All in Good Time (28 page)

For one moment of abandon Henry dismissed all the ramifications of her disclosure. He shoved aside the old, familiar caution. Nothing had really changed even if he had—his past was still his, and what she’d just told him made matters worse. But in that single moment all he wanted to do was bask in the knowledge that she at least wanted to be his friend.

He didn’t care what Foster did to prevent him from running for a Senate seat that Henry didn’t even want. But he did care about
what Miss Caldwell would think. Dessa—he might as well allow himself to call her that, if only in his thoughts.

The logical answer came to him. He must tell her the truth now, before Turk Foster did. It didn’t matter if she returned Henry’s unbidden affection; if she learned the truth about him from a stranger, there would be no hope at all that whatever friendship she now felt could develop into something more.

Only she was already turning away. “I assume you came with a generous offer to take us to church today?”

“Yes.” The single word nearly choked him. He couldn’t speak now. They were on their way to church. Others were waiting.

“I’ll be ready in a moment.”

Then she disappeared through the kitchen door, and he heard her go up the stairs.

32

DESSA TAPPED GENTLY
on the door to the room she’d assigned Liling and Mei Mei, barely making a noise. Nonetheless, a moment later the door opened and Liling peered fearfully around the edge.

“Are we safe?”

Dessa nodded. “I’m going to church, and Jane will accompany me. Remee will stay downstairs to keep watch for anything unusual.”

The expression on Liling’s face, formerly so worried, now went hard.

“She doesn’t want any trouble here, Liling. You can trust her that far.”

Liling nodded once, quickly, but did not meet Dessa’s eyes.

“I’ll see if Mr. Dunne—that’s the gentleman who lives in our carriage house—has returned. He can be of some help, even if we don’t explain all that’s going on.”

Seeing Liling’s face made Dessa want to stay behind. Liling was beyond fear; she seemed to be preparing herself for the inevitable. Dessa wished she could stay—the girls were just beginning to trust her. But what could she tell Mr. Hawkins? Make up some excuse? Or lie? That was no more acceptable than telling him the truth, at least right now when there was no time to explain.

“I’ll return as quickly as I can, but I must go. I’m sorry, Liling. May God keep you safe.”

As she turned away, Liling quietly closed the door.

Dessa stopped by Remee’s room, and Remee agreed to do as Dessa asked: stand guard. Dessa knew the other woman acted more from survival than to protect the girls, but motive didn’t matter to her so long as someone looked out for the place. Though what good Remee would be if men came forcefully after the girls, Dessa did not know. What good would any of them be?

She found Jane already downstairs, waiting for her with Mr. Hawkins at the door. Jane’s face reflected the first hint of peace Dessa had seen on her since coming back with the Chinese girls last night.

“I’d like to check the carriage house for Mr. Dunne before we leave, if you don’t mind, Mr. Hawkins.”

Although she knew they hadn’t much time if they were to avoid being late, Dessa hoped to find Mr. Dunne. If he’d returned, she must ask him to stay behind and watch over the house. She would have to save an explanation for later.

But her brisk knock at the carriage house door went unanswered, and when she called his name he didn’t respond. Desperate to make sure he wasn’t just sleeping, she pulled open the door. It moved far more freely than it once did, since Mr. Dunne had put it to more regular use.

It was empty. The place was darker than it used to be, with a canvas patch covering the hole in the roof and all the crooked slats nailed snugly back into place. It was also neat; a blanket was folded carefully at the foot of the cot, no litter or books to be found.

It was almost as if he’d gone entirely. Perhaps she should be relieved, yet she only found herself wondering where he could be. Another reason to worry. And to pray.

She would have stepped out and closed the door again behind her, but a noise stopped her, something falling to the ground. She waited, looking to the four corners. No little squirrel this time.

Perhaps she’d imagined the sound. Or perhaps it had come from outside the wall.

There was no time to figure out the source of the noise now. She pulled the door closed, then hurried back inside to join Jane and Mr. Hawkins, following them out the front door.

“I’d expected to have a full carriage again if I came to retrieve you,” Mr. Hawkins said as his coachman opened the door and assisted first Jane, then Dessa, inside.

“Remee isn’t quite ready to attend regularly,” Dessa told him once he was seated opposite her and Jane. “Though I hope she will soon. And I’m afraid I cannot find Mr. Dunne.”

“We’re supposed to hope he has a new job, but I think he’s off drinking somewhere!”

