Prime Catch (19 page)

“You mean, she gives her earnings to you?”

“Not all of it, of course, but what she and Kata can afford. I was hoping she would find a native who would take care of her. Outside of George, there was no interest. I think she despaired of ever finding anyone.”

“I do understand your concern, but if that’s the case, she can still give you a percentage of what she earns.”

She looked at him with surprise. “You mean, you’ll let her work after marriage?”

He grinned. “I’ve learned a lot about Sarah, and I know if she isn’t doing detective work, she won’t be happy.”

Overwhelmed, Grace put her hand over his. “Then I give you my blessing. You know my daughter well.”

“Another thing, Grace. I want a wedding in the Tlingit tradition, as a gift to your family.”

An amused little smile played around her lips. “I think Will can teach you the eagle dance. Are you sure?”

“I don’t know about dancing, but I’ll try.”

“Do you have family here?”

“I have no one.”

“Then your friends can be your tribe. I’ll see what I can do.”

Amos kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Grace.” He headed back to the auto with a wave to Jane before he left. Driving to Sarah’s house, he rehearsed several times what he wanted to say. He sat for minutes in front of her home, until Sarah came out on the porch.

She waved to him. “Is there something you want, Amos?”

He got out of the car. “Will you walk with me?”

She came down the steps. “It’s getting a little late. The sun is near the horizon.”

“There’s a place by the docks that I like to sit at this time of day. Come with me?”

“A moment.” She went back into the house and was wearing a shawl when she returned. “The sea breeze is cooling off.”

Not many words were spoken as they strolled the two blocks to the harbor. Amos steered her to an iron park bench on a rise that faced Juneau and the mountains. The setting sun cast long shadows, and the seabirds and eagles from the steep cliffs soared overhead. A pink glow colored the glaciers, and everything looked rosy.

Amos held her hand. “I went to talk to your mother this afternoon.”

Her eyes widened, then narrowed. “Why?”

“I wanted to ask permission to marry you. Will you?”

Her jaw dropped. “Before I answer, what did my mother say?”

“She agreed to it. I told her we could do it in the Tlingit tradition.”

Sarah suppressed a giggle. “I want to see the eagle dance.” Her eyes softened. “You’d do that for me?”

The love in him welled to the surface. “In a minute. Damn it, woman, what’s your answer?”

She cupped his face in her hands. “Yes. I love you.” They embraced and kissed while the wind played around them. “I can see why you like it here. Juneau looks beautiful.”

He gazed into her deep brown eyes. “So do you,” he said with a rasp in his voice.

“Let’s go back to my house. I’m tired after this long day, but you have made it a wonderful one.”

They stood, and he put his arm around her and they walked as one. The twilight deepened as they arrived at the auto. They kissed their goodnight with a bright promise of a happy future.

****

Sarah woke the next morning with a smile on her lips and a song in her heart. Amos not only wanted to marry her, he wanted to blend into her culture and her family. She decided she would take his name like Kata did for Ivan. Word was that the natives should have full citizenship by next year, so she may as well start acting like an American. Thanks to the nuns in the missionary school, it wouldn’t be tough.

She went into the office and greeted Sam. “Any word from the DA on the hearings for the prisoners?” Putting her things on her desk, she opened her report forms.

“Not yet. You know things move around here like an ancient turtle.”

“Amos in yet?”

“He went to check at the newspaper if there were any threats posted about any other canneries.” Sam suppressed a grin.

“Something wrong?”

“Amos had that same look on his face this morning when he talked about you, too.”

Sarah’s cheeks heated, but she felt a wonderful fuzzy warmth when she thought about Amos. Sliding a report form into her typewriter, she started working on her statement on the chase and capture of the fugitives. She was finishing when Amos got back. “Here’s the report.” She smartly snapped the paper out.

Amos nodded. “Bring it to my office.”

Sarah followed him in and laid the report on his desk, then went to pour herself a cup of coffee. “Well, what did you find out?” she said as she slid into the chair across the desk.

A grin spread across his face. “There have been no more threats against any of the executives of the canneries in southeast Alaska Territory. That means we either got everybody or the others are lying low.”

“Did you hear anything from the DA?”

