Refining Fire

by Cox, Carol

  Jenny shook her head violently against the pillowcase, just as she had in Elizabeth’s arms back then. If God had been with her, she would never have been taken captive in the first place, never have had to hear Martin Lester’s derisive cackle or read the evil intent in Burleigh Ames’s eyes.

  Maybe God indeed led Michael and Elizabeth to the isolated cabin where she had been held prisoner. But if that were the case, it was because He cared about their distress, not hers.

  She curled into a ball and pulled the sheet up tight around her shoulders. Rescue. Michael and Elizabeth had saved her that night, protected her from who knows what unspeakable end. But they were back in Prescott, and neither they nor anyone else could protect her now from the memories that threatened to undo her.

  She drew her knees up tight against her chest. If only another strong protector would come into her life. Someone who would care for her and shield her from whatever dangers might come her way. Someone like her imaginary hero, who guarded the rights of others.

  Her wistful laugh floated out into the darkness. That wasn’t going to happen, and well she knew it. She would have to find another way to fill the empty longing deep inside her.

  Wrapping her arms around her knees, she rocked back and forth, hoping sleep would claim her soon, sleep without dreams this time. The nightmare would come again, but please, not tonight.

  If there was any mercy, not tonight.

  nine

  “Set it against that wall, please. And the desk goes over there, near the window.” Jenny stepped back to give the struggling workmen space to maneuver the heavy pieces of furniture around in her small living room.

  When they had placed the pieces to her satisfaction, Jenny closed the door behind them and looked around with delight. The serpentine-back sofa might look somewhat out of place against the rough adobe walls, but a few strategically placed wall hangings would soften the contrast.

  And the desk! Jenny ran her fingers along the gleaming walnut surface and marveled at its satiny feel. She rolled the cylinder top back into its compartment to expose the writing surface, then slid it closed again.

  It seemed a shame for Ambrose Long’s belongings to be sold off when he died, but his widow needed money to live on once she returned to the States. She had obviously hated parting with her treasured furnishings, but she’d been happy enough to see Jenny as the new owner. “It comforts me to know they’ll be appreciated,” she put it.

  Jenny lowered herself gently onto the sofa’s delicate upholstery. To think that such elegance could be hers. And that she’d been able to afford it! The heavy furniture took up most of the space in the room. Jenny didn’t mind; it gave the place a sense of solidity.

  She went into her bedroom and stripped off the comforter, sheets, and pillow. The workmen would have to take care of moving the bed itself when they brought the Longs’ maple spool bed later that afternoon.

  Jenny eyed the dimensions of the room, hoping she hadn’t misjudged the size of her new bed. It would be a tight fit, but surely they could squeeze it in. She wouldn’t have much space left to move around, but it wouldn’t matter when that wonderful bed would be hers. These new furnishings filled her house, making it more of a home, and gave her much pleasure. If only she could find something that would fill the void in her heart as easily.

  ❧

  “Good morning, Jenny. Miss me?” Evan tossed his hat toward the corner of the office, where it settled neatly onto a peg.

  “Morning? More like early afternoon.” Jenny rose from her work with the ledger and faced him, her hands planted on her hips. “How can you stroll in here after being gone for five days straight with nothing more than a casual ‘Morning, did you miss me’?”

  A bright smile played across Evan’s face. “You did miss me, then.”

  “I was worried, Evan. Worried sick! You were supposed to be back days ago. Where have you been all this time?”

  He took off his jacket and draped it casually across the corner of the desk. “Working, my dear. And I’ve pulled in a good profit for my efforts.”

  Jenny narrowed her eyes. “Gambling, you mean. What town have you left poorer this time?”

  “Ah, Jenny. You’re beginning to sound more like a disapproving wife than a business partner.” Evan chuckled and lifted her chin with his forefinger, a gesture that never failed to make her feel like a backward child. “When you agreed to come down here, I warned you I might not be around all the time.”

  “All the time?” She pulled away from him and folded her arms across her chest. “You’re gone more than you’re here. And it’s what you’re doing when you’re gone that concerns me. You know how I feel about gambling.”

