Waltz in the Wilderness

by Kathleen Denly

  “San Diego?” He drew his head back. “What purpose can you possibly have in coming here?”

  “My pa is here.”

  He tripped over a clump of kelp and barely stopped himself from falling face-first into the sand. “Your father is here? And he sent for you?”

  She increased her pace.

  He hurried to catch up.

  They passed the first of the hide houses, a foul stench wafting toward him on the winds of the storm.

  Suspicion seeded his mind. “Miss Brooks? Your father did send for you, did he not?”

  He tried to catch her eye.

  She stared at the sand.

  He frowned. “Is he expecting your visit?”

  Eliza’s head rotated away from him.

  He stopped. Taking her arm, he forced her to face him. “Tell me that you know where he’s staying.”

  She lifted her chin. “I will find him.” Her eyes sparked, but behind the challenge was a flicker of something else. That haunting pain he’d glimpsed their first day on the ship.

  “You will…?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you at least know someone here with whom you may stay until you do?”

  She squeezed the folds of her damp skirts.

  He swallowed the urge to yell and shake her.

  Releasing her arm, he paced in front of a hotel with a sign nailed across the door, painted in both English and Spanish that marked it as closed. At least only the vacant stare of its boarded windows served as witness to his frustration.

  She had traveled all this way alone, to an obscure little town where she knew no one. Had no idea where her father might be. If that weren’t enough, she’d lost everything she had in the wreck and was set on walking miles to town alone. Through the pouring rain in a dress that was soaked and torn.

  The woman had more temerity than many men he knew.

  For goodness sake, had she no respect for the sanctity of her own life?

  He walked past the clearly empty hotel and store to stare out at the bay. What was he to do? There would be another ship come within a day or two to take the enervated passengers onward to Panama.

  He needed to be on that ship. Alice was waiting for him. Yet, how could he leave Eliza in such a situation?

  He couldn’t.

  He must locate her father before the next ship departed. Eliza was right. They mustn’t waste time waiting at the Playa. They must proceed at once to San Diego and procure themselves rooms so that he might begin his search.

  Daniel turned toward Eliza. Except, she wasn’t there. She had continued down the flat, muddy road leading toward town. With a last glance toward the group of passengers just arriving at the first hide house, he ran to catch up with her.

  When Eliza and Daniel were about a mile from their destination, the rain finally ceased its downpour and the strong wind tempered to a slight breeze. The change was of little benefit. A chill had settled deep in her bones. She ached with every quaking step.

  Oh, to sink into a hot bath!

  As they approached the town, pale morning sunlight broke through the clouds illuminating a barren, muddy plaza surrounded by a dozen or so brown and white adobe buildings, along with a handful of clapboard structures. An empty flagstaff stood tall in the center, its flag presumably removed for the duration of the storm—much like the town’s citizens, who were nowhere to be seen.

  This was San Diego?

  Entering the plaza, they came first upon a grog shop that—owing to the earliness of the hour—was blessedly closed. No ribald songs or pickled men’s shouts disrupted the post-storm quiet as she and Daniel passed. A long, white adobe building sported Commercial Restaurant in red paint over the door.

  For the first time since she’d set foot on land, Eliza’s steps faltered. Should she inquire about a meal? No. She would enjoy it more after resting. Thank you, Lord, that I kept my money pouch in my petticoat pocket. The coins patted her leg with every step.

  Two buildings past the restaurant, a sign read, The Exchange Hotel.

  At last. Her feet were aching.

  Mr. Clarke hastened to knock.

  A minute later, a gentleman opened the door. “Why, you’re soaked through! Come in, come in.” He ushered them into the front room, where a blazing fire filled the hearth.

  Eliza held her shaking hands toward the flames.

  Mr. Clarke stood beside her. “Please forgive our appearance. Our ship is wrecked and we’ve walked here from the Playa.”

  Their host called for another man, whom he dispatched with instructions to hurry to the Playa and bring back more passengers. Once the man had gone, the gentleman faced Mr. Clarke and Eliza.

