by Mona Ingram
Her reflection in the mirror confirmed what she already knew; she was excited to visit their only port of call. She’d stopped wearing voluminous underskirts and corsets well over a month ago, the tropics had simply been too hot. Jamie had sent a few curious looks in her direction, but nothing that indicated disapproval. As a matter of fact, his gaze tended to linger on her even more now that she could move about unimpeded.
She stepped out onto the deck and gasped.
The ship couldn’t have arrived on a more perfect day, and Sarah decided that after the harrowing trip around the Cape, they deserved the brilliantly clear skies that greeted them.
WindSprite was harbored in the semi-circular bay on which Valparaiso was situated. The town clung to the foreshore, and on further inspection she noted buildings creeping up the numerous valleys that stretched into the forested mountains beyond. Snow-crowned hills rose majestically in the distance and she stood for a moment, taking in the grandeur spread out before her.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Jamie materialized beside her. “What’s your first impression?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “There’s so much to take in.” She remained silent for a few moments, her gaze sweeping the graceful curve of the harbor. “For one thing, I didn’t expect to see so many other ships anchored.”
“I suspect most of them are headed to California as well.”
“No doubt.” She spotted a small rowboat heading in their direction. A man in a formal black suit sat stiffly in the stern. “Who do you suppose that is?”
“I would imagine it’s the harbormaster.” He paused. “Or whatever they call him here.” They watched as the small vessel bumped against the hull and the man climbed the rope ladder. “We should be cleared to go ashore fairly soon. I spoke with Captain Johnson the other day and he said that the inspection is more of a formality than anything else.”
Sarah glanced around the deck. “Have you seen Lucy this morning? She had already left the cabin when I woke, which is unusual. We were going to explore the town together.”
“She was in the galley having her breakfast a while ago, and anxious to get going.”
“Melissa will be disappointed.” Sarah leaned over the rail. “I can’t imagine that Anna will try to climb down that ladder. Not in her condition.” She didn’t think it necessary to speak delicately about the other woman. Over the past couple of months, Anna’s pregnancy had become obvious.
“No,” he said, “I suspect you’re right about that.”
She looked up to see him smiling at her.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He sucked in a quick breath. “No, that’s not true. I was wondering if it ever occurs to you that you don’t have to take care of everyone.”
His words set her back on her heels. “Is that what I do?”
The look in his eyes was all the answer he gave.
She gazed into the distance, turning his words over in her mind. “I suppose I do, in a way. The truth is, I enjoy it.” She nodded to herself. “It’s something I just discovered on this voyage.”
“And you do it very well.” His gaze held hers for a moment, then he looked over her shoulder. “Here comes Lucy,” he said, and pushed away from the rail.
“Good morning.” Lucy’s bright eyes shifted from Jamie to Sarah. “Did you see those beautiful mountains? Of course you did.” She lowered her voice. “The little government man is with the captain. We should be able to go ashore soon. I don’t mind saying, it will feel good to step on solid ground for a change.” She pulled out a man’s pocket watch and flicked it open. “I want to make the most of our time there, since we only have one day.”
The captain appeared on deck with the Chilean official. They bowed slightly toward one another, then the man disappeared down the rope ladder.
“The ship’s dory will take you across any time you’re ready,” he said, as the small rowboat carrying the Chilean headed for shore. “And Seaman Lang will give you instructions about the return trip.”
“Ladies.” Jamie made a sweeping bow. “I yield to you. I’m going to have coffee, and I’ll no doubt see you in town some time during the day.”
Sarah felt a pang of disappointment, which was ridiculous. Jamie would have his own agenda, and it didn’t include trailing along while she explored the shops.
“Shall we go?” Lucy bustled over to the area the captain had indicated. “Valparaiso, here we come.”
* * *
Lucy’s enthusiasm was contagious, but exhausting.
“Where did you learn all this?” Sarah asked, gazing up at the exquisite carvings adorning a church a few blocks away from the commercial area.
“Captain Johnson owns an excellent guidebook.” Lucy stepped back as two elderly women entered the church, clutching black lace shawls over their heads. She watched them disappear behind massive doors and then turned to Sarah. “They don’t smile much, do they?”
“I was just thinking the same thing. Those men we saw in the square looked right through us.” She lifted her shoulders. “I suppose we are invading their city.”
Lucy gave an un-ladylike snort. “Doesn’t mean they can’t be polite.” She turned back to the main road that hugged the shore. “Had enough?”
Swept along in Lucy’s wake, Sarah had seen several small shops she’d like to explore. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to look in a few little stores. I’ll be fine if you want to go back without me. I promise not to stray from the main area.”
“Oh, my dear I was hoping you’d say that. I’ve quite worn myself out.” Looking anything but tired, Lucy struck out ahead. Sarah followed, suppressing a smile.
* * *
Dark haired shopkeepers with black eyes in solemn faces showed very little emotion as she examined their wares. A French modiste was marginally more helpful, but Sarah hesitated to buy dresses, not having any idea what she’d need in San Francisco. The woman soon lost interest when it became obvious that Sarah wasn’t going to buy.
