Lou and Uncle Dale were playing their own version of the philopena, only theirs wasn’t based on flirting, it was based on winning.
Such a waste of time and money, but Billie couldn’t tell Uncle Dale she found the mirror while Winn was trapped inside. Billie would have to mask her true reality from her uncle if she was going to keep this secret. It would be best for her to keep away from him as much as possible. Uncle Dale had a way of reading people. He’d know something had changed.
Chapter 27
Three days into her stay with Lou, Billie was ready to go back to the hotel. Uncle had been taunting Lou every day with his over-the-top surveying of his claim until Lou was determined to get back on her feet to better monitor him.
Winn had made a crutch for Lou to hobble around on, and it seemed just the thing. With gritty determination, she was able to get out of bed, to the outhouse and back, plus fix herself something to eat. She wanted her independence back, which was fine with Billie. I want my hotel maid service back.
Besides, she’d avoided her uncle for long enough, and, despite being a risk, it was time to find out if he knew anything else about the mirror that might help free Winn. They simply weren’t getting anywhere on their own.
“You don’t mind?” Billie asked after she told Lou about her plans to return to the hotel. The three of them were gathered around the table for breakfast.
“Not at all.” Lou said. “In fact, I welcome it.” She tried to use the same brusque voice she always did when trying to push Billie away, but it came off as false this time.
Winn raised his eyebrows at the exchange, and for a moment Billie had second thoughts, wondering if she should stay longer. Lou had started to let Billie into her life, but Mom had always abided by Benjamin Franklin’s opinion that guests, like fish, began to smell after three days. It was hard for Billie to break free of her upbringing and stay longer.
“You can walk back in with me today,” Winn said, voicing the final decision. He gave her a look that she understood to mean he wanted to talk to her alone.
Billie nodded. It had been wonderful, if not odd, to talk to Winn each night through the mirror and eat breakfast with him every morning. Always overseen by Lou. Even when it looked like she was asleep, they couldn’t be sure, so they never talked about anything important. Anything personal.
And then the in-between times were long. Hours upon hours with little to do but watch Uncle Dale strut past the shack, and Lou gather steam like a kettle on the verge of a blast. Billie had never felt such cabin fever.
Housework was over quickly. The most time-consuming tasks involved cooking, but Billie knew few recipes, so they ate simple meals. When Winn wasn’t around, the conversation became stilted. Lou was a recluse who liked living alone. A twisted ankle wasn’t going to change that.
Billie was a city girl through and through. She loved the activity, the music, the food. Lou’s shack was primitive, and Billie had no intention of getting used to living without modern conveniences. If the Almighty wanted her to live the pioneer life he would have created her for that time. But he didn’t.
Besides, that electric feeling she got around the mirror never left. She expected it to go away when Winn wasn’t in the mirror, but even in the daytime she still felt like someone was watching. When she tried to explain her feelings to Lou, her cousin brushed it off as Billie’s dramatics. But it wasn’t. Something wasn’t right about that mirror.
At the door, Winn turned back to Lou. “The town is planning all sorts of celebrations for the Fourth of July. You want me to get a mule up here so you can join us? Our first celebration since incorporation. Even the governor is coming.”
“Ach. Last thing I want is to be mashed up with the crowds. No thank you. You can tell me all about it when it’s over.” She waved them on their way.
“What are you not saying?” Billie asked after they were out of earshot of the shack.
Winn glanced at her. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re guarded when Lou is around. It’s like you’re hiding something from her. Or from me.”
They walked in silence for several minutes. Finally, Winn said, “She’s from that family. It’s her shack. I think she’s got my best interests in mind, but I can’t be sure. So, I’m careful.”
“I’m from that family, too.”
He smiled. “I know, but you’re—don’t take this the wrong way—an outsider. You’re just finding out about the magic mirror, so you don’t have ulterior motives, and you’re not part of a conspiracy. I can tell because your face hides nothing.”
“What?” Billie covered her cheeks with her hands. She prided herself on not giving away her true thoughts and feelings.
“Allow me to correct. Your face hides nothing from me.”
Now, Billie’s face flamed. She was hiding a few things from him, but apparently not her feelings. She didn’t want Winn to know how much he was drilling his way into her heart. Bisbee was only supposed to be a quick detour before she resumed her former life in Boston. It wasn’t supposed to change her life.
“You still haven’t told me what you’re hiding,” she said. They were already halfway to town, so Billie slowed her steps.
“I’m suspicious of Fremont. I thought he was cagey because he’s a gambler, but now that I’ve been trapped in the mirror, I think there was more to his actions than I realized. I feel like I got duped, and he had something to do with it.”
“You tried to go down that path with Lou, but she stopped it rather quickly.”
“Yeah and I dropped it, but I think Fremont might be the key. If we can find him, I think we can get our answers.”
“Where did he spend his time when he was here? Have you talked to his acquaintances?”
“He was at the Poisoned Apple a lot. From what I gather, much of that time was spent talking about Matron.”
