At dawn the Seamus O'Flynn pulled into port at Crescent City, California, two days' sail from San Francisco. As soon as they were tied up to the dock Clancey sent Joe and Rob out to find a doctor for Joshua while he assessed the damages to his ship.

     Joshua had had a restless night. Clancey and Lottie watched him grow more and more feverish as the hours wore on. By the time they docked, Joshua's skin was clammy and hot and his breathing labored. What Kate had been so afraid of had happened. The doctor confirmed it, "It's pneumonia and it's bad. How soon can you get him to San Francisco?" The serious young physician asked Clancey as he put away his stethoscope.

     "I can't leave without a mainsail. The storm tore it right in two. There's damage to the rudder. It'll take me two weeks at least to repair everything."

     The doctor shook his head. "He won't last that long. There's another ship headed that way within the hour. My wife, Pamela will be on board."

     "We'll get him there." Clancey promised.

     "Take him directly to the hospital. Pamela is a nurse and will help you with Mr. Bolt. When you get to San Francisco she'll tell you where to go and who to speak to. They have the medications and the equipment he needs to pull him out of this."

     Joshua's cough interrupted them. The congestion was worse than it had been during the night. The doctor took a bottle of ipecac from his bag, "This is the best I can do for him. It will clear out the infection."

     "Thank-you, Doctor Cutler," Lottie said, "and thank-you for getting here so fast."

     Donald Cutler smiled for the first time. "I didn't think I had a choice. Those two sailors of yours were ready to shang-hai me if I hesitated."

     Lottie and Clancey returned his smile but the worry remained in their eyes.

     Donald stood to leave. "He's a very sick man but he's also young and strong. Someone should be with him at all times. Keep him upright so he doesn't choke." With that, he exited.

     Clancey gave Joshua the medicine. It wasn't easy. The logger was so feverish he didn't know him and tried to fight him off. When at last Clancey had more medicine down Joshua's throat than on his shirt, the captain left to see about finding a mainsail.

     He ran right into Katie who was pacing back and forth on deck.

     "Clancey, what's wrong? Why did McShane tell me I couldn't see Josh? What did the doctor say?"

     The captain sat her down. "Joshua has pneumonia, luv. It's bad."

     The girl gripped the side of the crate tightly as Clancey continued. "He said the hospital in San Francisco can help him. The Seamus will be in port awhile so you and Lottie will have to take Joshua south on the next ship out."

     Kate nodded as she absorbed every bit of news. "How can I help, Clancey? Please tell me that I can do something."

     "Go in and spell Lottie, dearie. She's been in there with him all night."

     Kate jumped to her feet and hurried to the cabin. When she opened the door she stopped cold. The sight of Joshua so pale and feverish brought back memories of her own father's last days. If Lottie hadn't given her something to do right away she might have fainted.

     "Here Katie, hold this bowl. When he starts to get sick keep it close."

     The girl nodded and moved to Joshua's side. As she looked down at his chapped lips and pale complexion, tears welled up in her eyes.

     "He looks just like Papa did."

     Lottie began straightening Joshua's blankets with a firm hand.

     "Nonsense. Josh is thirty years younger than your father was and he's got the stamina of a bull. He'll pull through this and be one hundred proof after those doctors at the hospital get to him."

     "How can you be so sure?" Kate's voice trembled.

     "Because God gave you the knowledge to bring him back when everyone thought he was dead. I don't see that He'd take him away from us again so soon, do you?"

     "He might," Kate said softly.

     "Now, why would you say that?"

     "To punish me. I've been so awful to him, Lottie, and I've meant to be. God might take him away just like He took my parents and my job and the newspaper officeÖ."

     Katie unburdened her soul to the woman, telling her every secret she'd kept from her friends for so long. She even told her how the fire got started. Lottie Hatfield had heard many confessions in her line of work and knew the best way to deal with them was to stay quiet. It was only when the girl had finished that Lottie offered her comfort.

     "God isn't punishing you, Katie. From what I hear, He loves you too much to ever be as cruel as you're making Him out to be. He may be trying to teach you something though."

     "What is it, Lottie? Please, tell me."

     "I don't know for certain, but He might be trying to show you that it's time you start trusting people. You left Seattle because you thought no one would forgive you if they knew how that fire started. You never gave them a chance to prove how much they care about you."

     The woman's words were going straight to Katie's broken heart. "Do you think they'd still want me there if they knew?"

     Lottie took the girl's hand in hers. "It was an accident pure and simple. That's all anyone could say."

     "But the Betterment League... they have signatures on their petition!"

     Lottie grinned. "Honey, they always have signatures on some petition. You're so darned impulsive you never stopped to think of whose signatures they don't have and will never get."

     Joshua groaned, turned and tossed the blankets from him. Kate retrieved them and tucked them in more securely.

