Golden Paradise (Vincente 1) (5 page)

He gave her a condescending glance. "We can all do with a little soul-searching, miss. You might do well to remember that."

Valentina glared at the man. She had no intention of being in his company any longer than was necessary. She felt an urgency to be with her mother, but the buggy wheels seemed to turn so slowly.

By now she realized Salamar had not spoken a word. Looking into her companion's face, she saw her concerned frown. "We will have a doctor look at your mother, Valentina," Salamar said with assurance. "As for your father, I, like your mother, will not believe any harm has come to him until there is proof."

"Yes!" Valentina cried. "We won't believe the worst unless we have to. Mother would know if anything dreadful had happened to Father."

The mules were straining at the bit as they maneuvered the steep hill. "Will the animals not go faster?" Valentina urged frantically. "How much farther is it to your house?" She was beginning to think they would never arrive at their destination.

Percival Lawton glanced at Valentina, hoping her temper had cooled. She sure was stubbornly defensive of her parents, he thought. That spoke well of her in his eyes—even if the parents didn't deserve her blind trust. "It's just a short ways now. Right over that next hill. Patience is another of God's virtues, Miss Barrett," he reminded her.

Valentina was using all her strength at the moment to hold onto what shred of patience she had left. Realizing it would do no good to try to reason with this man, she tried to concentrate on the scenery. Vaguely she noticed the bars and saloons they were passing. Loud music filled the air and she could hear the shouts and laughter of merrymaking. The whole atmosphere had a feeling of unreality.

When Percival  Lawton drew the mules to a halt, Valentina glanced at the small house. It was neat and shining with a fresh coat of paint. She was surprised that his house was so near the business part of town. There was a general store across the street and what appeared to be a saloon next door. She thought it a strange place for a man of the cloth to live.

As if reading her mind, Mr. Lawton spoke. "We search for lost souls wherever we find them, Miss Barrett. It is better to live among the wolves as a sheep than be torn apart by their fangs."

It crossed Valentina's mind that this man who claimed to be a messenger of God could learn a valuable lesson from the kindly vicar in her church back home. It was on the tip of Valentina's tongue to ask him about the scripture that mentioned casting one's pearls before the swine, but she refrained.

Climbing out of the buggy, she ran up the rock-strewn walkway toward the house. Not bothering to knock, she pushed open the door and looked about her in desperation. The room was small and neat, though sparsely furnished.

The woman who occupied the sofa cast her knitting aside. Coming to her feet, she stared at Valentina with astonishment and disapproval written on her face. Valentina guessed this would be Reverend Lawton's sister, the one of whom he had spoken. One glance told Valentina that this was the female counterpart to Mr. Lawton—watery eyes and all. The gown the woman wore was of black broadcloth with a stark, white lace collar. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe bun and her stingy little mouth was drawn into a tight frown.

"Where is my mother?" Valentina blurted out.

"And who, pray tell, would you be? Am I to assume you are Miss Barrett?" Prudence Lawton asked, looking down her nose at Valentina most disapprovingly.

"Yes. Please forgive my rudeness. In my concern for my mother, I forgot my manners. I am sure you will understand I am most anxious to see her."

Suddenly the woman's attention was drawn away from Valentina. She stared, with gaping mouth, at Salamar, who stood in the doorway. "I will not have an Indian under my roof," she screeched. "Get her out! Get her out! We will all be massacred!"

Salamar seemed undaunted by the woman's outburst. She walked slowly and deliberately to stand beside Valentina. "Salamar is my friend and companion, ma'am," Valentina explained. "You are in no danger from her."

Reverend Lawton chose that moment to enter the room. Having heard the conversation, he intervened. "Now, Prudence, you mustn't make snap judgments. Even the unworthy deserve our consideration. Perhaps this heathen woman was placed in our hands for a reason."

In spite of the look of amusement on Salamar's face, Valentina ground her teeth together. Had the whole world gone crazy? What in heaven's name would make this man and woman believe they were the salvation of the world? Anger burned like fire in Valentina's chest. "I can assure you, sir, and madam, that Salamar has not been placed in your hands for any reason." She felt rage at the pious assumption that Salamar was a heathen. "For your information, Salamar's soul is already in good hands. And I can tell you one more thing about her; she doesn't judge people before she knows them, and then only sparingly." Valentina's breasts were rising and falling with each breath she took. She did not notice the covetous way Percival Lawton was staring at her, but Salamar noticed. When Valentina looked at her maid, she saw humor dancing in her eyes.