Billie whirled around, almost losing her balance. “That’s why you wanted me to find out about her?”
Winn reached out to steady her. “Careful. These paths are slippery. Don’t want you twisting your ankle, too.” He kept his hand on her elbow. “Matron knows everything that goes on in this town. She’s well connected, and her reach is growing.”
“You sound like you don’t approve of a woman in business.”
“Depends on the business. And how she goes about it. Matron isn’t the plainspoken, honest type, and she’s got aspirations.”
“How do you know all this?”
“I work for her, remember?”
“If you don’t like it, quit.”
“Not as simple as it sounds. Look. I warned you from the very start to get away from this town. It’s going to get worse before it gets better, and I know you want to go back home. If I were you, I’d work on talking your uncle into leaving.”
“And abandon you to the mirror?”
He shrugged. “No one would miss me.” He said it matter-of-factly. Not like he was feeling sorry for himself and looking for pity, more like he had analyzed his life and come up with the conclusion a while ago. “Maybe that’s why I was singled out for the mirror.”
Singled out. An ominous choice of words.
“Your dad. Those kids you look out for.” She lowered her lashes. “Me.”
He groaned and slid his hand down her arm until his fingers entwined with hers. “You’re not making this easy.”
“I’m having the same difficulty myself.” Billie kept her eyes straight ahead on the path, but broke into a smile.
All her life she had an image of who she was. Who she would be. It focused on having the best of everything. Even Branson because he was popular with her group and being with him would mean a certain status.
But for the first time she was imagining a different version of herself. One that opened itself up to being less superficial. More real. The idea was so new she wanted to protect it and see what became of it. Like following a thin gold vein to see if it reached pay dirt.
The silence stretched b
etween them, and Billie wondered if they’d both said too much. They were almost in town now, and Winn, for propriety’s sake would drop her hand. She couldn’t help but wonder if the growing closeness she’d felt these last few days would disappear once they stepped onto the first street.
She’d have to pretend in front of her uncle. He wouldn’t like her getting sidetracked from finding the mirror. But neither could she let him guess that Lou had the mirror in her shack. It would be better for him to believe she was falling in love—hard and fast—than she was protecting the mirror from him. Sneaking a look at Winn’s handsome profile, Billie didn’t know if she could hide the fact that she was falling for him even if she tried.
Chapter 28
When they got close to town, Winn did indeed drop her hand, and then left her at the intersection where he turned up Brewery Gulch. She continued on to the hotel in search of her uncle. Since she didn’t meet him going up the mountain to work his claim, she figured he must be taking the day off for the festivities.
Even though it was only the third of July, the town was already festooned with red, white, and blue bunting. The colors draped around almost every window and balcony, accented by the American flag with its forty-five stars.
An elaborate WELCOME sign with a large star on top hung across the road for all the expected visitors arriving for the weekend fun. Billie’s heart swelled with pride over the displays of patriotism. Good show, little town.
At the Copper Queen Hotel, men perched on ladders putting up the finishing touches of bunting. Billie stepped carefully around their decorations, smiling her approval.
She found her uncle reading the morning newspaper in the hotel restaurant.
“The Governor will be here later today,” he said, handing Billie the paper. “He’ll be giving a reception. I want you to be there.”
“Nice to see you, too,” she said, sitting across from him.
“No need to be cheeky. Make sure you meet his wife.”
“Seems an odd place for the governor to come. This faraway mining camp.”
“He was only appointed governor a few days ago, and there’s a lot of voters here he needs to win over before next election. Remember to say something about your family’s business.”
“Which business would that be? Mining or mirrors?”
He waggled a finger at her. “You’ve been spending too much time with Lou. Don’t pick up her bad habits.”
“Only her possessions, should I find the right one.”
He glared at her. “Any progress on that front?”
“What exactly should I be looking for? Do you have a description for me?” She flipped through the paper looking for any news on the royals and avoiding her uncle’s gaze.
“I don’t know. Doesn’t much matter. If you find a mirror, say the little rhyme and then you’ll know.”
“Okay, but then what? How do we get the medicine?”
“I don’t know. Another rhyme? Seems like that’s how fairy-tale magic works.”
“Do you know any rhyming poems for Mom’s illness?”
“You just take me to the mirror as soon as you find it. I’ll figure one out.”
“Of course.”
Billie continued casually flipping through the paper, stopping at a poem by Susan Marr Spalding. As she read it, the blood drained from her face.
Fate
Two shall be born the whole wide world apart;
And speak in different tongues, and have no thought
Each of the other’s being, and no heed;
And these o’er unknown seas to unknown lands
Shall cross, escaping wreck, defying death,
And all unconsciously shape every act
And bend each wandering step to this one end, —
That, one day, out of darkness, they shall meet
And read life’s meaning in each other’s eyes.
