Wanted: Redemption Read online

  Redemption

  Silverpines Series Book #21

  Christine Sterling

  Table of Contents

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

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  Compassion costs. It is easy enough to argue, criticize, and condemn, but redemption is costly, and comfort draws from the deep. Brains can argue, but it takes heart to comfort.

  –Samuel Chadwick

  Chapter 1

  April 15, 1900

  It had been exactly one year since the first disaster in Silverpines, and 90 days, 20 hours, 51 minutes and 32 seconds since Charlotte Daniels had her last taste of laudanum.

  Not that the cravings weren’t there, but she was determined not to fall victim to the sweet lure of sleepiness and irresponsibility. Her daughter, Tess Daniels, now Elliot, told her in no uncertain circumstances that Charlotte wouldn’t be allowed to see her grandchild if she continued with the Devil’s elixir.

  It was enough to sober her quickly. She fought her demons daily as nothing was more important than her unborn grandbaby.

  When she first started imbibing, she had no intention of becoming addicted to the bitter liquid, she honestly just wanted something to help her sleep. Sleep was precious commodity after her husband, Harris passed two years ago.

  And Mr. Clemmons appeared to be so helpful when he suggested this specific brew that was all the rage among the elite and made in the best apothecaries in Harbor City. Charlotte took a chance. How was she to know that the man was a swindler, liar and a cad to boot?

  He kept plying her with the bitter liquid until she had to have it. She needed not only to sleep, but when the smaller doses weren’t working anymore, he increased the dose until she was sick with need. Then she needed it to survive.

  She had been so desperate, that when she ran out of the bottles he provided her, she went so far as to draft a letter to the bank allowing him to withdraw funds as he saw fit to keep her supplied.

  But that was part of Mr. Clemmons’ plan. How was she to know that he would take her money and run? And that he had a pattern of doing this previously? So here she was. Without her fortune, no matter how small it was, without her elixir and without the company of Mr. Clemmons and her family. Thankfully her son-in-law was a Pinkerton and found a portion of her money, and it was returned to her.

  Charlotte looked at the watch pinned to her blouse again.

  90 days, 21 hours, 04 minutes and 15 seconds.

  She took a deep breath and released it.

  Dr. Tory told her to take one minute at a time. Sixty seconds made a minute. She only had to get through 60 seconds. Then through 60 minutes each hour. Then through 24 hours each day.

  Charlotte just wondered when it would get easier. It was nearly noon; today was the remembrance ceremony in the park and Charlotte’s first trip outside in nearly 8 months. She didn’t go outside at the start of her recovery as she was terrified that people would find out about her addiction.

  Then she didn’t go outside at all over the shame of not going out in the first place. It was a vicious cycle in her mind.

  Will Tuckering should be arriving any minute to escort her to the park. She smiled at the thought. Will had been helping her with her recovery.

  He checked on her every day, since her son-in-law Dawson first introduced them. Her first thought was that Will was very overbearing. He rarely left her alone, making sure she ate, rested and held her hand as she cried because her need for laudanum was so great. In time, she could honestly say that he was her best friend.

  She thought he was extremely handsome. It made her realize how much she missed Harris. Even though she had been married to him for nearly a quarter of a century before he passed, they grew apart in the few years before he died.

  Harris would spend most of his time in his office and studio on the far side of town. He was the undertaker and when Charlotte would try to go spend time with him, he would dismiss her, saying he was busy.

  He was never too busy, however, for Tess. She would spend hours sitting in the workshop where Harris would measure and prepare coffins, reading to him. After his death, she would still steal into the office and read. Charlotte didn’t understand it, but it brought Tess some peace.

  It was ironic that Tess met her future husband where she would escape when life became too hard. Charlotte sniffed. It really was her, that Tess was escaping. Charlotte had such hopes for her daughter, but instead Tess decided to do things her own way and was now married to a man that Charlotte wouldn’t have chosen for her.

  But Tess appeared happy, and that made Charlotte happy. And she was looking forward to the impending birth of her grandchild.

  Charlotte heard Milam call down the hall for her. Milam was her housekeeper and cook. She had been with the Daniels since before Tess was born. Charlotte felt blessed that Milam and her husband moved out west with them when they left Boston. Unfortunately, Milam’s husband was killed in the earthquake a year ago. She came to the door of Charlotte’s dressing room and peeked inside.

  “Oh, Miss Charlotte,” she said, placing her hand up to her chest. “You look awful pretty. I haven’t seen you wear that before.”

  Charlotte twirled in front of the mirror. She loved the deep brown against her pale skin. She loved the way the waist made her appear trim. She was secretly hoping that Will would notice.

  “Thank you, Milam. It is new. I saw it at the mercantile and just had to have it. I’ve not purchased anything like this since Mr. Daniels passed. I do like it.” The lace trim tickled her arms and she tugged on them. “I won’t have to wear a jacket. Feel this material.” She held her arm out towards Milam. Milam rubbed the fabric between her fingers.

