The next night, men hurried to clean up after their day’s work. Finn changed shirts and britches, slicked back his hair, and shaved again. They had ribbed Jose good-naturedly as he cleared his belongings from the longhouse yesterday.
After making his way to the Clayton home, Finn rapped on the door.
Stella stepped out carrying a plate covered with a towel. She wore her green dress and the ribbon he’d given her tied back her hair.
Finn took the plate. “What am I carrying?”
“An apple cobbler I made. Mama made a pot of stew and Papa is bringing cider and all our metal plates. At these events, everyone brings his own cutlery. We included enough for you.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Your sister and brother coming?”
“Nettie and Lance are already there helping with the decorations.”
“Jose is that excited. ‘Tis good tomorrow is Sunday so he and Maria have a day to recover from tonight’s fiesta.”
She waved at Polly and Ulys Young who were just leaving their front porch steps. “How long has it been since Jose came to work here?”
“About six or seven months, I think. Your father would know better than me because ‘tis on your father’s crew he works.”
“Doesn’t matter. I just want us to dance at the party and enjoy ourselves.”
Her enthusiasm brought a smile to his face. “I’ve never danced with you. I hope you’ll save a lot of dances for me.”
“Ah, what if prospective partners swarm around me?” Mischief sparkled in her lovely blue-green eyes.
He refused to let her know how jealous that would make him. “Save me the first and last dance and as many in between as you wish. For myself, I’d like each dance with you. To be polite, though, I’ll dance with your mother and sister and Jose’s wife.” He guided her through the throng of people to set the cobbler on the dessert table.
“You have good manners. Your ma did a good job raising a wild Irish boy.”
“She tried. Me sister helped. Both knocked me upside the head enough times ‘tis a wonder the marbles in me head don’t rattle.”
The band struck up a spirited tune and Finn swept Stella onto the dance area. She laughed as he twirled her around, weaving among other dancers. Although only hard packed dirt, no one appeared to mind. He recognized the Mexican tune from his time in McClintock Falls, an area where many Mexican people lived.
As he suspected, many men wanted to dance with Stella. Finn claimed Stella as often as he could. James Llewellyn cut in too many times. The man was deviling him and Stella. Could he not step aside graciously?
At nine, the band broke for supper. His feet were that glad.
“Shall we join the line for supper?” He guided her toward the makeshift tables set up at the side.
She fanned her face. “Good thing this is a cool night or I’d have melted.”
“Sure and didn’t I tell you’d be the belle of this ball?”
“You cut a swath yourself. I saw you dancing with Mama and Nettie and Polly Young. I wasn’t sure who the last woman was.”
“Keeping your eye on me, are you? Well, you left out Maria Garza. The last round was with Marta Gretsky. She’s a bit shy, but her husband is on your papa’s crew.”
She leaned close so no one else would overhear. “You’d best take a turn with Ilya Swensen. Her husband isn’t dancing much and she looks upset.”
He glanced in the direction she indicated. “Aye, ‘tis right you are. Were I to have me druthers, I’d dance only with you. We suit well, don’t we?”
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “As dancers, yes, we do.”
He wanted to ask about otherwise, but Ralph Evans and Junior pushed through the crowd. A murmur rippled across the crowd as people parted for the angry looking men.
Sheriff Quinton met them before they reached the food. “You no longer work here. This celebration is for the miners employed at Farland Coal Mine and their families.”
Senior braced his legs as if ready for a fight. “Two of my sons still work here. My daughter in law is here and brought food.” He pointed at Finn. “You’ve cost me my livelihood and a place to live. I’ll see you pay for the damage.”
Wallace Farland broke through the onlookers. “Ralph Evans, you cost yourself your job. I was going to fire you, but your son’s fight sped up the process. You would have been fired within a week anyway.”
“You’ve no right to say that. My boys and I never missed a day of work. We been loyal to you and now you’re casting us aside.”