She and Winn were born a whole wide world apart, not only across the map, but also in society. If the poem had stopped there, it might be a romantic notion for her to clip it for her scrapbook at home, but then the poem turned more desperate:
And two shall walk some narrow way of life
So nearly side by side, that should one turn
Ever so little space to left or right
They needs must stand acknowledged face to face.
And yet, with wistful eyes that never meet,
With groping hands that never clasp, and lips
Calling in vain to ears that never hear,
They seek each other all their weary days
And die unsatisfied—and this is Fate!
Was this a warning that Winn was going to be trapped in the mirror forever? Groping hands that never clasp…seek each other all their weary days…die unsatisfied! Was it fate that this poem was published in today’s paper?
“You getting all teary-eyed over that poem?” Uncle asked. He set his coffee cup down with an emphatic clunk.
Billie took a deep breath and blinked her eyes clear. She didn’t believe in fate. Providence, yes. Fate, no.
She changed the subject. “I take it you’re planning to meet the governor?” she asked, pleased that her voice came out clear and not shaking. She was worried about Winn and shouldn’t succumb to reading portends where they didn’t exist.
“Yes, I plan to meet the governor. Arizona is on track for statehood. He’d be a good person to know.”
“Sounds like your focus has returned to business. Does this mean you’re ready to go back to Boston?”
Wouldn’t that be a change if her uncle wanted to continue on, and she wanted to stay here and help Winn?
“Not at all. I’m having a great time working my claim. What does your cousin think of my pursuits?”
“She’s not impressed, and she’s not backing down.” Billie kept her gaze focused on the newspaper.
“She will. One way or the other, she will.”
He tapped the edge of his coffee cup. Usually well-manicured, his fingernails were caked with dirt and his hands marred with darkened red scabs, cuts from working with the rocks.
The same waitress Billie had first asked about Cousin Lou came to take her order, but Billie waved her away. She was still full from breakfast at the shack. Not as tasty as the food here, but the company was warmer, and that accounted for a lot. Besides, that waitress was not her favorite.
“The governor is scheduled to arrive on the two o’clock train, and then take in the ball game. So shall I.”
Billie flipped through the paper looking for something interesting she could do today. “There’s a grand ball tonight at the Opera House. Do you think the governor and his wife will be attending?”
“Most likely. You want to go, don’t you?”
She closed the paper. “It’s not proper to go to a ball during the mourning period.”
Uncle set his lips firm and shook his head slightly. “It’s your choice. Your father didn’t give much for mourning the dead, so he won’t be offended.”
“But mother, she wouldn’t approve.”
“She only wouldn’t approve because she follows that so-called Madge of Truth who gets her ideas from Queen Victoria. New Era child, do with it what you will.”
Uncle Dale had a point. Everyone who was anyone would be there, so she could ask around about Fremont, and see if she could piece together what happened to him. Lou wasn’t the most connected person in town, so she probably hadn’t asked around much. And since Winn couldn’t be there, it wouldn’t be like she would be having a grand time of it and forget herself and her mourning.
“I won’t be attending,” said Uncle. “There’s an excursion train coming in from El Paso today, and I suspect the saloons will be full tonight.”
Billie was about to make a comment about gambling but bit it back when she saw his look. He already knew what she was thinking. She changed tactics.
“How is your claim progressing? Found the start of a vein yet?”
“It might take lon
ger than I expected. But the paper says the Tarr brothers are in town for the double-drilling contest tomorrow. Seems like I could offer them some work if they’re willing.”
“Who are the Tarr brothers?”
“World record holders. They’re here for the five-hundred-dollar purse.”
“If they win that, they’ll not need to work for you.”
“Five months’ wages, yes. But any miner worth his salt takes work when he can get it.”
Billie suspected the Tarr brothers wouldn’t be too thrilled when they learned Uncle Dale was a one-man operation. But at least he was preoccupied and could be for a while. That gave Billie and Lou time to figure out how the mirror worked, so they could rescue Winn.
Chapter 29
Billie went to the station at two o’clock with half the town to welcome Governor Brodie and his wife. Spurred by an advertisement in the newspaper, she bought an umbrella for shade from the sun. Best decision she’d made all day for the train was late and the sun hot.
At noon a cry of “Fire!” had rung out, which made for a few minutes of excitement until it was discovered the smoke was from a smoldering manure pile.
Billie thought she’d seen her name-twin, young Billy, running away with a suspicious grin, but maybe not. Winn would be disappointed to learn the little boy was getting into trouble.
The brass band tried to keep everyone’s spirits up, but two hours was a bit much, especially when the dust started to blow. The second time her umbrella popped in a gust, Billie decided she could wait for the reception or the ball to lay eyes on Mrs. Brodie.
She followed several others away from the station, but as soon as she started down Main Street, the band began to play in earnest. The train had finally arrived. She considered turning back but kept on to the drug store where they were selling the tickets to the ball. To keep her options open, she ought to have a ticket. Despite the crowded town, she was the only one in the store as all the others had followed the excitement of the band.
Snow White's Mirror Page 16