Restless Hearts (9 page)

Tears ran down Sarah’s face unheeded. She hated herself for crying, when it was the other woman receiving the bad news, but she couldn’t help it. Anna was about to collapse, but Sarah recovered enough to catch her, and eased her down onto a pile of rope near the mast. Anna clutched at her stomach and her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. Haunted eyes searched Sarah’s face, hoping for signs that she was wrong, but in the timeless ways of women everywhere, Anna knew.

“Tell me,” she said finally. “He’s dead, isn’t he.” It wasn’t a question.

Sarah nodded. “I’m sorry, Anna.” Her words seemed so vapid, so useless, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“What happened?”

Sarah explained how he had been hit on the head and ultimately drowned. She had been with her father several times when he’d lost patients in surgery and had taken it upon herself to inform the loved ones, but this was different. Anna was vulnerable and alone. And if Charlie’s information turned out to be true, she was penniless. This was personal, and Sarah had no intention of leaving the woman to fend for herself.

Anna looked down at her protruding stomach and spoke, almost to herself. “What’s to become of us? Surprisingly, she hadn’t cried yet, but Sarah sensed that tears would come later.

Sarah lowered herself onto a corner of the coiled rope and took Anna’s hand. “I bought a house today and you’ll stay with me. But before you agree, I have to tell you something.”

Anna gave her a blank look.

“I’m not married, Anna. I’m not even a widow.”

A tiny smile appeared. “I know that.” She looked directly into Sarah’s eyes. “Are you sure, Sarah? Because sudden as this is, I see no other option for Melissa and I at the moment. I would be grateful to accept your generosity, and I’ll do my best to pay my own way.”

Sarah laid a hand on Anna’s taut stomach, and at that moment, the child kicked. “I know you will,” she said, “but we won’t worry about that for the time being.”

Tears sprang to Anna’s eyes, but she held them back. “Help me up,” she said, trying to rise. “I’ll go down to our cabin and tell Missy.”

They rose, and Anna looked toward the hills beyond the harbour. “What happens next?”

Sarah was glad to be dealing with practicalities. “You pack up your belongings.” She paused. “I suppose they’re already packed up, aren’t they?”

Anna nodded.

“All right, then. Lucy’s husband has arranged for someone to transport your belongings from the ship to my new house.” She looked around. “Is Captain Johnson still on board?”

“Yes. The last I saw, he was supervising the unloading of Jamie’s equipment.”

Sarah flushed. “Jamie’s here?” In the shock of learning about Anna’s husband, she had forgotten about his safe and minting machine.

“He was here earlier.” Anna gestured vaguely toward the bow. “Check with the captain.”

“All right. You take your time with Melissa, and I’ll speak to the captain. I’ll be here on deck when you’re ready.”

The other woman took a deep breath and Sarah pulled her into a fierce hug. “I’m sorry, Anna. I don’t know what else to say.”

Anna closed her eyes, as though steeling herself for the ordeal to come. “You’re doing fine,” she said, and gave herself a little shake. “Now I just have to tell Missy...” She walked resolutely toward the companionway.

A cluster of men stood around the open forward hatch, and as Sarah approached, a large crate rose slowly from the gaping hole, controlled by a winch.

“Sarah!” Captain Johnson appeared and moved her back a few feet. “Just a precaution,” he said, then returned his attention to the crate. It hung suspended a foot or two above the deck, and then moved laterally through a gap where the ship’s rail had been removed. A voice shouted from below, and the winch creaked and moaned as it started to lower the heavy crate onto the waiting lighter below.

A minute or two later, a voice shouted from below. The captain seemed to understand what had been said, because he turned to her. “All clear,” he said, obviously relieved to have the large piece of cargo safely off his ship.

“Now,” he said. “What brings you here?” He grinned. “I’m happy to see you, of course, but...” His words trailed off.

Sarah’s face must have mirrored her emotions as she remembered why she’d come. The captain sobered, and she gave him a quick rundown.

“She must be heartbroken,” he said. “And in spite of her bad luck, she’s one of the fortunate ones, having you to take her in.” He looked toward the winch. “I’ll get the chair rigged up. She can’t possibly climb down the ladder.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

“No, it’s you who deserves the thanks.” He gave her an affectionate look. “As a matter of fact, Levi and I were talking about you last night. You were such a help to all of us on the voyage, and we’d like to do something for you. Now that we know you’re settled, we’ll know where to send the token of our appreciation.”

“Captain, you don’t have to do that.”

“Perhaps not, but we want to. You can expect a delivery either later today or early tomorrow.” He grinned. “And we know you’ll put it to good use.” He strode off to look for the chair.

Sarah peered into the hatch and her pulse ratcheted up at the sight.

Jamie was assisting with securing the second crate, but it wasn’t his actions that took her breath away. He’d stripped off his jacket and cravat and loosened his shirt. Black, snugly fitting trousers hugged his muscled legs and emphasized his trim waist. Broad shoulders were clearly visible under the shirt, and his hair had fallen over one eye, adding to his rakish appearance. One hand grasping a rope, he looked very much like a pirate, and she had the sudden desire to sail away with him into the sunset.

