On Thursday evening, Boone sat at a dining table in Hearth and Home, his stomach tied in knots. His family had invested a lot in this venture, and he wanted to make sure that it wasn’t a waste of time or money. The electric company in Telluride had been doing business with three full crews. The town and the mine there were lit up with electricity. Many of the wealthy residents were installing electric lights in some rooms of their homes and outside too.

If that could happen in Creede, he’d be able to pay Waylon back for the investment money. Waylon said he didn’t need to, but Boone didn’t want to be beholding to him. Holt sat at a table across the room, ready in case Boone would need his help. He didn’t want to scare Asa Young away, if that were even possible, by feeling overwhelmed by the two of them.

A moment later, Boone heard tapping on the stairway and noticed two pair of lady’s boots walking down. He wouldn’t have continued to watch except that he knew one of the skirts belonged to his mother. She’d been staying at Hearth and Home instead of at the ranch.

When their faces were low enough for him to see, his breath almost stopped. His mother was walking down the stairs with Miss Donella Turley, their arms linked at their elbows as they talked. She wasn’t wearing a bonnet, and Boone was mesmerized by the tucks and turns that styled Donella’s flaxen hair, the natural blush to her cheeks, the rose tint to her lips. His heart thudded in his chest with the words that repeated in his mind: Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful.

That answered his question about whether or not Donella and his mother were friends. At the bottom of the staircase, Ma fluttered her fingers at him then looked away. Before he knew it, he was on his feet, smiling like a blamed fool at Miss Turley. Her eyes responded, but his mother turned her a different direction and led Donella to the other side of the room.

Ma towed Donella over to the table where Holt was sitting. He stood, and it looked like she was making formal introductions. A moment later, their sister-in-law, Vivian, joined them too.

Boone tried to push the worry out of his mind, but it crept right back up. Why would his ma need to introduce Holt and Donella? He and Holt were there on business, and Boone needed Holt’s mind focused on him and not Donella’s shining eyes.

The door opened behind Boone and he looked over his shoulder to see Mr. Young walk in, followed by three other men. Asa removed his hat and tipped his head toward Boone.

“I’m glad you came,” Boone said, walking over and shaking the man’s hand.

“You made it sound interesting. I can hear you out,” Mr. Young answered. “I took the liberty of bringing three more men with me. The mines they run might be interested in this little venture too.”

Boone could feel his chest tightening. These four men ran mines that were owned by the same investors. It would be good for all of them. There really was no way to keep this secret a secret for much longer. He’d gotten so used to not talking about it that he couldn’t help but think he was ruining something. On the other hand, since Mr. Young brought more people, it seemed the man might have thought it over and liked the idea.

“This is Mr. Shaw of the King Silver mine.”

Boone shook his hand and turned toward the other two men.

“This is Mr. Mitchell, the manager of the Old Glory mine, and this is Mr. Hunt. He manages the Hidee Hole mine.”

“I appreciate you men coming.” Boone looked over Mr. Young’s shoulder and noted that his mother, Vivian, Miss Turley, and Holt we’re seated at the same table chatting happily. It rubbed him wrong, but he had to focus on the business at hand. Even if Holt wasn’t holding up his part of the bargain.

This time when Boone sat at the table, he chose a seat where he could clearly see Holt’s face. When they all sat down, one of the waitresses approached. The four other men sat up straighter, their attention directly on her. Boone admitted that she had a pretty face, but he thought they would just order and get their meeting started. He was wrong.

“Good evening, Miss Isla,” Mr. Young said, his voice taking on a softer tone.

Her face had a teasing expression, and her hand lightly patted him on the shoulder once. “I’ve missed you here, Asa. I’m glad you’re back.”

Boone couldn’t help notice the smile on all the men’s faces as the lilting Scottish accent in the woman’s voice seem to please them. He was thinking now he might’ve chosen the wrong restaurant to have this little meeting in with his ma and Donella right across the room.

Mr. Mitchell leaned forward. “Evening, Isla.”

“Evening to you too, Noah.” Isla’s attention shifted to the last two men. “And I’m glad to see you, Rafe and Colin. What brings you men together? Possibly big doings in the mining world?”

