Lucky Creek Lady

by Shirley Kennedy

  Tom and the rest stood waiting. “Think it’s safe to go in now?” Tom asked.

  “Safe as it will ever be.” He might not know about entomology, but no one could know more about mines than he did. “Come on, men. Let’s do our best for Sam’s family. He was a good man, and we owe him that. I’ll lead the way.”

  Chapter 3

  In the late afternoon, Laurie asked Albert to take her back to the hospital to see how Hugh was doing. When she arrived, she discovered he’d recovered consciousness and lay in a groggy haze. The doctor wasn’t there, but the hospital’s only nurse stood by his bed. Laurie got her aside. “Do you know yet if he’ll make it?”

  The nurse nodded. “Doc Hansen says he will. He’s full of laudanum for the pain, besides being in a state of shock, so don’t stay too long.”

  Hugh would live. Laurie whispered a prayerful, “Thank you, God,” as she sank to a chair by his bedside. He looked terrible with his ribs bandaged, arm in a cast, a big bandage on his head, part of his face blackened from a powder burn. He lay quietly with his eyes closed. She wouldn’t disturb him, just sit here quietly and let him rest.

  Memories of their childhood flooded back as she watched him. Years older than she, Hugh had once been her idol. When she was little, she used to follow him around, awestruck by his wit and superior manner. Only with the passage of time, did she realize he wasn’t perfect. He liked to tease her, but often his so-called playful teasing went too far. “Can’t you take a joke?” he’d ask. Only when she was older did she realize he was just being mean. He told lies, not caring if he got her into trouble. He did selfish things, and was a disappointment to their parents, especially Father. Hugh wasn’t robust like Sam. Not very tall, with a slender build, he would run away when other boys confronted him. “You must stand up and fight like a man,” Father often told him, but he never did. Only when he went to work at the Monarch did he finally redeem himself in his father’s eyes. From what Laurie could see, he did his work well and Father was satisfied.

  She loved her brother despite all the bad things. Her heart had gone out to him when Maude died and left him with the two little ones. Father had been pleased with his work in the mine, so of course, she was pleased with him, too. Besides all that, he was family. That alone would have earned her love and loyalty.

  Finally, he opened his eyes. With a bewildered expression, he looked her way. It took him a while to focus. “Laurie, is that you?”

  “It’s me. You’re in the hospital.”

  “Hospital,” he echoed as if trying to understand.

  “There was an explosion. Do you remember?”

  “Explosion?” A glint of recognition lit his eyes. “Father? Did he make it?”

  “I’m afraid he didn’t make it out. They’re looking for him now, but they don’t expect…” She could not go on.

  “Dear God,” he whispered. He remained silent for a time before saying, “I told him not to try it.”

  “Try what?” Laurie bent close to hear what he was saying.

  “Find a new vein of gold.” Hugh closed his eyes and lapsed into silence again, as if the mere utterance of a few words had worn him out. Finally, he reopened them. “He was a proud man, Laurie. That old vein had just about played out. He was hell-bent on finding a new one, even though he knew he was taking a chance.”

  “You mean he was guessing?” She hadn’t been long in the mine country but long enough to know wild guesses seldom paid off.

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “But Father still had his investments, didn’t he? And his savings?”

  “There’s plenty left. Nothing to worry about.”

  She remained until Hugh drifted off to sleep again. She left the hospital relieved the family still had money, despite all the rest.

  * * * *

  An atmosphere of gloom hung over the house when Laurie returned from the hospital. As yet, no one had hung a black wreath on the front door, but they might as well have. Donations of food from the neighbors filled the kitchen. A steady stream of solemn-faced visitors stopped by to pay their respects. Sam Sinclair had made a lot of friends in Lucky Creek, and many wanted to express their hope he might still be alive, although most looked doubtful.

  At least Mother felt better. Up and dressed, she was receiving the guests in the front parlor. However, once she and Laurie were alone, she despairingly declared, “No one will come out and say so, but they’re all sure Sam’s gone. Even so, there’s still a part of me that’s hoping somehow he survived.”

