Until the Day Breaks (California Rising Book 1) (35 page)

“Usually I do, but with this war going on, I’m hesitant to release the crew into town. I think it safer for the men to stay aboard the ship for now.”

“Is there any trouble in Monterey?” Rachel craned her neck to view the waterfront. The beautiful village surrounded by a forest of pines was still a ways in the distance.

“My first mate tells me all is calm in the village. A curfew has been placed on the people. I guess nobody put up a fight when the navy arrived. The American flag has been flying for several days now without interference.”

“Do you think California will become part of the United States?” Rachel asked.

“I hope so. San Francisco Bay alone is worth the war. I believe a great city will spring up by the bay. I plan to make that city my home someday, God willing.”

“That would be wonderful. You could visit us at the rancho from time to time
.
Maria would be happy to see you.” Rachel couldn’t resist teasing him for a moment.

“She’s as obstinate as her brother used to be. That girl will light some man’s world on fire.”

“You must pray for the Lord to save her as he saved Roman. I have gotten to know Maria, and underneath her fieriness, she is rather sweet and vulnerable and very smart.”

A rueful smile twisted Dominic’s mouth. “I see nothing sweet and vulnerable in that young woman. Smart, yes, give her a stage and she could rule the world.”

“Would you have ever guessed Roman could become the man he is today? A follower of Christ, and your friend?”

“Not in a million years,” Dominic conceded with a laugh.

Rachel turned serious. “Do you think Roman is in danger with the town ruled by American forces?”

Dominic appeared to measure his words carefully. “During a war everyone is in danger. Violence breeds violence, but God is in control. If the Lord wants Roman safe, he will be kept safe.”

Dominic’s faith calmed her. She gazed at the lovely little town, in close range now. The village was situated in a large cove surrounded by all those tall pines trees, everything lush and green, with the village’s houses plastered white and topped by red tile roofs. Such a pretty pastoral scene. An old man wearing a serape walked slowly past the customhouse. A few dogs trotted down a dirt road. Several American soldiers strolled along in front of the presidio, but the men smiled, appearing relaxed in their uniforms.

“The church isn’t far, Captain,” Jamie said. “Should I find a horse for the lady, or would she prefer to walk through the village?”

“I’ll walk.” Rachel smiled at the curly haired boy.

Jamie’s face reddened under her attention.

“May I lift you out of the boat and carry you through the surf so you don’t soak your comely dress?” Dominic waited expectantly.

Rachel looked at the foamy water washing against the sides of the boat. “That would be fine.” Her face turned as red as Jamie’s, considering Dominic would have to hoist her into his arms.

“Here goes.” He scooped her up, carrying her to shore with ease. “Let me get you through the sand,” he said, continuing to bear her all the way up the beach until they hit the hard, dry dirt of the street.

She’d gotten somewhat accustomed to Roman putting his hands on her, but in Dominic’s arms she felt painfully self-conscious. “Thank you,” she said when he placed her on the ground.

“My pleasure.” He surveyed the sleepy village.

“The church is at this end of town.” Jamie led the way up the street.

“After my lady.” Dominic waved her to walk between him and Jamie.

As they strolled through the village, the voice of a child cried out. “Rachel!” The little red-haired girl ran to catch up with them. “Rachel! I knew t’was you!” Molly threw herself against Rachel’s legs.

Tears filled Rachel’s eyes. “Molly!” She bent down to embrace the little girl.

“Ma sent me to fetch fish from the docks. When I saw you, I couldn’t believe my bloomin’ eyes.” Molly’s eyes shone with joy. “You’re all dressed up. Where you goin’?”

“I’m getting married.” Rachel surveyed the child, noting with great pleasure Molly’s rounded cheeks and glowing health. Nearly six months ago, departing the ship and saying good-bye had been so difficult. Walking off the dock after hugging Molly and her mother, she wondered if she’d ever see them again
.

“Can I come to your wedding?” Molly clung to Rachel, her freckled arms wrapped around Rachel’s satin waist.

“Go fetch your ma right now and meet us at the Royal Presidio Chapel,” Rachel told her.

“Can I bring my pa and brothers too?”

“You found your father?” Pleasure poured through Rachel. God had answered her prayers for Molly!

