My Heart Belongs in San Francisco, California

  “Absolutely. No doubt God is calling you to do just that.”

  “I was so silly, to let myself be tempted to play the piano at the Lucky Penny. That wicked man flattered me and I fell right into his trap.”

  “If you have a hankerin’ to play the piano, then I have an even better idea.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I can’t offer you any money, but I can tell you that we need a pianist up at the church. We haven’t had one since Mrs. Orchard passed away. And, to be honest, her skills were lacking. We couldn’t tell ‘Jesus, Lover of my Soul’ from ‘Blest be the Tie that Binds.’ The piano’s probably in need of a tuning, and I think it’s missing a few keys, but we could find someone in town capable of taking care of all that, if you’re willing to give it a go.”

  “I don’t mind playing for the church, and the idea of helping the community holds some appeal. But I don’t plan to be here long enough to be of much use, Cookie. Remember? My parents are arriving in short order. They will whisk me away to Philadelphia and this adventure will come to an end.”

  A wave of sadness washed over her with those words.

  From the kitchen door, a voice rang out. “Would you consider it, Abby? In the meantime, I mean.”

  She turned to discover Sam had entered the room. Hopefully he hadn’t been standing there long enough to overhear much.

  “Consider what?”

  Playing at the church. If so, I think my father would spring for an overhaul of the old piano. Not sure if we have anyone in town who could tune it up, but maybe we’ll locate someone.”

  “Oh, I have the perfect someone,” she said. “Neville.”

  “Did someone call my name?” Neville entered the room and headed straight to the cinnamon rolls to take a nibble. Cookie swatted his hand, but he didn’t flinch. “If I can stand up to a fellow like Marcus Denueve, I can handle you, woman.”

  Cookie’s eyes flashed with mischief. “In that case, eat the whole thing.” She picked up a cinnamon roll and passed it his way.

  “Don’t mind if I do.” Neville took a bite and turned back toward Abby and Sam. “Now, what were we talking about, again? Ah, yes. I’ve never met a piano I couldn’t tune. My mother always said I had perfect pitch.” A somber look came over him. “Always thought it a bit odd that I can’t carry a tune in a bucket but can hear notes at exactly the right pitch.” He seemed to shake off his pondering and took a big bite of the cinnamon roll. After swallowing he said, “At any rate, I would be happy to give it a try.”

  “Anything you can do would be a move toward the positive,” Sam said. “And we’ll pay you for your work, of course.”

  “Not necessary,” Neville said with the wave of a hand. “It will be my pleasure.”

  The two men headed out of the kitchen, deep in conversation.

  “Well, there you go.” Cookie’s face was awash with sweetness as she gazed after them. “We are surrounded by wonderful men, are we not, Abby?”

  “We are.” And that thought left her heart feeling more twisted than ever.

  Abby said her goodnights and headed upstairs to bed. As she reached the hallway, she came face to face with Jin, who was carrying a load of dirty sheets in his arms.

  His face lit into a smile the moment he saw her. “You come back, Miss Abby.”

  “Well, of course I came back.”

  “Good.” A hint of sadness flickered in his eyes. “We miss you much if you go.”

  “I would miss you too.” She wanted to give him a hug, but the dirty sheets made her think twice.

  “Miss Abby, I tell you something.”

  “Sure, Jin.”

  He shifted the linens and rested against the stair railing. “You make Miss Les beautiful.”

  “Why, thank you.”

  “But she already beautiful.” Creases formed between his brows. “Before you turn her into swan, I mean. Always beautiful.”

  “Yes, I believe she was.”

  Jin looked at her intently. “Not all woman need pretty dress to show beauty. Some woman need only kindness of heart.”

  “And she’s always been very kind, hasn’t she?”

  “Yes, like boss man.” Jin gestured down toward the dining room, where Sam and Neville sat at a table. “Him good, kind man.”

  “Yes, Sam is a very good man.” Her gaze lingered on the object of their conversation, who glanced her way with a smile.

  “Him take good care customers,” Jin added. “And me. Give me home. Teach me business.”

