In Times Gone by

by Tracie Peterson

  Micah forced back the words he wanted to say. He looked at his fingernails instead. “Life isn’t always what we wish it would be.” He glanced at Morgan and shrugged.

  Kenzie stepped toward him, then stopped. She pointed a gloved finger at him. “You have wounded me deeply. You left me heartbroken and abandoned. When I think of all the flowery words you spoke—the promises you made—it’s enough to sicken me.”

  Micah swallowed hard. Could she really believe him capable of giving her up for a bribe?

  “Arthur told me how easily your love can be bought and sold. You should be ashamed, Micah Fisher. What a fool I was to believe anything you ever said to me. You never cared one whit about me, did you?” He opened his mouth, and she held out her hand. “No, don’t speak. I don’t want to hear your excuses or words of apology.”

  Micah didn’t know what to do. He could tell her what had truly happened, but he’d probably be shot, and she might be hurt as well. He didn’t trust Morgan not to punish her just to further hurt him. As if seeing Kenzie on Morgan’s arm wasn’t bad enough.

  “I always knew you were a doctor for the money and prestige,” she continued. “When I think of how you badgered your patients for pay before you’d even look their way—well, it’s shocking to say the least, and I should have known you could be easily bought.”

  Micah bit his tongue lest he laugh out loud, and all his doubts slipped away. Kenzie was playing a game with him, but even more so with Morgan. Micah wasn’t sure what she was doing, but he didn’t intend to ruin her excellent performance. She was quite good at playing the part of the woman scorned.

  “I can’t bear to think about how I let you wear me down with your false love.” She put her hands over her heart. “It’s a wonder Arthur would even want me back, given my undeniable ridiculousness where you were concerned. And to think I would have married you had Arthur not helped me see your flaws.”

  Micah smiled. “Oh, my dear Kenzie. You know very well what’s most important to me in life. How could I possibly have passed up the opportunity to have a hospital built—a hospital named after me?” He glanced heavenward. “The Fisher Hospital. Just think of all the sick who will find refuge there. Surely you can’t fault me when you consider all that I might accomplish.”

  Kenzie frowned. “I’m so glad I did not yield my heart to your pretense of passion. When I think of how you might have ruined me for Arthur . . . well, I can’t speak of it.”

  Morgan snorted a laugh.

  Kenzie put the back of her hand to the corner of her eye. “I’m quite beyond words.”

  The clock struck ten, and Kenzie shook her head and turned back to Morgan, who was grinning from ear to ear.

  “I’m so glad you allowed me this moment, Arthur. I will always remember what you did—the sacrifice you made to see me returned to you. When I think of how your family might have kept us apart—how you were willing to defy them—it truly touches me.”

  Morgan chuckled. “I’m just glad I’m not on the receiving end of your temper. Dr. Fisher may have his hospital, but he also has your disdain, and I wouldn’t be in his shoes for all the world.” He extended a hand. “But now we must be on our way. We’re to be married in half an hour.”

  Micah wasn’t sure how Kenzie intended the situation to play out, but he couldn’t stand by and let Morgan take her away. He jumped to his feet.

  “Wait!”

  Kenzie turned, and Arthur immediately stepped to her side. He put his arm possessively around her shoulder. “Surely you wouldn’t want to delay our nuptials, Dr. Fisher.” Morgan’s voice was tight with an unspoken threat.

  “Everything he told you is a lie,” Micah said.

  Kenzie smiled while Arthur scowled. To Micah’s surprise, Kenzie turned her face upward. Arthur couldn’t help but meet her gaze.

  Kenzie’s smile faded. “I know.”

  CHAPTER

  23

  Victoria answered the door to find a smartly dressed chauffeur. “Yes?”

  The man gave a slight bow. “I’ve come with a message for Miss Victoria Whitley.”

  She nodded. “I am she.” Victoria glanced back over her shoulder, then relaxed. Thank goodness Judith and her friends were gone.

  The chauffeur handed her a piece of paper. The note was from Abraham Ruef. Victoria unfolded the paper and read.

