George frowned. He knew the other girl hadn’t looked pleased at the prospect of sharing her meal with them, but he’d thought she’d at least try.
“We’ll be right back,” George said smoothly. “Is there anything I can get either of you while we’re up?”
“No, thank you,” Flora said as her father shook his head. “Pierre?” Flora pointed to the spot beside her and patted it.
The little boy looked longingly at him as he took his seat.
“I’ll be back,” George said, and Flora said something to the little boy in French.
Pierre nodded, but still looked disappointed. Was he afraid that George wouldn’t come back, like his father?
Once again, George found himself praying that they would find something good to share with the little boy about his missing father.
As they joined the line for the food, Peanut said, “You’re not going to tell Montgomery about our plan for tonight, are you?”
“No. If he is going to buy the mine, I don’t want him to have any reason to let Stumpy go. I appreciate what he’s doing for us, and I’ll do my best to keep him out of it.”
“You are a good man, George Baxter,” Peanut said, patting him on the back.
The man’s praise only served to make George feel guilty once more. Yes, he was trying to do the right thing, and he’d never outright lied to anyone. But it felt wrong to keep misleading everyone. However, with as poorly as they all seemed to think of the Bellingham family, George was convinced that keeping his true identity a secret was still the right thing to do.
When it was all over, George hoped they’d understand. And, hopefully, they would all forgive him. He would make things right at the mine—for all of them.
* * *
Flora half listened to her father as she watched George in line, getting his food. Her father didn’t seem angry that she’d befriended miners, but she wondered how he’d feel if she told him that she...liked...George.
Oh, this wasn’t love. She barely knew the man, and after her many romantic foibles, she could say with absolute certainty that the butterflies in her stomach when she was with George meant nothing.
Her father seemed to notice where her attention was. “That George fellow, he looks familiar, does he not?”
“I can’t say that I’ve seen him before,” Flora said. “Perhaps you ran into him in town, at the mercantile or somewhere.”
“Perhaps.” Her father nodded. “But he doesn’t seem like a miner to me. He carries himself and speaks too well.”
“Indeed, he does. I don’t know his whole story, of course, because we don’t get too personal in our conversations. However, it is my understanding that George’s family was once fairly well-off, but they hit on hard times, so he’s taken up mining to try to restore their fortunes.”
Her father looked thoughtful, as though he was still trying to puzzle out where he knew George from. “Do we know any Baxters?”
“I do not,” Flora said. “Perhaps you could ask Mother. She might have come across the family in one of her Ladies’ Aid meetings.”
George and Peanut returned and sat on a nearby log.
“George, I was asking Flora if we knew any Baxters. Who are your people? It’s going to bother me until I figure it out. I pride myself on never forgetting a name or a face.”
Flora felt bad for George as he hesitated. Though he appeared to be getting situated on the log, she could tell that he was trying to figure out what to tell her father. When she’d first met him, she’d thought he paused too long before sharing his name, making her think he had something to hide. Now she was certain of it.
“I’m from Denver. There are dozens of Baxters, and you could have come across any number of them, some related to me, some not. My father recently passed away, and I’m just trying to earn enough money to send back for my mother’s care. My family is of no importance. I can’t imagine the likes of you paying them much mind.”
Flora noticed how George never mentioned anything specific, dodging her father’s questions. Had her father? She glanced at him and noticed he was staring at George.
“You make us sound like quite the snobs. I don’t pay any mind to a person’s social station. If you’re embarrassed to admit that your family is working class, you shouldn’t be. I come from working stock myself. Raised myself up, I did, and I fully believe that every man can do the same.”
Had Flora been wrong to think that her father would oppose a match between her and someone of a lower class? He’d always talked about how he wanted to see her marry well, but perhaps...
Flora shook her head. Even if he was willing to countenance such a thing, she wasn’t sure if she could spend the rest of her life living in a place like this. The cabin was luxurious compared to the tents everyone else occupied, and Flora hated the dirt floors, the way mice seemed to constantly find their way inside and the fact that it seemed so dark and depressing. But perhaps it would be less depressing with a man she loved by her side.
“Thank you, sir. I apologize for any offense.”
Her father looked like he was about to question George further, but Sarah walked up, carrying a plate and wearing what looked like the world’s most disgruntled expression.
“I hope I’m not intruding,” she said, looking like she’d love to have an excuse to not join them.
“Not at all.” Flora smiled. “I’m so glad you decided to come.”
Pastor Lassiter came up behind Sarah. “Oh, good. You’ve found them. I was so glad to hear that the two of you are going to mend fences at last.”
“Sarah!” Flora’s father said, his face lighting up. “It is good to see you. We’ve missed having you at the house, with you and Flora conspiring about all things.”
“We didn’t conspire about nice things, Father.” Flora looked up at Sarah. “And I sincerely apologize for encouraging you to join me in my unkindness. It was not well done of me. I was not a good friend to you, but I hope that you’ll allow me to begin again.”