The smile wavered on Molly’s face for only a moment. “My old pa is buried in the cemetery. That’s where we found him when we got here. My new pa is the town blacksmith. He’s a widower, and I got me two brothers now!”

“Oh my,” Rachel said. “God has blessed you with a brand new family.”

“He sure has.” The smile shone once more on Molly’s precious face. “My new pa’s a God-fearin’ man. And Ma is happy now.”

“What wonderful news, Molly. Why don’t you go see if your family can join us for the wedding.” Rachel looked up at Dominic and Jamie. “Where’s the church?”

“Over yonder.” Jamie pointed to the sandstone building up the street as the sinking sun cast a golden glow over the entire town.

“I still got them pretty dresses you made me on the ship.” Molly walked backward. “I don’t live far from here. I’ll go fetch everyone and be back in a lick.” The little girl waved happily and then turned and raced down the street, her skirts flying.

Rachel swept tears off her cheeks. Only God could have arranged this meeting with Molly. She said a grateful prayer as they continued on to the church, where Dominic opened the heavy wooden door for her to slip inside the sanctuary. That’s when she noticed Dominic, in his finest captain’s garb, was all wet from the knees down due to carrying her through the surf. “Thank you for all you’ve done for us,” she told him, tearing up once more. Her heart felt so full, happiness expanding inside her.

“You’re welcome. Personally, I can’t wait to see the look on Roman’s face when he sets his eyes on you. And meets your Irish family when they arrive.”

Rachel returned Dominic’s wide smile. “It’s a miracle, really, meeting Molly on the road.”

“God is good at miracles,” Dominic said as they stepped into the church.

It was darker inside the building, but candles glowed throughout the sanctuary. A little old padre came down the center aisle to greet them.

“I am Father Santiago,” the diminutive priest said with a heavy Spanish accent. He nodded to Dominic and Jamie behind her and then focused on Rachel. “You are Roman’s betrothed.” It wasn’t a question.

She liked the padre’s kind brown eyes that shone with intelligence. To her relief, she sensed the Holy Spirit in him.

“It is time for your confession,” Father Santiago announced. “Come, we will kneel before the altar as your
novio
and I did earlier.”

Dominic and Jamie turned and would have fled the church had Father Santiago not halted them. “Please, senõrs,” he said with gentle firmness. “Have a seat. I will come for you shortly so you too may confess your sins before the ceremony.”

Jamie looked at his captain with fear-filled eyes. “I ain’t confessin’ my sins to no man. The wrong I done is between me and God.”

“You heard the padre, Jamie. Take a seat over there. I’ll join you shortly.” Dominic pointed to a bench at the back of the church.

Clearing his throat, he continued, “Padre, I’m a Protestant. We believe in confessing our sins directly to God.” Though Dominic stood two heads taller than the little priest, it was apparent he was a bit unnerved by the padre in his flowing robes.

“The Bible says we are to confess our sins to one another so that we may be healed,” Father Santiago said. “We read the same Bible, do we not, Captain?”

Dominic nodded in agreement.

“There will be confession today by all who are here to celebrate one of God’s greatest sacraments, marriage.”

“So be it, Father.” Dominic gave Rachel an aren’t-you-lucky-to-go-first look.

She raised her eyebrows at him before following Father Santiago up the aisle.

Rachel remained waiting at the altar as Father Santiago held confessions with Dominic and Jamie. As she stood there, Molly and her family slipped into the church, Anne wearing one of the dresses Rachel had given her on the ship. Anne’s head was covered by a shawl of lace. Molly looked so winsome in the little gown Rachel made for dining with the captain on the
Rainbow.
She’d cut the gown out of one of her own best gowns on the ship, and seeing it now, a smaller version on the child, filled Rachel’s heart with a longing to make tiny dresses for her own daughters. She prayed God would bless them with many children. She imagined dark-haired little ones with their father’s green eyes.

A tall, friendly looking man and two small boys with freshly scrubbed faces trailed Molly down the aisle, slipping onto a bench in the middle of the sanctuary. Rachel smiled and waved to Molly.

Full of exuberance, Molly waved back.

A short while later, Dominic and Father Santiago joined Rachel at the altar. Jamie was nowhere in sight.

“It is time. I will return with your groom,” Father Santiago said happily. “Captain Mason, you may kneel here.” The padre pointed out a place on the floor to Dominic. “The couple will kneel here.” He indicated where Rachel was to kneel with Roman in front of the altar before he walked away.

