If only his circumstances were different.
Slade stood. “Frank, I’d like you and Joseph to take a walk with me. We need to talk about Annabelle’s injury.”
He looked at Nugget pointedly, and Joseph’s stomach sank. They’d left the women and children unprotected. And sure, he knew Annabelle was far better at taking care of herself than he was, but there was something about not being there that made Annabelle’s injury feel like a grievous sin.
Once they were out of earshot of the tent, Slade stopped.
“Annabelle was accosted by two thugs. She said she recognized them as men who frequented Frank’s mission. One of the men in camp referred to him as Bart.”
Frank shook his head. “Not Bart Wallace?”
“Annabelle’s description seemed to match. And from what she said about the other guy, I think it’s Pokey Simpkins with him.” Slade looked around, then continued.
“I went to talk to them, but they’re gone. I imagine they’ve met up with whoever they’re working with. They’re not bright enough to be working alone. Plus, Annabelle says they don’t look like the guy who tried to take Nugget.”
Though Slade’s words gave Joseph reason to be concerned, there was also more to give him hope. “So they believe there’s silver?”
Slade nodded, but put a finger to his lips. “From what I was able to find out about the claims in the area, including where I found some equipment, it all belonged to your father. I saw signs of a lot of digging and burying.”
“So he or someone else was hunting for silver.” Joseph had to believe that this meant he could resolve things with his pa’s estate sooner rather than later and then he could get home to his family.
Frank also looked around before speaking. “But if all they were doing is prospecting, they wouldn’t have bothered covering it up. Usually folks just leave the holes.”
“Exactly,” Slade said, then motioned for them to keep walking. “Someone found something somewhere, but is trying to keep it a secret. There are dozens of holes, and there’s no reason why everything should be covered like that. He’s gone to great pains to make sure no one else finds his silver.”
Silver. More reason to believe in the security of his family’s future.
“What do I do next?” Joseph looked to both men, who clearly had more experience in such matters, for guidance.
Slade looked at him. “I think you’d be wise to not go it alone. Not without knowing who Bart and Pokey are working with.”
Annabelle wasn’t safe. She’d gotten away from her attackers today, but what happened when someone else came for her? Or Nugget?
“They’re not going to stop until they get the silver, are they?”
Slade shook his head. “I can’t see why they would. Greed does things to a man.”
No wonder Annabelle was so against mining. Joseph didn’t need to be rich. All he asked was to be able to provide a home and a way to make a living to support his brother and sisters.
He looked over at Frank, hoping to hear the man’s wisdom on the subject. Frank looked utterly exhausted.
“What do you think, Frank?”
The older man frowned. “I can’t understand why whoever is behind this is going to so much trouble. And to endanger my daughter after everything we’ve done for them...”
Frank ran his hand down his face. “I don’t know. Some days I wonder if Annabelle is right and we’re wasting our time. But I believe the Lord has called me to be here working in these people’s lives.”
The life returned to his face, and for a moment, Joseph envied Frank the sureness of his calling from the Lord.
Frank straightened, as though God had again confirmed the calling. “I think you’d be wrong to give up. Your father clearly found something, and I truly believe he intended to provide for his family. I know a few trustworthy men who’d be willing to provide assistance if you’d be willing to share some of what you find.”
“Of course,” Joseph readily agreed. “I don’t ask for much. I’d never hoped to find a treasure. Just enough to get a place where I can raise my brother and sisters without wondering where their next meal is going to come from or how I’m going to get new shoes for the little ones.”
If only Annabelle could understand that. She’d spoken of the greed of the miners, but what about the ones like Gertie’s family, who wanted nothing more than to provide for their children?
“I’ll talk to Collin and his boys, then.” Frank looked over at Slade. “You’d be willing to help Joseph, wouldn’t you?”
“Naturally.” Slade gave an easy grin. “Now that Annabelle’s speaking to me again, I’d like to learn a little more about the man who’s stolen her heart.”
“I haven’t stolen anything,” Joseph insisted. “Besides, aren’t the two of you—”
Slade and Frank started laughing. “Annabelle?” Slade finally sputtered. “She’s like a sister to me. I lost my own kin a long time ago, and when the Lassiters took me in, I was part of a family again.”
Now it was Joseph’s turn to be embarrassed. And worried. With the way his mind had been playing tricks on him over Annabelle all day, this latest turn made it nearly impossible for him to admit he didn’t have feelings for her. The only trouble was that it changed nothing in his life.
When he found the silver, he had a responsibility to uphold.
“Well, that’s all Annabelle can be to me, too,” he told both men, the words like a foul medicine on his tongue. “She’s a wonderful girl, but it’s just not meant to be.”
Frank’s voice was soft. “You could bring your family here.”
He looked over at Frank. “What made you think of that?”
“Just thinking. You’ve told me that’s your priority, and that you intended to take them from Ohio anyway. Why not bring them here? There’s plenty of things needed in Leadville, good jobs, so if you wanted to pursue my daughter, there’s nothing stopping
