In Dreams Forgotten Page 4

  Long baby-fine blond hair fell about her shoulders. When her hair was down like this, Judith thought she looked much younger than her years. She would be twenty-five in September, and yet she could easily pass for sixteen. Maybe that was why Caleb saw her as nothing more than his sister’s friend. Then again, maybe he saw her as nothing more than that because she had nothing to offer him. She wasn’t stylish or well-bred. Her family name meant nothing to anyone, and she certainly couldn’t offer him a dowry.

  “Maybe I should have stayed in Colorado and gotten a job cooking at a ranch.” At least there she would have known her place. Here, she had a hard time figuring out what it was she was meant to do. Camri would have her go to school and further her education, while Kenzie would have her swear off all romantic entanglements. Both women were trained to participate in a much higher society than Judith had ever managed.

  She sighed again and shook her head. “I don’t belong here. I’m not sure I belong anywhere.”

  She quickly undressed and settled into her nightclothes. Taking up her book, Judith went to her lovely bed. She’d never had anything like this growing up. Her small bed at the ranch had been supported by ropes. The mattress had been filled with straw and was comfortable enough, but it was nowhere near as luxurious as the bed she now enjoyed. This bed was large enough for two people, perhaps even three, and the mattress was twice as thick and filled with down.

  Mrs. Wong, the housekeeper, kept the bedding fresh and newly pressed. Judith always found her room in perfect order when she came home, and even now the covers had been turned down and bedside lamp lit. It seemed so strange to have someone wait on her hand and foot.

  All her life, work was just a part of daily living. Everyone on the small ranch had to pull their weight, even the dog. Judith’s days had always been filled with cooking and sewing, gardening and caring for the animals, as well as cleaning and washing. Her day started at dawn and went well past dark. When she was much younger, her mother had taken several hours in the middle of the day to school Judith. She had taught her to read and write and do simple arithmetic. But music had been Judith’s real love. The other studies seemed unimportant. Music had the power to transport her to places far away, places she’d only heard about but wanted very much to see. Now books were beginning to do that as well.

  There had never been time for pleasure reading as a child. Once her studies were complete, she was always needed elsewhere. But Camri had shared a great many books with her and encouraged Judith to let the stories sweep her away into another time and place. The first novel Judith read was Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. What an amazing story that turned out to be! She could easily imagine herself playing the part of Elizabeth Bennett’s sister Jane. Jane was soft-spoken, even shy and demure, while Lizzy was given to speaking her mind and standing up for herself. Lizzy made her think of Camri.

  After that, Judith read Little Women, a story in two volumes detailing the lives of four sisters and their family’s trials and difficulties. Both Pride and Prejudice and Little Women contained the vision of family life that Judith had always wanted for herself. It was so easy to imagine all the laughter and love shared amidst a large family.

  Before she could get settled in bed, a knock sounded on her door. She got up to see who it was and found Camri on the other side.

  “You left without a word. Are you all right?” Camri asked.

  Judith nodded. “I have a bit of a headache and thought it best to retire. I was just getting into bed.”

  “Would you like something for your head? I’m sure Mrs. Wong could fix you up a tea that would help.”

  “No, thank you. I’m sure I’ll be just fine in the morning.”

  Camri seemed less than convinced. “I hope you know that I care a great deal about you. You’ve become a very dear friend. I’m sure that in time we’ll find your aunt.”

  “I would like to think so too, but I can’t fool myself. San Francisco is so big, and there are so many people. I hardly believe it will be simple to find one out of the thousands.”

  “Caleb will know what needs to be done. I’m sure he’s already been asking questions.”

  “He’s been very busy with other things, no doubt. I can’t blame him, even if I wished it were otherwise.” Judith put her hand to her head. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go to bed. Please give my excuses to the others. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  “Of course I’ll tell them. They’ll understand.” Camri gave her a hug, something that Judith still found rather awkward. “Hopefully you’ll feel better in the morning.”

