Tracie Peterson - Dawns Prelude

Ellie and her sister had assured Evie she would always he welcomed in Sacramento, but that really wasn't where she wanted to he. The thought of being with Lydia offered her great comfort, and Evic could only pray that somehow her stepmother would welcome her.

She shook her head at the irony of it all. She longed to remain with Dalton, but even more so, she longed to be close again to Lydia. Would the one act negate the possibility of the other? Would Lydia send her away, simply for being related to the wrong family?

Once on shore, Evie glanced around the docks. She had hoped there might he a cab to hire, but most folks seemed to he on foot. The smell of fish and other unpleasant aromas wafted on the air, but otherwise the day was, as the man on the launch had said, quite perfect.

You look lost. Might I be of some assistance?"

Evic turned.

The older man smiled. "Your baby is a handsome one."

She returned the smile. "I'm looking for someone. I need to find Lydia Gray."

The man laughed. "Ain't Gray no more. The name is Lindquist. And I know her husband well. In fact, his foreman is just over there. Josh! Josh, come here." He turned hack to Evie. "That's Joshua Broadstreet."

Evie watched as a young man fixed his brown eyes upon her. He seemed momentarily mesmerized, making her feel uncomfortable. Then he smiled.

"What's the problem, Briney?" he asked, crossing to where they stood.

"This young lady would like to get out to the Lindquist place. She's looking for Lydia. I told her you worked with Kjell."

"I do." He seemed to notice the sleeping baby for the first time. Evie saw a frown cross his lips before he spoke. "I can drive you out there-that is, if I can borrow a rig."

"Thank you." Evie looked back at the man called Briney. "And thank you for your assistance. I'm afraid I came a bit unprepared."

The man laughed. "Ain't no problem. Most everyone knows everyone else around here. I'll just stay with you until he gets back. You'd probably be safe enough, but we have our share of unsavory characters."

She nodded, thinking of Marston's words about hiring someone to take care of Lydia. Shivering, she pushed aside the thought. It would only be a short time until she could rectify the hideous wrong her brother had done.

Joshua finally returned with a small two-wheeled cart. It was pulled by a stout-looking gelding that seemed far from interested in attending to their needs.

"Come on, get up there." Josh guided the poky beast into place, then set the brake. He grinned as he climbed down. "Patches is about a hundred years old, but he'll do the job."

He looked at Evie for a moment and sobered. "I can take the baby, if you like, while you climb aboard. I'd be hard-pressed, however, to help you up at the same time."

"It's no bother. I'm capable." Handing Dalton to him, she admonished, "Don't drop him."

He met her gaze and grinned again. "I wasn't planning to."

Evie hiked her skirts, unconcerned about showing her ankles, and hoisted herself onto the cart seat. Reaching down, she took Dalton from Joshua and waited while he climbed aboard. He released the brake and slapped the reins lightly on the hack of the horse.

"Pick it up there, Patches."

The horse moved out onto the road and gently plodded past the shops and businesses that lined the waterfront.

"What's your name?" Josh asked.

"Evie. Evie Gadston."

"How do you know Lydia?"

She considered this for a moment. "Through my family." The last thing she wanted was to have to explain herself. "Is it far?"

She was anxious for this matter to he resolved. The horse's painfully slow pace almost made Evie suggest they walk.

"It's a ways. More than you'd want to hike," he said, as if reading her thoughts. "So what brings you to Sitka? Is Lydia a friend of yours?"

Evie nodded. "I hope so. Tell me it's been a long time since I've seen her how is she?"

"Well, she has good days and bad. You know about the accident?"

"I knew something had happened, but I don't know the details," she admitted.

"She was shot a couple of times. Nearly died. It left her with a long recovery period and no memory."

"No memory? None at all?"

"Well, Kjell tells me she's getting it back in tiny bits. She doesn't remember much, though. She probably won't remember you." He smiled at her. But don't take it personal-like. She's a good person, and she'll still welcome you."

"I hope so. I mean, I think once she realizes why I've come, she'll be more than happy to see me." Evie didn't really expect Josh to reply. What could he say? Obviously the situation had changed from what she had anticipated. It had been her hope that she would come, and Lydia would be so overjoyed about Dalton 's return that she would welcome Evie with open arms. But now she wouldn't even know who Evie was. This could complicate everything considerably

You still with me Josh asked.

She shook her head. "What? What do you mean?"

"I asked you a question, but you didn't seem to hear."

"I do apologize. My thoughts were preoccupied." She stared at the evergreen trees and glanced up at the mountains beyond. It was a beautiful island.

"That's all right. I simply asked why you'd come."

"It's… well… difficult to explain."

He shook his head. "That family doesn't need any more difficulties. I'm sure if you know about the accident, then you heard about her baby, too."

Evic hugged Dalton a little closer. "I did."

We don't know what happened to him. I was a little bit alarmed when I saw you were bringing a baby to visit. I don't know if Lydia will remember her boy or not, but you might be prepared for her to be upset. She gets that way when she thinks about things and can't remember.

"Fact is," he continued, "they don't know what ever happened to the baby. Kjell's been trying to find out, but so far there's been no luck. He thinks Lydia 's stepson took him or at least hired someone to take him."

Lyle felt the intensity of the moment unlike anything she'd ever known. "He did," she blurted out.

Joshua pulled hack on the reins and looked at her oddly. "What?"

She met his dark eyes and hoped he wouldn't hate her for what she was about to say. She just needed to declare the truth. "Mr. 13roadstreet, my brother did take Dalton." She pulled hack the lacy blanket that shielded the baby from the morning sun. But I'm bringing him back."

Lydia sat on the porch in her rocking chair. The tightness in her chest threatened to rob her of breath. How could she have forgotten her own son? No matter how traumatic the attack, it seemed unthinkable that she would have lost her memory of him.

Kjcll had explained everything, but very little made sense. She tried to remember more about that night, but nothing came to her. Perhaps in time it would, but then again, did she really want it to],'

In his account of the story, Kjell had told her that he'd hired a detective, and that the authorities were finally involved in investigating Marston Gray. This was the man her stepson-who had taken Dalton away. At least they believed he had. Some other man-a brother to the man who had shot her had testified that this was what had happened.

She buried her head in her hands and rocked. Where was her baby' Why couldn't they find him

Oh, God, she prayed, please help me help us. Please let us find Dalton. Let me know him again. The empty feeling of not remembering-of not knowing even now where her baby might be-was more than she could bear.

The tears came as they had earlier, and still she rocked.

Lydia had begged Kjell and Zerelda to leave her alone-to let her have time to consider all that they'd told her. Now, however, she wished for Kjell's presence. He had a way of making her feel at peace, even in the midst of despair.