“But she didn’t go back out?”

  “No, sir. She passed out as soon as she got home. And didn’t wake up again until early this morning. I don’t know how she slept through everything.”

  Will patted Milam on the arm. “Thank you for taking care of her. I’ll go see her now.” Milam nodded and headed back towards the kitchen.

  Will softly opened the door to the sitting room. He spied Charlotte on the chaise lounge in the far corner of the room. Sunlight streamed across her face as she lay there with her eyes closed.

  She was a vision with her blonde hair laid around her like a halo. Normally she wore it up with ringlets in the back, but today, he could tell she hadn’t put it up. He walked over, blocking the sun that was lighting up her face.

  Her skin was a perfect peaches and cream complexion. She had a wide brow with a pert nose and full, luscious lips. Will wanted to see if they tasted like ripe berries, because they certainly did look like them.

  He knelt by her, and picked up a strand of hair, rubbing it between his fingers. Charlotte let out a little moan and lifted her arms to stretch. Her blue eyes suddenly flew open and clashed with his.

  “Will!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here for this,” he said, his lips capturing her own. She tasted every bit as sweet as he imagined in his dreams. He pressed his lips perhaps a moment longer than necessary, but he found he didn’t have the willpower to break the kiss.

  Finally, Charlotte reached her hand up to cup his cheek and he remembered where he was. He pulled back and looked in her eyes, which became the color of the swirling tide pools down in New Harbor. “Good morning, darling,” he said to her, giving her a kiss on the forehead before grabbing the chair from the desk and dragging it over to sit next to her.

  “Oh Will, you hurt your arm,” she said, pointing to the bandages.

  “Just a superficial burn. There were a few that were burned worse than I was.”

  “I hope it doesn’t hurt.”

  “I’m so glad you care,” he teased.

  Charlotte sat up from the chaise and put her hands on her hips. “Of course, I care. That is the silliest thing you ever said.” She relaxed a bit, resting on the large arm of the lounger. “I’m so glad you are here. I’ve not seen you all week.”

  Will shifted in his seat. “Well, I was busy, and I knew you were spending time with the babies, so I wanted to give you that opportunity without me underfoot.”

  Charlotte laughed. “I can’t imagine you ever being underfoot. I just saw those two precious babies yesterday.”

  “How are they doing?”

  “Tess was so out of sorts because she’s not had any rest. And Dawson had to go out of town,” she fluttered her hand, “for what I don’t know. I couldn’t sleep last night so I went over and sat with the twins so she could rest. Rosie had a bit of a fever. I got back here rather late at night.”

  “Milam said you slept through the fire.”

  “Yes, I did. I can’t believe I wasn’t out there helping.”

  “Did you take something that would cause you to pass out?”

  Charlotte looked at him, anger appearing on her face. “What are you implying, William?”

  “I’m not your child, Charlotte, don’t take that tone with me. I just wanted to know if you took something that would have caused you to sleep through the fire.”

  “I’m not using laudanum again, if that is what you are implying.” She got up from the lounge and started to pace the room. “Although I admit there are times when I want it with an awful need.” She turned and looked at him. “But no, Will, I didn’t take any laudanum.”

  Will stood and went to put his arms around her, drawing her in for a hug. “I’m glad. I know you are in a very delicate state in your recovery. Anytime you think you need that elixir again, you find me, OK?”

  Charlotte nodded against his shoulder. “Yes, Will.”

  “That’s my girl. I was wondering if you thought any more about what I asked at the picnic?”

  Charlotte’s face drew up and she looked at Will with a puzzled expression. “Honestly, I hadn’t. With the babies, and everything it honestly slipped my mind.”

  Will tried not to show his disappointment. “I understand. How about if we discuss it later this week? That way you can think about it a few more days.”

  “Thank you. Why don’t you come for dinner on Tuesday night? That way we can talk about all this.”

