Galveston: Between Wind And Water (A Historical Literary Fiction Novel Filled with Romance and Drama) by Rachel Cartwright
Authors: Rachel Cartwright
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turning around to look at him as the nun tugged at her to reach the opposite side of the street. A moment later they merged with the jostling throng and their small, fragile bodies disappeared into the midst.
Preferring to keep his nose covered, Caden continued on down the sidewalk, carefully weaving his way through the dawdling crowds and gawking tourists until he stood before steps leading up through the white wood pillars that framed the Caldwell’s arched doorway.
Folding his handkerchief, he placed it in the pocket of his walking coat and studied the ornately crafted wood frieze trim running along the top of the wall at the second story of the mansion. It continued on the third story where sloping dormers rose to meet flat parapets on either side of the central garret.
Caden removed his hat, held onto the railing, and climbed the stairs. Standing at the threshold, he cleared his throat and straightened his posture. He lifted the door knocker and rapped it down on the surface several times.
After a lengthy silence, he heard the quick, clacking steps of hard-soled shoes approaching the door.
“Just a moment, please,” a charming voice came from the other side of the closed door. The door opened a few inches to reveal the woman’s gracefully sculpted face.
Caden smiled sincerely and offered a slight bow of his head. What a treasure she was.
“Yes? May I help you?” she asked.
“Miss Gabrielle Caldwell?”
“Yes?”
“Good day, Miss Caldwell. My name is Doctor Caden Hellreich. Your father, Arley, is a close, personal friend. I telephoned you earlier today about delivering important society papers for him. Your father said that it would be appropriate for me to call so that we may have the pleasure of finally making each other’s acquaintance. I hope I’m not being too forward in doing so.”
Gabrielle flushed ever so lightly in her cheeks. She glanced away for a few moments. “Why, yes, of course, Doctor, please come in. I attended your last lecture and thought it wonderful. Father is still at his meeting but I was expecting your arrival. I’ll have my girl, Verna, prepare a late lunch.”
Caden smiled and waved his hand. “No need to go to such trouble, Miss Caldwell, and I apologize for the inconvenience, but I will be out of Galveston on urgent Society business for the next week or so. I didn’t have time to properly discuss this with your father but he was most insistent that I deliver this information today, but if you prefer . . . please tell him I will try to deliver it when I—”
“Nonsense. I won’t hear of such a thing.” She opened the door completely. “Please, come in, Doctor Hellreich. You are just the person I need to see about settling a pressing matter.”
Caden smiled, his heart swelling in his chest. “Of course, if I may be of assistance, but first, I insist that you call me Cade, which I prefer . Friends should be on a first name basis, don’t you agree, Gabrielle?”
He extended his hand but remained on the other side of the threshold, so transfixed by this stunning, exquisite beauty, he could not cross for fear of appearing too eager in doing so.
Gabrielle shook his hand like a lady, sending warm, pulsing tingles up his fingertips. “By all means, Cade.” Gabrielle furrowed her thin brows. “But is something wrong?”
Caden bowed his head. “Forgive me, Gabrielle. A shaft of sunlight blinded me a few moments ago and my eyes were just adjusting to their new surroundings.”
Gabrielle smiled demurely and turned away.
Entering the parlor behind this elegant goddess, Caden was shocked to see that she was not alone. He faltered on the Persian carpet, almost dropping his black leather valise.
“Careful there, Doc,” the now-familiar face said. “I don’t think you’re the kind that can patch themselves up if they break something.”
Caden recognized the vigorous, able-bodied man in the finely tailored, white summer suit. The gentleman sitting on a rose
Preferring to keep his nose covered, Caden continued on down the sidewalk, carefully weaving his way through the dawdling crowds and gawking tourists until he stood before steps leading up through the white wood pillars that framed the Caldwell’s arched doorway.
Folding his handkerchief, he placed it in the pocket of his walking coat and studied the ornately crafted wood frieze trim running along the top of the wall at the second story of the mansion. It continued on the third story where sloping dormers rose to meet flat parapets on either side of the central garret.
Caden removed his hat, held onto the railing, and climbed the stairs. Standing at the threshold, he cleared his throat and straightened his posture. He lifted the door knocker and rapped it down on the surface several times.
After a lengthy silence, he heard the quick, clacking steps of hard-soled shoes approaching the door.
“Just a moment, please,” a charming voice came from the other side of the closed door. The door opened a few inches to reveal the woman’s gracefully sculpted face.
Caden smiled sincerely and offered a slight bow of his head. What a treasure she was.
“Yes? May I help you?” she asked.
“Miss Gabrielle Caldwell?”
“Yes?”
“Good day, Miss Caldwell. My name is Doctor Caden Hellreich. Your father, Arley, is a close, personal friend. I telephoned you earlier today about delivering important society papers for him. Your father said that it would be appropriate for me to call so that we may have the pleasure of finally making each other’s acquaintance. I hope I’m not being too forward in doing so.”
Gabrielle flushed ever so lightly in her cheeks. She glanced away for a few moments. “Why, yes, of course, Doctor, please come in. I attended your last lecture and thought it wonderful. Father is still at his meeting but I was expecting your arrival. I’ll have my girl, Verna, prepare a late lunch.”
Caden smiled and waved his hand. “No need to go to such trouble, Miss Caldwell, and I apologize for the inconvenience, but I will be out of Galveston on urgent Society business for the next week or so. I didn’t have time to properly discuss this with your father but he was most insistent that I deliver this information today, but if you prefer . . . please tell him I will try to deliver it when I—”
“Nonsense. I won’t hear of such a thing.” She opened the door completely. “Please, come in, Doctor Hellreich. You are just the person I need to see about settling a pressing matter.”
Caden smiled, his heart swelling in his chest. “Of course, if I may be of assistance, but first, I insist that you call me Cade, which I prefer . Friends should be on a first name basis, don’t you agree, Gabrielle?”
He extended his hand but remained on the other side of the threshold, so transfixed by this stunning, exquisite beauty, he could not cross for fear of appearing too eager in doing so.
Gabrielle shook his hand like a lady, sending warm, pulsing tingles up his fingertips. “By all means, Cade.” Gabrielle furrowed her thin brows. “But is something wrong?”
Caden bowed his head. “Forgive me, Gabrielle. A shaft of sunlight blinded me a few moments ago and my eyes were just adjusting to their new surroundings.”
Gabrielle smiled demurely and turned away.
Entering the parlor behind this elegant goddess, Caden was shocked to see that she was not alone. He faltered on the Persian carpet, almost dropping his black leather valise.
“Careful there, Doc,” the now-familiar face said. “I don’t think you’re the kind that can patch themselves up if they break something.”
Caden recognized the vigorous, able-bodied man in the finely tailored, white summer suit. The gentleman sitting on a rose
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