Farland motioned four security guards forward. “You may have shown up for duty, but you were the lowest producers in the company. Once away from your influence, Jonas turned out to be a good worker. Clayton assures me the same is true of Toby. You’ve only yourself to blame for losing your job.”
The guards escorted the two Evans men away. The confrontation cast a pall over the party. Red-faced Toby and Jonas appeared humiliated.
Council Clayton spoke to the band leader. The men picked up their instruments and broke into a lively tune. Nettie asked Jonas and Mrs. Clayton invited Toby to dance. Appearing reluctant, the young men allowed themselves to be guided into the reel.
When he met her gaze, Stella nodded and set down her plate. As they launched into the dance, other couples followed them. Soon the party mood had returned for most of the attendees. Finn doubted the same was true for the two Evans young men.
He thought it a pity Ralph Evans wasn’t the one he’d been hired to catch. But neither Senior nor Junior were smart enough or energetic enough to plan the catastrophes that had plagued the mine. Who had a grudge that deep and was clever enough to follow a devious plan?
Chapter Fourteen
Sunday afternoon, Stella clung to Finn’s arm as they hurriedly climbed the hill. “I could hardly concentrate on the Preacher Mitchell’s sermon. Was my imagination playing tricks or did he actually go over today?”
“He was that wound up, wasn’t he? ‘Twas in me mind he knew I wanted out o’ there to go on our picnic.”
She laughed and he joined in. His deep laugh rumbled from his chest. She loved the sound and the way his dark eyes sparkled when he was pleased.
When they reached the large boulder, Finn spread the blanket from his bunk. “Although not pretty, ‘tis softer than the rock and will protect your skirts.”
“I can hardly wait to see what you brought to eat.” She opened the basket and set out containers.
“The same is true for me. I asked the hotel’s cook to make the basket. She seems a good sort and promised we’d be pleased.”
He considered as she opened containers. “Ack, appears this is standard picnic fare.”
She handed him a plate heaped with fried chicken, dumplings, pickles, fried squash, boiled eggs, and a biscuit balanced on top. “There’s lemonade to drink and bread pudding for dessert. Really, Finn, this is a feast.”
“Ah, ‘tis glad I am you think so. Truthfully, I’m hungry enough to eat me shoe.”
“I’m so glad you thought of this treat.” She stretched out her arms above head. “The sun’s not too hot, the breeze is gentle, and the sky is clear. What a lovely day for our outing.”
After they finished their meal and returned the leftover food to the basket, Finn scooted closer beside her. “And now for the important part o’ the afternoon. Me kiss.”
She cuddled next to him. “Do you think of nothing but eating and kissing?”
“And what else is there for a couple such as ourselves, I ask?” He pulled her into his embrace.
She met his kiss, parting her lips to receive his tongue. Heat shot through her body, pooling in her private place. When he leaned back, she followed him, to the blanket.
His hand caressed her breast. The nipples tightened and she experienced the need to free them from her dress, but held back. She’d never dreamed she could have such sensations.
They lay on the blanket, half his body above hers. Was this wicked? She should never h
ave let him touch her breasts or responded to his devilish tongue. What would Mama and Papa think if they knew?
“Stella, there’s something I’ve needed to tell you—“
A loud crack interrupted him and the ground gave way. She reached for Finn and he for her, but they were airborne and then falling with the side of the hill. She screamed but the roar of the landslide drowned her voice. And then blackness surrounded her.
Finn came to and fought to focus. He’d been kissing Stella and then the earth gave way. Dirt and rocks covered him. Flexing his body, he climbed up from the debris.
“Stella? Can you hear me? Call out.”
She’d been on his right, so he turned and searched. A scrap of green cloth peeked out from the wreckage. He clawed at the rubble trying to reach her.
Onlookers appeared.
“What’s happened?” Mr. Frampton asked.
Finn didn’t stop heaving rocks out of the way. “Stella Clayton is under here. Help me get her out.”
Frampton said, “You’ll never get to her with your hands, man. I’ll get shovels.”
