Authors: Destiny's Surrender
“The part about me wanting to marry you, or the part about your hard head?”
Smiling in spite of herself, she stood. “I’ll get my mare.”
They rode out to the edge of the river where he’d built benches for her to sit upon so many years ago, and while the horses availed themselves of the grasses nearby, she and Max sat companionably in the silence and watched the clear water flow. In spite of the calm face she’d been wearing, the events of the past week had her wound tight as a watch spring and she wasn’t sure how to put herself at rest.
He must’ve noticed something in her manner, because he glanced over and asked, “Something bothering you,
chica
?”
Her husband Abraham had never given her an affectionate sobriquet, but Max had. “A few things,” she admitted and found herself telling him all she carried inside. From demanding Billie and Drew marry. Her worries about what damage she may have done to her relationship with her son, to Logan’s accusations of her meddling, and her thoughts on Billie’s desire to better herself and how impressive she found her new daughter-in-law to be. It all came tumbling out and to Max’s credit, he let her talk. He stopped her a few times to ask a question here and there, but for the most part simply listened as if he knew it was what she needed most.
And when she was done, Alanza felt remarkably better. “You’ve always been easy to talk to.”
“You talk, I listen. Works fine.”
He’d done so much for her since Abraham’s death. “Why do you want to marry me, Max?”
He leaned his head back and gazed up at the clouds. As if searching for just the right words he didn’t respond initially, then after a moment, said, “I’ve been in love with you since the first time I met you, but you were the wife of my best friend so I put it away because I had to. After he died, I knew you weren’t looking for someone to take his place, so I did what I could to help you and the boys. Hoped maybe I could court you once they got older.” He swung his eyes her way. “I know I’ve been brash about wanting you, and if I’ve been disrespectful, I apologize—but we’re getting older, Lanz, and I’d like to spend what’s left of my life with you.”
“It’s a bit scary though.”
“What, getting married again?”
She nodded.
“Why?”
“Because as much as I thought I loved Abraham, he didn’t love me and I don’t want to be in that kind of situation again, nor do I want to turn my life over to someone else.”
“I don’t want your life, Lanz. Just you.”
She allowed herself a small smile. “You’re making it difficult to keep saying no.”
“Then don’t.”
Alanza studied the man who’d been in her life since seemingly forever and thought about how nice it would be to have him by her side until God called her home. “You sure you wouldn’t prefer someone younger who can give you children?”
He rolled his eyes. “I have your three sons, their wives, and now a little fella who may be the reincarnation of those Spanish conquistadores you love so much, so no, I don’t need children of my own.”
“Okay. I’ll stop trying to put off the inevitable. Max Rudd, I would love to be your wife.”
“ ’Bout damn time.” His smile met hers. “So can we have the ceremony soon or are you going to make me wait another five years?”
“One should be sufficient I believe.”
“What?!”
“Just pulling your leg. We can have the wedding come summer. I’d like all the boys to be with us though, so let me see if I can get in touch with Noah.”
“As long as we end up husband and wife before the turn of the century, that suits me fine.”
She leaned close and he draped an arm over her shoulder. The kiss he placed on her brow warmed her insides.
“Abe didn’t love you, but I do. It’ll make a difference.”
Alanza was sure he was right.
A
fter going through the wealth of furniture Alanza had in storage and picking out the pieces she wanted moved to her suite, Billie prepared to go rose hunting. According to Bonnie there was a large stand on the road that led into town, and although Billie’s initial plan had been to search the Destiny property first, the beauty of the mauve damask roses Bonnie described piqued her interest more.
Alanza asked, “Are you sure you don’t want me to send a hand with you?”
From her seat on the wagon, Billie replied, “No, I’ll be fine.” She’d placed a long-handled shovel into the bed for digging just in case the roses were worthy of bringing back.
“Do you know how to shoot a gun?” Alanza asked.
Billie nodded. “I have my Colt in my handbag.”
Once again Alanza viewed her with surprise. “Good, but I’ll feel better if you have a rifle. Hold on for a moment.” She hurried away and returned with a Winchester and a box of shells. “Do you know how to load it?”
“Yes,” Billie said, trying to keep the impatience out of her voice.
“Show me.”
“Alanza?”
Her mother-in-law folded her arms and waited.
Billie sighed and complied. When she finished, she put the rifle at her feet. “May I leave now?”
“Yes, you may. I’ll keep Antonio entertained when he wakes up, so enjoy yourself.”