  “Yes, he’s the best.”

  She’d watched Sam in action for some time now, how he laughed with the men. How he’d given up his bed so that she could have a comfortable place to sleep. How he always looked out for the underdog. Somehow Sam had managed to rise above his troubles to become the man God intended him to be.

  Abby squared her shoulders, the idea giving her courage. If he could rise above his family’s situation—above the pain caused by his mother’s death and his father’s struggles—she could certainly rise above the divisions between her mother and father. If he could turn his situation around and use it for good, so could she.

  On the Tuesday night before her parents were set to arrive, Abby prepared herself for her final etiquette class. The past few weeks had given her plenty of opportunity to continue with the work the Lord had given her, shaping the town’s men into gentlemen. She felt almost as happy about their progress as she did about her own on the church’s piano. How she had summoned the courage to play for Sunday services two weeks in a row was beyond her. Still, she counted it all joy.

  “James chapter one, verse two,” Abby said aloud … and then giggled.

  Looked like Cookie was rubbing off on her.

  About an hour before class was set to begin, she went to the kitchen to check on the snacks. She caught Cookie in a belly laugh. Jin must’ve said something funny just before Abby walked in, because Cookie was doubled over. Minutes later, Jin left to gather eggs from the henhouse and Abby took advantage of the moment to talk to Cookie.

  “Tell me about Jin,” she said.

  “Jin?” Cookie’s lips curled up in a smile. “What do you want to know?”

  “He’s just so sweet. I’ve never heard him say an ugly word to anyone.”

  “You’ll never find a finer soul. He came to the area three years ago, I believe. Looking for gold, like so many from China.”

  “But he didn’t find any?”

  “Oh, he found plenty. Sent it all back to his parents and siblings in China, from what I’ve been told. And just for the record, his real name isn’t Jin.”

  “It’s not?”

  “No. But Jin means gold, so his family members gave him that name before he left to come here.”

  “Do you think he’s planning to stay?”

  “Ask him yourself. His English is getting better every day.”

  “I know. I’ve been amazed at how well he’s been able to communicate with me.”

  “He’s a fine man, Abby. A kind man. And I can tell you with certainty that his heart is right with the Lord.”

  “I’m so glad.” She paused to think this through. “You know, Cookie, I’m learning that our preconceived ideas are rarely God’s best. Not saying I had any ideas about Jin … I just rarely gave him any thought at all. He’s been a permanent fixture in this place, a real rock, and I hardly noticed the role he’s played. I’m ashamed that I scarcely paid attention to him.”

  “Plenty of time to notice from now on, honey. And as for our preconceived ideas—about people, places, or things—this is exactly why we need to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. He can whisper into our ears and nudge us in the right direction. Often the right direction is the opposite of the way we’re headed, which requires an about-face, but turning around is always for the best.”

  “Yes, I agree.” Like she had turned away from the Lucky Penny and bolted toward the door.

  Jin entered the kitchen again, with the gathered eggs in a baske
t. Abby waited until he set the basket down then walked his way and took his hand. “Jin, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you for teaching me so much about kitchen duty over the past few weeks. You’ve been a real godsend, and I’m very grateful.”

  “Why, thank you, Miss Abigail.” His deep-brown eyes sparkled in obvious delight. “My pleasure.”

  Abby’s heart warmed with kindness toward the man as she headed into the dining room to locate Sam. She found him at the register checking in a new guest, a fellow from Indiana. His words, “Welcome to the Gold Rush Inn” made her smile. In fact, everything about Sam made her smile these days. The way he laughed at Neville’s dry jokes. The way he swiped Cookie’s Snickerdoodles when she wasn’t looking. Even the way he poked fun at her.

  Yes, Sam was most certainly growing on her.

  Les entered the restaurant at the same moment Sam headed toward the stairs to carry up the guest’s bag. Abby turned her attention to her friend and welcomed her with a cheerful, “Good evening, Lesley.”

  Unfortunately, she only saw concern in Lesley’s eyes.

  “Are you all right?” Abby asked.

  “I don’t know if I can do it, Abby.”