  “That sure is awful pretty. Nice heavy fabric.” Milam released Charlotte’s sleeve and stepped back outside the door. “Mr. Tuckering is here. I put him in the sitting room with the picnic basket.” She pointed down the hall. “I think you need to head out. I’ll be over there in a bit. You enjoy yourself, Miss Charlotte.”

  “Thank you, Milam,” Charlotte said, placing her hand on Milam’s arm. Milam gave her hand a little squeeze before patting it, and then she pushed Charlotte towards the sitting room.

  She quickly walked to the sitting room and paused before she pushed open the door. She avoided this room as much as possible as it contained bitter memories of her past. This was the room that she spent most of her days in a laudanum induced stupor. It was also where that thief stole her money and property right under her nose. She shook off the feelings and entered the room.

  “Are you ready?” she asked Will, who was looking out the window across the lawn. He turned and looked at her, a smile breaking across his face. His soft words poured over her, reaching right into her soul.

  “You look beautiful, Charlotte, just like a vision. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone as beautiful as you are right now.” He walked over and fingered one of her curls, before letting it rest back on her shoulder.

  “I am,” he said, picking up the basket and taking her arm. “I wonder what Milam made?”

&nbs
p; “Probably fried chicken, since you can eat it cold.”

  Will chuckled. “Well it is certainly cool enough today, but the sun is shining.” He released her arm to open the front door and they went down the steps to the garden that Charlotte kept in the front of her house. She loved flowers, all colors and fragrances. The lilies were her favorite, but the flowers and their heady aroma wouldn’t be out until late summer.

  They quickly walked to the park in the warm sunshine. The breeze was cool, but Charlotte didn’t feel the cold. She was perfectly content holding onto Will’s arm.

  He chose a spot near the pavilion where the band was setting up to play. There were a few tables out and several families were sitting on blankets in the grass.

  She saw Tess and Dawson walking across the lawn, and she lifted her hand to wave. “Tess looks like she is about to pop. I can’t believe she hasn’t delivered that baby yet.” Will looked over her shoulder and raised his hand in greeting as well, before guiding her to sit down on one of the benches.

  “When is she due?” Will asked, placing the basket on the table and taking a seat next to Charlotte.

  “This month. I think.” Charlotte looked puzzled for a moment, her brow furrowing. “I honestly don’t remember what she told me.” She bit her bottom lip and started to wring her hands together. Her voice started to squeak as she looked at him. “I don’t remember, Will.”

  Will rubbed her back. “Shhhhh, Charlotte. That is just part of recovery.”

  “Will it get better?”

  “Maybe. There are still things I don’t remember. That is what the drug does. It steals everything good from you.”

  Charlotte nodded. She looked around at the people gathering in the park. Several of them looked her way and turned to go sit at another table.

  “I don’t know if I can do this, Will.”

  “You can,” he said. “And you will.”

  “I mean I don’t think I can do this alone.”

  Will lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against the warm skin. Charlotte felt a flutter, as he had never touched her so intimately before.

  “You aren’t alone, sweetheart. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

  “Oh look, there is Odessa Gale. She is one of my dear friends.” She waved to Odessa, who started walking over to the table.

  “Charlotte.” Will cleared his throat, before taking Charlotte’s chin in his hand and turning her to face him. “I need to ask you something. I’d like to do it before your friend gets to the table.”

  “Of course, anything. You’ve been such a good friend to me these past few months.”

  Will took her hand in his once more and covered it with his other hand. He looked at her with deep brown eyes that reminded her of melted chocolate. She admired his square jaw and sculpted face. She noticed the tic in his cheek. He must be really worried about something, she thought.

  He cleared his throat once again and looked over her shoulder to see how far away Odessa was. “Charlotte, I am hoping I can become more than that?”

  Charlotte took a deep breath. “More than what?”

  “More than just your friend. Your companion. I want to be with you for the rest of your life.” Charlotte let out a little gasp. Will continued, “I know we’ve not known each other very long. Just a few months, but I find myself wanting to be with you all the time. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Charlotte lifted her fingers to her throat and fiddled with a piece of lace. “I – I –”

  “Charlotte Daniels,” Odessa interrupted as she slid her robust frame on the bench. “I am so happy to see you out and about. Your dress looks lovely.”

  Charlotte looked from Will to Odessa and back to Will again, her eyes blinking in rapid succession. Her brain couldn’t put the words together that he was saying.

  What was he asking?

  What did Odessa just say?

  Charlotte felt her cheeks flush and she pulled her hand away from Will.

  “Oh my,” Odessa said, “am I interrupting something?”

  “Not at all,” Charlotte said, reaching into the basket in front of her. “Please join us.”

  Odessa looked around. “I wonder where that boy ran off to?”

  “Marty?”

  “Yes. He is always off doing something or another.” She reached into her basket and pulled out a piece of fabric, tucking it into the neck of her blouse. “God bless that boy. He has really helped out since Douglas died.”