Billie shook her head at Alanza’s single-mindedness and set the wagon in motion.
She hadn’t had a moment to herself since moving in with Addy, thus the reason for wanting to go on this adventure alone. Granted, she felt as if a part of her were missing not having Tonio along, but they’d be together again soon enough. By Bonnie’s estimation the roses were about two miles west, so when the wagon cleared the big metal gates, she headed the mare, who went by the regal name of Duchess, in that direction.
The dirt road was fairly wide and a bit soft in spots due to rain a few nights ago. She maintained a slow pace in order to enjoy the view of the countryside and search both sides of the road for rose canes. Being a city girl she had no idea how to estimate the distance she’d traveled. Alanza assured her that as long as she stuck to the road it was impossible to get lost, so she didn’t worry.
After the passage of what seemed like an hour, she spied a large tangle of canes in an open field. The distinctive green color showed they were shaking off the dormancy of winter and ready for spring. Elated, she set the brake and went around to the bed to retrieve the shovel, gloves and pair of stout garden shears. The wild bush was large. When it bloomed the spread would be taller than a man and an equal distance across.
Hiking up her skirts, she waded into the brush, grateful for the old work boots on her feet. They’d belonged to Noah during his youth. According to Alanza he’d been growing so quickly back then he’d only worn them a few months before needing a larger size.
Reaching her destination, Billie bent to give the base of the bush a quick inspection and discovered that there was not one plant, but three. With her old madam’s lessons to guide her, she cut back the tops until they were only knee high, then used her foot to punch the edge of the sharp shovel into the still soft earth. It took some time to dig down to the roots, and at one point she wished she’d taken her mother-in-law’s advice and brought one of the hands along, but she finally achieved success. Placing the three stumps into a bucket in the bed, she stomped the mud from her boots, removed her gloves and retook her position behind the reins. She knew she should head for home but she wanted to see if there were any other wild roses growing nearby. Aware that Tonio was waiting for her, she mentally promised not to journey far.
As she drove, the landscape changed. Where earlier she’d passed through open country, now, stately cloud-kissing pines lined the road. Knowing the shade wouldn’t support the growth of the prizes she was after, she stopped the mare to turn around. In mid-turn, the mare tensed and whinnied and then became so skittish Billie had difficulty keeping her under control, “Whoa, Duchess. Whoa.”
Duchess calmed, but her ears were up and the tense set of her body seemed to signal something amiss. Billie took a careful look around, then stood to get a better view of the surroundings. A second later she heard dogs barking, followed by a man’s tortured yell. Up ahead a man grappling with the largest bear she’d ever seen came crashing out of the trees. Two angry dogs were leaping and snapping at the bear’s limbs while the poor man, his hands covering his head, dropped to the ground. Her heart stopped. She didn’t remember picking up the Winchester but suddenly she was firing. The bear’s wide back spasmed each time the bullets found their mark, but it seemed more intent upon the man. She kept up her assault, striking the body again, until suddenly, the bear turned her way and raised itself on trunk-sized hind legs. She sent another bullet high up on the torso. It opened its cavernous mouth, showing off huge teeth, and a furious roar shook the heavens like thunder. She kept firing. The bear’s giant clawed paw swatted one of the dogs with so much force the animal flew whimpering into the trees. She quickly reloaded and took aim again. The metal barrel of the rifle was hot to the touch but she didn’t draw down until the enraged bear screamed once more, dropped down onto all fours again and lumbered back into the pines and out of sight.
She urged the reluctant Duchess forward. When she reached the man she jumped down and ran to his side. He was lying so still she thought he might be dead. The dog keened mournfully and nudged him as if urging the man to rise. She gave the dog a comforting pat before dropping down into the dirt.
“Mister?” she called gently. He was lying on his stomach. His face was turned away but the portion visible sported a nasty trail of claw marks just below his graying sideburn. One leg of his denims was dark with blood. “Mister?” She jostled him slightly.
To her relief the head slowly swung her way. The eyes she met were unfocused at first. In a voice barely above a whisper he asked, “That you doing the shooting, little lady?”
She nodded and said, “Yes. We need to get you to a doc.”
He winced and drew in a few shallow breaths. “Probably right. Name’s Tom Foster. Don’t remember ever seeing you before.”
“Name’s Billie.”
“You married, Billie?”
She chuckled softly, “Yes sir, to Drew Yates. Let’s see if we can get you over to the wagon.”
“Give me a minute,” he said breathing harshly. “Had sort of an exciting day.”
