“She’s a wise woman. Pretty, too.”
Ed let out a nervous laugh. “Too pretty, and she knows it. That’s a dangerous woman.”
“Good that she’s on our side.” Ghost scratched his head. “What you gonna do?”
The fire had dwindled to glowing embers, and Ed’s bones returned to frozen. Warmth. His body warmed each time he saw Cora yesterday and this morning. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, if she could really host an event that had Mr. Miller bringing all the investors, then what choice did he have? She might claim to be frugal, but she needed some money to work with.
He tore off the list of debtors and handed it to Ghost. “Go collect these and bring the money here. We’re apparently going to throw the event of the year.”
“Yes, sir.” Ghost plopped his hat on his head.
Cora, dressed in what she’d worn yesterday, stood in his doorway with a grin of accomplishment on her face.
“Good to see you, Ghost. How are you today?”
“Fine, ma’am. You?” Ghost folded into himself and shrunk away like a child.
“Good.” Cora glided into the room and perched on the edge of the chair opposite Ed. “Did I hear correctly? Am I to plan a party?”
ChapterFive
Excitement brewedin Cora’s belly at the thought of planning an event to meet all her new neighbors and make friends in the city. Perhaps she’d meet a man who suited her better. A man like her first love, who had been kindhearted and gentle.
After a restless night’s sleep, Cora hurried down the stairs to join Ed for breakfast to go over her plans, but he was nowhere to be found. Too excited to eat, she found her bonnet and headed out the front door.
“Miss. Miss!” Grace raced after her onto the front steps. “Where you off to?”
“I need to go explore this city.”
“Alone?” Grace shook her head. “I don’t think Mr. Neal would be pleased. He said for you to stay inside the house.”
“I’m not his wife, so it doesn’t matter. He has no say. I’ll return before supper.” She headed down the steep wooden walk to the street the carriage had traveled. Two days ago, she’d studied all the way from the dock to the house to discover what the city had to offer. If she’d been able to handle the shopkeepers after the war, she could haggle with the workers on the docks and in the storefronts at the edge of the city for better pricing, but there would be no way Ed could afford the prices around this area.
At the edge of Kearney Street, she hung a right and walked south along three- and four-story buildings. Awnings dotted the walkway every few storefronts. The area still looked too pricey to make any stops, so she continued on to Market Street and hung another right. She found flowers for sale. Too overpriced and wilted.
She continued to walk, enjoying the beautiful sunshine that poured over the bustling city. She found her way up Market past the Hotel Nucleus Ed had mentioned when she’d arrived. None of this area would do, so she turned onto a side street a block past the hotel and headed back towards the house.
On the way, she stopped to admire some paper lanterns. A Chinese woman shooed her away. She’d heard about this area and found herself intrigued enough to wish to return to discover its treasures, but for now she had to keep moving, knowing the morning grew into afternoon and she’d have to return for supper or risk aggravating the staff or Ed.
A man with a missing leg, dirty clothes, and an overgrown beard held out his hand as she passed. She longed to give him something, anything, but she had nothing to offer. “I’m so sorry, sir.” She took his hand and squeezed it. “I’ll try to return with food or money for you, but I have none today.”
“Your kindness to speak to me is the most anyone has given me in years.” Tears welled in his eyes. “May God grant you all you wish, dear girl.”
Cora knelt by his side. His wife gasped at her presence. “What’s your names?”
“Captain Wilkins and Mrs. Wilkins.”
“Have you lived in the city long?”
“Yes. Lost my leg working the railroad. Used to make furniture and wooden sculptures before the war, but no one wants to buy from someone like me. Wife sews finery and cooks well. No work for her, though.”
“I’m so sorry for you both.” Cora spoke with them about times gone by and why they lived as they did now, and each word carved a notch in her heart, knowing this could be her fate any day.
“Thank you for your kindness, miss.” Mrs. Wilkins stood, dusting her skirts and bowing her head as if Cora were royalty. “You are a fire-haired angel.”
Cora wanted to do more, anything to give them hope. “I will do my best to visit tomorrow and bring some food.”
Cora waved or spoke to each person she found who appeared to be living on the street. Mumblings of a red-haired angel followed her path, but she was no angel. Only a person to show kindness. After all, she understood their circumstances. It had only been a short time since she’d had to lower herself to begging for food after the war. Humbled by the sightings, she knew her purpose in San Francisco would be to help those less fortunate if she was able to secure her own future.