Silly woman
, she chided herself, and at that moment he looked up at her. Caught in a shaft of sunlight, his eyes flared in recognition, crystal blue shards among the smouldering grey. “Sarah,” he called. Did he sound breathless too, or was it her imagination? “What are you doing here?” He came scrambling up the ladder and stood over her, smiling into her upraised face. “It’s good to see you.”

“Good to see you, too.” She couldn’t keep the smile out of her voice. “And I have a lot to tell you, but the reason I’m here isn’t good.”

He reached out to touch her, as though to reassure himself that she was all right. “What is it?”

She told him about Anna, and his face reflected his dismay. “The poor woman.” He looked beyond her, to ensure that Anna wasn’t within hearing distance. “What is she going to do?”

Before she could respond, he started to shake his head. “Wait. I already know. You’ve found a way to take care of her, haven’t you?” He seemed resigned to the fact... maybe even proud of her.

“Yes, and that’s my other news. I’ve bought a house.”

“Already?” He let out a short laugh. “You don’t waste time.”

“Charlie says you have to move quickly.”

Jamie nodded. “Well he’s right about that. According to the two fellows who came out from Chicago, we were lucky to get our building. They say it’s already worth double what we paid.”

“Where did you sleep last night?”

“Upstairs in the building.” He rolled his eyes. “Apparently it’s common not to have proper walls here, due to the shortage of lumber. Our sleeping compartments are divided by canvas, and I listened to them snore all night.” He gave a casual shrug. “I suppose I’ll get used to it.”

“How long will you stay before you go to your rancho?”

“I don’t really know. A couple of weeks, at least.” He smiled down into her eyes. “Are you missing me already?”

She looked at him steadily, a challenge in her eyes. “And if I am?”

“Then we’ll have to –” He looked over her shoulder, then lowered his voice. “We’ll have to get together for supper one night,” he said hurriedly. “I’ll find you.”

Sarah turned to see Anna, holding the hand of a subdued, red-eyed Melissa. At the same time, Captain Johnson appeared with the chair, and they began the process of lowering Anna to the lighter.

“It’s ready to leave anyway,” said the captain. “You might as well go back to the docks on it.”

Sarah would rather have stayed and talked to Jamie, but the sight of Anna down on the lighter, cradling Melissa to her side brought her back to the task at hand. She looked back to see Jamie standing by the hatch, his hair ruffled by the breeze. A curl of desire started to unfurl somewhere deep inside, sending pulsing, insistent heat to parts of her body she’d forgotten about. She scolded herself for allowing such feelings at a time like this. But the truth was, she hadn’t consciously allowed them; they’d come rushing over her, swamping her normally composed nature with something new and exciting. Something she very much intended to explore when the opportunity arose.

Jamie gave her a long, lazy smile and tilted his head in what was becoming a familiar gesture. She acknowledge him with a small twitch of her lips, then settled into the chair, already missing his presence as she joined Anna and Melissa on the lighter that would take them to the docks.

* * *

Sarah tried to keep the pride out of her voice as she gave the driver directions to her new home. Despite the shock to her system, Anna’s head swiveled every time they passed an unusual sight.

“Look, Mommy!” Melissa pointed to a thin man in a long blue smock and blue trousers. “Is that a Chinaman?”

Anna lowered her daughter’s finger. “We don’t point, Missy, but yes, that man is from China.”

The child’s attention was quickly diverted to a horse and buggy which had become stuck in the mud. If the man’s elegant clothes and highly polished boots were anything to go by, he hadn’t been in San Francisco long. Their wagon driver snorted with derision as he manoeuvred around the stricken buggy. Sarah was reminded that she had a lot to learn.

They pulled up in front of Sarah’s new home and Anna’s mouth formed a perfect circle. “You own this?” she gasped. “How did you ever manage?”

Sarah wasn’t sure if Anna was aware of her own financial situation, and didn’t want to discuss money matters. “Lucy’s husband Charlie knew about it. Otherwise I’m not sure what I would have done.” She offered a hand. “Here, let me help you down. You, too, Missy.”

They walked past the tent in the front yard and looked up to see Lucy at the front door.

“Lucy!” Melissa launched herself into the older woman’s arms. “You’re here.”

“Yes, my pet. I’ve brought you some soup for supper.”

Lucy enveloped Anna in a hug. “I’m so sorry, love.” Lucy was struggling to hold back tears. “We’re your family now.”

“Thank you, Lucy.”  Anna gave her a feeble smile, and continued to look around. “It’s amazing,” she said, looking into the room overlooking the street. A sideboard holding two basic but serviceable glass candlesticks dominated the wall backing onto the kitchen, and a round, pot-bellied stove sat proudly in the corner; Sarah had already imagined sitting around it when the weather got colder. The only other furniture was a long dining table, flanked by eight chairs. The room made it evident that the young couple had planned to focus on the boarding house and selling food before creature comforts. Although Sarah admired their single-minded drive, she made a mental note to re-arrange the furniture and buy several comfortable chairs.

