He decides to get his work done quickly and report to Mr. Wells before any complications arise. Solomon looks down at the map he was given. The feminine handwriting shows the mine, house, barn, and rivers running through the property. It also shows a family cemetery, not too far from the home.
Curious, he mounts up and rides to the family plot. A little wooden fence surrounds the cemetery, and inside he sees multiple headstones. He writes down all the names and stops when he looks at the dates and ages of the dead. “Damn.” Things are adding up, and it's not a pretty tale.
Retrieving his horse, he rides towards the river. Looking at the topography of the land, he decides to head the opposite direction of the miners on the hill. He could see they were using sluicing boxes and flumes to collect the gold, but if his assumption is correct, he will find what he needs further down. Any debris from the explosion would be small and sift through easily, and he will find it if it's here.
Hours later, just before sunset, he rides into town, dirty, dusty and determined. He beats the dust from his jeans and ties his horse up outside the post office. Faith is just closing up shop when he enters. Obviously pregnant, twenty-year-old Faith smiles at him, “We are about to close, Sir. How can I help you?”
“I will be needing to send a telegraph to San Francisco,” glancing at her belly as he says, “and I am prepared to pay you handsomely for your help.” He slaps a twenty-dollar bill on the counter and tries not to stare at the beautiful redhead before him. Though heavily pregnant she is stunning. His eye traces the freckles sprinkled over her alabaster skin and he’s enchanted.
Her blue eyes grow big, and her hand covers her baby protectively. One hand tugs a stray red curl that has sprung free, “That's very generous of you, Mr.?” Looking at the rugged cowboy, she is clearly nervous, but the money calls to her. Her husband has been mining for months and still doesn't have much to show for it. This past year he has become desperate, distant, and angry. He's gone more than he is at home.
“Abbott, Solomon Abbott, ma’am. I wouldn’t want to cause any problems. I will send it myself.” She slides the door open and steps through.
“I need to get off my feet anyway, Mr. Abbott, this baby is weighing on me today.” Smiling, she takes the twenty and makes her way to the back. “Take your time.”
Solomon watches her go and quickly taps out his message in Morse code, “Pure vein.” Then, before she returns sends a second one to a friend of his. He waits until he hears Faith moving to send the next one. “Leaving in the morning. Possible vein. Will discuss on return.” He repeats it and then finishes sending it while she waits.
“All finished ma'am.” Faith waddles back over. “Thank you, kindly. I will check back for a return message in the morning before I leave.” He smiles at her and she can’t help but notice how handsome he is. “Now, where can a starving man get some food?”
Faith smiles up at him and wonders if his dark hair is as soft as it looks. “That would be the hotel restaurant. You won’t find better food, I eat there every morning before work.” Embarrassed by her train of thought she turns away.
“Sounds good, I'm famished. I will see you tomorrow, Mrs.?” He questions.
“Faith Smith.” She responds.
“Have a good evening, Mrs. Faith Smith.”
When he steps out of the post office, he puts his hat back on and feels the pressure of unseen eyes. He slowly walks up the dusty street looking at the community. It seems to be thriving. A nice bank, saloon, post office and church. The general store is busy, which tells him there is money here, but he also detects a thread of fear.
Aiden waits until Solomon checks in at the hotel for the night and heads straight to see Faith. She is just locking up when he rides up, and she tries to hide her fear. He is a vile human being. Since her husband is gone so often, she and most of the women who live here fear him.
“Evening Faith, hope Billy's doing alright?” Leaping down from his horse he stomps up onto the wooden planks and waits.
“He's coming home soon, thanks for asking. What can I do for you?” She lies and pulls the shawl around her shoulder, avoiding his eyes.
“I’m glad to hear it. The Sheriff asked me to keep an eye on the stranger in town. He was seen leaving your place a few minutes ago. What did he want?”
“Oh, he asked me to send a telegram for him to San Francisco.”
Aiden steps in and tilts her chin upward. “Don’t make me ask, Faith?” he grumbles.
She knows better than to anger a snake, “It said, leaving in the morning, possible vein.” Faith jerks from his hold and turns protecting her child.
“Excellent, that wasn't so hard was it? I'll come and visit you once that baby is born.” With a flash, he is gone, and she can't stop trembling.
“Come home, Billy. Please.” The baby is due any day, and she is dreading another of his visits. If he touches her or the baby, she isn't sure how she will react. He is like a barely contained volcano. You can sense the violence always bubbling beneath the surface. Only his father can control him.
Solomon watches from a dark corner and tamps down his fury. Faith’s fear was obvious. Where the hell was her husband? He sighs and moves on to his hotel.
Aiden has decided to follow the surveyor back to San Francisco. “He will lead me
