Chapter 13

thirteen

"I can't seem to quench my thirst to solve the greatest problems."

~Earl Douglass

M ONDAY , J ULY 17, 1916 · A DAMS F ARM

"When you asked me to come out here, I had no idea what I was getting into." Devin sat in the Adamses's parlor with Eliza and twisted his hat in his hands.

"Believe me, had I known myself, I might not have come." She sniffed and pulled out a hankie. "Forgive me. I'm tired and overwhelmed and thoughts of home bring thoughts of Grandfather." After she wiped at a few tears and blew her nose, she lifted her chin. "I'm fine. Don't worry."

"I'm just thankful you've decided to go home with me in a couple days. I know there's a big mess here, but they can get it all figured out." He patted her hand.

She huffed. "What I don't understand is the man who said he was Dr. Masterson. Why? Why come here? And his charade was very good. He knew things about paleontology, about my paper, about the real Dr. Masterson. I'm of a mind to send a telegram to the real man about what has happened here."

"That's probably a good idea, but the real Dr. Masterson's wife was having a baby. Do you think they will stay in New York for a while?"

Eliza shrugged. "I need to alert Mr. Carnegie as well. He's the one who told me Dr. Masterson was coming in the first place." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "What a mess. I'll have to tell him the whole story."

"I think that would be best. Perhaps you should wait until we get home so that you can speak to him in person. Surely he'll understand."

She nodded. "I will alert him to the imposter and then tell him the whole sordid tale once I'm there. It's a good thing we're going home so I can see him."

"You're leaving?" Adelaide entered the room with a tray of refreshments, the cups rattling on the tray.

Eliza stood and wrapped her arms around the young girl, whose shoulders were trembling. "I'm sorry. I should have told all of you as soon as we arrived. But I think I was in a bit of shock."

Mrs. Adams and the rest of her daughters entered the parlor as well. "What's this?" The mother went to her crying daughter.

Before the rest of the room erupted in tears, he better do something. If anyone wanted to be upset about Eliza's departure, they could blame him. "My apologies, Mrs. Adams. Eliza and I were just discussing that we will be leaving to head back to Pittsburgh the day after tomorrow."

"So soon?" Louise almost fell into a chair, her face pale.

"My train tickets were already in place, and I'm about to take Eliza to the station to see about her arrangements as well." Devin kept his voice calm, but it was best for him to get away from his young admirer anyway.

Eleanor stepped toward Eliza and grabbed her hand. "But Mama told us that the sheriff caught the bad guy. Why are you leaving early?"

Eliza crouched in front of her. Devin watched as she tenderly smoothed blond hair away from the girl's wet face. "I'm so sorry. But I'm not able to do my work here for a while, and since my grandfather passed away, I think it's best for me to go spend time with my grandmother."

Louise stood and fled the room, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Mrs. Adams sent Devin an apologetic look while Mabel buried her face in her mother's skirts and joined the chorus of crying. "Girls, why don't we give them some time to discuss everything. We'll get to spend time with Eliza this evening, right?" She pointed the question toward Eliza.

"Yes, ma'am." Eliza looked on the verge of tears herself. "I'll take care of everything this afternoon and be back for dinner."

Mrs. Adams escorted her girls out of the room just as someone knocked on the front door.

"I'll get it, Mrs. Adams." Eliza rushed to the door.

"Thank you." The older woman tossed the words over her shoulder as the girls' crying escalated.

One of the workers from the quarry stood there, hat in hand. "Come on in, Charlie." Eliza waved a hand toward the parlor. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, I can't stay, miss. I was sent to let you know that while they're keeping the quarry closed to visitors for a good while yet, we're going to get back to excavating. Mr. Douglass would like your help. He said to tell ya that he got your note about the Meyer ranch, and once we hear from the authorities about whether we can excavate there or not, he wanted you to be in charge if you'd like." Charlie nodded at Eliza and then waved at Devin. "Good to see you, Mr. Schmitt."

"You too, Charlie."

Well. So much for Eliza going home with him. Surely this news would sway her into staying. He held his breath.

She darted a glance to him, chewing on her lip. But he didn't miss the light in her eyes. "I'll have to let you know what I plan to do. I was just discussing heading back to Pittsburgh."

