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  One of Tess’s hands rested on the top rail of the fence, the other on her own expanded waistline. She briefly closed her eyes and tilted her face up. It felt wonderful to bask in the warmth of the early June sun after so many prior days of fog.

  The mare snorted and stamped her feet, restless and demanding attention. Tess put out her hand to stroke the horse’s velvety nose. She knew exactly how the poor thing felt, at least she thought she did.

  Giving birth was going to be a new experience for them both and one that she, at least, was looking forward to, particularly since her experience helping care for the three darling orphans they’d rescued after the quake. Thankfully all of them had been adopted by their distant relatives just as she’d hoped, and Rachel had even written a few times to tell Tess how happy she and David were with their new family.

  Tess sensed rather than heard her husband’s approach, looked over her shoulder and smiled. The moment Michael put his arms around her she leaned back, sighed with contentment and gladly let him help support her.

  “How are you feeling today?” he asked tenderly.

  Tess smiled. “Wonderful, if you like fat women.”

  “I love this one,” he said, kissing her hair.

  “I think the mare is close to foaling.”

  “Are you two having a race?”

  Laughing softly, Tess said, “Uh-huh. But I’m not sure who’s going to win.”

  “That’s partly why I came home early. The chief was more than happy to switch a few schedules when I explained why I needed a little time off.”

  He began to massage her shoulders the way he often had lately and she felt the tension easing.

  “Did you tell him you were afraid I couldn’t handle things by myself? Your mother’s right there in the house, you know. I could always call her if I needed help.”

  “Aye, but you probably wouldn’t,” Michael said knowingly. “And the last thing we need is to have you trying to pull a foal when you should be resting.”

  “I know. I just thought my being here would help the mare feel better. She and I have a lot in common.”

  “I’m far more worried about you than I am about her,” Michael said.

  Turning, Tess wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist as best she could and laid her cheek on his chest. “As your mother would say, ‘Don’t you be worryin’ now. The good Lord’s watchin’ over us.’”

  “I know. I just love you so much I can’t help it.”

  “Good. See that you stay that way.” Her tone remained light but her thoughts had sobered. “And thank you again for agreeing to live up here. I know it wasn’t easy for you to accept a loan from Papa.” She touched the badge pinned to his coat. “I’m so proud that you got your promotion. You deserved it. And now we’ll be able to pay him back much faster, too.”

  Michael nodded agreement. “If he’d insisted we build a mansion the likes of the one where you grew up, I don’t think I could have ever gotten used to it. This size house is much more to my liking.” He chuckled. “I suspect I’d like it even better if it wasn’t built right next door to your father’s new place.”

  “I know what you mean. I was worried about that to begin with, too, but Rose has been keeping him so well occupied he has little time to bother us.”

  Lifting her face, Tess displayed a satisfied grin and arched her brows, pausing until she was sure Michael had noticed. “I told you they would eventually become a couple. Papa got to know Rose very well when we were all camping in the park. By the time the new houses were finished, there was no way he could have denied that they belonged together, even if he’d wanted to. And she makes a wonderful stepmother. Now Annie and I really are sisters.”

  “I know, I know. That’s one more time when you were right. I’ve already lost count. It sure surprised me when your father and Rose were finally wed, though, especially since she’s still so involved with giving women the vote.”

  “So is Papa. Now. At least in a monetary way. I can’t wait till Rose convinces him to march in the streets carrying an emancipation sign!”

  “Neither can I.” A chuckle rose from deep in Michael’s chest. “No doubt Gerald Clark’s society friends are in a terrible tizzy over his marriage. And our wedding, too, although we’ve given everybody a year longer to get used to you being Mrs. Mahoney.”

  “It still takes me by surprise occasionally,” Tess confessed. “Being your wife is such a blessing it’s hard for me to believe all my dreams have come true.”

  Her vision misted with contentment and joy as she caressed her husband’s cheek, smiled and asked, “Are you going to kiss me right now, right here, Michael Mahoney, or do you want to go stand in the middle of Golden Gate Park again so we can draw a crowd?”

  “Any place is fine with me, darlin’,” he drawled, smiling and bending to begin to answer her request.

  Tess thoroughly agreed. She closed her eyes. Right there, right now, she had never been happier.

  Just then their unborn baby gave her a swift kick in the ribs, bringing a vivid reminder of the way life was finding new meaning since the devastation.

  A bright promise awaited her family, her friends and the rebuilt city of San Francisco. She could hardly wait to see the future begin to unfold.

  Dear Reader,

  I love history, as you can probably tell. Every book I research teaches me new things and opens my eyes to how our current era compares to the past. Some things remain the same. Faith is one of them. Love for a husband or wife is another. Although affection may be expressed differently, commitment remains. So does the need for understanding and acceptance.

  In this story, Tess and Michael are forced to search their hearts and admit their feelings because of a disaster. I truly believe, no matter what comes our way, that we can find some good in anything if we trust the Lord and look to His guidance.

  I love to hear from readers. The best way to reach me is by email. [email protected]. Or you can send a letter to Valerie Hansen, P.O. Box 13, Glencoe, AR 72539.

  Blessings,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  Does it seem strange to you to realize what a short time has actually passed since women had to fight for their rights? (In some places they couldn’t even own property.)

  Why was Annie so scared to go with Tess to the meetings? Could it have been because she’d been raised as a servant, or were affluent women just as unsure of themselves?

  Was Tess an unusual mistress because she treated Annie as an equal? Would you be comfortable ordering someone else to do all the things you now do for yourself?

  Have you ever experienced an earthquake firsthand? I have! What did you do? Was prayer your first response? Do you think Tess acted sensibly? How about Michael?

  Did you know, before reading this story, that quakes can move in different directions and also change the type of shaking before they’re done? Why was that so important in San Francisco in 1906? Is it still relevant?

  Might you react in the same way Michael and Tess did if you were faced with the task of reaching out to fellow human beings? Even though they could do little to ease suffering, were their meager efforts valuable?

  Is it logical for a disaster to bring out their affection for each other the way it eventually did, or do you think they were too influenced by the intensity of the events?

  If Tess had not been so headstrong, would she have been safer, or did her self-reliance play a part in her survival?

  Did you agonize with Michael when he knew he must not leave his post? Do you know that today’s firemen sometimes face the same terrible dilemma? I can’t imagine how that must hurt a man who is trying to save lives, can you?

  If Tess had been trapped by the fire inside a building instead of in the yard, do you know what she should have done? (The air is always better near the floor.) Inside, if she had stood up, one breath of that superheated air would have killed her.

  When Tess and the others are forced to camp in the park, why is there little
complaining? Do you suppose it’s because everyone is so thankful to be alive? Why should it take a catastrophe to make us aware of the gifts God has given us?

  The marriage of Tess and Michael clearly went against society’s norms. Was that a sign for the better? Think of how much more this country will have grown to accept differences by the time their children are adults!

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-8532-7

  RESCUING THE HEIRESS

  Copyright © 2011 by Valerie Whisenand

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

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  *Serenity, Arkansas