Martha’s voice stayed calm. Good for her.
“Well, don’t expect me to accompany you. He’s not a man of means, Martha. I would think you would listen. Especially after your mother...”
Their conversation drifted out of his earshot. What about Martha’s mother? It was the second time Lily Rose had referenced her in regard to him. He made a note to ask Martha about it at dinner tonight.
Several hours later, home and freshly bathed, Jacob slid an arm into his suit coat and snagged his hand on a thread in the lining. Disentangling his fingers, he groaned. Several threads now hung from his fingertips. He pushed them inside his cuff. He would have to fix it some other time. He didn’t want to be late for dinner. Smoothing his hair back, he settled his hat on his head and made his way downstairs.
“Oh, there you are, Mr. Duncan!” His landlady came up with a folded piece of paper. “I was on my way to find you. A telegram came for you. Rather urgent.”
Jacob took the paper from her.
In Colorado Springs. Need help. Injured. Meet me at the Antlers Hotel. John
Cousin John was in Colorado Springs? His mother hadn’t mentioned that in her last letter. Only that he was mining up in the mountains. Jacob read it again. Injured. Things must be bad for him to be taken to Colorado Springs and send a telegram. Sighing, Jacob smiled at his landlady. “Thank you for giving thisto me. I’ll be gone a few days. My cousin John is in Colorado Springs and has asked for my help because of an injury.”
The older woman patted his arm. “What awful luck for you and yours! And you recovering from your own injuries. Be safe, Mr. Duncan. I’ll hold your room for you, pay it no mind.”
“I appreciate it. Also, do you have a sheet of paper? I need to pen a note.”
Jacob wrote of the situation to Martha. Surely she would understand his absence for the next few days? If not, well, what could he do? His family needed him.
He handed the note to his landlady and checked the clock. “Could you see that this note makes it to Miss Jankowski at the café on Main Street right away? If I have any hopes of catching the train, I’ll have to run to the depot.”
“I will. Safe travels, Mr. Duncan.”
Jacob nodded his thanks and bounded back up the stairs. Thankfully, between his first job and Martha’s generosity on this dig, he had a bit to spare for a train ticket.
He threw a few things in his small pack, closed and locked his door, then ran back down the stairs. He was expending more energy than he had in a while, but at least his wounds weren’t on fire.
His landlady waited at the bottom of the steps. “Here, take one of my horses. I’ll have Ronald fetch it at the station after he delivers your note.”
“Thank you.” Mounting the horse, he took another deep breath and then prodded the horse down the street.
Poor John! To be injured and so far away from any family. He understood that feeling now more than ever.Lord, please protect John and help him to heal.
He would just have to see what he was up against when he arrived.
As he rode, his thoughts returned to Martha. He couldn’t wait to return and hear what had been happening with her.The change in her was encouraging and he hoped their next conversation would be a step toward their future.
By now, surely she had received his note. He closed his eyes as he reached the station. Hopefully she would understand and forgive him for missing their dinner.
WEDNESDAY, AUG7, 1889•JANKOWSKIDIGSITE
Pacing the tent at the dig site, Martha fidgeted with her handkerchief.
Her world had spiraled out of control.
Again.
Lily Rose had left the dig site after their little spat and hadn’t returned.
Jacob never showed up for dinner. She sat at the café until Walter came in to fetch her and take her home.
She couldn’t order anyone to do anything about it. Mother had refused to be seen since she was having a fit of her headaches. Summer and the heat seemed to bring them on and keep her in her bed.
Walter had checked at the boardinghouse yesterday, but no one had seen Jacob.
Lily Rose’s room was pristine and her things were still present, while their owner was missing.
