Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

G il’s chest clutched so tightly he couldn’t breathe.

He’d done it. He’d actually found his family’s sapphires. He’d been determined, but deep down, he’d feared he’d never see them again.

He forced the air from his lungs as he replaced the felt, then the lid. He lifted his gaze to the mountain of boxes in the storage room.

“The gems in that crate are yours?” Jess’s voice was low.

He nodded, keeping his gaze on the other boxes. “My family’s.”

“Do you think they’re all here?”

Good question. He returned the crate to its stack and raised his lantern to see to the rear wall. He couldn’t see how many rows back the boxes went.

“How large is this cavern?”

“Not far. Father parked our handcart in here once. He had to push it all the way to the back to close the door.”

Which meant the entire wagon load of crates stolen from their mine couldn’t be in here, not with the number of other boxes visible that weren’t theirs. Probably not theirs anyway. He should check at least one to make sure some of the Coulter sapphires hadn’t been repackaged.

He hoisted down one of the smaller boxes. It was made from a different wood, which didn’t hold the nails as tightly. He pulled the top off to reveal a wad of gray cotton material.

Inside were gemstones of several different colors. Mostly red, but a few yellow and green. Sapphires could be different colors, though blue was the most common. They’d not mined any red last year that he could remember.

The contents of this crate must be from a different source. Possibly still stolen, though.

He replaced the lid and pushed it down with his knee to drive the nails back into the soft wood, then lifted the crate back to its place.

From her spot at the doorway, Jess gave him space to think and move.

He stepped back and eyed the full storage room again. “Without digging all the crates out and opening them all, I’d estimate this is a portion of what was stolen. Maybe up to half.” He peeked over his shoulder to catch her reaction.

A frown lowered her brow. “Could the others have been sold already?”

“I don’t know anyone in the territory who’d want or be able to afford so many sapphires.” He tipped his head. “I don’t have your father’s contacts, though. We always ship ours east to sell.”

They should close up this room and get out of here before someone found them. He glanced at the lock. “Any idea where the key is for this? It’d be nice to get in here a little quicker next time.”

She scooped up her hairpin and stepped closer to the door. “Let’s leave it unlocked. My guess is no one will notice for the few days we’ll need.”

Jess turned the lock on the door in the corridor quickly—she sure had a talent with that hairpin—then he lifted the thing and positioned it so she could fasten the hinge pins. At last, they closed the door, pressing it into the firm fit that concealed it well. He pushed on the handle a little to make sure the door would open again—which it did—then snatched his lantern and turned to Jess. “Can you think of any other rooms off this corridor?”

“I’ve thought about that. There’s nothing.” She started toward the exit, and he stepped in beside her. They’d taken a half dozen steps when a figure appeared in the shadows ahead.

His heart surged into his throat.

The figure took on the shape of a small man. As he moved closer, the lantern light glowed on Jedidiah’s face.

Jess had frozen beside him. She pressed a hand to her chest, letting out an audible breath. “You scared me, Jedidiah.”

His compact features wreathed into a smile that showed his teeth. A creepy look, especially with the light casting deep shadows on his face. “I would have made a noise if I’d known you’d be here. I didn’t expect you to directly disobey your father. What do you think he’ll say about that?” Even his voice sounded sinister. On purpose, no doubt. He was intentionally planting fear in Jess.

Gil stepped forward. He’d gladly call the man’s bluff. “Her father didn’t forbid her from entering the caves, and we didn’t hinder your workers. We didn’t even see them.” Gil took Jess’s arm, tugging her forward. “The architecture in these tunnels is amazing. You and your men have done well with them.” He guided Jess past the little bully, who glared at them. “Good day.”

He kept Jess moving, though she seemed sluggish. He shifted his arm around her back so he could give support. Was she trembling?

They needed to get out of this tunnel.

By the time they reached daylight, she was vibrating with fear.

He didn’t stop at the entrance to leave one of the lanterns there. He could take it back once Jess was better. Just now, he needed to get her to a safe place where he could comfort her, somewhere Jedidiah couldn’t follow.

Because Gil had no doubt the man had followed them.

He could take her to the waterfall, but the man could still creep behind them and watch. Besides, she might need to lie down and rest. Her cave-home would be the best place, as long as her father wasn’t there.

He’d have to take that risk and change plans if McPharland appeared. She certainly didn’t need the stress of facing her father.

Jess had tucked herself into his side, and he held her close as they walked up the hill around the base of the mountain. She hadn’t spoken, but her trembling had turned so severe it almost felt like convulsions.

When they reached the apartment entrance, he nudged the curtain aside with his shoulder, glancing inside to see if McPharland was within. No sign of him.

Gil led Jess forward, and finally her trembling seemed to ease. A little. Should he take her straight to bed? Maybe. He needed to know why Jedidiah frightened her so much. What had the man done to her to create such intense fear?

A thought flashed through his mind that made his breath catch. Could he be the father…? No, surely not. God, don’t let that be what happened.

Jess reached for one of the chairs at the table. “Just let me sit. I’ll be fine.”

She probably needed to rest, but it might be best if she reached that conclusion herself. He helped her settle in the chair at the table, then pulled another around beside her.

She leaned against her seat back, her arms wrapped around her waist, eyes straight ahead. Her mind seemed held by the clutches of memory. What memory?

He brushed a loose wave of hair from her temple, and her eyes closed. He let his fingers linger there. His callused skin was coarse against her softness. “Jess.” He kept his voice as low and comforting as he could. “Can you tell me why Jedidiah scares you so much? Did he hurt you?”

