Large hands steady her, “I beg your pardon,” she stammers out and looks up in shock. Solomon Abbott! A smile of recognition lights her face.
“Mrs. Smith? What in the world are you doing here?” he growls out, releasing his hold on her. His dark eyes don't look happy to see her. The light fades from her eyes, and she whirls to leave. “Excuse me, Mr. Abbott. I didn't see you.”
Solomon stands gaping at the swiftly moving woman who has tormented his dreams for the past two weeks. She's a block away before he realizes what he's done. He bolts out the door after her and catches up.
“Faith, wait! Damn woman, you are fast!” he says, walking quickly beside her. Faith feels like a fool. She was excited to see a familiar face, but she will not be treated like less than by anyone ever again. Her daughter will be raised by a strong woman as her mother!
“Mr. Abbott, did you want something?” Faith moves swiftly up Market Street away from the hustle and bustle of town business. Willow had rented a house near the ocean for the duration of their stay, and Faith split the cost with her. It was much cheaper than the hotels in town and afforded Faith privacy.
“Please forgive my rudeness, Mrs. Smith, but I was shocked to see you.” Faith ignores his statement and hurries home, she can feel Hope begin to stir, and the cold breeze will not be good for her. She picks up the pace, sure that Mr. Abbott will take a hint and leave her be.
“Obviously,” Faith snaps. Solomon has to skid to stop when she suddenly stops. She glares up at him, trying to ignore his good looks and snaps, “Mr. Abbott is there a reason that you're still following me.”
“Let's try this again.” Solomon removes the cowboy hat, “Mrs. Smith, it's nice to see you again. Will you forgive my rudeness?” His eyes dance merrily, and the wind blows his long dark hair around his head.
She can't help but smile at him. “Mr. Abbott, there is nothing to forgive. I am here to catch a train. I'm staying in a home two blocks away, with Willow and her son Jackson.” Her smile fades, and something like fear enters her eyes, “I need to get back. It was lovely to see you again.”
She turns, and the scent of lavender catches the breeze, and he makes his choice.
“Now what kind of man would I be if I let you walk home alone? Allow me to escort you, Mrs. Smith. These streets are no place for a beautiful woman to be.” Faith blushes and continues walking.
“That's kind of you, I would appreciate that very much.” They walk quietly, and soon she turns down a street of row houses that are close together. Two-story wooden houses. Clean and quiet, they provide a sense of comfort one can't find in the city. She turns and leads the way up the wood steps of her rental house.
After a moment of hesitation, she asks, “Mr. Abbott would you care to come in for coffee?”
“Coffee? I'd like that.” He stomps the mud off his boots on the porch and follows her inside.
“Call me Faith,” she says and moves inside the small house. To the right is a galley kitchen with a small table and chairs. In the living area, a fireplace is flanked by a couch and two chairs.
Solomon glances around the simple house in surprise. “All this time I’ve worked in San Francisco, and I didn't know these row houses existed.” He is looking around when her eyes meet his. “Call me Solomon, Faith.”
“I must admit that I was happy to see a familiar face, Solomon, I don't like it here.” A sound like a kitten meowing startles him, and she smiles. Her hand goes to her cape, and when she sweeps it off, his mouth falls open.
“Solomon, meet my daughter, Hope,” she says with such love that he's captivated instantly and steps closer.
His large hand cups the tiny head of the newborn and he says with awe in his voice, “Surely she is perfection.”
Instant concern fills his eyes for Faith. He is calculating the time they have been apart as she walks her slim figure over to the couch. Faith lays baby Hope on her side and rolls up a blanket to tuck beside her to keep her from rolling anywhere. When she stands up, she stretches and rolls her shoulders. “For such a tiny baby, she gets heavy after a little while.”
“You should be resting, or sitting, or something… but not walking around a city like this with a newborn!” he exclaims.
“Solomon, I appreciate your concern, but I didn't have a choice. Let me make some coffee, and we will talk.” He watches her walk away, and he steps over to the couch to peek at Hope.
“She’s tiny, and she has your hair! Look at all that copper just dancing around, the boys are gonna love you, little one.”
Faith laughs and says, “Over my dead body.” She returns carrying two cups of coffee, hands him one and sits in a chair near the fireplace with a sigh. Solomon grabs the wood and starts a fire without asking, thinking only of her and the baby.
“I’m sure that’s what your father said too, Faith.” His warm voice chuckles, “I know my Pa, threatened every young buck that came near my sisters.” He stands and moves to a chair, excepting a cup of coffee from her.
The intimacy of the moment is not lost on either of them. They are virtual strangers, yet it feels right.
