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Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

H ow many caves could there be, hidden inside this mountain?

Gil followed Jess into the darkness of a new tunnel, this time slipping between two boulders that hid the opening. Her father had been true to his word the night before, arriving late and sitting quietly at the table with his food. They’d all bedded down soon after, with Gil stretching out on a blanket covering the stone floor beside Jess’s higher bed. As he lay awake, listening to the sounds of Jess’s steady breathing nearby, he’d assumed sleep would be long in coming. But about the time McPharland’s deep snores filled the air, exhaustion took over Gil’s body too.

This morning, he’d helped with her chores and saw to his gelding, and now she was finally taking him to Sampson.

Jess’s lantern lit the tight space. At least the ceiling was higher here than the other tunnel.

She started forward, and he stayed close behind her. This cave was too narrow for them to move side-by-side, but he’d like to remain in the light.

The rough-hewn angles of the stone around them showed this corridor had most likely been cut out by hand.

His family didn’t use blasting powder at their own mine, so he hadn’t seen much of what an explosion left behind, but the flat angles around him looked more like the cave in their sapphire mine he and his brothers had been cutting out little by little these past few years.

The clamor of pickaxes striking rock sounded in the distance, a hollow ringing that bounced off the stone walls.

This mine appeared to be a massive operation, as deep as these tunnels went into the mountain. Hand-cut as they appeared, it would have taken many men over the course of years to cut so far in.

The passageway opened into a cavern, the lantern’s flickering light casting eerie shadows across the jagged walls. This room was smaller than the one she’d brought him to the night before. Three men worked pickaxes against the stone, filling the air with clangs and heavy breathing.

A quick glance showed none was his brother. The one on the left was too stocky. In the middle, the fellow appeared too old. Really old, as Gil looked closer, and far too frail. The man on the right was shorter than Sampson and had pale hair.

As she strode through the cavern toward the older man, all three paused in their work. They turned to her with smiles—which faded the moment they saw Gil.

The old fellow kept his focus on Jess when she reached him, but the other two miners returned to their work, the clanging just as overwhelming as before. How could anyone stand this noise? He’d have to ask Jess later how long these men worked in the caverns each day. Surely not long.

Jess leaned in to say something to the man, and Gil halted a few steps back to give them privacy. Not that he could overhear with this racket.

She glanced over her shoulder and motioned Gil forward, slipping her hand around his upper arm when he was close. She leaned up to speak into the old fellow’s ear. "Ezekiel, I’d like you to meet my husband. Gil Standish."

The man’s gaze had been locked on her mouth, reading her words most likely. But now it flicked up to her eyes, his own narrowing for just a second, as though making certain he’d heard right.

As much as Gil would like to see the expression on Jess’s face, he didn’t want to miss whatever Ezekiel might communicate with his eyes. The marriage must surprise him.

Ezekiel turned to Gil then, unwrapping gnarled fingers from his pickaxe to extend his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Gil." His voice quavered with age.

Gil grasped it, meeting the man’s gaze with a nod. “Same here, sir.”

The pickaxes had ceased again, the other miners watching this meeting.

Ezekiel’s hand was rough with calluses and dirt but not as strong as Gil would have expected from a fellow who cut through stone every day—even one who had a few years on him. Maybe he hadn’t been working here long.

As Ezekiel held Gil’s hand a little longer than usual, his eyes regarded him with a depth of wisdom and knowing that seemed to see all the way to his soul. "I'm sure there's quite a story behind this union, one I'd very much like to hear." He gentled the words with a warmth in his eyes and a tugging at the corners of his mouth.

He turned back to Jess, and those brown eyes softened even more. “How are you, Miss Jess?”

She released Gil’s arm as though finally relaxing. “I’m all right, but what of you? How’s your cough? Have you had any more breathing troubles?" Her brow furrowed as she studied him.

Ezekiel waved off her worries. "The Lord provides me with the breath I need each day. It’s plenty enough."

Jess touched his sleeve. "And your shoulder? Is it still paining you? I can come back with liniment to rub on it. I’ll be here at the lunch hour when you have a break."

The old man patted her hand. "You are a blessing, sweet lady. But truly, God gives me all I require, another day to sing His praises and do His work."

How could this man have so much joy in the midst of a life in this place?

Jess and the old miner locked gazes, faded eyes meeting sharp vibrant ones, and a wordless conversation passed between them. Jess's face softened, and her lips tugged. A weight appeared to lift from her shoulders. How long had they known each other? Long enough for Jess to trust him…far more than she trusted her father, it seemed.

At last, she turned away and bid farewell to all three men. Gil did the same, and the clamor started up again as he followed her into another tunnel, this one wide enough for them to walk side by side.

When they’d moved away from the noise, he spoke quietly. "Ezekiel seems like a good man. How long has he worked here?"

In the swinging lantern light, her expression was hard to make out, but her voice held a smile." About three years. I've asked him why he stays, why he doesn't go somewhere easier. But he always says the same—the Lord called him to serve in this mine, called him to this work and to these men."

She slid a look at Gil. “I wish he didn’t have to work so hard, but I’m thankful he’s here. He’s the one who taught me about God’s grace. My own faith is nothing to his, but I’m learning. Day by day."

Tension eased from Gil’s chest. He’d been hoping she knew the Lord. He’d thought so from the way she’d prayed before the meal last night, but this confirmation gave him relief. Even within the depths of this mountain, with a father like hers, God had found a way to reach her. Thank You, Lord. The farther they walked, the more the grade sloped downward. The dank scent of moisture grew stronger.