Dessa frowned at Jane’s theory. She glanced at Mr. Hawkins. He, too, was frowning, but then he’d been frowning ever since Belva departed.

“He’ll turn up” was all Mr. Hawkins said; then he looked out the window as the carriage moved onward. “I’m meeting someone at church this morning. Someone Tobias agreed to escort, since I’d thought there would be no room for her in here.”

Dessa eyed him with surprise.
Her?

He turned to hold her gaze. “My mother.”

“Oh!” Jane sounded immediately buoyant. “How wonderful. I’ll be so glad to meet her.”

“And so will I,” Dessa added. “I didn’t know she lived in the area.”

“She came in from Leadville,” Mr. Hawkins explained, “and will stay for the dinner tonight.”

“I wish I could go!” Jane raised a palm to cover her mouth, but her eyes were merry, free of any regret. “I suppose I shouldn’t be so forward as to say such a thing.”

Mr. Hawkins offered a smile, but somehow it didn’t seem a
very happy one. “You’d likely be bored, Jane. A lot of stuffy investors and their polite but rather . . . selective . . . wives.” His brows took on an apologetic slant as he looked at Dessa. “I should ask your pardon in advance for inviting you, with that sort of recommendation of the evening.”

Dessa had trouble swallowing around a sudden lump that formed in her throat. If she didn’t have so many other things on her mind, she’d be more nervous than ever about attending a party
with
Denver’s high society instead of as its servant. Once, before taking on far more serious things to worry about, she might have been concerned about wearing a gown off a mannequin amid such a group.

And yet . . . how eager she was, still, to glimpse more of Mr. Hawkins’s life, to be at his party, to be at his side.

She caught that thought. At his side? She was just a guest, and barely one at that.

Jane chatted most of the way to the church, which Dessa was happy to let her do. She was glad the girl was back to being herself, if only for the little while they would allow themselves to be away from Pierson House. Mr. Hawkins, too, seemed content to let Jane fill the silence. He’d taken to his familiar one-word answers, and if Jane noticed at all, she didn’t seem to mind.

At the church, Mr. Hawkins set a slow pace to go inside, even though they could hear the strains of the first hymn. In the vestibule, Dessa felt his hand on her elbow.

“Miss Caldwell,” he said, low, “I wonder if I might have a word with you? After the service, that is?”

“Of course. I hope you’ll introduce me to your mother.”

He nodded. “I’m sure she’s here already. Tobias would never be late.”

Dessa looked toward the arch that led into the sanctuary. “Will Mr. Ridgeway be here, then? And his wife?”

“Yes, they’ve opted to stay with my mother for the service, rather than attending their own church today.”

Dessa’s spirits brightened. She’d forgotten that Mr. Ridgeway’s wife would undoubtedly be in attendance tonight as well. How could anyone married to such a wonderful man be anything but congenial?

In the sanctuary, it was easy to see Mr. Ridgeway, since he was both tall and wide. He sat toward the front, on the end of what Dessa had called Mr. Hawkins’s pew since he’d first shown up at church. Perhaps Mr. Ridgeway had chosen the end in deference to those behind him—or rather, she saw as she neared, to extend his legs into the aisle, free of the confines of the seat in front of him.

For the first time since attending this church, Dessa did not sit with the White family. They were already there, squeezed together to leave room on the family pew for Dessa and Jane as well. But when Dessa filed into the sanctuary beside Mr. Hawkins, he led them to the pew behind the Whites. Mariadela smiled approvingly even as her husband, beside her, spread out in his seat, triggering the same action all the way down the line.

Beside Mr. Ridgeway were two women, both of them singing along with the hymn “Sweet Rest in Jesus.” Dessa joined in, though she felt almost shy when both women simultaneously tilted their bonnets toward her. Though they smiled, she wondered if they—rightly so—blamed her for making Mr. Hawkins late.

     
“Oh, how happy am I,

     
With my Savior so nigh!

     
I have found sweet rest

     
On Jesus’ dear breast.”

Eventually, as she listened to the words she sang, Dessa felt the proclaimed rest.

Once again, Henry had trouble concentrating on the various parts of the service. Even as he enjoyed the extraordinary feelings of wanting to know God’s grace for himself, of having a real family surrounding him, of reveling in Dessa’s sweet voice beside him, he couldn’t escape the ominous truth.

