“Of course.” She set her coffee cup down, frowning at my anxious words. “Grant?” she said as she moved out of the kitchen. “Are you still here?”
I followed her into the front hall and toward Papa’s study. He was standing behind his desk, putting papers into his briefcase. He glanced up. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Mama said as she turned and motioned toward me. “Ally wants to talk to us before you leave.”
“Can it wait? I’m already late.”
“It’s kind of important.” I paused. “Actually, it’s very important.”
“Should we sit down?” Mama asked, her voice dipping with concern.
“I think so.” I took one of the chairs across from Papa’s desk, not able to keep myself standing for this discussion.
Papa frowned as he set aside his briefcase and took a seat.
Mama also sat, taking the chair next to me. She grabbed my hand and said, “What is it, Ally? What’s wrong?”
I took a deep breath. “First the good news.”
That seemed to brighten their expressions.
“We found gold. Sam and I brought back over one hundred and thirty thousand dollars, and it’s at the assayer’s office in 1849. Tomorrow, I’ll put it in the Wells Fargo Bank, and then the next day we should be able to go get it.”
Mama’s eyebrows came up as she shook her head in amazement.“That’s wonderful, Ally! I’ve been too afraid to ask how things were going because I wasn’t sure if you were successful.”
“I am going to keep half of it for Father and Hazel,” I told them, “but the other half is for you and Bennett Studios. Hopefully with the rate of inflation, it should be worth a lot more money now.”
“Ally.” Papa stood and came around the desk to give me a hug. “Thank you. I can’t begin to tell you how much that will help us. But are you sure you want us to have it?”
“It’s the only reason I went.” I nodded. “It’s all yours.”
“Thank you,” Mama echoed. “It really will help us get over this slump until the movie releases.”
“Good.” I took another deep breath, and this time I couldn’t meet their gazes.
“Now for the bad news?” Mama asked.
“It’s not bad, necessarily. It’s just—news.”
“You can tell us,” Papa assured me.
I lifted my chin and said, “Sam has asked me to marry him, and I’ve accepted.” I added quickly, “But I want your blessing.”
My parents stared at me, neither one saying a word.
“I know it’s sudden,” I said, “but there are many factors that went into my decision.”
“Marry Sam?” Mama asked, blinking in confusion. “But I thought—”
“I’m confused, Ally,” Papa interrupted. “I thought you said thatThe Annalsof San Franciscosaid you’d be married to him, but you weren’t going to marry him.”
“I did say that, but after we went to the Yuba River to get the gold, rumors started to circulate about us. Father is afraid that they will hurt the reputations of the school he wants to start and Sam’s business, and ultimately Hazel’s. Father suggested we marry, and I want to honor him, but I also want to honor both of you. And—” I played with the belt holding my kimono together. “I love Sam.”
“Ally,” Mama said my name on a breath, taking my hand in hers again. “You’re in love with him?”
“Despite my earlier reservations, I’ve discovered that he is nothinglike I imagined.” Passion and love warmed my heart as I continued. “I do love him, and I would be honored to be his wife. I’ve never known anyone like him, Mama. Truly.”
“But isn’t he supposed to die in a fire the day after your birthday?” Papa asked.
