chapter 4
As the whistle sounded and the train slowly pulled out of the station, Mariah was filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, she was embarking on a new life, but on the other, leaving her mother under such acrimonious circumstances continued to resonate with sadness. Would they ever reconcile, or live apart until death? In spite of all the pain and heartache she’d suffered, Mariah tried to remain optimistic, even though she knew her mother held no such feelings.
For the rest of the morning, the train made the trek across the state of Pennsylvania before crossing the border into Ohio. The conductor said the cross-country trip to Sacramento could take as many as five days; what with stops to pick up passengers in places like Chicago, St. Louis, and Denver, the possibilities of inclement weather, engine failures, derailments, and accidents with livestock on the tracks, travel time could be increased to a week. Mariah wasn’t looking forward to being stuck in her seat that long, but was grateful the conductor wasn’t enforcing Jim Crow, otherwise she might’ve been forced to pass the time in the end of the train with the cattle or with questionable men with pipes and cigars in the smoking car.
While the train chugged along, she took out her embroidery hoop to keep busy. She also gazed out her window and wondered about the people on the farms and in the towns they passed. Were they content with their lives? Did they have dreams of adventure, too? Were any of them estranged from their parent? She had no answers.
By the time they took on more passengers in Chicago and pulled away from the station, it was full dark. Although Mariah’d had no seat mate upon leaving Philadelphia, she was now joined by a tiny, dark-skinned older woman who got on with a large number of brown shopping bags. She introduced herself. “I’m Mrs. Daisy Stanton. Was in Chicago visiting my cousin.”
I’m Mariah Cooper. Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Stanton.”
Same here. Where are you traveling to?”
California.”
Ah, the only state in the Union named for a Black woman.”
Mariah stilled.
Mrs. Stanton gave her a kind smile. “You look surprised.”
I am. I never heard of such a thing.”
Few outside of the state have. I’m a native of California and taught school there for many years. Live with my daughter in Denver now. I’ll tell you all about Queen Calafia in the morning. Too tired right now, so I’ll bid you good night, Mariah.”
Good night, ma’am.”
A few seconds later, her eyes closed, leaving a very stunned Mariah to try and find sleep as well.
The following morning, true to her word, Daisy told Mariah about the Black queen the state of California was named for.
She was written about in a book back in the fifteen hundreds titled, Las sergas de Esplandian, which in English means, ‘The Adventures of Esplandian.’ Its stories of Calafia and her island of gold are what many believe first brought the Spanish conquistadores to our shores.”
She wasn’t a real woman was she?”
No, dear, but the world would be less exciting were it not for myths, don’t you think?”
Mariah had been given a limited education, and so had no idea how to answer that, but apparently Daisy didn’t need a reply, because she launched into the telling with a gusto that kept Mariah riveted for miles. The tales of warfare waged by the queen, her army of Amazon warriors, her battle-trained griffins and fleets of ships, were interspersed with historical truths about the first Spanish explorers, particularly a Black Spaniard by the name of Estabanico. He, along with Cabeza de Vaca wandered from Florida to the Southwest on a seven-year journey that laid the foundation for the explorers that followed them. “I always told my students that Estabanico was the first man of African descent to set foot in America.”
After hearing more about Queen Calafia being captured during a battle in Constantinople, Mariah asked, “What happened to her?”
She converted to Christianity and married a Spanish knight, but she and her army eventually returned to California for more adventures.”
Mariah sat back, satisfied. She didn’t know what impressed her more: hearing about the Black queen’s exciting adventures, or Daisy’s knowledge of all things California. Thanks to further stories, Mariah learned about the Black forty-niners, and that both slaves and free men panned for gold; Jim Beckwourth, who discovered a pass through the Sierras that bears his name and who was also a member of the Bear Flag Party; William Leidesdorff, who operated the first steamship in San Francisco Bay and was so wealthy and influential he was appointed American vice consul to Mexico under President Taft; and the fascinating Biddy Mason.
