Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho

by Janelle Mowery

  She peered up at him, pasting on the same stern expression she used on Andrew when he balked at her commands. “Sit.”

  A smile inching across his lips, he obeyed. “I can tell you have a young brother.”

  “Yes, well, don’t make me have to apply any more of my techniques I use on him. He wears me out enough.”

  Nate’s low chuckle seemed to make her heart vibrate. Fighting the reaction, she shook her finger at him, hoping the motion would keep him in place, and scooted over to the shelf where they kept the first aid products.

  Cora nearly toppled from the stool as she raced to follow. She grabbed Rebekah’s arm and pulled her close. “I’ve got to leave before you start to work on his wound. You know I can’t stand the sight of blood.”

  Rebekah patted her hand. “It’s all right. You go ahead and leave. I’ll find you tomorrow at the picnic, and we’ll put our plan in motion.”

  Without a word, Cora nodded and hurried from the store. Before she shut the door, she stuck her head back inside. “Make sure you invite your friend to the celebration.” With a wink, she was gone.

  Nate eyed Rebekah as she returned to his side. “What was that all about?”

  “What?” Rebekah feigned innocence as she laid out the items on the small table next to them.

  “That wink. Why’d she do that? And what celebration?”

  The last question was something she could answer. She unwrapped Nate’s hand. “I think we’re celebrating the fact that Timmy managed to catch a frog in his pocket while it was in mid hop.”

  Nate was obviously confused. “What?”

  She finally started to laugh as she wiped the blood from his hand for a better look at the wound. “You know miners. They’ll use any reason, sane or not, to have some kind of festivity. Helps them get rid of some of the stress and worries from the work they do, I think. I honestly have no idea what we’re celebrating tomorrow. I just show up for the fun. And now you can come too.”

  Nate’s brows rose as if he liked the idea, only to follow with a shake of his head. “I doubt I can go. Your dad probably needs me to watch the livery.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” She held the soiled apron below his hand and prepared to pour iodine on the wound. “This will sting a little.”

  The liquid hit the gash, and Nate reared his head back. Then he hissed as he sucked in air. “Sting a little? That felt like an entire nest of hornets on a rampage.”

  Rebekah chuckled as his head moved over the wound as if to see if the mentioned hornets were still inside. She studied the back of his head, thinking him incredibly good-looking and wondering what it would feel like if she ran her fingers though his hair. She sucked in a roomful of air herself as she tried to rein in her thoughts. Better to get her mind on something else.

  “So, how’d you get cut?” Perfect. He’d never know where her thoughts had brought her with a question like that.

  He gave a rueful shake of his head. “Well, you see, it was like this. Twister and I had a bit of a discussion.” His lips turned up. “I lost.”

  Rebekah broke into laughter again. She loved his humor. “And what, pray tell, were you discussing?”

  “His inability to walk straight. I told him he could do it if he set his mind to it.” He shrugged. “He responded by shoving my hand into a latch with a nail sticking out.” He held the cloth while Rebekah wrapped a binding strip around his hand. “I’ve got to learn to lead him from the left instead of the right, like I’m used to doing. Then maybe we’ll get along.”

  With an extra tug to make sure the knot was tight, Rebekah sat back. “Done.” She patted his arm, then moved to put some distance between them. “I think you’ll live.” His nearness did things to her she’d never experienced before, like somehow removing all the vital air, leaving her breathless.

  “Uh-huh. Till my next go-round with that dunderhead.” He stood. “Thank you, Rebekah.”

  “You’re welcome.” He needed to leave so she could sort through her jumbled feelings.

  “About that picnic.” Nate leaned on the counter like he had all the time in the world. “You said I was wrong about having to stay at the livery to work?”

  “That’s right. Every business in town closes for the day, us included.” She started cleaning up the mess she’d made. “So just show up to have a good time. And plan on eating with us. We’ll have plenty.”

  “All right. Sounds great.” He eyed her as if he had more questions. Finally, he thanked her again and returned to the livery.