  “Please forgive me for not introducing myself. I am George Tebbetts, welcome to my hotel.” He gave a small bow.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tebbetts. I am Mr. Clarke, and this is Miss Brooks.”

  He looked back and forth between them. “You are not married?”

  Mr. Clarke cleared his throat. “No, sir, merely acquaintances who happen to have been traveling aboard the same ship.”

  “I see.” Mr. Tebbetts walked toward the door and motioned for them to follow. “Come. I will show you to your rooms.”

  Mr. Clarke cleared his throat. “Thank you, sir, but one room is all we require.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Eliza turned on Mr. Clarke.

  “For you!” He held his hands up, palms out. “The room is for you. I—”

  “Where do you plan to sleep?” Eliza’s hand met her hip. “If you believe that because you saved my life—”

  “Of course not.” He stepped back. “I meant to say that although I will need a room later tonight, I have not the time to sleep at the moment, as I intend to commence inquiring about”—he mouthed the last two words—“your father.”

  She wanted to respond, but she and Daniel were making a scene. Mr. Tebbetts shifted beside the door.

  Eliza took a step closer to Mr. Clarke and whispered, “You’re going to look for Pa?”

  He nodded.

  This man’s generosity was astounding. She eyed his wet clothes.

  “Don’t you need to change?”

  “I’m afraid I have nothing to change into. My things are still aboard the ship.”

  He was right, of course. They should have found a store before coming to the hostelry.

  Mr. Clarke wrung rainwater from his coat sleeves into the fire. Drops sizzled on the hearth. He glanced at Mr. Tebbetts. “Would it be possible to have a warm bath sent to Miss Brooks’s room, sir?”

  “Of course.”

  Rain glistened on the window overlooking the plaza as the sun rose. The thought of a bath was enticing, but… “If you’re going to look for Pa, I should come with you.”

  “No, please stay and rest.”

  “He’s my pa, and you’re as tired as I.”

  “I am fine. I will find a store, obtain a fresh change of clothes, and begin the inquiries. I promise to return the moment I’ve learned something.”

  Mr. Tebbetts stepped toward them and focused on Eliza. “I apologize for overhearing, but did you say you’re looking for your father?”

  She leaned forward. Might he know Pa? “Yes, his name is Jim Brooks. He’s a thin man, over six feet tall and has dark brown hair like mine. He last wrote that he hoped to find work here with Lieutenant Derby.”

  Mr. Tebbetts scratched behind his ear. “I’m sorry. I don’t recognize the name. I heard Lieutenant Derby was using Indians. Still, you might try asking him. Perhaps he’s spoken to your father and can be of some help. ” Mr. Tebbetts pointed south. “Derby’s renting a house from Don Bandini. It’s a short walk from here. A white, two-story, wood house. You can’t miss it.”

  Eliza spun toward the front door, only to have Mr. Clarke step in her path.

  “I’ll go. You stay here and rest. I’ll return as soon as I know anything.”

  She hesitated. She was exhausted. But Pa was so close.

  Mr. Tebbetts stepped toward
the stairs, his hand inviting her to follow. “I’m sure my wife will be happy to wash your clothes for you while you bathe, miss.”

  She sighed. A warm bath, clean clothes, and a good rest did sound splendid. Mr. Clarke had proved himself trustworthy. He could handle the inquiry.

  For now.

  After a stop at the general store, where he purchased and changed into a new set of clothes, Daniel set out for Lieutenant Derby’s home. With Tebbett’s description and directions, it didn’t take long to find the place. Unfortunately, the lieutenant wasn’t there and Mrs. Derby expressed uncertainty as to when her husband would return. She invited Daniel to wait, but he politely declined.

  Less than an hour after leaving Eliza at the Exchange, he reentered the plaza. Where should he try next?

  At the opposite end, the man Tebbetts had sent to the Playa earlier was pulling up with a wagon full of passengers. They stopped in front of the Exchange, and the passengers piled out of the wagon before shuffling into the hotel.

  Daniel strode across the plaza to ask the driver whether he’d learned anything about the Virginia.