  Everything has been arranged. Come with my driver to the office, and you will be a free woman this day.

  Victoria smiled. “Wait here. I’ll get my hat and gloves.”

  The driver nodded, and Victoria shot up the stairs in a very unladylike fashion. Freedom! She was soon to be free of Judith and all these horrible people. She was so glad she’d sorted and packed her things back into their trunks. Kenzie thought Victoria had simply taken her advice and picked up after herself. She’d even commended Victoria for her hard work. It had taken all of Victoria’s constraint not to blurt out the real reason she’d tidied the place. Wouldn’t they all be surprised when they learned the truth?

  She looked in the mirror. Her hair was a mess. Oh, to have someone to style it again. She took the time to pin up several errant strands of hair, then glanced over her dress. A lady’s maid, that was what she needed more than anything else. How marvelous it would be to have a competent lady’s maid again. She would have to locate one, but that shouldn’t be too difficult. She could call on some of the family’s old friends—if she could find them. The earthquake and fire really had reordered her once perfect world.

  There was so much to tend to. Perhaps it would all have to wait until she could get out of this wretched city, but soon no one would be bossing Victoria Whitley around. A giggle escaped her.

  “Oh, but this is glorious!” She pulled on her gloves and clapped her hands.

  She looked at her various trunks. Should she ask the driver to take them down? No, they would keep, and then she’d have the satisfaction of watching Judith’s stunned expression as she moved out of the house.

  Victoria pinned her hat in place and then picked up her small purse. She had no idea if Ruef would actually furnish her money today or just papers to take to the bank. Grandmother seldom handled actual cash. She usually just signed for things or told people to submit a bill.

  Victoria frowned. She knew so very little. It was hard to admit she was ill-prepared to face her future. Her brother Bill had once told her she would be better off if she studied the way their grandmother managed the estate and their servants rather than fighting the old woman. Victoria had thought it a waste of her time, however. She had always known she would marry and her husband would attend to such things. Now, at nineteen, she was about to embark on a life of her own, free from the oppressive restrictions of her grandmother and father. The very idea thrilled and terrified her to the core of her being.

  “I can’t rely on anyone else,” she told herself. She drew in a deep breath. “I will be my own mistress.” She squared her shoulders. “No one will ever again order me about.”

  She gave a curt nod, then made her way downstairs. The driver stood waiting at the door, just as she’d left him.

  “Let us be on our way. I wouldn’t want to keep Mr. Ruef waiting.”

  Kenzie felt Arthur tense beside her. He shook his head and looked down at her in confusion. “Kenzie, I think you’re mistaken. He’s the one who’s lying.”

  “No, Arthur. You are the liar, and I want nothing to do with you. I have no idea what you and your father are up to, but it won’t involve me.”

  “You don’t know what you’re saying. You’ve listened to your friends and their lies. I’m the right man for you, Kenzie.”

  “Hardly,” Micah said, moving toward them. “You’ve kept me prisoner for nearly two weeks, as best I can tell. You’ve lied to the woman I intend to marry and made plans to kill me.” He looked at Kenzie, and she warmed under his scrutiny.

  Morgan scowled at Micah. “You’ll pay for this with your life.” He let loose a stream of curses, then called again for his me
n. “Ramus! Bardsley!” He looked at the opening behind Micah’s chair. No one appeared. He called out again. “Ramus! Bardsley! Get in here and do your job!”

  Kenzie reached into her pocket, causing Arthur to lose his grip on her shoulder. “Goodness, Arthur, who in the world are you yelling for?”

  Instead of Arthur’s henchmen, Patrick, Camri, and Judith appeared in the archway that led into another room. “I’m afraid,” Patrick began, “that yer boys are a bit tied up at the moment.”

  Arthur stared at them for a moment and then bared his teeth. Shaking with rage, he produced a small derringer and waved it. “Get back! I have a gun.”

  Kenzie cleared her throat and smiled. “What a coincidence, Arthur. So do I.” Her hand closed around the butt of the pistol in her pocket as she shoved it against Arthur’s rib cage. “And just so you know, mine is bigger and will cut you in half.”

