The Whippoorwill Trilogy - Sharon Sala Page 0,234

as he turned around. Once again, he was face to face with the woman, only she didn’t appear as raggedy as she had a few minutes ago. There was a fire in her eyes and a jut to her chin that should have warned him she wasn’t one to mess with.

“Look, Mrs… If I offended you…”

Letty didn’t blink.

“You did.”

His face turned as ruddy as his hair, but the bore of that rifle she kept aimed at his face spoke loudly.

“Then I’m sorry,” he muttered.

“Time to move on,” Eulis said shortly.

Clancy kept his head down as he quickly moved past.

“Are you done in there?” Letty asked, as the land agent went back inside.

“Yeah, we’re done,” Eulis said, then winked and grinned as he got up in the seat. “For better or for worse, that claim is ours.”

Letty turned around to make sure that the red-headed man was still walking away. She watched until he disappeared around the corner of the street.

“Now the assayer’s office,” Letty said.

Eulis clucked to the mules and the wagon rolled on, taking them and their future a little farther down the street.

“Assayer’s office,” Eulis said.

“I’ll wait here,” Letty said.

“No, darlin’… this time it’s your turn.”

Her eyes widened. “What are you saying?”

“You found it. It’s only fair that you get to be the one to see what it’s worth.”

Letty handed Eulis the rifle, and hugged him something fierce before jumping down from the wagon.

Eulis tossed her the small bag of ore they’d kept back.

“I’ll be here when you’re done.”

She clutched the bag against her chest and headed into the office.

The bell over the door jingled as Letty walked in, but the assayer didn’t bother to look up.

“Be with you in a minute.”

“Take your time,” Letty said, and plopped the sack of ore on the counter.

It was the female voice that changed the assayer’s focus. Immediately, he set aside a set of scales and jumped to his feet.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. How can I help you?”

She shoved the bag of ore toward him.

“Kinda curious as to what this might be worth.”

He hefted the bag and then grinned.

“Well, little lady… let’s see what you’ve got here.”

He was still smiling as he dumped the contents out onto the counter. It lasted just until he picked up the first chunk of ore, then his smile changed to respect.

“This looks promising,” he said. “Give me a few minutes and we’ll see what we have here.”

Letty nodded, watching carefully as he laid some of the ore on large piece of leather. He took a small hammer and began hacking at the dirt and rock, separating it from the color, muttering as he worked. Letty couldn’t tell if that was good or bad, but when he dragged out some chemicals and a set of scales, Letty caught herself holding her breath.

Not once during the entire process did she take her eyes off him, although he could have been making bear stew and she wouldn’t have known the difference. Once, she glanced out the window, making sure Eulis was still there, and wondering if he should be here instead of her. If the assayer decided to lie to her, she wouldn’t know the difference.

Then the man turned around, and the look on his face made her heart skip a beat. His hands were shaking as he began sacking up the ore that he’d dumped.

“Ma’am…”

Letty braced herself for disappointment.

“What?”

“Is there any more of this?”

She thought of what was in the wagon bed as well as what they’d left behind.

“Yes.”

He started to grin.

“This is without doubt the purest color I’ve seen since I came here. Have you filed a claim?”

“Yes… but what do we do now?”

“We? You mean your partner?”

“My husband,” she said, and as she pointed out the window, realized that was the first time she’d had occasion to lay claim to him in this way.

“Well, ma’am, let me be the first to tell you that, if what you say is true, then you are a very rich woman.”

Letty heard the words, but couldn’t believe what he’d said.

“Say it again,” she said.

The assayer grinned. “Lady… you and your man have just struck it rich.”

“So, what do we do now?” Letty asked.

“Ore like this has to be taken to a smelter.”

“Is there one in town?” she asked.

“Actually, there are a couple,” he said.

“Are they honest?” she asked.

The little man hesitated, then handed her the bag.

“I didn’t tell you this, but if this was mine, I’d be doing business with Brian Moody.”

“Where’s his business located?” Letty asked.

“Follow the road to