Mrs. Mills twisted the handkerchief in her hands, giving Devin a tremulous smile. “It is providential that you are headed out West. This isn’t news I can send to my dear granddaughter via letter or telegram. I certainly don’t wish for her to hear about it in the papers once they reach her.” Mrs. Mills leaned forward and touched Devin’s hand. “It’s a horrible thing to ask of you—to bring her such news—but you are the only one I trust.”
He let that sink in for a moment. “You want me to tell her? About her grandfather?” As the weight of it hit him square in the face, he didn’t want to think about how much this would hurt Eliza. She adored her grandparents.
Mrs. Mills’s nod was slow. Sad.
And it broke his heart. But wouldn’t it be better to come from him than from anyone else? As much as he hated to be the bearer of the news, he had to do it. “I will do whatever you need me to do, ma’am.”
“You always were such a good boy. My husband thought the world of you.”
He did? That was news to Devin.
“Don’t look so surprised. He thought of you like a grandson.” The look in her eyes softened. “He was proud of you. In fact, he was the one who recommended you to the board to become head of the English department.” Her lips turned up into a sad smile. Then several tears slipped down her cheeks and she pressed the hankie to her face again. “My apologies.” A muffled sob escaped.
Whatever the proper high-society protocol was at this moment, he really didn’t care. He stood, stepped over to the settee, took a seat next to her, and wrapped an arm around the older woman’s shoulders.
Several moments passed as her shoulders shook. Though silent, her grief filled the room.
When the tide of emotion passed, Devin stayed by her side, willing his strength to help hold her up if even for a moment.
She patted his hand on her shoulder. “Thank you, dear boy.” With a deep breath, she straightened and lifted her chin.
He returned to his seat and tugged it closer so he could hold Mrs. Mills’s hands. He hadn’t ever been particularly close to her, but she’d been a steadfast presence in his life for as long as he could remember.
And she was now alone. Her husband of fifty years had taken his last breath. Her granddaughter was across the country. She had no other family. How would Mrs. Mills face the future now before her?
Wait a minute...
“Mrs. Mills, perhaps it would be best if we sent an urgent telegram and told Eliza to come home. You need her here.”
Her hand came up quickly and sliced through the air. “No. I have given my granddaughter a hard time about her chosen profession all these years, and she has remained passionate. Oh, I wasn’t against it, but if she couldn’t take some pushback from the people who love her the most, the world would haveeaten her alive. This isn’t an easy time for women—wealthy or poor. Well, my dissent comes to a stop now that it’s just the two of us. I refuse to take her away from this incredible opportunity.” She pointed a finger at Devin. “It is your duty to ensure that she stays put. Understood?”
He knitted his brow. “Are you s—”
“Young man, do not argue with me on this.” The fire was back in her eyes, and she straightened even taller on the settee. “I don’t want her staying past the summer, but I can speak to her about that at a different time. Right now, I need you to break the news to her and bring her this note.” She lifted an envelope from the table beside her and stared at it. “I wrote it as soon as he closed his eyes and I knew.” Her voice sounded far off. She cleared her throat. “Make sure you wait for the appropriate time when she will be able to compose herself before having to speak with others.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“She will need a good cry. And knowing Eliza, she will want to go out into the wilderness and dig and pound in the dirt for a while. Scream at the heavens and vent her grief. She’s always been passionate in her emotions. Stay with her, please, keep her safe and from hurting herself. Don’t allow her to think that I will wither up and die without her here. It will do me good to have these weeks on my own. I would like to be ...adjustedto these new circumstances by the time she comes home.”
“Yes, ma’am.” But wouldn’t she prefer to grieve with her granddaughter? They could help each other through this. He almost said so, but by the rigid set of her jaw, her mind was made up.
“I hear you’re leaving tomorrow. Don’t change your plans for me. The mountains are beautiful. Take a moment to revel in their grandeur for me.” The sad smile was back, and shepatted the envelope into his hand. “Now go. I’ll expect a visit from you when you return.”
Devin stood and kissed her wrinkled hands. Then he bowed and left the manor with a new weight on his heart and mind.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE28, 1916•JENSEN
She slid the plate over to her husband, a new idea forming in her mind.
Waiting for him to die—even with his haphazard ways—was going to take too long.
Especially with all those people digging out at the quarry.
What she needed was a plan to delay the diggers and one to speed up the demise of the man in front of her.
Oh, he’d been fun and everything she thought she wanted at the beginning. Everything she’d fought her parents for. But she’d grown tired of his lazy ways and the fact that he refused to give her any money. He did enough to keep up appearances, but that was it. The man was a bum and stingy and it sickened her.
For ten years, she’d kept up the charade of dutiful wife while he did whatever he pleased, knowing that one day it would all be over. But her patience had reached its end. He wasn’t going to get any more time than he deserved.
