by Paty Jager
“Banging on the door isn’t sociable,” she retorted.
“What’s goin’ on here?”
Isaac’s voice settled her anger and calmed her worries.
“We just wanted to be sociable. She won’t even open the door,” said the same voice that had accused her.
“Miss Wagner will be leavin’ in a day or two. She’d like to keep to herself to remember her father before she heads home.” Isaac’s words were comforting but they had an edge to them that revealed he wasn’t happy with the men. And possibly her.
“Go on. There’s only fifteen minutes until you need to be at the mine. You better get walkin’.”
The sound of feet retreating had Alamayda putting the gun down and lifting the board.
Isaac stood with his back to the door, watching the miners. Several looked back over their shoulders. He stood with his hands on his hips, a human wall between her and the miners.
“Do you only have fifteen minutes?” she asked.
He glanced over his shoulder at her, then turned. “Yeah.”
He’d need time to walk to the mine as well. “When would you have time to look at this map with me?”
“So you did find a map. I wondered if it was or just a letter someone forgot they’d tucked away.” Isaac remained on the stoop. “I can come by first thing in the morning when I get off work. That’s about six. Is that too early?”
“No. I probably won’t sleep much tonight anyway. I can’t make any sense of the markings on the map or even where to start looking.” She’d expected an easy to read map, but then again, this was her father. He’d never completed anything in his life. She must have received her need to finish everything from her mother.
“See you in the mornin’.” He pivoted and took three steps when he turned back around. “Why didn’t you open the door to those men?”
“When I heard several footsteps I knew there was more than one, and I didn’t have the map hid. I didn’t want one of them seeing it.” She had felt threatened, but she wasn’t going to tell Isaac that. He’d use it as an excuse to keep her from finding the mine.
He stared at her for several seconds. “Are you sure you’re ready to go out in the mountains lookin’ for gold alone? Can’t you get your brother to come out here with you?”
“He says this is a folly. That I’ll never find a mine because our pa would never have found one. Everything he tried he never stuck with long enough to make it prosper.” She believed in the gold mine because it was her ticket to freedom.
Isaac shook his head. “I’d have to say I agree with your brother.”
Alamayda crossed her arms and glared at Isaac. “Don’t worry once you help me determine where to start from this map, I’ll be out of your hair and you won’t have to think about me again.” She backed up and closed the door. Tears burned in her eyes. This had to be the one time her father had luck. She would not go back to living at the farm as the spinster, nor would she spend the rest of her days cleaning up after people. She wanted a small cabin, near a stream, and close enough to a town to walk, where she could grow her own food and draw and write poetry without interruptions. It wasn’t too much to ask, given how much of her life so far had been taking care of others.
***
Isaac reported to his post a minute late. Tulley wasn’t happy.
“I’m starvin’. What took you so long?” Tulley held his rifle carelessly over his shoulder as he scowled at Isaac.
“I had to chase a bunch of woman hungry miners away from the school house.” Isaac cradled his Winchester in his arms as he took up his post by the mine entrance, waiting for the stragglers of the day shift to leave.
“You’re sure keepin’ an eye on that woman. She purdy?”
Tulley usually walked off the minute Isaac arrived. He didn’t like talking about Allie with Tulley or the man being so curious. “She’s passable. But doesn’t like men.”
Tulley squinted at him. “Doesn’t like men? Every woman wants a man to take care of them. Maybe she just needs someone to show her what a man can do.” Tulley waggled his eyebrows.
Rage caused Isaac’s chest to ache, squeezed his throat, and clenched his teeth. “Don’t go near Miss Wagner. She’s leavin’ soon. I can guarantee if you do anything against her will, she will either shoot you or send the law after you. That’s the kind of anger she has toward men.”
Tulley stared at him. “You keep sayin’ she don’t like men, but she seems to tolerate you. You’re a man.”
“She’s grateful to me for takin’ care of her pa. That’s it. And I keep Jack-n-apes like you away from her.” Isaac waved the barrel of his rifle. “Go get your supper and your rest.”
Watching Tulley’s back as he walked away, Isaac came to grips with what he’d been thinking about since watching Allie pull that piece of paper out from under the bed. Her eyes had sparkled like dew drops. Her lips curved into an excited smile of a child who’d just received a prized gift.
She may be going on a wild goose chase, but he couldn’t let her go on her own. If she didn’t allow him to tag along, he’d be behind her watching her back.
Chapter Twelve
Alamayda woke, if you could call it that. She’d stayed up late reading the last few letters they’d received from Father. It had been the last year that he’d started telling them about the mine in the letters. They hadn’t heard from him in eighteen months and then a letter arrived saying he was working in a mine in Morgan’s Crossing. Several letters came with some money in them and then he started talking about the gold mine. She’d read the one letter over and over again last night trying to figure out where the lake and mountains might be that were on the map.
Found a hole in the side of a ridge. Thought it was a bear den. It was to square. Walked in. Found a lantern, pick, and tools. And a skeleton. Dug a few days, found a tunnel, marked the wall, and covered up the opening.
That was all he’d said about the mine. Not how to find it or why he’d left. It was easier to read than she’d expected, though he’d used the wrong too.