  He perched on the edge of the desk and grinned at her, unabashed. “I told you the day we met that I’m first and foremost a businessman, and it’s true. Gambling is my business. It’s the way I finance my other ventures, and I’m good at it. Very, very good. Now what is it you’ve been waiting to talk to me about these five long days?”

  Jenny let out a huff of disgust but turned to pull her sketches of the proposed expansion from the desk drawer. It was impossible to pin Evan down about his behavior when he was in one of these playful moods. Better to swallow her irritation and get his approval of her plans while he seemed in a frame of mind to listen.

  “I wanted to show you a few of my ideas and see what you think.” She spread the papers out on the desk, and Evan stood to look at them.

  “What’s that?” Evan asked, pointing at the corner of an envelope that protruded from under one of the sheets.

  “I have no idea.” Jenny picked it up and recognition came to her. “Oh, I nearly forgot. A man left it with me to give to you a few days ago. Five days ago, to be exact,” she added, unable to resist driving the point home once more. “The day you took off without a word.” She wagged the envelope underneath Evan’s nose.

  He snatched it out of her hand, tapped her on the head with it, and tucked it inside his coat pocket without a second glance. “All right, consider it delivered. Your duty is done, Jenny dear. Your hardworking, Puritan soul can relax.” He laughed outright at her look of distaste. “Now tell me about these plans of yours before you burst.”

  A half hour later, Evan still remained bent over the drawings. Jenny tiptoed past the office door for the tenth time in as many minutes and peered inside, trying to gauge his reaction.

  “He is still there?”

  She whirled at the unexpected voice. “Manuel!” she scolded. “You shouldn’t sneak up on me like that.”

  “I did not sneak, Señorita Davis. You just did not hear me coming.” His teeth flashed when he smiled. “There is a difference.”

  Jenny felt the corners of her lips tug upward. “I suppose you have a point,” she said. “And the answer to your question is yes. He’s still looking at the plans.”

  “Actually, he’s finished looking.” Evan’s voice made them both jump, then laugh sheepishly. “Jenny, would you come inside? I’d like to discuss these with you. And you. . .” He pointed to Manuel. “You will find something to do besides listening at the door, understood?”

  “Sí.” Manuel showed no offense at the mild rebuke. “It is time to help my mother clean the kitchen before siesta.”

  “That boy’s an incorrigible eavesdropper,” he said, his crooked grin belying the stern words.

  “He’s an absolute delight,” Jenny retorted, mirroring his smile. “And I don’t know how I got along without him. Or Jacinta, either. He’s bright, hardworking, and always here when I need him. Unlike some other person I could mention.”

  Evan raised his hands in surrender. “I give up. Point taken, message noted. I shall keep you apprised of my whereabouts from here on out. Will that satisfy you?”

  “It will do for a start.” Jenny tossed her head back, trying to cover the sudden nervousness that swept over her. What did he think about her plans?

  “I’ve gone over your drawings and the lists you’ve come up w
ith,” he began. He stirred through the stack of papers with his forefinger, then looked straight at her. “And I must say I’m tremendously impressed.”

  Jenny let out a whoosh of air and he chuckled. “Nervous, were you? You needn’t have been. You’ve done a very thorough job here. There’s plenty of room on the property to make the changes you’ve suggested, and these lists you’ve made. . .” He lined up three sheets of paper along the desktop and shook his head admiringly.

  “These are what decided me,” he said, pointing to each sheet in turn. “You’ve given me a list of materials and their cost, the number of meals we can expect to serve in the new setup, and the overall profit we’ll realize by carrying this out. If you needed a loan and I were a banker, I’d give you the money without a qualm.”

  “Then you agree we should do it?” Jenny’s feet wanted to dance a jig across the floor. “When can we start?”

  “How does next week sound?” Evan asked. “Assuming I can get the materials and workers lined up by then, of course.”