  “Do what?”

  Lesley pointed down at her skirt and blouse. “Keep up this charade of dressing like a lady. For one thing, I can’t take all the whooping and hollering from the men. They never treated me like that before. What difference does a dress make?”

  “To them, a lot, I guess.” Abby shrugged.

  “It’s just the wrapping on the package. I was okay with the wrapping before. And Marcus isn’t really paying any more attention to me now than he was before. It’s been weeks, and he doesn’t even give me a second glance.” She plopped down at the table nearest the door and sighed. Loudly.

  Abby’s heart quickened as she heard Marcus’s name. “Would you mind terribly if I shared a story about him, Lesley? I think it might change your mind about the man.”

  “Sure. Be my guest.”

  Abby told the whole tale of how things had gone at the saloon two weeks back. Lesley listened quietly, but when she got to the part where Neville punched Marcus in the jaw because of what he’d done to Abby, Lesley sprang from her seat. “That oaf! He put his hand on you … where?”

  Abby pointed to her backside. “He’s no gentleman, I assure you. And Les, it pains me to tell you this, but he has joined himself with those women at the saloon. I saw him coming down the stairs with two of them, after …” She paused and cleared her throat. “Spending time in their company privately.”

  Lesley groaned. “So much for thinking he was the fella for me. I can’t believe I’ve wasted so much time thinking about him at all.”

  “Appearances can be deceiving, I guess. Just because a man’s in a fine suit doesn’t mean he’s a gentleman.”

  “And just because a gal’s in a skirt doesn’t mean she’s a lady.” A little sigh followed. “I think my days of pretending to be something I’m not are behind me, to be quite honest. I’ll go back to being Les, the hermit who lives alone in the house on the hill. The fellas can admire me for my gold, not my dresses.”

  “I wouldn’t give up just yet, but neither would I encourage you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.” Abby rested her hand on her friend’s arm. “Lesley, you were a lady long before I dolled you up. And any man in his right mind would have already taken note of that. So don’t get all wound up about Marcus. Pray and ask the Lord to show you who He’s got in mind for you. I suspect He will answer sooner than you think.”

  “Hopefully he won’t care if I’m in dungarees or a ball gown.”

  “He won’t care either way,” Abby countered, “but just for the record, you look lovely in that skirt, and I adore your hair long and flowing down your back like that.”

  “Thank you, Abby. You’re such a good friend.”

  Moments later, Neville entered the room. Something about him looked different, but she couldn’t place it. Abby narrowed her gaze as she tried to figure it out.

  “Well, go ahead and say it.” He stroked the sides of his face. “I look more American, wouldn’t you say?”

  “More American?”

  Cookie came out of the kitchen with a tray of sweets in her hand, which she almost dropped when she saw Neville.

  “You’ve done it!”

  “Yes.” A sly smile turned up the edges of his lips. “I have, indeed.” He pointed to the space where his graying sideburns had once resided, and Abby gasped as the realization hit.

  “That’s it. You’ve shaved off your sideburns.” A pause followed as she took in his new appearance. “I’m not saying I think that’s a bad idea. I’m just surprised.”

  “Someone convinced me they were too formal for San Francisco.” He gave Cookie a nod. “So, I decided to try out a new look.”

  “It suits you, Neville.” Cookie looked amused as she got back to work. “Gracious, but it suits you.”

  “Thank you.” He gave her a wink. “Now, would you happen to have any chocolate cake in that kitchen of yours? I’ve got a hankerin’ for chocolate.”

  “But … I thought you said you didn’t like chocolate?” Abby pursed her lips as he disappeared into the kitchen.

  A short while later, a rush of local men entered the dining room for their evening lesson. Some of the same fellows who raised such a ruckus at the Lucky Penny a few weeks back, arrived, all sobered up. Abby did her best not to judge, as Cookie had suggested, in the hopes that extending grace would win them over to a better way of life.

  The lesson went even better than before, including the dance portion, where she called on Sam to help her demonstrate the waltz. He seemed happy to be of service. Judging from his jovial expression, he had an even better time than she did.