She came to California as the slave of a Mormon man named Smith,” Daisy explained. “And in fifty-five, Mr. Smith decided he wanted to move to Texas and take his slaves with him. Biddy brought suit against him in court and won freedom not only for herself but for many other Mormon slaves as well.”
And after she won her freedom?”
She worked as a housekeeper and a nurse, and eventually became one of the wealthiest women of any color in the city of Los Angeles. Her efforts to provide schooling for youngsters of our race is still celebrated to this day.”
Mariah was very glad Daisy chose to sit next to her. She’d learned a lot. “You must have been a very good schoolteacher.”
I like to think I was.”
Thank you so much.”
You are most welcome.”
I’ll miss when you get off in Denver.”
I’ll miss you as well. Not many young people will allow an old hen like me to ramble on for hours about the past.”
Mariah didn’t think it was rambling at all. “I enjoyed myself.”
And when the train reached the Denver station, she and Daisy shared their good-byes and a content Mariah settled in for the rest of the ride to Sacramento.
A weary Mariah stepped off the train in Sacramento after nearly a week of travel, and the wealth of people rushing back and forth caught her by surprise. She knew California was home to a large number of people but she hadn’t expected the crowds to rival the ones back East. She saw a few women, but most of the passersby were men, and were of a variety of races. Black, European, Spanish. There were even a few Chinese; the first she’d ever seen, and she did her best not to stare their way like a country girl at her first fair. Myriad conversations assailed her from all sides and were in so many different languages she wondered if the train had somehow deposited her in a foreign country.
It was wonderful. The hustle and bustle and the new surroundings competed with her excitement of being in a new place. Some of the men passing by smiled and tipped their hats. She returned their greeting with polite but terse nods. Libby warned her not to encourage strange men, lest they think her fast.
Instead she trained her attention on the area beside the idling train in an effort to search out the porter she’d tipped in advance to retrieve and deliver her two trunks. Since he had yet to return, she began to worry that he’d simply taken her coin and gone on about his business, but he suddenly appeared pushing a small handcart holding her trunks.
Here you go miss. Do you want them sent on? What house will you be working in?”
I’m to be employed by a Mrs. Yates.”
Yates,” he echoed. “Don’t know a pleasure house run by a Yates.”
Pleasure house! It took all Mariah had not to faint right there on the spot. She had such difficulty breathing and her heart pounded so hard in her chest, she was certain everyone in the depot could hear it. The porter had mistaken her for a woman of ill repute! She supposed he’d made the assumption because she was traveling without a companion, but it was 1885. Women were making all kinds of strides toward equality. Surely dressed in her smart gray traveling ensemble she didn’t resemble a prostitute! When she finally calmed enough to draw in a steady breath, she told him, “She lives near Guinda. Someone’s supposed to meet me here.”
I didn’t know the Coloreds up there had a pleasure house.”
I am not a pleasure woman,” she gritted out. She’d had just about enough of this conversation.
His face beeted up. “I’m so sorry, miss. Most of the girls traveling alone—I—”
Thank you for bringing my trunks. I’ll manage from here. I don’t wish to keep you from your duties any longer.”
He left her trunks on the hand truck and beat a hasty retreat. She was happy to see him go. According to the wire she’d received from Mrs. Yates, someone from the household would be meeting her, but Mariah had no idea who it might be, or how she might go about locating the person. Then she heard one of the porters calling her name in the singsong manner used by street vendors selling ice or vegetables. “Mrs. Mariah Cooper. Looking for Mrs. Mariah Cooper.”
Here!” she called and waved her gloved hand so she could be seen in the crowded station.
The porter waved back. Walking beside him was a tall, wide-shouldered man. From the dime novels she often peeked in at the lending library, she knew the brimmed hat on his head was a Stetson. His brown suit had a western cut. The short heels on his fancy black boots increased his already towering height. He had a long commanding stride and an even more ruggedly handsome brown face.