  “I’m sure I will. Good night.”

  “Good night, dear friend.”

  Judith waited until Camri was several steps down the hallway before closing the door. Leaning against it, she fought back tears. In spite of Camri’s confidence that they would find Edith Whitley, Judith found her spirits sinking. Maybe it had been a mistake to come here after all.

  CHAPTER

  4

  Brother of mine, I wish to speak to you.” Camri entered Caleb’s office without waiting for his invitation.

  Caleb looked up from his desk. “What is it?”

  “Judith.”

  He frowned. “Judith?”

  Camri nodded and took a seat opposite his desk. “Yes. Judith. You promised to help her find her aunt. If you haven’t time to do it, then I want you to hire someone. She was good enough to put aside her search in order to help me find you, and I feel we owe it to her.”

  He gaped at her. “I completely forgot. Again. I meant to do more, but the Ruef situation and finding my ledger has me preoccupied. I promise I’ll make inquiries today. Judge Winters is coming to see me this morning, so I’ll start with him.”

  “Thank you. I have a feeling Judith’s departure last night had to do with her discouragement. We were, after all, caught up in scheming over a piece of property. I fear she may have thought we were choosing to focus on another matter rather than her own.”

  “I don’t doubt it. I feel terrible for putting it off.” Caleb shook his head. “I promise I’ll make it up to her.”

  Camri got to her feet. “Wonderful. Now, I must be off. I have several things to do before I meet you downtown at the office.” She came around the desk and leaned down to kiss the top of his head. “It is so good to have you home again. Mother and Father are both improving just knowing you’re safe. I’m sure they’ll be completely well by summer, and then perhaps we can invite them to come stay here for a few months.”

  “Well, there’s hardly space for everyone, what with Judith and Kenzie living here.”

  “They could share a room, or I could share with one of them for a short time so that Mother and Father could have my room. It’s not that difficult a matter to resolve.”

  “They’ll be coming in the fall for your wedding, remember.”

  Camri frowned. “If there is a wedding. I know I was just as insistent that we take our time and get to know each other, but sometimes I fear it will never work out.”

  “Don’t go being all doom and gloom, Camrianne. You know as well as I do that God has a plan even in this. Patrick is a good man, albeit a proud one. And even though he is proud, I don’t think it’s such a pride as to lead him to sin. He wants to be a good husband and provider, and that is a godly virtue. Don’t try to force him to be other than he is.”

  She nodded. “I won’t. I promise.”

  Caleb finished sorting through the papers he’d brought home from Henry’s office. Most of it was correspondence and invoices. It was important that he familiarize himself with every aspect of Henry’s dealings. After all, now that he was responsible for them, he needed to see every obligation met.

  “Judge Winters come now,” Mrs. Wong announced from the open door.

  Caleb smiled and stood to pull on his coat. “Please show him in, and then would you please bring us some coffee and maybe some of those cookies you baked yesterday?”

  Mrs. Wong smiled and no
dded. “I bring them plenty quick.” She scurried off down the hall, and Caleb could hear her telling Judge Winters that he was welcome to make his way to Caleb’s study.

  Moments later, the older man entered the room.

  “Judge Winters, thank you for coming today.”

  “My pleasure, Caleb.” The two clasped hands more in friendship than formal greeting.

  “Let’s sit by the fire,” Caleb said, leading the way. “Mrs. Wong is bringing us coffee and some of the most amazing cookies you’ll ever taste.”

  “Indeed? Well, that sounds like a wonderful way to spend a morning.”

  “Is it still raining?”

  The judge nodded. “Lightly, but steadily.” He took a seat. “I trust things are moving ahead in your investigations of Ruef.”

  “To a point. I’m still trying to locate my ledger of notes. We’ve been going through the office with no luck. Henry had an extensive library, and we have to go book by book, just in case he managed to put the ledger in with the other volumes. I fear, however, that his murderer probably absconded with it. Patrick feels certain Henry would have had little time to hide it.”

