by Paty Jager
They couldn’t stand in the street all day. It brought more attention than she liked.
“Come on, let’s get our supplies and be ready to head home when Colin returns.” She grasped her skirt in one hand, Shayla’s hand in her other, and headed to the only general store in Sumpter.
“Don’t worry, Momma, Happy Man will find Colin.” Shayla’s young optimism made her smile.
“Aye, Lassie, ah’m sure he will.” But what will he find when Colin turns all that anger on him.
****
Ethan followed the boy down an alley. He arrived behind the saloon as Colin charged a young man.
“Hey!” Ethan grabbed Colin by the collar, hauling him off the larger boy. “What’s this all about?”
The larger boy scrambled away not even looking back. Colin glared up at him and visibly slumped. His eyelids lowered, shielding his thoughts.
Ethan set the boy down on his feet and brushed the dust from Colin’s shirt. “You don’t have to tell me what it was about, but it isn’t very smart to get into a fight when your ma needs you.”
Colin’s head snapped up, and his chin stuck out. “Did you do something to her?” The accusation and hatred burning in the boy’s eyes, nearly caused Ethan to take a step back. It had been a long time since he’d witnessed such distrust in anyone, let alone a child.
“No, I haven’t done anything to your ma. She needs a man to help her. One that isn’t useless from getting beat on.” Ethan picked up Colin’s hat and offered it to the boy. He snatched it and dashed down the alley.
“That’s a heap of hatred he’s got stored up.” Ethan rolled his shoulders. The boy’s distrust and angry eyes tightened every muscle in his body. He’d glimpsed more than anger in those light green eyes like his mother’s. There was something eating away at the boy. Something he didn’t think his ma even knew.
Today wasn’t a good day to approach the Widow Miller about her land. He’d seen enough of the family argument in the street to know she wouldn’t be in a favorable mood. But he didn’t believe in missing an opportunity when it arose, and he planned to make the most out of the little girl’s acceptance.
Chapter 4
Colin stalked through the mercantile door as Aileen made the decision to hunt for him. “Where have ye been, laddie? Ah need yer help with these supplies.”
He winced and moved forward to gather the packages in her arms.
“Did ye hurt yerself?” she asked, patting him down, testing for soreness. He shook his head but kept his gaze averted. Something happened. Something that had to do with Mr. Halsey. She didn’t know whether to thank the man or tell him to leave her family alone.
She handed Shayla the basket containing eggs and butter before loading her arms with parcels as well. “Let’s be gone.” The door opened right before she reached out to give it a tug. Her parcels spilled to the floor covering her feet.
“Let me help.”
The deep voice set off quivers in her belly. She knew who stood in the doorway without even looking up.
“We can get it,” Colin’s young voice growled as he dropped to his knees to round up the parcels in his already full arms. She stared into the dark brown eyes of a man she shouldn’t befriend.
“Here, you can’t get them all by yourself.” Mr. Halsey crouched down next to Colin and loaded his arms with packages. “There, you have a good load, and so do I.” He stood. “Where are you headed?”
“Mr. Halsey, ah’ll take those.” She reached out to grab her supplies. He turned, and she caught hold of his arm instead of the packages she sought. The limb was hard and warm. She jerked her hand away from the heat.
The playful grin on his face did little to settle her fluttering stomach. She needed distance between them. She stepped backwards, bumping into Shayla and the basket. They both tottered a moment before she caught them.
“Ah’ll take the basket, Lassie. Ye get the door for Mr. Halsey and yer brother.” Shayla jumped at the opportunity to be trusted with an important job. It gave Aileen a moment to collect her thoughts before confronting the man set on helping.
On the street, she looked neither left nor right as she led the group out of town. At the head of the dirt path leading to their claim, she stopped and turned to Mr. Halsey.
“Thank ye, but we’ll manage fine from here.” She handed Shayla the basket and reached for the packages in the man’s arms.
He turned, holding them out of her grasp. “I’ll haul them to your place, no sense dropping them again trying to shuffle from me to you.” Without so much as an apologetic smile, he headed up the trail.