They emerged into a larger cavern. It only took a heartbeat to realize this was the same one Jess had brought him to the night before. Except now they were near the bottom, gazing up at the towering walls and the wooden bridge they’d stood on before.

He scanned the space, taking in the four miners scattered around. His heart pounded as he searched for the familiar face of his brother.

There. Across the cavern.

Sampson was frozen, his pickaxe resting on his shoulder, staring at Gil with wide, disbelieving eyes.

A grin pressed up from Gil’s chest, relief and joy surging through him at the closer sight of his brother—alive and whole.

He started forward.

But Jess grabbed his sleeve, jerking him to a halt.

He glanced at her, sending a question in his eyes, but she wasn't looking at him. Instead, her gaze had fixed on two men standing nearby, a false smile plastered on her face as she tugged Gil in their direction.

Every part of him wanted to pull away from her, to go to Sampson at last. But she must have a reason for stopping him.

He walked beside her, studying the two men. Both were familiar, but it took a second to recognize them.

He’d seen the taller man working last night, and the shorter fellow was the man from the general store in Canvas Creek, the one Jess had said had been there to guard her. She’d said his name… Jedidiah?

Wariness gripped Gil’s gut, and he prepared for whatever the man might say or do.

Jedidiah watched their approach with hard, calculating eyes, his expression giving nothing away.

They halted close enough to speak, which was easy enough since the men in this cavern had all ceased pounding.

Jess's grip on Gil tightened. "Jedidiah, I don’t think you’ve met my husband, Gil Standish."

The man studied him with a cool, measuring stare. He dipped his chin in a curt nod, but said nothing.

Gil offered an easy smile, something to show he bore this stranger no animosity.

Not yet anyway.

“Good to meet you, Jedidiah.” He turned to the other man, the miner, who’d eased back. “And you, sir.” Just because the fellow performed grunt work didn’t mean he had to be invisible. Besides, since Jedidiah had been speaking with him, this man might be one of those eyes and ears Jess had mentioned were scattered around the area. It would be good to know him.

The miner gave a quick nod. “Howdy.” It seemed he didn’t plan to share his name.

Better not to push the question now. He needed to appear amiable and unthreatening so he wouldn’t raise suspicions that might hinder his real purposes here.

Jess kept her voice bright as she motioned to the far end of the cavern. “We came because I want to show Gil the stalactites over there.” She tugged his arm, and he obliged, giving the men a farewell nod.

The cavern stayed quiet as he and Jess strolled across the open space to the shadowed far side. As much as he wanted to speak to her—and look at Sampson—he didn’t dare do either.

By the time they reached a section where long calcium icicles hung from the ceiling and rose up from the floor, the murmur of men’s voices sounded again from behind them. He couldn’t make out any words, which meant he might be safe speaking to Jess quietly. He’d rather not give them the idea that Jess had brought him here for any reason other than seeing the natural wonders.

She motioned to a section where the stalactites grew thicker and clearer. “Those are my favorite.” She kept her voice low, still gripping his arm.

He rested his hand atop hers to give what assurance he could.

Gil guessed she hadn’t planned to see Jedidiah and would make sure the man didn’t cause her any problems. He kept his tone low and natural as he answered her. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen any so clear.”

She slid a look at him, curiosity in her gaze. Was she surprised he had experience in caves?

“We have a good friend, Two Stones, who used to take my brothers and me exploring. We scouted out lots of caves and caverns, and saw plenty of strange formations. Not many as pretty as these though.”

Her brows gathered. “Two Stones? Is that a nickname?”

He shook his head. “He’s Salish. One of the best men I know. Like a brother to us all.”

She nodded. “Well then. Shall we go back?” She still used that cheery tone, as if Jedidiah were standing behind them, scrutinizing every word.

They turned and saw that the man was still speaking to the miner, and both were too far away for Gil to pick out any of their words. Either Jess was unusually cautious by nature, or she’d learned to be so from previous experiences. Most likely the latter.

Help me keep her safe, Lord.

They ambled back the way they’d come, her hand tucked around his elbow, his own hand covering hers. Just like a courting couple strolling in a park.

He slid a glance at Sampson without turning his head. His brother had dropped to his knees and was sorting loose stones on the ground. What had this Jedidiah man done to Sampson to make him pretend not to know his own brother? Anger twisted through him as possibilities flooded his mind. Whippings? Threats?

He forced himself to clear away those thoughts. He had to give the appearance of calm. Just an interesting outing with his new wife.

Jedidiah had stopped talking and now watched them approach.

Gil urged Jess to continue past the man. He offered Jedidiah and the other fellow a farewell nod as they stepped into the dark hallway. He slid a final glance at Sampson before the wall hid him.

Sampson was looking from the corner of his eye, though he hadn’t stopped riffling through the small stones on the ground. He didn’t quite catch his brother’s gaze, but at least Sampson had dared to look.

Was he keeping quiet so he didn’t get in trouble with Jedidiah, or was he doing it for Gil’s protection? Maybe he realized Gil had come into the mine on a ruse and was waiting for Gil to make the first move. That seemed a bit more calculating than Sampson’s normal manner, but maybe nearly two months of working for Mick McPharland had taught him to be shrewd.

His gut turned sour. He had to get his brother out of this place before something awful happened. The sapphires too. He’d promised himself he wasn’t leaving until he recovered the full load—assuming it was still here and not already sold off.

And Jess. Now he had to get her away too. He would do it. All of it.

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