“I think I know who it is,” she said, the words catching slightly in her throat.
“Who?”
“Think about it, William. The accidents, the timing...it’s too coincidental,” Ana replied, her gaze steadfast. “I believe it’s someone with intimate knowledge of the mines—”
“Ana,” William interjected. “Be careful before you accuse someone.”
“Then what do we do? Sit idly while Hope Springs crumbles?” She refused to let a little fear hurt the community she was growing to love.
“We must consider the repercussions. A wrong move could endanger lives.”
“More lives are at stake with every moment we delay!” Ana’s words were filled with passion. She wouldn’t let anyone be mistreated if she could help them.
“Then we must be certain before we act,” William finally said.
“The townspeople,” she said, the words spilling out like pebbles into a still pond. “We could seek their help. Many eyes see more than two.”
William’s expression shifted, his features etched with lines of concern as he considered the proposition. “It’s true,” he admitted slowly, “the miners, the shopkeepers, they all have pieces to the puzzle. But to share our suspicions...”
“Could lead to panic spreading,” Ana finished for him.
“Or worse,” he added, his gaze piercing hers with its intensity. “Betrayal. If the saboteur is among them—”
“Then we are already at a disadvantage.” Ana’s heart hammered against her ribs. The thought of enlisting the town’s aid was both beacon and storm; it promised salvation yet threatened destruction.
William stood and paced before the hearth. “To confront the saboteur alone,” he murmured, more to himself than to her, “is to risk all in one move.”
Ana watched him. “But if we’re right,” she pressed, the idea a flare in the gloom, “we can end this swiftly.”
“Swiftly,” he repeated, “and with what cost?” His hands clasped behind his back as he turned away, staring into the fire’s dying light.
“Every choice bears a cost,” Ana whispered, rising to stand beside him. “We must decide which price we’re willing to pay. I know my sisters will help us. Will their husbands?”
William seemed to think about it for a moment. “Yes, I believe they will. Albert is one of the richest men in town, and he shares my vision for it. Charles is the mayor, and he doesn’t want things to change either. Yes, they will help us.”
“Good.” Ana quickly told him more of what she’d found out. “Mr. Jenkins mentioned seeing lantern light by the ridge, well past midnight. None venture there except for...”
William knew what she’d been about to say. “Discreet inquiries,” William nodded. “We gather what we can, unseen. We move as the saboteur does.”
Ana nodded, agreeing with him.
“Direct confrontation,” William’s voice broke through the stillness. “It’s the only way to end this swiftly, to protect all we hold dear.”
“Justice demands it,” Ana replied, her hand finding William’s, their fingers intertwining as if to draw strength from one another. Their decision was made. Their course set.
“Tomorrow night, we face our foe,” William said, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a comforting gesture.
“Tomorrow,” Ana repeated. She wrapped her arms around him. “I can’t think of this anymore tonight, William. Let’s go to bed.”
He blew out the lantern and led her through the quiet house to their bedroom, and that night, Ana learned of the magic Izzy spoke of as she lay in her husband’s arms.
After, she rested her head on his chest. “Izzy told me something magic can happen when a woman lays with her husband. Now I know what she meant.”
William chuckled softly. “I’ll always try to bring magic to your life.”
*****
ANA SPREAD THE MAPof Hope Springs on their dining table. “Here,” Ana’s finger tapped on a junction, “and here.” She traced the route. “He’ll pass by the old mill at midnight—consistent, if nothing else.”