  “They say she broke a shaft in the storm and her engine gave out trying to make it to port.” The man shook his head. “Cracked her hull on the Zuniga Shoal. Not sure they’ll be able to save her.”

  “I see.” He would have to see if he could save his trunk, which was still aboard. He couldn’t afford to lose the carpentry tools his father had gifted him before his journey west. “What of the cargo aboard?”

  “The Goliah’s out there now with the Virginia crew trying to save what they can.”

  Daniel drew in a sigh. Time to get back to the Playa and secure his trunk.

  Chapter 14

  A rap on her door pulled Eliza from slumber. She struggled through the thick fog of sleep toward coherent thought. She pried one eyelid open. Where was she? A rough blanket scratched her skin. She was undressed. In the hotel. The storm. The shipwreck. Everything she cherished lost to the bottom of the ocean. Her vision blurred. She curled into a ball, closing her eyes.

  Another knock at the door drew her head up.

  Sniffing back tears, she pinched the thick blanket around herself and shuffled to the door. “Yes?”

  A man’s muffled voice responded. “Sorry to disturb you, miss. Mr. Clarke said to inform you that he’s gone to the Playa to fetch his belongings but that he’d return when he was through.”

  “Thank you.” She shuffled back to sit on the edge of the bed. The light peeking between the curtains was brighter than when she’d fallen asleep. How long had she slept? She peeled back a tiny corner of the curtain and checked the sky. She must have slept around three hours. The sun was halfway to its peak. She let the fabric drop.

  So Mr. Clarke had gone to fetch his belongings? How nice for him that he had belongings to fetch.

  She winced.

  That was unkind and unfair. Mr. Clarke had been trying to help when he took her carpetbag away and let it sink to the bottom of the ocean. It wasn’t his fault she lost Mama’s Bible and Pa’s letters. If Mr. Clarke hadn’t taken that bag from her, she would have lost her life as well.

  She held her breath against the sob pressing its way up her throat. The walls in this hotel were thin. She could hear a child crying in the next room. She would not humiliate herself by crying where everyone could hear. She was a grown woman. They were only things. She lifted her chin. There was no time for tears. She had a job to do.

  It was time to find Pa.

  She sprung from the bed, then stopped. Her clothes were gone. Being washed by Mrs. Tebbetts. With a sigh, she fell back to bed. The child’s crying continued. Closing her eyes, she prayed for the Lord to comfort the child.

  Then she covered her ears with the blanket.

  She would not cry.

  Daniel hopped off as the wagon pulled to a stop in front of the Exchange. Afternoon sun had warmed the wood of his trunk during the trip back to town. Thankfully, the same Zuniga Shoal which the Virginia crashed onto also prevented the ship from sinking and Daniel’s trunk had been spared the fate of Eliza’s carpetbag. He lowered it to the ground before paying the hired driver. As the wagon pulled away, Daniel opened the hotel door. He lifted his trunk and turned to carry it inside.

  Eliza blocked the doorway.

  She wore a new dress. The rich brown color complemented her complexion. Her thick brown hair—which had been in a dreadful state when last he saw her—was arranged in its usual tidy bun and curls. She appeared wholly refreshed.

  Yet she was not smiling.

  “I see you’ve retrieved your belongings. Have you also spoken with Lieutenant Derby?”

  He shifted the heavy trunk. Her tone held strong skepticism. Didn’t she trust him? He stepped closer. “If you would be so kind as to step aside? This trunk is rather heavy.”

  “Oh.” She stepped out of the doorway, and he walked past her into the hotel.

  After speaking with Mr. Tebbetts about the storage of his trunk, Daniel placed it in the area indicated and walked back to the front door.

  Stepping outside, he found Eliza still waiting for him.

  He squinted against the sun. “Nice dress.”

  “Thank you. Mrs. Tebbetts was kind enough to fetch this from the store for me to wear while my other clothes are drying.” She crossed her arms. “You haven’t answered my question.”

  He sighed. “He was not at home.”

