Chapter 17

Millie dressed in one of her new outfits. She wasn't sure why, but she wanted to look nice. Not for Fritz, that was for sure. The man had been insufferable since dinner yesterday. He'd wanted to stay at the hotel, but luckily, the snow had stopped, and the streets were not that bad. So, she convinced him to drive her.

Father was home when she arrived, but she hadn't been able to get out of him where he'd been. He wasn't happy about it, though. For the longest time, he stewed in his office. Finally, he came out carrying a ledger.

"Have you heard anything about the mine?" His tone was gruff.

"No. Who would I even talk to?" Millie was shocked he'd even ask her. He never discussed business with her.

"Preston?" Father stared at her. "I know you care for him. I also know that even if I forbid you to see him, you'll go on seeing him, anyway."

Millie walked to him and sat beside him on the settee. "You know I will always love you, Father, but I have always loved Preston. I didn't even realize it until I saw him again."

"I hoped you might like Fritz, but you two don't get along."

"He's a good man but not the man for me." That was the end of their conversation. Father didn't let on what bothered him about the mine, and Millie had gone to bed wondering about the trouble Father had found out about. She stayed awake, questioning why Preston stayed away from her at the ball and yesterday. Did he even care about her?

Millie sighed. It had been a long night. She just hoped today was better. However, she doubted she'd believe Preston again if he asked her out for dinner. She heard pots rattle and knew Father was already up and in the kitchen. He liked to make breakfast, and French toast was his favorite.

She opened the door and entered. "Good morning. It smells wonderful."

Father turned to her and grinned. "Want some?"

"You know I do." She saw that he was dressed in his business attire. "Are you going somewhere today?"

Nodding, he flipped the toast. "I'm going to the mine. Something is not right."

"Do you think you should talk to the Chadwicks?"

Father shook his head. "I doubt they would talk to me, but you might be right." He put the pieces of toast on plates and walked to the kitchen table. "I've put off looking into the mine business and talking to the Chadwicks long enough."

She hugged him and then sat down to enjoy breakfast. They'd just finished when there was a knock on the door. Millie and her father stared at one another.

Father stood. "Who could that be?"

Glancing at her father, she went to the door. About to open it, she stopped. If it was Preston, she needed to make him sorry he had let her down. Pouting, she opened the door.

Mr. Chadwick and Preston stood before her.

Seeing Preston, her pout turned to a smile. "Won't you both come in? Father, it's Mr. Chadwick and Preston."

Father strode into the foyer and, by the scowl on his face, Millie cringed at the coming battle. Mr. Chadwick didn't look any friendlier. Caught in the middle, she stepped aside. "Why don't you both go into the study and I'll bring in some coffee."

"No need." Jeremiah Chadwick bellowed. "It's not a friendly visit." He sent a withering glance her way. "If you would leave us. You too, Preston. This is between me and Raul." His face was dark with anger, but he softened when he looked at his son and then at her. "Please."

Preston took Millie by the arm and walked her back into the kitchen. "I'd like a cup of coffee if you don't mind."

Reluctantly, she went with him and made them coffee. "What do you think they are saying?"

Preston shook his head. "I don't know, but it is between them." He took her hand in his, holding it warmly. "I'm sorry I didn't show up yesterday. I was on my way over when Frank stopped me. We talked for a few minutes and someone shot him. He's going to be all right, but I had to get him home and take care of him. I hope you can understand and forgive me."

"Frank was shot! Oh, my. Yes, I understand, and there is no need to ask for my forgiveness." While worried about Frank, Millie sighed in relief that Preston had a reason not to meet her yesterday. He still liked her. She knew it. Her heart rate sped up, and her palms became sweaty. She hoped he hadn't noticed.

Preston smiled at her. "I'm sorry I didn't write to you while in Boston. I guess I was leaving things free in case I met someone, but I didn't meet anyone I cared about or who could take your place."

She stared at him. Was he that dumb? So, he didn't find anyone and thought he'd come back and pick her up as an afterthought? What was he thinking? Did he think she was so undesirable that no one else would want her? Anger stormed through her until she looked at him. He was the one she'd dreamed about.

Preston sat down. "We're not children any longer. I know Ernst is thinking of leaving for California. I love my father, but I will live my life as I see fit. He doesn't rule over me."

Millie frowned. For all his brave words, he'd ignored her for four years. "But the Bible does say to honor your mother and father that it may go well with you. I don't see how a marriage without their blessing would be a good thing."

"If that's how you feel." Anger flashed in his eyes. He was mad at her.

Millie felt her anger rise, too. "One thing I want in a husband is a man with strong convictions and the courage to live by them. I always thought that man was you, Preston. But after the last few days, I have been wondering. You chose to do your father's bidding instead of meeting me. While you had to take care of Frank, you could have sent word to me. And I heard nothing from you for four years while you were looking for a Boston woman to marry."

Preston folded his arms. "What I want in a wife is a woman who will believe in and trust me. I know we haven't seen one another in years, but I thought we had a genuine feeling for one another. You should have known I would have come to pick you up if I could have. Things happened that were beyond my control."

"It sounds like we need to learn to trust one another." Millie tamped down her anger toward him. He did have reasons for not showing up.

Preston nodded. "I'm willing if you are?"

Millie bit her lip and then sighed. "I am."

Loud words rattled the wall. Preston jumped up. "We aren't the only ones who need to learn to trust one another. I better go in there and make sure my father isn't causing war."

Millie laughed. "I'm sure if yours isn't, mine has his shields and spear raised. What are we going to do with those two?"

After another loud bellow and something hitting the wall, Preston bolted into the foyer. "What are you two doing?"

Burnett was on top of Chadwick. They both had bloody noses and red faces. Jeremiah roared. "Preston, get out of here."

Raul yelled at Millie to leave. "We're going to finish this thing and get it settled."

Preston pulled Millie out of the room and back to the kitchen. "Let's finish our coffee. I don't think they'll seriously hurt one another. Neither had a gun or knife."

Millie shook her head. "I guess boys will be boys even if they are in their forties."

Preston snorted. "They are too much alike. Although my father is the louder one, and to think, they used to be the best of friends."

She went to him and took his hand. "Perhaps we can show them a united front. Do you know why they need to talk to the managers?"

"I am sure they have been set up, and the two office managers fed their feud. I do know that Frank confessed to taking the gold nugget and hiding it in his safe place under the house." Preston shook his head. "Frank was always in trouble."

Millie smiled to herself. Preston was here, and together, they would straighten out their fathers.