  “Douglas?” Will asked.

  “Yes, he was my husband.”

  “I’m sorry, did he die in the earthquake?”

  “No. He died several years ago. Marty has been taking care of me ever since. I have asthma. Had it for years, but Doc Hattie gave me some of her magic herbs and I’m doing so much better.”

  “Odessa, have you met Will Tuckering?”

  Odessa shook her head. “I’ve seen you around town, but then again, there have been so many new faces, I can’t keep them all straight.”

  “Will has been helping Dawson at the undertaker’s office.”

  Odessa took a bite of her sandwich as people started speaking on the podium. “Such a good man, that Dawson is. And he dotes on Tess.”

  “That he certainly does.”

  The speeches were wrapped up in quick order and the musicians took their seats on the podium. Will leaned into Charlotte. “I’m going to go get us a glass of lemonade. I’ll be right back.”

  Charlotte nodded and continued to talk to Odessa. Will returned with the drinks just as the band was starting to play. Charlotte tapped her foot to the music.

  “Would you like to dance, mi’lady?” Will asked, taking a deep bow in front of her.

  “I can’t dance, Will.”

  “Why ever not? You have two good legs.”

  “What would all these people think?” She motioned around to the people sitting and eating their lunch.

  “They would think that I’m having a dance with one of the most eligible women in town.”

  Charlotte blushed. “Sit down before someone hears you.” She waved him back towards the bench. “Imagine that. Dancing at a picnic.” She turned and finished her lunch. “I do say that Milam does make the best fried chicken.”

  Odessa looked at her. “Milam should open up her own diner here in town.”

  “Don’t be silly. There is already a diner in town.”

  Odessa leaned over the table and lowered her voice. “Lily Jo is selling the diner.”

  “What?” Charlotte squealed. “You can’t be serious. Whatever for?”

  “I don’t know exactly, but I think…”

  Will coughed loudly. “Charlotte, it sounds like gossip. You don’t want to partake in that, do you?”

  “But…” she pointed at Odessa. Will raised an eyebrow, his eyes boring holes to someplace deep inside of her. “Oh, alright. Never mind.”

  Suddenly she heard her name explode in the air. She turned to see Dawson picking Tess up and heading towards Hattie’s apothecary.

  “Oh goodness, I think it is time.” She looked at her watch.

  90 days, 23 hours, 37 minutes and 24 seconds.

  Chapter 2

  2 years, 4 months, 7 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes and 10 seconds.

  Will watched Charlotte race towards the apothecary. He was torn between wanting to follow her or stay at the table with Odessa Gale.

  “You should go on,” Odessa said, waving towards the apothecary. Marty came and sat down, giving his mother a kiss on the cheek before unwrapping a sandwich.

  “Sorry, I’m late, Ma, but I was helping Mr. Winters at the livery. He gave me a whole 10-cents for helping him. Can you believe it?”

  “Good job, Marty,” Will piped in.

  “Thanks Mr. Tuckering,” he said between bites of the sandwich he was chewing. “You got any jobs I can help out with?”

  “I can’t think of any, but if I find something, I’ll let you know.”

  “Thanks. Ma, I heard that a bu
nch of the kids are going to be playing horseshoes over in that field next to Chinatown. You okay if I go join them?”

  Odessa pulled her son in for a half-hug and ruffled his hair. “I’ll be fine. I’m just going to wait here and listen to the rest of the speeches. I think the band will be playing again soon.”

  “Thanks, Ma,” Marty responded, shoving the last of the sandwich in his mouth.

  “Martin Gale, don’t take such a big bite.” Marty washed it down with milk from a jar and ran off towards the field, calling back to his mother.

  “I’ll be back in a few hours to get you.”

  Will watched Marty run around the cemetery and meet up with several boys on the other side.

  “He is still so young. I keep forgetting that.”

  “Excuse me?” Will asked.

  “Marty. It is hard to believe that he is only 17 years old. It seems like he is older, but then he does something that reminds me he is still a child.”

  “Uhm-huh.”

  “I saw a pink horse walk through earlier today.”

  “Uhm, okay.”

  “I heard Charlotte may be moving out of town.”

  “What?” Will snapped his head up.

  “You aren’t listening to me at all.”

  “I heard you say Charlotte might be moving?”

  “I just said that to see if you were listening.”

  Will looked sheepish. “Sorry, Mrs. Gale. You are right, I wasn’t paying attention.” He started putting the dishes and food back in the basket. “I guess I should get back to the workshop.”

  “Pshaw. If you aren’t going to the apothecary, you should at least stay here. This way you can continue to meet everyone.”

  “I’ll visit for a bit longer.” He looked back towards the apothecary.

  “Tess is fine. She is a strong woman. Women have been having babies since Eve in the garden. There is no one better than Doc Hattie to deliver that little one into the world.”

  “I wasn’t worried about Tess.”

  Odessa laughed. “Charlotte can manage on her own.” She paused and looked at Will. “You really care for her, don’t you?”