O'Neill's Texas Bride

by Caroline Clemmons

  Casually, he sauntered over and sat beside Lance. Muted light from the setting sun disguised the town’s grubbiness. Instead, he looked out over the distant valleys and hills. “Kind of nice up here.”

  Lance refused to look at him. “There’s nothing nice in this stinking town. I hate this place.”

  “Do you long for your home in England then?”

  “I hated there too. We thought things would be better here, but they’re worse. At least no one in England accused Papa of wrong doing.”

  “Who’s accusing him here?” Finn idly observed a train’s progress as it pulled coal cars from the mine and headed west and wondered how many of those miners filled each day.

  Lance still wouldn’t look up, and offered only a shrug. “Never mind. Don’t think I don’t know my family sent you.” He glanced up. “I’ll bet Stella asked you to come, didn’t she?”

  “No one asked me.” He tilted Lance’s chin up. “That’s quite a black eye there and I imagine your lip hurts like hell. I hope the other guy looks as bad.”

  “Guys. And they don’t. Tore my best shirt too. Mama was pretty mad.”

  This was bad news. Brutes tackling one small lad? “I see. They ganged up on you. How many?”

  “What does it matter? No one can help me. I won’t believe the lies about Papa. And I don’t want to become a miner but there’s nothing else, is there?”

  Finn picked up a pebble and tossed it at a nearby boulder. “If you had a choice o’ anything, what would you be?”

  The boy grimaced, or as much as his battered face probably allowed. “A doctor. Isn’t that a laugh?”

  “Sounds like a good plan. There’s always a need for doctors to heal the sick. Have you checked into what’s involved getting into medical school?”

  Lance pounded his knees with his upturned fists. “Why would I? We barely have enough to get by on. There’s no money for university or my sisters would have gone. There’s no money for anything.”

  “I know the feeling, lad. I grew up with far less than your family has. If ‘tweren’t for me brother in law, I don’t know what would have happened to me family.”

  “I might have brothers in law some day, but they’ll probably be miners. That won’t help my sisters or me. Neither one wants to marry a miner. Um, no offense.”

  Finn chuckled. “None taken, but I’m thinking Llewellyn will not take the news well. He’s that sure of your sister Stella.”

  “Him? She doesn’t even like him. I mean, she doesn’t dislike him exactly, but she doesn’t think of him as a…a suitor.”

  “That’s good news to me. But let’s go back to your problems. See, sisters don’t know that no one can fight your battles for you. They try to fix everything. Just smile and say thank you. Can you do that?”

  “I don’t think so. Stella and Nettie won’t leave me alone. They want details of who says what and why. Honestly, I wish you’d talk to them instead of me. I mean, I’m glad you’re talking to me, but I wish you’d also tell them I have to fight my own battles and live my own life.”

  “I’ll try. I’ve only just convinced me own sister o’ that, though, and I’m a lot older than you. With two sisters instead o’ me one, I suspect you have another five or ten years o’ meddlin’ to deal with. And frankly, I suspect we’re both stuck with our sisters meddlin’ for life.”

  Lance frowned and appeared to study Finn. “You’re not like the other miners I know.”

  “No? Every one o’ is unique, don’t you agree? You’re not like me younger brother.”

  The boy reared back and stared at him. “You never mentioned you had a brother. You only said you had a sister.”

  Finn chuckled at the thought of his wild brother. “Because me brother is a pain in the arse. Always causing problems. Ran off and married when he wasn’t much older than you to a girl barely your age. But he’s shaping into a man now, mostly because o’ me sister’s husband.”

  “What’s your sister like?”

  “She has hair the same color as Stella’s and a fiery temper to match. Her name is Cenora Rose and she truly believes every superstition she’s ever heard.”

  “You like Stella because she reminds you of your family?”

  “Lord, no. I swore I’d never be attracted to a redhead because of the temper that usually goes along with the hair color. Do something she thinks is wrong or fail to do something she things you ought, and a redhead lights into you. Many’s the time I’ve received the sharp edge o’ Cenora’s tongue. Me sister is also kind, though. She’s a loving wife and daughter and sister.”