Boone couldn’t help thinking if he told her the truth that before dinner was served half the restaurant would know what was going on, and he quickly said, “The good food at Hearth and Home of course.”

“And seeing you again,” Mr. Young added.

Boone was surprised at the softness Isla brought out in these tough men.

Isla smiled at him, then said, “We have beef stew or meat pasties. Both of them come with baked beans and cornbread. What’s your preference?”

Boone ordered the meat pasty and then sat back as the other men ordered. Across the room, Holt didn’t seem to notice the business table at all. In fact, he seemed to only have eyes for Miss Turley. Boone would have to nix that soon.

After each man ordered, Isla left, and the other men watched Isla walk away.

“She’s a fine woman,” said Mr. Hunt.

“Aye, but her brother sure gave trouble to Mr. McCormick when he tried to court the oldest sister,” Rafe Shaw said. “I doubt he’d think I was good enough to join his family either.”

Boone was surprised by that. He’d been a good friend of Edwin’s before his trip to Telluride. He could never imagine Edwin being an ogre to anyone. Boone would have to ask Waylon about it sometime.

“Oh, but it might be worth the trouble. I don’t believe everything said about Edwin,” said Mr. Young, rubbing the back of his neck while still watching in her direction. “Enough daydreaming, boys. We’re here for business.” Mr. Young turned his focus back to Boone. “Tell us what you have in mind.”

Colin Hunt spoke up then. “Asa wouldn’t tell us what this was all about. He just said it would be worth it for us to come. So what’s going on?”

Boone was glad to hear that rumors hadn’t started to spread already. “Holt and I have been in Telluride for the last year working on a crew for the electric company.”

Noah Mitchell sat forward, his forearms resting on the table. “I’ve read about that company. They’re putting electric lights in the mines. Is that what this is about?”

Boone was nodding, as was Asa.

“We’re not bringing Telluride’s electricity here. We’re going to make our own. We’re giving you a chance to be first on the list. But just like Telluride, we’re going to offer this to merchants to light up the street in front of their doors too.” Boone paused, hearing laughs and giggles from his mother’s side of the room. His eyes drifted over that table to see Holt having a good ole time with Miss Turley. Boone pulled on his collar and tried to breathe easier.

“It’s something I’m definitely interested in, and I want the Mother Lode to be first on your list,” said Asa. “You boys want to hear more about this?” The other mine managers agreed.

“We can start tomorrow,” he offered. Then his eyes wandered over to see what was happening at Ma’s table that had all four of them in fits of laughter. It’s seemed to Boone like Holt was taking advantage of the situation, and that might lead to ruining their business prospects. He winced a little at that, knowing it was untrue. But it might keep Boone from getting to know Donella better. That reason was good enough.

“Since you’re interested, let me go get my brother, and we’ll lay out all the details for you.”

Isla approached with their food as Boone pushed out from the table and stood. “Thanks, Isla. I’ll be right back, you can put my plate over there.”

Boone approached the table and greeted his mother with a tight smile. “Good evening.” He nodded at Vivian and Donella. Then he pinned his brother with a stare. “I need you at the table with me.”

Holt smiled and said, “I’ll come as soon as I finish my dinner.”

Without a reply, Boone leaned across the table and picked up Holt’s plate. “We got room for you over there to finish,” he said. Boone nodded at the ladies again, turned around, and headed back to the table. On the way across the room, he grabbed a chair and slipped it in between Asa and Mr. Mitchell. He figured that would put Holt’s back toward Miss. Turley.

“Mr. Hunt, Mr. Shaw, and Mr. Mitchell, this is my brother, Holt Morgan.” Then to his brother, he said, “They each run a mine in town and would like to know more about how this is going to work for them.”

That caught Holt’s attention quick.

“And about the cost,” Noah added and the others nodded in agreement.

During the conversation, the Morgans explained how they’d wire the cave, generate electricity, and about how the billing details would work. Just as they started talking about how long it would take to complete the projects, Boone noticed his mother, Vivian, and Donella walking across the dining room toward the staircase.

His mother had a bright smile and fluttered her fingers towards him as she’d done the day before outside the mercantile. She’d been doing that lately, but only around Miss Turley. He was pretty sure it was meant to tease him. Miss Turley raised her hand and gave a little wave toward him as the women begin climbing the staircase.

