Rivers of Gold by Tracie Peterson

tell her of Grace’s death. He hadn’t told of their separation or of the problems they were having. He hadn’t even related the issues of Martin Paxton’s continued harangue. Peter had thought to save Grace’s mother from all of that, and because he had never figured to have to face her, he felt certain it was the right thing to do. Now, however, he felt like a fraud.
    Myrtle reached out and took hold of his hand. “Peter, my daughter loved you very much. You needn’t say anything more.”
    Her words only convicted him that much more. “I must say,” Peter began, “I never expected to meet you. Welcome to San Francisco.” He stepped back from the door and added, “Won’t you please come in?” He looked past her to where a hired carriage waited at the curb. “Do you have baggage?”
    “Yes, but I needn’t impose on you,” Myrtle replied. “I had thought perhaps you could escort me to a decent hotel.”
    “Nonsense. You’ll stay with us. I’ll get your things.”
    Peter quickly retrieved the bags and paid the driver. A rush of thoughts consumed his attention. Why was she here? What could she possibly want with him? What could he possibly do to ease her suffering when his own was still so raw and fresh?
    “Come inside,” Peter said as he climbed the steps. “I’ll introduce you to my mother and father.”
    “Peter, before we join the others, I must tell you something. In private,” she added.
    Peter put her things down inside the door and waited until she’d joined him in the entryway. Dreading what she might have to tell him, Peter braced himself as Myrtle Hawkins unfastened the buttons of her traveling coat.
    “I’ve come because I received some news from my late husband’s lawyer,” Myrtle said as she paused to look Peter in the eye. “News that will profoundly change your life.”

—[CHAPTER TEN]—
    TEDDY ARRANGED HIS office as best he could. Working and sleeping in the same room had reduced his level of comfort, but he felt confident that he had no other choice. The hotel was full and Miranda needed his help. He couldn’t just leave her to venture into the unknown.
    It was strange how she’d managed to worm her way into his daily thoughts. Teddy had never been one given to daydreams, but of late, he found Miranda’s sweet face ever coming to mind.
    Looking over the variety of specimen bottles and crates, Teddy knew he’d have to abandon thoughts of the brownhaired beauty or fall hopelessly behind in his work. This had never been a problem in the past—when little could distract him from his botanical research.
    “Lord,” he prayed, “I cannot say I understand my state of mind. It seems an oddity to me at best and a fearful thing at worst. Please steady me to complete the work you’ve given me to do.”
    Teddy looked to the door that adjoined his room to Miranda’s. He wondered if she was there just now. He wondered what she was doing and how she planned to go about searching for her friends. She was a delicate and lovely flower— petite and gentle, but with a fiery sting when angered. He didn’t like to think of her alone on the streets, for he knew full well how some would be inclined to take advantage of her.
    Crossing to the window, Teddy noted the skies were clearing. A light snow still fell, but the winds had calmed. Perhaps Miranda would choose this time to go scouting for her friends. Perhaps he should offer to help. Once again, he looked to the tables of work behind him.
    “I must stop this nonsense. I have become flighty.” He reached for his coat and pulled a list of needed supplies from the table. “I might as well occupy myself by attending to this first thing. Perhaps then my mind will be fixed for work.”
    But even as he rechecked his list, he found himself adding things for Miranda—a dress, new boots, stockings, and other such things that might be pleasing to her. She had told him not to worry about her, but Teddy didn’t want her going about looking