  He paled and lowered the derringer. “So this was all a ruse?”

  Patrick quickly stepped up and disarmed Arthur.

  “I don’t understand.” Arthur looked at her, shaking his head. “You really don’t love me?”

  “No. I thought I did once, but it was never real. Just as your love for me was never real.”

  Despite Patrick holding fast to his arm, Arthur turned to Kenzie. “I only did what I had to. You don’t understand.” He sounded desperate. “It’s not too late. Perhaps we don’t love each other, but marrying me will be to your benefit. I can give you anything you want—believe me.”

  Kenzie shook her head. “That’s the whole point, Arthur. I don’t believe you. I don’t know why it is so imperative to you that we marry, but it isn’t going to happen. I’m glad you stood me up at the altar. For all the humiliation and shame, I faced—for all the pain and sadness I endured—I’m glad things worked out the way they did. Otherwise I might never have known what real love was all about.”

  There was a commotion at the front door. Furious pounding seemed to rattle the entire house. Judith hurried away. “I’ll get it.” When she returned, there were six uniformed policemen behind her. The police had already been apprised as to what was going on, and with very little ado, they took Arthur Morgan into custody and escorted him from the house.

  Kenzie didn’t care what else happened. Micah was safe, and that was all that mattered. She looked him over from top to bottom to assure herself that he wasn’t hurt.

  Micah ignored the others and swung Kenzie into his arms. Unashamed, he kissed her. Kenzie held tightly to him, thanking God that he was alive and hers.

  “I was so worried about you,” he whispered between kisses.

  She pulled back. “Me? I was perfectly safe, but you . . . where have you been?”

  “I don’t know. I was locked in a room without windows, but none of that is important now. I’m just so glad he didn’t hurt you. So glad you believed in me enough to know I’d never willingly leave you.”

  She smiled. “When Arthur told me you jumped at the chance to have a hospital named after you, I knew he was lying.”

  “But how could you be sure?” he asked, smiling.

  “Just as you once suggested, my heart told me. Or perhaps I should say God made it clear to my heart.”

  He pulled her close again, then jumped back. She frowned, but when he reached down to remove the revolver from her hands, she had to smile.

  “Sorry.”

  “You’ve been known to react rather recklessly.”

  “Oh, is that so?” She cocked her head. “And why would you say that?”

  Patrick didn’t give him a chance to answer. “For sure it might be because of the gun in yer hand, lass. I thought we agreed ye wouldn’t be bringin’ it.”

  “Well, you should be glad I did. I knew Arthur wouldn’t risk being unarmed.” Kenzie looked at Patrick, who stood watching the scene play out, and then realized Judith and Camri were watching as well. She shrugged. “Sometimes drastic situations call for drastic measures.”

  “And this was definitely one of those.” Camri stepped forward to hug Micah. “We’re all so relieved to find you unharmed.”

  Judith nodded. “Caleb sent a telegram to tell us that Arthur Morgan was lying.”

  “He also made it clear that they were to do nothing until his return, but ye can see for yerself how well they heeded that,” Patrick added. “And with Caleb’s own gun.”

  “Just have a look at the gun if you’re really all that bothered,” Kenzie said. “It isn’t even loaded.”

  “What good is an unloaded gun?” Patrick questioned. “Faith, woman. What if Morgan had pressed ye to shoot?”

  Kenzie’s confidence faded. “I guess I don’t know the answer to that.”

  Micah shook his head. “I don’t suppose any of us will ever know the answer to that.” He looked at the other women. “I wish you hadn’t put yourselves in harm’s way, any of you. But I’m very grateful for the rescue.”

  “You would have done it for any one of us,” Camri countered. “So stop fretting about it.” She looked around. “What is this place? Who owns it?”

  Micah shrugged. “I have no idea. Arthur mentioned it being on loan to him for a few hours, but nothing else. He probably arranged it through a friend of the family or his other connections.” He pulled on the striped vest he wore. “He furnished this as well.”

  “It doesn’t suit you,” Kenzie said, shaking her head.