     "Lottie, Josh told me that he loved me," she said quietly, "Do you think he meant it?"

     "Yes, I do," she smiled, "and I have a hunch that you love him in the same way, but you're going to have to open yourself up to him to be sure."

     "The thought scares me. I wish it didn't. Boy, do I wish it didn't."

     "Real love can be scary, but believe me darlin', the pay off is worth the risk." Lottie placed her hand on the girl's arm. "I'm going down below until it's time to move him to the ship. Call me if you need help."

     Lottie left the room and Kate shifted closer to Joshua. Moments later, the ipecac began to take effect. The girl held the silver bowl under Josh's chin and pulled him to a sitting position. Katie was no nurse. The only way she could avoid being sick herself was to focus on the back of Josh's head. When he finally relaxed, she wiped his face with a cool towel and brushed his hair back from his forehead with her fingertips.

     "You're on fire," she whispered.

     Joshua opened his eyes slightly and looked in her direction without seeing her."'time is it?" he muttered.

     "I don't know. Do you want me to..."

     "No time. Stempel says no time..."

     Tears rolled down Kate's cheek as she took his clammy hand into her own. "Please, please, dear God, I'll open my heart to anyone You say. Please don't take Josh, too."

     When Clancey, Lottie and Doctor Cutler entered the cabin thirty minutes later they found Katie deep in prayer at the side of Joshua's bunk. Kate looked up at them through swollen eyes.

     "He's so hot. He doesn't know where he is."

     The doctor came closer to Joshua. "Captain Patterson has prepared to transport him to San Francisco. He's dealt with fever before and has a good supply of quinine aboard. It's quite a coincidence."

     Kate felt as though an invisible hand had removed a weight from her shoulders. She had learned years ago from Reverend Moody that there really aren't coincidences in this life. All good gifts come from God, even the unexpected ones. The girl's heart held on to this as a sign from heaven that Joshua would indeed recover.

     The transition from the weather-beaten Seamus to the sleek clipper ship was a smooth one. The Christine's commander met them on deck with a big smile. Captain Patterson was as tall as a mountain and as friendly as a Saint Bernard. Just being in his presence gave Lottie and Kate the confidence they needed to continue on without Clancey.

     Standing next to the captain was Pamela Cutler the doctor's wife. She, too, radiated warmth and friendliness. Pamela was in her early thirties, with jet-black curls and a wide smile. The doctor's pride in his wife was obvious as he introduced her to the small group from Seattle. He charged her with the care of his patient and promised he'd join her back in San Francisco as soon as he could.

     When Joshua had been placed in a clean warm bunk, Clancey and Lottie returned to the deck to say good-bye.

     "I'll be in San Francisco before y' have time to miss me. There isn't much around here but they do have a telegraph office. Be sure to let me know how Joshua is doin'."

     "We will," Lottie promised. "Wire Seattle and tell Jason what's happened, will you?"

     "I'll do that as soon as y've set sail."

     When Clancey disembarked, Captain Patterson ordered his crew to cast off.

     "We'll be in Frisco on Thursday morning," he called to Clancey.

     Lottie joined Pamela and Kate who were watching over Joshua. The captain had set him up in his own cabin with every comfort he could extend. Joshua seemed to sleep easier here. Warm blankets and cold compresses were at the ready. Donald had given Kate another bottle of medicine for the next few days. With this in hand, the girl stationed herself at his side for the remainder of the voyage.

     The trip was swift and uneventful much to everyone's relief. Pamela Cutler checked in on Joshua often to administer quinine and a few words of advice to Katie.

     When the Christine docked in San Francisco and the ship was secure, Captain Patterson flagged down a carriage. The plan was for him to escort Lottie to the hospital and then the two of them would return in an ambulance for Joshua. While they were gone, Pamela paid her last call on the patient and his nurse.

     "He seems to have more color in his face today," she noted with pleasure.

     Kate agreed, "The quinine must have helped. Thank-you for helping us Mrs. Cutler. I didn't know what to do."

     The woman smiled, "I'd say we have earned the right to call each other by our first names, don't you?"

     "I do, Pamela."

     "Good, Katie," Pamela filled a bowl of water and took a sponge from a tray nearby. "Let's make our patient more presentable for his trip to the hospital. Could you help me remove his shirt?"

     Kate's eyes widened as she realized that the nurse was going to give Joshua a bath.

     "I don't think that I should," she blushed.

     Pamela looked up in surprise, "Forgive me, you've been at his side for so long, I forgot you weren't married. Why don't you take a little walk around on deck? I've done this thousands of times."

     Kate was relieved. "I'll go down and collect his things." She left the room quickly, packed her belongings and Joshua's in their respective bags and stepped up on deck to watch for Lottie.

