“And because I do, I’m frustrated because I know she’s standing outside this mine in the heat of the Sonoran Desert with no water.”
For the first time he heard real fondness in her voice. “If your horse is as smart as you say, she will find shade and water when she needs it.”
“I hope so. But if we can figure out how to get out of here, I can be sure she’s okay.”
“True. Then based on the gravel and your own experience, which is far more than mine in this situation, what do you think?”
“I think the gravel is too loose to hold up. We would need supports like were originally there. We’d have to dig enough to set up beams before the dirt caves in again.”
He actually hadn’t thought about reconstructing the tunnel, but if it was done on a small scale that might work. “That could work if we can find more timbers.”
“There were a few in the side room we found earlier.”
“True, but not enough. We’d have to explore farther and see if there were any more and do so before our phone lights give out.” He didn’t like the thought of being stuck in pitch black with no light available.
Her boots scraped the ground as she repositioned herself, at least he assumed that’s what she did.
“And what if we can’t find enough wood?” Her voice now faced him, validating his assumption at her movement. He liked that she faced him and turned to face her as well. “The only other option I can think of is to pull the fallen dirt into this space until enough has cleared for us to crawl out.” He held up his hand as if to keep her from interrupting before he remembered she couldn’t see it. Hell, even he couldn’t see it and he knew it was there. He grinned at his own habits. “That is, of course, if the whole side of the mountain isn’t in that pile.”
“What we have going for us is that it’s very close to the entrance, so even if it is the side of the mountain, it would only be up to a certain point. That’s a lot more doable than a hundred yards into a complex cave system.”
He wanted to ask, but right now was not the time. “Then our plan is to search for timbers and tools. Unless the Take a Chance mine ran along a short vein, my guess is there are a lot of tunnels to explore.”
“I have no idea. Cole said it was originally a gold mine, but that was short lived and copper was discovered. I guess gold, silver, and copper hang out together.”
That was one way of putting it. He was no expert, but if what she said was true, the split they found when they first searched could indicate an old gold tunnel on one side and the copper on the other. “If we can find the end of a tunnel, another room, or a major transfer spot, we might find tools and timbers.”
Again, her boots scraped against the dirt. “Then we should get started.”
Her voice came from above him, so he rose as well. “Let me get my light turned on.”
Her hand on his chest halted him. “No. We know we have at least a hundred and sixty yards before coming close to the split. If we run our hand along the side wall, we can get there in the dark.”
He didn’t like that idea for more than one reason. First, it meant the pitch blackness would continue and second that she’d probably done the exact same thing once before. “That could be dangerous. We have rails and debris to navigate.”
“We don’t have to move quickly. It’s not like we’re on a timetable.”
Her confidence bothered him. “There’s a good chance we will be free of this place before our batteries run out.”
“Maybe, but do you want to risk it?”
Shit. She was right. “Fine, but let me go first.”
“Why? I’ve already been down this part of the tunnel twice.”
It went against his grain for her to lead, mainly because that would be the most dangerous position. He tried to come up with a reason not to let her, but couldn’t think of anything she wouldn’t see right through.
“Ready Dog?” She grasped his shoulder in the dark and walked around him.
Not happy with the situation, he had no choice but to follow, her footsteps letting him know where she was. “I think Dog needs a new name.”
“I told you, he’s not my dog.”
He shortened his stride, her voice closer than he’d anticipated. “That doesn’t mean you can’t give him a temporary name.”
“Like what?”
He let his hand trail across the solid rock, occasionally disturbing loose granules as he stepped carefully. “How about Chance after the ranch.”
