By nightfall, another dozen patients had been brought in—all with gunshot wounds. Over the course of the day, Micah had repaired more than fifteen such injuries and assisted in two cranial surgeries. Neither of the latter two patients survived. They simply needed more than this facility could give.
Rather than go home, Micah collapsed on a cot in a storage closet. The room was used exclusively by the doctors to catch up on rest. Dr. Nystrom had brought Micah here and commanded him to sleep, then given the nurse strict orders that Micah wasn’t to be disturbed for at least six hours. Given his state of exhaustion, Micah didn’t argue.
He also didn’t bother to take off his shoes. He simply pulled a blanket across his body and closed his eyes. His last thoughts were of kissing Kenzie.
“Patrick has done such a good job repairing things,” Caleb said, looking around his house. He went to the fireplace and knelt to look up inside. “He said everything, including the chimney, is in good working order, and we can move back in anytime.”
Judith looked toward a long section of fresh plaster. “Camri will have to have the walls repapered.”
“Or you can arrange it, since this will be our home, at least for a time.”
Judith shook her head. “I’m no good at things like that. Your sister, on the other hand, has a wonderful way with it. I think the job should be hers, if it doesn’t add too much to her schedule.”
“She won’t mind that. My sister is always happiest when she has a stack of projects requiring her attention.” Caleb stood. “Except for a few knickknacks breaking, we fared pretty well.”
“We were very blessed.” Judith went to the piano. Something had fallen on it and gouged the beautiful wood. She ran her hand over the damage.
Caleb came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. His hand covered hers. “It will still sound beautiful. Why don’t you play us something?”
Judith would have much rather remained there in Caleb’s arms, but she nodded and took her place at the keys. She began to play a Beethoven piece and glanced up with a smile. “You were right. It sounds perfect.”
“Your playing always sounds perfect,” Caleb replied.
“I didn’t mean it that way, and you know it.” She looked down.
“Well, it’s not the most expensive piano in the city, and certainly not as fine as the one your grandmother owned.”
“Perhaps not, but that piano was destroyed.” Judith let her fingers dance over the keys. She was never quite so happy as when she was playing the piano. “I’ll never forget the first time I played Grandmother’s piano, however. It was the finest instrument I’d ever touched. Even Cousin Victoria’s poor playing had a ring of beauty.” She stopped abruptly. “Victoria!” She looked at Caleb. “I never even thought to contact her. She must have heard about the earthquake by now. She must wonder about her family. Oh, I feel terrible.” She stood up and moved to Caleb’s side. “What can we do? We must get word to her and let her know about her father and brother. Grandmother too.”
“Do you know the name of the finishing school she’s attending?”
“No. Only that it’s in Switzerland.” Judith frowned. “I wish I’d paid closer attention, but I was terribly sick when she left.” She couldn’t help remembering that only a short time ago, she had nearly died from poison her cousin Bill had given her. He had resented her for claiming her rightful inheritance, and hated their grandmother for giving it to her.
Caleb seemed to consider this a moment. “We could go to her fiancé. What was his name?”
“Piedmont Rosedale. I heard Grandmother say his house was in a peculiar location for a man of his great wealth. Apparently, he built some monstrosity overlooking the ocean.”
“I know exactly where it is. Rosedale’s oddities are known to one and all. I think we should pay him a call. Let him know about the other family members and see how we can go about contacting Victoria.”
“Can we go now?” She touched his arm and looked up into his chocolate brown eyes. She had fallen in love with him at first sight, and being so near to him caused her breath to catch in her throat. “Please?”
He touched her cheek. “Of course, my darling. For you, I would set San Francisco back to rights—turn back time—whatever it took to make you happy.”
“You make me happy.” Judith smiled. “I’ve never been happier. I suppose that sounds strange, given all that’s happened, but I mean it. I don’t mind living at the warehouse and working in the kitchen. So long as you are there—or I know you soon will be—I find I can face anything.”
He leaned over and kissed her gently on the mouth. Judith was still in awe of how such a simple action could send her heart racing. When he straightened, she smiled again.
He grinned back, then took hold of her arm. “Come along, Miss Whitley. We have business to attend to, and I won’t have your flirtations distracting me. It’s scandalous enough that we’ve been in the house alone for at least fifteen minutes. What will the neighbors say?”
She giggled and let him lead her out to the horse and wagon. His car had been confiscated by the army, but Judith didn’t mind. She’d always loved horses, and the wagon, albeit uncomfortable, was just a minor inconvenience. Besides, the horse could get them through areas that a car could never pass.
They made their way out past Golden Gate Park, where thousands of tents had been erected in precise order. People were everywhere, and the army was clearly present. Judith saw long lines formed where various goods were being distributed. There were also lines of able-bodied men and women registering to work.
“They’re keeping folks fed, clothed, and busy,” Caleb commented, snapping the reins lightly. The horse picked up its pace a bit. “That’s always key to keeping people happy. Without it, they’d have open rebellion, even riots on their hands.”
The tents had been set up in military fashion with only a small amount of space between each one. People, however, were doing what they could to make their allotted space a home. One tent had a framed piece of embroidery hanging from the outside tent wall. It read, “God Bless Our Home.” On another, someone had pinned lacy curtain panels along the entry flap.
People had also brought what possessions they could and arranged them to create some semblance of normalcy. Judith saw a man in a full suit and top hat sitting on a ladderback chair outside his tent. He was reading the newspaper as if nothing were amiss. Here and there children played, and mothers cooked over stoves of expedient design. One woman had even set up her treadle sewing machine and was busy making something.