The landslide had stopped only feet from the store’s back door. Frampton reappeared with an armful of shovels and passed them out.
“Careful o’ her body, men.” Finn spotted her shoe and his panic increased. Could she breathe? Had the fall killed her?
While some dug at the piles of dirt, those without shovels heaved rocks out of the way. Council and Lance appeared.
Council knelt beside Finn and started brushing aside dirt. “My Stella! I recognize her dress and foot.”
Lance said, “I’ll tell Mama and Nettie and be back to help.”
Finn glanced up briefly. “One minute we were sittin’ on the boulder and the next a loud crack sent us off into thin air. Sounded like an explosion, it did.” Finn uncovered her hand.
She didn’t respond when he touched her fingers. He almost wept, but he had no time for tears nor to feel for her pulse. Even a few seconds’ delay might mean the difference in whether she lived or died. He prayed harder than ever in his life.
Dear Lord, let her be all right. She’s a good woman and deserves your loving protection.
His hand touched wool and he pulled at the cloth. “Here’s a corner of me blanket we were sittin’ on. Pray it softened her fall.”
Council had tears on his cheeks. “This is because of the trouble. Instead of me, the bastard took out his wrath on Stella and you.”
Sheriff Quinton appeared. “Two more feet and the store would have been hit. Won’t say you caused this, but you’re always at the scene of trouble, Clayton. You, too, O’Neill.”
Without looking up, Finn called, “Check up the hill to see if someone caused the boulder to fall. Sounded like there was an explosion before the land gave way.”
The sheriff called by name several miners whose jobs were blasting. “Let’s see what we can find.”
Finn touched a lock of red hair. “We’re getting near her head. Men, keep the shovels away from this area.”
Working with their bare hands, Aleski and Piotr joined him and Council. Soon they had Stella freed. She lay covered in thick dust and still as death.
Council clasped her to him. “My baby, Stella, can you speak to me?”
Finn took his handkerchief and brushed her face. He probed her mouth to free anything that blocked her breathing. “Stella, please wake up. Your family and I need you.”
He felt at her throat. “Her heart’s beating. We must get her to the infirmary. Nurse Williams will know something to help.”
Two men rushed forward with a stretcher. “We were summoned to help.”
Together, Council and Finn laid Stella on the stretcher. Still she didn’t wake.
The men who’d brought the stretcher had come in the ambulance. When Stella was loaded into the wagon, Finn and Council climbed aboard with her. From the distance Mrs. Clayton, Nettie, and Lance ran toward them. Waiting to let them ride would have been polite, but any delay might hinder Stella’s life.
The cart’s jostling must have been painful to her, but she made no noise. At the infirmary, Finn and Council hopped out and the other two men handled the stretcher.
Inside, Nurse Williams greeted them. “Put her over here. I’ve set up a screen to give her privacy.”
Gently, the men lifted Stella onto the bed.
“Now you men wait by the door. I’ve got to get her undressed so I can see if she has broken bones.”
Mrs. Clayton, Nettie, and Lance rushed in, panting from running.
Obviously out of breath, Stella’s mother braced her hand on the doorjamb. “Where is she?”
Council pulled his wife into his arms. “The nurse is checking her.”
Nettie weaved around her parents and Finn. “She’ll need assistance with sister’s clothes. I can help her.”
Mrs. Clayton tugged free of her husband. “I can help, too.”
Council reached for her. “There’s no room, and I need you here, Grace.” He buried his face in her hair. “I’ve never been so frightened, love. She was so still I thought she’d died until Finn found her pulse. I admit I cried like a child.”
“Oh, Council, why are these terrible things happening?” She caressed his face before nestling her head against his chest.
Solemn and pale, Lance sat on the floor with his back against the wall.
Seeing people he cared for hurt Finn but not as much as the pain piercing him worrying for Stella. What if she didn’t regain consciousness? She’d been buried. Lack of oxygen might have damaged her brain. She might have broken bones.
