Mary was right, there was no condemnation for her as a child of God.Thank You, Lord.
Eliza watched the light flicker through the leaves of the trees above her. The rumble of her stomach cut through the air and she looked at the watch pinned to her shirtwaist. Definitely past lunchtime. Her stomach rumbled again.Hourspast.
She opened the basket and pulled out her sandwich. The hearty scent of beef made her mouth water. She unwrapped the handheld deliciousness and laid back on the blanket with a sigh. Munching on the homemade bread, fresh roasted beef, and cheese, she stared up into the sky and listed off everything in her life she could think of that she’d held on to and gave it over to the Father. Everything she’d tried to control. Everything she’d hoped and dreamed.
The more she lifted her burdens up to Him, the cleaner and lighter she felt and the more her words tumbled out one after another.
A couple hours later, the basket was empty and her heart was full. Eliza gathered her things and headed back home. Tomorrow, she would send a telegram to Mr. Carnegie about the article. She couldn’t control what people thought or said about her, but she could be honest with him. Then she would request to dig out on the Meyer ranch again. Maybe Deborah would still help her. It would be nice to get to know her better. Become even better friends than they were now. The thought warmed her.
As she drove toward the house, she noticed another carriage in the yard. Perhaps the Adamses had a visitor staying for supper.
Deborah Hawkins stood up on the porch, a deep frown on her face. She walked down the steps and toward Eliza.
“Is this true?” She held up the newspaper, fire in her eyes.
“Please.” Eliza sent a quick prayer toward heaven. “Allow me to explain.” She climbed down from the buggy and took a deep breath. “I wrote many papers under a male name years ago because I was afraid they wouldn’t publish a woman paleontologist.”
Deborah’s face softened a bit. “So what did you lie about?”
Eliza winced. “I asked Devin to say that he wrote them. But he wasn’t comfortable with lying for me so we told the truth to Dr. Masterson. Well, the man we thought was Dr. Masterson. But he was an imposter, and he must’ve gone to the papers with it.”
“Oh.” Deborah blinked several times. “My husband said there must be an explanation, and Earl agreed. Mr. Carnegie had sent out a lot of telegrams about the impersonator to all his people around the country.”
Eliza nodded. Mr. Carnegie had told her he would inform his connections to keep a watch out for the man posing as Dr. Masterson. “I’m sorry about all this, Deborah.”
She shook her head and rolled the newspaper up in her hands. “After working with you, I couldn’t believe it would be true. Then a group of women protestors turned up on the road by the quarry and they’ve been saying some pretty hateful things. Couple that with the article and...” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
Eliza put a hand to her chest. What a gift this woman and her friendship were. “Thank you. I’m sorry that I’ve caused such a mess.”
Deborah grabbed Eliza’s free hand and squeezed it tight. “Earlier today, I was excited because the sheriff came to see us and granted permission for you and me to continue excavating on the Meyer ranch. Then I read this and listened to the protestors and—” She shook her head. “I’m so sorry!”
They were allowed back on the ranch! “You have nothingto apologize for. And that’s wonderful news from the sheriff.” She gripped her friend’s hand tighter.
“Isn’t it? I can’t wait to get back there and figure out what we’ve discovered. But you’re the expert. I can’t do this without you.” Deborah smiled, and Eliza’s heart warmed.Thank You, Lord, for friends who are so quick to forgivemy stupidity.
“Does that mean you’ll help me tomorrow?” Eliza held her breath.
“I’d love to.”
fifteen
“What a wonder, the bursting forth of unnumbered myriads of leaves and flowers. The plum and apple trees are in their bridal robes and the air is laden with sweet odors.”
~Earl Douglass
TUESDAY, JULY25, 1916•CARNEGIEINSTITUTE
Nelson’s time in Utah couldn’t have gone better. His friend had played his part perfectly, and the newspapers ran with the story.
Miss Mills’s reputation would soon be in tatters. But just to make sure, he had another card up his sleeve. His ace in the hole.
Once the obstacle was out of his way, he would win. Everything.
He’d barely lifted a finger to destroy Eliza Mills and her career. No, she managed that on her own, lying about her authorship on her paper. Making her friend, that inane English professor from the university, say he’d written it? He rolled hiseyes. Did the man have no self-respect? To let a female wind him around her little finger showed a lack of spine.
Never mind. The professor was none of his concern. And with Miss Mills just a few steps from career destruction, she wouldn’t be for long either. His path to power had one last brick to be laid: removing her from the museum staff.
Mr. Carnegie’s note to all the employees about being aboveboard and honest in all things had made Nelson smile. The great man’s encouragement only reinforced Nelson’s plan. No matter how long Carnegie and Mr. Mills had been friends, the philanthropist and wealthy mogul wouldn’t dare to keep Eliza Mills employed. Not once Nelson was through with her.
