Beverly Jenkins (16 page)

Lying there, Drew wondered how one word could make him feel so damn guilty.
Fine.
Sighing with frustration he threw back the sheet and struggled up to a sitting position. It took several minutes to will himself to move and once he felt reasonably able to do so, he snatched a robe from the armoire and followed in her wake. That she and the baby were nowhere to be found made him even more testy, so he went down the hall to her room. His surly mood immediately melted under the smile Tonio shot him from his perch in his mother’s arms. He kissed Billie on the cheek. “I’m not at my best in the morning, sorry.”

Tonio seemed excited to see him, so he placed a kiss on his small brow. “Morning, son. You think you can let the roosters crow
before
you make us get up?”

Billie said to her happy son, “And I agree. Are you listening to your papa?”

There was a knock on the door. Drew turned to it in confusion. “Who is that?”

“Bonnie probably. She brings breakfast.” He must have looked even more confused because she laughed. “This is what goes on while you’re sleeping away the day, my lord.”

He gave her a mock quelling look and walked over to open the door.

A
fter breakfast, Billie took Tonio down for his morning visit with his
abuela
and Drew sat outside with a coffee and a cheroot still trying to recover from the early rising.

“What are you doing out here?”

It was Logan.

“What’s it look like I’m doing?”

“Did I somehow lose track of the morning? No one ever sees you fancy types until at least noon.”

Drew exhaled a stream of smoke. “Is there something you want, big brother?”

Logan sat. “Nope. Just wondering why you’re up with us common folk.”

He gave a one-word reply. “Antonio.”

“Ah. Wake you up with the chickens, did he?”

Drew sighed.

“Maria does the same thing. Luckily for me, I’m usually up anyway. Sometimes I even take care of her so that ’Riah can sleep an extra few minutes or two. Puts feathers in my cap.”

“Really?” Drew had never considered that before, but then he’d never had a wife and early-rising child before.

“Really.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. What’re your plans today?”

“Fences to repair. Eli and I have to deliver a mare later.” He quieted for a moment and studied Drew’s face. “How’s the fathering coming along?”

“Better. My getting up so damn early was my attempt to show her that I can be a good one.”

“And the husband part?”

“A bit more complicated but we’re pulling in the same direction, so hopefully it’ll be easier from here on out. Took her out yesterday to see where I want to put the house.”

“So you’ll know, I apologized to her for not believing her story.”

“Thanks. I’m sure she appreciated it. I’d like for you two to get along.”

“I know, but she’s no wilting violet, that‘s for sure.”

A smile played over Drew’s lips. “No, she’s not.” He thought about last night and then paused as he was reminded of the threat posed by Prince DuChance. “Hoping DuChance will leave her alone, but I know he won’t.”

“He’d be stupid to come here, so maybe he’s figured that out.”

Drew wasn’t convinced. He was determined not to obsess over what the man might or might not do. They had their guard up so if a confrontation developed, they’d deal with it appropriately. “You mentioned Eli. Why haven’t I seen him?”

“He just returned from a trip to Texas. Went home to bury his father.”

He and his brothers knew all about that. “How’s he holding up?”

“He’s keeping it to himself.”

Drew understood. Sometimes men had difficulty with heartache. “He and Naomi ever work out their differences?” Naomi was a diner owner. Eli had been after her for years to marry him.

Logan shook his head. “No, but she’s going to have to make a decision. He’s talking about selling his stake in the business and moving back to Texas. I don’t want to lose him but I understand. He wants to take care of his mother.”

Drew wished Eli the best of luck, especially in his quest to coral the indomitable Miss Naomi Pearl. He knew all about trying to tame a prickly woman. “So will you help me with the building of the house?”

“Sure will. Just let me know when.”

“Once I get with Max, I’ll let you know. Glad Mama finally surrendered. Maybe now she’ll stop playing us like Punch and Judy,” he cracked.

“Hell will freeze over first.” He peered into Drew’s face. “Are you still mad with her?”

“No, but at the time I was angry at her and everything else. I probably should talk to her about that.”

“Yeah, you should. I can tell by the way she’s been watching you that she’s concerned about where she stands.”

“I’ll take care of it as soon as I can. I don’t want her worrying.”

Logan stood. “Okay. I brought Maria over so ’Riah can finish up a sewing order she’s working on. I’ll see you later.”

“Thanks for the tip about the feathers.”

Logan chuckled. “That’s what big brothers are for.”

After his departure, Drew thought about what he wanted to say to his mother, and then resumed adjusting his mental faculties to getting up with Antonio and the chickens.

His mother was in the stables preparing for her morning ride. She paused at his approach. “Good morning, Drew. Have you recovered from your early rising?”

“Just about.”

“What are your plans?”

“Thought maybe you’d like some company on your ride.”