  Rebekah dropped onto the chair Nate had vacated and, hand on her chest, paced her breathing so her heart would slow its thundering pace. He had to wonder why she’d been acting strange lately.

  Rebekah’s heart refused to slow. He’d never learn from her how close he came to getting kissed while being doctored.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nate descended the hotel steps with more excitement than he’d felt since he’d been awarded the assignment of finding and arresting the troublemakers in town. Today would be his first chance to meet many of the residents since he’d arrived. Perry kept him so busy at the livery, he’d met only a handful of the miners needing repair work done. Though Rebekah had invited him to join the family, he planned to spend as much time as possible roaming the streets and observing the revelers. He’d look for the Weavers at noon, unwilling to miss another chance to enjoy their tasty food.

  The clamor of voices raised in merriment met him long before he opened the door, the volume increasing to almost a roar once he stepped outside. As he made his way along an avenue to get to Washington Street, he wondered where all the people came from. He’d been told Silver City had grown in the last four years since it had been established, but he hadn’t seen so many residents before. They seemed to have popped up out of nowhere, like weeds after a summer rain.

  As he wove his way along the boardwalk, he examined the many faces, recognizing a few here and there and nodding his greetings. He finally arrived at the opposite end of the street and guessed it had taken at least half an hour. By the excited chatter all along the way, everyone sounded ready for a good time.

  “Nate! Here!”

  Nate turned and found Henry Gilmore waving him over. Careful not to knock over a couple of youngsters playing a game that seemed to require them bouncing off people’s legs, Nate picked his way through the throng and dropped onto the chair next to Henry.

  “This is madness.” He hoped his grin tempered the comment, though there was truth to the statement.

  “Yes, but isn’t it grand to see so many smiling faces?”

  “It is. I hope they’re still smiling when the day is over.”

  Henry studied him, his brows puckering. “You thinking something bad will happen, boy? Or are you knowing it?”

  “Nope. Just hoping for the best.” At Henry’s obvious puzzlement, Nate tried to clarify. “I’ve heard about the trouble in and around town, as well as the mines. Even experienced a fire myself, if you recall. With all these people milling around, they make for easy targets, especially when preoccupied with fun and food.”

  Lips pulled to the side, Henry shook his head. “Ain’t you a gloomy thing.”

  Laughing, Nate relaxed against the back of his chair. “Not at all. I’m just starting to care about this place and its residents and want the best for them.”

  Henry peered into Nate’s face. “I don’t suppose a certain young lady has anything to do with your new feelings.”

  “What?” Nate’s mind scrambled to figure out who Henry meant. Rebekah’s face came to mind, but surely he didn’t mean her. He couldn’t remember giving any kind of indication he was interested. At least he hoped not. He didn’t plan to be in town long and didn’t want to mislead anyone, especially Rebekah. He’d have to be more careful.

  “I guess not. My mistake.” Henry leaned back. “Forget I mentioned it.”

  Not an easy task. If he were at liberty to explain why he’d come to town… Nate inhaled dee
ply. No sense thinking on the impossible. He scrambled for a change of topic. “So, what am I in store for today? This will be my first celebration, if that’s what you call this. I hadn’t heard of anything special happening that would warrant a festival.”

  Henry chuckled. “Don’t need much to happen to get these folks looking for merriment.”

  “That’s what Rebek—ah—” He briefly closed his eyes. How did she manage to keep coming up in conversation? He ignored the grin on Henry’s face. “Why the need for so many festivals?”

  “It’s a release for many of the miners. Their families too, if I give it some thought.” He tilted back on the chair’s legs, the very chair Nate had repaired mere days ago. “Mining is a tough life. Long hours of back-breaking work. It’s a risk to life and limb, and that stress rubs off on the wife and children.”

  Nate remembered all too well. Dad and Simon would go off to work their mine, and the moment the door closed, Mother would drop to her knees in prayer for their safety. Worry lines would make miniature tracks across her cheeks and forehead, adding to those already started from when Dad was at war. In no time, her dark hair made way for streaks of gray. He never told her about his churning stomach, which kept him from eating the lunches she sent with him to his blacksmithing job. No need to add to her worries. The thought of celebrating to alleviate the pain had never crossed their minds.

