“That it is,” he replied.
They hurried down to the cook tent and greeted Ima. As they sat on one of the rough benches and ate, all the whispers and looks didn’t go unnoticed. Greg took the opportunity to hold Mercy’s hand whenever possible, and he kissed her right before they left.
“Goodness,” Mercy said. “You’d think by the hoots and hollers they’d never seen married people kiss before.” Her lovely shade of pink had deepened to a fiery red.
Greg took her hand. “They’re just jealous is all. Let’s mine for a while.”
She kept glancing at him the whole way back. “Greg?”
“Yes?”
“Now it’s just an idea but maybe we could make arrangements with the bath house owner for privacy.”
“I bet with enough money anything can be arranged.”
“I don’t want to spend—”
“We have enough flake for a bath.”
“True, flakes aren’t nuggets.” She smiled at Mac as she went into the mine.
Greg thanked Mac and was soon right behind her, stepping carefully over the cans. They removed the wood they had placed over the gold, and he couldn’t help but marvel at it.
“Remember, we need just as much ordinary rock as gold. We have to be seen trying to examine the rocks in the sun and then throwing them in our pile in disgust.” Mercy told him with excitement in her voice.
“I’ll get the rocks, you be careful with the gold,” Greg said. He took his pail and before he grabbed his pickaxe, he pulled Mercy to him and gave her a long kiss. The dazed look in her eyes when he stopped was good for his ego.
***
Mercy used a smaller pick to get the gold while he swung away with the large one. Soon enough she took the bucket with the rocks outside to pretend to examine them, and then she discarded them. She shook her head and asked other miners who walked by if they’d had any luck or if they thought the site was played out.
Most said they hadn’t found much, just enough to continue to eat and keep mining. A few looked dumbstruck about the mine being played out. Most of the men were probably much younger than they looked. Some were hunched over and most had dust settled into the fine lines on their faces plus mud on their clothes. There weren’t many smiles.
She wanted to jump up and shout her happiness. Not necessarily about the gold but about the soul-searing kiss her husband had given her last night and the one at the cook tent for everyone to see. He was a good man. He could be gentle and talk sweet, but he could also stare down an enemy and he wasn’t afraid to use his gun.
It was good that she stopped them from going any further last night. Her father’s words of morning regrets played in her mind. She had to be sure.
“Drinking up all the sunshine?”
She jumped, startled by her husband. She’d been so deep in thought she hadn’t heard him come up behind her. That wasn’t a good thing. She needed her wits about her.
“It’s a nice change from the dark mine. I’m tired of rock and more rock. I’m beginning to believe that gold is a fools dream,” she said loud enough for all those watching the couple to hear.
“I’m new at this, so I don’t know how much a person needs to dig to find anything. Tell you what, why don’t we wait another week or two and see if anything shows.” He sat down next to her, picked up a rock and pretended to examine it. “I know it seems crazy gathering rocks day after day but I don’t plan to go on to another mine after this. I’m heading home.”
Her stomach dropped. Greg had told her he was eventually going home. She just hadn’t counted on it being so soon. She’d been fascinated by his stories of how wonderful his family was, and sure, he’d mentioned taking her with him, staying her husband. But in her heart, she knew there was no place for a miner’s rat there. The only thing she had going for her was her ability to read. She could sign her name, but writing wasn’t something her Pa’d had time for. Greg deserved a wife he could be proud to bring home.
She stood and brushed some of the dirt from her trousers. “I’ll go gather another bucket full of rocks.” She slipped back down into the mine and leaned against the wall, waiting for her heart beat to slow. She’d need to make her own plan. She’d had dreams of being her own woman. A business owner perhaps, but now she needed a solid plan.
She gathered rocks and filled her bucket. Fatigue crept up on her, and she slowly dragged the bucket out of the mine. She was coming out as Greg was going back in. “Put it on the bottom and top it off with rocks and leave it near the fire.”
“Why not hide it?”
“The best place to hide something is in plain sight.” She didn’t wait for a response but went back outside and sat down. So much had happened in the last few weeks. They’d struck gold, her pa was dead, she was now married, and she’d killed a man. And so much more. A near hanging and kisses. It was a lot to take in.
There was a hole in her heart left by her pa’s death. This was his dream and he hadn’t lived to enjoy it. He could have been set for life. She was adrift with no place to be. She never did ask Greg if he had a sweetheart waiting for him at home. She watched Shelly standing out front of the saloon tent. That was what a man wanted, a pretty woman who could laugh and make a man feel good about himself.
It wouldn’t be fair to make Greg have to tell her she wasn’t a real wife. She needed to leave before he did. She could travel to one town, get cleaned up and buy some pretty dresses and then decide her future. After that she’d travel to a new town and start a new life. It really didn’t sound so difficult. Except for the part where she’d have to leave Greg. She wouldn’t even be able to write him a note telling why she’d left.