She studied him for a moment. “I’d enjoy that.”

“Can you wait while I let Billie know I’ll be gone for a bit?”

“Sure. She’s going to watch Maria until I return. Being an
abuela
is wonderful but sometimes I need time alone. I’m grateful that she allows me that.”

After informing Billie of his plan, he saddled his stallion and he and his mother rode away. He knew without asking where they were heading—to the river and the benches Max built for her after their father’s death. It was the place where she went to sit, think, and be alone.

They dismounted and turned the horses loose, then sat and watched the river flow by. “I brought Billie and Tonio to the river yesterday. My plan was to show off my fishing skills and catch dinner, but I caught nothing.”

She smiled. “We plan and God laughs.”

“Apparently.”

The silence grew for a moment and she said, “The last time I asked if you were angry at me, you didn’t want to discuss it. Can we discuss it now?”

“Sure. I was furious, but you were right for all the reasons you stated that day—Antonio’s future being the most important one.”

“Logan said I’d gone too far this time and I worried that I had.”

“You wouldn’t be you if you weren’t pulling the strings.”

They shared a smile. “And you and Billie?” she asked.

“Better. I came down off my high horse to meet her halfway. Best thing I could’ve done.”

“In spite of who she was before coming to us, she’s very special. She so wants us to be proud of her, and you especially.”

“I know. I’m trying to make her proud of me as well.”

“That’s a worthy goal.”

He agreed.

“So, where do you plan to put the house?”

“Up on the bluff.”

She looked upstream. The spot was just visible from where they sat. “You’ve talked about a house there since you were an adolescent.”

“I know and now I can. Looking forward to it. Your sons are also looking forward to giving you away.”

“With the hopes that I’ll never return, I’ll bet.”

He laughed, then turned serious. “Max is a very lucky man. Glad you finally came to your senses and said yes.”

“So am I. We’ll do well together I believe. I believe you and Billie will do well together, too.”

“We’re trying, is all I’ll say for now. Your acceptance has gone a long way in helping her settle in, and there’re no words for how grateful I am.”

She patted his hand. “That’s what mamas do.”

And with that, they let the silence rise.

Chapter 17

F
or the rest of the morning, Drew hung around the house. He played with Antonio and Little Maria and lusted silently for his wife. Mariah appeared just before lunch and arrived bearing gifts.

“These are for you, Billie.” While everyone looked on, the skeptical-looking Billie took what appeared to be a large stack of folded garments from her sister-in-law’s arms. As she unfolded three new skirts and blouses, the skepticism melted under the emotion forged by Mariah’s generosity.

“Thanks so much,” Billie whispered while hugging her tight. Drew saw tears in her eyes.

“I know you haven’t had time to do any shopping, so I made you some things to wear until you do,” Mariah explained.

“Is this so I’ll return all the clothes I’ve had to borrow?”

The women laughed. Drew could’ve kissed his sister-in-law, and was glad she’d put up with Logan enough to marry him.

Billie caught his eye and pointed to her eyes. “Happy tears, Drew.”

“I know.”

The sisters-in-law shared a final hug and Mariah departed with her smiling daughter in tow.

Billie looked down at the bounty and said, “This was nice of her.”

Alanza said, “It’s what family is supposed to do.”

“So I’m learning.”

Max came by after lunch, and while he and Alanza visited, Drew went upstairs with Billie to put Antonio down for his nap. Just as she’d predicted, he didn’t go willingly. He cried and wailed. He tried to climb out. She put him back in gently. “It’s time for your nap, Tonio.”

The crying continued. Finally, she kissed him on his wet cheek, covered him and walked out of the room. A startled Drew followed. She closed the door. Behind it Antonio wailed as if he were dying.

“You’re just going to let him cry?”

“Yes.”

The sound was breaking Drew’s heart. He turned to the door.

“Don’t.”

The censure in her gaze and tone stopped him cold and he unconsciously released his hold on the doorknob.

“He needs to sleep,” she explained. “His belly’s full. His bottom’s dry and nothing is hurting him. Let him cry.”

“But—”

“Toughen up, Drew. At first, it killed me, too, when I began training him to sleep on his own, but it was either that or have a cranky whiney little boy on my hands for the rest of the day.”

Wails continued to come through the door.

She added reassuringly, “He’s gotten very good at falling asleep at night, but he still fights the afternoon. He’ll settle down in a few minutes.”

Drew wanted to ask how and where mothers learned such things, but he sensed himself on the verge of trouble with her already, so instead he stood there silently. A few minutes later: silence. Surprise filled his eyes.

“See?” she said softly. “He can rest, and now, so can we.”

“Really?” Drew asked waggling his brows.

She laughed. “Not that kind of rest. I usually read while he’s asleep.”

“You’re no fun at all.”