She exited the store to find Jamie loitering in the narrow street. “There you are,” he said. “I thought I saw you go in there, but I wasn’t sure.”
Sarah glanced up and down the street. “I was hoping to find some small gift to take back for Melissa, but I’m not having much luck.”
“There you go again,” he said with a gentle smile. “Looking out for others.”
“She’s just a child,” she said, “and no doubt she’s disappointed at not being able to come ashore.”
“I’m sure she is.” He guided her back toward the center of town. “And to be honest, I’ve been looking for something for her as well. I saw some little animals made of raffia. I think they were supposed to be donkeys. What do you think?”
“That sounds perfect.”
“And I also found some oranges. Why don’t you get the raffia donkey and I’ll get the oranges. That should please her.”
“All right.” Her stomach growled as she spoke and she placed a hand on it.
He frowned down at her, concerned. “Did you have any breakfast?”
She shook her head. “Afraid not.”
“I saw a restaurant up there.” He pointed ahead. “Let’s go in and sit down.” He guided her down the narrow street, one hand at her waist as they dodged people coming the other way. A man on a donkey rode placidly in the middle of the street, his brightly colored poncho draped over the rear of the animal. Sarah tried not to stare.
“It’s not Boston, is it?”
She laughed. “I was just thinking that.” She followed him into the restaurant.
“Monsieur, Madame.” A woman greeted them in heavily accented English. “Some café, perhaps? And we ‘ave for you today some delicious meat pies.”
Jamie looked at Sarah, who nodded her agreement.
“Thank you Madame, that sounds wonderful. Could we take our time with the coffee first?”
“Bien sur.” The woman beamed and scurried off.
Sarah examined the adobe wall
s of the one-storey structure. “It doesn’t look very permanent, does it?”
Jamie nodded. “They’re constantly rebuilding due to the number of earthquakes.” He pointed to the ceiling. “That’s why it’s only one storey.”
“Makes sense. I’m surprised Lucy didn’t tell me that. She was like a walking, talking guidebook.” She looked up as the woman brought their coffee.
“You’ve become friends with Lucy,” he observed.
“Yes.” Sarah stirred coarse sugar into her coffee and took a sip.
“It will be good for you to have a friend in San Francisco,” he said, watching her closely.
There was something about the way he spoke, but she couldn’t place her finger on it. She set down her cup and looked across the table into his eyes.
He reached into an inside pocket and pulled out something small, holding it hidden in his hand.
“Hold out your hand,” he said.
Sarah hesitated, then extended her hand, palm up.
He dropped her ring into it.
Sarah’s eyes widened. “My mother’s ring!”
The moment the words were out, she realized what she’d said. She closed her fingers around the ring and lowered her eyes. She should have known that she couldn’t keep up the deception forever.
He ducked his head, trying to get her to look at him. “You’re not married, are you?”
She shook her head, and the strain of keeping her secret caught up with her. A tear ran down her cheek and plopped on the table. She brushed it away. “How did you know?” Her words were little more than a whisper.
“I’ve known from the day you helped Levi,” he said. “The moment you took off the ring, I could see from your finger that you hadn’t been wearing it very long.”
She nodded, and forced herself to look at him. “I’m sorry,” she said, “but I didn’t see how I could travel that far as a single woman.”
“I understand.”
His acceptance surprised her, but she could tell he had more to say. He toyed with his coffee cup, gathering his thoughts. “What do you intend to do when you get there, and there’s no husband to meet you?”
His words brought into focus the enormity of what lay ahead, but they also strengthened her resolve, and her belief that she’d done the right thing.
“I’m not sure,” she said, determination shining through her tears. “But at least I won’t be stuck back in Boston, going nowhere.” She slipped the ring back on her finger. “I want to do something with my life, Jamie. I came close to marrying the wrong man, and it made me realize how easily we can be steered into something we don’t really want.” Her gaze drifted around the inside of the restaurant, but her thoughts were far away. “He was a friend, and it would have been so easy to give up on my dreams and marry him.”
“What happened?”
“It turned out that he was in love with someone else.” She met his eyes unflinchingly. “Another man.”
His only reaction was a slight raise of the eyebrows. “Just as well, then.”
A great weight seemed to lift from her shoulders, and she was suddenly hungry. The delectable aroma of beef pies wafted through the small restaurant and the beaming owner fussed over them as she presented the savoury concoctions, rich gravy bubbling through small holes in the browned pastry crust. If she noticed traces of tears in Sarah’s eyes, she didn’t let on.
“More café?” she inquired.
Sarah drained her cup and examined the pie. “I’d love some, and this looks delicious.”
The woman scurried off, and Sarah looked across the table at Jamie. “Since we’re being personal, what about you? Is there a woman in your life?”
He hesitated for a fraction of a second, and Sarah’s heart plummeted. Of course there’s a woman, she scolded herself.
“No, not officially,” he said, opening up his pie to let the steam escape. He put down his utensils and leaned forward, forearms propped on the table.
“You said a moment ago that you came close to marrying the wrong man. The same thing almost happened to me.”
“You almost married a man?”