  Will broke into a grin. “That sounds wonderful. I’m glad you are safe.” He kissed her on the forehead again. “I need to run and see what kind of damage was done to the workshop.”

  “Did the fire go in that direction?”

  “No, but I’m sure there is some smoke damage. Let me go through everything and then I’ll come back and tell you everything I find out.”

  Charlotte nodded and reached up to give him a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you for everything, Will. You really are a good friend.”

  Will shrugged, a little hurt she had put him back in the friend category after he proposed. “I’ll see you on Tuesday then, Charlotte,” he said as he headed out of the room.

  It was now Tuesday and Will was putting the final touches on the coffin for Fannie Pearl. The matriarch of Silverpines had passed in her sleep, before the fire ever took hold, and the service was the following day.

  It filled Will’s heart to see the outpouring of love for the elderly woman. As such, he wanted to make sure he decorated her coffin to reflect the beloved founder.

  He had just finished carving a string of pearls draped over a cross when he heard a knock on the front door of the undertaker’s office. “Come in,” he called. “I’m in the back.”

  The sound of boots walking made their way to the woodshop and Alexzander Sewell popped his head through the door. “Got a minute?”

  Will put his chisel aside and walked from behind the coffin. “Of course. What can I do for you today, Marshal?” He extended his hand and once Alex shook it, Will motioned for the man to have a seat.

  “Did you have much damage here?” Alex asked, looking around the workshop.

  “Other than smoke coming in, I was very fortunate. Other places, not so. I just had to wash down everything. I’m still finding soot after I think I cleaned everything.”

  Alex nodded. “I think that might be for a while. All that smoke covering everything. Which brings me by this morning. I wanted to talk to you about the fire.”

  “What about it?”

  Alex crossed his leg over the other knee and drummed his fingers on his leg. “I’ve been doing some investigation as to what started the fire.” Will raised his eyebrow. “It started in Chinatown.”

  “Not surprising. The fire was coming from that direction.”

  “What are your thoughts about your neighbors over there?”

  “Who? The Chinese?” Alex nodded. “They seem to be very quiet. They have nice manners and don’t appear to want to get in anyone’s way. The ones I’ve worked with at the mine have been strong workers, hard providers. What is this all about?”

  “It appears that the fire was caused by an opium burner.”

  Will wasn’t sure where the marshal was headed with his questioning. “Opium? Here in Silverpines?”

  “Yes. It started in a tent when the burner was knocked over. I guess someone had been making opium under our noses.”

  “That is a pretty strong drug,” Will responded.

  “Yes. Stronger than laudanum.”

  “What are you saying, Marshal?” Will felt his face get hot. “Are you accusing me of something? If so, just spit it out.”

  “Where were you the night the fire broke out?”

  “I was right here. Sleeping.” Will pointed to his bed over in the corner. “I was sleeping right there. That was until the darn rooster woke me.”

  “Rooster, you say?”

  “Yes, he was on the edge of the wood and crowing his head off. I’m glad he did because I would have probably not gotten to the bell in time.”

  “Can you describe the rooster?”

  “It was a rooster. There are a ton of them… were a ton of them wandering from Chinatown. He was a big red and brown one.”

  “Do you know who keeps chickens?”

  Will tried to not let his frustration creep into his voice. He wished the marshal would just get to the point of whatever he needed. “Check with Zhang and his family.”

  “I would, but they have returned to New Harbor. His wife gave birth during the fire and he took her home to be with her family. Carol MacGregor helped deliver the baby.”

  “I don’t know how I can help you.” Will clenched his fist, the feeling of his nails digging into his palm soothing his anger.

  “I know you had a problem in the past.”

  “I haven’t touched anything for over two years. Not a drop of laudanum, not a drop of alcohol. I’ve not even rolled a cigarette”

  “I just have to check.”

  “I know.” Will knew that the lawman was just doing his job; he just wished these questions wouldn’t bring up so many memories. He wanted to burn the fire and his past from his memories. What irony, he thought.