Though Sarah looked stunned, Flora felt so much lighter having finally gotten the words out. As the confusion washed across Sarah’s face, Flora realized that she’d never given the other girl any reason to believe that she was sincere in her efforts.
“Truly, Sarah. I know that you’ve told the other girls that you think my repentance is all an act, but I am sorry for the pain I’ve caused, especially to you. If I have hurt you in any specific way, please tell me so I can make amends.”
It was easy to apologize in general, as Flora had done. But other than being such a disgrace that people didn’t want to associate with her, Flora had no idea if she’d done anything specifically to hurt Sarah.
Her father patted her leg. “Flora, my dear, I am quite proud of you. The pastor has been telling me of how well you’ve been doing, but until now, I hadn’t truly experienced it for myself. I apologize if I’ve been too hard on you.”
“Not at all.” Flora smiled at him. “It’s just taken me a long time to realize how wrong I’d been, and now I am doing my best to live out that change of heart.”
Pierre tugged at her skirt and asked for more dinner. Flora looked at the line of people still waiting to eat, and then down at her own full plate. She scraped some of her food onto his dish.
“So that’s what this is about,” Sarah said. “Proving to your father that you’ve changed enough to come home. Well, good for you. Can I go back to my friends now?”
Flora’s heart sank at her former friend’s words. “I deserved that,” she said slowly. “I know in the past, I didn’t always mean my apologies. But I am sincere in everything I’ve said tonight, especially to you. You were a good friend to me, and I hope someday I can have the opportunity to be a friend to you.”
The disdain on Sarah’s face made it clear that she didn’t believe Flora one
bit. Flora sighed.
“I would like to have you join us, but I don’t want you here against your will. If you want to be with your friends, you’re welcome to do so.”
Sarah looked hesitant, but Flora smiled at her. “Truly, Sarah. As much as I would like to renew our friendship, it wouldn’t be a real friendship if I forced you. Enjoy your evening. But I do hope that at some point, you’re willing to share a meal with me.”
Though Sarah dipped her head respectfully, the hardness in her eyes told Flora that she had no intention of ever doing so. Of course, there were many things Flora had promised herself she’d never do, like spend time in a place like this. But as she looked around the fire and felt Pierre’s soft hand on her leg, Flora was grateful for the way the Lord had worked in her heart. Perhaps the Lord would find a way into Sarah’s heart, as well.
As Sarah walked away, George leaned in to her. “You may think your previous conversations with her were not well done, but this one was. I’m proud to know you, Flora Montgomery, and I’m proud to call you my friend.”
His words were meant to be comfort, she was sure, but they served only to make the ache in her heart worse. Her entire life, she’d been taught that every group in society had its place. Her mother made sure that she only played with the suitable children, associated with suitable families, and as she grew, she was taught to pursue only suitable bachelors.
But here she was, clearly rejected by a suitable friend, and the one person she’d begun to count on as a new friend was most unsuitable, indeed.
Flora looked up, trying to escape thoughts of a man she was beginning to lean on a bit too much, and noticed Rose watching them. She gave Rose a tiny smile and wave, ashamed that she’d so quickly forgotten her new friend. No, it wasn’t that she’d forgotten Rose. Rose was a good friend. But Flora didn’t feel the same camaraderie she once had with Sarah. Despite the mischief the women had gotten into, they’d also had a genuine connection. One that Flora dearly missed.
Who else would she stay up with until all hours, giggling over their silly dreams and wishes?
Flora shook her head. They had been silly, and she supposed that there wasn’t time for such things these days.
“Is everything all right, my dear?” Her father’s voice broke through her thoughts.
“Of course.” She smiled up at him. “Just woolgathering. Entertaining silly thoughts that should best be put aside.”
Her father patted her knee. “It isn’t silly to wish for circumstances to be different. I’m sure it hurts greatly to have Sarah reject you out of hand. But time will heal the wounds, you’ll see.”
She murmured noncommittally, as she often did, but when she looked up, she found George’s eyes on her. Like he could see inside her and understood the torment she faced. And thought he could make it better. Hadn’t he already tried?
What George didn’t realize was that he was the one creating so much turmoil in her head. His friendship felt so good, and the more she came to rely on him, the more she wasn’t sure how she was going to do without once they found Pierre’s father.
Chapter Six
The evening had ended up being a drawn-out affair, in part due to the presence of Flora’s father. John Montgomery surprised George, mostly because he hadn’t expected the warm smiles and quick wit that reminded him so much of Flora. How had this man come into conflict with his father, so much so that it had destroyed the relationship?
Pierre had fallen asleep in Flora’s lap, and George couldn’t help but admire her beauty as the firelight flickered across her face. The scent of pine mixed with smoke made it easy to forget they were so close to the mine. Instead, the evening reminded him of going into the woods with his father for an overnight trip. His father had liked taking him on such outings, saying that it was good for George to rough it once in a while, lest he forget that not everyone lived in a mansion in one of the finest neighborhoods in Denver.
As the breeze picked up, he saw Flora shiver slightly.
“Can I get you a wrap?” George asked.