  “Wonderful!” Jenny clapped her hands. “And we’ll be able to keep right on serving meals during most of the construction, too. Look, I’ve made some notes here.” She riffled through the stack and pulled out another sheet.

  Evan waved the paper away. “I’ll take your word for it. I am thoroughly convinced you could have designed the Great Pyramids and drawn up the plans to do them. If you say it’s feasible, that’s good enough for me.”

  ❧

  “Good-bye, Jacinta, Manuel. I’ll see you this evening.” Jenny ushered her employees out and locked the door behind them. She meant to take part of her afternoon break time to measure and mark the east wall for the archway, and she didn’t want any interruptions.

  Staccato taps sounded at the door even before she turned away. Hoping it was Jacinta coming back after some forgotten item and not a customer hoping for a late lunch, she drew the bolt and opened the door a crack.

  “Red!” she cried in delight. She pulled the door wide open, then paused and gave him a second look. “At least I think it’s you.”

  The wiry miner removed his obviously brand-new hat, his clean-shaven cheeks creasing when he smiled. “Aye, it’s me, Lass. All cleaned up and looking my finest. No wonder you thought it might be someone else.”

  Jenny shut the door when he stepped inside and turned to inspect her friend. “Look at you! I’ve never seen you looking so dapper.”

  “That’s me,” Red said with a proud grin. “A regular clothes-horse. I know you’re closed for business now, but I wanted to talk to you without a passel of people around. Do you have time to talk to an old miner?”

  “For you, Red, I always have time.”

  He sauntered to his favorite table and fixed her with a mischievous gaze. “Would you be having any pie taking up space in your kitchen that you need for other things?”

  Jenny laughed aloud. “How about some dried apple pie? That’s your favorite, as I recall.”

  Red rubbed his hands together. “Excellent! That will make it seem like a party, and Jenny girl, we have cause for celebrating.”

  “What—”

  “No, you’re not going to make me get ahead of myself. I’ve waited long enough to spring this news on you, and I’m going to do it my own way. Go ahead and get the pie, and bring a piece for yourself, too.”

  Thoroughly intrigued by his tantalizing remarks, Jenny hurried to comply. “All right,” she said, setting the pie plates on the table and pulling up a chair. “What’s all the mystery about? You come in here looking like a fine gentleman and hinting at some great revelation. What’s going on?”

  Red stood and spoke in an oratorical tone. “Miss Jenny Davis, I am pleased to report that your faith in me was not in vain. You are now not only a restaurateur, but part owner of the Silver Crown silver mine.”

  It took a moment for the impact of his news to sink in. Jenny leaped to her feet. “You mean it’s done? The claim is filed, legal and everything? The mine is yours?”

  “Not mine, Lass. Ours.” Red’s eyes misted and he gave her a tender glance. “You gave me the help I needed to get back out there and stake the claim, and I’m not about to leave you out of the picture. You’ll get back every penny of the money you invested in an old man’s dream and a packet more besides.”

  “But I didn’t mean to—”

  “I know you didn’t,” Red cut in. “You only meant to help me out of the goodness of your heart, and that’s why I want to return the favor.”

  Jenny’s head felt light, as though she were soaring up through the clouds into the rosy dawn of a bright new day. Could this be happening to her? On top of her joy at Evan’s lavish approval, the euphoria she felt was almost too much to bear.

  “Are you all right?” Red’s light touch on her shoulder and the lines of concern on his forehead brought her back to the moment.

  “I’m fine. Just a little overwhelmed, I think. Let me get us some coffee, and you can tell me more about it.”

  ten

  “So what’s the next step?” Jenny asked after her heartbeat had returned to a more normal pace.

  Red rubbed his chin. “I’ve been pondering that very question. Twenty years ago, I would have looked forward to conquering the rock with my own two hands. Just me and my own strength, pitted against that vein of silver.” He took a long swallow of his coffee. “But now I’m that much older. Older and a wee bit wiser, I hope. Wise enough to know that I don’t have the vigor to wrest the silver out of the ground myself, nor do I have the knowledge of the best way to do it.”