  Alexander pushed up from his seat and headed towards the door. “Thanks for your time.”

  Will didn’t reply. He just watched the lawman walk across the floor towards the lean-to.

  When Alex reached the door that led outside, he turned and looked at Will. “One more question. I heard that Charlotte Daniels was walking through town after dark.” He took off his hat, beating it against his leg. Will watched as a cloud of soot lifted from his hat and dissipated into the air. “It was just before the fire, in fact. Do you know anything about that?”

  “What makes you think I would know something?”

  “I know you two have been spending a lot of time together.”

  Will groaned. “She said she was helping Tess take care of the twins.”

  Alex rubbed his chin. “I’ve not been able to verify that story with Mrs. Elliot yet, but I will. It appears that she went to New Harbor with Hattie to meet her husband. Hattie needed to get some herbs, and she went along with the twins. Seems like everyone has headed to New Harbor.” He shrugged. “I guess they’ll be back soon.”

  “When is she due back?”

  “I know Hattie will be either tonight or tomorrow. I’m not sure how long Mrs. Elliot will be away. Her husband was called back by the Pinkertons to track down a fugitive.”

  “The exciting life of a Pinkerton,” Will said dryly.

  “As long as it doesn’t bring trouble to my town, we are good.” He looked over at the wooden casket on the workbench. “Beautiful job on the casket. The town will appreciate how much work you put into that carving for Fannie Pearl.

  Will nodded and watched Alex leave before picking the chisel back up. He realized as he started on the next rose that he never mentioned to the marshal about what he saw the day of the picnic.

  2 years, 4 months, 14 days, 3 hours, 27 minutes and 41 seconds.

  Chapter 4

  Will thought about what the marshal said as he walked to Charlotte’s house that evening. He couldn’t think that she deliberately misled him. As he thought back, she never denied taking anything to make her fall asleep, just that she didn’t take laudanum.

  It was a conversation he didn’t look forward to having. He was, however, looking forward to seeing Charlotte and if she thought any more about his proposal.

  He took a bath and splashed on some bay rum before heading up Main Street towards her house. To the right across the park he could see the charred remains of the buildings. Demolition had already started.

  He was part of the way there, when he ran into Ian MacGregor and Ian’s wife, Carol.

  “Will,” Ian called out in his Scottish brogue. “How be ye this evenin’?”

  Will shook the man’s hand. Ian was the assistant mine manager. He oversaw most of the operations when they started excavating the ground to reopen the mine. Will met the Scotsman when he was helping dig the graves for the bodies retrieved from the mine. He had great respect for the man and his position.

  “Doing very well. Good evening, Mrs. MacGregor.” Will turned his attention to the woman standing next to Ian. “I understand you saved Zhang’s wife and delivered his child. That was very brave of you to do that in the midst of all the destruction.”

  “I didn’t know who the woman was, just that she needed help.”

  “Zhang is one of the Chinese workers at the mine site,” Ian explained. “He is one of the primary translators for us. I guess I didn’t realize it was Zhang’s wife either.”

  Carol looked at her husband and blushed. “It really wasn’t that difficult. I would never have known she needed help if it wasn’t for the rooster.”

  “Rooster?” Will asked.

  “Yes. It was a rooster that led me to her.”

  “I was woken up by a rooster. It announced the fire to me, so I went and rang the bell.”

  “I wonder if it was the same one.”

  “This one was a dark red roo.”

  “So was mine,” she exclaimed.

  “Funny thing was, I honestly thought I was dreaming the whole thing, because when I turned around, I swore I saw him disappear.”

  “If it was the rooster I’m thinking of, some folks think he is an angel.”

  Will laughed. “I don’t know if I believe that, but I’m grateful he did wake me up.”

  “He is a very special bird.”

  Ian looked at his watch and grabbed his wife’s hand. “We need to get back to the house.” He put his hand out and Will shook it before heading back up the road.