“Nothing yet. I imagine he’s still going over the folder full of evidence I plopped on his desk.”

“Well, now we wait.”

His eyes heated. “We can concentrate on something else. I ran into your Aunt Jane, and she told me we are invited to their house for supper tonight.”

She felt her cheeks warm. “Seems like Mother doesn’t want to waste any time.”

He rose and came around the desk, pulling her up into an ardent embrace. “Neither do I.” He planted his lips firmly on hers.

After a few moments, Sarah pushed back. “I don’t think we should be doing this here.” Her knees wobbled.

A mischievous twinkle sparkled in his eyes. “I know, but wasn’t it fun?”

She patted his cheek. “I’ve got some paperwork I’ve been sadly neglecting.” She winked and sashayed out.

The afternoon sun warmed the patrol car as they stopped by the farmhouse. Sarah’s mother hurried off the porch and met her daughter in an embrace. “I’m so happy for you!” Then she turned to Amos and embraced him.

Aunt Jane greeted them warmly inside. “Supper is almost ready. Sit and make yourselves at home.”

Sarah watched the whirl of activity and realized her mother had been praying for this day. All of the continued family for her was on Sarah’s shoulders. Aunt Jane’s daughters had given her three grandchildren so far. The thought of being a mother bounced across her mind. It was something she wanted but had pushed to the back burner long ago. Amos put his arm around her shoulders as they sat on the couch, and the warm fuzzy tingling invaded her thoughts.

“Supper’s on!” her mother called from the dining room. The feast spread out for them smelled delicious. Baked salmon was on the platter, with new potatoes and greens. A new loaf of bread, fragrant from the oven, stood ready to accept the summer berry preserves made last year. Amos held Sarah’s chair and then sat next to her as the tea was poured.

“Well, when should we plan the wedding?” Mother asked.

Amos glanced at Sarah. “As soon as we can, I suppose. We’re not getting any younger.”

Sarah’s mouth went into a tight line. “We’re not that old.”

Mother nodded. “We’ll need three weeks for the banns to be posted. That would bring us to mid-June. Perfect.”

Aunt Jane spoke up. “Will can help Amos on our customs and what we wear. Sarah, do you still have your dress?”

A pang went through her as she remembered being jilted by George. “Yes, I put it in a trunk. It might need some work done on it.”

“Kata could help you.”

Sarah put her hand on her mother’s arm. “I’d like the ceremony at the meeting house at Bear Rock, where Will and Mary had their wedding.”

Amos looked up. “Where’s that?”

“It’s about a mile south. Then we could have the party in the yard here.”

Sarah’s mother squeezed her hand. “Where are you planning on living?”

Sarah eyed Amos carefully. “I’d like to stay in my house. At least, for a while.”

Amos shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t have a lot. I can move my things in during the week before.”

After the plans and the guest list were set, they bid her mother and Aunt Jane their thank-yous and goodnights. The evening twilight was deepening as Amos walked Sarah to her porch. She smiled. “Soon this will be our house. I love you, Amos.”

As an answer, he took her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly. Her head swam and her legs threatened to drop her to the floor. “I love you, too. Goodnight.”

She gripped the railing as she waved to the departing patrol car.
I’m counting the days until you can come inside with me to stay.
She sighed and went into the suddenly very empty rooms.

Chapter 21

A week later, Amos called Sarah into his office. Every time she graced his presence, he loved her even more. The waiting for the wedding was interminable. Well, he’d have to bend his mind into a business state. “I need to talk to you. Sit.”

“What is it?”

“We got the date for the hearing. It’s next Tuesday. I don’t think you’ll have to testify. Since I’m the senior law official here, I’ll take care of it. Oh, and the DA and the judge will give Sally Cusnoo immunity so she can give her testimony.”

“I’ll send a message to her in Angoon.”

With a knock on the office door, Sam came in. “Sorry to bother you, but Assemblyman Walter Hastings is here to see you.”

“Send him in.”

Sarah rose to leave as Hastings stepped into the room, but he stopped her. “Are you Miss Lakat?” At her nod, he said, “Stay. I want to talk to both of you.”

Amos steepled his fingers. “What can we do for you?”

“It’s been brought to the Assembly’s attention that you intend to marry.”