Boone blew out breath, glad that that distraction was out of the room. He felt the slightest bit of irritation at his ma. Not only did she know that he knew Miss Turley, but she had set up this evening’s little display with Holt, wanting to find out how interested Boone was in Donella. Well, she found out for sure when Boone towed his brother across the room. He’d fallen for her trick.

Boone was relieved when the ladies’ skirts disappeared back up the stairway. He tried to put it out of his mind and focus on the numbers as he and Holt explained the cost and time table for the mines. At the end of two hours the mine bosses left.

Holt nudged Boone and extended his hand. “We’ve got our first customers.”

Boone took hold of it and shook his hand. Having customers took a huge weight off his shoulders. It had taken a sizable risk to start this. It was going to work. “And they want to get started right away. This evening couldn’t have turned out any better.” Unless he had spent the rest of it with a certain beautiful blonde.  

“I’m heading off to the warehouse to take up the next watch. Waylon’s going to want to get back to Vivian.”

Boone sat back down to finally eat.

When Holt got to the door, he turned around. “Miss Turley is a fine woman.”

Boone tried to brush it off like the comment meant nothing to him, but it dropped like a rock in his stomach. Boone looked his brother in the eye. “Glad to hear it,” he said, and he meant it. He nodded and picked up the meat pasty and took a big bite.

Holt smiled and shook his head then left the restaurant.

Suddenly, Boone wasn’t so hungry. He was certain-sure that even his brother now knew that he was sweet on the woman too. And if Holt knew it, then Vivian also saw it, and she’d be telling Waylon soon. No need to bother denying it.

This was possibly the worst time in his life to give every spare minute of his thoughts to mooning over a woman. She wasn’t just a woman. He knew already that she was special to him. I reckon I’ll just have to stay so busy I can’t get distracted. He’d have to think about that later when he’d finished wiring the mines or Main Street or . . .

He looked back at his plate. He’d only taken the one bite and had been so busy talking about the business that everyone else ate, but he hadn’t. He ate his cold dinner anyway and pondered what to do about the lovely dilemma he’d met just days ago. It didn’t make sense to think about Donella when he had more than enough to think about with just opening his business. He had plenty of work to do before he got married.

That stopped his spoon halfway to his mouth. Married? That young gal was certainly turning his head and possibly his world right upside down.

When he finished his supper, he left Hearth and Home to find that another snowstorm had just ended. Clouds dropped over the continental divide at anytime in the winter and sent squalls into Creede on a regular basis. Snow had been stacking up for weeks. That wouldn’t make a difference for him. The weather didn’t matter when you worked inside the caves, as long as they kept the entrance clear and there was a good sleigh to cart you back and forth.

Boone and Holt had hired enough men to make up a third crew. They divided them out so there were experienced men in each group. He was glad to hire Michael Turley—the man was built like an ox. He’d have no trouble moving around large bolts of wire.

On Friday, the men loaded the sleighs with the materials they needed to get started wiring the Mother Lode mine for electric lights. They were going to put the electric lights in the opening, as well as down the first hundred feet or so of each of the connecting tunnels.

It was backbreaking work to move the heavy supplies, drill the holes through solid rock, attach anchors, and pull wires. Boone had all three crews working on the Mother Lode that first day. There was a lot of training to do for the new people joining the crews.

That night after work, Boone felt as if half the mountains were clinging to his coveralls. He probably would’ve never thought about that a month ago. When he lived in Telluride, dirt was just part of his life, but tonight he hoped to have dinner at Hearth and Home with his ma. Immediately, his brain whispered, “Liar.” He was actually hoping to have dinner with his mom and Miss Turley.

He stopped off at the hotel and bought himself a bath. After he spiffed up, he went over to Edwin’s restaurant. The temperature had dropped, and he felt as if it could turn his blood to sludge. Immediately inside the door, he welcomed the warmth of the large fireplace at one end of the dining room.

He saw his mother and Donella sitting at a table, with only a coffee cup in front of them. Even without the fireplace, his whole body warmed. He hoped they were just starting their meal instead of finishing it. He approached the table and removed his hat.

