A Bride for Noah Page 20

  But what could he do? He wasn’t in charge of finding a minister.

  “Come on, love,” Evie muttered, pulling Louisa toward the trail. “We’ll go find a cup of tea to settle us.”

  They wandered away, leaving Noah and David staring after them. Chief Seattle and Uncle Miles approached from one side.

  “What seems to be the problem, my boy?” the old gentleman asked.

  Noah let out a loud breath. “The minister died, and that means there won’t be a wedding.”

  The chief’s expression grew curious. He said something in his language, and Noah was pleased that he recognized the question.

  “Why does the klootchman cry and cast her face to the ground?”

  David stirred from his misery to answer. “We were to be married tomorrow, and now we can’t be.”

  An idea struck Noah. Louisa said she wanted an official of the Oregon Territory to perform the ceremony. There was no one more qualified than Chief Seattle. He caught the chief’s eye. “Can you marry them?” he asked in his language.

  Seattle jerked back as if stung, then spoke shortly. Noah and David both laughed. “He says he has a wife already,” David translated.

  “No, that’s not what I mean. We have a man.” Noah pointed to David. “We need someone to marry him.”

  Now a highly offended expression stole over the chief’s face. “You want to buy klootchman for David Denny?” he asked as Noah translated. He drew himself up. “We no sell our klootchmen to each other, or to white men.”

  While Uncle Miles laughed, Noah rushed to explain. He wasn’t sure the chief actually understood, but at least when the man left he no longer wore the look of outrage.

  David clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks, Noah. I appreciate it, but I think Louisa has her heart set on a minister, or at least a justice of the peace. I don’t blame her. That’ll be at the top of my list when I get to San Francisco, or failing that, when we put in at Portland on the return trip.” He stared after his intended, a look of longing in his eyes. “I won’t come back without a duly licensed official from the Oregon Territory who can marry us.”

  Their conversation was interrupted when Arthur walked up, waving a letter in the air. “Have you seen this?” He slapped the letter at Noah’s chest. “It’s addressed to me at Duwamps, Oregon. I tell you, we must have a better name for our city than Duwamps.” He fixed Noah with a narrow-eyed stare. “What have you come up with, Hughes?”

  In his practically nonexistent spare time, Noah had put some thought into possible names. “What about Bayside?” He nodded toward the bay.

  Arthur curled his nose. “Too predictable. What else?”

  That had been Noah’s favorite, but he had a list of alternatives. “Bayshore? Loggerston? Dennysburg?”

  David scowled deeply at the last suggestion. “Absolutely not.”

  Uncle Miles had been standing silently beside Noah. Now he spoke up. “I rather fancy the name Seattle.”

  Noah turned a sour face toward him. How like Uncle Miles to want to curry favor with the chief by naming their new city after him. Arthur was sure to dismiss the suggestion immediately.

  But the man paused and cocked his head sideways. “Seattle.” He spoke the word slowly, as though testing the taste on his tongue. He straightened, one side of his mouth lifted in a smile. “I like it. What do you think, David?”

  Jerked out of his silent scrutiny of the trail down which Louisa and Evie had disappeared, David focused on his brother. “Seattle?” He tilted his head, considering. “Yes, I like it.”

  Noah had to admit, the name had a nice ring to it. Seattle. The chief would no doubt be honored, which wasn’t a bad thing either.

  “Seattle it is!” Arthur slapped the letter against his thigh, satisfaction settling over his features. “And a thousand times better than Duwamps. I’ll draw up the paperwork. When you dock in Portland, you can file it with the land management office.”

  With a final clap on his brother’s shoulder, Arthur strode off, his knee-high boots pounding on the packed soil.

  Uncle Miles stood in place a few seconds, and then said, “I expect the loading will start soon. I must see to my salmon.” He followed in Arthur’s footsteps.

  Noah stood beside David in silence. There should be something he could say, something to convey the depth of his sorrow to this young man he’d come to respect.

  “Do you want me to go in your stead?” he finally asked. “You can stay here and work on your cabin. I promise I’ll find a minister willing to come back with me.”

  David gave him a grateful look, but shook his head. “Thanks, but you had to go last time. Besides, it’s better if I do it. I think we need a little time to let the emotions calm down.”

