Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) (12 page)

* * * * *

Angie was washing the evening dishes after supper. Amber was feeling slow and achy and Angie forced her to lie down. The night was quiet and Angie liked to look out the small window above the washtub and see the mist rolling in from the bay. The distance between the bay and town was enough that she could not see the water when it was foggy but the open sky was drawing her gaze. It would rain soon, she thought. The night air was getting chillier and she was glad to have a roof and warm clothes.  She heard Gabe’s heavy steps coming up the staircase and turned to give him a nod and reminded him to be quiet.

“There is a young man to see ya.” Gabe said quietly. “Bradley Henderson” His mouth in a smothered grin.

“What in the world would he be doing wanting a visit this time o’day.” Angela wondered. She dried her hand on a towel that was draped upon her shoulder. She took off the work apron and grabbed a shawl from a nearby peg.

Angie hopped down the steps with the bounce of energy even after a long day. Her curiosity about having a visitor was setting her brain abuzz but she was very surprised to see the tall young preacher’s son with his Sunday best on. Angie suddenly felt a little self-conscious in her simple frock. It was clean but very simple. She had been helping Amber all day with cleaning and packing some things for the move to the new building. It would still be a few weeks but getting a head start was wise in Amber’s condition.

“Hello Miss Fahey.” He was tall and his voice was even and pleasant. He had medium brown hair and his eyes seem to look a lot like his father’s.

“Hello Mr. Henderson.” Angie had never actually spoken to him but for a handshake and hello just a few days before, then just a nod at the Sunday meeting. Angela felt a bit awkward but wanted to be friendly.

“I know we haven’t spoken much but I wanted to say hello and get to know ye’ a bit. You can call me Bradley if ya wish.”

“I thank you kindly.” Angela was completely at a loss. Is it proper to speak someone’s name so soon after knowing them?

My training as a maid is no help here. Ach. Why couldn’t he have come during the day to the store? Then at least she would have had Gabe or Clive nearby to ask.
Angela thought to herself.

They struggled through a few more stunted sentences before Bradley made his exit. She knew the store hours had passed so she locked the door behind her. Her steps were slow as she was thinking too much while taking the steps up to the home above the store.

“How is the young Mr. Henderson?” Gabe asked from the sink, his hands soapy and scrubbing a pan. His smile was nearly her undoing and she thought about laughing for a silly reason.

“I have no idea what that was about, Gabe. We had so little to say I am not sure what in the world he came by for.” Angela shrugged her shoulders and gave Gabe a silly grin.

“I have an idea, Red.” Gabe had adopted the nickname Clive has given her and it sounded good. It felt a bit like how family was.

“What are your thoughts then?” Angie grabbed a dry towel and dried the wet dishes in the wooden rack next to the washtub.

“He fancies ya.” Gabe said simply and enjoyed watching the blush creep up her face. He chuckled a little and turned away to let her be mortified in peace.

After a few minutes of quiet Angie had the nerve to speak. “Not sure I want to be fancied just now.”

Gabe gave her a slow nod. “You will know when the time is right. Perhaps a friend would not be a bad thing. Just let him know. Amber may be better at this than I, but just be yourself and be honest with any young man that wants more of a relationship than you do. We young men can actually get carried away when we see a pretty face. Just saying you want to be friends first can help if ye need to keep things simple.” Gabe had a moment or two he wished for Amber or Clive to save him. But seeing Angie smile and nod after listening made him feel better.

“I have no idea what I am doing. Perhaps my Ma would have told me all about how to handle young men. But I’ve been working as a maid or in a workhouse too long. I never expected to be able to go courtin’. Not sure I am ready for that.” Angie looked up to Gabe and saw that he cared. She realized that he saw her as more than a girl to help out or a clerk for his store.

“Thanks for caring Gabe.” Angela said above a whisper.

The words were simple but the look in her eyes nearly broke his heart. She was just a young girl that needed family and connection. He felt a sort of brotherly affection rise up in his chest. He would protect this young lady with everything in him. He knew Amber felt the same after she told him so many nights about how precious Angie was. Gabe finally saw it too.

“I am here for ya, Red.” Gabe stated and they wordlessly finished the dishes. Amber woke from her rest and strolled out. She sat in the rocking chair after a bit and did some mending by the fireplace. The sun had gone down and the light of the fire drew everyone and the night passed calmly. Angie shared the silly visit with the young man with Amber and she agreed with Gabe. The womanly advice was the same. Any romantic notions can be dealt with usually with an honest plea for friendship.

Chapter 14

December 23
rd
1849

Angela walked with Clive and Ted down the few streets to see the progress of the new building. Clive has commissioned the use of brick and iron beams for safety. He shared how many small earthquakes had hit and his desire was to have the business nearer to the new wharf that was almost completed. The square in the center of town was a hub of activity but also crime was heavy there. It was dangerous and riotous upon occasion and both Clive and Gabe were relieved that they would be moving further away from there.

“Gabe has been keeping me up to date on the politics. I have had my ear to the ground. Glad I grabbed up this property when I could get it.” Clive stated.

