “Is it far?”

She was anxious for this matter to be resolved. The horse’s painfully slow pace almost made Evie suggest they walk.

“It’s a ways. More than you’d want to hike,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. “So what brings you to Sitka? Is Lydia a friend of yours?”

Evie nodded. “I hope so. Tell me—it’s been a long time since I’ve seen her—how is she?”

“Well, she has good days and bad. You know about the accident?”

“I knew something had happened, but I don’t know the details,” she admitted.

“She was shot a couple of times. Nearly died. It left her with a long recovery period and no memory.”

“No memory? None at all?”

“Well, Kjell tells me she’s getting it back in tiny bits. She doesn’t remember much, though. She probably won’t remember you.” He smiled at her. “But don’t take it personal-like. She’s a good person, and she’ll still welcome you.”

“I hope so. I mean, I think once she realizes why I’ve come, she’ll be more than happy to see me.” Evie didn’t really expect Josh to reply. What could he say? Obviously the situation had changed from what she had anticipated. It had been her hope that she would come, and Lydia would be so overjoyed about Dalton’s return that she would welcome Evie with open arms. But now she wouldn’t even know who Evie was. This could complicate everything considerably.

“You still with me?” Josh asked.

She shook her head. “What? What do you mean?”

“I asked you a question, but you didn’t seem to hear.”

“I do apologize. My thoughts were preoccupied.” She stared at the evergreen trees and glanced up at the mountains beyond.

It was a beautiful island.

“That’s all right. I simply asked why you’d come.”

“It’s . . . well . . . difficult to explain.”

He shook his head. “That family doesn’t need any more difficulties. I’m sure if you know about the accident, then you heard about her baby, too.”

Evie hugged Dalton a little closer. “I did.”

“We don’t know what happened to him. I was a little bit alarmed when I saw you were bringing a baby to visit. I don’t know if Lydia will remember her boy or not, but you might be prepared for her to be upset. She gets that way when she thinks about things and can’t remember.

“Fact is,” he continued, “they don’t know what ever happened to the baby. Kjell’s been trying to find out, but so far there’s been no luck. He thinks Lydia’s stepson took him or at least hired someone to take him.”

Evie felt the intensity of the moment unlike anything she’d ever known. “He did,” she blurted out.

Joshua pulled back on the reins and looked at her oddly. “What?”

She met his dark eyes and hoped he wouldn’t hate her for what she was about to say. She just needed to declare the truth. “Mr. Broadstreet, my brother did take Dalton.” She pulled back the lacy blanket that shielded the baby from the morning sun. “But I’m bringing him back.”

Lydia sat on the porch in her rocking chair. The tightness in her chest threatened to rob her of breath. How could she have forgotten her own son? No matter how traumatic the attack, it seemed unthinkable that she would have lost her memory of him.

Kjell had explained everything, but very little made sense. She tried to remember more about that night, but nothing came to her. Perhaps in time it would, but then again, did she really want it to?

In his account of the story, Kjell had told her that he’d hired a detective, and that the authorities were finally involved in investigating Marston Gray. This was the man—her stepson—who had taken Dalton away. At least they believed he had. Some other man—a brother to the man who had shot her—had testified that this was what had happened.

She buried her head in her hands and rocked. Where was her baby? Why couldn’t they find him?

Oh, God,
she prayed,
please help me—help us. Please let us
find Dalton. Let me know him again.
The empty feeling of not remembering—of not knowing even now where her baby might be—was more than she could bear.

The tears came as they had earlier, and still she rocked.

Lydia had begged Kjell and Zerelda to leave her alone—to let her have time to consider all that they’d told her. Now, however, she wished for Kjell’s presence. He had a way of making her feel at peace, even in the midst of despair.

She was just about to go inside to find Kjell’s comfort when the sound of a wagon approaching caused Lydia to look up. She didn’t recognize the horse as it rounded the bend, but the driver appeared to be the young man who worked for her husband. There was a woman at his side, but Lydia couldn’t see who it might be.

She was carrying something, so perhaps Zerelda had arranged a delivery of goods.

Lydia dried her eyes on the edge of her apron and drew a deep breath. She got to her feet and was just about to go inside when for some reason she felt compelled to look once again at the passenger beside Josh. There was something familiar about her. As the wagon drew closer, Lydia felt as if she recognized the blond-haired woman.

Unable to move, Lydia waited by the door as Josh brought the wagon to a stop. He reached up to take hold of the woman’s bundle.

That was when Lydia realized the stranger was holding a baby.

The young lady climbed down from the wagon and took the infant back in her arms. She saw Lydia and approached ever so slowly. Smiling, she spoke.

“Lydia? It’s me, Evie. Evie Gray—remember?”

Shaking her head, Lydia felt bile rise in her throat. She studied the woman again. She knew those eyes. Those haunting blue eyes. A passing memory of a painting came to Lydia. A woman who looked very much like this one stared down at her with those same eyes.

She took a step away from the door and scrutinized the young woman. She said her name was Gray. Just like the name of the stepson who had taken away her child.

“I know this must be a shock to you,” the woman continued. The baby began to fuss, and she shifted him to her shoulder. When she did, the blanket fell away.

Lydia looked at the child and then at the stranger. “Evie,” she repeated the name.

“Yes. And this is your son. I’ve brought him back to you.”

A scream filled the air, but Lydia didn’t realize it had come from her own throat until Kjell bounded out the door and took her in his arms.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Lydia felt herself falling as darkness engulfed her vision. “Dalton,” she whispered and then knew nothing.

Chapter 32

L
ydia opened her eyes to find everyone watching her. There were tears in Zerelda’s eyes, and Kjell’s expression was concerned. She shook her head, trying to clear away the confusion in her mind.

“Let me help you sit up,” Kjell told her. “Zerelda, get a cold cloth.”

He gently eased Lydia up against the back of the davenport. She spied the young woman and suddenly remembered why it was she’d fainted. The baby began to cry, and Lydia extended her arms.

“Bring him to me . . . please.”

It was only a moment before mother and son were reunited. Lydia stared down in wonder at the boy and put him to her shoulder to comfort him. “There, there.” She patted his back and he calmed.

Lydia breathed in the scent of him and felt a rush of emotions.

The smell evoked a feeling of happiness and calm. She marveled at the wonder of the moment. The child she had forgotten was now home in her arms.

“I am so sorry for what Marston did to you,” Evie said, kneeling down beside Lydia. “When I learned the truth, I did what I could to bring Dalton back to you.”

Lydia looked at the young woman. She had the vaguest recollection of knowing her. “It wasn’t your fault,” she said, somehow knowing the truth of her statement.

Evie nodded. “But my family—they’ve never treated you right.

I care for you, however, and I hope my actions here today have proven that.”