Gabriel's Lady

Gabe leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I don’t think the Pinkerton agents are for blowing people’s heads off, Mattie. But, at any rate, I have no intention of ‘messing’ with Miss Prescott. Or anyone else, for that matter. The only engagement I have planned is with a deck of cards.”

Amelia sat in the rocker doing her best to mend her brother’s tattered long underwear. She had decided to spend the day on a less strenuous activity after yesterday’s marathon laundry session. And she found herself enjoying the task. Her mother would undoubtedly have been horrified to see her stitching away on a man’s undergarment, even though it was her brother’s. Back home she had never stitched anything coarser than fine linen with silk embroidery thread.

Suddenly Parker burst through the cabin door with a whoop of triumph. He took two leaps to reach her side, then lifted her out of the chair and spun her around. “We’re getting closer, sis! Morgan’s a wonder. He followed a vein straight back into a crevice that I’d never even noticed before. And it looks like it’s rich with ore.”

Amelia couldn’t help being caught up in her brother’s enthusiasm. She laughed and reached to straighten her tumbled chignon. “It’s a fine millionaire you’ll be making, Parker Prescott,” she teased.

He set her down. “I came running to tell you,” he said, trying to catch his breath.

“Do you think it could be the main strike you’ve been looking for?”