Adam and Shiloh stepped off the steamer Chrysopolis onto the dock at Sacramento at eight o’clock on the evening of Saturday, April 4, 1863. The steamer had an unanticipated extended stop at Rio Vista, causing it to be late to port in Sacramento. The Cartwrights had missed the last stagecoach, and the next on the schedule to Virginia City wouldn’t leave until Monday morning.
“It looks like we’re spending Sunday in Sacramento City,” said Adam.
“That’s not so bad. I can walk over to the American Theatre with a new performance contract.”
“I need to see if the telegraph office is still open. Pa was expecting us tomorrow. But first, we need to find a hotel.” Once their trunks and bags were loaded on a coach, Adam told the driver to take them to the Golden Eagle Hotel.
“Is that where you usually stay when you’re in Sacramento City?” asked Shiloh.
“No, I don’t stay in a hotel as opulent as the Golden Eagle.”
“Then why are we staying there now?”
“Because we are still on our honeymoon”, he said, kissing her hand. “Besides that, you need to keep up appearances since Isabella Whitney will be seen at the American Theatre tomorrow.”
“I don’t plan to be seen by anyone but the manager.”
“Shiloh, the minute you walk into that theatre, people will know who you are. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone recognizes you at the Golden Eagle. They are known for knowing who their guests are and announcing them in the newspaper.”
“Then why are we staying there?”
“Because I guarantee that you will be recognized before we leave for Virginia City, and you have a reputation to uphold.”
“What happens when I come to Sacramento with you on other business…like cattle or horses?”
Adam twisted his mouth. “We’ll deal with that when it happens.”
“I am not going to pander to the privileged. I’m not a singer who owns a ranch. I’m a rancher who sings.”
Adam simply smiled when he helped her out of the coach in front of the hotel. He asked the coach driver to wait until he was sure there was a suite available, and he and Shiloh went into the hotel.
“May I help you, Sir?”
“Do you have a suite available?”
“Your name, Sir?”
“Cartwright.”
“And where are you from?”
“The Ponderosa Ranch near Virginia City.”
“Ah, the Ponderosa.” Looking at Shiloh, the desk clerk said, “And you must be Miss Isabella Whitney.” Shiloh looked at Adam with wide eyes. “We make it our business to know anyone who might be staying with us, and the manager at the American Theatre has mentioned that you might be singing there this year. Of course, Ponderosa beef is well known here as well. And the announcement of your marriage and subsequent stay in San Francisco still graces our society column in the Daily Union.”
Adam cleared his throat. “While we’re here at the hotel, you are to address my wife as Mrs. Cartwright.”
“Of course, Mr. Cartwright. I’ll have someone deliver your baggage to your room. You will be at the center of the hall in room 315. You can view the site of the new capitol building from your private balcony.”
Taking the key, Adam nodded and said, “Thank you,” then led Shiloh to the stairs.
The clerk watched until they were out of sight, and then turned to a young boy who ran errands for the hotel. “Run down to the Pacific Railroad office and tell Mr. Crocker that one of the Cartwrights from the Ponderosa is in town.”
After their trunks and bags were delivered to their room, Shiloh removed her dress jacket and walked out onto the balcony. Adam followed her and rubbed her shoulders. “You seem a little tense.”
“Not much of a view, is there? Especially with all the work to raise the streets.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Adam answered, turning her around. “From where I’m standing, it’s quite beautiful.” He was rewarded with a timid smile. “Now, tell me what’s bothering you.”
“It would be nice if I wasn’t so readily recognized. And this time, it was because of my association with you. I guess that mess in San Francisco is ripe for the society pages.”
“Do you remember when you went to San Francisco the first time…not long after you came home from Boston?”
“Hm,” she grunted with a wide smile. “Yes, I do. You almost kissed me in my dressing room.”
Now, it was his turn to smile. “I remember that. Anyway, you were worried about your privacy here, and had thought you wouldn’t sing before that. Do you remember?”
Taking a deep breath, she conceded. “I know what you’re getting at. I knew this would happen.”
“You just need to accept that people are going to recognize your name as well as your face…and enjoy it. Now, are you hungry? It’s been awhile since you’ve eaten anything.”
