Cera's Place (16 page)

“I wasn’t talking about Biggs,” he replied, his face shifting into a blank mask.

“Then who…?” She stopped, realizing his meaning. “Oh, you mean us.”

Hunching his shoulders, Jake continued down the stairs.

“Oh, Jake, don’t be mad.” She hurried after him.

Ginger met them at the bottom. “Well, I was wondering how much longer you two were going to go at it.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Cera brushed past Jake and walked into the parlor. “We were only having a difference of opinion in the upstairs hallway.” She nodded at Mary Beth and Sonya, who were sitting on the parlor’s couch. With as much dignity as she could muster, she sat in an overstuffed chair, crossing her arms.

“Honey, I wasn’t talking about the hallway,” Ginger drawled with a wink at Jake.

“Cera’s confused about a lot of things today.” He followed Cera into the parlor and lowered himself onto the couch between Mary Beth and Sonya. When he greeted them with a grunt, they exchanged nervous looks.

“What’s Cera confused about?” Isaac asked as he walked into the room.

“Nothing.” Cera glared at Ginger, daring her to say anything more on the subject. “Tell me. How is Li? And where is everyone else?”

“Li’s resting in his bedroom. His head still hurts. I believe Hu is in the kitchen making him some soup, which seems to be every culture’s cure for what ails you. Sadie is working on altering some of my late wife’s clothes for you ladies.”

“And Molly went to buy us some shoes,” Ginger added. “His wife had the daintiest feet. I couldn’t even fit my big toe in one of hers. She’s also looking for Johnny.”

Cera pushed up from her chair and went to the window. Moving the curtain aside, she checked the street below.

Isaac cleared his throat. “Listen, Cera. I’ve been thinking. It might be wise if we all left town for a while.” When she whirled to face him, he held up his hands and continued, “Only for a week or so. I don’t think it is safe to stay in San Francisco.”

“You think Biggs is going to forget about the whole thing in a week’s time? That’s absurd. If we aren’t safe now, we’ll never be safe as long as that man is controlling this town.”

“If you go somewhere safe, you have a better chance of figuring out a way to stop him. If you stay, he’ll try to kill you again and next time he might succeed.”

Cera shook her head at his reasoning. “I’m not scared. I don’t run from my fights.”

“I’m not asking you to run. I’m asking you to be smart.”

“He burned down my saloon! He took everything from me and my girls!” She clutched at the nightgown she still wore. “I want to find him and gun him down like the animal he is.”

“I know,” Isaac soothed. “I feel the same way, but he didn’t take everything. You still have your life and I want you to keep it.”

She collapsed into the nearest chair, resting her chin in her hands. “Where could we go?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about that,” Isaac replied, stroking the tip of his beard a few times. “The only place that’s big enough is Tessa’s.”

“The Buena Vista Winery? Now why would your friend Tessa want to put herself in harm’s way? She barely makes any money off the wine we sell for her. It’s not like she owes us any favors.”

“Tessa employs several Chinese workers in her fields and has always been sympathetic to their plight. I’m sure she will want to help us stop Biggs and the Tong.”

“Well, you’d better ask her first. We can’t just show up on her doorstep.”

Clearing his throat again, Isaac focused on a spot on the wall above Cera’s head. “Actually, I already sent a telegram. I expect an answer later today, but I’m sure we will be welcome.”

“You sent a telegram?” Cera repeated slowly. “And what if I had refused to leave town?”

This time, Isaac met her gaze. “You wouldn’t have. You may not like it, but you know it is the right thing to do. Now, it’ll probably be a two-day ride in the carriage. We can leave at first light tomorrow.”

She looked around the room as her friends waited for her answer. “All right, what needs to be done?”

Isaac exchanged a relieved look with Ginger. “I’ll go to my store for supplies and then rent a couple of horses. We should be able to fit all of the ladies in the carriage if one of you drives it. Li and I can ride along side. When Molly gets back from her shoe errand, she can help me organize everything and make sure I haven’t forgotten anything essential.”