  With a final sad smile David followed his brother, though his stride was slower and more ponderous, and not nearly so commanding.

  On the morning the Leonesa was to sail, Evie rose early and climbed silently down the ladder, leaving her friends asleep. She lit a candle on her beautiful worktable and turned, a sense of satisfaction settling deep inside as she gazed at the main room of her restaurant. The long room was still mostly empty, but when she looked at the open space her mind supplied the furnishings. One day tables would be placed this way and that, with plenty of chairs. Not rough benches like those in the logging camp’s cookhouse, but real chairs. She would put tablecloths on every table and fresh flowers in the center. Now that the lumber contract had been fulfilled, the men would have time to work on the furnishings for her.

  A noise drew her attention and she turned to find Louisa descending the ladder. She had stayed with Evie for the past four days while the Leonesa was loaded with wood and salmon. She wanted to see as much of her beloved as possible in the days before he left.

  “Did I wake you?” Evie whispered. “I tried to be quiet.”

  Louisa reached the ground. “I was awake. My mind was too full to sleep last night.”

  “I’m sorry.” Evie laid a comforting hand on her arm. This morning David would set sail alone on the trip that was supposed to be their wedding journey. “You could still go, you know. The rooming house in San Francisco where we stayed on the way here was inexpensive and nice enough. Take Mary along to chaperone. The ladies and I would love to keep the children for the few weeks you’d be gone.”

  Louisa shook her head. “Thank you, but it would not be the same. No, I’ll stay here.” She gave Evie a smile that held a hint of her former good humor. “Who knows? Maybe you and the other girls can help me clear some land so David can start on our home as soon as he returns.”

  Laughing, Evie knelt to build up the fire in her fine new stove. “Don’t mention that to Sarah or we’ll have to put up with a fit.”

  “I’ll tell you what she’s going to pitch a fit about.” Louisa glanced toward the ceiling where the girls slept in the upper floor. “David told me when Lester Perkins collected his pay yesterday, he said he’d be leaving and didn’t plan to return.”

  “Hmm.” Evie held a hand above the stove, testing the heat, and then set the teakettle on. “The way that girl has been hanging on him, it might not be a bad thing.”

  “A lot of the men are leaving.” Louisa dropped onto another of the stumps Big Dog had provided. “David says most will blow all their money on drink and wild pursuits in San Francisco and then come back here to make more. Some will be seduced by the man-catchers for more money. That’s what he and Arthur expect will happen, anyway.”

  “Man-catcher?”

  “Recuiters for the logging camps. It happens all the time.”

  “What does David say about Mr. Yesler?” Evie measured tea into the pot and then rummaged in one of the crates piled against the back wall for cups. Something else she needed as soon as possible was a proper pantry and shelves. Hopefully some of the men would stay behind so she could hire the work done.

  “Oh, he likes Mr. Yesler. So does David. He has grand plans to build a steam-powered mill, the first of its kind in th
is area.”

  “I thought Arthur wanted to build a mill. Wouldn’t Mr. Yesler’s mill spoil his plans?”

  “I thought so too.” Louisa lifted a shoulder. “David says Arthur is willing to discuss the idea, but he won’t agree to anything quickly.” A dimple appeared in her cheek. “Arthur will do what’s best for Seattle, but he’ll make sure it’s also what’s best for the Dennys.”

  “Seattle.” Evie let the name roll off her tongue. “I like the sound of that.” She smiled at her friend. “And one day soon, you will be the first bride of the city of Seattle.”

  The look Louisa turned on her was full of gratitude.

  The kettle started to sing and Evie picked it up, speaking over her shoulder. “Would you wake the others? The captain said he intends to sail with the morning tide. We don’t want to miss the big send-off.”

  The sun had been up an hour when the Leonesa’s captain signaled for the smaller craft to begin ferrying passengers from shore to ship. The Duwamish had been prevailed upon to assist with the disembarkation, and four dugout canoes paddled alongside the ship’s dingy. Evie, Lucy, and Ethel situated themselves near the small dock so they could bid farewell and safe voyage to the lumberjacks, some of whom had become friends in the month since their arrival. Louisa and David stood off to one side, their heads close together. Evie was glad to see that her friend’s cheerful smile had returned, though she suspected Louisa was putting forth an effort to make sure David had a happy fiancée to remember on his two-week trip.

