What?He leaned back in his chair.
“A bit shocked, are you?” She seemed amused. “Eat your food, son, I promise I won’t bite.”
What on earth was happening here? Devin sat up straight and picked up his fork out of respect but wasn’t sure he could swallow anything until he knew for sure what Mrs. Mills was saying.
“I don’t care about money. Eliza will inherit enough money to care for generation upon generation beyond her. If you two don’t wish to live here, that’s fine. If you want to continue as the English department head, that’s fine too.” She paused andraised a hand to her chest, mindlessly toying with the string of pearls around her neck. “If Eliza wants to work in the museum for the rest of her life, or if she chooses to wear pants and dig in the dirt, I won’t stand in her way.”
He took another sip of juice and prayed it would go down. “Ma’am, I’m a bit confused.” But hope sprang alive like a well within him.
“Let me be quite blunt.”
Devin straightened and looked Eliza’s grandmother in the eye. “Yes, ma’am.”
She smiled at him, and Devin was struck at the strong resemblance between the woman and Eliza. His heart ached. How he missed her. “You are released from your vow.”
What did she just say? His heart seemed to stop for a moment.
Mrs. Mills continued. “Eliza’s grandfather and I both knew that you are the man for our girl. The way you have loved her and stood by her all these years is a credit to the man that you are.”
His lungs released as if they’d been bound up for years. “Thank you, ma’am.” He stared at his plate and was all of a sudden ravenous. Picking up his fork for the third time, he hesitated, his thoughts in a jumble. Even with Mrs. Mills’s blessing, there was no guarantee Eliza felt the same way about him. Sure, there had been glimpses of something more in Utah. Yet some of her last words were about what a good friend he was. He said as much to Mrs. Mills.
“I do love Eliza, Mrs. Mills. But I don’t think she cares for me the same way. She’s never said—”
“Let me stop you right there.” She held up a hand and her smile became ... mischievous. “She loves you, Devin. I know my granddaughter. She may not even admit it to herself because her grandfather instilled in her from a very young age to keep a fierce guard on her heart. She always took whateverhe said to be written in stone.” Her wistful expression was beautiful. “But rest assured. She loves you. That’s why there has never been anyone else.”
Mrs. Mills took a sip of water and licked her lips. “Now that we’ve solved that ... what are we going to do about this mess with the museum?”
seventeen
“Am anxious for the evening to come, so I can continue working out the puzzle.”
~Earl Douglass
SATURDAY, AUGUST5, 1916•MEYERRANCH
The sun beat down on Eliza’s back through her long work shirt. What she wouldn’t give for a good, strong breeze. Unfortunately, the air was stagnant and just plain hot.
As much as she loved retrieving a fossilized bone from its resting place, when the heat made it hard to breathe—and sent sweat trickling down her face, neck, and back—she’d rather be back inside the museum.
Back home she’d loved educating people at the museum and putting together activities and plans to get families fascinated with the great beasts. She also loved talking to those visiting the quarry about the incredible work they were doing. If she had to choose between the actual excavation and teaching others about it ... well, she couldn’t decide.
At least out here in the quiet of the ranch, she had time tothink. How was she to talk with Devin about her feelings for him? Women of society weren’t usually encouraged to share their love with a suitor.
But ... hehadshared with her first. That made a difference, didn’t it? Oh! How she longed to tell him.
And ever since her heart began to blossom toward Devin, her longing for love and family blossomed as well. She grinned. What would Devin’s response be tothat?
She sat back on her heels. Whew! Was it possible the air was even hotter now?
She giggled. No, but it was possible her thoughts made it seem so.
She wiped her hands on her dungarees, leaned down, and blew on the fossil she’d been meticulously chiseling at for the past hour. Then she brushed away all the loose pieces of rock and dirt and studied it. This one was proving difficult to get out.
Taking a sip of water, she leaned back on her heels again and looked up at the cloudless sky.
Mary had encouraged her to take her time determining how to share her feelings. To pray. And only then to share her feelings in a letter to Devin.
Eliza had started a letter at least ten times. Pouring out her heart and soul in flowery sentences and hoping that he would appreciate her effort.