“That isn’t what you said last night.”

“And you didn’t tell me no last night.”

Their amusement mingled. Drew surrendered. “All right. You read. I’ll go and see if Max is done sweet-talking my mother so I can speak with him about the house.”

She kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks.”

As she headed for his library, he watched the sway of her skirts, thought about the silken hips beneath and shook his head. She was temptation personified. Lucky for him she was all his.

Billie took down the trove of magazines she’d borrowed from Alanza and Mariah and chose a recent issue of
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper
. The shortened name was
Leslie’s Weekly
and she preferred to call it that. According to Alanza, Mr. Leslie died in 1880 and his second wife, Miriam, now edited the paper. Miriam was a suffragette and a celebrated writer in her own right who legally changed her name to Frank Leslie after her husband’s demise in order to keep the paper afloat. Inside was a reader’s delight of serialized fiction, illustrations, and articles on everything from news to sports to the latest stage plays touring the country. Billie found the offerings extremely helpful in her quest to refine her reading and they kept her abreast of the world’s current events. Picking up an issue she hadn’t finished during her last session, she settled in and began.

Over the next few days, Billie wondered how her life could be more perfect. Her roses were in bloom, filling the eye with their lovely colors and the air with their beautiful scent. Mariah was taken with the mauve damasks planted by her house. She made Billie promise to plant more for next year. Antonio was thriving under the spoiling love of his
abuela
, and she and Drew were thriving as well. She was enjoying this version of her husband; he was more like the Drew she’d known back in San Francisco and less like the angry man on their wedding day. The morning before he’d actually gotten up with Antonio to see to his needs which allowed her to sleep a blessed thirty minutes longer! He was attentive, funny, and stellar in the bedroom. Outside of the bedroom she was seeing less and less of him, however. Max worked up the drawings for their house and a crew of hired men were already at work leveling the ground. Drew was so busy ordering supplies and handling logistics during the daylight hours that the only time she saw him was when she and Tonio drove out to the site to check the progress.

Another perfect element had to with her reading. On the nights when Drew wasn’t too tired from work or from making love to her, he’d taken up reading to her again—mostly the Queen Calafia stories, but she never tired of them or him taking the time to make their evenings special and help with her goal of self-improvement.

One morning, as she casually leafed through a week-old San Francisco newspaper picked up by Logan on his visit to town the day before, her life soured. “Have either of you read through this paper yet?” she asked Mariah and Alanza. The children were playing on the floor nearby.

Mariah shook her head. Alanza must’ve heard something in her voice. “Not yet. Is something wrong?”

“What’s Rosaline’s mother’s Christian name?”

“Emmalina. Why?”

“According to this, she’s dead. The police think she was killed during a robbery at her home.”

“Oh, my. I never cared for her but I certainly didn’t wish her such an awful end. May I see that?”

She handed it over and as Alanza read through the short notice, Billie saw her shake her head sadly. “Her servant was killed, too. It says no next of kin could be found, so her church took care of the burial. That’s so sad.”

Mariah asked, “Billie, do you know if Drew’s heard anything from Rosa?”

“He hasn’t and he’s worried she and the others may have run into trouble.” He’d shared his concerns the night before.

Alanza’s lips tightened. “We’ll pray that good word comes soon.” She handed the paper back to Billie and while the children alternately played and bickered over the wealth of toys at their command, and Mariah worked her embroidery hoop, she resumed reading. The stories about all the places and goings-on in the city that was so familiar made her a tad homesick. Although she’d come to enjoy the slow pace and the quiet the ranch offered, parts of her still dearly missed the hustle and bustle San Francisco was noted for. She turned the page. Nearly buried at the bottom beneath a bevy of advertisements for everything from tooth powders to prostitutes were two items that made her hand fly to her mouth.

“Now what?” Alanza asked.

“The woman I stayed with after I left Pearl’s died in a fire. The police said there was a strong smell of kerosene so they believe it was arson.”

“Who would want to do something like that?”

Billie knew of only one person, and her heart ached at the thought that she might have been the reason for Addy’s untimely death.
Mine will come by fire . . .

Alanza peered at her with concern. “Are you all right?”

Billie shook off the memory. “Yes. The news just took me by surprise. Addy gave me a place to live, and in return never asked for anything more than my delivering her medicines every now and then. She didn’t deserve this.”

Mariah said, “I’m so sorry, Billie. Maybe the police will find the culprit.”

Billie hoped so even as the words in the second item screamed for notice.

Alanza’s voice distracted her momentarily. “Do you think this DuChance may have had something to do with the fire?”

“I do. Now that he knows where I am, he’s probably figured out she helped me escape. It’s curious that both Addy and Rosa’s mother died on the same day.”

Mariah asked, “Is he that callous?”

Billie nodded. “Yes, Mariah. He is.”