“Yes, I am hungry, but can we eat at the hotel restaurant tonight? I really don’t feel like going far.”
“We’ll go back downstairs when you’re ready.” He watched her walk to the bedroom of their suite. He could tell by the rigidness of her back that she was still tense.
After they were seated for dinner and had ordered, Adam asked, “Is something else bothering you?”
She gave him a half-smile. “I might as well not even try to deny it. You’ve gotten quite good at reading me.” He gave her such an intense look that she felt a warm chill and blushed. “At dinner last night, the maitre d’ asked you something very quietly as if I wasn’t supposed to hear. You said ‘no’, and you looked…angry. What did he say?”
Adam sat up straight, taking a deep breath, then moved his napkin to his lap, and looked back up at her. “If that’s what’s bothering you, I suspect you already know what that was about.”
“Not exactly, but I’m pretty sure it had to do with Will.”
“Will asked the maitre d’ to send a bottle of champagne over with his best wishes. The maitre d’ remembered us and the altercation in the lobby and thought he should ask if we wanted it. I told him ‘no.’” When Shiloh moved her hands to her lap and looked away, Adam leaned forward. “Shiloh there’s no fault here.”
“That’s not true. I’ve brought this down on you.”
“No, you haven’t. Will is doing a good job of making a fool of himself all on his own.” He reached across the table, holding his hand out, and she hesitantly took it. Just his touch, the warmth and strength of it, made her feel more at ease. “He’s not here. He’s seventy-five miles away.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Cartwright, but this was just delivered for you,” said the hotel manager as he laid an envelope on the table.
“Thank you,” said Adam, picking the envelope up and opening it.
Shiloh turned away, propped her elbow on the table and cradled her chin in her hand, mumbling, “It can’t be.”
Adam snorted. “No, it can’t. It’s an invitation from Charles Crocker. He’d like us to have dinner with him and his wife tomorrow evening.”
“Does it say why?”
“I’m sure it has to do with the railroad. Crocker’s in charge of construction from the west end.”
“Railroad ties?”
“Maybe more, though I’ve never had a railroad man seek us out. We’re usually answering a bid request, and there weren’t any that I hadn’t seen when we left Virginia City.”
“And so it starts,” she said, smiling.
After dinner, they retired to their room. Shiloh went to bed, but Adam stayed up to read the newspaper, hoping he could glean something from it that would tell him why Charles Crocker might want to see him.
You know, some people thought this one is the worst of them all…kind of a fantasy that never would have happened. I don’t know about that. All these places really did exist back then. The Lick House was real and accurately described, the Cliff House and the beach, too. And Santa Cruz in the mid-1800s was the way I described it. The Meders were real, and so was their dairy. In fact a couple of those buildings are still there. Thomas Maquire and his opera house in San Francisco and VC were real. Even the San Francisco mayors I have in the stories were all real. This one’s a story back, but Eliza Biscaciante was real and her story was real. She eventually regained her popularity in South America (from Adam’s encouragement, of course!), but she was singing in Gentlemen’s Clubs in San Francisco for drinks at one point. I love working history into my stories.
I suppose my favorite part of all of this was their time on the beach. I’ve been to that very beach, but it’s not a little hideaway any longer…it’s got quite a surfing crowd these days. But the description of the creek coming off the bluff down through the woods is true as well as the small pool of water on the beach. And you can get stuck on that beach at high tide. The cliffs are so high, you can’t climb out. You either have to swim around the points or you have to wait for the tide to go back out. A lot did happen in this one, but as I said, I think this one is my favorite of them all.
Thanks so much, Marie. I think you have just a little ways to go to the end of this one.
I was in a lot of pain last weekend so I didn’t get to finish it. I’ve been busy all week so I’m looking forward to figuring out where I left off. I love this story. I’m loving the entire series! I love long long stories and a series to boot? What more could I ask for! Okay, off to figure out where I left off before I hurt my back last weekend. 🙂
~ A great way to start a new beginning! I look forward to reading each chapter and commenting about them as I read them. 🙂 I just love this couple!