“Okay, but only one. Don’t want you dying on me.”
He began shivering. “I have a horse around here somewhere, or at least I had one.”
Her concern rose. “I need you to try and stand. You’re too big for me to carry.”
“Wish I could get my Amanda to shoot like that. Maybe I’ll have you teach her.”
“I’ll teach her anything you like, but the wagon first.”
With her help he struggled to his feet. “Lean on me.” Crushed beneath his nearly dead weight she somehow managed to get him the short distance to the wagon. She had no idea how he was going to climb in.
“Need another minute, Billie.”
She waited while he gathered himself. From somewhere deep within he called up the strength to climb in then leveraged himself onto his back on the bed. There was a blanket inside, so she covered him as best she could. The dog joined them and as it began keening again, Foster groused, “Oh, Sierra hush. Take more than a bear to send me to hell.”
The other dog never reappeared so Billie assumed it had met its demise.
“The bear get the other one?” he asked weakly.
“I believe so. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Damn thing’s been stupid all its life. Told him a hundred times or more not to chase bear cubs.”
Billie wondered if that was what set the near fatal incident in motion, but she couldn’t spare the time to ask. She got behind the reins and headed the horse back to the ranch.
From behind her Tom Foster said, “Drew Yates is a lucky man.”
Billie appreciated the compliment but the jury was still out on whether Drew would agree.
D
rew parked his carriage by Addy’s gate and walked through the light rain to the tiny covered porch. Billie asked him to look in on her. He hoped she was at home. In response to his knock, the door opened and the tiny woman who appeared offered a nod of greeting. “Morning, Mr. Yates. She and your babe arrived safely?”
He was certain they’d never met, so being addressed by name caught him off guard. “Yes. Did she tell you the baby was mine?”
“No, but some things are known.”
He wasn’t sure what to make of that or of her. “Has Prince DuChance come around to bother you?”
“He has, but his days are as numbered as mine. Tell her not to worry and neither should you.”
Because of her odd manner of speaking one might assume her to be addled, but her dark gaze pulsed with a power that made the hair rise on the back of his neck. He made a mental note to learn more about her when he saw Billie again—whenever that might be. He handed her one of his business cards. “If you ever need anything, I can be reached here.”
She took the card. “Thank you but we won’t meet again, at least not on this plane.” In response to his show of surprise, she said prophetically, “The girl is your queen. You will love her until there is no tomorrow. Good-bye, Mr. Yates.”
She closed the door, leaving the speechless Drew on the other side.
Driving away, he contemplated her final words.
His queen?!
Billie was no more his queen than he was the Pope in Rome, yet the words seemed to resonate with the same chilling power he’d seen in the woman’s eyes. Who was she? She reminded him of the old
brujas
in the fairy tales his mother read to him when he was a boy.
You will love her until there is no tomorrow
. He scoffed. He and Billie shared a love of lust, nothing more. And besides, queens were chosen; they didn’t drop into a man’s lap out of the blue in the middle of the celebration announcing an engagement to someone else—
or did they?
asked a small knowing voice.
When he reached the center of the city, the visit continued to dominate his thoughts, but he set it aside to stop and pay a visit on his good friend, circuit court judge Wendell Ross. He needed advice on how to proceed with the unsettled land claims of his clients, but Ross’s words were far from encouraging.
“The courts have no incentive to move them along quickly, Andrew, and that’s a shame. The provisions of the Treaty of Hidalgo might as well have been a government treaty with the Indians for all the weight it’s been given.”
“But many of these disputes have been languishing for ten years.”
Ross nodded solemnly. “I know. We’re supposed to be a nation built upon law, but the state’s getting rich selling off those disputed lands . . .” His voice trailed off. “And when you throw in the fact that the claimants are all Spanish, well, that doesn’t help either. More and more of my judicial colleagues are drawing the color line and refusing to hear cases brought before them by people of color.”
Andrew sighed heavily. He knew Jim Crow was rising but held hopes that the law and sanity would prevail.
Judge Ross added, “Some of the jurists back East are barring all lawyers who aren’t White.”
Andrew knew that as well. The Black newspapers were filled with editorials denouncing the practice and he’d had a few questionable experiences of late as well. “After the decision on the Tape case, I’d hoped California was turning its back on unequal treatment.”
“So did I. That the State Supreme Court would support a little Chinese girl’s right to attend school made me proud, even though the legislature blunted the victory by allowing San Francisco to create a separate school for her kind.”