  “Huh. The temper and sharp tongue sounds like Stella all right.”

  “Aye, but you know she loves you, lad, and would do anything for you. We’re lucky, we are. Many’s the man who has no one to care whether he lives or dies. You have two sisters and parents who want only the best for you. Which is why they don’t want you to work the mines.”

  “Mr. O’Neill, do you like mining?”

  Finn stared at the boy. “Are you daft? I hate it. And you should call me Finn for ‘tis me name.” He shrugged. “But here I am for a while, so I do me best at the job.”

  “Then you don’t agree Papa’s causing problems?”

  How could he answer? “I suspect your father is the best man here. He’s good to work for and ‘tis glad I am to be on his crew. No man works harder than he does.”

  Lance smiled as broadly as a split lip allowed. “Thanks, Finn. That’s what I believe, too. I don’t know why people say otherwise.”

  “There’re two possible reasons. One, whoever’s causing trouble has to push the blame on someone else so the troublemaker looks innocent. Two, people are susceptible to suggestion. When this troublemaker points out your father was near when there were cave ins and other things like that, the suggestion sticks in their minds. They allow themselves to be manipulated.”

  “I’m glad you don’t think Papa is guilty.”

  Finn didn’t deny the statement for he was starting to think maybe Clayton was innocent. He wished he knew, but hadn’t been able to prove anything. He stood, cursing the stiffness that had come on him while sitting on the rock. “Come on, we’d better start back. Your parents will worry and you’ll miss your supper.”

  He was relieved when Lance joined him without protest.

  Strolling back toward town, Lance said, “I like the way you talk. Do you miss Ireland?”

  Did he? He didn’t think so. “’Tis a beautiful land with green like no other place, but I have no wish to go back there. I like Texas.”

  “But not mining. So, what do you want to do?”

  “I’ve a mind to raise horses on me own ranch. Takes money, same as medical school.”

  “So we’re both out of luck.”

  “Mayhap for now, but not forever.” Or at least he hoped not. “When you have a dream, you have to look for the opportunity to make it come true, then seize the chance when it comes.”

  They ambled until in sight of the Clayton home. A house before theirs, Finn stopped and motioned Lance to go on.

  “You could come in for supper. Mama wouldn’t mind and you could talk to Stella.”

  Finn shook his head. “Not this time. You’ll need to face your parents and your sisters on your own. Explain without losing your temper and you’ll be surprised. I’ll wager your Da will back you.”

  He watched until Lance opened the door. The lad waved once before he went inside. Finn turned and headed toward the longhouse. Wouldn’t he have loved to go inside with Lance and share supper there? Now he hoped he could find something to eat, for he was that famished.

  Children’s laughter rang out as they played games in the street. Some people set on steps enjoying the air that carried the odors from suppers prepared in each small home. Others strolled as he was doing. Several men had a game of horseshoes going.

  Dusk had closed in and deep shadows fell across the way. Sky turned shades of purple edged in pink and gold at the horizon. At this time of
day nature painted the world with a pleasing palette.

  When he reached his bunk, James was munching an apple.

  “You have supper with the Claytons?”

  “I’ve had nothing since breakfast except a chunk o’ bread.”

  The other man pulled an apple from under his pillow. “Have this then, because they’ve cleared away the food. You might be able to talk the cook out of something.”

  “I’m too tired. Thanks for this apple. I’ll eat extra in the morning.” He bit into the fruit and savored the juicy flavor. The long walk after his day’s work had stripped the last of his strength. He barely had energy enough to shuck off his clothes.

  This was no life. At least the married men had families to offer comfort and support and a wife to cuddle with at night. How did the single men keep going?

  He didn’t mind working from before dawn until after dark on the ranch, but he hated being underground. ‘Twas not a fit place for a human, only for worms and moles and gophers. Plus the repetitive hacking at the coal wrecked his back and shoulders.