Are you Mrs. Mariah Cooper?” the giant asked while paying the porter, who took the tip and melted away.
Yes, I am.” In spite of the sea of people flowing around them, Mariah felt alone with the big man and his cool, assessing brown eyes.
Do you ride?” he asked.
A horse?”
Yes, a horse,” he replied in a tone that made it sound as if her question had been an ignorant one.
No.”
He didn’t bother masking his displeasure, which caused her to point out, “In Philadelphia we ride trolleys, or we walk.”
Can you drive a buggy?”
No.”
Muted impatience showed on his face in response and he didn’t bother hiding that either.
Your name, sir?”
Logan Yates.”
Thank you.”
Logan wasn’t sure what to make of this short, terse woman who seemed to question his manners for not introducing himself. She was certainly not the older, spinsterish female he’d expected to be meeting. She was wearing a pert little hat, and dressed in a dove gray traveling dress with a long-sleeved, formfitting bodice that emphasized her nice curves. A thin line of white lace peeked above the high collar and across her wrists. Arresting gold eyes were set in a light brown face that could only be described as beautiful. She certainly didn’t look like any housekeeper he’d ever seen. “Welcome to California.”
Thank you.”
Prim, he thought, but the feline gold eyes and the ripe mouth, in tandem with the curves, exuded something else entirely. Sensuality wafted from her like the arousing notes of a heady perfume. Shaking himself free from thoughts of what it might be like to slowly open all those buttons marching between her breasts and sample the glory inside, he returned to the matter at hand. “Those your trunks?”
She nodded.
Then let’s head out. Buggy’s parked over there.”
Pushing the handcart holding her trunks, Logan led her away, all the while thinking she wouldn’t be staying. The widow Mariah Cooper was way too citified to take on the job she’d been hired for. Hell, she couldn’t even ride a horse. By his estimation, once she got a gander at the state of his place, she’d be on her way back to the train and to Philadelphia real quick, which suited him just fine.
I need to send a telegraph to my aunt to let her know I’ve arrived safely. Is there an office near the station?”
Logan wasn’t pleased with her request because it would further delay the long ride back, but from her stance it was obvious she didn’t care how he felt. “This way.”
Once her business with the telegraph agent was accomplished and her trunks loaded in the bed of the buckboard, he helped her to climb up and was lured by the soft sway of her skirt. That aside, it had been his hope she’d be able to drive the wagon so he could spend the four-hour ride home to Destiny on horseback instead of on his ass on the decidedly uncomfortable seat. Being a horseman, he preferred the familiar comfort of a saddle. Resigned, he cast a longing look at his stallion, Diablo, trailered to the back of the wagon, then took his seat. Glancing her way and receiving an unflinching gold-eyed response, he slapped the reins and guided the team away from the depot.
After leaving the train station they headed east, and soon the land opened up like a banquet for the eyes. There were mountains in the distance, the first Mariah’d ever seen. Living in Philadelphia, with its bevy of buildings, she was unaccustomed to seeing so much open sky and she found it enthralling. She had many questions about the surroundings and where they were heading, but Yates didn’t seem to be in a conversational mood, so she settled for enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Lived in Philadelphia all your life?”
Yes.” That he was actually speaking to her after nearly an hour of silence was pleasing. “And you? Were you born in California?”
No, Texas. Parents came here to work the mines right after I was born.”
The gold mines?”
Yes.”
Natural curiosity compelled her to ask if they’d struck it rich, but she was too polite and well-mannered for that. Instead she focused her attention on the large birds lazily gliding overhead. Having no experience with wildlife she didn’t know what they were, but their winged soaring was fascinating.
Are there eagles in Philadelphia?” he asked.
Is that what those are?”
Yes.”
She tracked the flight. “I’ve no idea. I’ve never seen one before.”
He shook his head.
Are you always so judgmental?”