He wanted to cup her cheek, but she needed comfort right now, not romantic touches.

So he slid his hand down her arm to wrap his fingers around hers. She met his gaze, and so many emotions swirled in her eyes that he could barely discern them.

Lingering fear certainly. And maybe a bit of desperation. She was trying to regain control of herself. The way her jaw tightened and her throat worked showed that.

“He’s cruel. He’s never done anything directly to me, but he’s threatened me. And I’ve seen him punish the others. And I’ve heard…far worse.” Her voice cracked on those last words.

Gil’s chest was still tight, but less now that she’d said that slimy man hadn’t done what he’d feared. Still, he had to be sure.

He gave her hand a squeeze. “Are you sure he’s never touched you? Never hurt you in any way?”

She shook her head, not looking away from him. But the sorrow filling her eyes turned the edges of them red. “Not me, but so many others.”

He could breathe again. Thank God.

But Jess’s distress grew, and he could keep her at arm’s length no longer.

He pulled her closer, and she came willingly, tucking her forehead into the crook of his neck and resting a hand over his heart.

He wrapped her tight as a sob slipped out.

His own heart threatened to crack from the pain she was feeling. How much had she seen? Had she been close to the people Jedidiah hurt? Lord, comfort her. Bring healing to replace her grief. Show me how to help her.

She only let herself cry a minute before pulling back and wiping her eyes with her sleeves. She likely needed to release a good many more tears than these, but at least she’d allowed a start.

She sniffed as she dried her cheeks again. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually break down like that.”

He offered a smile. “Don’t be sorry. I’m here any time you need to break down.”

She made an effort at matching his smile. Would she try to change the subject now? Pretend the tears hadn’t happened? She’d likely had a lot of experience covering up her pain.

But when she spoke, a glimmer of hurt flashed in her eyes. “I guess I should be as concerned about Father, but I haven’t seen Father hurt people as much as I have Jedidiah. Only one time, and that was so long ago.” She gave a slight shrug. “It’s easy to forget about that and just think of him as my father.”

From what he’d seen, she still feared McPharland far more than a daughter should her father, but he didn’t need to point that out. If the man had raised her so separate from the rest of the world, he could make her believe the most heinous actions were perfectly normal.

Yet, somehow, she’d developed a sweet and loving spirit.

Jess’s gaze turned distant. Was she remembering when she’d seen her father hurt someone? Or some other awful action she’d been forced to watch? Had her father or Jedidiah forced her to watch the men’s punishments? Or had she seen accidentally? Or sneaked in and peeked from a hidden position?

Knowing Jess, that seemed likely.

“When I was seven, there was a man who worked for my father.” Her volume was low, her words coming slowly as if she chose each with care. “I never knew his name. He was kind to me, though, always had a smile and a treat for me when I saw him."

Her throat working. "One day, I accidentally knocked over a lantern where the men were working. It shattered, and an ax handle caught fire. Father was furious. He thought the man had been careless."

Tears welled in her eyes again. "I tried to tell him it was my fault, but he wouldn't listen. He dragged the man outside and..." Her voice cracked and she pressed a hand to her mouth.

Gil held her to his chest, his heart aching for the traumatized girl she’d been. "You don't have to say more," he murmured against her hair.

But she shook her head and pulled back to meet his gaze, a fierce light in her blue eyes despite the tears. "No, I need to tell you. You need to understand what he's capable of." She drew in a breath that lifted her shoulders.

"Father called Jedidiah, and together they beat that man. Beat him until he was barely recognizable. And Father made me watch, saying it was my punishment for lying. That I needed to see what happened when people were careless in their words and deeds or didn’t do what they were told."

Fury warred within Gil's spirit. What kind of monster would do that to a child? To anyone? He fought to keep his voice steady, to not let his anger show. "Oh, Jess. I’m so sorry. No one should ever have to see something like that, especially not a little girl."

She gave a jerky nod. "I know that now. But back then, I didn't understand. I thought it was my fault." Her shoulders slumped. "I still do sometimes. If I hadn't been in that room, if I’d pushed harder for Father to believe I’d broken the lamp?—"

"No." Gil cupped her face, holding her gaze. "None of that was your fault. Your father is the only one to blame. He's a cruel man. You were an innocent child."

A single tear escaped down her cheek, wrenching his heart. "Sometimes, I can still hear that man's screams. I can still see the blood..."

She closed her eyes, squeezing them shut, and Gil gathered her close again. If only he could wipe away those memories.

She buried her face against his chest, and he stroked her hair, wishing he could wipe away every hurt she’d ever experienced.

"I've got you," he whispered. "You're safe now. I won't let him hurt you ever again. I won’t let Jedidiah hurt you either. I promise.”

If only Gil could stop the men from their cruelty to others.

Once he had Jess to safety, maybe he and his brothers could come back and stop Mick McPharland for good.

He held Jess for a long time, her slight frame wracked with silent sobs as he murmured soothing words. His mind raced with this new insight into the hell she had endured. The strength it must have taken for her to survive. Where had her mother been during that awful scene?

The few times Jess had spoken of her mother, they sounded like fond memories. But what kind of woman would marry a man like Mick McPharland? Maybe she’d been forced into the arrangement and never found a way out.

He pushed out a tight breath. He wouldn’t let that happen to Jess, no matter what.