Chapter 17

seventeen

"Am anxious for the evening to come, so I can continue working out the puzzle."

~Earl Douglass

S ATURDAY , A UGUST 5, 1916 · M EYER R ANCH

The sun beat down on Eliza's back through her long work shirt. What she wouldn't give for a good, strong breeze. Unfortunately, the air was stagnant and just plain hot.

As much as she loved retrieving a fossilized bone from its resting place, when the heat made it hard to breathe—and sent sweat trickling down her face, neck, and back—she'd rather be back inside the museum.

Back home she'd loved educating people at the museum and putting together activities and plans to get families fascinated with the great beasts. She also loved talking to those visiting the quarry about the incredible work they were doing. If she had to choose between the actual excavation and teaching others about it ... well, she couldn't decide.

At least out here in the quiet of the ranch, she had time to think. How was she to talk with Devin about her feelings for him? Women of society weren't usually encouraged to share their love with a suitor.

But ... he had shared with her first. That made a difference, didn't it? Oh! How she longed to tell him.

And ever since her heart began to blossom toward Devin, her longing for love and family blossomed as well. She grinned. What would Devin's response be to that ?

She sat back on her heels. Whew! Was it possible the air was even hotter now?

She giggled. No, but it was possible her thoughts made it seem so.

She wiped her hands on her dungarees, leaned down, and blew on the fossil she'd been meticulously chiseling at for the past hour. Then she brushed away all the loose pieces of rock and dirt and studied it. This one was proving difficult to get out.

Taking a sip of water, she leaned back on her heels again and looked up at the cloudless sky.

Mary had encouraged her to take her time determining how to share her feelings. To pray. And only then to share her feelings in a letter to Devin.

Eliza had started a letter at least ten times. Pouring out her heart and soul in flowery sentences and hoping that he would appreciate her effort.

But he knew her better than anyone else.

Devin would expect honesty, not flowery words.

She lifted her broad straw hat and ran a hand over her hair. Perhaps it would be better to tell him in person. What if, by the time she returned to Pittsburgh, he had followed through with his idea of courting someone else?

That thought was enough to make her want to hop on a train home today. But she'd made a commitment to Deborah and Mr. Douglass. She couldn't leave now.

The work here was rewarding. But the longer she stayed, the more she knew she was supposed to return to Pittsburgh. Prayerfully, after everything that had happened, Mr. Carnegie still had her position at the museum available. She really couldn't wait to get back to it.

Perhaps she had finally found what she was supposed to do.

Oh, and wouldn't it be nice to be back in the city! To visit Rufaloe's. And perhaps purchase a new hat or two. Of the smaller variety.

She giggled and peace flowed through her heart. Yes. It was the right decision. As much as she loved the quarry and this new discovery here, she couldn't wait to get back to shops and activities. And most of all, Devin.

She missed him. It seemed like every moment of every day.

Maybe after she was done here today, she should simply go back to her room and write him a short letter. And why not? Why shouldn't they correspond over the last weeks she was here? Or, if she bared her heart, then they could both look forward to their reunion.

Footsteps sounded to her right and she lifted her face to her visitor.

"Miss Mills. I'm sorry to intrude, but I was told I could find you here." Gregory, one of the workers at the quarry, tipped his hat to her and then removed it. Another man stood behind him.

"Good morning, Gregory." She brushed some more loose fragments away from the fossil. "It's a scorcher today, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is, miss." He chuckled and pointed to her denim-covered legs. "I told my wife that you often liked to dig in a pair of men's pants, and she said she couldn't blame you. The heat must be intolerable in all the layers you women wear."

She glanced up at him with a laugh. "And skirts can make it difficult and sometimes even life threatening to dig, depend ing on the location." She shrugged. "I guess we all have to evolve to get the job done."

"Very true, miss." His hat was in his hands.

She studied him for a moment. "Is there something else you needed?"

