She stood to her feet, threads and pieces of fabric littering the skirt of her dress. “I can’t just sit here anymore. I can’t. Oh, Daniel … What will I do if something happens to him? I never even told him how I felt.”
Her brother wrapped his arms around her. “We’ve got to trust in the Lord, Livvy. He knows what Joseph is going through right now, and I have confidence that He is lifting our friend up.”
Knock, knock.
Daniel went to the door. “Who is it?” He spoke through the wood.
“Julia.”
Daniel opened the door and let their friend in. But it wasn’t just her. Behind her hid a small figure. When the boy looked up into Olivia’s eyes, she sucked in a deep breath. The boy from the alley! He looked so much worse. Skin and bones, his cheeks hollow, and his arms covered in bruises.
Olivia opened her arms and knelt in front of him. “You found me.” Gingerly, she hugged the boy. Keeping her hands on his shoulders for fear he might run away, she leaned back an inch or two. “Are you all right?”
He nodded and bit his lip.
“He’s been through a lot. I helped him escape this morning, and we’ve been hiding ever since.” Julia’s shoulders shook as she inhaled. “I’ve never been so scared. You should see the brutes that are after us.” She placed a hand on the boy’s head. “But this little man, he knew exactly what to do. He said we had to come here.”
Olivia couldn’t help but smile. “I’m so glad you remembered.” Standing up, she took his hand and led him over to the couch. “You’re safe here.”
“I don’t know about that.” Julia shook her head. “You see, we didn’t just escape. He knows where they took Mr. Sawyer.”
Everything tilted around him. Joseph tried to open his eyes, but only one would work. The other must be swollen shut. At least his head didn’t pound like it had been. He had no idea how many days he’d been here, but he was almost thankful for the time he’d been unconscious. Attempting to sit up, he felt the room sway even more. Then he realized it wasn’t the room. He was on a ship, and it was rolling with the waves. Were they out to sea?
He lifted his right hand and felt the weight of the chain. It was too dark to see, so it must be night or he might be deep in the hold of the ship. Either way, his eyes would have to adjust to the dark.
If he’d thought the smells were bad working at the docks, he’d been gravely mistaken. Now it smelled like he was in a sewer surrounded by rotting fish. His stomach attempted to heave, but he held it at bay, not that he had anything in his stomach to give up. This would probably be the end of him.
Surprisingly, he was at peace. Thanks to Daniel, Joseph knew that his heart was right with God. He’d wished he could have spent one last day with Olivia and told her that he loved her, but it wasn’t meant to be, and he needed to accept that. He’d done what he thought was right—he’d tried to help those less fortunate.
Breathing slowly, he closed his eyes again and laid back on the hard wood underneath him. If it was his time to go, he was ready. But he wanted to pray for all those people to be rescued. He might have failed, but there were others who knew and who would continue to search for answers. Thank You, Lord, for what You’re going to do. Thank You for letting me serve You. God, thank You for saving me. Please keep Daniel and Olivia safe. If my life needs to be a sacrifice for You, I’m ready, but please save those people. Many of them may not know You, so they’re not ready to die.
Joseph continued to pray for everyone he knew, for every business, for every ship, even for the ones who were behind the heinous crimes. He didn’t want to go to sleep and have it just be over. If it was his time, he wanted to go out talking to God.
The man stood at the edge of the crowd while George stepped up to the platform they’d built in the town square. Notices had been plastered around the city for a week, talking of the gathering that was to happen on the night before Christmas Eve. A lot of people had gathered, and that made him lift his chin a tad bit higher.
“Ladies and gentlemen.” George cleared his throat and paused. “It is my honor and privilege as head of your city council to introduce to you the man who has been our great city’s benefactor for many months. My employer has wished to remain anonymous for all this time because he is a humble and giving man. But as we journey toward statehood, many prestigious government officials in our fine country have asked for his assistance and desired that he consider the possibility of serving our country in an official manner.”
The crowd applauded, and murmurs were heard throughout as people looked over their shoulders to see who it could possibly be.
A smug smile lifted his lips. The event was playing out just as he’d hoped.
George held up his hands to silence the crowd and continued. “Not only is this generous man donating money to fund so many of our city’s services, but he is in the process of building a home that can be used for orphans and widows. Another magnificent building that he has had under construction, he’d like to donate to the city for public offices and possibly even to be used as a courthouse. And while this man has already done so much more to improve our lives here, as a token of his generosity, he has a Christmas gift for each one of you to tell you that he knows how much many of you have labored and suffered.” George waved at some men. “If our ushers would come forward, they will hand out the gifts to each one of you.”
The crowd hushed as they watched the ushers open their burlap sacks and give crisp one-dollar bank notes to each person. Gasps soon traveled the area as awe spread through the people. It was going exactly as he’d planned. Who wouldn’t love him now, especially as he’d given them all money? A lot of money.
“It is now my great honor to introduce you to Mr. Horace VanCleeve.”
Thunderous applause and cheers greeted his ears as he made his way to the platform. He held up his hands and bowed humbly to them, nodding along the way. When he reached the stage and looked out at everyone in front of him, he knew he’d accomplished his goal. The city was now his.
