Beverly Jenkins (3 page)

Billie went still.

“Pearl DuChance is dying even as we speak. Moment by moment, her life is slipping away. Prince will go by water because that was my daughter’s gift.”

The shock of that statement rolled over Billie and she recalled the dull pallor of Pearl’s once bright skin and startling hair loss. Was this old woman responsible? She wondered if she should be concerned for her own safety. “Do you know what she’s dying of?”

“Yes.”

The certainty in the reply sent a chill over her skin that notched up her wariness and must have shown on her face.

“The only danger here for you are these,” Addy responded, gesturing to the herbs and medicinals. “Don’t touch them or taste them. Especially this.” She held up a short glass jar encasing what appeared to be finely chopped brown leaves. The metal lid was painted bright red.

“What is it?”

“The belladonna lily.
Bella donna
means “beautiful lady,” and I put just a bit of it in the special tea I make every day for Pearl to help the pain.”

“Is it working?”

“Oh yes,” she chuckled softly. “Very much so.” A knowing smile curved her lips but the old eyes blazed with such a powerful hatred Billie drew back.

“I think, I’ll go back to bed,” she whispered, getting to her feet. Even though she told herself otherwise, the old woman had her terrified.

Addy nodded. “Quite all right.”

Billie wanted to leave but seemed rooted in place.

Addy wasn’t through. “When I saw you in the flames you were seated on a golden throne and wearing a jeweled crown. Your son was seated on your lap wearing a crown, too.” She paused for a moment as if needing the prophecy to sink in, then added softly. “Rest well, my dear.”

Billie fled.

Chapter 4

“S
o, Drew, have you found a wife?”

The casually posed question made him glance up from his dinner plate to meet the cool eyes of his mother, Alanza, anchoring the far end of the dining table like a queen. Silent amusement played across the features of Drew’s eldest brother, Logan, seated across from him. Beside Logan his lovely and heavily pregnant wife, Mariah, kept her features schooled.

“Well,” Drew began, frantically searching for a tale that might make his mother lower her guns. “There was no one in Mexico I felt drawn to.”

“Probably because they had their clothes on,” Logan drawled, raising his wineglass.

“You’re not being helpful, Logan,” Mariah quietly pointed out.

“I’m not supposed to be, darling. I’m his brother.”

Alanza’s gaze never wavered, so ignoring Logan’s attempt at humor, Drew plowed ahead. “I’ve an invitation to Consuela Anderson’s birthday ball next week. Hoping to meet someone there.”

It was a lame response at best and everyone knew it. But eligible young women from the old Spanish families always attended Consuela’s annual ball, so at least that part of the response held water.

“You will give Consuela my regards?”

“Yes, Mama.”

And with that the interrogation ended. He drew in a silent breath of relief but knew his excuses wouldn’t be tolerated much longer. She’d been after him to marry for months now. Due to the ever-changing decisions of the California Land Commission, created after the United States war with Mexico, it had become necessary for the old Spanish families to prove in an American court that they indeed owned their land. Because the Yates bloodline was both American and Spanish their claim to the thousands of acres that made up the Destiny Ranch wasn’t at immediate risk, but just in case, the easiest way to legally insure the land stayed in the family was to marry and produce an heir. Although Logan held title to the portion of the ranch once owned by their father, Abraham, only Drew’s name was on the land deeded to Alanza’s ancestors by Spain.

After the meal, Drew and his brother grabbed coats and walked out into the chilly air to enjoy a cheroot, while Mariah and Alanza remained inside to talk.

“Thanks for the support back there,” Drew quipped as they took seats at the small table on the expansive patio. “I can always count on you to give me a swift boot in the ribs when I’m down.”

“Like I said, just doing my part.”

“Good thing Noah’s not here. A man can only take so much brotherly support.”

Noah was their youngest sibling and captain of a four-masted ship christened the
Alanza
. Last they’d heard he was sailing in the Orient.

Logan asked, “Do you really think you’ll find a candidate at Consuela’s party?”

“No. I was just hoping to fend off our lovely and persistent mama.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Drew had no idea where to search next. “Logan, I’ve met women from here to Mexico and back, and not a one was anyone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. What’s left, back east? Spain?”

Logan shrugged. “Your search is the least of my problems. Try sitting around waiting for your first child to be born.”

“What’s it like?”

“Frightening. Frustrating. Maddening. Did I say frightening?”

“Why frightening?”

“Because I worry if Mariah and the baby are going to be all right.”

Drew knew the concerns were valid. Many women died in the birthing bed, as did their infants. “Is Mariah worried?”

“Of course not. She assures me everything will be fine, but what if they aren’t? I’ll lose my mind if anything happens to her, Drew.”

