by Paty Jager
“That’s not an office. That’s a house. An office is one maybe two rooms.” He plopped onto the chair next to Ethan. “You building a house for the Millers?”
“I’m building an office they can live in until they move on. I’ll teach Aileen to do the figures. That way we can work in the mill and not have to pay for labor. She can run the office and live in the building as her wages.” He’d thought this through. If he could convince her it was strictly business, she was bound to jump at the offer.
“What happens when they move on? That’s what you said she’d do.” Clay’s scrutiny didn’t surprise him.
“I’ll move in or one of you if you’ve married by then.” Ethan didn’t like to think about the Miller’s leaving. It was Aileen’s plan. When she had enough money, she’d leave. He’d have to start asking more questions. Find out why she needed a large sum of money.
“So me and Hank got no say in this?” Clay leaned back in his chair. The hurt in his eyes and sullen expression were hard to ignore.
“I’m building it with my money.”
“But it will draw you away from the mill.” The accusation stung.
“Not like you think. I plan to put it across the creek on that flat expanse before the trees start.”
“Where you can see the mill and the Millers’ mine. I’d say this is being built for them and not you or any of us.” Clay leaned forward, his forearms resting on the table. “Ethan quit kidding us and yourself. You’re building this house for the Millers. Plain and simple.”
Ethan shoved out of the chair and stood in front of the window. The moon carved a sliver of light in the dark sky. He was building it for the Millers. For Aileen. She deserved better than that shack. Deserved a life better than digging in an unventilated mine. He wanted to be the person who gave that to her. He wanted to see her laugh more and hurt less.
“Go to bed, Clay,” he said, not turning from the window. His new-found attraction to the Widow Miller had him losing sleep and his brother’s approval.
****
Saturday, he found John Fellowes shoving down an ample breakfast at Myrle’s.
“Morning, Ethan,” Myrle greeted him, smiling and pouring him a cup of coffee when he sat at the table with Fellowes.
“Morning, Myrle. I’ll have what he’s having.” Ethan held out his hand across the table. “Morning, Fellowes. How’s business?”
The man a few years older than Ethan wiped at his mustache then extended his hand. “A little slow. This time of year more people are pulling out than settlin’ down.”
“I’ve got a job for you. But I want it done by the end of October.”
The man’s eyes lit. “What’s the job?”
“You heard I’m building a stamp mill?”
“Yeah, I figure you don’t need me or you would have asked already.” The man forked a large portion of fried potatoes into his mouth.
“I also need an office.” When the man started to say something Ethan raised his hand. “I could build a shack if I wanted that. I want this.” He spread the drawings out on the table between them.
Fellowes whistled. “That’s more than an office.” He studied Ethan. “Looks to me like you’re planning to get married.”
“Married? Ethan why didn’t you tell me?” Myrle placed his plate of food on the table in front of him and hugged his shoulders.
“I’m not getting married. I figure down the road when one of my brothers get married they can move in and run the office. I might as well have it built right the first time.” He didn’t miss the wisp of a smile and nod Myrle gave him. She knew. How?
“I’ll take this and order up the lumber.” Fellowes rolled up the drawing. “I take it you’re building it near the stamp mill?”
“Yes. Come by this afternoon, and I’ll show you where.”
Fellowes wiped his mouth with his sleeve and pushed back from the table. “Delicious as always Myrle.” He nodded to Ethan and left the establishment. The man hadn’t cleared the chair before Myrle slipped onto it.
“Tell me the truth. Who you building that house for?” Her faded blue eyes danced with excitement.
“For my brothers. And until they get hitched, for the Millers. You happy you got that out of me?” He huffed and dived into the food getting cold in front of him.
She patted his arm. “It’s the right thing. You’ll see.” She left him to his food and his clenching gut. What would happen when people began to put two and two together? Especially when he moved the Millers into the house? He hoped like hell Hank and Clay changed their attitude by then. He’d need their support in this.
