“Pearl! Are you all right?” Addie patted the edge of the bed. “Please come sit and tell me what happened.”
Pearl crossed the room, leaving the door open. “Perhaps this way it won’t feel quite so stuffy in here.”
“Of course. Open the window if you like.”
“No, this is fine. With a small private room like this, it just seems so terribly close.”
“Is that what made you faint?”
Pearl smiled. “In part. I was hoping to share some news with you about my health. News I only learned about recently. You’ve been gone and then hurt, and there wasn’t any time to tell you.”
“Tell me what, Pearl? Are you ill?”
“Not at all. In fact, I’m in the best shape of my life. At least that’s what the doctor said.”
“Then what?”
“I’m with child. Otis and I are going to have a baby.”
“Oh, Pearl!” Addie put her hand to her mouth in surprise.
“I kept feeling lightheaded, and Otis insisted I see the doctor. With the busyness of the expo and all that we had to do for it, I completely missed the signs that this might be the reason for my feeling unwell at times. When I put all the pieces together, it was clear that after hoping for over twelve years, we are finally expecting a baby. Imagine that, and me forty-five years old.”
“Oh, that’s such good news. Oh, Pearl, congratulations. Please sit down and rest. You’ve been through so much this morning.”
“I’m fine, Addie, and I’ll be even better when you are back home with us.” She took hold of Addie’s hand. “I just need to know that you’re in a safe place.”
Addie said nothing about the plans she’d had for leaving Seattle. Instead, she squeezed Pearl’s fingers and smiled. There would be time for sorrow later.
21
Hiram threw down his boots and cursed. He’d been so stupid to leave Addie alone. He had thought she was unconscious from one of his beatings. He knew she was wounded. In fact, from the way she held her arm, Hiram was pretty sure he’d busted it. So how could she have escaped? Better still, where was she now?
Shep was absolutely no help at all. He did nothing but complain about the dump they were living in. The one-room apartment was barely big enough for one man, much less two. The small bed wasn’t suited for sleeping double, so Hiram had told Shep they’d sleep in shifts. The important thing was that one of them be on watch at all times.
“Did you hear anything about Addie?” Shep asked, coming awake. He stretched and got up from the bed.
“Not a thing. The people at the photo shop are being quite closemouthed about her. I wasn’t even able to find Esther and see what she knew.” He plopped down on the single chair in the room. “This is getting harder by the minute. I’m sure she’s gone to her friends, but there doesn’t seem to be any sign of her with them.”
“Maybe we should just move on then. If she’s with her friends, they’re gonna put the police onto us. There’s no doubt about that.”
Hiram shook his head. “I’ve got to try and get in touch with Esther. Maybe I’ll go back to the expo around closing time and see if I can find her. She’s bound to know something.”
Addie was pleasantly surprised to wake up from her nap and find Isaac at her side. She tried to smile, but the cut on her lip and the swelling made it almost impossible.
“It’s nice to see you awake. How are you feeling?” Isaac asked, reaching out to take hold of her hand.
“I’m doing much better. I can finally sleep without startling awake at every sound. Thank you for the Pinkerton men. I want to reimburse you when I’m out of here. I know it cannot be cheap to have men posted round the clock.”
“I won’t hear anything more about reimbursing me. Addie, I love you, and I want to marry you.”
She said nothing for a long moment. Finally, she decided what needed to be discussed could no longer be put off. “Isaac, you said you knew everything about me. Or something to that effect.”
“Yes, I think I know most every important matter that pertains to you.”
“Then you must know that I’m ashamed of my past and all that was forced upon me.”
Isaac’s gaze turned sympathetic. “Addie, you did nothing wrong. Nothing at all.”