Angela kept quiet and just let her eyes scan the streets around her. The wind was a bit gusty at moments and she watched some paper fly down the way and tumble along.

“Another two weeks the place should be finished. The crew of builders we have are good lads and they are paid well. So far the morale is good and no one has left for the gold fields. Though the cold and snow in the hills are a pretty good deterrent.” Ted’s voice was soothing and Angela smiled to herself just listening to him chat away with Clive.

“Your chicken house will go in the back, the east side of the building is the dock for unloading the large orders and behind the property to the north is the warehouse. It is nearly double the size of your current warehouse. You have some grand schemes Clive.”

“I do, I have been talking about supply lines and the use of a steamer for transport.” Clive continued on talking about Sacramento and lumber rights and the many intricacies of the running of his large-scale business.

Angela turned her focus inward even as they arrived and she was getting another tour. She was here a few days ago but she could see the outside structure was mostly finished. The inside had more work that needed doing but the roof was on. The rooms were full of supplies and it was pretty chaotic. Sawdust was everywhere.

The rain had been scarce and the street was mostly dry, which was rare for this time of year. Angela had not enjoyed the hours she had spent trying to save her boots from the ravages of the muddy streets.

Ted and Clive were talking animatedly about the plans and then Ted showed how he was planning to finish some of the living quarters and stairs that day.

“The supplies are here and I have an extra set of hands today.” Ted grinned when he got praise from Clive. Somehow Clive was just that kind of soul. Everyone wanted on his good side.

Angela could see such strength of character in her new friend, Ted. She had hopes that her brother was like him, strong in his faith and a hard worker.

Angela stood idle for a few minutes to look up and down the street. Another brick building was rising just as fast. This was quickly becoming known as a brick row. Businesses setting themselves apart from the riffraff and there was lots of talk about the kinds of businesses that would be run here. A bank was moving, a doctor’s clinic and a newspaper printing press were rumored. It was all speculation but Angela was pleased to see it growing daily.

There was a promised boardwalk and a park nearby according to Clive, but he hinted that those kinds of plans were always talked of but rarely followed through on. In a boomtown like this everyone was almost always focused on profit first and beautification last.

The front window of the store was a large piece of glass that impressed Angela.

The large yellow letters of QUACKENBUSH in an arch and then the metal roof hung the Hudson Bay sign that was at least ten feet in the air. It would be easy to see for anyone walking the street. Angela had a sense of how historic this time and place was. The whole country was talking about California and what was happening here.

There was a part of her that was amazed to be a piece of it, the history and the making of it, and another part of her was back in Oregon where she wanted to make it her true home.

Her heart was not into celebrating Michaelmas in two days but she knew she must get over her doldrums for Gabe and Amber. They had been so kind and Amber was enjoying planning her new life as a mother. There was something special about celebrating as a family. She had memories as a child about a yule log and feasting at the manor house. The glimpses were vague and distant but the faces she could see in her mind’s eye were dear ones to her. Her brother was always a bit silly and she remembered he loved singing the songs around the fire with everyone. He had a lovely voice, Angie remembered.

Before the lunch hour Ted and Clive escorted Angela back to the old store and she took over counter duties while Gabe spent the rest of the day and evening making improvements on his new home.

* * * * *

Dec 24
th
1849

The morning was dawning and the gulls had not yet begun their calls for the day. The wharfs were beginning to liven up with a few ships going out but no one had arrived yet. The muscled men worked near the bay every day, cleaning, dealing with fish, ropes, cargos and sometimes, passengers. The docks were full of men busily working when they first heard the yelling. A loud ringing pierced the air and several men stopped their activity to glance up, their curiosity peaked. A sound rang out that did not belong to the early morning. Something different was about to happen. The bells ringing were usually only for celebrations or tragedy.

* * * * *

Angela sat up in her bed, the loft where she slept had a low ceiling above her bed and she jumped from her bed in a crouched position but only missed hitting her head on the wall by less than an inch, she could actually feel her hair brushing against the wall.

Why am I awake?
She asked herself in her head.
Was I having a dream?

She could hear muffled voices coming from downstairs, and then stomping and the voices growing a bit louder. This could not be good. Angela’s heart did a jump in her chest and in a frenzied rush she grabbed a gown and changed into it in a flash. Something was happening.

Gabe was at her door pounding not thirty seconds later.

“There is a fire burning a few streets away. We must get to safety. Dress warm and be downstairs in less than five minutes.” Gabe’s voice was rough and stressed. She could hear his feet descending the stairs with the creaking on the wood boards. In her mind flashed everyone she knew and cared about here in San Francisco and she realized the list had grown quickly. She tied a vest over her gown and grabbed her long grey wool coat, a scarf and bonnet. Angie took a glance over at her bag and trunk. She had a moment of relief wash over her the most of her family items were safe back in Oregon. She had her mother’s journal and her portrait here. She grabbed her empty carpetbag, the journal and picture and shoved them inside.

She got her boots on and buttoned and grabbed the bag again and put a few necessity items in there, her bible, items from Corinne, and her letters. She thought quickly, grabbing a spare gown and a hairbrush.