Anna wandered into the kitchen and Sarah and Lucy followed. Her eyes widened, and she turned to the two women. “It’s a complete kitchen. How did you manage all this?”

Sarah glanced at Lucy, suddenly uncomfortable. But knowing that Anna would find out sooner or later, she told her the story.

Tears began to fall from Anna’s eyes and she sat down heavily at the small table in the corner of the kitchen. “What’s the matter with me?” she cried. “I can weep for someone else’s misfortune, but I can’t cry for myself.” She lowered her head and contrary to her words, hoarse, rasping sobs were torn from her body.

Lucy went to her side and rubbed her back with comforting strokes. “Cry all you want, my dear. It’s not healthy to keep it bottled up, no matter what you may have heard.”

Melissa’s hand crept into Sarah’s as she watched her mother cry. After a few minutes, Anna’s tears turned into hiccups, and she bent over, clutching her stomach.

Sarah released Melissa’s hand and went to her side. “Anna?”

The pregnant woman looked up.

“It’s started, hasn’t it?”

Anna nodded.

Sarah was surprised that she felt so calm. Her gaze darted around the kitchen, taking in the gently steaming kettle and the tea towels hanging on a rack beside the stove. “Lucy,” she asked, “did you see a linen closet by any chance?”

“There are sheets and towels over there.” Lucy pointed to a narrow door that Sarah hadn’t noticed.

“Let’s get them out, and into the back room.” She wished she’d had more of a chance to take inventory. “What about candles... in case this goes into the night?”

“I’ll check,” said the older woman. “Come on, Missy. Let’s hunt around for candles.”

Anna moaned, and Sarah waited for the contraction to pass. Perspiration dotted her brow, and she brushed it away, then rose and walked slowly to the back bedroom. “I don’t think we need to worry about candles... at least not on my account.” She gave a thin smile. “Melissa was born very quickly, and I think this one is trying to break her record.” In spite of her confident words, her eyes were suddenly very large in her head. “Do you have any experience...” Her question was cut short by another contraction. She sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for the pain to pass, then started to remove her clothes.

“I’ve been present at several births,” said Sarah, “but nothing complicated.”

Anna lay back, and Sarah covered her with a sheet. “This is only my second child, but everything has seemed normal so far.” Her fingers dug into the thin mattress. “Let’s hope it goes quickly.”

* * *

Anna got her wish. Four hours later, Sarah placed a squirming baby boy on Anna’s chest.

“My boy,” said Anna, drinking in the sight of her son through eyes luminous with tears. She touched the fine wisp of hair at the crown of the child’s head and kissed him on the forehead. “We’ll call him Walter, after his father,” she said, looking beyond Sarah to where Lucy and Melissa were standing in the doorway. “That’s fitting, don’t you think?”

Lucy nodded, unable to speak through her tears.

“Walter,” whispered Melissa, offering her finger to the baby, who gripped it and held on tight. “My baby brother.”

* * *

Lucy was still in the kitchen when Sarah wandered back in. Melissa had climbed up on the foot of the bed with her mother, and the family of three were sleeping soundly.

“You didn’t need to stay,” she said, sinking down onto the chair opposite her friend. “But I’m glad you did. Thank you for taking care of Missy. Did you get her to eat anything?”

“A little.” She motioned to the stove. “Help yourself to the soup, and some of Levi’s bread.”

Sarah looked around. “They brought the supplies? I didn’t hear anyone.”

Lucy grinned. “You were rather busy. The captain sent Anna’s trunk; I had them put it outside her door.” Her eyes danced. “They also delivered the captain’s gift for you. Wait until you see what it is.”

Sarah’s exhaustion fell away. “Where is it?”

“I asked them leave it in the dining room.” She led the way, and pointed to a small pile of bags and canned goods. “I think it’s a hint.”

Sarah examined the captain’s gifts with growing delight. “Flour,” she said, touching the bags. “And beans and molasses. Salt, lard, and canned meat.” She opened one of the smaller bags and raised it to her nose. “And some of Levi’s precious seasonings.” She looked at Lucy, her eyes shining. “He couldn’t have sent a better gift.”

Lucy nodded. “And on top of that, I noticed what appeared to be plenty of beef for sale at the market today. And I picked up some bacon and coffee for your breakfast. As for the produce, onions and carrots are fairly plentiful. I decided to inquire about availability, and at this time of year it’s local produce, brought down from Sonoma, and Mission Dolores.” She made a face. “Still no potatoes to speak of, but I suspect that will change with time. Oh, and there seems to be plenty of fruit if you decide to make fruit pies, or fruit pasties. You’re all set.”

Sarah went back over the pile of foodstuffs, touching each container and already planning what she would do with the contents.