"Now, now, let us all begin again and see if we can't make amends," Reverend Lawton said, dabbing at his face with his handkerchief. "Prudence, I would like you to be acquainted with Miss Barrett. Miss Barrett, my sister, Prudence. As I told you before, my sister has been looking after your mother."

Valentina acknowledged the woman with the merest nod of her head. She, was becoming angrier by the moment. All she wanted to do was find her mother. Drawing herself to her full height, she spoke authoritatively. "I will see my mother now if you don't mind."

Prudence Lawton was still glaring at Valentina and said nothing, but her brother smiled and nodded his head. "You will find your mother in the log cabin out back. Just go down the hallway and out the back door. You go ahead while I see to your baggage."

"No, leave everything in the buggy," Valentina said. "We won't be staying in your cabin. I intend to take my mother away from here as soon as possible."

Prudence snorted. "It's not likely you will find a decent place that will take you in, even if you could afford it. There isn't a room to be had in this whole town."

Valentina hurried past the woman and made her way down the hallway with Salamar in close pursuit. She passed a kitchen, then two closed doors that she assumed to be bedrooms. Pushing open the back door, she moved quickly in the direction of the small log cabin. Rushing up the wooden steps, Valentina slowly lifted the crude latch and the door swung open on creaking hinges. Though the sun came through the cracks between the logs, the room was in darkness. She could only see vague outlines.

"Mother," she called softly. There was no answer.

As she stepped inside, her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. There appeared to be crates and boxes stacked against one wall, leaving very little space for anything else. Valentina's gaze fell on the small cot beneath the window.

"Mother," she called again, this time louder. There was an answering moan, and Valentina flew across the room, dropping down on her knees beside the cot.

With trembling hands she touched the dear face that was no more than a dark outline. "Mother!" she cried, feeling the heat of her mother's skin. She was burning up; her temperature was much too high!

"Valentina, is that you?" Evonne Barrett's French-accented words were no more than a weak whisper.

"It's me, Mother. I'm here and everything is going to be all right now."

"Oh, my dearest child, I thought you would never get here. I waited so long ... so long. Please let in some light so I can see your face." Evonne Barrett was becoming excited, lapsing into her native French.

Salamar moved across the room and jerked down the heavy paper that had been blocking out the sunlight. The room was instantly flooded with a warm glow, and Valentina could see the tears on her mother's cheeks. She was horrified at the change in her mother. Her once shining, golden hair was streaked with grey; her skin had a yellow cast to it; her eyes were dull and lifeless. Valentina's heart ached so severely that she wanted to cry out, but she knew she must put on a brave front for her mother.

"Don't worry, Mother. I'm here now and I'll take care of you. Salamar and I will have you well in no time. You'll see."

Suddenly Evonne Barrett gripped her daughter's hand with a strength that surprised Valentina. "Did Reverend Lawton tell you about your father?"

Valentina nodded. "Yes. Can it be true that father is . . . ?" She couldn't bring herself to say the word.

"No, I don't believe it for a moment. I would know it inside if my husband were dead. You must promise me that you will do everything you can to find him. Promise me, Valentina! Promise!"

Evonne seemed so upset that Valentina feared for her health. She knew she had to calm her down or she would become hysterical. "I promise, Mother. I will not rest until I find Father."

For the first time since entering the cabin, Salamar spoke up. "This place is dirty. It isn't healthy for a well person, let alone someone who is ill."

Valentina glanced about her, gritting her teeth at the condition of the cabin. It was dusty and looked as if it had never been cleaned. The bed covers were soiled and Valentina felt her blood boil. Was this what the Lawton's called taking care of a sick person?

"The first thing I want to do is get a doctor out here to examine you, Mother," she said, trying to organize her thoughts. "I'm going to get you out of this place. We will go to a hotel until we can find a proper place to live."

Evonne closed her eyes as if keeping them open was too great an effort. "We can't move from here, Valentina. It costs a hundred dollars a month to rent this cabin. Wade paid for it a year in advance. The rent runs out in three weeks. I don't know what we will do then. I want to stay here so when your father returns he will know where to find us."

"A hundred dollars a month! That's outrageous!" Valentina declared. "I will find somewhere far better than this. You can't get well here."

Evonne took her daughter's hand. "You don't know, dear. There are people sleeping on the streets for want of a roof over their heads. We are very fortunate to have this place. The money is all gone. . . ." her voice trailed off.