“What do you need in an emergency?”
She wondered for a moment. If the house burned what would I need to survive. She had learned from the trail to live with little to no comforts, so she knew if they could stay out of the path of the fire that she would be fine with food and shelter.

Her feet slid down the steps quickly and she saw the second floor was empty. Gabe had doused the coals in the fireplace and the house felt empty and cold. Angie could hear people outside and there was a racket of yelling and a persistent ringing bell. Angela could see nothing through the window above the water tub and decided to join everyone downstairs. She opened the door and quickly descended the stairs, a little too quickly and the heel of her boot slipped down a few steps before Angela caught herself on the railing. The motion wrenched her shoulder and her badly bruised leg from her injuries last year, it was throbbing a bit and she took the last few steps slowly and with a hint of a limp. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she felt a fool. Everyone was waiting at the bottom of the stairs and saw her slip.

“Are you hurt Angie?” Gabe asked. Amber had tears in her eyes and a worried look.

“No just foolish, I will be fine.” Angie said. Her brain was in still a bit of a daze from waking up so abruptly. The throbbing in her leg was shoved to the back of her mind. But she had to work very hard not to continue her limping.

“I can get the ladies to safety. We need to help with the fire. If it jumps the streets, the whole city could burn.” Clive said with no nonsense in his voice. The gasp from the women came involuntarily. There was nothing about this morning that felt right.

“Get them over to the new building and get them out of the way. Clive, I will have Ted help you transport all our important belongings over by wagon.”

“Sounds good. Ladies, please come with me.” Clive grabbed the arms of Amber and Angie gently and began his escort. Outside the morning was still dark and a few streets away the glow could be seen. People were all running about in a frenzy and Angela was afraid, truly afraid. The smell of smoke was already thick in the air. The wind came in cold gusts around her, with no hint of moisture. It has been several days since rain.

“Clive, please don’t worry about us. I can get Amber and I to the new building. We will be fine. Please make sure Gabe and Ted stay safe.” Angie could hear the strange sound of her own voice. It sounded high and squeaky to her ears. Her red hair whipped around her back in the wind and lashed at her eyes. She pushed the unruly waves away for them only to return with no respect for her wishes.

“No, darling, I will get you safe and sound. If at any point you see the fire come more than two streets away go to the water. You will be safe on the rocks.” Clive’s long strides were hard to keep up with but the women did manage it well enough.

The brick building had a roof and outer walls now but not much more than floors, the stairs nearly finished inside and no counter or furniture to speak of. There were tools lying about everywhere. Clive found matches and a lantern and grabbed a few wooden crates from outside and set them near the front windows. The two girls took the cue and sat on them wordlessly.

“I want you to remain calm.” Clive was looking at Amber, she nodded but stayed quiet.

“Angela, please help her stay calm. I will be back shortly with the wagon. I will be bringing over clothes and some food.” Clive was speaking to them but his eyes were far off, thinking and planning what had to be done.

Clive gave them both a hug around the shoulders and left them alone in an empty brick building.

The scene from the new glass window was grim and dark. This part of town was new development only just recently sold. A few other buildings were up but not many lived here yet.

“I am scared Angie.” Amber finally spoke. Her voice sounded small and weary. She was taking deep and slow breaths. Her hands splayed out across her grown belly. She would be giving birth in a month or so.

Not today though, Lord please.
Angie thought in a plea to God to keep her friend calm and safe.

Angie took a hand and rubbed across Amber’s shoulders, she saw Amber close her eyes and accept the comforting gesture. Angela stood over her that way for the next hour as they watched out the window.

* * * * *

Ted and Clive quickly loaded up the wagon with a few trunks and some canned goods from the store. Clive had grabbed the trunk of clothes from Angela’s room and felt himself sigh with relief when it was loaded into the wagon. She didn’t need to lose anymore. With the heavy smoke in the air he felt the fear rise up in his own chest. The city was in mayhem. This is what happened when there was no structure. A city was adding a few thousand people a week and they wondered what would happen. This was what happens. Clive pushed his logical brain to the back and brought out his practical self-back to the front. His arms and legs were burning with the strain of running up and down the stairs and loading the wagon. This is a young man’s game and his body was feeling old this morning. He would not admit it now though. He would have another day, Lord willin’, to sit in a rocking chair to consider how old he was. The horses were jittery and ready to get further from the ruckus a few streets away. Clive realized that he had been praying nearly every minute. Knowing his family was in danger was a pain throbbing in his head and his gut. He would be glad to see this day through with no harm to come to anyone.

His grandson Gabe was part of the new Vigilance committee and probably helping fight the fire at this moment. Clive sent out more prayers as he worked that early morning.

* * * * *

The first load of goods was all unloaded and Ted and Clive got Angela and Amber set up with a few blankets. Clive wished somehow the woodstove had been hooked up and able to work properly. Instead it was still sitting in it’s crate, shoved into a corner with twenty other crates full of supplies to be rummaged through this week.

“Blast!” Clive muttered as he hit his head on a support beam. Wandering around in the dark was not a good plan. Clive gave up on the idea of setting up the stove.