“One step forward, two steps back,” Drew offered ruefully. “So what do you suggest I do for my clients?”
“You’re not going to like my advice.”
Drew studied him. Wendell Ross had been both a mentor and a supporter. After Drew finished his apprenticeship he’d needed the signature of a sitting judge in order to become certified to practice law. Ross hadn’t hesitated putting his name on the line.
“Turn your cases over to someone the court will recognize.”
“Meaning someone who isn’t Spanish or Black.”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“No!” he declared hotly. Just the thought of giving in to those with bigoted small minds was infuriating. “Wendell, you know how hard I worked to get where I am.”
“I do, but you must put the interest of your clients first—which of course is easy for me to say, not being a man of color.”
Drew silently agreed.
Ross viewed him with grim concern. “I don’t see any other way out for them, Andrew. Maybe the climate will change in a few years.”
“Or a few decades,” he countered bitterly.
“I’m sorry.”
“This isn’t your fault. You’ve always been a fair man both on and off the bench.” Anger warred with the bleakness in his heart. He’d been set on the law since his youth. That the years he’d spent reading case law from England, France, and Spain now meant nothing because of his ancestry made him want to punch something. But he’d known this day was coming. For the past two years, many judges who’d previously welcomed him into their courtrooms were suddenly unavailable. According to their clerks, the jurists’ schedules were overloaded or they were out of town. Rather than accusing them of drawing the color line, he’d given them the benefit of the doubt, but now?
“So what are you going to do?” the judge asked.
“No idea.”
“If you want the names of some lawyers I know to be honorable, just let me know.”
He responded with a terse nod and stood. “I will. Thank you for taking the time to see me and for the advice.”
“Too bad it wasn’t better.”
“I know.”
The two old friends shook hands and Drew walked out into the rain to drive back to his office. On the way he was consumed by thoughts surrounding Wendell’s advice. How was he going to represent his clients if judges refused to let him in the door? To surrender to such foulness and turn his clients over to someone else was unthinkable, yet what recourse did he have? His injured pride wouldn’t get the cases heard, and although the families had trusted their claims to him for years, he doubted they’d balk if he turned their issues over to someone the courts would look more favorably upon, especially if that person managed to eke out a positive resolution. As it stood now, the families had nothing to show for his efforts but frustration. And if he did bow out, what would he do with his life if he was unable to practice law—rest on his laurels and the fortune he’d received from his grandfather? Due to wise investments, he had no pressing economic concerns. Billie’s face shimmered across his mind’s eye as if to remind him that he did have a wife and child. Lord knew he didn’t want to retire to the ranch and be forced to spend every waking hour in her presence, and he was certain she didn’t want that either. Grim, he parked the carriage and went into his office with no clear vision of what his future might hold.
Drew’s apprentice was a young man named Cassius Lane, a recent graduate of Howard College who’d come to San Francisco two years ago. He functioned as Drew’s clerk and handled correspondence. Drew’s decisions concerning the viability of his law practice would impact Lane’s future as well. Eventually a discussion on the matter would have to be held.
“Welcome back, Mr. Yates. How’s Judge Ross?”
“Doing well. Anything needing my attention?”
“No, sir.”
“Then I’ll be in my office.”
Drew had just settled in when Cassius stuck his head in the open door. “Someone here to see you.”
Drew glanced up. Prince DuChance stood beside him. The unwanted visitor didn’t help his mood. “Thank you, Cassius.”
The young man withdrew.
“I’m busy, DuChance. What do you want?”
“Wondering if you found her?”
“Found who?”
“Billie.”
Drew kept his features schooled. “No. Why?”
It was obvious DuChance was waiting for an invitation to sit down but the offer was not forthcoming. “Just curious. Seems she ran off with something that belonged to my mother.”
“I see. Well, I gave up my search months ago. Maybe you’ll be more successful.” He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Anything else?”
DuChance searched his face as if trying to decide how truthful he was being. Drew let him look.
Finally he responded, “No, but if you see her, I’d appreciate you letting me know.”
Considering their previous history Drew wondered why he thought such an agreement would be honored. “I need to get back to work.”
Prince’s lips thinned. Drew ignored his anger. Prince was dangerous, but so was Drew when provoked and the man knew it, so he inclined his head and exited.
Once he was gone, Drew thought back on the unwanted visit. The
something
Prince alluded to was Tonio and he wondered if it would be possible to make some discreet enquiries in an attempt to ascertain who the buyer might be.