****
Aileen fidgeted worse than the lassie as they waited for Ethan to show up. He said Sunday, but hadn’t specified morning or afternoon. Surely, he wouldn’t think they’d go to church? The people of Sumpter would have a fit if they stepped into the house of the Lord. Not that they didn’t do their own praying and acquainting with the Lord on this day. But she knew many still believed she killed Mr. Miller.
Instead of helping Colin in the mine, she’d put on a dress and brushed Shayla’s and her hair until they both shimmered in the sunlight. The shortening days of summer still warmed enough to be comfortable outside without a shawl. Shayla sat in the warm light of the mid-morning sun in front of the shack. Her speech improved every day, and she didn’t wobble as much when she walked.
Ethan had been right, her darlin’ was gradually coming back to her old self.
“Happy Man!” Shayla shouted. Aileen looked up and watched Ethan ride his horse to the usual tree and tie it. He swung down out of the saddle and dug in his saddlebag before he turned and waved to Shayla. His gaze met hers as he walked toward them. The spark of approval in his dark eyes made her stomach flutter.
“Morning, Shayla, Aileen.” He stopped at the chair, ruffling her daughter’s dark curls, but his eyes remained focused on her face. His intense gaze and nearness made her insides quiver and heated her face.
“I’m ready, Mr. Halsey,” Shayla said, grasping his hand and tugging.
He glanced down. “You hold the book while I gather chairs.” He headed to the chairs under the porch roof. “Where’s Colin. I’d like him to hear this story.”
Aileen motioned toward the mine. “He’s been in the mine all mornin’.”
Ethan stood up straight. A frown marred his strong, good looks. “Have you checked on him?”
“Nae, he comes out when his belly calls to him.” The concern on Ethan’s face stilled her heart. “Do ye think somethin’ is wron’?”
“You don’t have proper ventilation in that mine.” Ethan handed a chair to her. “You set up the chairs. I’ll go check on him.”
“He’s my laddie. Ah’ll go.” She started toward the mine. A hand clasped her arm. Memories flashed. She wouldn’t be a victim again. Swinging around, she fisted her hand and punched.
Her blow bounced off Ethan’s chest. The puzzled expression on his face defused her anger.
“Don’t go rounding on me. I’m not going to hurt you. You can’t carry Colin if he’s passed out. It makes more sense for me to go in.” His hand released her arm and gently cupped her cheek. “Set up the chairs. Please.”
He didn’t wait for her answer before jogging toward the mine. The air she’d held after she threw her punch and waited to be hit back, whooshed out of her. If she’d taken a swing at Mr. Miller, she wouldn’t have been able to crawl into the shack.
She stared at the wide shoulders, slim hips, and long legs that disappeared into the mine opening. Ethan Halsey might be a man who could change her way of thinking.
****
Ethan didn’t see a lantern at the entrance. He stared into the black hole. The shaft ran straight back into the mountain. With one hand on the wall, he made his way through the darkness as quick as he could without ramming his head into the low ceiling. The musty scent of dirt and stale air assailed his senses as the darkness surrounded him. The scrape of his hands skimming the dirt walls and th
e shuffling of his feet through the debris on the floor mingled with his shallow breaths. He banged his shoulder into a protruding rock and cursed.
Where was the glow from the lantern Colin used? He strained in the dark to see any glimmer of light. His foot connected with something soft, and he tumbled forward. Instinctively, he shot his arms out before he struck the dirt floor. A mound under his lower legs wasn’t hard like dirt or rock. He pushed his body back into a crouch and felt in front of him with his hands.
Something tickled his fingers. He moved his hand. Hair, head, neck. He’d found Colin. His gut tightened. What happened?
He stepped over the body and turned to the open end of the shaft. Crouching, he scooped the limp boy into his arms and stood. He placed his back along one side of the shaft and walked sideways to keep Colin’s head aimed down the tunnel. In the dark, he didn’t want to strike it on a rock sticking out from the sides.
It seemed like an eternity before the light at the entrance grew brighter. His first step into the sunshine brought Aileen to his side.
“What happened?” she asked, touching her son’s hair as tears glistened in her eyes.