Olivia sat on the settee with a small boy curled up in her lap. The lad had been asleep for a long time after she’d helped him take a hot bath. She’d had to change the water two times because he’d been so dirty, but he didn’t seem to mind. The warmth probably felt good since he’d told them he’d always been cold. The child had only been able to manage a few bites of bread and a cup of water, but she remembered reading somewhere that malnourished people needed to eat very small amounts at first.
She looked across the room and watched Julia. The woman had risked her own life to help this boy, knowing that she would be dead if they ever caught her. But she said that if she’d learned anything in their Bible study, it was that she had to do the right thing. She was ready to follow God no matter the cost. Even in sleep, the woman was breathtakingly beautiful. It broke Olivia’s heart to think of all she’d had to endure, but she praised God for how they’d made it this far. Oh, what she wouldn’t give to see her friend flourish in her new life. As it pressed on her heart, Olivia lifted it up in prayer. Lord, please give her a beautiful future full of love and hope. Thank You for all You’ve done in her life.
What an amazing God they served. The sacrifice that was made for them all … the unconditional love, the forgiveness, the joy. There was so much to be thankful for. Now if only Daniel would return with Joseph, her Christmas would be perfect.
He’d left hours ago, following their young charge’s description of the ship he’d seen Joseph being dragged to. She looked down at the boy. If he didn’t tell her his name in the morning, she would just have to give him a new one.
As weary as her body was, she felt unsettled and didn’t feel comfortable going to sleep. She needed to guard her charges. Daniel had locked the building up tight, but that didn’t mean someone couldn’t still get to them.
Determination filled her. Not on her watch.
Something jolted her awake. The lanterns had gone out, and her neck was stiff from sitting upright and fa
lling asleep. She had no idea how long she’d dozed off, but her two charges were still fast asleep. As clarity came to her senses, the distinct smell of smoke drifted in the air. Shifting the boy off her lap, she stood and went to the window, pulling the curtains back. An orange glow filled the sky. It wasn’t the sunrise.
“Fire!” A shout was heard down in the street followed by another and another.
Olivia went to Julia and shook her shoulders. “Julia, wake up.”
The woman blinked up at her several times. “What is it?”
“There’s a fire. We’ve got to get you out of here.”
She went to the boy and laid a hand on his cheek. “Wake up, sweetheart. I need you to wake up.”
He sat up straight and looked around him.
“I’m sorry to wake you, but we don’t have time. Let’s get you somewhere safe.” Grabbing his hand and Julia’s, she led them out the door and down the back stairs. When they reached the outside, thick smoke filled the air, but there weren’t any flames close to them as far as she could see. That was a good sign at least for now.
She whisked them to the barn they kept behind the restaurant. “I want you both to get on one of these horses.” She saddled Buttercup as quickly as she could and handed the reins to Julia. “Cover your face and hair with your shawl; it will keep the smoke at bay and also keep you hidden.” Leaning down to the boy, she pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket. “Cover your nose and mouth with this, and it will help you breathe.”
She hugged Julia. “I want you to leave now, get out of town before it gets worse.” Giving her directions to the tree where she’d picnicked with Joseph, she smiled. “Wait for me there. I just need to grab a few important things out of the restaurant and house. Then I’ll saddle the other horse and join you.”
“Promise me, Olivia? You won’t try to fight a fire or rescue anyone else on your own?”
“Yes, I promise. Now hurry.”
When she was certain they were headed to safety, Olivia ran back to the restaurant building, which also held their home. When she looked to her left, however, she noticed that the building next door was already on fire. How had it spread so fast?
She knew that she needed her mother’s trunk, the ledgers for the restaurant, and the money box. As the manager, that would be the best she could do. Everything else could be replaced if they lost it all. Covering her face with her sleeve, she raced up the stairs.
Joseph … Joseph, wake up.” A voice broke through the fog in his mind and brought him awake. He knew that voice.
“Daniel?”
“Sadly, yes, it’s me, my friend.”
“What are you doing here?”
His friend’s chuckle was accompanied by a groan. “Well, you see, I came to rescue you.”
“Are you hurt?”
“Oh, they roughed me up pretty good, but I’m in better shape than you are.”
Shouts and cries were heard all around them. Joseph tried to focus, but it was so dark. “What’s going on?”
“The city’s on fire. At least that’s what I think. I keep hearing shouts of ‘fire.’ “
The stench of smoke drifted over him. “Where’s the guard?”
“I think he’s asleep.”
“Let’s wake him. Maybe we can use this to our advantage.” Joseph didn’t have a plan, but at least it was an idea to start with.
“Help! Help!” Daniel started shouting.
Joseph joined in. “Help! Help!”
Before they knew it, shouts and cries were coming from all over the place.
A startled cry in the corner alerted them that the guard was awake. “What’s happening? Is the ship on fire?”
Joseph used his most soothing voice. “It seems the city is on fire, sir. If the flames reach this ship, we don’t have much chance of survival.”
The man stomped around with panic in his voice. “I can’t swim. I don’t want to die!”
“I understand. I can help you. I know how to swim.”