  Noah and Miles stood opposite the dock, talking, and every so often Evie looked over to find Noah’s gaze fixed on her. She battled breathlessness and determined to keep her eyes turned away.

  “Where is Sarah?” Ethel craned her head, searching the crowd.

  Lucy shook her head, a look of disgust on her face. “She ran off to meet Lester earlier.”

  “Telling him goodbye?” Evie asked.

  Lucy shrugged, but did not reply.

  “Here come George and Randall, their faces scrubbed and wearing clean clothes.” Ethel pitched her voice low enough to be heard by only the ladies. “I heard the others threatened to douse George in the bay and scrub him with pine cones if he didn’t bathe before getting on the ship.”

  The man the others called Pig Face approached, and Evie noted that he did, indeed, smell much cleaner than in recent days. She gave him a big smile. “All ready to leave these fair shores, I see.”

  He ducked his head. “Yes, ma’am. I wanted to tell you it’s been a pleasure knowing you.” His head circled to include the others. “All of you.”

  “Will you return to Seattle?” Lucy asked.

  “I reckon not. Jacking is good work, for sure, but I hear tell there’s been gold found near Placerville. Think I might try my luck there for a while.”

  Evie bit back her true opinion of those who rushed to California at the whisper of the world. “Well, I wish you the best.”

  “I’m coming back,” Randall said. “If that Yesler fella builds a mill here, like he’s been thinking about, there’s gonna be plenty of work.”

  “We’ll look forward to seeing you again soon.”

  Evie extended her hand and George gave it a shake. The other ladies followed her example, and soon the departing lumberjacks all lined up to shake their hands before they climbed up on the dock and stowed their gear in the boats. She lost count of the number of men to whom she bid farewell. Would anyone be left in Seattle after the Leonesa sailed?

  Miles approached, dressed in his shirt and waistcoat, a gold watch chain dangling from a pocket. Noah walked by his side, carrying his travel bag.

  “Now, my dear, don’t worry about a thing. I shall handle everything. When I return, I expect to receive a good report.”

  “Don’t forget my tomatoes,” Evie told him sternly, but then smiled. “Take care, Miles. I hope your pickled salmon becomes the talk of San Francisco.”

  “Ah, yes.” He beamed, and then leaned close. “I’ve considered branching out to trout next time.”

  Noah handed his bag into the canoe, and with a final smile for Evie, Miles lowered himself into the center. The ship’s dingy had already reached the Leonesa’s starboard side, and men were climbing the ladders to board her while three canoes waited their turn.

  Louisa joined Evie and the others, her gaze fixed on David as he shook hands with Noah and then joined Miles in the dugout.

  Noah straightened, his gaze scanning the beach. “Is that it?”

  No more than a handful of people stood on the shore. Big Dog had remained, Evie was glad to see. He had promised to make the tables for her restaurant in return for free meals while the work was being done. Red, the fiery-headed lumberjack, also remained, along with a few others who had helped with the building.

  “Where is Lester?” asked Ethel. “I thought he was going.”

  Lucy’s expression darkened. “And where is Sarah? That’s what I’d like to know.”

  A shout from the trail reached them. “Wait! Wait for us!”

  The missing couple appeared, Sarah waving while Lester struggled beneath the weight of a trunk. Sarah wore her travel cloak and dragged a bulging pack behind her.

  “Don’t leave us!” she shouted. “We’re going too!”

  Lucy’s mouth fell open, her eyes round as ripe apples. A couple of the men on the shore came to their aid and took the heavy bag from Sarah. They helped Lester carry the trunk, which Evie now recognized as Sarah’s, to the dock.

  Lucy ran forward, Evie right behind her.

  “What do you mean, you’re going?” Lucy clutched Sarah’s forearms. “You can’t leave Seattle.”

  “I can, and I am.” Sarah grinned over her shoulder. “Lester and me’s getting married!”

  “Married? But you just met.” Lucy wavered on her feet.

  Sarah lifted her chin. “I know what I want, and I want him.” A wide grin stretched across her face. “And he wants me too.”

