Golden Paradise (Vincente 1) by Constance O'Banyon Page B

Cline smiled readily. "Your mother must also have red meat. This is almost as important as the medicine." He was hesitant, as if he hated to lay another burden at her door. "Meat is very expensive, Miss Barrett. I hope it will be no hardship on you."
    Valentina's eyes met his with a spark of determination. "I have the money to pay for the medicine and the meat. Before my mother needs a refill, I will have the money for that also."
    He gave her a warm smile. "San Francisco is a hard place for three women alone. Prices are outrageous. The men outnumber you a hundred to one. Is there no way you can take your mother back to England?"
    "No, not until we find my father."
    "Out here men have been known to disappear and never be heard from again. I wish you luck in finding your father, Miss Barrett."
    "I will find him. If he is alive, I will bring him to my mother. If he is dead, then I will find his body or his grave. My mother needs to know if he is dead or alive. If he is dead, she needs to grieve. They are very close, Doctor Cline. I don't know if she can survive without him."
    The doctor's eyes held a hint of admiration. "You will not find the life here easy, Miss Barrett. I would warn you to exercise extreme caution. These men are a rough lot. They aren't accustomed to seeing a beautiful young woman in their midst. If that alone weren't enough, allow me to inform you about the cost of living hereabout. Flour is forty to a hundred dollars for a hundred-pound bag; beef is a dollar a pound. Bacon and ham are a dollar to a dollar and a half a pound. A man's shirt is going for anywhere from fifty to a hundred dollars. Those prices are the rates at the mines; they are only slightly less here in San Francisco."
    Valentina felt as if all her courage were draining out of her bit by bit. She did not know how they were going to survive, but she would fight to give her mother whatever she needed to get well. She would not give up until she had learned what had happened to her father. Withdrawing money from her green silk reticule and carefully counting out the coins, she handed them to the doctor. He, in turn, handed her a bottle of the precious amber liquid.
    "You will want to give your mother half an ounce first thing in the morning and last thing at night. If you have any problems, send for me. I will drop by as often as I can to check on your mother's progress." He gave her a tired smile, turned, and walked away. His boots made a crunching sound as he disappeared down the rock-strewn pathway.
    Valentina felt tears of hopelessness and frustration building behind her eyes, but she refused to cry. If she did not do something soon, they would be destitute. She stepped back into the house. As always when she was troubled, she sought Salamar.
    Salamar was spreading a pallet near the fireplace for Valentina. Without looking up, she spoke. "I have made my bed in the bedroom so I can be near your mother in case she needs me during the night. You will sleep here undisturbed."
    Looking up, Salamar saw Valentina's troubled expression. Standing, she held out her arms and Valentina went into them seeking comfort. "Everything will work out for the best, Valentina. Things always look the darkest when one is weary. You must rest, my sweet child. You will be the strong one now. Your mother does not have your father to lean on; she will now lean on you."
     
    Valentina had been in California for a week. Her mother seemed to be growing stronger and the fever attacks had become less frequent. In spite of the shabbiness of the cabin, it now had taken on a homey glow. Among Salamar's many talents, she was a wonder with a needle. Out of one of Valentina's old yellow-and-white-checked gowns, she had made curtains, which hung at the windows in the front room as well as in the bedroom. Valentina had painted the kitchen furniture white, and a bright yellow cloth covered the imperfections of the rickety old table. To make her mother's bedroom more cheerful,