“No. We can’t leave the ship. We can’t.” The man was working himself up into a frenzy.
“Sir, please listen. I can help you. I can. I promise you.”
In an instant, an orange glow lit up the hold.
“The ship’s on fire! I don’t want to die!” The guard backed himself into the corner.
Joseph kept his tone soft and calm. “Please. Release me, and I’ll help you off this ship. I promise.”
The man’s eyes had turned wild. “I don’t want to be burned alive.”
“So help us, and we’ll help you,” Daniel supplied.
The man ran over and unlocked their chains.
Joseph searched and didn’t see anyone else. “Are there more?”
“You promised to help me!” the man screamed.
But the wails grew in sound. Daniel followed the sound and lifted a hatch. “Oh, Lord, have mercy on us all.”
Joseph staggered over and looked down. Hundreds of men, women, and children were huddled down there. His body shuddered. Yelling at the guard, he held out his hand. “Give me the keys! Now!”
The guard handed them over. “Don’t let me die.”
“I won’t unless you don’t help me rescue these people.”
The man bolted into action. Between the three of them, they helped everyone out of the hold, but the flames were closing in and the smoke grew so thick, they couldn’t breathe.
Joseph didn’t know where the strength was coming from, but he helped get everyone off the ship. Even the guard. With the ship anchored only a few yards from the dock, the people were able to make a chain to safety for those who couldn’t swim.
The guard collapsed in a heap on the dock and began to sob. “Thank you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Daniel leaned over the man and spoke to him in a hushed tone.
Joseph checked to make sure that no one was left in the water. The emaciated group of prisoners blinked against the brightness of the fire. How long had they been kept in the utter darkness? His heart clenched to think of what could have happened. Every muscle in his body ached. Most of his bruises were healing, but he’d been chained for far too long. When he looked back to his friend, Daniel was praying with the guard. It made Joseph’s heart swell.
A loud roar reached his ears, and he turned toward town. “Daniel, look!”
Before their very eyes, San Francisco looked as if it were hell itself. Flames shot into the night sky, giving it an eerie glow.
His heart sank. “Olivia! I’ve got to find Olivia.”
The two friends raced into town as fast as their legs could carry them. Bucket brigades were hard at work, but the fire was spreading quickly. Oh Lord, please let her be safe!
Grabbing the ledgers she’d been working on in her room, Olivia stuffed them inside her mother’s trunk. Now where had she put the money box? The temperature had risen significantly in their living quarters, and she feared the fire would be upon her at any moment. Why was it that she couldn’t think clearly in a moment of chaos?
Lord, help me. Please.
She thought through and retraced her footsteps from the night before. Snapping her fingers, she remembered tucking it under the bed when she’d given the boy a bath. Crouching down on the floor, she reached for it and got hold of the heavy box, but when she stood up again, the smoke was much thicker. Not a good sign.
She’d just made it to the parlor when flames engulfed the door. That was her exit. Blocked. The orange beast licked at the wall. Olivia backed up and headed to the window that was the farthest away from the fire. The smoke choked her as she moved. She grabbed her apron and covered her nose and mouth, not that it could do much good. She needed fresh air and an escape.
When she made it to the window, she couldn’t get it open. Tugging with all her might, she still couldn’t get it to budge. She ran to another window. Same thing. Then she ran to Daniel’s room and tried. Then her own room. None of the windows would open. How could this be? Was she to die here in the flam
es?
Tears squeezed from her eyes as the smoke seeped through her apron and burned her lungs. Dragging the small trunk and money box back to the farthest window, she thought about trying to break it. Could she do it? She took the pillows and a blanket off the settee. She pressed her face to the glass and looked to see if there was anyone who could help her, but people were running away from the fire. No one was there to quench the flames with water. No one was there to rescue her.
Looking down, she realized she would probably break a bone or two in the fall. It was a long way down from this window. The first floor had ceilings that were at least twelve feet tall. Even if she were able to lower herself from the windowsill, that would be quite a drop. But that was better than burning alive, wasn’t it?
First she needed to break the window. When she looked back into their home, the flames were only feet away from her. Time had run out. Picking up the money box, she threw it at the window and hoped it would break the glass. As the window shattered, the fresh air through the window fanned the flames into a fireball around her. She picked up the trunk and heaved it out the window too. Then she threw the pillows and blanket. Covering the shards the best she could with her apron, Olivia climbed over the ledge and scooted her legs out. As she looked down, she wondered if there was any way she could land on the pillows rather than on the hard trunk. She’d have to leave that in God’s hands—there was no time to worry. Her hands stung with the heat as she held on to the sill. It was now or never. With a deep breath, she let go and plummeted to the ground. Her feet slipped out from under her and she rolled onto her back with a thump. The air knocked out of her, she tried to assess the rest of her body, but the jolt had sent a searing pain up through her legs and she couldn’t tell if she was all right or not.
“Olivia!”
Unsure whether she was dreaming, she waited for her name to be called again. That sounded like Joseph’s voice. Could it be?
“Olivia!” Footsteps pounded closer.
Finally her lungs relaxed, and she could take a deep breath. She closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled again. Was Joseph really here?
The Golden Bride Page 21