He glanced over. “Meaning?”
Well, first, you were unhappy about my inability to ride a horse or drive a buggy, and now, you seem to be finding fault with my ignorance of eagles.”
You always speak your mind?”
I do.” Or at least, she planned to. She never wanted to be browbeaten or walked on by anyone ever again. A new life called for a new Mariah, and although it might be considered silly to emulate a myth, she wanted to be as formidable as the warrior Queen Calafia.
A woman out here needs to know how to ride.”
And if she doesn’t, is it expected that she learn before she leaves the train station?” Eyebrow raised, she waited for his counter. If he had one he didn’t voice it.
Instead, his attention back on the team, he asked, “Your late husband like your feistiness?”
A small wave of panic roiled her insides. “Yes, he did,” she lied.
How long have you been widowed?”
Almost three years.” It occurred to her that maybe she should’ve worked out the details on her fictional marriage and widowhood beforehand, but she hadn’t anticipated being questioned about what is normally considered a private matter, at least back East. She thought it best to change the subject. “Mrs. Yates didn’t inform me who’d I’d be employed by.”
Me.”
She went weak. He settled his eyes on her just long enough to show dry amusement before concentrating on his driving again. “Mrs. Yates is my madrastra, my stepmother.”
I see.”
I have two younger brothers, Andrew and Noah.”
Do they live with you, too?”
No.”
Are you married?”
He shook his head. “Not looking to either. You planning on marrying again?”
I doubt I’d meet another man as honorable as my Henry, so no.” There, she’d given her mythical husband a name. “How much farther do we have to travel?”
About three hours.”
That long?”
Be considerably shorter if you knew how to ride.”
Suppressing a snarl, she ignored him in favor of taking in the impressive view and the expansive sky.
They’d been on the road for close to two hours. They’d driven past a few farms and large fenced-in fields, which assured her that although it appeared as if Yates was escorting her to the middle of nowhere, there were other people around. However, she’d yet to see anything resembling a town or an inn. She needed to use the facilities. Wondering how he might react if she asked that he stop somewhere convenient, she gave him a quick glance.
Problem?” he asked.
Mariah had no idea how to ask a man about something so personal.
Thought you always spoke your mind.”
Determined not to rise to the bait, she replied calmly, “If you could stop someplace convenient where I might use the facilities, I’d be ever so grateful.”
He hauled back on the reins and the two horse team halted. “Trees over there look like a good spot.”
Mariah first took in the thick stand of trees he’d indicated, then him. Surely he must’ve misunderstood her request. However, as she met his unreadable features, it dawned on her that he hadn’t misunderstood. He actually expected her to . . . in the trees!
Not trying to embarrass you or anything,” he told her, “but this is the way it is out here in open country. And the longer you wait to decide, the longer it’s going to take us to get where we need to be, Mrs. Cooper.”
There was something about him that made her think he was enjoying this, and that set her to simmering again. She understood they were in open country, but where she hailed from, people, and especially women, did not use trees. Doing so not only subjected you to public disdain and ridicule, it could also get you hauled before a magistrate and fined.
Your decision?”
The light of humor in his eyes made her want to sock him right in the nose. “The trees will suffice.”
He came around to help her down. Hoping her fiery glare would reduce him to ash, Mariah politely took his hand only to have him swing her down and set her on her feet before him. Surprise warred with her temper, while odd unnamed feelings washed over her from standing close enough to feel his body heat mingle with her own.
He looked down. “I’ll wait here.”
I most certainly hope so.” Mortified beyond belief, she marched to the trees.
Keep an eye out for snakes!”
She stopped, stared back and after shooting him a quelling look, resumed her march.
Upon her return, he was leaning leisurely against the wagon. “Better?”
She couldn’t believe he’d asked her that. “Don’t you know anything about being a gentleman, Mr. Yates?”
From your squawking you obviously don’t think I do, so what did I do wrong, now?”