“I don’t know. I tripped over him in the dark.” Ethan covered the distance between the mine and the shack in short time. He placed Colin on the closest bed and sat next to him. His hands skimmed over the boy’s limbs and body checking for injuries. Nothing appeared injured. Colin’s chest expanded, drawing in great gulps of air.
“Black damp!” Ethan swore under his breath and walked toward the table.
Aileen sat on the edge of the bed, brushing Colin’s hair away from his still face. “W-what is Black damp?”
“It’s what miner’s get when there’s poor ventilation.” He pulled a chair up alongside the bed. Shayla crawled onto his lap and curled up, watching her brother.
“Ye mentioned the ventilation the other day. What does it mean?” Aileen didn’t take her eyes from her son.
“It means you’ve dug far enough into the earth there is more bad gas than good. You need to dig a hole that goes from the mine up to the ground level of the mountain to let the bad gas out and the good gas in. Otherwise,” he grasped the hand resting in her lap, “you both are going to end up like this with no one around to pull you out.”
She inhaled and turned frightened eyes to him. “What about Shayla?”
“She’d be without a mother or a brother. Aileen, you can’t do any more mining until you get ventilation. Look at Colin. He won’t be able to work for a couple days. Not till his headache goes away. He’ll lose time working for me and won’t be able to help you dig.”
She shook her head as she stared at her boy. “Will ye show us what we must do?”
“Yes. But not until Colin is well. I don’t want you messing around by yourself.”
She jerked her head up and studied his face. “Why are ye so good to us?”
The softly spoken question and the wonder in her eyes made him swallow the lump in his throat. “Because I like you.” He ruffled Shayla’s hair. “All of you.”
“There be no one else around who cares spit about us. Why do ye?” She raised a hand. “And dinnae say because ye like us. No one does what ye have done for strangers.”
“I’d like to think if my ma and pa were still alive they would have helped you out a long time ago. They wouldn’t have just heard the rumors and ignored you because of what others said.”
She ducked her head. Ethan tipped her chin up, making her look into his eyes. “I would hope they would have taken the time to get to know you and helped. That is why I’m here. To help, be a good neighbor, and hopefully a friend.” As he talked, her light green eyes surveyed his face, watched his mouth, and a puff of air touched his face as a sigh escaped her slightly parted lips. He was close enough, he could just lean in—
“When are you going to read?” Shayla asked, putting her small hands on either side of his face. Aileen straightened. It gave him satisfaction to know she’d been leaning toward him as well.
“Right now. Run and get me the book.” He slid the child off his lap and followed her outside to bring in another chair for Aileen to sit on if she wished, rather than the bed. It also gave him a chance to work out the stiffness created by being near the woman.
Halfway through the first chapter, Colin’s eyes fluttered and everyone forgot about the book.
“Laddie, are ye wakin’?” Aileen asked as her heart thudded against her ribs. Both children stricken in a week. She’d go crazy if she lost either of them.
Colin’s eyes opened, and he grasped his head. “Ma, my head hurts.”
She pulled his hands down at the same moment Ethan placed a wet rag on the boy’s forehead. The man knew Colin’s problem. She glanced at the side of his face as he leaned over her laddie. The faint scent of shave soap flared her nostrils. It had been years since she’d caught the scent of a clean man. One who cared about his appearance.
“Colin, you breathed in bad air. It takes out all the good air in your lungs and gives you one heck of a headache.” Ethan’s deep voice consoled.
Colin glanced up at him. “H-how’d I get here. The last thing I remember was putting down the pick. I felt tired and figured I’d been in the mine a long time. Just as I thought it was funny I hadn’t felt hungry everything went dark.”
“The bad air makes you sleepy. Rest and don’t get up too much until your head stops hurting. There isn’t anything else you can do.” Ethan sat back in his chair. Shayla leaned her elbows on his lap, holding the book.
Aileen patted her son’s cheek and glanced at Ethan. He studied the boy. What did he expect to see?
“Do ye have time to stay for soup?” she asked, rising off the bed and straightening her skirt.