Only by summoning all his will could he prevent himself from pushing by the screen to see her or curling into a ball on the floor beside Lance. He had to be strong for Stella and her family. By now they seemed like his kin. God willing, one day soon they would be.
The three of them stood for what seemed hours but couldn’t have been more than an hour when Nettie rushed toward them. “She opened her eyes.”
Finn strode toward the screen and her family followed. When they saw her, she wore an ill-fitting gown and her face and arms had been bathed.
Nurse Williams glared at them. “Did I say you could see her?”
Finn weaved his fingers with Stella’s. “No, ma’am, but it she was your family, would you wait by the door?”
“Harrumph, I suppose not. But she has a nasty knot on her head and can’t have you all here for long. Five minutes and then you leave.”
Mrs. Clayton brushed a hand on her daughter’s hair and kissed her forehead. “Finn doesn’t have to worry about you being a redhead now. It’s dust colored.”
Stella presented a weak smile. “Look at my dress.”
Mrs. Clayton smoothed a hand along Stella’s arm as if making sure she was truly safe. “Who cares about your dress at a time like this? I’ll take your clothes with me and get them cleaned up.”
Council and Nettie stood at the foot of the bed.
Finn looked into her beautiful blue-green eyes. “Your papa helped dig you out o’ the landslide. We were that frantic, I can tell you. Lots o’ others helped too.”
She looked at each of those gathered around her bed. “I want to go home.”
Mrs. Clayton shook her head. “Nurse Williams said you have a concussion. You have to stay here overnight at least.”
She frowned “But tomorrow is a school— “
Nettie interrupted. “I can teach both classes for a few days. Lance can help with the young ones. Heavens, sister, you’re lucky to be alive. The last of your worries should be school.”
Stella closed her eyes, but tears escaped. “Finn and I were having such a nice weekend. Why did this have to happen?”
Finn met Council’s gaze. To Stella, he said, “Don’t worry about anything. We’ll have nicer days ahead. Rest and you’ll be wrangling students again in no time.”
Nurse Williams reappeared. “Shoo, all of you.”
Finn said, “I’d like to sit with her.”
“I’m fine, only dirty.” He brushed at his clothes.
“Wait, look at your hands. And yours, Mr. Clayton. Both of you come into my office and I’ll clean and bandage them. No arguments now.”
Mrs. Clayton nudged her husband forward. “Go on, Council. You must be in pain.”
He looked at his bleeding hands. “This is nothing to what my heart feels.”
With a grimace, Finn followed the nurse. She was one bossy woman. He’d bet before her hair turned gray, she’d been a redhead.
As they were leaving, they were met by Sheriff Quinton. “Someone tried to blow you to kingdom come, O’Neill. Didn’t even hide the evidence.”
Council rubbed his forehead. “Who could be behind this, Sheriff?”
“You think I haven’t asked myself that question a hundred times? I’m about to lose my job because I haven’t found the culprit. Besides that, people have died and others have been injured. We’ve got to find who’s causing these catastrophes. Sorry to say, I need everyone’s help.”
Finn shook his head and then was sorry. “I’ve tried to discover who the guilty person or persons could be, Sheriff. So far, I’ve had no success.”
The sheriff removed his hat and ran his hand over his thinning gray hair. “Wasn’t Ralph Evans because he’s been moved out of town. According to his son, he went to work for Monticello Coal west of here.”
Finn “I never thought it was him, Sheriff. Neither he nor his oldest son is smart enough or energetic enough to mange what’s been going on here. Whoever is behind the crimes is smart and clever.”
The Sheriff hitched up his britches. “Keep your eyes open, men. I’d say both of you are targets of someone.”
Finn walked with the Claytons toward their home.
Mrs. Clayton took his arm. “You know you’re always welcome at our home, Finn, but for now you need to go to your bunk and lie down. I know it’s early, but you’re bound to need the rest if you plan to work tomorrow.”
“Aye, ‘tis right you are. I do feel the need to lie down.” He bid them goodbye.
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