The Doctor's Newfound Family by Valerie Hansen Page A

him.”
    Thinking, praying and rejoicing, all at the same time, she reached into her pocket and withdrew her letter. “I have already done so. Will you be so kind as to deliver these pages to him and extend my good wishes for his continued success? Papa didn’t believe what was printed in any paper but his, and I have high hopes that that loyalty was not misplaced.”
    “It was not. And your trust in me is not, either,” Taylor said soberly. He took the letter and slipped it into his inside coat pocket before touching the brim of his bowler and making a slight bow. “Good night, Miss Reese.”
    “Good night, Doctor. Will you try to find time to let me know how my words are received? I have done my best to explain my family’s situation.”
    “I’m sure you have. I’ll take this to King’s home tonight and leave it with him. Tomorrow is my day to check the wards here so you will see me again then.”
    “I look forward to it,” Sara Beth said, struggling to hold the lamp steady and nearly succeeding. Shehad just placed the fates of herself and her siblings into the hands of a man she barely knew. If he delivered the letter to the editor, all would be well.
    If, however, he chose to place it in the wrong hands, she could find herself in true jeopardy. There was only one way to find out and that would not happen until the publication of the story in the Bulletin, which would be tomorrow night at the earliest.
    Until then, she would hope and pray and try to stay too busy to fret. If the doctor was not as forthright as he seemed, there was nothing she could do about it. Not now. While he had possession of her letter, he also held her fate in his hands. God willing, he would not betray her.
     
    The nattily dressed gentleman stood back, smoking a thick cigar and leaning on his ebony-and-silver walking stick. Morning fog from the bay was thick and slightly hampered the official search of Robert Reese’s workshop. As planned, however, one of the examiners easily located the monogrammed handkerchief containing particles of gold.
    Bein stayed out of the furor until it quieted down, then made his way to the sheriff. “I see they have discovered proof that my partner was a thief,” he said aside. “Tsk-tsk. How distressing. Once thatnews gets out, his good name will be tainted forever.”
    “What a cryin’ shame.” Scannell chuckled. “So, what do you want me to do now? Shall I relieve my men or have them continue their guard duty?”
    “Wait and see what the U.S. Marshal’s office decides,” Bein said. “A lot depends on whether Harazthy gets scared or not. His smelter has been refining for me on the sly and I don’t want to ruin that deal.”
    “Last I heard he was too caught up in being a grape farmer to care one way or the other.”
    “True. And definitely to our advantage, Sheriff. As long as things are going so smoothly, I suspect you’ll be free to be on your way soon. In the meantime, keep the guards right where they are and wait for my orders.” He scowled at the taller man’s expression of disgust. “Don’t give me that look, not if you value your job. I have plenty of influence with the city council.”
    “Hey, I was elected, fair and square,” Scannell insisted.
    “You were elected, all right, but there was nothing fair about it and you know it.”
    “All right, all right. I get the point.” He eyed the men who were carrying out boxes of assaying materials and records and loading them into a springwagon. “What about the girl? Is she going to behave herself?”
    “I’m sure she will. I’ve already booked passage for all those brats and I’m on my way to the Ladies’ Protection Society right now to offer my condolences. Once they’re on a boat headed for the east coast, we’ll have nothing more to worry about.”
    “I hope you’re right.”
    Bein laughed. “I’m always right.”
     
    Sara Beth was peeling potatoes in the kitchen when Clara tapped her on the shoulder. “You have