  “I’m hoping so, too.” Like Mother, Laurie clung to a glimmer of hope that her father might still be alive. But what if he was? How awful to think he could be lying in total darkness, maybe in pain, waiting for a rescue that might never come. “How did Father do it?” she burst out. “I don’t see how anyone could bear to go beneath the ground, work in the dark, and you never know when a ton of rocks and dirt might fall on your head.”

  “It’s the lure of the gold.” Mother sighed with resignation. “Men have gone crazy over this gold rush, your father included. He got rich, but for what? Now it’s probably cost him his life.”

  * * * *

  Hat in hand, Darcy McKenna arrived in the early evening. Laurie answered the door and invited him to where Mother and Ada, alone at the moment, sat in the parlor. Judging from his solemn behavior, the tightness around his jaw, she already knew what he was going to say. He wasted no time in pleasantries. “I have bad news.”

  Laurie looked toward her mother. Would she collapse? Get hysterical? But with a steadying intake of breath, Mother said, “Sam is dead, isn’t he?”

  “We found his body. If it’s any consolation, he must have died instantly.”

  Face etched in sorrow, Elizabeth took a long moment before she spoke again. “Consolation? Not much, I’m afraid, but I appreciate your efforts to find him. Surely it wasn’t easy.”

  “I wasn’t alone. It was the least we could do. I suggest…” Darcy seemed to be searching for the proper words. “I suggest you bury him soon, what with…”

  Laurie finished for him. “The warm weather and all. We understand, Mr. McKenna.”

  “Well, then. Unless there’s something else I can do, I’ll be on my way.”

  “I’ll show you to the door.” Laurie accompanied him from the parlor. Not wanting to cry in front of him, she held back tears. Despite her dislike, she had to admit he’d conducted himself well, shown the proper respect, and didn’t mention the number of hours he must have spent looking for her father, nor the danger involved. At the door, she thanked him. “You must have taken a lot of your valuable time to search for him.”

  He put on his hat and shrugged as if it was nothing at all. “I wasn’t the only one searching. We all wanted to help. Sam Sinclair was a good man. He’d have done the same for me.”

  His answer warmed her heart. Perhaps she’d been mistaken. This was a new side to Darcy McKenna she hadn’t seen before. “I haven’t talked to Mother yet, but I’m sure we’ll bury Father tomorrow. He would want you to be there.”

  “Of course. One good thing. There won’t be anything keeping you here after the funeral.”

  Why would he care when she left? But, of course, he was just being polite. “I hadn’t thought, but I’ll be leaving in a few days, I should imagine. It all depends on when the next ship for New York leaves San Francisco.”

  “Good. You’ll be a lot happier back where the streets are paved and life’s a lot easier.”

  Something about this last remark irked her no end. “What are you implying?”

  He seemed to take her evident annoyance in his stride. “I’m implying the obvious, that you’re not suited for life in a rough-and-ready town like Lucky Creek. You’re a lady who likes her comforts, and I can’t say I blame you.” He gave her a disarming smile. “No insult intended.”

  Really? She wasn’t su
pposed to be insulted after he’d just informed her how soft and spoiled she was? But today wasn’t a day for expressing stupid grievances. She forced a smile. “I’m not offended in the least, Mr. McKenna. Good day and thank you again for your help.”

  He nodded briefly. “Good day, Miss Sinclair.”

  Annoyed though she was, she caught herself watching as he walked to the picket fence where he’d tethered his horse. He wasn’t handsome in the usual sense, not like Brandon with his six-foot-two height, golden blond hair and gorgeous smile. Yet she couldn’t keep her eyes off him. Maybe it was his dark brown hair that she found attractive, even though he wore it unfashionably long, nearly to his shoulders. Maybe it was his lean, sinewy build. Not an extra ounce of fat on him, just hard muscles. Or could it be the way he walked, so effortlessly and graceful. She hadn’t thought she could find anything about him attractive, but despite herself, she did. She watched until he mounted his horse with one easy swing and rode away.