Before she could reply, he picked her up and held her aloft for an inordinate amount of time before slowly depositing her back on the seat. The warmth of his hands on her waist meandered fleetingly up her spine. Fighting off the effects, or attempting to, she managed to find her wits. “A gentleman never asks a lady something so personal.”
I’m a rancher. Spend my time breaking horses and shoveling manure. Never had time for gentleman’s finishing school.”
She closed her eyes and counted to ten. How on earth was she going to work for this insufferable man?
What are you doing?”
Counting to ten.”
He actually chuckled. “Does a gentleman ask why?”
She opened her eyes. “Only if a gentleman wants to see a lady lose her religion and begin speaking in tongues.”
He folded his arms and surveyed her with a smile teasing his full lips. “You’re pretty plucky for a city woman.”
I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, are we going to finish this journey or not?”
Bossy, too.”
Thank you.”
He climbed back up to his seat and without uttering another word, set the team in motion.
Logan grudgingly admitted that he liked her. He rarely ran into women capable of giving back as good as they got. Most seemed content to simper and twitter, especially in his presence. There was no simpering or twittering in this one. Her pluck made him wonder who’d worn the pants in her marriage. No getting around her beauty though—gorgeous as a morning sunrise. With the dearth of eligible women in the area, every man within fifty miles would come calling on her and her feline gold eyes, but it wouldn’t matter because he was pretty sure she wouldn’t be staying.
Mariah spotted a large gray boulder on the side of the road. It appeared to have writing chiseled into the surface. “What’s that?”
Locals call it Owl Rock.”
What’s its purpose?”
New settlers in the area carve their names into it when they arrive in the county.”
She found that to be very interesting. “Can we stop, so I may see it?” To her surprise he did, and walked around to her side of the wagon. Again, his hands found her waist and swung her down. As he set her on her feet, that same smoke life feeling returned. Something about him was attracting her, even though it was the last thing in the world she wanted. “If you’d just offer me your hand, I can get down on my own.”
He folded his arms and studied her before saying, “I’ll try and remember that.”
Breaking away from the invisible hold of his gaze, she walked over to the boulder. It was necessary for her to peer close in order to make out the names: Logan, Henderson, Haskell, and others. Many were coupled with dates, which she assumed were when the people arrived. “Would it be all right if I added my initials?”
Let’s get to the ranch first. I can always bring you back if you decide to stay on.”
Mariah thought that was an odd thing for him to say, but she didn’t challenge him. Instead she walked with him back to the wagon. He offered her a hand so she could climb back up. She told herself she wasn’t affected by the warmth of his grasp, but it was a lie. “Thank you.”
Trying to be a gentleman.”
She shook her head but said nothing as they resumed their journey.
Is there a church in the area?”
Yes. It’s Baptist.”
Do you attend?”
No.”
He’d spoken the word so succinctly, she didn’t ask him why.
They were now within hailing distance of the ranch, and Logan thought over how he wanted to proceed. No sense in stopping by Alanza’s first. He’d take her by his place, and once she saw the mess inside, she could go to Alanza and cry off. “We’ll be coming up on the ranch in a few minutes. I’ll take you by my place first. If you decide you don’t want to take the job, you can spend the night with my stepmother and I’ll get one of the hands to take you back to the train in the morning.”
Why wouldn’t I stay?” Her tone was as cool as the golden she-cat eyes.
Place needs a lot of work. Once you get a good look at it you may not want to take it on.”
I see.” Mariah sensed he was attempting to scare her off. He’d already made it clear that he found her unsuitable, but he must have straw for brains if he thought she’d made the long journey across the continent just to run back to Philadelphia. No matter how hard the work proved to be, it would be a cakewalk compared to putting up with him.
