“Her son’s future was on the line and she didn’t know you from Adam. And let’s face it, you didn’t have a squeaky clean reputation when you lived in town.”
Cole couldn’t deny Wade’s logic.
Wade grunted. “Eat your vittles before they get cold. I got to get cleaned up so I can take Bess for a ride in the country.”
Before Cole could respond, the old man strode out the door past Stan Farthing who stood with his hand raised, poised to knock. Cold air rushed into the stuffy cabin.
Stan cleared his throat. “The dozen men you hired are outside waiting for orders.”
“Good.” Cole rose, grabbed his hat.
Cole and Stan had struggled through an awkward few days, but had settled into a businesslike arrangement that suited them both. Stan’s supply connections in Denver coupled with Cole’s bank-roll and management skills had complemented each other.
Everything was going well and if his fortune held, the Lucky Star would soon be releasing silver.
If only he could manage his marriage as smoothly.
Stan hesitated. He rubbed his hand over his freshly shaved chin. “The fate of White Stone rests on your shoulders now.”
“On all our shoulders.”
“Folks are hoping for the best, but I don’t think most believe you’ll find silver.”
Cole squinted as he stared into the sun. “When the odds are against me, I’m at my best. I’m a gambler at heart.”
“You really believe there’s silver in there?”
“Yep.”
“Think it’ll be easy to reach?”
“Nope, the free silver is gone. We’re gonna have to work for everything we find now.”
“I’m willing to work, as long as it brings prosperity back to White Stone.” Stan shoved a dirty hand through his hair. “Look, I’m sorry for the things I said when you first came to town.”
“Forget it.”
“I can’t. My family would have gone hungry without you. Hell, after the fight we had years ago, I couldn’t blame you if you turned your back on me.”
“What’s past is past, Stan.” He held out his hand.
Standing stock straight, he accepted Cole’s hand and shook it. “I’m glad to be on your crew.”
“Good.”
“Well, let me get to work.” He headed toward the mine entrance then he stopped. “Oh, I thought it best you know—Dusty’s pa came back in town late last night. I saw him at the Rosebud.”
Every muscle in Cole’s body stiffened. “What’s he want?”
“Dusty, I reckon.”
* * *
“Papa!” Mac shouted. He ran into the kitchen, carrying a toy truck Cole had carved for him. “Papa’s home!”
Rebecca looked up from the sink. “Papa? You mean Cole?” The child had started calling Cole Papa days ago, but it still sounded strange to Rebecca’s ears.
“Yes, Papa!”
Mac had forged a strong bond with Cole, as if he had craved a man’s attention all his life. She was glad Mac was growing to love his father.
Drying her hands on a kitchen towel, Rebecca followed Mac toward the front door. Nervous excitement mingled with dread.
Cole never came home in the middle of the day so likely Mac had spotted a traveler in need of a room. Cole had insisted that there’d be no more boarders at the inn, but that hadn’t stopped the stray person from stopping. She’d sent them all to the Rosebud.
“Honey, Papa is at the mine.”
These last two weeks had been the loneliest of her life. Cole spent most of his waking hours with the boys or at the mine and he barely had spoken to her, let alone offered her any tenderness.
Mac ran out the front door, Rebecca on his heels. She stopped on the porch when she saw Cole. Covered in dirt and grime, striding up the walkway, he still possessed grace and confidence. Her heart skipped a beat.
Cole scooped Mac up in his arms tossing him high in the air. “Hey, partner. You having a good day?”
“Truck.”
The creases around Cole’s eyes deepened. “So I see.”
Rebecca managed a smile. “Everything all right at the mine?” It was a simple question, but with all the anger that had passed between them, she stumbled over the words.
“All’s well,” he said. “The central mine shaft is in better shape than we first thought and the ten men we’ve hired are hardworking. If our luck holds, excavation could begin next month.”
“That mine was Papa’s dream. I never thought I’d see that mine open again,” she said quietly.
“Your father had good instincts. He knew there was more silver to be had in the Lucky Star and I intend to find it.”
Cole stood proud and tall, his voice full of un-spoken confidence. If anyone could make the mine work, her husband would. Unexpected pride swelled in Rebecca. “I’m glad things are going well.”
He set Mac down. “We’d not be making such good progress if you hadn’t agreed to add me as a full partner.”
It had been an olive branch. “We’re a team.”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing home so early in the day?”
His gaze roamed the front lawn. “Just needed a break. Where’s Dusty?”
“He and Jared are fishing.”
“He knows to stay clear of barns and lit cigars?”
Rebecca smiled. “I don’t think Dusty will ever touch a cigar again.”
“When’s he due back?”
“An hour or so.”
Cole drew in a deep breath. “I don’t like the idea of him running around like an urchin. I’d rather he stay close to home.”
“Dusty’s got a good head on his shoulders and he knows White Stone just about as well as anyone. He’ll be fine.”
“Still, I’d rather he stay close to home.”
She frowned. “Is there a problem?”
“No. But I’d rather he help you out around here instead of running around the countryside.”
“He’s done all his chores.”
His lips drew into a tight line as if the answer didn’t satisfy him.
“What’s wrong?”
Before Cole could respond, Dusty strolled up the front walk, his pants rolled up to his knees, a fishing pole over one shoulder and a pail in the other.
Dusty’s face brightened at the sight of Cole. “What are you doing home so early?”
Cole’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Catch any fish?”
Mac ran to Dusty and pointed inside the pail. “Fish! Fish!”
Cole peered in the rusted pail and saw two six-inch fish lying wide-eyed in the bottom.
Mac picked up one of the fish only to have it slide out of his hands. “Yuck.”
Dusty rolled his eyes. “I think they’ll taste great for dinner.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Rebecca said. “Fresh fish is always a treat.”
Cole examined the fish. “Where’d you catch them?”
“I’ve got a secret fishing spot. No one knows about it.”
Rebecca smiled. “Is it the one under the willow tree next to Miller’s Pond?”
Dusty’s jaw dropped. “Hey, how’d you know about my secret spot?”
“You spent most of the late spring up by that pond.”
“How’d you know that?”
Rebecca folded her arms over her chest. “I know more about you than you realize.”
Cole cocked an eyebrow, curious. “I thought you just met the boy a few weeks ago.”
“I may have just met him, but I’ve known about him for a long time.”
“What do you know about me?”
“I know you like cherry pie better than apple. You always sat behind the saloon right after Seth swept it out, and went through the dust looking for coins.”
“Hey! I thought no one saw me.”
She smiled. “Dusty Saunders, do you really think I didn’t know you were taking all those pies from my windowsill?”
Dusty shrugged. “I figur
ed you just weren’t paying attention.”
“I saw you steal the very first pie back in April and I watched you sit out under the oak tree and eat it. You didn’t think I could see, but I could.”
“Why didn’t you come after me?”
“Because I could see you were hungry.”
He scrunched up his brow. “What about the blanket and pillow that I found in the hayloft?”
“I didn’t want you getting cold at night.”
“Dang,” Dusty said shaking his head. “And I thought I was pulling one over on you.”
“Oh, but you were a careful one. I had to hide real well otherwise you stayed clear of the house.”
Cole patted the boy on the back. “Better men than you have been fooled by a woman.”
The comment was made spontaneously, not intended to hold hidden meaning, but Rebecca flinched. She folded her arms over her chest again.