He twisted his hat. "I was wondering..." He looked down at his feet.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if you would talk to our daughter one day? She's nine and loves what we're doing out here." He scuffed the dirt with his boot for a moment, then looked back at Eliza. "My wife was a bit concerned at first about her being so fixated on paleontology, but the more we talked about it, the more we realized that you could be a good example to her." He raised his eyebrows.

She recognized the pleading in the man's eyes. Most of these workers didn't have a lot when it came to monetary wealth. "I imagine you're wanting your daughter to have the best opportunities for her future. I would love to speak with her about paleontology."

His face relaxed into a big smile. "Oh, thank you, Miss Mills. We are grateful to give her this chance to pursue her dreams."

"You're welcome."

"I'll have my wife speak with you about when is a good time."

"I look forward to it. But I will only be here for a few more weeks."

He plopped his hat back on his head, nodded, and walked away.

Eliza took up her chisel again and smiled at the fossil. God had given her another reminder that she was using her gifts for Him.

No more striving. No more discontent. She could step forward in the joy of knowing that she had a purpose. And no matter what she did, she would do it to the best of her ability for the glory of God.

"What are you doing here?"

The quiet voice made Eliza jerk and she fell on her backside as she turned toward the sound. With a hand to her heart, she found Mrs. Friedman standing there. "Gracious, you gave me a fright."

The slight woman smiled. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't expecting to find anyone here."

"Your brother gave us permission to dig up these fossils. The sheriff did as well, after your brother was arrested." Eliza swallowed. "I'm so sorry about that, by the way. Your brother always seemed like such a nice man to me."

She put a hand over her mouth and several seconds passed before she spoke. "Thank you. This has been extremely difficult. But it's been good to hear there are people who believe in him."

The poor woman! "Is there anything I can help you with? Did you need something while you were out here? I know it's pretty abandoned."

She shook her head. "No. I simply promised Lucas that I would check on things as often as I could."

"That's understandable." She stared down at the tools in her hands. What else should she say? Should she give her condolences for the loss of her husband?

"It was good to see you, Miss Mills. Thank you for your great kindness to my brother. I hope the fossils are all you imagined and more." The smile didn't reach her eyes, but the woman had lived through so much hardship and grief, Eliza wasn't surprised.

"Thank you. You are most welcome."

The woman walked through the long grass back toward the ranch house.

An hour later, Eliza couldn't take the heat anymore. Time to ride back to the Adams's home for a reprieve until Deborah came. Swinging up into the saddle, she patted the horse's neck for a moment, then urged it into a gallop.

When she walked in the door, Mrs. Adams was kneading bread dough on the butcher block in the middle of her kitchen.

Red-faced and smiling, her hostess greeted her. "It shouldn't take long for the bread to rise in this heat, should it?"

Eliza went to the washbasin and washed her hands. "Here, let me give you a bit of a break." She stepped up beside the woman and watched her movements. It didn't look that difficult.

One of Mrs. Adams's eyebrows rose while her lips twitched. "Have you ever kneaded bread before?"

Eliza laughed. "No. But at least allow me to give it a try." The next quarter of an hour was filled with her chatting with her hostess and learning the special techniques of kneading dough.

When Mr. Carnegie had offered her this position at the monument, she'd made sure that he knew she didn't want any special treatment. And while this lovely home was much better than living in a tent, it was much different from anything she'd ever experienced. It had been good to see the way this family cared for one another and pitched in to make a home and life together.

"Not bad, Eliza. I'm impressed. Most women who've never done such a chore don't have the arm strength."

Eliza curtseyed in her pants and long work shirt. "Thank you very much. It must be all the time I've spent digging in the dirt for bones."

"Thank you for your help. I'm sure you're anxious to get back to your fossils." The woman glided around her kitchen, preparing other dishes for dinner and humming as she worked.