Thoughts of their ongoing battle were soon set aside as he guided the team through a set of tall wrought-iron posts that had to have been created by an artisan of great skill. Worked into the pillars were roses, horses, cattle, and elaborate Christian crosses. Emblazoned across the front of the arch over the gate were the large scrolled letters DESTINO. She wanted to ask him for an interpretation, but the team propelled the wagon forward.
Welcome to Destiny.”
She assumed that was the English translation of the word on the gate, but before she could ask or acknowledge his welcome, her attention was caught by a large sprawling house ahead. Philadelphia had some grand homes, but this beautiful place surpassed anything she’d ever seen. It was two stories and constructed of stone and wood. On the upper portion were a series of verandahs made of the same fine ironwork as the posts at the entrance. At ground level and set out off to left was more ironwork encasing a courtyard bursting with colorful flowers and shrubs.
My stepmother’s home,” he explained as the wagon rumbled past on the narrow unpaved road. “Her family originally owned this part of the ranch. My father owned the portion I live on. We combined both places when I was young.”
It’s very lovely.” The courtyard led to a breezeway covered by a long stone roof whose length continued across a series of low-slung connected buildings.
I’ve never seen a house built this way.”
Alanza’s Spanish.”
That surprised her because she just assumed his stepmother would be a woman of the race. They were now past the house, and the land on either side of the road opened up as it had upon leaving the train station. Up ahead, mountains loomed in the distance, but the immediate area was grassland as green as jewels. She saw horses and a small herd of cattle and men on horseback tending to both. She spied orchards and a small group of workers moving among the trees.
What do you grow in the orchards?”
Lemons, oranges, a few apples.”
Lemons?”
Yes. They grow on trees.”
She held on to her temper. “I’m aware of that. I’ve just never seen any before.” Near the orchards, was a field of staked, squat, treelike plantings that were also unfamiliar. “And those?”
Vineyards.”
Grapes?”
Yes.”
She’d seen grapes growing back home, but those vines bore very little resemblance to this California version. Things were certainly different. “How much farther?”
Just over the next rise.”
This is quite a change from Philadelphia, with all its buildings.” The quiet was noticeable as well. No vendors hawking wares or trolleys rumbling over tracks, no streets filled with people and voices. She wondered how long it might take her to get used to the quiet and the slower pace.
A house came into view that she supposed was his. Like his stepmother’s, it, too, was made of stone and wood, but it had only one level. The outside appeared tidy enough, so she couldn’t imagine what it was about the interior that had him so convinced she wouldn’t stay. Near the house were corrals and barns and mounted men moving between them. A small group of men in boots, vests, and hats sat perched on the rungs of one of the corrals. From the loud hoots and yells, she assumed they were engaged in something, but she was too far away to make out what.
He must’ve seen the questions on her face. “They’re breaking horses for sale.”
And at that moment, a rider on a horse popped into view. His jumping and twisting mount seemed to be trying to unseat him. Just when she thought the man might stay in the saddle, he was sent flying through the air and her hand flew to her mouth in dismay. He landed on the ground inside the corral. The angry horse charged him, but he scrambled to his feet and cleared the short fence a second later. The other men laughed at his plight while the horse raced around bellowing with rage. Mariah had no idea what to make of it. A glance over at her employer showed his amusement.
This is how you break a horse?” she asked, her eyes still on the beautiful, angry horse trying to find a way out of the confining corral.
One of the ways.”
The wagon caught the attention of the men and upon seeing her they went still. Mariah felt self-conscious under their quiet regard.
They’ll want to meet you, but we’ll wait until later, unless that’s ungentlemanly, too.”
Are you always so trying?”
He smiled. “Always.”
The men were still watching.
Back to work,” he called over. “You’ll meet her later.”
He jumped down. When he came around to her side, she said firmly, “Again, I prefer to step down on my own, if you don’t mind.” She didn’t want to be gossiped about before she even crossed his threshold. Nor did she care to be swept up like a sack of flour or worse, his paramour.
He complied. Still cognizant of the men’s curious eyes, she followed Yates to the door and inside.