“That sounds like Victoria.” Camri rolled her eyes. “I hope some of those family friends have better sense than to let her ruin her reputation and spend all of her money. Even better if they educate her in fiduciary responsibility.”
“I don’t think she’s quite as naïve as you might imagine,” Caleb replied. “After all, she is living off the money of others. The investigator I hired said she’s not drawn on her own money at all. She’ll probably just wander from friend to friend until she decides to purchase a place of her own or marry. Somehow, I don’t see her giving up her freedom too quickly.”
Judith agreed. “She told me she was determined to do things her own way, and I have no reason to think she won’t see that through. Still, it makes me sad. I have a cousin out there who wants nothing to do with me. We’re the only family left to each other, but she doesn’t care.”
“Family has little to do with bloodlines, my dear.” Caleb slipped his arm around Judith’s shoulders. “We have created a strong family here with our friends. We’ll soon be married and working together to benefit the city’s poor, and together we will strive to grow in the Lord.”
Camri offered her thoughts as well. “Before you know it, we’ll have children of our own, and they in turn will grow up together. Who knows, our children might marry Kenzie and Micah’s children, and then we’ll be bound by blood as well as the heart.”
“No matter what happens,” Judith said, looking up at Caleb, “I know we will be a family, and that was the only reason I came to San Francisco in the first place. To find my family.”
Kenzie watched as her mother and father stepped from the train. They looked remarkably healthy—even happy. She’d never seen her father this way. He seemed years younger. When he came to her, he put his arm around her shoulders and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“My dear, you are a sight for my old eyes. Just look at how pretty you are.”
Kenzie wasn’t sure how to take the compliment. She could count on one hand the number of times her father had praised her for anything, much less her appearance.
“Father, it’s good to see you again.” She stretched up to kiss his cheek in return, then turned to find her mother waiting to greet her. “Mother.” Kenzie threw herself into the older woman’s arms and felt a rush of tears. “I’ve missed you so.” She whispered the words against her mother’s ear, lest her father feel offended.
The women held fast to each other for several long moments.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Micah asked.
Kenzie reluctantly let go of her mother and stepped back, wiping tears from her eyes. “Mother, Father, this is Dr. Micah Fisher, soon to be your son-in-law.”
Micah shook hands with her father, then kissed Kenzie’s mother on the cheek. “I’m so happy to know you both. You have an amazing daughter, and I love her dearly.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Kenzie’s father replied. “I don’t want her to settle for less.” He glanced around. “What say you help me arrange for the bags?”
Micah smiled. “I’d be delighted.”
The men went off to collect the luggage. Kenzie had thought she’d have so much to say to her mother, but the words seemed unimportant. “I’m so glad you could come.”
Mother clasped Kenzie’s hand. “Your young man is quite handsome, and it sounds as if he’s very much in love.”
Kenzie nodded and felt her cheeks flush. “We are. I can’t imagine ever loving anyone as much as I love him. He’s a good man, Mother. He cares so deeply for people, and I’ve learned so much at his side.”
“I can see how happy you are, and that blesses me more than I can say. You were never this happy with Arthur.”
“No. I don’t suppose I ever was.” Kenzie thought back for a moment. “I never felt I was equal to Arthur.”
“You weren’t. You were far superior,” her mother snapped back.
Kenzie couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve never known you to be so opinionated.”
“I wish I’d been more so when the Morgan men were up to their wily tricks. But hindsight is always so clear, is it not?”
“Yes, I suppose it is.”
The men returned, laughing and talking as if they’d always known each other. Kenzie marveled at the ease with which Micah conversed with her father. She wished she might one day know that feeling.
“Are you ladies ready?” Micah asked. “I think, given you’ve spent the last few days traveling, it would be prudent to whisk you away to your hotel so that you might recover.”
“I’m absolutely ready for a proper bed and bath,” Mother said with a sigh.
Micah offered her his arm. “Then allow me to show you the way.” They began to walk toward the depot’s entrance. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
That left Kenzie with her father. She looked at him and without prompting took his arm. “I’m sorry it was such a long trip here, but I’m so glad you could both come. I wanted you to be with me on my wedding day.”