Eliza left the room. What did the Adams family really think of her? The daughters had been wide-eyed several times when Eliza came down the stairs dressed in her regular clothing and one of her big hats. She'd tried to bring the plainest and sturdiest of her clothes, but apparently, they were still a bit fancy for this area of the West.

But every time she went to work in her pants, Mrs. Adams seemed a bit... uncomfortable.

Still, they'd never spoken a cross word to her. Even with all the danger and drama she'd brought into their lives. Perhaps a nice gift would be a good way to end her time here. She would think of a way to thank them for their hospitality.

She made her way up the stairs to her room and fanned herself. Even though her window was open, there still wasn't any breeze and it was stifling.

Opting for a washcloth and hoping there was some cooler water in the basin, she wiped away as much of the dirt from her face and neck as she could. The clock on the dresser showed that she still had an hour before Deborah would be back out at the ranch to help dig.

She went to her desk and looked at her correspondence and her Bible. Mary had been meeting with her twice a week for prayer and had become a friend. Eliza hadn't had many female friends until she'd gone to university and then to work for the museum. But Mary made it easy and shared many Scriptures with her about how women were to be there for one another. Especially the older guiding the younger, just as Devin had mentioned in his letter.

They'd been making a list together of all the different ways Eliza could use the gifts God had given her.

What a wonder that God could use her simple gifts in so many ways. That He used each and every believer in unique and wonderful ways.

The hair on the back of her neck bristled all of a sudden, and she whirled around.

Louise stood in the doorway, a scowl on her face.

"What's wrong?"

The girl didn't answer, just spun on her heel and stomped down the hall.

T UESDAY , A UGUST 8, 1916 · C ARNEGIE I NSTITUTE

Devin paced outside Andrew Carnegie's office. He'd left a message with the secretary days ago only to find out that the philanthropist was out of town. So much had happened since then, he wanted to meet with the man and then rearrange his schedule so he could get back out to see Eliza as soon as possible.

When he'd gotten word this morning to come in for an appointment, he'd canceled everything.

Eliza's reputation was on the line, and he was going to do everything in his power to help her. Whoever was behind this was doing an elaborate job.

The ornate wood door opened and Mr. Carnegie himself stood there. "Mr. Schmitt, please come in."

Devin wasted no time and headed straight for the man. He shook his hand. "Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Carnegie."

The door closed behind him and then Carnegie walked around his desk. "Please. Have a seat."

"Thank you, sir." He sat, but it was hard to stay still.

Carnegie folded his hands on the desk in front of him. "You left a message that this was urgent about your friend Miss Mills."

"Yes, sir." Devin immediately went into the details of the phone call he'd received from a secretary at the museum. "I knew I had to come see you as soon as possible. Sir, I've known Eliza—Miss Mills—almost my entire life. She would never steal anything from the museum or from donors. I am aware that you were close friends with her grandfather, so you know her integrity as well. I don't know who is out to destroy her reputation, but it must be stopped."

He hadn't meant to get so worked up in his speech, but he lowered his voice and kept eye contact with the man who held Eliza's fate in his hands. "I promise you, sir, I will help you do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this and clear Eliza's name."

Mr. Carnegie leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed, and then he drummed the desk with his fingers. "I heard that there were missing fossils and donor money unaccounted for, but I hadn't heard any of these rumors." He narrowed his eyes. "Eliza's grandfather was a friend of mine for years, God rest his soul. And I've known Eliza from childhood. I don't think for a second that she could be responsible."

"You don't?"

"No." A thin smile showed through his facial hair. "But since I just returned to Pittsburgh to check on things, I do believe that I need to handle this situation myself."

"You do?" His shoulders relaxed. He'd expected to have to fight for Eliza.

The man nodded and he drummed his fingers on the desk again. "I don't like having dishonest people in my employ. Whoever started the rumors is probably behind the thefts as well. Someone eager to have the blame and focus on another person." His lips pinched together. "After the fiasco with someone impersonating Dr. Masterson, I must say that I am concerned. In my gut, I believe it to be the same person."

