The Sapphire Brooch (The Celtic Brooch Trilogy Book 2) (88 page)

“It’s fine,” she said. “We have plenty of time.”

“Okay, buddy. Let’s get Jack and have us some hotdogs.”

Cullen ran from the room, yelling, “Cousin Jack. Cousin Jack.”

Meredith closed the door, rolling her eyes. “If I had half of his energy…” She gave Charlotte a hug. “How’re you feeling?”

“Good so far.”

Elliott glanced around the room. “Nice artwork.”

“For nine months, I’ve thought Braham would change his mind and join me. A full-sized poster is the best I can do, though. I want the baby to know him.”

Meredith patted Charlotte’s hand. “This baby will have friends and family who will love him and spoil him. Even our dear friend Louise called about an hour ago. She and her partner Evelyn are ecstatic. If you don’t get to Scotland soon, they’ll come here.”

“I might have a renter for yer house,” Elliott said. “Unless ye’ want to sell it.”

“I probably will, but not right now. A renter would be great. Is there anything you and David can’t do?”

“Ask me in three years,” Elliott said. “If we do a good job training the foal born this morning, he’ll have a shot at the Triple Crown.”

“What did David have to do with it?”

Elliott smiled. “He picked the mare.”

Charlotte squirmed for a moment and decided to push the call button “Would you tell my nurse I’m getting a lot of pressure down low?” The doctor came in while Charlotte was still speaking. “I think I’m ready.”

“Let’s take a look.”

“I’ll get David,” Elliott said as he gave Charlotte a quick hug and left the room.

The exam was quick. “You’re fully dilated. With the next contraction, let’s see what you can do.”

The next two hours were grueling. Meredith hovered on one side of the bed, David on the other. They held her legs, propped up her back, and breathed with her.

At one point, Charlotte said, “That damn Braham McCabe, if he walked in here right now, I’d throw something at him. I’ll never do this again.”

Meredith and David chuckled.

“Don’t you dare laugh,” Charlotte said. “This isn’t fun.”

“One more contraction, and your baby will be out,” the doctor said.

Charlotte took a deep breath and pushed her child out. Her head dropped back on the pillow. When the baby cried, so did she.

“It’s a boy,” the doctor said.

David’s face flushed with his excitement. “Congratulations, Mom. I told ye’ he’d be a boy.”

She glanced at the poster, barely able to see through her tears. “We have a son, Braham.”

“He’s perfect, Charley.”

Meredith swiped at her own tears. “And beautiful.” She gave Charlotte a hug. “I’m going to go tell Elliott and Cullen. I’ll be right back. Do you want me to send Jack in?”

“No, not unless he wants to. You can tell him, too,” Charlotte said.

The doctor clamped the cord, handed David a pair of scissors to cut it, and laid the baby on Charlotte’s belly. David beamed like any new father.

For nine months he’d come for extended visits and had taken on all the responsibilities of an expectant father. He held her head when she threw up. He brought her ice cream and pickles when she had cravings. He took her to the beach when she was bitchy. He told her she was beautiful, and he stayed up late with her when she couldn’t sleep.

And never once had he complained or asked for more than she was able to give. This was his moment, and she was so happy he was there to share it. He was more than the baby’s godfather, and she wished her heart was free to love him as he deserved to be loved.

Meredith returned with Elliott, Kevin, Jack, Cullen, and Ken for a quick peek.

“He has a penis, Daddy. That means I have a boy cousin. Yippee. I want to play with him. Can he ride my pony?”

“He’s only a baby. He can’t play yet,” Meredith cautioned.”

“When’s he going to stand up like Stormy’s baby did today?” Cullen asked.

“Not for a while.”

“Congratulations, Charlotte,” Elliott said, smiling. “I’m going to take Cullen to the playroom. Text me, Mer, if you need anything.”

Jack walked over to the bed, wearing a relieved smile. The corners of his mouth trembled slightly. He kissed Charlotte on the cheek. “Congrats, sis. He’s beautiful. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe next time I’ll stay with you.”