  “Makes perfect sense. My dad and brother worked in a mine. What it did to my mother…” He shook his head.

  “Then you know what I’m talking about.”

  “Yes, sir.” He could honestly say he was glad the town found a way to find release. “I know there will be good eating.” His mouth watered at the thought. “What about games and such?”

  “Oh, goodness.” The old man chuckled. “The day is filled with them. Some for kids and some for men.”

  “That’s right.” Perry bounded up the two steps and stopped in front of them. “In fact, that’s why I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Nate.”

  Nate stood and motioned for Perry to take his seat. “Oh, no. Do I dare ask?”

  “Probably not.” Perry laughed and dropped onto the chair Nate had vacated. “What if I guarantee you’ll have a good time?”

  Nate propped himself against the nearby pole. “You have my interest, but not my agreement.”

  Perry bumped Henry with his elbow and motioned toward Nate. “Reckon I should have him hit or hold?”

  Henry rubbed his whiskered chin. “That’s a tough call. Did you see the cut on his hand?” He shook his head. “Not sure how to advise you, my friend. Have you ever seen him swing a hammer?”

  “No, I haven’t. Not the big one, anyway.” Perry lifted his hat and scratched the top of his head, then snugged the cap down tight again. “Might be safest to have him hold.”

  Nate had fought a laugh as long as he could before letting it loose. “All right, you two. Spill it.”

  They joined him in laughter. Then Perry leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “We always have rock-drilling contests. Single-jack and double-jack. Whoever drills the deepest wins the purse. I usually enter the double-jack. Since Rube doesn’t plan to be here, I’ll need a partner.”

  “Rube?”

  “Yep. He’s my partner in the mine we own and work up in the Florida Mountain range off to the west of town.”

  Nate’s mind scrambled back a few days to the scruffy man who entered the livery, only to have Perry lead him back out. He’d have to make it a point to meet the man, or at the very least, ask questions about him. At the moment, most everyone in town was suspect.

  “So, whadaya say, Nate? You gonna partner up with me and show these other ruffians who’s boss?”

  Nate grinned. “Now, how can I turn down a chance like that? But you realize you’re taking a risk. I don’t know much about how this contest works and I haven’t swung a hammer like that in years. Set a log down, and I can chop it up any way you’d like it. Not sure about hitting a small spike.”

  Perry bumped Henry again, pointing his thumb at Nate. “The boy thinks I’m going to trust him with the hammer.” The two men slapped their knees as they displayed their amusement. Perry stood and put his arm around Nate’s shoulders. “See ya later, Henry. I gotta show Nate his role in the contest.”

  “Good luck to you both. I’ll see you there.”

  Perry led him down the steps. “Let’s head to the livery to practice. There’s good money in this contest and I’d like to win it just once. Rube is good, but he’s old and doesn’t have the strength required for winning.” He gripped Nate’s bicep. “Yep, just what I thought. I might actually stand a chance today.”

  Nate strode next to Perry, trying to keep up while wondering what he’d gotten himself into. Half an hour later, he knew exactly what could happen and doubted his good sense. If Perry missed the mark just once, Nate might never hold a gun again. Or even a fork, for that matter.

  The two young men Nate helped arrest his first day in town strolled past, their heads together, looking very much like they were scheming. Nate fought the urge to turn and follow them to see what they were up to.

  Perry, who hadn’t stopped talking since Nate agreed to help him with the competition, grabbed him by the arm and pulled him along the street, his eight-pound hammer resting on his other shoulder.

  “Quit your dawdling, young man, or you’ll make us late.”

  Nate gripped the drills tighter in his hand. “Yes, sir.” Without a doubt, it was a good thing the competition came before lunch. The way his stomach was churning, he might have lost all he ate. He’d much rather be pursuing suspects with the chance of making an arrest, or even getting shot at, than pursuing the winnings of a silly competition with the chance of losing the use of his hands.