Valentina noticed Salamar had already begun to stack the dirty dishes that littered the crude table. The woman cast her a resigned glance before picking up a pail and walking outside to find the well. Valentina noticed that the cabin consisted of two rooms. The only furniture was the cot her mother lay upon and a rickety table with two chairs. There was an open hearth, but no fire burned in it to ward off the dampness of the cabin.

"We will stay here for awhile, Mother, but only until we can find something better. I am going to talk to Mr. Lawton about a doctor."

Glancing down, Valentina noticed her mother had already drifted off into a restless sleep. Now that her mother could not see, Valentina's tears flowed freely. In the days to come, she would have to call on all her strength because she was the head of the family now. Everything rested on her shoulders. To add to her troubles, it did not appear that her mother had much money, and Valentina had very little. It didn't matter, she thought. She would find some way to take care of her mother.

Standing up, she glared in the direction of the Lawton house. She did not intend to allow Mr. Lawton and his sister near her mother again. They had shamefully neglected her mother's care. How dare they treat her gentle, sweet mother in such a shabby manner.

Valentina had promised her mother she would find her father. That was one promise she intended to keep. Whatever it took, she would do; wherever she had to go, she would go. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she squared her jaw and rolled up her sleeves. The first order of the day was to clean this filthy cabin.

Watching her mother's eyes slowly flutter open and then close again, Valentina knew she had drifted off to sleep. She placed a soft kiss on Evonne's fevered cheek, then moved to the door to see Salamar returning with the wooden bucket full of water.

"What are we to do, Salamar?" she asked, looking into her sympathetic dark eyes.

"You will do what you must," came the assured answer. "You always have."

Valentina's shoulders drooped; she felt a sob building deep inside. "My father, he can't be . . . dead."

Salamar's eyes moved over the dank and dingy room with a look of disgust. "I do not know about that, but for now we must look after your mother's needs. This place isn't fit for a pigsty."

Valentina raised her head, knowing she must push her grief aside for the moment. She would not cry for her father, because that would be admitting he was dead. Salamar was right; she would take care of her mother first, then she would try to find her father.

4

Salamar was' a wonder at accomplishing the impossible. In no time at all she had removed the crates that had cluttered the cabin and had stacked them outside the door with orders for Mr. Lawton to store them elsewhere. The cabin was clean, delicious aromas were coming from the caldron that bubbled over the open hearth, and Valentina's mother had been moved into the other room, away from the cooking noises, so she could rest undisturbed. Evonne Barrett now wore a fresh, clean nightgown and was reclining against snow-white bed linens.

Valentina placed another log on the fire. Lifting the lid on the iron pot, she sliced onions into the stew and smiled as the wonderful aroma drifted through the house. She had not been idle either. She had scrubbed the floors until they shone, cleaned the windows until the reflection of the sun sparkled on each pane.

Now that Valentina was sure everything had been done to make her mother rest more comfortably, she would seek out a doctor and persuade him to come to the cabin and examine her mother.

*                                          *                                          *

Valentina watched Doctor Cline lean forward to listen to her mother's heartbeat. He cast Valentina a grim look as he straightened. "How long have you had this fever, Mrs. Barrett?" he questioned in his stiff professional manner.

Evonne Barrett, looking pale and listless, tried to lean forward but fell back weakly against the pillow. "I felt wonderful on the ocean voyage to Panama," she said, gasping for breath. "I was well during the hazardous boat trip on the jungle river that took us to the small village of Gorogona. It was on the trek through the jungles to the city of Panama that I first fell ill. At the time, my husband feared I had eaten something that had disagreed with me. After a few days of fever and chills, I seemed to recover. Later the fever recurred. Each attack seems worse than the last, leaving me weaker, sapping my strength."

Doctor Cline nodded. "It's just as I thought. You have the Panama fever. Many get the disease while in the tropics. There is no cure—it recurs every so often. I could have done more for you if you had contacted me sooner, Mrs. Barrett. Why didn't you?" There was reprimand in his voice, accusation in his gray eyes. "Why did you suffer when I could have given you relief?"

Evonne drew a shallow breath. "I was waiting for my husband to return and my daughter to come from England."

"With the right medicine you will be feeling better in no time. While I can't cure the Panama fever, I can treat the symptoms and get you back on your feet."

Valentina clasped her mother's hand, knowing the torment she must have lived through. She had been alone and helpless, with no family or friends. Her heart ached for what her mother had suffered. "The doctor will have you feeling well in no time, Mother. I'm here now and you aren't to worry about anything. I will take care of you." A tear ran down Evonne's cheek and she sighed contentedly. Her worries had been placed in the capable hands of her daughter. Her eyes drifted shut; she could rest now.