  Solve this puzzle soon or go mad. Think of Lippincott’s fine ranch, boyo. ‘Tis going to be yours if you can ferret out the troublemakers.

  He figured there were multiple problems at work. He no longer suspected Karpinski either. The man was full of dark looks but he worked hard as he played. That left Swensen and Hartford. Neither man was on his crew. Mayhap he could strike up a conversation with Hartford at dinner or breakfast.

  Swensen was married and lived in one of the houses near Clayton. What excuse could he find to talk to Swensen? Didn’t he have a son working in the mine? Yeah, a kid about the same age as Lance Clayton.

  Hmm, that fact set him to thinking, but he’d have to work on that another time. His mind had given all he could for this day. He laid the apple core beside his boots and fell asleep.

  When he woke the next morning, the apple core was gone. Worse, his knife was visible inside his boot. Last night, he’d carefully covered his boots to conceal his weapons as he did each time he undressed.

  He checked around him, but others appeared engrossed in dressing and making their way to the dining hall. Quickly, he pulled on his clothes and then his boots. He knelt and looked under his bed. Sure enough, the apple core was there next to his concertina and duffle bag.

  James, called to him, “Hey, come on if you want to make up for missing supper last night.”

  “Coming.” Shoving his shirttail into his britches, he grabbed the core and tossed it in the rubbish bin as he followed James.

  He longed for a hot bath and his own bed at the ranch. The only reason he slept soundly in this bunk with a thin, lumpy mattress was his complete exhaustion. One thing was for sure, he was building muscles in his arms that would help him later on the ranch. He hoped that’d be on his ranch.

  In the dining hall, Finn loaded up on extra food. He had to pay for two meals, which irritated him. Arguing with the cashier that he’d missed supper was futile, so he gave up and concentrated on eating his fill.

  “How’d you sleep?” he asked James.

  “Like the dead. You?”

  Finn nodded because he’d stuffed his mouth with food. He swallowed and peered around. “Wondered if you noticed anyone messing with our things.”

  A furrow appeared in James’ brow. “What do you mean?”

  “Someone had moved my clothes around and the apple core was way under the bunk.”

  James laughed. “Probably a rat.”

  Finn believed that, but he suspected the two-legged variety. “Have you seen them in the bunkhouse…um, longhouse?”

  The Welshman gestured with a piece of bread. “Naw, but they’re bound to be around when there’s food to be had, even crumbs and apple cores.”

  “Guess you’re right.” But Finn wasn’t convinced. He was certain a human had disturbed his clothes and boots while he slept and unknowingly kicked the apple remains. But who and to what end?

  Damned if the culprit wasn’t a brazen one to bother things only a couple of feet from his head. Had he gone through Finn’s pockets? He was grateful he’d burned Farland’s note. There was nothing to link him to the mine owner. But he’d kept the letter from Cenora and that linked him to McClintock Falls.

  All day, thoughts circled in his mind about his quest. Although a number of odd things had occurred, he was still no closer to learning who plotted against Farland Coal Mine. He gave himself over to mining and worked fast enough to keep up with Council Clayton.

  After work, he strode out of the tunnel with his crew. Council coughed a lot. Finn wondered how much longer the man could work at his current rate.

  Aleski clapped Finn on the back. “You still unwilling to play cards with me?”

  “Right you are. Minin’ is the only stupid thing I do.”

  Aleski laughed, as did the other three.

  Jose Garza said, “You’re a smart man, O’Neill. The Pole, he will take your money if you let him.”

  Aleski said, “Aw, it’s only the scrip. Worthless anyway.”

  Ulys Young nudged Aleski. “Not as much as you have. Most of us have lost a part of our pay to you at one time or another.”

  Aleski frowned. “You saying I cheat?”

  Ulys held out a hand to signal protest. “As good a player as you has no need.”

  The Pole’s frown disappeared. “This is what I always say. Everyone is good at something. I’m good at cards. They speak to me.”

  “What do they say?” Finn asked with a smile.