Knowing Isaac would arrive early, Alamayda dressed quickly and added kindling to the stove to make a pot of coffee and breakfast for the two of them.
When the coffee was made, she sipped on a cup and kept an eye on the biscuits baking in the Dutch oven and the ham slices sizzling in the frying pan.
Three quick raps on her door, sent her scurrying across the room. Alamayda lifted the board and tugged on the door.
Isaac stepped in quickly and shut the door. “Don’t want anyone to know I’m here. Had a couple of the men I chased off last night wonderin’ about why I’m keepin’ you to myself.” He hadn’t planned to blurt out anything about what Tulley and a couple other miners had said to him, but he thought an explanation of his actions was needed.
Turning to the room, he caught Allie staring at him with her mouth open a bit.
“It smells good in here,” he said to change the subject.
“Oh!” She spun around and lifted a lid on a pan. “The biscuits!” Using an apron wadded in her hand, she picked up a pan from the small stove top and set it on a bench near the stove. “I knew you’d be hungry. I made biscuits and ham.” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Have a seat.”
He took his hat off and sat on the end of the bench that appeared to be set up as the table.
“I only bought utensils for one at the store,” she said, using a turner and placing the ham on the plate in the middle of the bench. “Here.” Allie handed him a cup of coffee.
“What about you?” he asked.
“I had a cup already. Go ahead.” She set the pan of biscuits on the bench beside the ham.
He sipped the coffee and watched Allie flit around making sure there was honey and a knife for the biscuits. She finally perched on the other end of the bench.
Gray under her eyes proved she’d known herself well. She hadn’t slept much last night. He’d been more awake than usual during a night shift, trying to figure out
how to get Allie to allow him to go with her. Not because he cared to get half of her mine, but to keep her safe. She still had moments she prickled his calm, but he was also growing fond of the woman and didn’t want anything bad to happen to her.
He picked up a biscuit, pulled it open, and slapped a hunk of ham between the two halves. Biting into it, he was surprised. Allie had managed to make a fluffy biscuit with minimal supplies and no oven. It didn’t have the sweet butter flavor of his grandmother’s biscuits, but it was better than edible.
She sat on the other end of the bench watching him.
He motioned with the hand holding the biscuit. “Go on, eat. You’re a good cook.”
Her eyes lit up and a smile tipped the corners of her bow-shaped lips. She picked up a biscuit, broke it open, and put a spoon of honey between the pieces.
Isaac drank some coffee, finished the biscuit, and made another one. He might as well eat here and then head back to the shack to sleep.
Allie finished her biscuit and stood.
“You need to eat more,” he said. He had no doubt if she were filled out more she’d have a softer look to her.
“I will. I can’t wait any longer for you to look at the map. I can’t make out where to start looking.” She crossed to the benches that made her bed and stuck her hand under the bedroll.
She returned with the piece of paper she’d pulled out from under the bunk at the boarding house.
Allie held it out to him. “Giving you this means I trust you won’t tell anyone.”
He nodded. “You have my word. I only want you to be safe and find your happiness.”
Her gaze locked onto his. They both held opposite ends of the paper.
She released her hold on the paper and ducked her head. Her cheeks had darkened in color. “Thank you,” she whispered and sat, busying herself with making another biscuit to eat.
Isaac studied the map. He had a good idea where this might be. He’d run across a small trading post in the Bitterroots that was owned by a man named Haskell. And he’d bet the lake in the photo was Tomcat Lake. The X or mine could be in several square miles of the lake. The area had been one of the places on his list to check when he was ready to purchase land for his cattle ranch.
“I think I know where to start lookin’,” he said.
Her gaze had been glued to the paper in his hand. Allie stared across the food at him. “You do? How?”
“Before I settled into this job, I’d traveled around lookin’ for a good spot to start up a cattle ranch. This area was one of the places I looked.” He put his finger on the trading post. “This is Haskell’s Tradin’ Post.” He put his finger on the lake. “This is Tomcat Lake.”
“Really? You know where this is?” her voice rose in pitch in her excitement.
Isaac nodded. “We can wait until Haskell’s Tradin’ Post to buy supplies and no one will know what we’re up to.”
“That would be— We? I didn’t say I’d share this with you. It’s for my family.” She leaned back and looked about to launch into a tirade.
For all her objections, he saw relief in her eyes. “I don’t want your family’s gold. But I don’t like you headin’ out into the mountains alone. There are other miners out there who would like nothin’ better than to take advantage of a lone woman, not to mention Indians, wild animals, and the possibility of getting’ hurt and bein’ alone.”
“I can’t take you from your work. You’ve already lost money on my account.” She studied him closely.
“I’ve been thinkin’ about a change anyway. I have enough money saved to buy land. This is a good excuse to go scoutin’ for it.” Isaac hadn’t planned to move on for a couple more years, when he had enough money for both the land and the cattle. But he couldn’t in good conscience allow Allie to strike out on her own.
“I don’t believe you about the change,” she said. She continued to watch him. “But I appreciate you’re coming along. And I insist on paying you when I find the mine.” She held out a hand as if to shake.