She exchanged glances with her son and hurried after her daughter, who swung the basket recklessly as she followed Mr. Halsey.
What was the man after? Did he think by carrying their supplies, she’d give in to his offer? She tossed about all the reasons she couldn’t sell the property and wondered why this man, who should be her enemy, made her feel—feminine. Something she hadn’t in a very long time. Her gaze didn’t stray to the man, though she wanted to take stock of him. She watched the determined steps of her son as he kept up with the man’s longer stride. Shayla trotted alongside, smiling up at him, never once complaining she was tired.
Aileen fisted her hands at her side. Why had Mr. Halsey intruded on their family? Her stomach knotted from all the thoughts whirling in her head. She placed a hand over her belly as the group broke through the trees and stood between the creek and the cabin.
She hurried forward, stopping Mr. Halsey just short of the rickety porch. “Ah’ll take them now.” She nodded to Colin to hurry into the house and empty his arms. When he returned, she loaded him with packages from Mr. Halsey’s arms. She gathered the rest to her chest and hurried into the cabin. Shayla chattered like the annoying magpies that sometimes interrupted their meals as she entertained Mr. Halsey.
Aileen dumped the packages on the table and hurried back outside. Sometimes things came out of Shayla’s mouth she’d rather the man sitting on an upturned stick of firewood didn’t hear.
“Thank ye.” She scanned the area. “We’ve got work to attend.” She didn’t let her gaze settle on the man’s face. He’d already shifted her thoughts in directions they hadn’t been in a long while.
“You’re welcome.” She felt him stand, and it drew her gaze back to him. He patted Shayla on the head, nodded to Colin, and settled a beguiling smile on her. “What time tomorrow may I come and talk about my offer?”
Aileen dashed a glance at Colin. His expression said he didn’t like the idea of the man returning. Nothing, short of a fortune, would make her give up even a parcel of the land, but to have a conversation with an adult—even one she didn’t wish to encourage and who made her body react in ways it hadn’t in years—seemed like a glorious thing. She squared her shoulders and looked the man in the face. Her stomach quivered again at the upturned lips and dark brown eyes that goaded her.
“Any time after the noon meal, we’ll be waitin’ to talk.” She grasped Shayla’s hand and turned on her heel. She didn’t want the man to think she’d be counting the minutes. Even though she would.
****
Ethan smiled as he climbed the ridge separating their claim from the Miller’s. The little girl, though at times hard to understand, was a charming child without any bad feelings toward him. The boy remained a mystery. He defended his mother and sister with the fierceness of a warrior, but what he’d glimpsed in the boy’s eyes—he shuddered. Those emotions shouldn’t exist in a boy his age.
Now, the mother—he couldn’t help but admire the spunk of the woman. And from Myrle’s conversation, Aileen had to be tough to live through multiple beatings by a man.
He remembered Miller. The man wasn’t an overly large man, but he’d been about the same height and more weight than his wife. Ethan stopped at the top of the ridge and glanced back down toward Cracker Creek. He followed the silver thread of the stream through the trees and up to the Miller claim. Why did she refuse to be called Mrs.
Miller and insist on calling her husband Mr. Miller? Because of his treatment? This woman was an intriguing puzzle. One he had to unravel to get the stamp mill built and make his family a profit.
“You stand around like that a lot?” Hank stepped out of the trees to his right.
“Just thinking.” Ethan started down the other side of the ridge. “What are you doing sneaking around? I thought you were going to head to Baker City and get the papers drawn up.”
“Clay and I discussed it and figured it would be best to wait until you actually had the widow’s word she would sign.” Hank fell into step beside him.
Ethan stopped. “You two think she isn’t going to sign?”
“Yeah, and there’s no sense spending money on a paper that’s no good.”
“Why do you think that?” This should be good since as far as he knew his brother had never met the woman.
