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 beforethe 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 toJess 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?
