Father sighed wearily. “That man’s wife died. He wants to blame someone. He’s gotten others riled up.”
“Us? He blames us?” She shrank back. She’d seen how irrational a crowd became, fueling anger rather than calmness.
“Not at this point,” Father assured her. “They want to storm that house—” He jabbed his thumb toward the door up the hill behind him. “The family moved here recently, and they are blaming them for bringing the illness.”
“Is it possible?”
“There is no way to know, and even if they did, how is burning them out going to change anything? But it’s easier to find someone to blame than to accept loss and move on.”
Addie nodded. She understood the need to assign blame.
Isn’t that what she’d done to Nash? Not that she hadn’t moved on. She’d done so years ago.
But now was not the time to think of him. Besides, it was too late to change anything. He’d gone to his ranch.
Remembering how Nash had faced the angry crowd back at Golden Valley, she stepped forward and held up a hand to get the attention of those gathered in front of her.
When they grew quiet, she spoke, first addressing the man whose wife had passed. “I am sorry for your loss.”
The man rumbled.
Before he spoke the angry words surely building, she continued. “I can understand the need to do something to make things better.” Even if that wasn’t what the man had in mind. “I believe it’s a waste of time to look for someone to blame. This disease might have come in because of thedirty water many of you drink. Or from some wild animal droppings. Or the bad air.”
Some of the miners dug into the hillsides, breathing in dust and dampness. A number of unsuitable conditions were tolerated because of the desire to find gold.
“If you care to clean up any of those, that’s a good thing. But right now, why don’t we work together to help those who are ill?” She shifted her gaze from man to man, grateful many of them listened intently. “Those households where everyone is sick need their wood supply replenished. They need clean water—not the stuff you’ve all tramped through in your search for gold. Animals need to be tended. Let’s do what we can instead of wasting time over things we can’t change.”
A man in the back yelled. “I’ll get wood for those over there.”
“I’ll help.” The men dispersed to take care of the needs. All except the man who’d lost his wife.
Addie approached him. “What can I do to help you?”
“Can you bring my wife back?”
“No. I’m sorry.”
The man seemed to shrink in stature. Then he strolled away.
Father patted Addie’s shoulder. “Look what you’ve accomplished.”
Not certain what he meant, she didn’t respond.
“You encouraged them to look for ways to help each other and move forward.” He patted her twice more. “I’m going to check on that family.” He pointed to the house he meant.
“I’m going there.” She waved in the opposite direction.
As she trotted from one home to another, she smiled.Men carried wood, chopped it, took water to a pen of chickens, and generally helped those who were sick.
Eight days later, she visited the last of those who’d been ill. Not another person had died, and the man who’d lost his wife had left the area.
“I believe it’s over,” Father said at her side. “Now it’s time for you and me to get some rest.”
Back at Golden Valley, they sank into kitchen chairs while Mrs. Hammel served them tea and Mother set out cookies.
“It’s good you were here to help Mother,” Addie said to Mrs. Hammel.
“She’s been a wonderful help.” Mother smiled at her. “And she has some news.”