“There won’t be a next time, Jack. You missed your shot.”

“He’s a big one,” one of the delivery nurses said.

“You don’t have to tell me,” Charlotte said. “How much does he weigh?”

“Nine pounds, five ounces, and he’s twenty-one inches long.”

After the nurse cleaned, diapered, and wrapped the baby up tightly, she returned the newborn to Charlotte to nurse. “Do you have a name picked out?”

A stew of emotions welled up in her as she gazed at her precious child. “Lincoln Michael McCabe Mallory.”

96

Sacramento, California, 1869

S
enator McCabe arrived
at the Leland Stanford Mansion promptly at nine o’clock. Melissa Mills, his companion for the past year, elegantly graced his arm. The evening fundraiser for the Republican Party had been on his calendar for several weeks. Leland Stanford, along with his partners in the Central Pacific Railroad, Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins and Collis Huntington, were hinting at the possibility of backing Braham as the next gubernatorial candidate. If he decided to run, he would need not only their financial support, but their influence.

“Good evening, Senator.” Stanford shook hands with Braham and kissed Melissa on the cheek. “My dear, Melissa. I’m sorry to hear your father is indisposed this evening.”

“It’s Papa’s gout. He’ll be fine in a few days.”

“I’m pleased to hear it. I believe your godmother has visitors from New York she’d like you to meet. Ah, here’s Jane now.” Stanford kissed his wife, “If you ladies will excuse us, I have business to discuss with the Senator.”

Glancing at Braham, Melissa batted her eyelashes flirtatiously over the ivory lacework of her fan. “Don’t be long, darling.” She then linked her arm with her godmother’s and the two women sauntered away with their heads together, chatting in soft undertones.

Braham cocked his head, watching the lithe, coquettish brunette glide across the room. He had yet to bed her, preferring the company of his mistress, and often wondered if Melissa would even enjoy the marriage bed, or tolerate it only to produce an heir. Regardless, he would likely marry her within the next year.

“Come to the library, Abraham. I have a new bottle of blended Scottish whisky you’ll enjoy.”

Braham followed the railroad tycoon, dismissing thoughts of the woman he regularly bedded and the woman he wasn’t inclined to bed at all.

After pouring two glasses, Stanford handed one to Braham. “Have a seat, Senator. Cigars are on the table.”

Braham extracted a cigar from the humidor, lit it, and relaxed in one of the two leather wing chairs in front of a roaring fire, crossing one leg over the other.

Stanford remained standing in front of the fireplace with one arm resting on the mantel, cigar propped between his fingers. “Your term as Senator is up next year, and the party wants you as our candidate for governor. Within six years, with Melissa at your side, you’ll reside in the White House. California needs you there, Abraham.”

Braham pulled a short draw, then removed the cigar from his mouth and studied it, blowing out puffs of smoke. “This is somewhat of a surprise, although you have hinted at it.”

“Come now, Senator. Don’t be coy. You’ve been on the path to the governor’s office since you stepped onto the floor of the Senate. The White House is the obvious next step. My partners and I can make it happen.”

What Leland was offering were not only financial support and influence, but also a promise of victory. Braham puffed again, and the smoke wreathed up around his head. “I’m flattered. However, I couldn’t possibly give you an answer without discussing the ramifications with my law partner. Being governor would preclude my practicing law. I’d hope my clients would stay with the firm, but clients are fickle when it comes to lawyers.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are on this evening’s guest list. Dinner will provide the perfect opportunity to bring him around to our point of view. He’ll quickly see the benefits for all Californians to have one of our own in the White House. Of course, my business associates require legal representation on a variety of matters. I’m sure Mr. Montgomery could handle a multitude of issues brilliantly.”

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. With an edge of impatience, Stanford called out, “Come in.”

The butler stepped into the room. “Sir, the governor’s carriage arrived. Mrs. Stanford asked that you join her at the door.”