And then do what?
a voice inside asked. He certainly couldn’t share Billie’s whereabouts, or that the baby was his son. In a perfect world, DuChance would give up the search, but as Drew knew from his meeting with Judge Ross, the world wasn’t perfect by any means.
A
s his driver moved the carriage out into the midafternoon traffic, Prince DuChance sat in the back brooding. He still had no idea where the whore and her brat were. That she’d successfully eluded him continued to fuel an ongoing desire for revenge. He had men watching the old witches’ house hoping she might lead him to the hiding place, or better yet that Billie would show up, but all she did was make her deliveries and tend her garden. As of last night, there’d been no visitors. The day after she disappeared, he’d gone to the train station posing as her distraught husband to ask the porters and ticket agents if they remembered seeing her and the child, but that turned out to be a dead end, too. Even the whispered offerings of a sizeable reward to the cutthroats, pimps, and thieves frequenting the Barbary’s back alleys for information on her whereabouts had so far proven fruitless. It was as if she’d vanished into thin air. That she might’ve flown the coop east and was lying low in one of the big cities back East crossed his mind, but he tried not to think about that because if she had, more than likely he’d never see her again. The only bright spot was that the clients wanting the baby believed his tale that the child was ill, and that he was waiting to make sure it survived and fully recovered before making the delivery. He’d promised them news in the next thirty days. As a businessman he had a reputation to maintain. He didn’t want to tarnish it by not producing the brat and having to refund their fee.
By the time the driver halted the carriage at his next stop, the rain had ceased, leaving the day windy and gray. Stepping out, he glanced up at the second-story windows just in time to see a curtain fall back into place as if someone had watched his approach. A servant girl answered his summons. After quickly masking her revulsion to his disfigured face, she asked, “May I help you?”
“Here to see Senora Ruiz.”
“I’m afraid she’s out at the moment. You’ll—”
The knife appeared at her throat as if by magic. He smiled at her fear. “I don’t think she is. Shall we go in and find out?”
Shaking, she hastily nodded.
“After you.” Returning the knife to his coat, he followed the servant inside.
It didn’t take long for the illustrious Emmalina Ruiz to make her way into the parlor. As always, she was dressed in black. “Must you terrorize my servants?”
“Only if they lie to me.”
“What do you want?”
“Your note is due today. I came to collect.”
“I don’t have it.”
“And when will you?”
She looked away. “I don’t know. The business venture I’d hoped would repay you soured. Surely you can wait another few months.”
“When you borrowed the thousand dollars, I didn’t tell you, surely you can wait a few months.”
Anger flashed in her eyes.
“So what was this business venture?”
“My daughter was to marry. I borrowed the money to buy her a new wardrobe, but the wedding was called off.”
“Why?”
Her chin raised. “The man had a child and I refused to wed my daughter to a fornicator.”
“Maybe you should’ve remembered your debt before climbing up on your high horse.”
She puffed up. “How dare you speak to me that way.”
“I dare because with the interest, you owe me an additional five hundred and I want to be paid in full.”
He enjoyed the shock she showed. “Have you considered asking that fornicator for what you owe?”
“I told him to never come near my daughter again, so I doubt I’ll go on my knees to beg him for anything.”
“You might wish to change your mind in order to keep your daughter from working off the debt on her back.” He had no idea what the girl looked like, but he didn’t care, and neither would the men she’d be servicing.”
“No!” she threw back.
“Men have lost their lives for less than you owe, Senora Ruiz.”
“I should never have done business with the likes of you.”
“But you did. What about your husband? Can he cover your debt?”
“If he could I wouldn’t have come to you in the first place.”
“Is the man your daughter was to marry wealthy?”
“Very, and after the wedding I was going to get funds from him.”
“Who is he?”
“Andrew Yates.”
He went still.
“Do you know him?”
“Yes. How old is the child?”
“According to my daughter about a year or so. I didn’t see the bastard.”
“And she did? Where?”
“At his mother’s ranch.”
A grin split his battered face. “Call your daughter in here.”
“Why?”
“I’d like to ask her a few questions. If this woman is who I think it is, she’s wanted by the police for theft.”
Her eyes brightened. “Really? Oh wouldn’t that be splendid if she were arrested and jailed. I’d enjoy the shame that would bring to him and his family.”
While she hurried away, Prince’s mind began to race. Was Billie really at the Yates ranch? If so, did that mean Yates was the father of the child? In thinking back on their relationship, he decided it was highly possible. That being the case, getting the child away from him might be a huge problem, but . . .