Chapter 3 - THE SECRET BETWEEN TWO LAYERS OF CLOTH
Ruth would not allow anyone to cut the blanket until morning.
“You just delivered two babies.”
She pointed at Abigail.
“You will sleep.”
“I can't.”
“You can attempt it.”
Abigail didn't.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Elias.
Seventeen.
Dark hair.
Crooked smile.
Always smelling faintly of pine and metal.
She remembered the first time he kissed her behind the Pierce barn.
The way he apologized immediately.
Then kissed her again when she laughed.
Her father despised him.
Not because Elias was poor.
Samuel tolerated poor men when he could profit from them.
He hated Elias because Elias questioned him.
Asked why claim boundaries kept changing.
Why families who could not read legal English signed away acreage they swore they never intended to sell.
Why Samuel Pierce always seemed to know where new veins of silver had been found before everyone else.
Abigail had never connected those questions to his death.
Until now.
Morning came pale and windless.
The blizzard had passed.
The world outside lay buried.
Daniel placed the blanket on the table.
“Are you certain?”
Abigail held one baby.
Ruth held the other.
“Yes.”
Daniel carefully opened the stitching along the lower edge.
Two layers separated.
Nothing.
Then his fingers found something stiff.
Oilcloth.
He drew it out slowly.
Inside:
A hand-drawn map.
A folded letter.
And a small brass key.
Abigail recognized Elias's handwriting.
Her hands began shaking.
Daniel handed her the letter.
Abby,
If this reaches you, then I was not able to.
She stopped reading.
Ruth quietly took the babies.
Abigail continued.
Your father knows more about the Silver Crown claims than he admits.
I found copies of deeds carrying signatures from men who never signed them.
I found survey lines moved after filing.
And I found payments from Samuel Pierce to Edwin Harrow two days before each claim changed hands.
Daniel cursed softly.
Abigail looked up.
“Who is Edwin Harrow?”
“The county land clerk.”
Her stomach turned.
The letter continued.
I gave the originals to someone I trusted.
The map will take you to the copies.
Do not give them to your father.
Do not give them to Harrow.
If Daniel Mercer is still alive, trust him.
Abigail stopped.
Looked at Daniel.
He seemed equally stunned.
“You didn't know?”
“No.”
She kept reading.
Daniel is stubborn and has poor manners, but he hates thieves more than he hates trouble.
Daniel almost objected.
Ruth smiled.
“He knew you well.”
The final lines destroyed Abigail.
I am coming back for you.
I swear it.
I don't care what your father calls me.
I don't care what the church whispers.
You and the babies are my family.
Wait for me.
Elias.
Abigail pressed the letter against her mouth.
He had not abandoned her.
Not once.
Her father had lied.
Her mother had allowed it.
For months Abigail had hated Elias.
Then hated herself for still loving him.
Now she understood he had been trying to return.
Daniel examined the map.
“It leads north.”
“Where?”
“Old Mercy Shaft.”
Ruth's face changed.
“That mine was closed ten years ago.”
“Exactly.”
Daniel looked at the key.
“Perfect hiding place.”
Abigail said:
“We go.”
“No.”
Her head snapped up.
Daniel corrected immediately.
“You cannot go today.”
“Why?”
“You gave birth last night.”
“My father left me in the snow last night.”
“And surviving that does not make you indestructible.”
Abigail glared.
Daniel held her stare.
“I will go.”
“No.”
“Abigail.”
“No more men deciding where I stay.”
That stopped him.
Silence.
Then Daniel nodded.
“You're right.”
Ruth looked pleased.
Daniel continued:
“But Ruth will tell us when you're strong enough.”
Abigail looked toward the older woman.
Ruth shrugged.
“Four days if nothing worsens.”
Daniel frowned.
“Four?”
“You argued for choice.”
He sighed.
Abigail almost smiled.
Then a horse appeared outside.
One rider.
Approaching slowly through snow.
Daniel went to the window.
His face changed.
“Who?”
May you like
He reached for the rifle above the door.
“Samuel Pierce.”
