But he knew her better than anyone else.
Devin would expect honesty,notflowery words.
She lifted her broad straw hat and ran a hand over her hair. Perhaps it would be better to tell him in person. What if, by the time she returned to Pittsburgh, he had followed through with his idea of courting someone else?
That thought was enough to make her want to hop on a train home today. But she’d made a commitment to Deborah and Mr. Douglass. She couldn’t leave now.
The work here was rewarding. But the longer she stayed, the more she knew she was supposed to return to Pittsburgh. Prayerfully, after everything that had happened, Mr. Carnegie still had her position at the museum available. She really couldn’t wait to get back to it.
Perhaps she had finally found what she was supposed to do.
Oh, and wouldn’t it be nice to be back in the city! To visit Rufaloe’s. And perhaps purchase a new hat or two. Of the smaller variety.
She giggled and peace flowed through her heart. Yes. It was the right decision. As much as she loved the quarry and this new discovery here, she couldn’t wait to get back to shops and activities. And most of all, Devin.
She missed him. It seemed like every moment of every day.
Maybe after she was done here today, she should simply go back to her room and write him a short letter. And why not? Why shouldn’t they correspond over the last weeks she was here? Or, if she bared her heart, then they could both look forward to their reunion.
Footsteps sounded to her right and she lifted her face to her visitor.
“Miss Mills. I’m sorry to intrude, but I was told I could find you here.” Gregory, one of the workers at the quarry, tipped his hat to her and then removed it. Another man stood behind him.
“Good morning, Gregory.” She brushed some more loose fragments away from the fossil. “It’s a scorcher today, isn’t it?”
“Indeed it is, miss.” He chuckled and pointed to her denim-covered legs. “I told my wife that you often liked to dig in a pair of men’s pants, and she said she couldn’t blame you. The heat must be intolerable in all the layers you women wear.”
She glanced up at him with a laugh. “And skirts can make it difficult and sometimes even life threatening to dig, dependingon the location.” She shrugged. “I guess we all have to evolve to get the job done.”
“Very true, miss.” His hat was in his hands.
She studied him for a moment. “Is there something else you needed?”
He twisted his hat. “I was wondering...” He looked down at his feet.
“Yes?”
“I was wondering if you would talk to our daughter one day? She’s nine and loves what we’re doing out here.” He scuffed the dirt with his boot for a moment, then looked back at Eliza. “My wife was a bit concerned at first about her being so fixated on paleontology, but the more we talked about it, the more we realized that you could be a good example to her.” He raised his eyebrows.
She recognized the pleading in the man’s eyes. Most of these workers didn’t have a lot when it came to monetary wealth. “I imagine you’re wanting your daughter to have the best opportunities for her future. I would love to speak with her about paleontology.”
His face relaxed into a big smile. “Oh, thank you, Miss Mills. We are grateful to give her this chance to pursue her dreams.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll have my wife speak with you about when is a good time.”
“I look forward to it. But I will only be here for a few more weeks.”
He plopped his hat back on his head, nodded, and walked away.
Eliza took up her chisel again and smiled at the fossil. God had given her another reminder that she was using her gifts for Him.
No more striving. No more discontent. She could step forward in the joy of knowing that she had a purpose. And nomatter what she did, she would do it to the best of her ability for the glory of God.
“What are you doing here?”
The quiet voice made Eliza jerk and she fell on her backside as she turned toward the sound. With a hand to her heart, she found Mrs. Friedman standing there. “Gracious, you gave me a fright.”