Cera nodded her head in agreement. “I think the ladies and I should see how far Sadie’s gotten with her sewing. It’s not my best skill, but I should be able to help some.”

Jake stood up and turned to Isaac. “Mr. Knappe, I would appreciate it if you would drop me at my hotel so I can gather my horse and belongings.”

Isaac looked at Cera, not bothering to hide the question on his face.

She answered him with a shake of her head.

Hunkering down in front of her, Jake took her hands in his. “I’m coming with you whether you want me to or not.”

She closed her eyes. Finally, she said, “Please take him, Isaac.”

Chapter 10

“Are the menfolk back yet?” Ginger set another pile of clothes from Mrs. Knappe’s closet on the floor.

Adjusting the pins in her mouth, Mary Beth replied, “No, but it shouldn’t be much longer.”

Ginger surveyed the assortment of garments scattered around the room. “Looks like we’ll have time to put together at least two outfits each. It’s awfully generous of Isaac to let us have these dresses.”

“And lucky for us Isaac’s wife had such good taste in clothes,” Mary Beth added with a laugh. “The dress you’re wearing, Cera, is just beautiful. That shade of green matches your eyes perfectly.”

Cera ran a hand down her bodice feeling the richness of the material. “It’s lovely, isn’t it? I’d never have bought such a fancy dress for myself.” Sighing, she put aside the skirt she was altering. “I need some fresh air. I’ll be out on the porch if anyone wants me.”

Leaning against the railing, she lifted her face to the mid-afternoon sun. Why hadn’t Jake returned yet? Did he run into Biggs and his men? She pressed her fingers to her eyes, willing the vision of Jake lying in an alley bleeding to death to disappear.

Ginger came outside and put an arm around her waist. “He’ll be back soon.”

“But he shouldn’t come back, don’t you see? He should get as far away as possible from us. That’s what I’d do. Maybe head back east.”

“That’s just silly, you would not. If you were Jake, you’d do exactly what he’s doing—insist on staying.”

“But is he? I told him more than once to stay out of our troubles. Maybe he wised up and changed his mind. How long does it take to a get a horse and a satchel?”

“I don’t know what’s keeping him, but I do know he’s not going anywhere without you. I’m sure there’s a good reason for his delay.”

Cera shrugged, not entirely convinced. “Maybe, but we barely know him. What if he’s not as honorable as we all think he is?”

Ginger clucked her tongue in irritation. “Now you’re just talking nonsense. We’ve worked together for years and I know you can tell good people from bad. I haven’t seen a finer man than Jake come along in quite a while. Give him a chance. I bet he won’t let you down.”

“I know you’re right. Guess I’m just feeling a bit skittish.” Cera hugged her friend. “And I’m so sorry we’re in this mess.” Unable to control her emotions any longer, she dropped into the nearest rocking chair, letting the tears that had been building up all day pour out.

Offering her one of the late Mrs. Knappe’s lace handkerchiefs, Ginger waited until her sobs subsided. “We’ll make it through all of this. Hell, life would be boring if it was easy, and you know how I prefer excitement.”

At the sound of approaching boots on the porch, Cera brushed frantically at the wetness on her cheeks. Jake rounded the corner, stopping at the sight of the two women.

“Excuse me, have I interrupted something?” he asked.

Ginger moved in front of Cera, blocking Jake’s view of her. “Oh, no, honey, just girl talk. Who’s wearing what dress? Should we put our hair up or down? You know, the kind of thing that bores men to death.”

Playing along, Jake replied, “Now, Red, nothing you say would bore me, or any other man for that matter, especially when it comes to what you’re wearing—or not.”

Ginger tapped Jake on the arm. “Oh, how you do go on. You’re just a terrible tease, that’s what you are. Getting me all riled up when I know you’re not interested. You should be ashamed of yourself.” She glanced over her shoulder at Cera. “Anyway, I think I’ll go fix myself up a bit. Isaac’s son, David, should be home for supper any time now. Maybe he’s man enough to handle my beauty.” Adding a flounce to her step to complete the act, she breezed by Jake, leaving him chuckling.

