His foul mood today had started with her when he arrived and ended with her. Frankly, he was tired of putting on a nice face. He dared a glance back. She was heading back inside with the institute director.
Staring back at the museum, a new idea formed. It was a bit risky. He squinted in the chilly spring air. But in the long run, if he wanted her gone, it would be worth it.
MONDAY, MAY8, 1916•UNIVERSITYOFPITTSBURGH
Another school term was about to come to a close. Devin smiled out the window with the thought. It had been a good year at the university. His students had grown and, if their tests were any indication, learned a great deal.
But the summer break couldn’t come soon enough. His mind and body were exhausted.
What had being a professor of English shown him?
It was draining, that’s what.
It had been one thing to teach a class or two while he’d worked on his advanced degrees. Another thing entirely to take over the English department after the sudden departure of the head. A man who’d been there for years.
At least Devin had plenty of time to recover, rejuvenate, and plan for the next year. The Dean had promised him that.
He turned back to his desk and the stack of essays waiting for his red markings. Might as well tackle what he could for the next hour. It would be quiet here for a while and then he could head back home and check on Dad.
He pooled his energy, stretched, and rubbed his eyes before diving back into the grading.
Watching his father over the years and studying under him had only made Devin’s love of learning and teaching grow. Before he could even read, the excitement of discovery and education had filled their small home.
It made him smile. There were many days he missed not ever really knowing his mother, but Dad had filled that void as much as he could. Devin really shouldn’t complain. His upbringing had been wonderful. With plenty of opportunities thanks to the Mills family.
Thoughts of the family that had been his benefactor for so long kept him distracted from the essay he’d been trying to read—and brought Eliza to the forefront of his mind. Her grandfather had paid for every cent of Devin’s education, not allowing a word of argument from him nor any from his father. And the man had been at every major event and graduation to shake Devin’s hand and say how proud he was.
Mr. Mills never again mentioned the talk they’d had on that day in the lane, but Devin thought of it often—especially when his affection for Eliza would swell.
He shook his head and focused on the paper. Every day he had to push thoughts of her aside. And every day he struggled.
Knock, knock!
His head jerked up to see who it was.
The door opened a little, and an enormous green hat with some sort of feathers protruding out of the top preceded its wearer.
He’d know a hat like that anywhere. Eliza.
The object of his mind’s wandering peeked around the door, eyed the room, and grinned. “Oh good, you’re alone.” She scurried to his desk and grabbed hold of his hand. “You simply won’t believe it!” Tugging him from his seat, she began to spin around the room with him in tow.
It must be some pretty great news. “Whoa, give me a minute to put my pen away.” Without letting go of her hand, he rushed back to his desk and laid it down, right as it dropped a fat blob of red ink. “See? We wouldn’t have wanted that on your clothes.”
“Pshaw.” She grabbed hold of his other hand and around she twirled until she was breathless and almost lost her hat. Putting one hand up to balance the monstrosity, she giggled and released his other hand. “What is an ink spot when there is such exciting news to share? I had to tell you first.”
“Tell me what?” Gone was his exhausted state. Seeing her made everything within him come alive.
She perched ever so daintily on the windowsill and covered her mouth with one hand. Her long green jacket and skirt matched her hat to perfection.
Eliza would never have it any other way.
Following her lead, he sat on the corner of his desk facing her and willed his heart to slow down. He crossed his arms over his chest. They were no longer children. Better prepare himself. Any day now, she’d tell him that she’d given her heart to someone. And his world would change.
Forever.
She released an almost imperceptible squeal and lifted her eyebrows. “Mr. Carnegie askedmeto go to Dinosaur National Monument to the Carnegie Quarry as a representative of the institute and work there—lending my expertise, as he put it—for the whole summer! Permanently if I wish.”
He hadn’t seen such unadulterated joy on her face sincethey were children. But his heart broke just the same. She was leaving?