Stanford waved away the servant. “Yes, yes. Tell her I’ll be along.” He puffed on his cigar. “As soon as I have your answer, you’ll be free to call on Melissa’s father. He should be recovered from his gout attack and will be pleased to entertain your offer for his daughter’s hand.”

Braham cleared his throat discreetly.

“Timing is everything, Senator. Announcing your upcoming nuptials and your bid for governor at the same press conference will guarantee the announcement appears simultaneously on the front page of every newspaper in California and in the society columns. Now, we don’t want to keep the ladies waiting. Shall we go?”

Braham stubbed out his cigar and emptied his whiskey glass. His plan was falling into place like expertly arranged dominos.

Thirty minutes later, Cullen and Kit arrived. After kissing his cousin, and remarking on how beautiful she looked in a green silk gown matching her eyes, he and Cullen went out onto the balcony for a private conversation. Kit and Melissa remained inside, chatting amiably.

“What are you going to tell him?” Cullen asked.

Braham leaned against the railing, folding his arms. “I don’t want to live in Washington ever again.”

“It’s not the same city you left four years ago, and you still own two houses there.”

Braham steeled himself against the riptide of memory. “I need to sell them.”

A silence followed. Cullen fixed him with a frown. “Charlotte is not coming back. Sell the properties.”

“But—”

Cullen gave him a friendly slap between the shoulder blades. “It’s time you proposed to Melissa and started a family. You’re forty-six years old. Run for governor. After two years, if you still don’t want to run for president, tell the party you want another term as governor.”

Braham took a long, silent breath and opened his hand, revealing a sapphire ring.

Cullen eyes held a glint matching his half-smile. “You’ve got the ring. You’ve got the girl. Propose this evening. What in God’s name is holding you back?”

Braham felt an uneasy rumble in his stomach and put the ring away. “Do you think Charlotte married David? He was in love with her.”

Cullen pointed with his index finger. “If you’re expecting me to tell you to go to Charlotte, I’m not going to do it.” Then he tapped Braham’s chest with the tip of the finger. “You have a beautiful, intelligent woman who loves you. A political career which leads to the White House, and, as a heavy investor in the continental railroad, you’re one of the five or six wealthiest men in the country.
This
is where you belong.”

Braham turned away from Cullen. He put both hands on the railing, leaned forward, and rocked slightly on the balls of his feet. “It’s not the advice I gave you almost two decades ago.”

Cullen ran his hand through his hair. “Goddamn it. The situations are completely different.”

“I still love her.”

“Then you should have gone four years ago. It’s
too late
now.”

The French doors opened, and Melissa and Kit joined them on the porch. “There you are, darling.” Melissa kissed Braham on the cheek, then looked from one man to the other, and flitted her hand about her head. “I feel the remnants of a serious conversation in the air. Would this be about you running for governor, or something else of great import?”

Kit gave Cullen a probing stare, and raised an eyebrow, giving her husband a signal Braham had seen her use before.

Cullen switched his focus to Melissa. “You’re too astute my, dear. Shall we go inside? I need a drink.” He took Melissa’s elbow and smoothly guided her through the doorway, leaving Braham and Kit on the balcony.

“I get the feeling you’re trying to solve the problem of world hunger again. I might be able to help.”

Braham opened his arms and Kit melted into his bear hug. He rested his chin on top of her head. “You’ve always been able to read me.”

“It’s because we’re so much alike.” She pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes. “Whatever’s going on with you has nothing to do with Melissa or running for governor. So what is it?” Instead of waiting an answer she said, “It has to be Charlotte.”

He fell silent, astounded as always by Kit’s insightfulness. There was no point in denying it. She’d badger him until he confessed. “What gets me—what surprises me, is the way thoughts of her catch me so unaware.” He bowed his head and stroked his furrowed forehead with the tips of his fingers. “Once she’s in my head, she’ll stay there for hours, and I’ll relive every moment we had together. He dropped his hands and looked again at his cousin. “As the years go by it happens more often, not less.”