He reached out a hand to Cera. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Taking his hand, they set out on a path that wound through the formal gardens. After a few minutes, they came upon a white, partially enclosed pavilion facing the sea. An abundance of jasmine and honeysuckle vines covered the structure, feeding the air with their sweet aroma. He pulled her toward a bench inside. Neither spoke as they studied the coastline.

Finally, Jake broke the silence. “Why were you crying?”

“Because of…everything.”

“Did you think I ran out on you?”

Silently cursing the tears that were once again welling up in her eyes, she nodded her reply.

Jake swore under his breath. “What’s it going to take, Cera? What do I need to do to prove that I care for you? Please look at me.” Taking her chin in his hand, he turned her face toward him. “I was late because I had some shopping to do.” He reached into his coat pocket and drew out a shiny new Derringer. “I thought you might need this.”

As tears spilled from her eyes, Jake kissed them one by one. When he pulled her on to his lap, she pressed her face into his chest. Resting in his arms, she allowed herself to relax for the first time since he had left the house earlier. Lifting her head, she took two fingers, putting them first to her lips and then his.

“Make love to me.” She stifled a giggle when his eyes widened in surprise.

“Now?”

She hiked up her skirt and shifted her body so that her legs straddled his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she asked, “Weren’t you the one who said I had to live in the moment? Not worry about tomorrow?”

“I recall words similar to those being spoken last night.”

“Well, in this moment, I want you.” She kissed his neck. “I need you.” She nibbled his chin. “I want you in me,” she whispered in his ear. Moving her hips, she felt him grow hard beneath her.

Jake groaned and grabbed her bottom. “Not so fast, girl, I like to savor my moments.”

When he slowly stroked the length of her back, she shivered under his touch. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her lips and cheeks until a sigh of pleasure escaped from her lips. Moving to her neck, he nuzzled and nipped while he fumbled with the delicate buttons running down the front of her dress. Finally, he reached through the opening, freeing her breasts from her chemise.

“Take down your hair for me.”

As she reached up to remove her hairpins, Jake’s mouth closed over her breast. His tongue moved over her nipple playfully. The tingling reached all way down to her soft spot and she grew wet with desire. Arching her back, she bit back a groan.

“Jake…” she breathed.

“Shhh. I’m concentrating.”

“Can we get more comfortable?”

“I’m sorry, of course.” Moving her off his lap, he stood up and stripped off the leather duster he was wearing. After laying it on the floor, he held out his hand to her, but she hesitated. Jake’s brow furrowed. “Have you changed your mind?”

“No, of course not. It’s just that, well, this is going to sound silly, but that’s a new coat. Are you sure you want to put it on the dirty floor?”

Jake laughed. “I’d give away my last pair of boots to get close to you. Hell, I’d give away my horse. Besides, it looks
too
new. It could use some dirt rubbed into it, and I can’t think of a better way to break it in.”

After sitting down on the duster, Cera frowned and hugged her knees to her chest. “So what happened to your soldier’s coat that you were wearing when we first met? Why’d you get a new one?”

“The war’s over. As the wise Miss Ginger said recently, it’s time to move on.”

Looking away from Jake, her stomach clenched. “Yes, I recall you and Ginger discussing your war-time experiences. Seems she knows a lot more about you than I do.”

Jake ran a hand through his hair and paced the length of the pavilion a few times, crunching dead leaves under his boots. “What do you want to hear? Do you want to know how many men I’ve had to kill? How many men—brothers—I’ve had to watch die? Do you want to know what it’s like to fight in a battle? The smoke…the stench…the screams? Do you want to know I still wake up in the middle of the night not knowing if I’m in California or a battlefield? Is that what you want to hear? How about the headaches I get? It shames me to admit it, but sometimes the pain’s so bad I pass out. Will all of that make you like me more, or less? And by the way, do you even care for me? I haven’t heard you say it.”