Rachel wore a white lace shawl over her head that Father Santiago had given her. Women kept their hair covered in the Catholic church no matter the occasion. Rachel hadn’t known this until Father Santiago explained it to her and loaned her the shawl. She wondered if Anne was of Catholic descent since the Irish woman had entered the church with her head already covered. Perhaps the padre wouldn’t even notice Molly’s little family sitting quietly in the shadows of the church.

Rachel hid her face under the lace shawl when Roman finally approached with Father Santiago, but she peeked up enough to see Dominic, kneeling nearby, giving Roman a huge smile. Roman smiled back like the happiest man in the world. He wore the ensemble of a Californio don—a velvet jacket over a white silk shirt with a bright red sash tied around his waist and black velvet britches, along with embroidered deerskin boots that reached nearly to his knees.

Reverently, he knelt down beside her. The ceremony proceeded in Spanish, but when speaking directly to Rachel, Father Santiago used his broken English.

At the end of the lengthy event, Father Santiago looped a sash over Roman’s and Rachel’s shoulders, signifying the two had become one flesh.

They all rose to their feet rather stiffly, having kneeled the whole time on the tile, and then the pleased padre insisted on a feast in the mission dining room in honor of the occasion. Molly’s family joined them there.

By the time they returned to the beach hours later, having said good-bye to Molly’s family and the gregarious Father Santiago, the moon was rising over the water. They found Jamie asleep in the bottom of the rowboat.

Roman carried Rachel through the surf to place her on one of the benches in the dinghy. After that, he helped Dominic push the rowboat into deeper water until they both hopped in. Roman sat beside Rachel, careful not to dampen her dress with his wet boots.

Back on board the ship, Roman surprised Dominic with a hug. “Thank you, Dom. I’m grateful it was you who stood by me for my wedding.” Roman could not stop smiling.

It made Rachel so happy to see him happy.

“Who was standing? My knees will never be the same.” Dominic grinned with pain and pleasure.

Roman and Rachel laughed, admitting their knees were sore as well.

Dominic made a bow. “Allow me to escort you newlyweds to your quarters.” With the full moon lighting the deck and shining off the tranquil waters of the bay, Dominic led Roman and Rachel down to his cabin.

When he opened the door for them, Rachel was taken aback by the smell of flowers. “I had my men hunt down a bit of flora. It appears they stripped every garden in the town.”

Awestruck, Rachel walked into the flower-filled room. Brass whale lanterns lit the quarters, warming the polished wood walls even more. “It’s so beautiful,” she said, tears filling her eyes.

“A cabin fit for a bride. Have a wonderful evening, my friends.” Dominic winked before shutting the door behind him.

They were finally alone. Both of them took a shaky breath.

“Shall we say a prayer of thanks?” Roman gazed at her.

“Yes. I would like that.” He took her hand and walked her over to the large bed draped in fine fabric. Waves lapped the side of the ship, creating a soothing sound. After looking into her eyes for a long, heartfelt moment, he bowed his head. “Lord Jesus, we thank you for your tender care for us. Let this time tonight glorify you. Amen.”

“That was short.” Rachel couldn’t hide how nervous she felt.

A smile settled on Roman’s face. “Our Lord understands.” He reached out and plucked a pin from her hair. And then, slowly, removed them all until her hair tumbled around her in glorious splendor.

He was different now that he was a believer. Still, there was so much Rachel didn’t know about pleasing a man. So much she had to learn as a wife. Her heart hammered in her chest, and her breathing quickened. Fear and excitement left her light-headed.

He moved in closer, and she stepped back until her legs bumped the bed. “Maybe we should read the Bible for a while together,” she suggested.

“Really?” His gaze swept her face, settling on her mouth. Placing his hands on her waist, he gently turned her around and deftly loosened the stays on her dress and then pushed her hair aside, kissing the back of her neck.

“Please, I want to share this with you,” she said, shivering.

She spun around to face him and flattened her palms against his chest, looking shyly up at him. “It won’t take long.” She ducked under his arm and crawled across the soft mattress to the table on the other side. Her Bible lay open there where she’d left it before the ceremony. “My lover is mine, and I am his; he browses among the lilies until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills.” Her voice caught with emotion as she read the scripture.