Worry filled their faces. Billie took in her son idyllically and knew she’d kill Prince without a thimble of guilt if he threatened the life of her child. “And then, there’s this.” She read the second item aloud and watched their eyes widen and their jaws drop.

In the bedroom later that evening, an outraged Drew looked up from the newspaper and into his wife’s eyes. “Who would plant this?” Filled with disbelief he read it again:

Prominent lawyer Andrew Yates flees ahead of scandal surrounding fathering child with infamous Barbary whore

“Only one person I know of.”

“I agree. And reading that Emmalina and Addy died within hours of each other makes me think he may have had a hand in their deaths as well.”

“Considering Emmalina owed him money and Addy helped me . . .”

He slapped the paper with his hand. “But this is bullshit.” Drew noticed the distance and unhappiness in her manner and set the newspaper aside, eased her into his arms and held her tight. “We knew this smearing might happen.”

“Yes, but I’ve been so happy lately I guess I was hoping it wouldn’t.”

That she’d confessed her happiness brought a small smile to his lips. “Are you happy?”

“More than I’ve ever been in my life.”

He placed a soft kiss on her brow. “Then we’ll not let this spoil things. We’ll simply hold on until it blows over.”

Emotion chiseled her jaw. “I will kill Prince if he harms Tonio.”

Drew looked down into her deadly serious eyes and a chill crossed his soul. He pulled her close again and whispered against her hair. “Let’s hope it won’t come to that.”

I
n San Francisco, Prince set his copy of the same newspaper aside and smiled. He could just about imagine Yates’s reaction. Since most well-heeled members of society read the newspaper, and Yates considered himself part and parcel of that class, there was no doubt in Prince’s mind that the short notice would come to his attention eventually. The reporter who’d arranged to place the item in print was a regular customer at the Pearl and always hungry for salacious gossip involving the well known. Granted, such stories about men and women of color were generally ignored by the city’s white citizens, but Yates traveled in high places and a scandal tied to his name would draw at least a few raised eyebrows.

Prince removed his black bowler and gloves. His mother went to her death yesterday afternoon, and he’d just returned from the cemetery. She was no longer in pain and he was grateful for that and for the surety that all she owned would now become his to inherit. Adding her small empire to his many pies would only give a small boost to his Barbary reputation, but her money . . . Bordello owners were often extremely wealthy and his mother had been no exception. His meeting with her banker to get a full accounting was set for the next day. Once that was accomplished he’d pay a visit on an old friend. He needed pawns in the chess game he was playing with Yates and the person he had in mind was a perfect choice to aid his quest for the Yates queen and her child. It pained him to have to return the fee paid by the original couple but fortunately, he’d found another to take their place and he had no intentions of letting them down.

T
he next day, a messenger arrived at Destiny with a wire for Drew. It was the long-awaited news from Rosa and he tore it open excitedly. The contents made him breathe a sigh of relief. They’d made it safely to his great-aunt Felicity in Monterey, but hadn’t been able to send word due to the telegraph wires being downed by a storm.

The messenger asked, “Is there a reply, Mr. Yates?”

“Yes, give me a moment to write it down.” He hurried into his mother’s study and his steps slowed to a stop at the sight of Billie walking the floor with a large book on her head.

“Your mother said this will improve my posture,” she replied in response to his puzzled look.

“And it’s a very simple method,” Alanza added.

He had to admit he enjoyed the way her breasts rose into prominence due to the straightening of her shoulders and spine. He wondered if he could get her to practice that nude and for his eyes only. Shaking off the delicious imagery, he forced himself to remember his purpose in entering.

“That’s wonderful,” his mother gushed after he shared the news.

Billie took the book from her head. “Do you think she knows about her mother’s death?”

He’d been so pleased with hearing from them, he’d totally forgotten about Emmalina. “I’ve no way of knowing. That’s not news one should receive by something as impersonal as a wire.”

“True, but she needs to be told.”

”Billie’s right,” Alanza said. “And such terrible news might be better coming from us than, say, reading it in the newspaper.”

He agreed. So he composed a short message. As he wrote, Alanza added, “Let her know that I’ll send a wire to her mother’s church and ask about the burial. She’ll probably want to return to San Francisco and pay her respects at the gravesite, but she shouldn’t. It’s too dangerous for her there. I’ll pay whatever monies the church is owed.”

“Thank you, Mama. That’s a grand gesture. Rosa has a sister somewhere. I wonder if she knows? I’ve not an inkling as to how to reach her.”

“We’ll concern ourselves with Rosa for now. Tell her we will wire her again as soon as we learn more, and that for her own safety she should stay with Felicity in Monterey.”

“She might ignore that advice.”

“That’s understandable, but I hope she’ll weigh both sides and choose to remain out of DuChance’s reach.”