  Evie placed a steadying hand on Lucy’s back. “When will you return, Sarah?”

  “We’re not coming back. Soon as we get to California we’re going to hook up with a wagon train heading back east. Lester says there’s a lot of logging going on up in Michigan. White pine.” Her gaze softened when she looked into her sister’s face. “You can come with us, Lucy. Maybe not right now, on account of the boat’s getting ready to leave, but you can catch the next one. We’ll wait for you in San Francisco.”

  Lucy’s hands dropped to her sides and she shook her head. “No. I’m staying here. In Seattle.”

  A long look passed between the sisters. Evie lowered her head, not wanting to intrude.

  “Are you sure?” Lucy said.

  Her sister nodded. “Sure as a gal can be. Are you?”

  Lucy’s head turned as she scanned the area. Evie followed her gaze beyond the landing place, to the tops of dense forest. Cedar trees, taller than any building, stretched into a deep blue sky, and in the distance majestic, white-capped mountains pointed toward heaven.

  Lucy took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I’m sure.”

  “We got to get going, Sugarplum,” Lester called from the dock.

  Giggling, Sarah leaned toward her sister. “He calls me Sugarplum.”

  Evie exchanged a glance with Ethel and tried not to laugh when the woman rolled her eyes expansively.

  The sisters embraced, and then Sarah dashed to the dock, where Lester helped her into the canoe. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted that she would write when they got settled. Ethel came to stand on Lucy’s other side to watch the canoe shove off and paddle toward the Leonesa.

  “Well,” said Ethel, “she got herself a husband. That’s what she wanted.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Lucy sounded so forlorn that Evie squeezed her shoulders. “I’ll pray she has a good life. And us too.”

  “Amen to that,” chorused Louisa, who joined them.

  They turned and headed for the trail. Before th
ey left the shore, Evie looked over her shoulder, ostensibly at the ship. But her attention was fixed on the man standing on the dock, watching the sails unfurl. As though aware of her gaze, Noah turned his head. Their eyes met, and though the length of the shore lay between them, the familiar tickle returned to her stomach.

  Sixteen

  Evie glanced up from the bubbling pot on the stove to see another table being carried through the restaurant doorway. Wiping her hands on her apron, she hurried over to examine it. Though not nearly as beautiful as her worktable, this one was sturdy and smooth, everything she wanted in a dining table.

  “Jacob, it’s perfect. Just like the others.” She pointed out the place where she wanted him to place it, resting an admiring hand on the smooth surface as he carried it inside.

  “I keep telling you to call me Big Dog, ma’am,” he said, walking backward. “Every time I hear Jacob I want to look around for my old mama.”

  “I’m sorry. I forgot.”

  Her promise to remember from now on went unspoken when the person carrying the other end of the table entered the room. A blush heated her cheeks when she caught sight of Noah, and she couldn’t hold back a smile. He’d become a regular visitor at the restaurant in the weeks since the Leonesa left.

  “Good evening.” The spark in his eyes deepened, and his smile took on the special curve she’d come to recognize as being especially for her. “Thought I’d come a little early tonight and see if there’s anything you need me to do.”

  From the grin Big Dog didn’t bother hiding, the offer of help didn’t fool him. Noah spent more and more time at the restaurant, working with Big Dog on the new furniture, stacking firewood, or even carrying water from the nearby stream. Or sometimes merely sitting on a stool, talking to the ladies as they cooked. Evie liked those times best, though her stomach was in a constant state of flutter whenever he turned that special smile her way. Like now.

  When the table had been set in place, the three of them stood back to admire the room. Four identical tables had already been placed around the room, each of them covered with a linen tablecloth. Candles with glass chimneys rested on each surface, and when the sun’s light failed they cast a soft yellow glow around the room. Curtains hung at the windows, waving gently in a slight breeze and giving the restaurant the homey atmosphere she had hoped to achieve. There were no chairs yet, but Big Dog promised to start on those as soon as he finished the last table. In the meantime, she had agreed to borrow a few benches from the camp since the cookhouse had been unused since the men left on the Leonesa. Though she disliked the clunky things, her customers needed a place to sit while they ate supper.