Doctor Cline snapped his black bag closed and cleared his throat. "Walk me outside, Miss Barrett, and I will explain the treatment to you."

Valentina noticed that her mother had fallen asleep. The doctor followed her as she tiptoed to the door. Stepping outside, she waited for him to speak. For the briefest moment he looked uncomfortable and cleared his throat once more. "I think I should inform you, Miss Barrett, that the medicine your mother will need is very expensive."

Valentina felt a sinking feeling deep inside. "How expensive?"

"A bottle will last about six weeks. The cost is one hundred dollars a bottle."

Valentina gasped in disbelief. "Surely you jest. That is totally unreasonable."

His eyes looked tired; his shoulders sagged. "I agree with you that it's unreasonable, but there is nothing I can do about it. The plant from which the medicine is extracted comes from the South American jungle. The price has been blown out of proportion by unscrupulous dealers. I am loath to pass the cost on to my patients, but I have little choice in the matter."

Valentina knew he was telling the truth, and she could see he felt embarrassed about the cost. She was frantic, wondering where she would get the money for the medicine. Pushing her fear aside, she realized this was her problem, not Doctor Cline's. "What do I owe you for your visit, Doctor?" she asked.

He shook his head and his kindly eyes took on a deeper sadness. "I am not looking to rob you, if that's what you think, Miss Barrett. I know some of my colleagues are charging exorbitant fees, but my fee is still four dollars a visit, like it always was."

"I believe you," she told him, knowing he was a compassionate man.

Doctor Cline smiled readily. "Your mother must also have red meat. This is almost as important as the medicine." He was hesitant, as if he hated to lay another burden at her door. "Meat is very expensive, Miss Barrett. I hope it will be no hardship on you."

Valentina's eyes met his with a spark of determination. "I have the money to pay for the medicine and the meat. Before my mother needs a refill, I will have the money for that also."

He gave her a warm smile. "San Francisco is a hard place for three women alone. Prices are outrageous. The men outnumber you a hundred to one. Is there no way you can take your mother back to England?"

"No, not until we find my father."

"Out here men have been known to disappear and never be heard from again. I wish you luck in finding your father, Miss Barrett."

"I will find him. If he is alive, I will bring him to my mother. If he is dead, then I will find his body or his grave. My mother needs to know if he is dead or alive. If he is dead, she needs to grieve. They are very close, Doctor Cline. I don't know if she can survive without him."

The doctor's eyes held a hint of admiration. "You will not find the life here easy, Miss Barrett. I would warn you to exercise extreme caution. These men are a rough lot. They aren't accustomed to seeing a beautiful young woman in their midst. If that alone weren't enough, allow me to inform you about the cost of living hereabout. Flour is forty to a hundred dollars for a hundred-pound bag; beef is a dollar a pound. Bacon and ham are a dollar to a dollar and a half a pound. A man's shirt is going for anywhere from fifty to a hundred dollars. Those prices are the rates at the mines; they are only slightly less here in San Francisco."

Valentina felt as if all her courage were draining out of her bit by bit. She did not know how they were going to survive, but she would fight to give her mother whatever she needed to get well. She would not give up until she had learned what had happened to her father. Withdrawing money from her green silk reticule and carefully counting out the coins, she handed them to the doctor. He, in turn, handed her a bottle of the precious amber liquid.

"You will want to give your mother half an ounce first thing in the morning and last thing at night. If you have any problems, send for me. I will drop by as often as I can to check on your mother's progress." He gave her a tired smile, turned, and walked away. His boots made a crunching sound as he disappeared down the rock-strewn pathway.

Valentina felt tears of hopelessness and frustration building behind her eyes, but she refused to cry. If she did not do something soon, they would be destitute. She stepped back into the house. As always when she was troubled, she sought Salamar.

Salamar was spreading a pallet near the fireplace for Valentina. Without looking up, she spoke. "I have made my bed in the bedroom so I can be near your mother in case she needs me during the night. You will sleep here undisturbed."

Looking up, Salamar saw Valentina's troubled expression. Standing, she held out her arms and Valentina went into them seeking comfort. "Everything will work out for the best, Valentina. Things always look the darkest when one is weary. You must rest, my sweet child. You will be the strong one now. Your mother does not have your father to lean on; she will now lean on you."