Flora shook her head. “That’s kind of you, but I need to put Pierre to bed. I should have done so some time ago, but the company has been so pleasant that I couldn’t bear to leave.”
George stood and held out his arms. “Let me take him. He’s too heavy for you. If you like, I can put him to bed so you can continue visiting with your father.”
Not waiting for Flora’s answer, George took the little boy from Flora’s arms. He’d done so dozens of times before, and it always felt good to help her with Pierre’s care. The child had grown very dear to George, and he could only hope that Pierre’s father was the sort of man who would allow George and Flora to continue visiting once the family was settled.
Pierre murmured in his sleep and stirred slightly as his weight was shifted from Flora to George.
“You don’t have to do this,” Flora said quietly, her cheeks faintly pink as she quickly glanced at her father.
“It’s my pleasure,” he said, smiling at her. But once he turned his gaze toward her father, he understood her hesitation.
Mr. Montgomery didn’t look angry, but the older man did have a deeply thoughtful expression on his face. Like he wondered exactly what was passing between his daughter and this strange man in her life.
Sometimes George wanted to know that answer, too. There was no doubt he was growing to care for her, and indeed, would be disappointed when he no longer had Pierre as a reason to spend time with her. But what was he to do? She wouldn’t be allowed to be openly courted by a miner, and George couldn’t reveal his true identity. How could he, when it was clear the miners had no warm feelings for the Bellingham family? Besides, based on what he’d been hearing about the condition of the mine, he wasn’t sure the Bellingham family would have a respectable name in society much longer. Could he do that to Flora, when it was clear that status and reputation meant everything to her?
Despite the fact that they’d had a lovely evening together, he’d caught the longing glances she sent in the direction of Sarah and her friends. Flora had always been the belle of the ball, so to speak. As a child, she’d always been surrounded by others who respected and admired her. He couldn’t imagine the pain of losing all that, and as hard as she seemed to be working to regain her status, how could he ask her to give it up once more?
George bade everyone good-night and carried the little boy into the cabin. He supposed it was inappropriate by society’s standards that he was so familiar with the sleeping arrangements here at the camp. But things were done differently so far from civilization.
He tucked the sleeping child into Flora’s bed. According to Flora, Pierre often had nightmares, and the first night he was with them they’d given up having him sleep on a pallet in favor of being in Flora’s bed. It was hard to imagine what it must be like for Pierre, in a strange place, missing all of his friends and family, with only Flora who spoke his language.
“Ah, George.” Pastor Lassiter came into the cabin, carrying a lantern. “So good of you to take Pierre so Flora could have more time with her father.”
“It’s the least I can do,” George said. “I know everyone thinks Flora is shirking her duties here in the camp, but she works hard to take care of Pierre, so I’m glad to give her the chance to enjoy herself.”
The pastor looked thoughtfully at him. “You seem to care a great deal for Flora.”
Most of the time what George liked the best about the pastor was the fact that he didn’t beat around the bush. But here, now, with this, he wished the man wasn’t so direct.
“I admire her greatly,” George said slowly. “I know there is some tension here with her and the other girls, but I hope that I can learn to handle myself with as much grace and dignity as she does if I were ever to be in a similar situation.”
Pastor Lassiter nodded. “She is a g
reat example of how the Lord works if you let Him. But I’m more concerned with the more personal connection you might feel for her.”
George took a deep breath as he finished smoothing the blankets over Pierre. “I understand what you’re saying, sir, and I’m doing my best to guard my heart, as well as refrain from saying or doing anything that would cause Flora to believe that there is any hope for us. She’s an honorable young lady. I will not do anything that might compromise that honor.”
He stood and smiled at the older man. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I made some arrangements to meet with some of the other miners to do more investigating into Pierre’s father’s whereabouts.”
Before George reached the door, the pastor stopped him. “You seem like a very educated man, especially for a miner. Flora’s family—”
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that I come from a good family that’s hit on hard times. But if you’re implying that I’d use Flora as a means of regaining our standing, please remove that notion from your mind right now. She is a good woman, and I am not the sort of man who would raise myself up at her expense. If I cannot restore my family’s fortunes by honorable means, then I have no wish to do so.”
Pastor Lassiter wasn’t given the opportunity to reply, as Flora and Rose entered the cabin, followed by Flora’s father. The ladies were giggling, giving George a sense of relief at knowing Flora hadn’t overheard the conversation. But the wary look her father gave him made George pause.
John Montgomery loved his daughter, and he wouldn’t allow any man to trifle with her. At some point, George would have to have a similar conversation with him. He didn’t relish the prospect, since the man’s already probing questions made it nearly impossible to hide the truth without lying.
Nodding at the ladies and Mr. Montgomery, George said, “Good night again. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
He left the cabin without further conversation, and for that, George was glad. Not just because he was weary of having to explain himself without revealing everything, but also because he couldn’t bear to have to keep facing the reality that his time with Flora would soon be over. A necessary parting because he couldn’t see them having a future together. He hurried off, hoping his expedition to the mine office would provide him with the answers he needed.
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