“She flat turned you down with the first offer. She lives in a shack, and she doesn’t invite anyone to be friendly.” Hank put a hand on his shoulder. “That tells me she’s a woman who doesn’t want nothing or no one close, and she won’t take kindly to you setting up a stamp mill with six to eight men traipsing so close to her home several times a day.”
“That why you’re up here? Watching the woman?” Ethan didn’t like his brother or anyone else watching the Widow Miller. He’d sensed she liked her privacy. In fact, he’d butted into her family circle this morning and witnessed her hackles go up.
“That, and Miles came racing to the house to say someone seen you leaving town with the Widow Miller. He was afraid you’d end up dead. Rather than him running up here and causing trouble, I offered to have a look.”
Ethan watched his brother to see if he took the idiot Miles words to heart.
Hank grinned like a man who’d told a whopper. Ethan slapped him on the back. “You didn’t believe I’d get hit over the head did you?”
“Nope, but I wondered why you’d follow the widow home.” His brother turned concerned eyes on Ethan. “You’re the oldest, and we want you to be happy. You know, with a wife and family-”
“I’m not saddling myself with a woman or kids. I’ve got my hands full with all of you.” Ethan stopped and crossed his arms. “You think I’m following this woman because I’m randy?” He snorted. “I’m getting into her good graces so she’ll sell me the land I want.”
Hank started walking. “I just want you to know, if you do find someone and want to marry, we all want you to. Don’t let us keep you from having a family.”
Ethan stared at his brother’s back. He didn’t need any more family than he had. Sure he had an urge now and then that a trip to the Baker City whore house took care of, but he could live without a woman. They created more complications than he needed. A woman was out of the question.
Chapter 5
Aileen ran a hand over her hair, making sure any loose curls were tucked away. She wrinkled her nose, the shack reeked of urine. She’d spilled a bucket of water while filling the kettle to make the morning’s porridge. How could a visit from Mr. Halsey make her so distracted? He meant nothing other than a diversion from her long day.
Worried the stench would cling to her clothes, she put a pan of water on the hook over the fireplace and tossed in some herbs to dilute the offensive smell.
She didn’t plan to talk to Mr. Halsey in the house, but the smell might be noticeable on her clothing, and she’d rather he didn’t know their living conditions.
“He’s coming,” Colin called in a less than enthusiastic voice. The two had talked about this visit last evening. Colin believed she should just tell the man no and to get off their property. But the boy didn’t understand her need to visit with an adult. Even one who wanted something she wasn’t willing to give.
The water boiled, and Aileen wafted the steam toward her clothing. She wouldn’t smell like an outhouse when she greeted Mr. Halsey.
Shayla skidded to a stop at the door. “He’s here!” Even at four, she understood the condition of the house and beckoned her mother to hurry.
Aileen’s stomach fluttered as she stepped out into the sunshine. She raised a hand to shield the sun and watched the confident stride of the man approaching the house. Colin shoved her straw hat in her hand before walking toward the sluice box at the edge of the creek. They’d picked and dug a pile of rock and dirt from the mine this morning. He placed a shovel full of the material into the box and slowly poured a bucket of water over the mound, washing away the dirt and smaller particles, hopefully catching the gold on the wooden slats called riffles in the graduated boxes.
“Is he always this industrious?” a deep voice asked, drawing her attention from her son. The question wasn’t offered as a slight. The warmth of his tone and the admiration in his voice was genuine.
“Aye. My laddie is a hard worker.” Colin had helped her place the chairs under a tree where he could keep an eye on her from the creek. She gestured for Mr. Halsey to move in that direction.
He waited until she sat before he removed his hat and sat on the chair angled toward hers. A long time had passed since she’d been around a man who treated her with respect. She wasn’t sure whether it was out of respect or because he wanted something.
Not one to ever back down from her thoughts, she asked, “So, ye helpin’ us with the supplies yesterday and showin’ me respect, would this all be a ploy to make me thinkin’ ye have our best interests in mind?” She smiled inwardly as his eyes sparked briefly before he looked down at the hat he held in his hands.