  Judge Winters nodded. “Well, let’s hope it turns out otherwise.”

  “Whether or not it does, I feel confident I can regather the information. At least I hope to do so.” Caleb took his seat just as Mrs. Wong wheeled in the tea cart with their refreshments.

  She put the cart near the fireplace, then quickly poured two cups of coffee. “You want cream and sugar?” she asked, looking to the judge.

  “No, just black, please.”

  “Same for me, Mrs. Wong.” Caleb smiled. “And would you close my door when you leave?”

  “I will.” Mrs. Wong handed them each a cup and saucer. “You want me to serve cookies?”

  “No, we’ll manage. Thank you.” Caleb put his coffee aside and got up as the old Chinese woman exited the room. He picked up the plate of cookies and brought it to the small end table that sat between the two chairs. “It’ll be simpler if I put them here, as we are sure to devour them even before we need another cup of coffee.”

  The judge chuckled. “And what, might I ask, is in these marvels of baking?”

  “I’m not completely certain. I know they contain almond and coconut, some ginger too, if I recall, and lots of butter.” He grinned and took his seat while the judge helped himself to the cookies.

  The judge’s eyes widened. “These are delicious. Just seem to melt in my mouth.”

  “Exactly. I can eat a half dozen without even realizing it.”

  They enjoyed the cookies and coffee for several minutes while chatting about nothing more important than the latest plays each had seen. Finally, Caleb got down to business.

  “I’ve gone through Henry’s papers. I contacted most of the businesses we represented and have recommended them to other associates. I believe I’ve managed to pay all the remaining bills and have notified everyone who ever did business with Henry.”

  “To tell them you are closing the firm?”

  “Yes.”

  The judge nodded. “So your decision is final.” It was more of a statement than a question.

  “Yes. I know God is calling me to something else. Right now I feel certain it is to help full-time with Ruef’s demise, but after that, I cannot say. Camrianne has her heart set on running a relief station for women down on their luck. I believe she hopes to educate and train them for various jobs that will give them a better life.”

  “A commendable task, to be sure.”

  “I’ll continue with the law if that is what the Lord wants, but for the moment, His will for my life seems cloudy at best.”

  “Ruef’s affairs will no doubt keep you plenty busy.”

  “Yes. I know Spreckels and Older have been glad for the extra help. Especially since I’m doing it at no cost to the association.”

  The judge finished his coffee, and Caleb rose to refill his cup. “I also have another matter to discuss with you.”

  The judge looked up at him in anticipation.

  Caleb leaned back against the fireplace mantel. “One of Camri’s friends, Judith Gladstone, is staying here with us. She came to San Francisco because of a letter her mother wrote. Judith was always told she had no living family with exception to her parents, but upon her mother’s death, Judith discovered a newly written letter addressed to an Edith Whitley of San Francisco. According to the letter, she would be Judith’s aunt.”

  “I see. Was there an address?”

  “No. That’s the problem. The letter stated that Judith’s mother didn’t even know if this Edith Whitley still lived in San Francisco. From what the letter offered, I believe Edith would possibly have had money. The letter implies money was taken by Judith’s mother, but also that she knew it was of no consequence. To me it suggests wealth. I have promised to help Judith find her aunt—if possible. I was hoping you might have some suggestions.”

  “Well, it just so happens that I once knew an Edith Whitley who was quite wealthy.”

  Caleb could hardly believe their good fortune. “You know her?”

  “Knew her. She’s dead.”

  His heart sank. “Dead?”

  “I’m afraid so. She and her husband, along with their daughter, died several years ago when they were abroad. I’m good friends with her mother-in-law, Ann Whitley.”

  “Clark Whitley’s widow?” Caleb whistled. “That is a wealthy bunch, to be sure. I never even considered that family.” He knew from living in San Francisco that Clark Whitley had made a fortune in shipping, railroads, and steel.