Logan and Mariah married after knowing each other for only a short time, and as far as Drew was concerned it was the most raucous courtship he’d ever had the pleasure to witness. It went without saying that Mariah had his big brother’s heart and that Logan loved the ground she walked on. He doubted he’d find a love match but wanted someone as intelligent and fearless in life as his mother; but all the women he’d been introduced to seemed afraid of their own shadows, or were more enamored with his wealth than with him as a man.

“So, you’re really ready to cut loose all your women?” Logan asked, bringing their talk back to Drew’s quest.

“I am.” Although his tone wasn’t as firm as he’d wanted.

Logan shook his head and chuckled softly.

“I am,” he insisted. This time the words held strength.

“Whatever happened to that piece of love candy you were seeing this past summer?”

“Billie?” As Drew spoke her name he was assailed by a flood of pleasurable memories and he leaned back and exhaled a slow stream of smoke. “Haven’t seen her since I left for Mexico seven months ago. Why?”

“Just wondering. You seemed particularly taken with her.”

“Can’t deny that, but Mama would drop dead at my feet if I presented a whore as my
novia
.”

“True.”

But Drew continued to muse on the times he spent with Billie—the night rides in his coach, the walks in the parks, the breakfasts they’d shared. As soon as he returned to San Francisco, he planned to look her up and spend a few days with her before attending Consuela’s birthday ball. As he’d noted back in July, having to give her up was going to be difficult, but necessary.

Mariah stepped outside and Logan rose to his feet. The smile in her golden eyes was for him alone, and Drew wondered if there’d ever be a woman in his life who’d look upon him in the same loving fashion.

Mariah asked, “Do you mind taking me home now, Logan? The baby and I are tired.”

“Let me get the wagon. You sit.”

She did as instructed, and while Logan hurried away she asked Drew, “How long are you staying?”

He noted the tiredness in her golden eyes and the effort it had taken for her to settle into the chair. “I’m off to the train in the morning. You said the baby’s due in April?”

She nodded. “Only two more months and I can’t wait. I feel like an elephant.”

“You look fine.”

“And you lie almost as well as Logan. Will you be back for the birth?”

“I’ll try. Sounds like you’re going to need somebody to help Logan keep his wits about him.”

“I know. I keep assuring him the baby and I will be fine, but you know your brother.”

He did. Logan liked being in control, but because he had none over his wife’s pregnancy, he was undoubtedly driving her mad.

“Next time, maybe I’ll let him carry the child.”

When Logan returned, Mariah struggled to her feet and said to Drew with genuine feeling, “Good luck on your search.”

“Thanks. Take care of my brother.”

Leaving him with a smile and a nod, she slowly made her way over to the wagon. Once she was safely aboard they drove off to their homestead on the other side of the ranch.

Alone in the quiet courtyard, Drew sat musing. Yes, he envied the love Logan found with Mariah but again he doubted he’d be so fortunate. Since becoming old enough to claim his own life, he’d been content to discreetly sow his oats from Stockton to the border because he viewed women like a kid in a well-stocked candy store. With so many choices who needed love or the commitments and ties that went with it? Women like Billie were his preference, but now he needed to choose a wife. Logan and Mariah were awaiting the birth of their first child. His mother, Alanza, was ecstatic. She’d been praying for grandchildren since her three sons reached marriageable age. Her love for Mariah was as wide and tall as the mountains on the edges of Destiny’s land, and he knew without a doubt that she’d open her heart to his future wife as well. Just as soon as he found one.

Alanza stood in the door and silently observed her son. Logan was her stepson and came to her as a six-year-old little boy when she and Abraham married. She loved all three of her sons fiercely, but Andrew Antonio held a special place all his own because he was the first child of her loins. Both God and Alanza knew that one of her foremost failings was her impatience. Having to raise three boys on her own after Abraham’s untimely death had tempered it a bit, but still she found it hard to wait for things to run their course. It had been that way when she wanted Destiny to be profitable, and again when her youngest disappeared during a night out on the town in San Francisco, only to surface months later via a letter to reveal that he’d been shanghaied. Impatience was why she prayed every night for her sons to marry so she’d have grandchildren; a petty want in some minds but she’d already admitted to being flawed. None of the challenges in her life settled themselves easily or quickly and that continued to be the case with Drew. She wanted him to find the woman of his heart, but would he? Where Logan had his feet planted firmly on the ground and focused only on what he could touch and see, Drew was the dreamer. Growing up, he’d wanted to hear stories of the conquistadores and their search for El Dorado. At the age of seven he’d fallen in love with tales of the great Amazon warrior queen Calafia and moped for months upon learning that Calafia, her griffins, and island of gold were only imagined and not real. Since reaching his majority he’d taken up the law and the pursuit of women. The curly-haired toddler had grown into a man with features that made women weep, as one of her aunts had once described him. From the thick black waterfall of hair, which he usually wore tied back, to the matching onyx-black eyes, he was truly something to behold. Because of that, women came to him as easily as the fog to Yerba Buena and she’d despaired that he’d ever settle down long enough to seriously consider taking a wife, but it seemed the time had finally come. However, she worried that because he was so accustomed to flitting from woman to woman like a bee in a valley of flowers that he’d choose casually and not take the time to find love.

