He brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. "It's all right. We got through it."
She gave a weak smile that was more of a grimace. "Usually, he's with Father. I thought the two of them would be making plans for while Father leaves with us."
He tried not to show his own worry. "Do you think it's bad he knows you took me into the caves?" How much of her fear was paranoia instilled by her father, and how much was due to true danger?
She sighed, her gaze drifting past him. "I hope not. Father didn't tell me not to. He allows me to tend the men who are sick or injured, so I have to make rounds to learn who needs help." Her eyes met his again, unease swirling in their depths.
"But you're still worried." He didn’t state it as a question.
She nodded, her teeth tugging at her bottom lip. "Jedidiah...he has a way of twisting things, of making even the most innocent actions seem sneaky."
He swallowed against his tightening throat. Theyhadbeen trying to sneak. From Mick and Jedidiah’s perspective, Gil could be planning to hurt their operation. At the very least, he planned to take away one of their workers and steal back hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of sapphires they hopefully had stored around here somewhere.
He intended to take down part of the evil kingdom they’d built in this mountain wilderness.
First, Sampson.
"I need to find a way to speak with my brother. Is there a time when your father and Jedidiah would both be occupied? The noon meal maybe?"
She shook her head, her eyes going wide. “Not then. Father will expect you at the table to eat with him. If you're not there..." She trailed off, but he could imagine the consequences she feared.
"But didn't you tell Ezekiel you would come by to tend to him then?"
Her mouth pinched. "I usually serve Father's meal, then go check the men. Father will expectyouto eat with him though."
The alarm in her eyes made his chest ache. What had her father done to her to plant such fear? He wanted to ask her, but the timing didn’t feel right. For now, they needed to make a plan for him to see Sampson.
But later, when they had a chance for more relaxed conversation, he needed to know what Mick McPharland had done to such a precious woman. Gil swallowed the bile in his belly. Hearing what had been done to her would surely stoke hisanger, but he couldn’t help to ease her worries until he knew their root.
"All right." He gentled his tone. "I won't do anything to put you at risk. Where do the men sleep?"
Her lips pressed. "There’s another cavern on the east side of the mountain. It serves as their bunkhouse." Her eyes pleaded. "But Gil, there are other men to worry about too. Jedidiah has eyes and ears everywhere. I don't even know them all."
They’d placed their bunkhouse in a cavern too? He couldn't imagine a life where men never left the darkness of those caves—not to work or sleep. What had driven Sampson to choose this existence over their ranch? It couldn't be for the fortune—they all had as much as they could want from their own sapphire mine.
Independence then?
A flash of anger surged through him, directed at their older brother Jericho.
Gil had warned Jericho this would happen if he didn't loosen his vice grip on their younger siblings. Things had seemed better these past couple years since he’d married Dinah, but apparently not enough for Sampson.
Gil had to get to him. He’d offer to help him start over somewhere else, somewhere he didn't have to live like a cave rat.
He'd sneak out tonight and find Sampson. He wouldn't tell Jess though—it would only worry her more.
Forcing a reassuring smile, he gave her hand a small squeeze. "It'll be all right. We'll figure something out." Even as the words left his mouth, he prayed they held truth.
Lord, guide my steps. Help me reach Sampson and get him out of this place. And keep Jess safe.
As they emerged onto the path, the rugged face of the mountain loomed before them. Somewhere inside those dark tunnels, his brother toiled.
Gil's jaw tightened. One way or another, he would find a way to help Sampson. To bring him home.
No matter how hard that goal became.
Surely, it had to be midnight.
Gil eased his bedding aside and sat upright, listening for McPharland’s steady snores. The man had been sleeping for at least an hour now. No one could fake those snuffles and wheezes. God willing, the man wouldn't wake.