"Oh." Charlie deflated. "Well, you'll be sorely missed if you choose to go. I'll let Mr. Douglass know that you're thinking about it."

"Thank you." She watched the man for a few seconds before she closed the door and then turned to Devin. "What do you think I should do?"

He studied her face for a moment. If he had his way, he'd get her on the first train back home. But this was a decision she needed to make for herself. "I can't tell you that, Eliza. As much as I was looking forward to you being back in Pittsburgh this summer, I know this is your dream. But I only want you staying as long as it's safe. What if there's more vandalism, or those women come back to confront you? Will you be able to handle another onslaught?" He'd tried not to give his opinion, but it seemed to come out anyway.

It wasn't as if he blamed her for wanting to stay. The thrill of a new discovery would be difficult for anyone to ignore, let alone someone as passionate as Eliza. Still, this place was just a bit too dangerous for his taste.

Eliza sighed and pushed away from the door, making her way across the room. "Looks like I have a decision to make."

"I'm guessing you want to delay a trip to the train station."

"That's probably best." She stepped over to the settee and sat next to him, giving him a half-grin. "I want to be excited about my work again."

"I understand that." Boy, did he ever. More than a decade of friendship and memories had drilled the importance of her work into him. The intensity of the thought surprised him. Did he resent her love of science? He let the thought sim mer for a moment. No. He couldn't keep her from what she loved... what God had created her to do.

"But I'm also weary from everything that has happened." Eliza leaned against him. He let himself relish the feeling of her shoulder against his. The comfort they found in one another was truly a gift. One he wouldn't spoil by voicing his concern for her safety and his desire for her to return home. He needed to trust the Lord with her, as he had done in the past. Father, help me to support her and not be selfish in my desire to keep her close to me. Especially when I have no claim on her heart.

So he kept his mouth shut and nodded, afraid that if he spoke, his heart would spill out.

T UESDAY , J ULY 18, 1916 · J ENSEN

Now why would Lucas Meyer take the blame?

Having him behind bars complicated things. Why did the sheriff believe that Horris was right about his brother-in-law and that everything Lucas had done all these years was to search for the family gold? Were they also blaming Lucas for his family's disappearance... ?

She pressed her lips together. Well, while this wasn't exactly as planned, she could make it work. Although it meant she couldn't do any more sabotage out at the quarry or keep them from digging. And she couldn't make a hullabaloo at the ranch anymore, which would have had the hired hands running for the hills and continuing the rumor that the place was haunted.

Bother! It all worked against her objectives.

Well, if she couldn't buy herself more time, she'd have to take the risk and grab the gold in the middle of the night. The bones would have to stay. By the time they dug them up, figured out who they were, and put two and two together, she would be long gone.

There was nothing keeping her here anyway.

W EDNESDAY , J ULY 19, 1916 · J ENSEN

It was time to go home. The melancholy and silence that had followed Devin around like a cloud after Eliza made her decision was even greater today. But he'd have to shove it aside and say good-bye.

It was best this way—that's what he told himself over and over. He could tell her good-bye as he'd originally planned. Then he could go back home to his routine and work to carve her out of his heart.

It was almost time to head to the train station. Devin shoved his hands into his pockets and wandered around the quarry in search of her.

When he found her, she was sitting on a rock. Staring off toward the horizon.

"Eliza?"

Her head slowly turned toward him. Her green eyes were puffy and red. Her smile forced. She stood. "Hi."

"Hi." He took off his hat and held it in his hands. How was he supposed to do this?

"You're dressed in your traveling suit. I guess it's time?" Her face was pinched, but she was clearly trying to make this good-bye a bit easier.

Bless her. "Yeah. I don't want to miss my train."

Her shoulders hunched and her face fell. "I had a feeling you'd say that, but I still hoped you'd change your mind and stay a..." She didn't finish her statement.

Even so, the words gave his heart a tiny boost. She would miss him. But it was time for her to walk on her own two feet. For good. She was amazing. Maybe his friendship had held her back. And he couldn't live with that. "I've got a little bit of time, will you take a walk with me?"