He stared into her eyes and down at her hand. He knew she believed in conducting all deals with men in a businesslike fashion. Isaac grasped her hand. His fingertips slid across the silky side of her wrist.
Allie’s eyes widened and she sucked in air. The soft caress of his fingers on her skin set her insides fluttering. He slowly opened his hand and her hand landed in her lap. She stared up into his eyes. Was going out in the wilderness with this man a good idea? She knew she’d be safe from predators, but would she be safe from him?
“When do you want to leave?” Isaac asked.
“W-when?” This was happening faster than she’d expected. “I-we’ll need supplies to get us to Haskell’s.” Her mind started functioning again. “How far is the trading post from here?”
Isaac picked up the coffee cup, holding it halfway to his mouth. “A good week by foot. We’re going to need a pack animal. That’s goin’ to require a trip to one of the ranchers to purchase an animal.”
Mentally counting the money sewed in her underskirt, she asked, “How much will that cost?”
“Depends on the animal. If I can find a donkey or mule it will cost less and pack better than a saddle horse.” Isaac took a sip of coffee. “Better figure a mule will cost about forty dollars.”
Her eyes widened before she could stop her initial shock. That would take most of her money. How would she purchase the other supplies?
“I’ll buy the mule,” Isaac said.
“No. It’s my desire to find the mine. I’ll pay for the animal and supplies.” Alamayda swallowed the panic bubbling in her throat. I may have miscounted many things about this venture.
Isaac stood. “I’ll get the mule. I’m goin’ to spend the day lookin’ for one. I’ll tell everyone I’m ready to move on. Decided now was the time. If I act like I’m headin’ out on my own it should trick everyone. We don’t need half the miners here followin’ us.”
“I don’t want you—” she started to protest.
“I’ll buy the mule. I’ll probably take it with me when you’re settled with your mine and can purchase your own workin’ stock. You need to make a small list of the items you’ll need for a week-long trip. Meals, bedding, and such.” He put a hand on her upper arm. “Allie, this isn’t goin’ to be easy. Now’s the time to say if you want to take the map and head back to Kansas.”
She peered up into his worried eyes and knew she didn’t want to go back. She wanted to face the future and trusted this man to help her find her way. “I’m not going back. If we find the mine, I’ll make you a part owner.”
He nodded, but said, “I’m not helpin’ you for a part of the mine.”
“I know. That’s why I want to give you part. You’re helping me because you are a good man.”
“I’ll come by when I have a mule. May not find one today.” He opened the door and ducked out.
Allie rushed across the room and watched him quickly head down the road to the mine. A couple of miners came out of the boarding house and looked at the school. She shut the door and placed the board across. She didn’t want any visitors.
Crossing to the bench that had been her makeshift table, she picked up the food and dishes. She’d brought in a bucket of water last night before dark and now used it to wash the dishes. For the umpteenth time since taking up residence in the school she wished it had a back door. She could dump her chamber pail, the dirty dish water, and retrieve water with fewer people seeing she was out and about. Another hour and the night shift crew should be sleeping. She could move about outside with less fear of one of the men confronting her.
Sitting down at a bench, she began making a list. She added and crossed items off until she was down to the necessities and hoped Mr. Jones didn’t ask questions about her purchases. She’d need more cooking pots, another set of eating utensils for Isaac, and food. While she would have preferred to purchase a set of men’s clothing for her, that would stir up more questions than she wanted.
Opening her pen watch, she noted the time of nine o’clock. She’d take care of her outside chores and head to the store.
Chapter Thirteen
Isaac strode back toward the mine. He’d kept his pay in the guard shack because he trusted the other men, until Tulley was hired. The man didn’t set well with Isaac. After Tulley’s arrival, Isaac asked Rusty Arnell to keep his money in the assay office. That was where he was headed. Time to gather his earnings.
Tulley stepped out of the guard shack as Isaac turned into the assay office. He didn’t like the way Tulley had been watching him since Allie arrived.
Entering the assay office, he shut the door firmly behind him.
“Morning, Isaac,” Rusty said, looking up from a ledger.
“Mornin’, Rusty.” Isaac placed his hands on the counter. Rusty had taken his money without question every Friday for the last six months. “I’m here to get my money you’ve been holding.”
Rusty closed the ledger and stared at him. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve decided it’s time to go buy that piece of land I’ve been dreamin’ about.” Isaac wasn’t lying to a man who’d been honest and up front with him.
“Good for you! I always thought you were too smart to be a mine guard all your life. I’ll go get it.” Rusty headed into the next room that held the chemicals that helped him discover the purity of the gold the stamp mill provided.
Isaac wasn’t looking forward to the next person he had to see. Mr. Morgan.
“Here you go.” Rusty set a bag on the counter, opened the drawstring, and pulled out a piece of paper. “You can check it with this paper. Every time you gave me money I wrote the date and amount on that paper.”
“Rusty, you are the most honest man in this whole town. I trust my money is there.” Isaac held out his hand. They shook. “It was good meetin’ you. I’ll try to send you word where I end up. You can come visit some time.”
“That’s kind. I’d like that,” Rusty said. “You told the boss you’re leaving?”
