Alden leaned toward her. “You don’t have to worry about Victor. Judah will make sure he’s on that ship going east.”
“But he might return one day, and if he did—I can’t bear to think of him taking back my son.”
Isaac crossed his arms. “I think the three of us need to stick together. Here in California.”
Alden nodded. “I agree.”
But Alden didn’t meant it. One day he would meet a woman whom he’d want to marry. He wouldn’t want to be burdened with her too. “In Victor’s eyes—and others here—Isaac and I will always be slaves.”
“I don’t see a slave when I look at either of you,” Alden said, glancing at both of them. “In Isaac, I see a boy who is smart and kind and funny. He’s one of the hardest-working fellows I know and a faithful friend.”
Her heart pounded as his gaze settled on her again. “When I look at you, Isabelle, I see a beautiful, genteel woman who is capable and strong. A woman I’d be deeply honored to have as my wife.”
She drank in Alden’s words, savoring every one, but she couldn’t allow him to give up his future for her. “You don’t have to be a martyr, Alden.”
“A martyr?” His eyebrows climbed with his question, and then he left his chair, sitting on the bed beside her. “I don’t think you understand.”
“But I do—”
He turned back toward Isaac. “Do you mind if we have a moment?”
Isaac groaned. “You never let me stay around for the important things.”
“I actually need your help.” He leaned down beside him, whispering as if she couldn’t hear. “Right now, I need a moment to convince your mother to marry me.”
Isaac eyed Alden. Then he picked up his book. “I suppose I can read a few more pages in the parlor, but don’t take all night. She and I have a lot of catching up to do.”
He closed the door behind him, and Alden took her hand.
“Isabelle.” He knelt before her. “My love for you is stronger than the quartz threaded through these mountains, and it’s as endless as the gold embedded in them. If you don’t feel the same about me, I understand, but if you do, it would be the greatest privilege for me to be your husband.”
“I have Negro blood running through me,” she reminded him, as if he’d forgotten. She might be proud of her ancestry, but every child they had, if they had any children, could have Isaac’s brown skin.
“I love you and every ounce of blood flowing through your veins.” He took her hand. “I will care for Isaac as my son and any other children that God may bless us with.”
As she pulled his hand close to her heart, she smiled. “Then I would be honored to be your wife as well.”
Her face warmed as he leaned closer to her, whispering. “I don’t want either of us to hide in the shadows anymore.”
When he kissed her, the storm raging through her began to settle, her heart finding calm in the safety of his affection. Even the pain from her wounds was soothed in his love.
Isaac cleared his throat by the door. “Are you two done yet?”
“Not exactly.” Alden stepped away, but his gaze was still locked on her.
“I’m hungry for oysters.”
They all laughed. “I suppose we could find some in this town,” Alden said.
Isaac’s nose crinkled. “I sure hope you don’t keep kissing like that.”
Alden put his arm around Isaac’s shoulders. Then he glanced back over his shoulder like a kid, conspiring with her in his wink.
She closed her eye again as she rested back against the pillows.
Mother. Wife. Guardian of truth and light. She would step boldly into this new life, embracing the love of her family and these beautiful new names.
No longer was she alone.