  “You know that is not what I meant, but they do say ‘there is the ace’ or ‘that man has the king.’ Then I know how to manage my cards.”

  “Sure and I’ve known others with that ability, but I don’t have it meself.” Finn wasn’t convinced Aleski didn’t cheat. He won too often for the odds. Still, he might really be smart enough to keep track of the cards played and figure out who had what left in his hand. Was he also clever enough to stage “accidents” without detection?

  Council, Ivan, and Ulys split off and walked toward the houses while Jose, Aleski, and Finn headed for the longhouse.

  “I play the Solitaire,” Jose said. “Then even when I lose, I keep my scrip.”

  “Smart.” Finn said. “By now I’m so tired my brain is mush. Think I’ll take a walk after supper and then turn in.”

  They reached the metal tubs and pump for washing up before they went inside to dine.

  “Sí, tonight I am especially tired. I tried to keep up with you and Señor Clayton. You two will kill me, but we are sure to win the bonus this month.”

  “More scrip to waste at the store.” Finn filled his plate with watery stew and took a chunk of thick bread.

  Jose stayed beside him. “No, didn’t you know the bonus is real money? If we win, I will give a part of my scrip to the boy who fell and broke his leg. He will be far behind by the time he can work again.”

  Finn couldn’t hide his surprise. “Surely Farland will pay for all his care since he works and lives here.”

  Aleski laughed as they found seats at the long table. “Are you crazy? Farland will charge him for his stay at the hospital, the doctor’s fees, nursing fee, and every meal he eats. He’ll never get it all repaid.”

  Anger shot through Finn. “That’s downright underhanded and makes me plenty mad. I’ll donate some o’ my pay also. And we will win the bonus.”

  The Pole nodded and forked up a bite of potato. “I believe so. I’ll keep any cash we win but I’ll donate my scrip winnings. After all, some belonged to the boy before he fell.”

  “That’s good o’ you both. Mayhap I’ll take up a collection among the single men. Those who are married need every piece of worthless scrip they can get.”

  Aleski speared a bite of meat. “Isn’t that the truth? When I’ve enough, I’ll bring my woman here.”

  “Oh, didn’t know you’re married.”

  Aleski beamed. “Renia and my son Lucjan live with my parents near Warsaw. Since the Russ
ians took over, my family has suffered. That’s why I came to America, but we could scrape together only enough for one fare.”

  Jose nodded. “Sí, I came from South Texas. My wife waits with her mother until I send for her. Señor Farland said I can have the next house that comes available, and then Maria and my son and daughter can be with me.”

  “Sorry to hear you fellas have to live separate from your wives. No way for married folks to make do.” And plenty of reason to take someone’s payoff to cause trouble.

  Finn thought about each of these two men. They both worked hard and he liked each man. He’d hate learning that one of them had set out to kill or maim other miners for extra money.

  James sat across from Finn and glanced at Finn’s plate. “I see you’re making up for no supper last night.”

  Finn greeted him and continued eating. “I’m still a growing boy, you know.”

  James pretended to gaze at his stomach. “You keep eating like that and you’ll be growing a paunch. Can’t swing a pick if you’re fat.”

  “Hard as we work, there’s no chance o’ that. I’m trying to keep me weight the same. If I lose pounds, I won’t be able to work fast enough to win the bonus.”

  “Forget it, Irish. My crew’s winning the bonus this month. Probably in the months to come as well.”

  “Guess we’ll see this Friday, won’t we?” Finn rose and walked to the dish bin positioned on a table near the door for the men to leave their dirty plates and cutlery. He walked outside and toward the rock where he’d seen Lance last evening.

  He had to learn who was behind the mischief. No, this was too serious to be called that. Mick could have died. Other men had, yet someone or several men conspired for their own ends.

  What was the goal? Did the conspirators want the mine to fail or to bring in a union? If he knew the answer, he’d know who to target for proof.

  Chapter Seven

  Stella set her cup down with a clunk. “Finn says this and Finn says that. I declare you are certainly taken with that man. You act as if he’s the Oracle of the East.”