  “I don’t know if their Edith is the same woman you’re looking for, but it sounds possible. I know there was some family intrigue years ago.”

  “Perhaps involving Edith’s sister, Lila?”

  The judge shrugged. “It is possible. The family says little or nothing about it, and it happened before I made their acquaintance. If I were you, I’d write Mrs. Whitley a letter. I’ll write one of my own, introducing you to her and letting her know that you aren’t some sort of madman trying to start up a scheme.” He smiled. “It’s at least worth a try.”

  Caleb nodded. “I appreciate that, Judge Winters. Judith has been more than patient, and I am determined to see this through.”

  Judith found herself surrounded on the church grounds by a dozen children. The church was holding its weekly free luncheon for the poor, and she had been put in charge of the children once again. She didn’t mind. Not really. She loved being with the little ones and hearing their animated play. They didn’t seem to mind or notice their poverty when busy at a game of tag or hide-and-seek.

  “Miss Gladstone, can we climb those?” one boy asked, pointing to several flowering trees.

  “Oh, goodness no. You wouldn’t want to smell like a girl, would you?”

  The boy frowned. “No. Why would I smell like a girl?”

  “Because those trees are covered in flowers, and they use flowers like that to make perfume. And only girls wear flowery perfume.”

  The boy seemed to consider this for a moment, then ran off to join his friends. Judith saw him talking to them and pointing at the tree. No doubt he was explaining the matter. She smiled to herself. She’d overheard the boys discussing tree climbing earlier and had managed to think up an excuse for why they shouldn’t, rather than just telling them no. She was quickly learning that saying no to a child only seemed to egg them on to a stronger determination to do something.

  One of the little girls, who was named Agnes, took a tumble and began to cry. Judith quickly scooped her up and offered comfort. The child was only four or five years old and so tiny for her age.

  “There, there. Let me see if you’ve hurt yourself.” Judith raised the child’s dress hem just enough to reveal scraped knees. “It doesn’t look too bad. Why don’t you just rest with me for a few minutes?”

  The teary-eyed child nodded and wrapped her arms around Judith’s neck. Judith hadn’t been raised around ch
ildren, but she found she liked them very much. She seemed to have a natural knack for understanding them and talking to them. Where other adults seemed hardly able to spare the time, Judith enjoyed chatting with the little ones.

  “Miss Gladstone, Fin stole my ribbon,” a little girl declared, tugging on Judith’s apron.

  The boy she knew only as Fin stood to one side with a smug look on his face. He seemed to be daring Judith to make him give it back.

  “Oh, Rebecca, surely not. What would a boy ever want with a ribbon? Goodness, you don’t suppose he means to wear it?” Judith said, pretending to be aghast.

  Several of Fin’s friends had joined him, and Judith’s comment made them snort in laughter.

  “Go ahead, Fin, wear the ribbon. You’ll make a pretty girl,” one of the boys teased.

  That was Fin’s undoing. He tossed the dirty ribbon to the ground. “Let’s go kick the ball around.” He marched toward the side of the church where a large ball awaited.

  Rebecca hurried to retrieve her ribbon. She dusted it off and folded it carefully, as if it were her prized possession. It probably was. The children had very little. Their clothes were threadbare and patched, mismatched, and generally too large or too small. A ribbon was probably the only special thing Rebecca owned.

  A thought came to mind. Judith had enough money that she could easily buy ribbons for all the girls. Better still, she could make them dolls out of remnant material. She could make quite a few with little more than a few yards of cotton and some stuffing. Of course, she’d need to make clothes for each one, but that wouldn’t be hard. She could do it in the evenings after work.

  But I’d need to make something for the boys too. That would be more difficult. She had no idea what might suit their fancy. She’d have to think about it and perhaps ask Patrick or Caleb.

  Dr. Fisher came out of the church. He saw Judith and waved, then in what seemed almost an afterthought, decided to join her on the lawn. “Isn’t it a lovely day? I worried it would rain.”