The Escort - By Gina Robinson Page 0,54

previous October that seemed to favor the unions. Sentiment ran to two extremes. The mining unions applauded the decision, but many politicians and mine owners were up in arms. Consequently government bureaucracy stalled. Permits were hard to come by. And confident that they had an official on their side, the unions openly rebelled against the owners.

"H.L.'s got his problems. But he'll overcome them. You've heard the latest slogan coming from Baker and the Western Federation of Miners. Every union should have a rifle club."

Tonio nodded in affirmation. All the Jupiter partners were torn. Ed Baker, President of the Federation, was a friend of Harry Scott's. But Harry didn't advocate violence.

Gus tossed Tonio a key. "When you bring up the rest of the dynamite, you'd better lock it up. No use courting trouble. We've always dealt fairly with the union, but when men's tempers flare, you never know what they'll do."

Angelina felt shaky and cold, clammy to the core as Al helped her up into the carriage. Neither May nor Angelina had spoken since leaving the Bunker offices. Angelina was stunned into muteness, unable to decide if this new turn was more blessing or curse or curse or blessing. She would not have to live with an old man she did not love. She was free. Free to do what? She was stranded in a foreign country without enough money to go home. And her parents were far too poor to give her any help. Her head felt like a child's spinning top. She must find Tonio. He would know what to do. May had other ideas.

"Al, drive us directly to the Colonel's. Angelina needs a job and I need help in the kitchen." She turned to Angelina. "You did say you could cook?"

Angelina nodded. "I apprenticed in a very fine household doing mostly baking."

"Baking is good. Keeps a woman in shape. Don't care much for it myself. I could use an assistant. You can make bread?"

"Yes, with a very hard crust, the best kind. And all kinds of desserts. Profiterole and panna cote and—"

"Good." May sounded firm. "Miners down bread like they drink beer—almost too fast to keep up with." Clearly, May had no intention of letting Angelina wallow in pity and despair.

"Do you think I can earn enough money for passage home?"

May gave her an incredulous look. "Home, child? Where there are no men and the convents are full? You don't want to go back there. Here in Idaho we have the vote. Women have rights. You have rights. A woman on her own can do just fine, thank you very much. You'll work with me. We'll win the vote for our sisters all over the country. We'll be heroes, you and me. Famous.

"You can be our poster girl. Oppressed foreign woman comes to the States to an arranged marriage only to be left widowed and on her own. But she overcomes tragedy and becomes a successful businesswoman. You keep dreaming of that, Angelina. Just keep dreaming." May looked like she was dreaming herself.

"Someday that mine will pay off and…" May patted Angelina's hand. "We'll just see if we can't get you in on that deal."

"I need to talk to Tonio." Angelina wanted the feel of his arms around her. The future was open now but would Tonio want her?

"Of course, you do," May said. "But there's time for all that later. When things settle down a bit. Now's not the time to be getting yourself mixed up in the dangers." She winked at Angelina. "Trust old May. Things will work out in the end."

They pulled up in front of the Fuller House. Less than half an hour later, Angelina had a job and went directly to work in the Colonel's kitchen.

When she arrived home at May's, exhausted after baking bread and pies all day, a bag of hard candy waited for her tied with a pink ribbon with a note attached. Her heart leapt. Tonio!

The note was typed and said, "Be my sweet little piece." It was not signed. And it was not from Tonio; this she knew. Tonio didn't play games.

The words, sweet little piece, seemed insulting and made her vaguely uneasy. How did anyone know where she lived? This made her nervous, too, like a bird being stalked by a cat, watched unawares.

She took the candy outside and questioned several children who played in their yard several houses down. No one had seen whoever delivered the candy.

"For your trouble." Angelina gave it to the children, ruffling