  He laughed. “I didn’t think so either.” He looked at Patrick. “So what happens now?”

  Patrick shrugged. “Morgan and his men are in custody. I’m sure ye’ll be havin’ some legal statement to make.”

  “Yes, in fact, we need to be on our way. Judge Winters has all the information we could provide him prior to this encounter, but he told me he’d need to get a statement from you before formal charges can be made against Arthur Morgan,” Camri announced.

  Patrick offered Camri his arm and headed for the door with Judith following. “I wish I could have Victoria dealt with as neatly,” Judith said. “I’m so weary of her battles.”

  “Who knows,” Camri called out over her shoulder, “Caleb may return with a solution for that as well.”

  For a moment, Micah and Kenzie just stood, gazing into each other’s eyes. Kenzie could see the love in his expression. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “Sorry?”

  “Sorry it took so long to believe in you—in us.”

  He touched her cheek. “It doesn’t matter. The past no longer concerns us. We’re together now, and if I have anything to say about it, we’ll soon be man and wife. If you’ll just say yes.”

  “Do you suppose I would go to all this trouble if I didn’t intend to marry you?” Kenzie smiled and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “Now, come along, Dr. Fisher. We have a triple wedding to plan.”

  Victoria listened as the judge, a staid and homely man in his sixties, explained the details of her liberty. He droned on and on, and she had no idea what he was really saying, but she figured she could get Arthur to explain it once he bothered to arrive. Where in the world was he, anyway? Thankfully, Abraham Ruef sat with her, or she might have despaired of ever understanding.

  Finally, the old man closed the file he’d been reading from and looked at Ruef. “That should see the matter through to conclusion. I trust you have everything else in order for this young woman?”

  “Yes,” Ruef said, getting to his feet. “Thank you, Your Honor.” He pulled out an envelope and placed it on the desk. “I’m sure you’ll find this to be satisfactory.”

  Ruef then turned to Victoria. “Come along. I’ll explain in a way that you’ll understand while we make our way to lunch. I’m famished and presume you are as well.”

  Victoria had no desire to eat with Abraham Ruef, but she felt she owed him at least that much. She allowed him to escort her back to the privacy of his car and began to assault him with questions as soon as she’d settled in.

  “So am I now finally able to draw on my inheritance? Will I
have money in order to purchase train tickets and arrange for a hotel?”

  “Yes. It’s all yours. The matter has been completely taken care of. Your cousin has no more say over anything you do. The money is already sitting in your personal account at the bank, and you can draw from it any time you like. In fact—” he reached into his coat and produced another envelope—“I have some ready cash here for your immediate use. I know you mentioned wanting to leave the city. I can help you with those arrangements as well. Generally speaking, genteel women do not carry money on their persons. It’s too much of a temptation for ruffians to take advantage of them. You could, however, have a trusted servant carry it for you. Once you establish your household, you’ll no doubt have a driver, and he could manage it.”

  “Thank you.” She took the envelope and looked inside. There was a great deal of money, and she smiled, feeling suddenly empowered. “I’ll hire a driver when I settle in New York City. Right now, I want to have my things moved from the Coulter house to the hotel where Arthur Morgan is staying. He promised he would have a room put on hold for me there. Then I’ll need a lady’s maid. Perhaps you could advise on how I could go about that? Afterward, I will make my plans.”

  “You remember there is still the little matter of settling our account for services rendered. I have papers at my office. I also have your new bank book. You can write me out a draft for the money you owe.”

  “Yes, of course. We can go there directly and forget about lunch, in fact. I’m sure you’re quite busy.”

  He smiled and patted her hand. “I would never deny a beautiful young woman the enjoyment of a meal. Especially one at the Cliff House. Besides, there are several investment ideas I think we should discuss. You wouldn’t want that newfound fortune to simply dwindle away for lack of proper care. I think I can take that modest fortune and help you turn it into more wealth than you’ll ever know what to do with. You might want to stick around San Francisco. We might be in pieces at the moment, but the potential to make a great deal of money is quite high. I promise you, we could triple what you currently have by making just a few prudent choices.”