That made sense. "That would take a fair bit of planning on their part, sir. Do you think they had help?"

"I would imagine. Smearing Eliza every which way he or she can, both here and in Utah, would mean several people are involved. But why? To come after me? Or simply to ruin her?" His voice had taken on a darker tone the longer he spoke.

Devin wouldn't want to be the recipient of the fury building in this man.

He met Devin's gaze again. "Thank you for coming to me. Rest assured, I will handle it."

"Thank you, sir." Well... now what? Nervous energy had built up inside him every time he thought about Sarah's phone call, and here he didn't even have to convince Mr. Carnegie of Eliza's innocence. He stood. "Will you let me know, sir, when things are corrected?"

"Yes, I will make sure to do that." Mr. Carnegie stood as well. "Eliza is fortunate to have a friend like you, Mr. Schmitt."

They shook hands once again, and Devin found his way out of the office. On the way home, he wound through the streets of the city he loved so much. But he would give all this up if it meant that he could be with Eliza.

By the time he returned home, Devin had come to a solid conclusion.

He was going out to Dinosaur National Monument and declaring his love for her. Again. As soon as possible. Too much time had been wasted as it was.

When he walked in the door, he stopped abruptly, as his dad stood there. "It's a telegram for you."

A telegram? He couldn't recall the last time he'd received one. Devin ripped into the envelope and pulled out the paper.

Need your assistance in the investigation. Please call as soon as possible.

Sheriff Jensen

"Is it Eliza? Is she all right?" Dad's eyes were filled with concern.

Devin shook his head. "I don't know. I hope so. But it's not from her. It's from the sheriff."

T UESDAY , A UGUST 8, 1916 · A DAMS F ARM

Eliza bounded down the stairs. She was so close to retrieving the first fossil out of the rock bed on the ranch! It was always an exhilarating feeling, and she couldn't wait for Deborah to experience it.

"This came for you." Louise stiffly handed her an envelope. The girl hadn't smiled at her since Devin left.

Eliza put on her biggest smile, determined not to let the young woman get to her. "Thank you."

Once she was outside and loaded up her horse, she took the moment to open the envelope and read.

Everyone has to evolve? Is that what kind of "Scriptural truth" you are spreading with your work? Haven't you caused enough trouble in this town? Go home, Miss Mills. Before something worse happens.

Eliza wadded up the paper and shoved it into the saddle bag with a grunt. Obviously, the judgmental church ladies weren't going to give up until she left.

Well, it wouldn't be too long before she was gone. Let them spew their hate. She wasn't hurting anyone by digging up fossils. She was helping to educate people. Bringing history to life.

She shook off the nasty way the letter made her feel and mounted her horse.

Today was going to be a wonderful day.

But as she rode, her mood kept turning foul.

Everyone has to evolve ...

When had she said that? And to whom?

Lord, why can't I get that letter out of my thoughts? Why do people hate me so much?

It made her want to lash out and call them all ugly names—

Oh dear. This would not do.

"God, sometimes I wonder why You put up with me. But I'm grateful You do. I'm angry and upset about that letter. Goodness, I know You probably are too since this has to do with You. But You're God and I'm not. I'm facing a mighty big giant. I know You're on my side. I know that. But I need You—I'm asking You—to banish this fear. Help me to have clear answers for whoever might venture out and have questions today. Help me to be gracious and to show Your love—especially when I don't want to. I need Your words. Your peace. Your strength. And the power to shut my mouth if I need to. Lord ... help."

She reined the horse to a stop and just waited. Listening.

Not much stirred the silence. But within her, peace stirred and grew. She drew in the Lord's presence.

"Okay then. Let's face whatever happens. Even if they call me an evolutionist and a God hater. I can do this. Through Him Who gives me strength." She rode to the path leading to the top of the bluff where she had her tent set up.

Today could either be a huge victory or massive disaster. Either way...

She wasn't alone.