She watched the whole camp while she supposedly looked at the rocks. Many miners left the camp amid celebration because they’d struck color, only to find themselves victims on the way to the bank to cash in. Some snuck out in the middle of the night, only to be accosted because their actions made them look suspicious. But the ones who pulled out without hitting gold, usually left in disgrace and as far as she knew, none were assaulted along the trail out. She and Greg needed to leave like those miners. But they would need a better wagon and team since Greg had traded for a mule. If she couldn’t arrange a trade without drawing attention to them, she was going to have to steal a wagon and team. But from which man? Which of these yahoos was green and would be easily talked into trading a team and wagon for a mule? Someone who was new would be the easiest to pretend to befriend.
Finally, she made her decision. There was a miner named Tim two claims down, and he always wore an expression of confusion. He was a bit shy and didn’t often ask questions. Yes, he would be her new friend. Well, hers and Greg’s, and she’d make sure to compensate him somehow when they left. Plus it wasn’t really using him; she’d give him enough pointers to make the trade more than even.
Greg plopped down next to her and stretched his legs out in front of him. “I’m bushed. I thought swinging the pickaxe was hard work but hauling those heavy good-for-nothing rocks is a real killer.” He took a deep breath and stood up. “I have an errand to run. I’ll be back to get you.”
She drew her brows together as she watched him walk down the hill. The promised bath! She hoped he could make it happen. Meanwhile, she went back in and gathered her towel and soap and did the same for him.
***
Greg enjoyed Mercy’s smile the whole way to the bathhouse tent. It had cost him dearly but he wanted to do something to make her happy. They walked in and there were men, naked men enjoying their baths. He quickly steered Mercy to the other side of the tent, where blankets had been hung for her privacy.
Her eyes widened. The tub was large and she walked closer to it. “It’s new water!” She quickly began to undress then stopped and stared at him. If you plan to stand guard, you’ll have to turn around.”
He was glad he insisted on a clean tub and water. The usual practice was for many men to bathe in the same water until it was so dirty you couldn’t see t
he bottom of the tub. And there was a ten minute time limit. He listened as she removed her clothes, only able to imagine what she looked like. His longing for her grew anew, and he had to keep his groans to himself. It never occurred to him just how uncomfortable the situation would be.
He heard the quiet slosh of water as she stepped into the tub and sat. Her satisfied sigh washed over him, heating him from the inside. Was her hair down? Was her body all rosy from the warm water? Water slashed and he imagined her washing herself. She was probably lathering her soap and spreading it on herself.
“Is it warm enough?” he asked, eager for her to be happy with the bath.
“It’s heavenly, and my muscles feel like they are relaxing. Did you get the ten minute bath? How long have I been in here?” Her voice sounded breathless and sexy.
“We have half an hour. I figured twenty minutes for you and ten for me.” Too bad he couldn’t see her face. Was she surprised? Pleased?
“Well that hardly seems fair. We should each get fifteen minutes,” she murmured.
There was more splashing. Was she washing her hair now? Did it shroud her body? His body tensed as a chill rolled through him. Why had he thought this would be a good idea? It was an exercise in torture. Closing his eyes he could remember the feel of her soft body against his when he’d kissed her.
“Oh no!”
He started to turn but stopped in time. “What’s going on?”
“I need my towel. I got soap in my eyes. I left it out of reach. I’ll get out and get it.”
“No. Where is it?”
“On the stool. I guess I wasn’t thinking about anything but the hot water. If you take five steps back you’ll be next to the stool.”
How was he going to do this without peeking at her? He walked back five steps and his foot hit the stool. Both of their towels were on it. He grabbed hers and reached behind him.
“Just turn real quick and hand it to me and try not to look.” She sounded nervous.
“Sure.” He turned and handed her the towel but there was nothing quick about it. Her hair fully covered one rounded breast but he got more than a glimpse of the other one. She must have thought both were covered because she didn’t try to use her hands to hide her nakedness. He didn’t dare try to look into the water. He’d seen more than enough to make him want her with great need. He handed her the towel and turned away.
No more baths for them, at least not at the same time. He couldn’t do this again. His natural urge was to lift her from the water and kiss her, and it was near impossible to keep from acting on his urges.
“I’m glad I had saved a clean set of clothes. I would have hated putting on the dirty ones. Are you all right? I’m getting out, and if we both turn our backs we won’t see a thing. You can get undressed while I get dressed.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Sounds like a plan.” He waited until she was wrapped in her towel and told him it was fine for him to start undressing. He was glad she couldn’t see him. He’d probably scare her. He had no idea what she knew of the male anatomy.
Greg turned his head and grabbed his own soap, and his mouth went dry at the sight of her delectable backside. He quickly turned away. No more looking, his body couldn’t handle any more. He concentrated on getting the dirt off of him.
Then he climbed into the water. It was still fairly warm. And it smelled like her soap. Oh, lawdy. He tried holding his breath, but that wasn’t going to work.
“Doesn’t it feel wonderful?” she asked, her voice sounded so happy.
“It sure does,” he answered in a tight voice. “Ah…you can go back to the mine if you like. You don’t have to wait for me.”
“I wouldn’t think of it. I’ll wait for you.”
Shivers rippled through him, and they had nothing to do with the cooling water. He washed, dried himself, and got dressed in record time. When he was ready to leave, he took her hand and led her out of the tent. Gulping in the fresh air helped him some.