Valentina had been in California for a week. Her mother seemed to be growing stronger and the fever attacks had become less frequent. In spite of the shabbiness of the cabin, it now had taken on a homey glow. Among Salamar's many talents, she was a wonder with a needle. Out of one of Valentina's old yellow-and-white-checked gowns, she had made curtains, which hung at the windows in the front room as well as in the bedroom. Valentina had painted the kitchen furniture white, and a bright yellow cloth covered the imperfections of the rickety old table. To make her mother's bedroom more cheerful, Valentina daily placed wild flowers near her bed.

It was still dark when Valentina buttoned her white blouse and pulled on her green velvet jacket. By the light from the outer room, she could see that her mother was still sleeping. She was relieved. Valentina knew her mother would worry when she discovered that she had gone to her father's mine, but she must. She wanted to stand face-to-face with Samuel Udell and have him tell her what had happened to her father.

Pushing her foot into a pair of black riding boots, Valentina stood up and adjusted her green velvet bonnet. When the rap came on the door, she rushed to the front room, hoping her mother had not been awakened by the noise. She pulled aside the curtains to glance at the short Mexican man who waited on the steps.

"Salamar, that will be the guide that Doctor Cline sent to take me to Father's mine. It will be up to you to convince Mother that I will be perfectly safe. I should be home within four days."

Salamar took Valentina's hand and held it for a long, silent moment. It was as if she were in a daze, and her strange eyes appeared to see things that no one else could. Smiling slightly, she dropped Valentina's hand. "I will convince your mother that you will be safe. You are starting out on the road to your destiny."

Valentina was accustomed to Salamar's talking in riddles, so she shrugged off her words. She glanced back at her mother for a moment, then went out the door.

The little man removed his
sombrero
and bowed to her. "I am Santiago, senorita. Doctor Cline has sent me to guide you." The dark-skinned man grinned from ear to ear, and his eyes danced merrily.

"Did Doctor Cline tell you where we are going, Santiago?" Valentina asked, warming to his open friendliness.

"Si. I know the country where your father's mine is located like I know my mother's face, senorita. You will be safe with me looking after you." His assurance was comforting, his manner gallant.

When Valentina and Santiago walked down the path to the front road, they passed the Lawton house. As they rounded the corner, Valentina almost collided with Prudence Lawton. The woman was peering over the rim of her glasses, striving for a better look at Santiago. Prudence gave Valentina her most disapproving glance.

"I know what you are up to, miss. I questioned this man when he knocked at my door asking for you. Am I to understand that you are going off into the wilds with only this man for company?" Prudence asked in a horrified tone.

"Yes, that is my intention," Valentina said, trying to step around Prudence only to have the woman grasp her arm in a viselike grip.

"You are a foolish young woman to go off without a chaperon. I don't know how it is where you come from, but in this country a decent young girl would never go off alone with a stranger. If my brother was at home, he would heartily disapprove of your actions."

Valentina gritted her teeth, trying to retain her temper. "I am not subject to your brother's likes and dislikes, Miss Lawton. My mother and I rent a cabin from you. That doesn't give you the right to dictate to us."

"Well, I never!" Prudence declared with an air of indignation. "I will certainly bring pressure to bear on my brother to have you put out of our cabin. I have already spoken to him about the disrespectful way that foreign-looking housekeeper you have speaks to me. She won't even allow me to pay my respects to your mother."

"The doctor has advised us to see that my mother has plenty of rest. He has asked that we keep her visitors to a minimum. Salamar was acting on my orders when she turned you away."

Valentina jerked free, sweeping past the astonished Prudence Lawton. She did not look back as she made her way to the waiting buggy. Santiago had to run to catch up with her. When he reached the buggy, Valentina had already climbed in and arranged her green skirt. Santiago smiled brightly, picked up the reins, and guided the matching buckskin horses onto the roadway.

Valentina was determined to find her father, and no one was going to stop her. She realized it was unconventional for a young woman to go off with a man with whom she was not acquainted, but she was desperate and had no choice. Besides, she reasoned, Doctor Cline must trust Santiago or he would not have recommended him to her. Valentina was aware that Prudence Lawton stared after them until they were out of sight.

"How long will it take to reach the mine, Santiago?" she asked, pushing all other thoughts from her mind.

"If the warm weather holds out and it does not rain, senorita, we will be at the mine late tomorrow afternoon. The last ten miles of the journey will be through rugged country. We will have to leave the buggy at a friend's
hacienda
and go  on  horseback."  He looked at  her questioningly. "Can you ride, senorita?"