with a gun. She didn’t have time to preen or be prissy. Eulis had hired some men to work their mine and it was not only her right, but her obligation, to set them on the right path.
A new shipment of track for the ore carts, and new lumber to shore up the tunnel had come in on the last freight wagon. Milton Feasley, the owner of the dry goods store, had sent word to Eulis the day before that his order had arrived. Eulis went into town early this morning to meet the men before they left for the mine, and get them to help bring out the load.
Letty was at the mine alone, tossing out dishwater when she saw movement from the corner of her eye. As she turned, she saw Eulis and the men coming down from the ridge, into the wide, verdant valley leading to their old home, and the mine beside it.
Even as she was looking forward to living in a fine home, there was a part of her that was still sentimental about the tiny, one-room cabin where they’d wintered. She’d found herself, and found love there, and was loathe to let that go.
She often watched the workers from time to time, and felt as if they were constantly considering a way to steal. She knew that, if given a chance, there were at least three of them who would try, and one who would most likely kill to have what they had. Moral turpitude was sadly lacking in most of the available workers. The diligent were already engaged in working their own claims or trying to set up as shopkeepers.
Letty and Eulis had to make do with what they had, so she’d made a pact with herself last night as she’d watched Eulis sleeping so soundly beside her. She never thought she would have a life like this, and with a man who treated her like a proper lady. There was no way she was going to take a chance on having it taken away from her by some good-for-nothing lout. As soon as the workers arrived tomorrow, she intended to make a few things plain. Then, if they wanted out when she was finished, there would be no hard feelings or retribution taken.
Originally, the entrance to the mine had been inside the old cabin, but as soon as they’d started working the mine and hauling ore into Denver City to the smelter, they’d dug a new opening away from the cabin, giving them some privacy, and eliminating the aggravation of bringing the ore out through the home. Now that Eulis and the men were coming back with the shipment, it was time to put her plan into motion. She dried her hands, got the rifle and was outside waiting when the men finally arrived at the mine.
To a man, they flinched. Some paled a bit at the threat of an armed woman, while the others heard the truth of her words. Eulis would swear later that, at that moment, he felt a physical shift in their behavior. As for himself, he was torn between the urge to grin, and an overwhelming pride.
Damn, but he’d sure picked himself a winner. His Letty was something else and that was a fact.
Letty leaned forward just the least little bit and then smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile and all twelve men knew it.
“Is there anything about what I just said that you don’t understand?” she asked.
Twelve men answered in unison.
“No, ma’am.”
“Are any of you planning to give me any trouble?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Well then… that’s that. Do have yourselves a good day.” She shifted her gaze to Eulis. “Husband, I would appreciate a word with you before I go.”
Eulis arched an eyebrow. She wasn’t in the habit of asking permission from him to do anything. Still, this was her show and he wasn’t going to ruin it for her. He took off his hat as he followed her a short distance away.
“Reckon you laid it on a mite thick?” he asked.
Letty turned in the saddle and stared back at the men.
“No. Those red-headed Scotsmen will be good workers. The three men who call themselves the Dorsey brothers would steal you blind, and that tall, skinny man with the dirty blonde hair is a killer.”
Eulis looked askance. “Do you know him?”
“No. Just his type,” Letty said.
“Reckon I should fire him?” Eulis asked.
Letty thought about it for a moment, then shook her head.
“No. Probably better to have him under