She smiled at him. “I forgot to tell you. I figured out a way to get us out of here without folks knowing about…it.”
“Oh?”
“It involves being friends with one of the miners, but it’ll be worth it.”
“What kind of friends? Friends like Shelly is to miners?”
She snatched her hand from his and stalked off.
Dang it! Greg wanted to kick himself. The words had just come out. He never once thought of Mercy that way. What was wrong with him? Spending too much time knowing she’d had her clothes off was what was wrong, and he’d just taken it out on her. He had some apologizing to do.
***
Mercy stopped at Tim’s claim. It seemed that most miners didn’t have last names, or at least never went by them. It had always amused her in the past, but she had no reason to be amused at the moment.
“I just wanted to introduce myself to you. It might not look like it, but I’ve been mining most of my life with my father. You were probably here when he died.”
Tim nodded. He was tall and incredibly thin with light brown hair that needed cutting. “I was sorry to hear about it.”
She clasped her hands in front of her. “If you need anything I’m two claims away.”
She felt the heat of Greg’s body behind her and stiffened, but she didn’t turn around.
“I’m Greg, Mercy’s husband.” He held out his hand and shook hands with Tim. “Really if you need anything, Mercy is the one to ask. It was nice to meet you.” He put his arm around her waist and led her away.
“Don’t touch me,” she hissed as quietly as possible.
He removed his arm from around her but continued walking beside her. He didn’t say a word, and that unnerved her. He should be begging her forgiveness instead of acting as though he hadn’t compared her to Shelly.
Mercy walked faster until she was in the living quarters. She faced the wooden wall and tried to stem the tears that threatened. She wasn’t some silly girl that cried. Really, she wasn’t. She crossed her arms in front of her and bowed her head. The bath had been so incredibly wonderful, and then he’d said those ugly words. He wasn’t the man she had thought him to be. Disappointment poured over her. It didn’t matter. She planned to leave him anyway.
She breathed deeply. Somehow it did matter, a great deal according to the breaking of her heart. She thought about the conversation, but no, there was no mistaking what he meant.
“Why?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I’m sorrier than I can express.”
“You’re my husband,” she whispered trying not to cry but tears started to flow down her face. She felt him walk behind her.
“I don’t think I can explain it to someone as innocent as you,” he said his voice seemed to be full of sorrow.
Mercy turned around. “It didn’t sound as though you thought me to be innocent a little bit ago. Greg, you compared me to Shelly. I’m nothing like her, nothing. I don’t understand any of this. You find a way to get us out of here in secret. I’m done.”
“You did talk to Tim. I’m sure you have it all figured out.”
Her jaw dropped. “Yes, I did talk to him. Despite what you said, I still thought it the best way. I knew you were wrong in your thinking, and I believed that was all that mattered, but to my utter dismay you’ve hurt me.” She sat down on her bunk and wiped away her tears but there was no way to keep up with them. “How? I thought…” She stared at the fire. “I think it best if you slept elsewhere tonight. I’d like to be alone.”
She heard the flap move, and when she looked up she was alone. So much for sparing his feelings when she left. She’d have to leave much sooner than she thought. She was no good at pretending to like someone when in her heart she hated him. If he’d just said he didn’t want a wife it still would have hurt, she realized, but not as bad as being compared to a whore.
She got her scale out along with all her hidden nuggets and set about weighing them. She had enough to leave. Not enough to s
tart a new life but enough to feed herself and find lodging for a while. She put everything back and lay on her bunk. If she could hold out for a few days she’d have enough. It would be like selling her soul, but it would be her best bet.
Exhaustion hit her. “Pa, why did you leave me?” Tears still poured as she lay there. It was good that they never consummated the wedding. Greg would have certainly have had morning regrets. Well, a few more days and she’d be gone.
Chapter Seven
Greg sat outside his tent and watched the sun rise. Sleep had been elusive. He wasn’t the type to try to hurt a woman, but he had. The remark about Shelly had come out from jealousy. He didn’t want her to talk to any other miner. But she had done it anyway. Perhaps she was too headstrong for her own good. Did she even think before she acted? She needed his protection, and whether she agreed or not, she was getting it.
He stood and went to their mine. He opened the flap and grabbed the bucket. As he walked to get water he got many knowing looks. Everyone seemed to know he and Mercy had had a fight.
“Got on her bad side, did you?” Mac asked as he stepped alongside Greg.
“You know how women are.”
Mac grunted. “You were gentle weren’t you? Women like gentle.”
Greg furrowed his brow. “Gentle?”
“When you were, well…in the bathhouse. You were taking your time and not rutting, right?” A dark shade of red crept into Mac’s face.
“So everyone thinks I was rough with my wife in the bathhouse?” He tried to keep his voice calm, but he didn’t manage to do it.
“We all saw you two go in and the next thing we know you’re sleeping back at your claim. We came to the conclusion you did something wrong.” He scratched his chin and shrugged. “Sweet talking helps.”
“We were having a disagreement about something else. She’s used to mining and not seeing gold. I’m all for moving on, but she thinks it would be wiser to stay.” Greg gave him a sidelong look. He relaxed when Mac nodded.
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