Amos frowned. “What business is that of the Assembly?”

“Rules, Sheriff. A woman cannot work in the city government if she’s married. When you and Miss Lakat do this, she has to turn in her resignation.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “What? No!”

Amos put in quickly, “Mr. Hastings, I was able to get the Assembly to change the rules on women being deputies. I’d like to suggest a change here, too.”

Hastings shook his head. “I’m sorry, but that’s not the same thing. Other women would see that and want the rules changed for them, as well. Can you imagine married teachers?”

Amos checked his calendar. “I see there’s an Assembly meeting Friday. I want to talk to all of you and state my side.”

Hastings shrugged. “I’ll put you on the agenda, but it won’t do any good.” He turned to go. “Good day, Sheriff, Miss Lakat. Congratulations on your engagement.”

Sarah slumped against the desk. “And, of course, they’re all men in the Assembly.”

Amos pounded the desk. “So am I. Your record in law enforcement is strong. There are a lot of reasons I want to keep you here.”

Sarah sighed. “I appreciate your trying. I’ll send a wire to Sally to come home.”

Amos steamed as he watched her go.
How dare they? She was key to finding out who the murderers were, and they want to toss her over the side. Why? Because she’s a woman. It’s bad enough she gets no respect for being a Tlingit, they have to throw this in her face.
He picked up the calendar and flung it against the wall.

****

On Friday, at seven o’clock, Amos stalked into the Assembly and sat himself down on one of the spectator seats in front. He wanted to make sure Hastings could see him, although he didn’t look forward to suffering through some dry business discussions before Hastings brought up the topic of their dispute on the marriage. Fortunately, he didn't have to suffer long.

As soon as the minutes of the last meeting had been read, Hastings stood. “Mr. Chairman, as you know we had a discussion of the marriage between Sheriff Amos Darcy and his Deputy Sarah Lakat. On Tuesday last, I delivered the message that Miss Lakat would have to resign the Sheriff’s Department when it happens. I told him it was against the rules for a married woman to serve in city government. He wanted to plead his case to the Assembly.”

The chairman, Mr. Charles Backus, motioned to Amos. “Stand and state your case, Sheriff.”

Amos rose and gazed determinedly at the members. “Men of the Assembly, I have come to you for concerns before, and you were always willing to grant my requests. I stand before you tonight to ask an exclusion to the rules for Sarah Lakat. She has served as a deputy for over a year now and is one of the best detectives I have ever worked with. In this past murder case, she went over and above her duty to solve it, and we wouldn’t have done it without her. I see absolutely no reason for her to resign. A man who worked that well would never be asked to resign on his marriage.”

Hastings and Backus glanced at each other. Backus mopped his forehead with his handkerchief. “Sheriff, we will take up this matter next week at our closed session, and Hastings will inform you what we decide. Satisfactory?”

Amos nodded. “Fair enough. Thank you, sirs.” He left the meeting not entirely confident of the outcome. These were men who fought women’s suffrage, saying a woman in the home had no knowledge of government. How wrong they were. His mother had been the one who read the paper to his father, who never set foot inside a school. Yet his father was the one who was allowed to vote.
Times keep changing, but it seems some want to stagnate.

****

Sarah enjoyed being on the porch at her mother’s home in Douglas. Sometimes she just needed to be home. “I’m having Kata alter my dress. I’ve lost some weight in the past six years. I know Will has talked to Amos, but neither has said how things are going.”

Her mother smiled. “Knowing both of them, they won’t say anything until they’re ready. Since Amos doesn’t have family here, we can do away with the ceremonial coming ashore of the canoes.”

“He has plenty of friends for his party. They will function as his family.” Sarah paused. “Thank you for doing this, Mother.”

Her mother gazed out over the farm. “Amos surprised me, asking for a traditional Tlingit wedding. Ivan and Kata married at the courthouse.”

Sarah smiled. “He may be gruff and demanding, but Amos is a very good man. That’s what made me fall in love with him.” Sarah wondered if she should bring up the subject of her job.

Mother studied her face. “It looks like something’s bothering you. What is it?”

“The other day, Mr. Hastings came over from the Assembly and informed us that a married woman can’t work for the city. Amos attended a meeting last night and argued to let me keep my job.”