"I'd like that."

He led her away from the tents, away from the sounds of hammers and chisels, away from anyone who might be able to hear them.

"Did you hear back from Mr. Carnegie and Dr. Masterson?"

"I did." She pulled telegrams out of her pocket. "Dr. Masterson was appalled that someone would impersonate him and wanted to speak with me about the details when I return home. And Mr. Carnegie was upset about it because he thinks it was someone who wanted to attack him and give his work a bad name. I spent a great deal sending them both long, detailed responses because I couldn't wait for them to know the whole story." She curled her fingers around the slips of paper and kept her eyes on the packed dirt path. "Once it was out there, I felt a lot better. Mr. Carnegie was disappointed about the situation, but he said he would take care of it. Dr. Masterson said that his imposter knew far too much about him and was concerned he might do it again."

Devin scratched the side of his face. "I don't know what I would do if I found out someone was impersonating me. On the other hand, being an English professor isn't as glamorous as paleontology."

Eliza let out a little chuckle. "Oh, I don't know. The steady job of an English professor looks pretty enticing right now." She bumped his shoulder with her own, then continued. "Dr. Masterson even said that yes, he was a new believer and was doing exactly what our fake Dr. Masterson said he was going to do. He's concerned about his research and his wife and new baby. Which is completely understandable."

"Was he upset with you?"

"No." She glanced his way, giving him a small genuine smile. "And that was a great relief, as you can imagine. But the situation is still a mess for him."

Devin could only imagine the headache Dr. Masterson had on his hands with an imposter on the loose. "Once things calm down, you'll have him in your corner and will be able to correspond with the man you've looked up to for a long time." He nudged her with his elbow. "You can tell him the truth from the very beginning."

Another smile lifted her lips. This time, it filled her face. "You're right, I just hate that I was a part of this fiasco."

They walked several more paces in silence.

Each step made Devin's pulse pound harder. He had so much to say to her it felt impossible to formulate a coherent thought. It was time.

Lord, help me.

Once they were out of sight of everyone and everything, he stopped and turned to her. "Eliza. I need to say something."

She waved her hands in front of her and shook her head. "No. I'm the one who needs to say it. I'm sorry. Sorry for the mess I caused. Sorry for dragging you into all of it. Sorry for asking you to lie for me. I'm sorry for all of it."

Did they really need to go into this again? Still, it wouldn't do to snap at her right before he shared his heart. "I told you already that it was forgiven. We've been friends far too long to let something like that come between us."

Eliza nodded. "I know that. I just feel so horrible about it." She paused, then caught his gaze with her own. "I've decided to help here and with the dig out at the Meyer ranch for a few more weeks. Train Deborah a bit more. Then I'm coming home. As much as I love all this, I think I've caused enough trouble out here. It's time I rethink things. You know?"

What? What had happened to her? "No. I don't know. And frankly, I think you've lost your mind. What happened to Eliza Mills who would drag her best friend all over God's cre ation just so she could dig up a few bones?" He stepped closer to her, grabbing her hand. Why couldn't she see the truth? "What happened to that girl who was so excited about what she learned reading a boring research paper that she couldn't wait to tell her tutor and friend? And what happened to that young woman who went to college to study paleontology and couldn't wait to tell her best friend about her studies? Every. Single. Day."

"She failed. That's what happened to her." She handed a piece of paper to him.

He took it and unfolded it.

You are a disgrace to women everywhere. Just look at all the trouble that has arisen since you've been here! You are a sad example to our young people, touting your science, wearing men's trousers, and carousing with men. We will not stand for it. Go home.

He wadded up the paper and threw it. "How exactly have you failed?"

Eliza threw her arms wide, her voice thick with frustration. "Did you not read the letter? I've let people down. I haven't been a good example of my faith. I even heard Mrs. Adams tell her daughters that just because I wore pants to dig in didn't mean that it was appropriate for women to dress in such a way."

Devin inhaled a sharp breath. She was pouting like she had when she was a child. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. You are being utterly ridiculous, you know that? What are you so afraid of?"

Her eyes snapped to his, eyebrows drawn tight together.

That got her ire up. Good. Her needed her to pay attention.

