for another six months at least. Don’t know what we’ll do after that. Reckon the coal’s about petered out ’round here?”
“Hope not.”
Perkins shot Jake a glance. “You thought about opening up the Black Gold mine again, Russell?”
All eyes focused on Jake. “Reckon not.”
“Lots of pure coal in that mine, son.”
Jake pushed his food away, appetite gone. “I know, but it’s too dangerous. Perkins, you of all people should know that.”
Perkins’s son-in-law had died in the disaster, leaving a wife and a couple of kids. Jake knew it wasn’t easy for Johanna to make ends meet, even with her family around.
The old miner leaned both elbows on the table. “Not for the right managers. Jake, you and your pa, Seamus, and the others had the right idea, having the workers own shares in the mine. I wish you’d reconsider. I heard Sturgis already sold out. That true?”
“News sure travels fast.” Jake took a sip of coffee.
“It’s only a matter of time before everyone agrees to sell. No telling what kind of feller will be in charge then. I’d rather see you, Brown, and Seamus running the show than some money-hungry yahoo from Chicago who don’t care about nuthin’ but making a dollar.”
The rest of the men nodded in agreement.
“I’d go to work in the Black Gold mine, given the right men opened ’er back up.” Perkins tapped him on the arm with his spoon. “Think about it.”
Jake sighed. These men risked their lives day in and day out, and he couldn’t bring himself to take one step underground. How could they respect him and the other owners enough to consider working for them again?
He pushed away from the table, then carried his bowl to where Emma stood, elbow-deep in sudsy water. “Food’s good as always, Emma.”
She looked him in the eye. “Don’t let Perkins get to you, Jake. You do what you think’s right.”
“The problem comes in knowing what’s right.”
“I’ll pray for you. I always do, you know.”
“Thanks, Emma. I appreciate it.”
The door flung open. “Russell, you here?”
Jake squinted at the dark figure outlined against the night sky. “Yeah?”
“It’s Seamus. He’s calling for you. I think he’s about to kick the bucket.”
Jake rushed for the door, his heart in his throat. He’d known this day would come, but not now. Not this soon. He wasn’t ready.
* * *
Seamus passed on kind of peaceful-like. Doc Valentine told Jake his heart just plain gave out. When the six o’clock whistle blew, the old man smiled, took a deep breath, and went home to rest.
Forever.
* * *
Livy put away the last of the supper dishes and wiped down the table. Mrs. Brooks puttered around in the other room, getting ready for bed. The children were settled in for the night, so Livy banked the stove. She yawned, ready for a good night’s sleep.
A pounding on the door startled her. She wiped her hands and hurried to the door. “Who is it?”
Nobody answered, but a soft groan came from the other side. Without thinking, she undid the latch and jerked open the door. A small child, eyelashes feathered against pale cheeks, lay wrapped in a ragged blanket at her feet. Livy scooped up the slight form and held it close. She could feel heat radiating from the listless child. She scanned the side yard and grove of trees that buffered the orphanage against the sound of the train but didn’t see anyone. She didn’t waste any more time looking. Whoever had left the child didn’t plan to show themselves.
She shut the door and gazed at the bundle in her arms. Who would leave a child, barely a year old, on their doorstep? Then she noticed the blanket. It looked like one she’d left for the boys over in shantytown. She unwrapped the child, checking for injuries.
Mrs. Brooks stepped into the kitchen, tying the sash of her robe around her ample waist. “I thought I heard the door.”
“You did.”
When she saw the child, the older woman hurried to Livy’s side. “Oh, my. What happened?”
“I found her on the porch a few minutes ago.”
“It’s a girl, then?”
Livy nodded.
Mrs. Brooks cupped the child’s face in her hand. “She’s burning up.”
“I know.” Tears pricked Livy’s eyes. Dear Lord, save this little one.
Mrs. Brooks took the child. “Stir the fire up again. Looks like we’re going to have a long night.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Livy’s heart ached. Lord, we need a miracle if this child is to survive.
Her tears overflowed as she thought of her sister’s baby. She would have been three