~ Poor Shiloh, she doesn’t do well on those stage coaches. I don’t think I would have either! I just can’t imagine having to travel via a stage coach to get anywhere. I’m glad they arrived at Sacramento safe and sound…Who is this mysterious man?
~ What an opulent hotel, Adam. Presidential Suite? Very impressive indeed! Who was the gent inquiring about them that didn’t want to identify himself? Hmmmm
~ Adam was very adamant about not letting Shiloh sing even if it was for just one night. I can’t blame him though, they’re on their honeymoon! Somehow I don’t think Shiloh will be in that beautiful nightgown and robe too long after breakfast is over. 😉
~ Oh snap! That witch, Natalie Peterson and Will! I just knew he was the “mystery man”. Those two…ooooooh, this is going to get GOOD! LOL
~ Who is this mysterious thug? No doubt a hinchman for Will. I was hoping Adam would get him and show him a thing or two. I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him, Will, or that nasty Natalie.
~ I sure would have loved to been at dinner! The food sounded divine. Is Adam and Shiloh moving to SFO? I must keep reading! 🙂
~ I don’t like this Daniel guy. Not respecting the institution of marriage. I think he has a thing for Shiloh. He’s trouble indeed!
~ What is that no good Daniel up to? It seems the whole world is after poor Shiloh. First it’s Will, Natalie and the mystery man, now Daniel. Somehow I think their honeymoon is going to be a firestorm!
~ It’s almost like she saw a ghost! Who…or what did she see? The plot thickens. 😮
~ Shiloh is so good to go along with Adam, even though these types of events are what she despises the most. She’s such a trooper. The mayor’s wife was so excited to see they had a celebrity in the house, however, she was quite rude to drag her around like a rag doll. Poor Shiloh. Oh boy, the well just got deep! Will is going to make it tough for Adam and his new firm. I know Adam will work it out. Don’t mess with a Cartwright, buddy! That darn Peterson woman…I can just see her body language now; like she’s got the upper hand and she’s going to make Shiloh’s life a living hell. rrrrr
~ Well, the mayor’s reception went well….Cartwrights 1, Will and Natalie, 0. ROTFL
~ What a powerful chapter. How stupid is Will? I mean to come to the hotel where Adam and Shiloh are staying and make such a scene. Did he think it would end well for him? Now the hotel has his face and he will be escorted out if he tries to step in again. I can’t wait to see what Natalie has up here sleeve. I almost feel sorry for her, though…Natalie, that is…She’s just a pawn in this scheme. I’m not sure if she wants Will or if she wants Adam, but she’s a sad lost soul; I pity her.
~ How cute was this chapter. I loved the “escort” Shiloh had for the banquet hall and the “password”. Pretty clever of shiloh to come up with something only Adam would know. I loved their banter at the breakfast table. Too cute!
~ How sweet are Mary and Harold? The seawall thing was so fun! I don’t think I would want to do it in the dead of winter but it might be something fun to share with your beloved in the summer! I loved this chapter!
~ The Alta California is nothing but a sleazy rag paper. On the front page no doubt. I wonder how much money Will paid them to run that article. He’s such a sleaze bag. I sure hope Shiloh does not find out about this; she’ll be heartbroken thinking she’s caused all of this drama for Adam. What she doesn’t know is if you mess with the Cartwrights, you’re messing with a mighty empire nobody can defend against.
~ What a lighthearted chapter. It was so good to see Shiloh smile and be childlike again. I was so sorry Adam couldn’t fully enjoy it with her. 🙁 I hope she is able to get him to feel the inner child he never got to experience. I was just glad they were finally free of all the drama which had encapsulated them in SFO. I just wonder if there is not drama around the bend….
~ Will is a scoundrel! Thank goodness the mayor sees through his stupidness and told him to keep his personal life out of his professional one. I have a sneaking suspicion good ole Will is going to amp it up a notch to try and discredit Adam with not only SFO but with Shiloh, too! Spec, Spec, Spec…She’s a character! I love that girl! ROTFL
~ Sounds like they’re finally going to be able to have the honeymoon they were expecting. The little town they are going to visit sounds delightful. The thought of Shiloh getting kidnapped by Will…makes me shiver.