  He picked up a crumb from his plate and popped it into his mouth. “Most of the prospecting I did in California was for gold, and all I ever had there was a placer claim. Swirling a pan through the water hoping to find a nugget or two or some gold dust in the bottom is a far cry from putting together a major silver operation.” He shook his head. “I was able to find the lode, Lass, but I don’t know the proper way to get at it.”

  Jenny furrowed her brow. “If we can’t get the silver out, what good is the mine to us?”

  “That’s where we’re going to need a third partner. Some-one we can trust. Someone who understands the ins and outs of hard rock mining and can recognize the potential in what we have.”

  A hollow feeling settled in the region of Jenny’s stomach. She should have known Red’s big strike sounded too good to be true. Not wanting to burst his bubble too quickly, she asked gently, “And just where do you suppose you’re going to find someone like that?”

  Red slapped his palm on the table and grinned. “It’s already done. Remember that fellow from Colorado I mentioned? He sounded like just the kind of man we need, so I looked him up as soon as I cleaned up a bit after I got back to town.”

  “Red, you didn’t!” Jenny gaped at her friend. “You offered a perfect stranger a share in our mine without knowing a thing about him?”

  “We spent a good bit of time visiting first. He had no idea he was talking to anything more than a fine-looking Irish gentleman.” He gave her a saucy wink. “I learned all I needed to know before I said a word to him about the mine.”

  A feeling of despair welled up inside Jenny. “You’re incorrigible, do you know that? You’ve only just met the man, and you’re willing to trust him with the treasure you’ve been searching for your whole life?”

  Her outburst didn’t appear to have the least effect on Red’s good humor. He leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs in front of him. “I’ve lived a good while, Lass. Not as long as some, but far longer than others. You, for instance. How is it that an old codger like me, who’s traveled far and wide and seen a good bit of the sorry side of human nature, can find it in his heart to take most people on faith while a lovely young thing like yourself doles out her trust like a starving man sharing his last crumb of bread?”

  The accusation hit its mark. Jenny pushed herself to her feet. “I’ll just clear these dishes,” she said. “I’m late getting home.”
<
br />   “Wait.” Red’s fingertips barely touched the back of her hand but had the effect of pinning it to the table. “I may be overstepping my bounds, Jenny, but let me say this anyway. You’ve let it slip once or twice that you’ve no family left. I don’t know what happened to them or to you, that you’re so wary of life. But it might help to unburden yourself to a friend. Let me help you carry the load, so to speak.”

  Jenny grew rigid, feeling as if the blood in her veins had turned to ice. No one in Tucson knew of her past. She had planned to keep it that way, let her dark secrets stay dead and buried.

  She darted a quick glance at Red’s face and saw only compassion in his expression. She did trust Red and counted him as her friend. Did she have enough confidence in him to share the events that altered her life forever?

  The moment hung suspended in time. Red seemed in no hurry, just waited patiently for her answer. When she didn’t speak, he said, “I don’t mean to be treading where I shouldn’t. I have no daughter of my own. If you need someone to talk to about whatever it is that’s weighting your heart so, I’d consider it a privilege if you’d let me stand in for your father.”

  Slowly, Jenny’s knees unlocked and lowered her back into her chair. A father. How she missed her own! Maybe she could let Red stand in his place, just for a bit.

  “You know my family’s gone,” she began, surprised to find the words flowed freely now that she had decided to unloose them. “But I don’t think I ever told you how it happened.” She drew a deep breath. Even Elizabeth hadn’t heard everything. The wounds then had been too recent, too painful.

  “We had a farm several miles north of Prescott, my parents, my little brother, and me. Pa raised beans and potatoes and corn. Ma had a kitchen garden I helped her with, and we kept a couple of cows. Nothing fancy, but it was ours.” Her voice softened with the memory.

  “Johnny—that’s my brother—wanted so much to be like our pa. He was just getting old enough to help a lot with the outdoor work, and he followed Pa everywhere.” While she spoke, the scene before her shifted and she saw, not Red and the restaurant, but images of that terrible day on the farm.