“What was that all about? Rumors?” Dad had come out of his seat.
Devin filled him in as he paced the small area around the table.
“What are you going to do?”
Devin laid his hands on the back of the chair and leaned down. His mind swirled. Oh, he’d like to punch whoever started those rumors. And he’d like to make sure that anyone who said anything negative about Eliza was fired. And never able to come near her again. Unfortunately, that wasn’t in his power.
He straightened. Butonething was. “I’m going to have a meeting with Mr. Carnegie, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Dad’s eyes widened. “Have you ever met the man?”
“Once. With Eliza at the museum.” The wealthy philanthropist probably wouldn’t remember him, but he didn’t care. He would wait as long as it took to see him. No, he woulddemandto see him.
“It’s a noble thing you want to do, son, but I’m not sure you’ll be successful. Especially since we really don’t have any idea what’s happening.”
Devin narrowed his eyes. “I’ll tell you what’s happening. Someone is trying to ruin Eliza’s reputation by lying about her. Whoever it is was bold enough to send an imposter out West and now this. And I’m not about to allow that to happen.” He straightened and slapped his napkin on the table.
Just let anyonetryto stand in his way.
MONDAY, JULY31, 1916•DINOSAURNATIONALMONUMENT
She could’ve sworn this was where she’d buried the gold. But no matter how many holes she dug, she hadn’t found it.
It was dark though, with only the light of the moon. She couldn’t risk a lantern out here. Especially since the man running the quarry had started having men patrol at night.
But she had to find the box of gold. It contained the only map with detailed instructions as to where the rest of the gold was hidden all over the ranch.
She sat back on her heels and took a deep breath. That’s what all this was for. That bullion was her ticket to a new life. She deserved it after all she’d endured. It. Was. Hers.
With it, she would disappear to Europe forever and live like a princess. She would shed the shell of the woman she’d been and become anything she wanted to be. She was young. She could be vibrant once more.
Never ...neveragain would she allow a man to control her, beat her down, and crush her spirit.
With fresh vigor, she went back to the boulder by her marker and counted her steps. Perhaps she’d been off by a step or angled in the wrong direction. But she came to the same spot. Then she gasped and went back to the crevice in the large rock wall. Her marker was gone.
She growled out her frustration. No wonder she hadn’t been able to find it. Now she’d have to dig up this entire area.
She would find it. She would.
And woe to anyone who tried to stop her.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST2, 1916•ADAMSFARM
Two weeks had passed since Devin left. She’d shed more tears in the past few weeks than in her entire life.
But it had been worth it. Because now she knew the truth.
Devin Schmitt was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Not only his friendship, and not only his speaking truth into her last month ... but his unconditional love for her.
His honesty.
His fierce loyalty.
His knack for pushing back with her and making her think.
She asked herself over and over why she hadn’t paid more attention to that all these years. But now, after several prayersessions with Mary and a good deal of time in the Word, she was ready.
Ready to cast aside all her fears and fully trust in the Lord.