How long would it take Foster to figure out that Henry’s initial investment hadn’t come from where he’d claimed? Anyone who’d known him back then would recall that “a wealthy investor” had endowed Henry with enough capital to start his own business. He’d been foolish enough to talk about his “investor” everywhere, in Chicago and Leadville as well as here in Denver, though to a lesser extent. His gaze fell on William and Mariadela White, in front of him. Even they would remember. Perhaps that investigator had come round the Whites’ innocently asking about him. What secret should they have made of knowing Henry back then?

He’d bragged about his secure future, his story so practiced he’d almost believed it himself. But it wouldn’t take long to learn there had been no such investor. A made-up name. A figment of Henry’s imagination.

It might not be easy to figure out where the money had come from, but spreading doubt about its source would be enough. Everyone knew banks depended upon the confidence of the public. Take that away, and they were ruined.

He
would be ruined.

Henry glanced at Dessa, who was listening earnestly to whatever Reverend Sempkins had to say. It might not matter if she refused the intentions he wished to make known, once he told her the truth. He might not have anything to offer.

He raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing once.
Dear God,
I know none of this is a surprise to You. I have no right to ask Your help in finding a way to avoid the consequences of my sin. So all I ask is that You give me the strength to suffer them. And maybe . . . give some of that strength—and a touch of Your grace—to Dessa when I speak to her.

33

DESSA GLANCED
at her timepiece more than once, worrying throughout the hymns and sermon about the possibility of the girls’ whereabouts being discovered while she was gone. If that happened, she had no idea what she would do—but she knew she needed to be there if it did.

More than once, she’d stolen a look at Mr. Hawkins. She felt led to talk to him about the situation, but could he help?
Would
he help? She hadn’t forgotten that he’d been reluctant to extend her a loan in the first place, and although he seemed to have acquiesced in some ways, she wasn’t sure how deeply involved in the care of Pierson House he wanted to be. Would he tell her she’d gone too far? Would he refuse to help—or worse, advise her to avoid trouble and send the girls back?

No, she was fairly certain he would do nothing so heartless.

In between each segment of the service, she sent up pleas for wisdom. She prayed, too, for the girls’ protection because she knew there would be no hurrying home this morning. Not with Mrs. Hawkins and Mrs. Ridgeway yet for her to meet. If only she had nothing but the pleasure of their company on her mind, for she had no doubt they would indeed be pleasant.

After the service ended, the Whites joined them in the vestibule, and following a round of introductions, the women seemed to settle in for a comfortable chat.

Henry pulled out his pocket watch, glancing outside as the rest of the congregation emptied from the church and surrounding area. Perhaps under other circumstances he might have taken pleasure in such slowly passing time. This was, after all, part of what he’d missed all these years. Friends, family. Loved ones.

But, blast it all, he wanted to speak with Dessa and needed to speak with her alone. When, exactly, was he to have that chance? Certainly not now, with his mother and his aunt claiming her and paying her attention she seemed to be enjoying.

And the ride back to Pierson House was to be shared with not only Jane, but now his mother as well, since his carriage could accommodate her.

There was only one answer. He knew it would be frowned upon for Dessa to arrive at his party unescorted. And although Tobias and Etta had already volunteered to stop by to collect her, Henry had decided to ask if he might come for her himself a bit early. Early enough for him to escort her to his own party and be there in time to greet the first of his guests. Yet another hint revealing his intentions—intentions he remained unsure he should offer.

Still, it was the only way to find time alone with her. In his carriage, on the way back to his home before the party began.

Though he would have to wait, it wouldn’t be for long.

During the short time she spent in the company of Mr. Hawkins’s mother and Mr. Ridgeway’s wife, Dessa almost gained a steady pulse and even breathing. Neither of them was anything like the wealthy women Dessa had known while working as a maid. They laughed easily, asked questions about her and others rather than talking about themselves or their own interests, and followed
through with such topics as if they were interested rather than merely being polite.

But she knew she couldn’t linger much longer. Mr. Hawkins, too, seemed ready to leave. “We shouldn’t keep Mr. Hawkins waiting, I’m afraid, Jane,” she said with a smile his way. “He must have a number of details to oversee before his dinner party tonight.”

He neither admitted nor denied it, but that was enough to end the impromptu gathering inside the church vestibule. Mariadela said her farewells to Mrs. Hawkins first.

Mrs. Hawkins held Mariadela’s hand in a friendly farewell. “It’s been lovely to meet some of my son’s friends, Mrs. White.”

Being called a friend of Mr. Hawkins brought a smile to Mariadela’s face, and Dessa caught the irony but said nothing. Nothing, either, when Mrs. Hawkins then expressed her hope and delight that she would see the Whites again that evening.