  * * * *

  At least Mother had taken the awful news better than expected. Next morning, when Laurie came downstairs, she discovered Elizabeth dressed and putting her hat on. With a determined jaw, she announced, “You, Ada, and I are going to the hospital to tell Hugh. He’s the head of the house now and will know what to do.”

  The three of them found Hugh lying weak and pale in bed, but at least he was conscious and aware of his surroundings. Hugh gazed up at Mother. “Father’s dead, isn’t he? I can tell by your long faces.”

  “They found his body.” Mother’s face twisted. She had to bow her head a moment to regain her control. She looked up dry-eyed, mouth firmly set. “Thank God you were spared.”

  “Barely,” Hugh replied. “Father was always there for us, and now…” He bit his lip, on the verge of tears himself. “I tried to reach him. I’ll never forgive myself that I couldn’t.”

  The three spent the next few minutes trying to convince Hugh he wasn’t at fault and there was no way could he have prevented the accident. At last he capitulated, agreeing no man could have done more than he had to save his father.

  Up to then, Mother hadn’t shown any interest in the family’s finances. Now she asked, “Will we have to shut the mine down, Hugh?”

  He firmly shook his head. “Of course not. Whatever gave you that idea? We’ll reopen soon as the smoke clears out. Soon as I’m able, I’ll get back, too. The vein isn’t played out yet, and besides all that, there’s always the chance we’ll find another vein as good as the first one.”

  Mother smiled in relief. “I’m so happy to hear that.”

  “The Monarch’s still paying off. Not like before, of course, but enough you won’t want for anything.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m sure. You’re going to be fine.” He looked at Laurie. “We’re all going to be fine, so you can go back home and marry the insect fellow.”

  Despite her grief, Laurie couldn’t help but feel relieved that soon her life would be back to the way she’d planned it. She would take her time, certainly not rush off tomorrow, but she wouldn’t waste any time in finding out when the next ship left for New York and the man she adored.

  * * * *

  They buried Sam Sinclair on a bleak windy morning, in the small cemetery on a hill overlooking the town. Dressed in a borrowed black dress, holding tight to her hat because of the stiff breeze, Laurie drew some comfort from observing the large crowd of mourners who’d come to say their farewells to a man everyone knew and liked. How gratifying that so many of the miners had come. The mine owners, too. Darcy McKenna and Tom Crain. Brock Dominick of the Coyote Mine. The Hudson brothers who owned the huge New Cornwall Mine, and many others, some from as far away as Hangtown. Too bad Father couldn’t see how many friends he had. But then, if he was looking down from Heaven, maybe he did.

  Afterward, mourners filled their house to overflowing, partaking of the plentiful food and drink supplied by thoughtful neighbors. The last guest didn’t depart until late afternoon, leaving the family to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Ada went to her room to rest. Sinking to the sofa, Mother declared, “I think the funeral went well, don’t you? Sam would have been proud he had so many friends.”

  Laurie agreed that he would indeed have been proud, and furthermore the town would never forget him. She suggested that after they rested, they should go to the hospital to see Hugh. They would describe the funeral, and maybe, if he was up to it, discuss the family finances. They could bring Mathew and Maryanne along. Both had been asking after their father.

  “I’m already thinking of the future,” Elizabeth said. “I see no reason to stay here now, and neither does Ada. Why shouldn’t we move back to Philadelphia? Hugh could stay and run the Monarch, or perhaps he’d want to sell the mine and come with us. What do you think, Laurie?”

  “I can’t think of anything more wonderful. I hated to leave you behind, and now I won’t have to.” She would have said more, but a knock sounded on the door. “I wonder who that is. Maybe one of the guests forgot something.”