"Ridiculous?"

"Yes."

She huffed and lifted her chin. "Who says I'm afraid of anything?"

He shook his head. "You. You were afraid of telling the truth. You're afraid because some people have attacked you. You're afraid of continuing on with what you love now. So I'll ask it again. What are you so afraid of?"

She bit her lip and tears pooled in her eyes.

The Eliza he'd known all his life was strong but had never had to take this many blows. She seemed to be so knotted up in her own feelings she couldn't see that those silly notes were just lies designed to discourage her. And because she couldn't see that, they'd worked.

But the hurtful words had also exposed a deeper issue than believing some silly lies penned by silly women. How could he help her?

Tell her the truth.

The thought hit him again, more insistent than the last time.

He didn't want to hurt her.

The truth will set her free.

The truth from Scripture came to him, bringing with it a peace he hadn't felt this whole trip. He loved Eliza. He'd done everything he could to encourage her in her grief and confusion. But maybe it was time for some honest talk about what was really going on. God, please give me the right words.

Devin stepped forward and took her hands. "You refuse to trust other people, Eliza. You rely on yourself too much. I hate to say it, but I don't think you're trusting God either. For your future. For your work. For anything."

She blinked rapidly but didn't say a word.

Well, it was time to lay it out on the table. "You know how much I care for you. How much your friendship means to me. And I'm not trying to wound you..." His words tumbled out. For an English professor, the difficulty he had putting a coherent sentence together made his cheeks flush red. But he refused to give into the frustration tightening his chest. "Eliza... you need to know something before I go back to Pittsburgh. I don't want you to say anything, just... hear me out." How should he say this...? He shook his head and just plowed on from his heart.

"We've shared everything—well, almost everything—with each other for twenty years. What you don't know ... is that I love you, Eliza." Just speaking it out loud, his shoulders loosened. Perhaps the truth was setting him free too. While his insides tumbled, he also relaxed. Relief? Probably. After all these years, it spurred him on. "And not just the love of family or friendship. I've loved you with my whole heart since I was still a kid. At sixteen years old, I knew my heart was yours. No other woman has ever interested me. Not even when all my pals tried to set me up on dates. It's always been you."

The band around his heart was all but gone. Not that he wanted his love to be a burden, but he wanted ... no needed her to know why he had always championed her with such vigor. The difficult part was she also needed to know why he'd never acted on it.

He licked his lips and squeezed her hands in his. "But we come from two different worlds. Thankfully, those worlds collided when my father became your tutor. And I will be forever grateful. I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything. I wouldn't trade all the years I've loved you for anything."

Taking a deep breath, he looked her in the eye and fought the tears clogging his throat. "But I've got to let you go now."

The questions in her eyes were almost too much for him. He couldn't tell her that he'd made a promise to her grandfather. That might make her think less of the man who raised her, and he couldn't do that to her.

A sob escaped her lips. "Devin—"

"You've got to let me finish." He held up a finger. "I'm releasing you. I have to. Before my heart shatters and can't be repaired. Perhaps I'll go back to Pittsburgh and find a nice, boring librarian to court. Or someone from church." An awkward chuckle escaped him. Perhaps his stupidity would break the tension. "You need to continue with your work and let that passion guide you. God gave it to you for a reason. Use it."

She studied him, tears streaming down her face, but didn't say anything. Her green eyes were full of... what?

He wasn't sure.

"Stop being afraid, Eliza. Trust God." He dared to step even closer. Releasing her hands, he cupped her cheeks, her skin soft against his hands. Never would he forget this moment. It was seared in his memory.

With a brief kiss to her forehead, he closed his eyes and released her. Finally. "I'll always be your friend. I promised. Remember?"

She nodded and a couple of tears slipped down her cheeks. "I remember. But Devin"—she blinked several times, her mouth snapped shut, then opened again—"I—"

"Good-bye, Eliza." He couldn't let her say something that would make him feel better. He'd shared his heart. Released the burden.

It was over.

Something inside him wrenched apart. He turned and walked back to the wagon that would take him to the train.

"Good-bye." Her soft word didn't soothe.

It cut and sliced and stabbed at him.