She stepped out to join him. “What time does your train leave in the morning?”

“Ten.”

“I have to admit that for the past few minutes I’ve been watching you from inside. You look very pensive. Are you well?”

“I am. Was sitting here realizing I’ll probably never have a love match like Logan.”

She took a seat at the table. “And why not?” Unlike Logan, Drew had always been open with her about his feelings. That he continued to do so was pleasing.

“I know nothing of love, Mama, only dalliances.”

“Life has a way of changing us when we least expect it. You’ll find your own Mariah, I’m sure.”

“You just want more grandbabies.”

His teasing made her laugh. “True. Is that such a terrible thing?”

“No, Mama, but for the moment, you’ll have to enjoy the prospect of Logan’s and Mariah’s child. Might be a while before you pass down all the new baby items to me.”

She sighed. “Your brother has threatened to close all my accounts from here to Mexico City if I purchase one more thing for my grandchild.” His chuckling made a smile curve her lips. “I keep telling him to wait until he has his own. Only then will he understand.”

“So, how are you and Max getting along?”

Because the change in subject was so abrupt Alanza didn’t respond at first. It was one thing for her to ask questions about her sons’ personal lives but quite another to be questioned by them about her own. “We’re fine. He’s back East. His sister is ill and he’s gone to see about her.”

He leaned over and peered into her face.

“What?”

“And that’s all you have to say? We’re fine?”

“Yes, my nosey son.” Max Rudd was an old friend who’d taken it into his head that courting her was what he wanted to do. Her feelings for him were impossible to deny and since his departure back East she missed him terribly, but the reality of opening her heart to another man had her scared half to death. There’d been no other since Abraham.

His knowing look made her echo, “What?”

“Nothing. Just wondering when you’re going to admit that you love the man.”

She puffed up because it was her way of denying what they both knew to be the truth. “That is none of your business.”

“Uh-huh.” Getting to his feet, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Mama.”

“Go away, you incorrigible boy.”

“Maybe we should plan a double wedding. You and Max can get married beside me and my unknown bride.”

Laughing, she looked for something to throw but he’d hastily disappeared inside.

D
rew arrived in San Francisco late that next evening. The first thing he did after stashing his luggage in his apartment above his law office was to drive to the Black Pearl to see Billie. In spite of the blustery February weather, the streets were beginning to fill with the raucous crowds of men seeking to immerse themselves in the Barbary’s three dominant sins: sex, drink, and gambling. Piano music poured out onto the walks from the opened doors of dance halls and drinking establishments. Tourists gathered in front of windows showcasing live, nearly nude women, while on various corners pimps offered the chance to touch a girl’s breast for a dime. The Barbary was one of the most hedonistic places in all the world and he admittedly enjoyed the excitement.

Paying a street child to keep an eye on his buggy, Drew entered the Pearl. Sounds of music and the high-pitched laughter of the girls intermingled with the bass-toned voices of men and the clink of glasses. He peered around the packed interior, caught the attention of some of the girls, and nodded a greeting.

“She’s not here.”

He turned and met the scarred face of Prince DuChance.

“Where is she?” Drew didn’t like the man and the feeling was mutual.

”Who knows? Packed up her things a few months back and took off.”

“Did you pack them, or did she leave willingly?”

“If you find her, ask her.”

DuChance had a reputation for violence. In fact, the first time they met, DuChance had been using his fists on a young whore behind one of the gambling dens; supposedly for not making payments on money she’d borrowed from him. When Drew moved to intervene, DuChance showed his knife. Drew countered with his Colt. The furious Prince backed down and Drew escorted the girl to a doctor. The men had been enemies since.

That night replayed itself in Drew’s mind as he took in DuChance’s smug smile and toyed with the idea of dragging him outside and using his fists on him in a similar fashion in order to learn the truth about Billie’s leaving. However he was distracted by a kohl-eyed young woman who sidled up and slipped her arm into his. “Hey handsome. Never seen you before,“ she purred. “Introduce me, Mr. DuChance.”