  Her hands moved to her hips. “Did you inquire as to where he’d gone?”

  “Of course.” Did she think him a simpleton? “His wife thought he might have gone to see a friend at a local ranch, but was uncertain as to when he planned to return.”

  “Oh.” Her arms fell to her sides, and she was quiet for a moment. “Well, thank you for your efforts. My rest was quite refreshing and I am now prepared to make inquiries on my own.” She gave a small curtsy and turned to go.

  “Miss Brooks.”

  She looked over her shoulder. “Yes?”

  “It would be my pleasure to continue the inquiries on your behalf.”

  She pivoted away. “Thank you, but that’s not necessary. I’m quite capable of conducting them myself.”

  He caught her shoulder and walked around to face her.

  “I have no doubt of your capabilities. You are a strong, intelligent woman.” He ran his thumbs beneath the lapel of his coat. “Which is why I’m sure you’ll agree that it would not be wise to make it widely known that you’re here alone and have no family close by to protect you. Which is what you making the inquiries would do. Even coming with me to inquire will lead to questions that I think would be best avoided.”

  She opened her mouth, then closed it. “I suppose you do make a valid point. But…” She considered the hotel, brow furrowed. “I can’t stay in that room a minute longer. There’s a crying child in the next room, and I…”

  Tears filled her eyes, softening his heart.

  She blinked them away and straightened her shoulders. “I must have something to do.”

  He surveyed the area for inspiration. His gaze landed on the Commercial Restaurant two doors down. “Have you eaten?”

  She shook her head.

  “Then you’ve missed breakfast and dinner. You must be famished. Why don’t you allow me to escort you to the restaurant?” He offered his arm and she accepted it. “While you eat, I will continue my inquiries around town.” Ordinarily, he wouldn’t suggest a lady dine alone in public, but it seemed the better of his current options.

  Besides, how much trouble could even Miss Brooks get into while dining?

  She cocked her head at him. “But you will fetch me the moment you find Pa.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Oh, and you should probably start with the doctor’s office.”

  “Is your Pa ill?” She might have mentioned that. He would have made the doctor’s office his first stop.

  “I don’t know, but it would explain why his letters stopped.”

&nbs
p; Her father stopped writing to her? “How long ago?”

  Her forehead wrinkled. “What?”

  “How long ago did he stop writing?”

  “What does it matter?” She pulled her hand away. “On second thought, I think I will come with you. If Pa’s ill—”

  “Oh no.” He snatched her hand, held it to his arm, and strode toward the restaurant. “I told you, we need to protect your reputation. I’ll do the inquiring. If anyone tries to speak to you—asks you about your purpose in town—just tell them about the shipwreck. There’s no reason to share that you’re looking for your Pa. I’ll speak with the proprietress and any other patrons as soon as I settle you at a table, so you don’t have to worry about whether they know anything. The less you say, the easier it will be to protect your reputation. If they don’t know anything, I’ll start asking at the other businesses in town. I promise to fetch you as soon as I find him—and if he’s ill, I’ll run.”

  Having finished her meal, Eliza thanked the proprietress and stood to leave. Daniel had returned only long enough to inform her that he’d spoken with the town’s doctor, but the man had never heard of Jim.

  She stepped outside with a sigh. Where are you, Pa?

  The cool breeze running across the plaza caressed her cheeks. Twilight softened the rough edges of the town, giving it an almost romantic feel. It was so peaceful here compared to San Francisco. Few people wandered about, and most who did she recognized as passengers from the ship.

  Across the way, a small boy exited a store, sucking on a candy. The same boy she’d seen during the dance. He’s alive! His mother followed close behind him, her shoulders drooped. And so is she! They crossed the plaza and disappeared into the Exchange.

  Oh no. His must have been the crying she’d heard earlier. She hadn’t asked Mr. Clarke if he knew whether any of the passengers succumbed to the sea or if all were saved. She hadn’t wanted to know. But there was no father with the young boy and his weary mother. She blinked back tears. Had the boy lost his father? Or was his crying just a result of the terror they’d all experienced?