Chapters (241)
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Whatever Tomorrow Brings
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- The Taylor and Donovan Families1871
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
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- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
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- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- thirty-eight
- thirty-nine
- forty
- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- forty-five
- forty-six
- forty-seven
- forty-eight
- forty-nine
- fifty
- fifty-one
- fifty-two
- fifty-three
- fifty-four
- fifty-five
- fifty-six
- fifty-seven
- fifty-eight
- fifty-nine
- sixty
- sixty-one
- epilogue
- Dedication
- The Taylor and Donovan Families—1871
- Prologue
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
- twenty-four
- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- thirty-eight
- thirty-nine
- forty
- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- epilogue
- Sean Donovan
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Visalia and Santa Rosa Families—1876
- one
- two
- three
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- five
- six
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- eight
- nine
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- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
- twenty-four
- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- thirty-eight
- thirty-nine
- forty
- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- forty-five
- forty-six
- forty-seven
- forty-eight
- forty-nine
- fifty
- fifty-one
- Epilogue
- Dedication
- Willits and Santa Rosa Families—1881
- Dear Marcail
- prologue
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
- twenty-four
- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- thirty-eight
- thirty-nine
- forty
- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- forty-five
- forty-six
- forty-seven
- forty-eight
- forty-nine
- fifty
- fifty-one
- fifty-two
- fifty-three
- fifty-four
- fifty-five
- fifty-six
- fifty-seven
- fifty-eight
- fifty-nine
- sixty
- epilogue
- Books by Lori Wick
- About the Author
How did you know this was Charlotte? Sean asked, speaking his first words.
I was just in Santa Rosa for a visit, and then I was at your aunts with plans to sail when Rigg showed up with your letter.
This is your first visit back then?
No, actually it isnt, Patrick said somewhat reluctantly. I was back two years ago, but when I arrived in Santa Rosa, Katie told me Id missed you by about six weeks.
Six weeks, Sean said the words in a stunned whisper as pain crowded in around his chest. After a moment he seemed to mentally shake himself. Well, come in and have a seat. Are you hungry?
Thank you, no.
Once in the living room, Charlie and Sean took the sofa and Patrick took the chair. Again silence prevailed.
Was it a rough trip over from San Francisco? asked Charlie.
Not bad, Patrick smiled at his daughter-in-law for the lifeline she had tossed him. This is hot country over here, but I met some interesting people.
You came by train?
For the most part. Its a good way to see the area. The remark sounded ridiculous even to his own ears, but nothing else came to mind.
Ive never been on a train, Charlie continued, thinking that the elder Mr. Donovan looked rather lost.
She wished that Sean would get involved in the conversation. He was sitting ramrod straight, his eyes taking in Charlie and his father with measured glances. Seans face, Charlie noted, gave away none of his feelings. Charlie talked with her father-in-law for the better part of an hour before he rose.
Well, its been good visiting with you, but its getting late. If you could point me in the direction of the hotel, Ill go get a room for the night. He tried to keep the disappointment from his voice.
You dont need to stay at the hotel, Charlie said as she and Sean both stood. We dont really have room for you, but my aunt runs a boardinghouse and I know shed be glad to have you. Its very clean, and you would have your own room.
Well, if youre sure it wouldnt be an imposition.
Im sure. Sean and I can walk you over.
It was a silent threesome that made their way to Sadies. Sean stood with his father in the kitchen while Charlie went in search of Sadie.
Sadie is very hospitable, Sean told his father. Dont hesitate to ask for whatever you need.
I wont.
Again the heavy silence fell.
I smith for Charlotte at the livery, Sean began again. I have to work tomorrow, but youre welcome to come by anytime.
Thank you, Sean, Patrick responded, working again to keep the emotion from his voice. Ill plan on that.
Sadie bustled into the room a moment later, and before following her to his room, Patrick bid his family goodnight.