All eyes but his mother’s innocent ones went to Mr. Hawkins.

“I hope that you will come,” he said to William White. “And forgive the last-minute notice. It would be my pleasure.”

Dessa took up the invitation, even if she had no right to do so. “Do come, Mariadela. I’ll welcome another familiar face.”

“We wouldn’t want to make it awkward for your regular investors, Mr. Hawkins.” William spoke tentatively but not coolly, as if only trying to discern the level of discomfort such an evening might cause.

Mr. Hawkins held out a hand to William. “This evening will be like no other I’ve had. If friends are there as well as my mother—neither of which many have known me to have—it’s sure to amaze each and every investor.”

William accepted that hand, then nodded. “All right, Hawkins. We’ll be there.”

Once they were inside Mr. Hawkins’s carriage, his mother
patted her son’s hand. “I’m sorry for my social error, Henry. I assumed everyone you knew would be coming tonight.”

“It’s more of a business tradition than a social gathering, but for the first time in its history, it’ll be both.” He took up her hand, kissed it, and let it go.

Dessa watched the exchange, marveling at the affection in his eyes, at the kindness and attentiveness he demonstrated toward his mother. Where was the Mr. Hawkins she’d first met—the cold, impersonal one who ran Hawkins National?

Perhaps . . . perhaps he might have a spot in his heart to help two innocent girls. It was worth a try—especially since she had nowhere else to turn.

So when he detained her outside her front door after Jane had already gone inside, Dessa was happy to linger.

“I wonder, Miss Caldwell, if you might allow me to escort you tonight? It would mean being ready for me to fetch you early, if you would allow me to do so.”

She looked at him, his face earnest. “I would appreciate the ride, Mr. Hawkins.”

He smiled. “I’ll call for you at seven thirty.”

He returned to his carriage, where Mrs. Hawkins waved from the window.

Dessa went inside, worries behind her that anything had happened while she’d been gone. Going to church had undeniably refreshed her, leaving her more hopeful than ever that everything would work out once she had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Hawkins and recruit his help.

But when Dessa tapped on the door to the sisters’ room, all that appeared was a skinny arm: Nadette pulling Dessa into the small room, where the girl took a spot in front of the sisters sitting close together on one of the beds.

Nadette looked anything but happy. “How could ya leave ’em
alone? Don’t ya know they’re scared? And ya left ’em with that Remee!”

“Remee can be trusted, and no one knows about—” Dessa stopped herself. Belva knew.

“Ya think nobody knows? Talk in Chinatown is gettin’ worse. Them on this side a Market Street that guess I had somethin’ to do with it ain’t gonna give us away—not to Chinamen, anyway. Don’t think that’ll last forever, though. All it’ll take is for somebody who knows to get greedy. Somebody who’ll tell on us just because they want a free smoke or a few drinks from a Chinaman’s whiskey. Even that old sot you got livin’ in the carriage house can be bought.”

“Mr. Dunne doesn’t know about the girls, and he hasn’t even been here since they arrived.”

“He’s down there in the yard; I saw him myself comin’ out of your kitchen. Looked like he’s been dead drunk for a while, but was hungry enough to swipe some a that bread and stuff.”

Dessa looked quickly at Liling and Mei Mei. “Did he see the girls?”

Nadette shook her head. “But don’t think that Remee won’t tell him, if it suits her purpose. Or that he won’t see ’em himself before long. Ya think they’re going to stay in this room forever?”

“We’ll figure out what to do—I’m working on that. But don’t worry about Remee. She doesn’t want trouble here any more than I do. It’s her home now too.”

Nadette shrugged. “All I’m sayin’ is you got to be careful.”

“I already know that, Nadette,” Dessa said tersely. How was she going to tell the girl that she wouldn’t be home at all this evening? Yet having Nadette stay to take her place guarding the girls hardly seemed an answer, particularly if she was linked to their disappearance. “I think you’d better go. You can keep your ears open and do more to help if you see what’s going on, instead of staying here.”

Nadette plopped down on the empty bed and burst into tears. “I got noplace to go!”

Dessa stepped closer. “What do you mean? What about where you’ve been living, in the back of the Chinese laundry?”

Nadette picked up the bottom of her skirt to wipe her face. “They suspect I had somethin’ to do with the trouble. They kicked me out.”

Dessa rubbed her own face with her palms. She knew it was dangerous to keep Nadette here, but what alternative did she have?

Oh, Lord, keep us safe. Hold all of us secure in the palm of Your hand!