“No ma’am, I’m not treating you any different than I would any other female I came across.” He raised his gaze to settle on her face.
Lord help her. Her stomach quivered at the honesty she saw in the dark depths of his eyes. She tamped the happiness starting to burgeon in her heart with a thought of Mr. Miller.
“What will ye be tryin’ to deal with me today?” she asked, rearranging her skirt so she could focus her gaze somewhere other than his intriguingly handsome face.
“There’s no dealing, ma’am. I need that corner of your land for my family, and I plan to get it.” The conviction in his voice brought her gaze back to his.
“Just how are ye plannin’ to take our land, Mr. Halsey?” She put more steel in her question than she felt. This play of wits was the most exciting bit of conversation she’d had in nearly seven years. Not since Patrick was alive. The thought of her darlin’ Patrick brought stinging tears to her eyes. She looked away quickly and brushed at them. “Rubble,” she offered, when he watched her with a raised brow.
“I’m not in the habit of taking your land or anyone else’s, Mrs—” She sent a scathing glance his way. “Aileen.”
“Then how be ye proposin’ to use my land when I dinnae plan on sellin’?” She glanced at Colin. He listened intently as he worked. Shayla had taken a spot on the ground next to Mr. Halsey’s leg. Her daughter watched the man with wide, innocent eyes and a large, dopey grin.
“I’ve been thinking about that.” He smiled at Shayla and reached in his pocket, pulling out two long, red and white sticks of peppermint. “This is for you.” He handed her one of the sticks. “And take this one to your brother.” The girl snatched both sticks and giggled, running toward her frowning brother.
Aileen glared at him. “Ye cannae buy me land by givin’ my children treats.”
“I’m giving your children treats because I feel like it.” He held her gaze. “I don’t think they’ve had many frivolous things in their lives. I wanted to give them something.”
“How dare ye say I cannae provide for my bairn!” She shot to her feet and clenched her fisted hands to her side. The urge to haul off and hit him rose and withered just as quickly, knowing what her temper had gotten her in the past.
Colin ran to her side. “I think it’s time you left mister,” his voice purred a low threat.
Ethan wasn’t sure what nerves he’d hit. Both the mother and son looked ready to take a swing at him. When he arrived
, the woman had glowed; her eyes twinkling with invitation, yet, she made it clear there would be no sale of her land. That’s when the idea hit him.
“I’m not bad mouthing your mothering. It’s got to be hard just you and the boy digging in the mine and panning the creek. I’m sure you scrape up enough to eat and buy some clothes, but wouldn’t you like to make more?”
Her eyes glimmered with interest. She wanted money, like every other miner out there. Greed motivated most of them. Greed was wanting something for yourself. He wasn’t greedy. He meant to make a good living for his brothers and their families with the stamp mill.
“Ah’m listenin’,” she moved the boy aside and took a couple steps toward Ethan.
“Ma…”
“Shhh, Colin. We can get home faster. Tell me Mr. Halsey, how ye plan to make us more money?”
So it wasn’t greed, but something else that motivated her. Another mystery about the woman. Ethan smiled and motioned for her to return to her chair.
“Since you aren’t interested in selling how about we build the stamp mill on your property and you can use it one day a week. We won’t take any percentage for you using the mill.” He could tell by the wrinkles marring her forehead and the way she tapped a finger against her pursed lips, he’d have to explain more.
“How are ye planning ’to get our bing to the stamp mill?” She stared past him down the creek.
“Bing?” He’d never heard such a word.
“The rubble we pull from the mine.”
“Oh, your diggings. It’s all downhill from here to where the mill will sit.” He glanced at the boy. Colin shook his head, not willing to commit.
“An how ye think the laddie and me could get the likes of dirt and rock to there even downhill?” She narrowed her gaze, crinkling the freckled skin around her eyes.
“My brothers and I will build tracks. You can put your diggings in ore carts and run them down to the mill.” He didn’t know if his brothers would go for the idea, however, they wanted the mill as much as he did.