  In that moment, as she observed the relaxed expression on his face and the spring in his step, Abby felt convinced that her place of service was right here, offering lessons to these men.

  And the women. She couldn’t help but notice that Les had a wonderful time on the dance floor as well. With Neville as her partner, she sashayed in 1-2-3 time, over and over, a relaxed smile on her face. Only when Jin cut in did Neville relinquish his spot as Les’s dance teacher.

  Neville grabbed Cookie in his arms and they took off across the floor in perfect rhythm. Abby was fascinated, watching this newer, freer version of the stiff, proper butler she had once known. How would he respond when the time came to head back to Philadelphia? She couldn’t imagine him slipping back into his role as a family servant.

  When the lessons ended, Cookie served up slices of cherry pie and told the fellas all about her plans to open the bakery in a few weeks. This got a rousing cheer out of everyone in attendance.

  Well, everyone but Jedediah Tucker. As the men quieted down, he raised his hands and got everyone’s attention.

  “Something you want to say?” Cookie asked.

  He nodded. “Yes’m. Just wanted y’all to know that I … well …” He beamed, as if holding some sort of secret. “I’ve decided to go back home.”

  “For your daughter’s wedding?” Abby asked.

  He nodded and she grabbed his hand and took him for a jig around the room to celebrate.

  “I’m so proud of you!” she said when they’d wrapped up the dance.

  “Me too.” Cookie waggled her finger at him. “Now, shave off that fool beard and present your wife and daughters with a clean-shaven face when you get home. And remember all the things you’ve learned from Abby over the past few weeks. Don’t want to find out all of this was for naught.”

  “Oh, I will, I will.” He flashed Abby a grateful smile and then took a bite of pie.

  Abby had to wonder if things could possibly get any better. She caught a glimpse of Sam and gave him an appreciative nod. He was as much to blame for this as she. His efforts with the men were being rewarded, as were hers.

  Across the room, Jin and Les chatted about something or another. He must’ve sai
d something funny, because Les laughed. Abby approached them to offer a thank-you for attending her classes.

  She arrived just as Jin pulled back Les’s chair. Les thanked him as she took a seat. Then Jin pulled back a chair for Abby as well.

  “You’re learning a lot,” she said as she took a seat. “Such a fine gentleman you’re turning out to be, Jin. Truly.”

  “Thank you, Miss Abby.” His gaze shifted to Lesley. “And may I say, you look lovely tonight, Miss Lesley.” His words came out crisp and clear. “Like a vision from above, if I might be so bold.”

  Les’s cheeks flushed pink. “Why, thank you, Jin. What a kind and generous thing to say.”

  “Your eyes are like flowers on hillside in sunshine. I tell Mr. Sam last spring how much your eyes remind me of larkspur.”

  “Last spring?” She glanced up at him, her blue eyes widening in obvious surprise. “Really? You noticed back then?”

  “Of course.” He brought his hand to his chest, his words even more serious than before. “Always, they have captivated me.” He paused and appeared to be thinking. “Captivated … right word?”

  “Captivated, right word.” Abby and Les spoke in unison, and they both laughed.

  Lesley beamed. “A girl could get used to hearing such things. I will have to visit more often.” She faced Jin, a twinkle in her eyes. “What’s on the menu tomorrow night? Maybe I’ll stop in for dinner and we can talk some more. I’ve had a hankerin’ to learn Chinese, Jin.”

  “Chinese? Yes.” His eyes sparkled at this news. “Tomorrow night fried chicken. Plucked by Miss Abigail.”

  “Then I’ll skip dinner and just come for lunch.” Les slapped her thigh and released a belly laugh. “The last time I ate chicken plucked by Miss Abigail, I got a mouthful of feathers.”

  Abby almost fell out of her chair giggling at this one. She managed to get control of herself just as Sam’s father entered the room. Judging from the serious expression on the man’s face and the fast clip as he headed straight for his son, Mr. Harris had something rather urgent on his mind.

  “What is it, Father?” Sam looked up from his spot at the table near the kitchen as his father paced back and forth. “You’re making me nervous.”