~ Okay, I don’t know if I was stone cold drunk would I try a fried grasshopper. LOL but wow, that was too funny! The food sounded fantastic, however, I don’t do any seafood or fish, but I do love empanadas! Loved seeing them having such a great time in Spanishtown, even if the jerk who’s following them showed up.
~ What is Daniel up to and what does he want with Will? Those two along with Natalie; a deadly combo. 🙁 Shiloh seeing Micah? What?? Oh poor thing. She wants so much for her brother to be alive. :'(
~ I feel so bad for them, they can’t seem to catch a break on the drama left behind at SFO. Hopefully their time in Santa Cruz will be more enjoyable. The clipper ship sounded lovely.
~ Shiloh’s so cute. She’s a feisty thing and Adam has her hands full. I can understand her frustration with Adam not being forthright about the accusations Will thrusted upon him trying to get the Mayor to take away the contract for the courthouse, but at the same time I see Adam’s point, why burden her with the nonsense when he knew there was no merit to it and the mayor dismissed Will’s claim? She has so much already on her plate and what purpose would it serve her for him to tell her about Will’s ridiculous attempts to try and hurt him and the new company he is with.
~ What a great chapter. It seems maybe they should have gone to Santa Cruz for their honeymoon instead and just let everyone think they were going to San Francisco. LOL Loved how she got a bit tipsy again. Very cute! “Liar,” she said. ROTFL Loved it!
~Somehow I don’t think Shiloh’s to keen on learning the ropes of a dairy farm. LOL She did seem to enjoy the trip to the Meder farm though. 🙂
~ Interesting on how they made cheese and butter back then. I don’t think I like the whole rennent thing though. 🙁 Thank goodness I wasn’t born back in the 19th century or on a farm. I’m too much of a city girl! LOL
~ Why do I feel something is going to happen while they’re camping? Sounds blissful though…If you like camping and fishing. Seems it’s right up Shiloh’s alley!
~ I think Adam may have trouble getting Shiloh to leave their little private slice of heaven. I loved this chapter. I’m glad everything is going so well…for now. 😉
~ Shame on you, Adam Cartwright, for making Shiloh…no forcing her to face her fear of the water the way you did. He needs to realize you have to slowly let someone adjust to a fear. Help them in a safe environment. He’s lucky it didn’t backfire on him and her fear become worse when she was knocked about by the wave that took her under. I’m a good swimmer and that’s happened to me on more than one occasion and it’s scary as heck! Oh, Adam, I’m not happy with you. 🙁 Thank goodness Shiloh is strong and is willing to try it again.
~ My heart stopped when Adam called for Shiloh and she didn’t answer. I thought I can only imagine the fear that set in to him as he called her and no answer came. I can breathe again.
~ Ick…I don’t know if I would want to wake up to raccoons, skunks, and rabbits in my camp. LOL
~ Awe, I wonder if she is pregnant. She’ll make a great mom. She just doesn’t know it yet. 🙂
~ I never thought Ben would be such a “traditionalist” not wanting to move The Ponderosa forward. I can see how that would frustrate Adam. He’ll have to use his ingenuity at the Flying W.
~ I hope she’s not going to have issues having children. They’ll both make great parents. I kind of hope she is with child. 🙂
~ This poor couple haven’t had much of a honeymoon when they’ve been in the city. I guess that’s why Shiloh enjoyed the beach and Santa Cruz so much. Nobody knew them and most of all, they were away from Will!
~ Wow! What a great ending! Such a great opportunity for both Adam, Shiloh, and both ranches to be involved with the railroad. I know it was hard for Shiloh to have Adam sign the contracts instead of her now that she was married to him. I’m glad those times have changed! While I still am somewhat of a traditionalist at heart, I believe a woman can stand firmly on her own and share equally in a marriage partnership. It seems Shiloh and I think a lot alike. 🙂
Looking forward to the next story in the series!
Thanks for such a sweet tender story. I hope we get to see Will and his sidekick again. I love seeing them make fools of themselves. LOL