She darted a glance to him, chewing on her lip. But he didn’t miss the light in her eyes. “I’ll have to let you know what I plan to do. I was just discussing heading back to Pittsburgh.”
“Oh.” Charlie deflated. “Well, you’ll be sorely missed if you choose to go. I’ll let Mr. Douglass know that you’re thinking about it.”
“Thank you.” She watched the man for a few seconds before she closed the door and then turned to Devin. “What do you think I should do?”
He studied her face for a moment. If he had his way, he’d get her on the first train back home. But this was a decision she needed to make for herself. “I can’t tell you that, Eliza. As much as I was looking forward to you being back in Pittsburgh this summer, I know this is your dream. But I only want you staying as long as it’s safe. What if there’s more vandalism, or those women come back to confront you? Will you be able to handle another onslaught?” He’d tried not to give his opinion, but it seemed to come out anyway.
It wasn’t as if he blamed her for wanting to stay. The thrill of a new discovery would be difficult for anyone to ignore, let alone someone as passionate as Eliza. Still, this place was just a bit too dangerous for his taste.
Eliza sighed and pushed away from the door, making her way across the room. “Looks like I have a decision to make.”
“I’m guessing you want to delay a trip to the train station.”
“That’s probably best.” She stepped over to the settee and sat next to him, giving him a half-grin. “I want to be excited about my work again.”
“I understand that.” Boy, did he ever. More than a decade of friendship and memories had drilled the importance of her work into him. The intensity of the thought surprised him. Did he resent her love of science? He let the thought simmerfor a moment. No. He couldn’t keep her from what she loved... what God had created her to do.
“But I’m also weary from everything that has happened.” Eliza leaned against him. He let himself relish the feeling of her shoulder against his. The comfort they found in one another was truly a gift. One he wouldn’t spoil by voicing his concern for her safety and his desire for her to return home. He needed to trust the Lord with her, as he had done in the past.Father, help me to support her and not be selfish inmy desire to keep her close to me. Especially whenI have no claim on her heart.
So he kept his mouth shut and nodded, afraid that if he spoke, his heart would spill out.
TUESDAY, JULY18, 1916•JENSEN
Now why would Lucas Meyer take the blame?
Having him behind bars complicated things. Why did the sheriff believe that Horris was right about his brother-in-law and that everything Lucas had done all these years was to search for the family gold? Were they also blaming Lucas for his family’s disappearance... ?
She pressed her lips together. Well, while this wasn’t exactly as planned, she could make it work. Although it meant she couldn’t do any more sabotage out at the quarry or keep them from digging. And she couldn’t make a hullabaloo at the ranch anymore, which would have had the hired hands running for the hills and continuing the rumor that the place was haunted.
Bother! It all worked against her objectives.
Well, if she couldn’t buy herself more time, she’d have to take the risk and grab the gold in the middle of the night. The bones would have to stay. By the time they dug them up,figured out who they were, and put two and two together, she would be long gone.
There was nothing keeping her here anyway.
WEDNESDAY, JULY19, 1916•JENSEN
It was time to go home. The melancholy and silence that had followed Devin around like a cloud after Eliza made her decision was even greater today. But he’d have to shove it aside and say good-bye.
It was best this way—that’s what he told himself over and over. He could tell her good-bye as he’d originally planned. Then he could go back home to his routine and work to carve her out of his heart.
It was almost time to head to the train station. Devin shoved his hands into his pockets and wandered around the quarry in search of her.
When he found her, she was sitting on a rock. Staring off toward the horizon.
“Eliza?”
Her head slowly turned toward him. Her green eyes were puffy and red. Her smile forced. She stood. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He took off his hat and held it in his hands. How was he supposed to do this?
“You’re dressed in your traveling suit. I guess it’s time?” Her face was pinched, but she was clearly trying to make this good-bye a bit easier.
Bless her. “Yeah. I don’t want to miss my train.”
Her shoulders hunched and her face fell. “I had a feeling you’d say that, but I still hoped you’d change your mind and stay a...” She didn’t finish her statement.
Even so, the words gave his heart a tiny boost. She would miss him. But it was time for her to walk on her own two feet.For good. She was amazing. Maybe his friendship had held her back. And he couldn’t live with that. “I’ve got a little bit of time, will you take a walk with me?”