  Once they’d arrived at the designated site, Nate wondered if Perry had lost his mind. One look at the arms of their opposition and Nate knew they didn’t stand a chance. Some of the men looked like they could lift their mule with one arm and not break a sweat. But Perry strode up to the table, plopped down a roll of money, and signed their names on the list without hesitation.

  Perry turned to him. “Ready?”

  Nate forced his enthusiasm. “Sure. Lead the way.”

  For the first time since his dad and brother were killed, Nate felt the need to pray, but the words wouldn’t form. Instead, he took several deep breaths and knelt next to the rock Perry chose. Were they serious about drilling a hole in granite? He couldn’t picture them getting more than a few chips knocked from the rock.

  “Got yourself a new victim, do ya, Weaver?” The massive man wore a grin that told Nate the man wasn’t being cruel but tossing a friendly taunt his way. “You know that’s why Rube stutters, don’t ya?”

  Perry laughed at the jest. “I’ll make you eat them words, Jack.”

  Jack grinned. “I’ll settle for some of your wife’s great cooking.”

  He nodded off to the left. Nate followed the direction he motioned and found Mrs. Weaver, Rebekah, and Andrew waving and clapping. Cora stood next to them. Then Rebekah folded her hands and lifted her head, her eyes closed. The way the sun glinted off her hair, she could have passed for an angel, and the good Lord knew he needed a guardian angel right now. Nate hoped she remembered him in her prayer.

  Taking a quick look around, Nate noticed that some of the men who would be holding the drills were sweating, making him feel better about his own ruffled nerves. Most of the men with the hammers were all smiles and very relaxed. Small wonder. Nate gripped the drills tighter. If he found the troublemakers in the next week or two, he couldn’t be roped into this insanity again.

  “All right, men, take your positions.” The sheriff stood on a platform with his chest puffed out, looking for all the world like he owned the town. He pulled his pistol from the holster and held it in the air. “On the count of three, I’ll fire the gun, and you can start.”

  All the men with hammers hefted them to their shoulders while those holdi
ng the drills placed the points on the rocks. Trying to keep his hands from shaking, Nate dropped the longer drills next to him and put the point of his shortest steel spike on the mark Perry had made. He stared at the head of his drill, determined not to look away but to hold it steady as Perry had instructed. Sweat ran down his back as more beaded on his forehead.

  Nate didn’t hear the sheriff’s count of three, but the gunshot was unmistakable. Barely a second later, the first strike from Perry landed on the spike. He turned the drill and prepared for the next hit. Each time Perry hit the spike, Nate would give it a slight turn. This went on for several minutes until Nate hardly had room to hold the metal, then Perry shouted for the next drill. Nate tossed the short tool away and grabbed the next longest one from the ground. He placed the tip of it in the hole, his hands still feeling the vibration as though the hitting hadn’t stopped. He had no doubt the ringing in his ears would last a lifetime.

  Forearms starting to ache, Nate held tight while the slamming of the hammer continued. Perry called for the next drill. Nate had just placed the new bit into the deep hole when Perry brought the sledge down again. The hammer skimmed his knuckles, raking away the skin. Nate closed his eyes against the throbbing, instantly opening them in fear of getting hit again.

  “Sorry,” Perry shouted as he prepared for the next blow.

  Pain radiating through his entire hand, Nate gritted his teeth and forced himself to hold the drill steady, wishing he were anywhere but here. An eternity later, after changing the bit one more time, the gunshot sounded, ending the competition and Nate’s torture. He stood and moved next to Perry to await the results as blood oozed from his stinging knuckles. At least his fingers still worked. Without a doubt, he had a newfound respect for miners.

  Cheers and whistling filled the air until the sheriff called for quiet. The judges moved in to measure the depth of the hole in each rock. The man who’d teased Perry earlier eased up to them and looked at Nate’s hand.

  “Let me hear you talk.”