Free Restless Hearts by Mona Ingram Page A

adoration in his eyes. She liked him on sight.
    Lucy had come up with a practical solution to Sarah’s housing dilemma. Sarah would spend the first night at Lucy’s home, and Charlie would fill them in on what was available for rent. The plan had made sense at the time, but seeing the obvious affection between the couple, she worried about spoiling their reunion.
    “Isn’t he handsome?” Lucy was almost giddy as the lighter bumped against the hull of the ship, and her husband started to climb the rope ladder. “And he’s a good man, too.”
    Lucy ran to greet her husband and Sarah backed up a few steps, bumping into Jamie’s solid body. His hands braced her shoulders and lingered longer than necessary. He bent his head and whispered in her ear. “It’s nice to see a couple express their affection so openly.”
    His hands slipped from her shoulders and she wanted to lean into him again... to feel his solid strength and support. It was just as well they’d arrived; there was no room in her plans for conflicted emotions... was there?

Chapter Eight
    “Pioneer Merchant Bank, you said?” Charlie Davis shot a quick glance at Jamie and nodded vigorously. “Yes, I know them. Two fellows showed up, oh, a month or so ago and purchased a building on Montgomery, near Sacramento.”
    Jamie leaned forward eagerly. “That’s excellent news. Is it a good location?”
    “It had better be,” said Charlie with a twinkle in his eye. “I sold it to them.”
    Jamie laughed. “Then you would know.”
    The businessman turned serious. “What I also know is that if you’re smart, you buy what’s available as soon as you hear about it, assuming that it suits your purpose. If you wait... even as much as half a day... it will be gone.” He grinned, and for a moment he looked like a tall, gangly pirate. “Or you could wait until tomorrow, and pay twice the price. That’s the way things go around here.” He motioned for the driver to stop and pointed out a two-storey building. “That’s the place right there. Good luck, young man.” He held out his hand, and they shook. “Come and see me any time. My office is two blocks in the other direction.”
    “Will do.” Jamie nodded to Lucy. “Goodbye, ma’am. It was a pleasure sailing with you.”
    Lucy huffed. “It’s not as if we’re never going to see each other again. Now say goodbye to Sarah, and we’ll be on our way.”
    “Goodbye, Jamie.” Sarah’s throat was suddenly tight. “Good luck.”
    “Thank you, Sarah Howard.” A soft, intimate smile flitted across his face. “But this isn’t goodbye.” He held her gaze for one last, lingering moment, then walked away.
     
    * * *
     
    “Charlie, it’s perfect!” Lucy reached up and patted her husband on the cheek. “I love my new home.”
    The two-storey structure overlooked the city from a hillside near Telegraph Hill. On the drive from the waterfront, Charlie had explained proudly how he had purchased two of the first shipment of pre-fabricated wooden houses imported from China, and had re-worked the plans to turn it into a two-storey dwelling.
    “I’m glad you approve.” He stood in the kitchen, where he’d just opened the crate marked kitchen supplies. “And now, if you don’t mind, my love, I need to get back to the office.”
    “Of course not. Sarah and I will unpack and tonight we’ll have our first family meal.”
    Sarah couldn’t remember ever witnessing any signs of affection between her mother and father. Seeing Lucy and Charlie together made her feel like a voyeur, but in a good way. Would she ever feel that kind of happiness? Her thoughts drifted to Jamie, and she was overcome with a longing so intense it took her breath away. Maybe one day, when she was established and could meet him as an equal. The idea gave her strength, and she set about unpacking the crate with a faint smile on her face.
    Lucy lingered at the door, saying goodbye to Charlie, then came into the kitchen and watched for a