“He can’t leave until he finishes.” Shayla opened the book on the man’s lap.
‘Darlin’ he cannae read the whole thing today. Look at how thick it is.” Aileen laughed at her child’s exuberance and walked to the fireplace where a pot of soup simmered. It appeared Shayla enjoyed listening to the deep timbre of his voice as well.
“I have the rest of the day, but your mother’s right. I can’t read this whole book today. How about I come every Sunday and read you a chapter?” He didn’t watch her daughter, his eyes questioned her.
Aileen grabbed a spoon and stirred the soup as her heart skipped at the thought of having him in their home every Sunday. His presence filled the small room, and warmed it. She shook her head. Those were bad thoughts. She shouldn’t relax around the man, and he shouldn’t be hanging around so much.
“Mr. Halsey, ’tis more than ye should be givin’ us. This one day is more’n enough.” She finished stirring the soup and moved to grab bowls to fill.
He stood beside her and took the bowls, holding one out for her to fill.
“I want to show your children reading is good entertainment and teach them letters and numbers,” he said in a low voice that fluttered her errant wisps of hair at the back of her neck.
She nodded her head as she handed him a full bowl and took another one to fill.
“Ah think we should discuss this outside, later,” she whispered back, trying to ignore the warmth of his body so close to hers.
He put the two full bowls on the table and handed her another empty bowl. “I can’t wait.” His comment whipped her head. A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his mesmerizing mouth.
She twisted back to the task of filling one more bowl. “Shayla, join Mr. Halsey at the table. Ah’ll feed yer brother.” She moved around the man, barely skimming her arm across his chest. The action sparked like striking flint. She darted a glance at his face. His eyes widened.
Aileen hurried to the side of the bed. The surprise in his dark eyes confirmed he’d registered the spark.
Ethan shook off the jolt he’d received when Aileen brushed against him. Her furtive glance and shaking hands meant the touch had sparked her, too. He’d have to speculate on his reaction. Never before had a woman’
s touch made his body combustible.
He glanced over at the child sipping her soup next to him. “Shayla, I never had a chance to ask you why you were at the mill the day the board hit you.”
She darted a peek at her mother then peered up at him with glistening eyes.
“It’s okay. Your ma isn’t going to be mad.” He looked over at the bed where Aileen sat feeding Colin. “You aren’t going to be mad if she tells me?”
The woman shook her head. “Aye, lassie, ah’ll no’ be mad. Tell Mr. Halsey why ye were at the mill.”
Shayla put her spoon down and leaned close. “Ma was busy. I didn’t want to ask her to come and ask you, so I went myself.” She peeked at her ma, who nodded for her to continue.
“What did you want to ask me?” Ethan set his spoon down and waited. The child swallowed twice.
“I wanted to know your birthday.” She stared at her finger making circles on the table.
“My birthday? That could have waited until the next time you saw me.” He couldn’t believe she’d almost been killed because she wanted to know something so trivial.
She shook her head. “You could have had it before I saw you again, and then I couldn’t have given you a present.” Her big innocent eyes started to fill with tears.
He growled and pulled her onto his lap. “Shayla, you don’t have to give me a present. I don’t want anything from you or your family except friendship.”
“Some friend.” The accusation from the boy on the bed shot an icicle through his chest.
“Colin! Mr. Halsey saved ye today. That’s no way to talk.” His mother scolded before she raised her eyebrow in Ethan’s direction.
“What makes you say I’m not a friend?” Ethan set Shayla back on her chair and took two steps to the side of the bed.
“I saw you and a man walking over the land across the creek. You pointed toward our house and the man laughed.”
Before Ethan could say anything Aileen raised off the bed. She poked a finger in his chest and glared.
“Ye said no men would be comin’ around the bend and botherin’ us, yet ye brin’ a man to point and laugh!”
“Don’t use Colin’s rudeness to start a fight that’s not deserved!” Ethan grasped the hand poking him in the chest and held it—firmly but gently. “Maybe now’s the time for our little chat—outside.” He slid his hand to mate their palms and twined his fingers with hers, tugging her toward the door.