  She hastened to answer. Of all people, Brock Dominick stood on the doorstep. Such an intimidating man, perhaps because he was so powerful, both in his looks with his thick neck and barrel chest, and his position as owner of the biggest, richest mine in the area. Always polite, she hid her distaste for the man and inquired, “Did you forget something, Mr. Dominick?”

  The owner of the Coyote Mine didn’t bother to smile. “I’ve some business I’d like to speak to Mrs. Sinclair about. Is she alone?”

  Earlier, Brock had been just another guest, conducting himself with the appropriate sympathetic demeanor, but now he’d reverted to his usual iron-faced expression. Laurie swung the door wide. “All the guests have gone, if that’s what you mean. Please come in.”

  Mother sat alone in the parlor when Laurie led their guest in and motioned him to a seat. Aware of Brock’s rudeness, Laurie didn’t want to leave Mother alone. “Mr. Dominick is here on some sort of business. Do you mind if I stay?”

  Mother smiled wanly. “Of course, I don’t mind, although”—she threw their guest a puzzled glance—“I have no idea what we might have to discuss.”

  “Go or stay, Miss Sinclair, it makes no difference to me.”

  He’d already expressed his condolences. What could this powerful man want? Laurie sat on the settee next to Mother. “Do go ahead, sir. What is there to discuss?”

  The mine owner leaned back in his chair, completely at ease, lightly touching his fingers together. He regarded Mother with a curious gaze. “Were you aware that a while back, I loaned your husband a considerable amount of money?”

  Mother was obviously bewildered. “Why, no, I was not. Sam didn’t mention—”

  “Did he tell you the Monarch was about to go broke?”

  “No, I—”

  “Ordinarily I’d be speaking to Hugh about this, but the doctor says he’s not well enough to talk yet, given his serious injuries. So, in all fairness, I’ve come to you instead.”

  A loan? The Monarch about to go broke? Laurie could hardly grasp what he was talking about. “What are you getting at, Mr. Dominick?” She was becoming more uneasy by the second.

  Bending forward intently, Dominick seemed to warm to his task. “Several weeks ago, your father came to me seeking a loan after the bank turned him down. That highly profitable vein of gold of his had just about played out. He thought he was on the verge of discovering another, though, just as good, if not better than the first. All he needed was some cash to tide him over.”

  Mother still had a blank look on her face, so Laurie spoke up. “So, you loaned him some money?”

  “Twenty thousand dollars, to be exact. For new equipment, and he wanted to hire more men, as well.”

  Mother’s lips moved, but nothing came out. Losing her husband was bad enough, and now this? Plainly, she couldn’t handle another shoc
k, and Laurie must speak for the family. What do I know about loans? she asked herself. Only what she’d heard when Father talked business back in Philadelphia. She wouldn’t allow this man to see her bewilderment, though. She took her time answering, struggling not only to find the right words but also to sound confident, like she discussed loans all the time. “That’s a considerable amount of money, Mr. Dominick, but if we owe the money, we will pay it. I would need to talk to my brother, of course, but possibly we might work out some sort of payment plan.”

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  “It won’t?” Something told her this wouldn’t be good. Dominick’s heretofore impassive expression had shifted into what she could best term vicious expectancy, reminding her of a large beast about to spring on its prey.

  “Surely you would know I don’t lend that kind of money without collateral.”

  “Yes, of course. So, what—”

  “The collateral for your father’s loan is the Monarch Mine, Miss Sinclair.”

  Her mind went spinning. “I know nothing about business. Tell me what that means.”

  A spark of—could that be enjoyment?—flashed through his eyes. “It means your father signed a note promising to repay the loan in installments. If he defaulted on a payment—that means if he didn’t pay—then the whole balance of the note would come due.”

  “So…so…” She struggled to understand. “What you’re saying is we owe the entire balance now because he missed a payment?”

  “Exactly right.”

  “All twenty thousand?”

  “Not quite. He made a few payments. All you owe now is eighteen thousand, five hundred sixty dollars.” With a mocking smile, he added, “And fifty-six cents, but if you pay the rest, I’ll let that slide.”