~Earl Douglass
MONDAY, JULY3, 1916•DINOSAURNATIONALMONUMENT
Holding Eliza in his arms after weeks without her melted every bit of resolve Devin had to keep his distance.
After a long hug, he pushed her back and kept his words low. “We have an audience, Miss Mills.”
She straightened her hat and clapped her hands together. “Everyone, this is my dearest friend in all the world. We’ve been the best of chums since we were children, and I was so excited to see him, I lost my manners for a moment.”
Several in the little group reassured her that they didn’t mind and understood. Eliza made her way back to the front of the group and continued the rest of her tour. Devin crossed his arms over his chest as he watched her talk and gesture, drawing her audience in with her wide smile and expert storytelling. He pulled his handkerchief out and wiped at hisforehead, grimacing at the amount of sweat running down his face. This heat was brutal. How did they manage?
Within the next twenty minutes, she’d finished up with the tourists and sent them on their merry way. He braced himself. Should he tell her about her grandfather now? No. Maybe once they left the quarry and she didn’t have to worry about taking care of people.
Fanning herself as she walked over to him, she grinned. “I’m so glad you’re here!” She threw her arms around him once again, and he couldn’t resist hugging her back. As he held on, he didn’t care about the heat anymore. In fact, nothing mattered.
This time, she was the one who pulled back. “Well ... tell me all about your trip. Did you get to see the mountains?” She slid her hand through the crook of his arm and led him down a path.
“I did.” He groaned. “But let’s just say my little visit in Denver didn’t start off all that pleasant.”
“Oh dear.” She angled her head toward him. “What happened? Did you have trouble with the elevation?”
He tipped his head back and forth and released a chuckle. He could at least laugh about it now. “You could say that. I was anxious to get to my boardinghouse since I only planned on staying there a day and wanted to explore as much as I could. But in my rush to walk the mile from the train station, I found myself out of breath and set my bag down. A seemingly nice young man spoke to me and explained the elevation, then he left. And so did my case.”
She stopped and released his arm, a hand flying to her mouth. “Oh no!” Then her hands went directly to her hips. “I sure hope you went to the police.”
“I did.” He crossed his arms over his chest and studied her posture. “It amuses me that you still enjoy mother-henning me.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and laughed.
She swatted his arm and relaxed. “Oh, stop.Someone has to look out for you.”
Devin rolled his eyes and let out a laugh. Soon Eliza joined in, and the tension eased from his shoulders. They continued to walk away from the hustle and bustle of the quarry.
“So? What happened?”
“Sadly, all that transpired from my visit to the police were reminders to not trust anyone, to keep my eye on my belongings, and then a couple wasted hours as different policemen came and went, listened to my story, and wrote it all down numerous times.”
“I hope you didn’t lose anything too valuable?” She bit her lip. “I’m so sorry this happened. All because you came out here to visit me.”
“Clothes and my shaving kit. All of which I was able to replace. Don’t worry.” He wouldn’t tell her how much that cost. She wouldn’t understand living on a budget.
Eliza looped her arm back through his, her expression relaxing. “Well, I’m very glad that you are all right. I would hate for anything to have happened to you.”
“I’m fine.” But the way she looked at him—with care and concern that no other woman had ever shown him—melted his resolve again. Oh, how he’d missed her. “It seems like you are doing well with your work here.”
“I am.” She squeezed his arm. “Although, you were right. I told you that in my letter and I’m sure you would love to hold that over my head for all eternity, but I’m freely admitting it—I miss the city. I miss good food. I miss being able to go to a museum or the theater. And I miss pants.”
“Ha!” The guffaw came out louder than he anticipated. “Pants? Are you serious?”
“Oh, very.” She led him to a boulder to sit. “At home, I could venture out on my own and not have to worry about what I wore. Men’s pants are much easier to work in. Cooler too.”
He missed her in pants too. Not that he would say that out loud—
Stop it, Schmitt!
He grit his teeth. Ever since he’d arrived and she’d thrown herself into his arms, all his good intentions had flown out the window. He straightened and determined to do better.Again. “I can imagine they are much easier than your skirts”—he pointed to her head—“and those crazy hats you love so much. Although, I have to admit, that one is about half the size of the ones you usually wear. It boasts half the birds, bows, and baubles too.”
She laughed along with him. “So I like big hats.” She shrugged. “With all your teasing, I thought you liked them.”
Answering honestly wasn’t an option. Truth be told, he liked her in anything. Because she was Eliza. Beautiful, red-headed, green-eyed, exuberant Eliza. “They’re fine.” There. That was noncommittal. “You look lovely no matter what.”