  It only took a few minutes to arrive at the front door of the large brick home and knock. Milam greeted him at the door and directed him once more to the sitting room.

  He was surprised to hear voices coming from the room as he walked down the hall. He didn’t think there would be additional company.

  He entered the room to see Tess and Dawson sitting on the chaise. Tess was holding a baby in one arm, while Charlotte rocked the other baby on her lap.

  Charlotte looked up and smiled at him. His heart melted a little with the look of love on her face for the little one in her arm.

  “Which one is that?” he asked, walking over to Charlotte’s shoulder and peering down to look at the baby.

  “This is Oscar. Isn’t he lovely?”

  “The most handsome baby in the world.” Charlotte puffed up her chest a little. “He looks just like Tess did as a baby.”

  Will gave Charlotte a quick peck on the cheek. “And look at her, now,” he said with a wink in Tess’s direction.

  Dawson laughed and put his arm around the back of the chaise, tugging his wife closer to him.

  “Good evening, Will,” Tess said.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “A little... okay, a lot sore. But I’m glad to finally be out up and about.”

  “I thought you were in New Harbor. Did you just get back?”

  Tess looked confused.

  “New Harbor? Why would I be in New Harbor?” she asked, shifting Rosie to the other side.

  Will stuck his fingers beneath his shirt collar trying to loosen it. “The marshal came by to see me today. He wanted to talk to you, but he said that you weren’t in town.”

  “I don’t know why he would have thought that. I had Marty help me bring all the baby items from the apartment the day after the fire. We are going to be staying with Momma for a bit.”

  “There was smoke damage to the clinic and the apothecary. It travelled up into the apartments. Hopefully we can get it cleaned up quickly. There are a lot of people needing help right now.”

  “But I don’t think we are going to go back to the apartment,” Dawson said.

  “What are you going to do?” Will asked. He pulled a chair over to sit next to Charlotte.

  “Charlotte has been kind enough to let us stay here until the clinic and apartment are cleaned up.” Dawson ran his fingers through his hair. “The clinic is the first priority. After that we will most likely move outside of town. There is some land between here and the Winters’s horse farm.”

  “That sounds nice. A large yard. It is just what two growing children need.”

  “Not a yard,” Tess interjected. “Acres and acres of land they can run and play on. Momma and I figured it out yesterday.”

  Dawson rolled his eye and excused himself from the room.

  “Yes,” said Charlotte. “I have it all figured out. If we get a large enough piece of land, we can have three houses on it. There will be enough room for a large garden and Hattie can grow her herbs.”

  “Wait,” said Will, shaking his head. The words must be jumbled because he didn’t think he heard her right. “Why would Hattie grow her herbs out there?”

  “Because we would all move out there. Me, Tess and Dawson, Hattie and Robert. It will be like our own little corner of Silverpines.”

  “But Charlotte, you already have a house.”

  Charlotte looked at him like he had lost his mind. “Yes, I’m aware I have a house. I’ve been thinking of selling it and perhaps the time is right now.”

  “So, you’d just go off into the woods and build a new house on a piece of land with other houses?”

  Charlotte nodded. “And you’ll just live there off the land.”

  “Well, I know it sounds rather odd.”

  “Charlotte, have you lost your mind?”

  “Will!” she admonished him. “I will not have you speaking to me that way.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get these babies fed,” Tess said, picking up Oscar from Charlotte’s arms and handing him to Dawson who just reappeared into the room. “Dawson, let’s leave Will and Momma alone for a bit.”

  Dawson shot a look of sympathy Will’s way before following his wife out of the room.

  “I cannot believe you did that.” Charlotte jumped up and started pacing the floor.

  “Charlotte, do not give into theatrics. I simply think you need to look at the feasibility of the situation.”

  “Tess and Dawson are moving to the outskirt of town and I will never see the babies again.” She lifted her handkerchief to her eyes. “I’ve been stuck in this house alone for years. I need a change.”