He gave a soft chuckle. “Feeling better, are we?”
“A little,” she said, tasting the pie.
“I escaped too, although my friend Aidan accused me of running away from the situation when I told him I was coming out to San Francisco.”
“And were you?” This time she was serious. “Escaping?”
He hesitated for a moment. “Possibly. But at the time, it seemed like the only way to break free of Lettie.” He gave a little shudder. “She’s a very determined woman. A lot like you, I suppose.”
“I’m not sure I’m flattered.”
“That didn’t come out right,” he said with a wry grin. “Actually, except for her determination, she’s nothing like you. I was thinking about that back on the ship when you were taking care of Anna... that first time she was sick and you cleaned her up. I think Letitia would rather stick pins in her eyes than do something like that.”
Sarah considered his words for a moment. “Then I would guess she’s very beautiful. There must be some reason you were together.”
“Very beautiful, if you like that sort of thing.” His gaze held hers. “But there’s more than one kind of beauty.”
She held her breath, waiting for him to say more, but he was suddenly interested in his pie. “So,” he said, “how is it?” He took a forkful and a low, appreciative growl escaped his throat. “My Lord, this is good,” he said after a moment, and continued to eat. “I guess I was hungry, too.”
Sarah liked the way he attacked the food, but then she liked everything about this man, and it was time she admitted it, even if only to herself. She poked around inside the pastry shell, examining the contents.
“Full already?” Jamie wore a frown as he watched her.
“What?” She looked up, startled. “No, I was checking the ingredients and thinking that I’d like to duplicate this. I wonder if Levi would give me access to the kitchen again.”
“Probably. After what you did for him, you’re quite the heroine with the entire crew, you know. And if you made some of your bread to go along with it, the captain would be at your mercy.”
“You noticed that, did you?” Sarah grinned. “He’s definitely partial to bread, and I can’t blame him. I believe there’s something about the smell of freshly baked bread that makes a man think of home.” She nodded to herself. “I like making bread, but there’s something about pastry, too. It’s simple and basic.”
“Have you heard about the Cornish pasty?”
“You mean ‘pastry’?”
He ducked his head. “No, it’s called the Cornish pasty. There’s some difference of opinion as to how the word should be spelled. We Americans have adopted it and spell it pastie, but the original spelling is pasty. I know an English chap who opened a pub in New York, and his customers love them.”
Sarah put down her fork and looked up, interested.
“Apparently the Cornish mine workers would take them down into the mines because they were a compact and nutritious snack.” Jamie warmed to his subject. “They’re a piece of pastry, filled much the same as these pies, although Garran says that nowadays a wide variety of fillings are used. Some shops even make them with fruit filling. Anyway, the classic Cornish pasty is flat on the bottom so it could be warmed up, and they have a distinctive crimped edge. In the mines, the crimped part acted as a handle, and the miners would discard it, because they often had arsenic on their hands, but I’ve noticed that most people in Garran’s bar eat the entire crust.”
Sarah edged forward, her meal forgotten. “Sounds interesting. So the miners used it as a portable meal.”
“Exactly.” Jamie wiped up the last of his gravy and popped the bread in his mouth. “I don’t know why I thought of that.” He pointed to her plate. “Eat up.”
She pushed the plate away. “I’ve had enough. I suppose we should look for those items for
Melissa and get back to the boat.” She stood reluctantly. “This has been a wonderful break, but I confess I’m ready to continue the voyage. How much longer do you think we’ll be?”
“A couple of months, more or less.”
Sarah nodded. “That’s what I thought.” Jamie insisted on paying for their meals and she reluctantly accepted his offer.
“Tell you what,” he said, sensing her hesitation. “Allow me to sample the first pastie you make, and we’re even.”
“Fair enough,” she said, as they started back toward the pier. “Although it might take some experimentation.”
Chapter Seven
WindSprite left Valparaiso shortly before sunset, pushed swiftly out to sea by the late day offshore breezes that funneled down through the valleys. The captain didn’t plan to stop again, and Sarah experienced a tightening in her stomach, which she recognized as nerves. Prior to rounding the Cape, San Francisco had been more of a far-off dream than a reality. Focused on the extreme weather and sea conditions, she had deferred thinking about practicalities until the dangerous part of the voyage had passed, but she couldn’t put it off any longer.
Lucy’s warnings about the difficulty of finding somewhere to live worried her more than she let on. She and her mother had tried to plan for every possibility, but it had never occurred to them that there would be no rooms available for rent. At least, no rooms that would be suitable for a woman by herself.
She followed the progress of the sun as it slipped below the horizon, painting the cloud layers in brilliant shades of orange, apricot and plum... a fruit salad of color. What would she do if she arrived and there was nowhere for her to stay? She let out a nervous laugh. There was nothing she could do about it now, out here in the Pacific Ocean.
“Is everything all right?” Jamie appeared, and took his usual place at her side on the rail.
“Sure. Everything’s fine.” Her voice sounded shrill, even to her own ears.
He watched her carefully, but said nothing. That was another thing she liked about him; he didn’t feel the need to talk constantly, and he didn’t demand answers.