     The sounds of San Francisco greeted her ears like an old friend. The activity and commotion of the big city excited her. She had almost forgotten what it had all been like after her five months in the wilderness of Seattle. In spite of her worry over Joshua, Kate found herself searching the crowd for Dan Sullivan's friendly face. He had no idea that she was there so it was silly of her to expect him, but somehow, she hoped she'd catch a glimpse of his Irish smile and the old battered hat.

     Thirty minutes later, Lottie and Captain Patterson appeared sitting in the ambulance with two men from the hospital. The orderlies carried Joshua on a stretcher across the deck, down the plank and into the waiting carriage as carefully as they could. Pamela followed only far enough to say good-bye to the Seattle women.

     "The doctors will take good care of him." She pressed Kate's hand. "They're the best."

     She turned to Lottie; "I'll be staying at my parents' home on Nobb Hill. If you need a place to stay, both my father and mother love to entertain visitors. You'd make them very happy if you would spend your time here at our home."

     Lottie smiled. She and Katie had no idea how long they would have to be in San Francisco with Joshua. They couldn't stay on the Seamus. Pamela's offer was a godsend. "We do need a place, thank-you."

     The nurse was overjoyed. "We'll have a carriage sent for you at the hospital this evening just before supper."

     Lottie sat in front with the driver and Katie climbed into the back of the ambulance to sit with Joshua. She waved farewell to Pamela and Captain Patterson before the doors were closed.

     Katie held Joshua's hand again as they rode over the cobblestone streets. He did seem to be better for his sleep was quiet and deep. She stared down at the familiar features of this man she had known for all but ten years of her life.

     He had told her he loved her. Dan Sullivan had hinted at the same thing last spring. The logger from Washington Territory and the reporter from the big city; she cared for them both. What would she do if...?

     Katie gave herself a shake. " You're presuming too much, Macready. Dan has written you three letters in five months and you've written him once in all that time. He's probably forgotten about you. He might even be married now for all you know. And this one..." she gazed at the sleeping lumberjack. "If it weren't for you he wouldn't be fighting for his life right now. You're probably the last person he wants to see when he's up and about again."

     Joshua opened his eyes just then. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand. "Hello there, Squid."

     "Cricket." He looked around, confused. "Where are we? Where are we going?"

     "We're in San Francisco in an ambulance. You're getting a ride to the hospital." Joy crept into her voice. Joshua was weak and feverish but the quinine had helped and he knew her.

     "Where are Lottie and Clancey? They're all right aren't they?" The effort to talk cost him and he began coughing uncontrollably. When at last he was quiet, Kate wiped his brow and assured him.

     "Lottie's here and Clancey will be soon. I'll tell you everything later. Go back to sleep now. I can see the hospital from here." She grinned. "If you act too healthy, they'll kick us right out into the streets and then where will we be?"

     Joshua returned the smile weakly and closed his eyes.

     Well,' she thought, at least he's talking to me. I hope he'll still want to when his memory returns.

     An elderly doctor met the carriage at the front door. He took one look at Joshua and ordered his men to bring the patient to a nearby room. Lottie and Kate were asked to go to an adjacent room to answer some questions.

     When the formalities were completed the women sat in two chairs in the lobby. They had sat there for so long that Kate thought she'd burst if someone didn't come in soon. After what seemed like a century of waiting, the doctor finally joined them.

     "Mr. Bolt is resting. His temperature is still very high and he's dehydrated. He'll need to stay with us until next week at least."

     "That's it? One week?" Lottie asked happily.

     "Oh yes, he's out of danger for the most part. I'd venture to guess he's had some expert nursing. That's what got him through. Congratulations." He smiled at Lottie.

     Lottie looked to Kate. "It was a joint effort."

     Just then an uniformed driver entered. "I'm looking for a Miss Hatfield and a Miss Macready."

     Lottie rose, "You found them. Did Mrs. Cutler send you?"

     "She did ma'am."

     Katie turned to the doctor. "Could we see Josh before we go?"

     "Not tonight. He's busy fighting off the infection and needs his rest. Come back the day after tomorrow. He should be ready to visit then."

     "Day after tomorrow?" Lottie recognized the stubborn set of Kate's jaw, which was so like the Bolts. She gave the girl a little push toward the driver.

     "Thank-you, Doctor. Joshua isn't the only one who's tired. Come on, Kate, Pamela and her family are waiting." She whispered to her. "Warm food, soft bed, a hot bath..."

     Kate surrendered reluctantly. Comforts untold awaited them only two miles away.

     "Day after tomorrow then, doctor. Don't you go forgetting about him."

     The physician laughed, "This hospital is large but, rest assured, Miss Macready, we have never forgotten or lost a patient yet."

     "Good!" Kate nodded then followed Lottie out toward the black and silver carriage waiting for them in the evening fog.