“Good to see you here tonight,” he said, kissing his mother’s cheek.

“You too. How is the electric company going?” Ma asked.

“How did you find out?”

“I sent a telegram to Telluride and asked some questions about what you’d been up to there.” Seffi patted Boone on the cheek. “I’m glad you still went to church even though your mother wasn’t there to remind you. I heard back this morning. Then I put that together with who you met with last night and decided that’s what you were up to. It was simple really. And a fine idea on your part. And you’re welcome that I didn’t snoop earlier.”

Boone laughed. Of course she could have. “I commend you on your restraint, Ma. About the company—it’s a start,” he said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re glad to get started.” He noticed that he’d been nervously squishing his hat between his fists as he stood there and dropped one hand away. “May I join you for dinner?” he asked.

Donella’s eyes brightened, and she sat up straighter, saying, “Yes” at the same time his ma said, “No. We’ve already eaten.”

Donella’s smile persisted, and she added. “But I was just about to order a dessert. Surely we could keep you company while you have dinner.” Her eyes flipped from Boone’s face to his mother’s.

“Well . . .” Boone could tell Ma was trying not to laugh when she took a deep breath before continuing, “I suppose we could.”

“Now that I’m back home, we might be able to have dinner with each other more often,” he said, his gaze floating from his mother to Miss Turley.

“I’d like that,” Ma answered. “I guess that means I’ll have to eat dinner a little bit later than I’m used to. What do you think, Donella? Would you like to join us?”

Boone loved the pink shade that overtook Donella’s cheeks before she answered.

“Yes, ma’am. I would love to.”

The ladies ate their pie while Boone ate dinner.

“Your family moved to Creede after I left. Would you tell me about them?” Boone asked as he cut a piece of meat.

Donella set her fork down. “We moved here to be near my uncles and their families.”

“Marshall KC is your cousin’s husband.”

“Right. He married Eliza. Her brother Ellis is getting married in a week to Dorothy Moore.”

Boone buttered his roll. “Did you know your brother, Michael, is working with us now?”

“I didn’t. It shouldn’t surprise me though. He’s burning the candle at both ends and in the middle. He has more jobs than I can count, but he seems to get them all done. His homestead is shaping up much better than the rest of ours.”

That piqued his interest. “You have a homestead?”

“Everyone over twenty-one has a homestead in our family.”

Boone thought she said it as if it were a burden and not something she wanted for her future.

“It’s up the road on the way to Lake City near Hogback Mountain,” Seffi added. “Folks are calling it Turleyville.”

He’d all but forgot Ma was there with them.

“Michael has finished his home and a few outbuildings. He’s bought livestock. Every penny he earns improves his home. He’s been driving himself hard for months to accomplish it all. I’m really proud of him.”

When he finished dinner, the ladies went upstairs, and he rode back to the hotel. He was glad to have Donella’s company to look forward to each day.

Saturday’s work in the mine was the same as the day before. They were starting to pull wires down the tunnels that shot off in different directions. One crew took each. Boone and Holt rotated through each crew, checking the work. At the end of the day, Boone sent his crews home and surveyed their progress with Asa Young.

“I think we’ll be finished early next week. Then we’ll hook up the steam engine and give the lights a try.”

“It’s hard to imagine, but I’m looking forward to it. Which mine will you go to next?”

“The Hidee Hole. Do you think Colin Hunt would like to come over and see it before we start his project?”

“He’s welcome, and anyone else you want to bring too.” Asa walked along the rock wall, following the wire. “That’s all it is? This little wire is going to light up the mine?”

“The wire won’t light it, but the glass bulbs we attach will. It will look like daylight wherever they are.”

The men shook hands and Boone rode back to Creede. Since they were past the drilling part, he wasn’t as dusty as he’d been for the days prior. He was getting out a little later than he usually did, and hurried down the mountain to dinner. The streets had already filled with night. Some of the businesses had faint light shining through the window, but it rarely reached beyond their own boardwalk. He was going to change that.

Not every business in town had a shelter for the horses, but Edwin’s did. Boone dismounted. Excitement was building. He looked forward to having dinner with Miss Turley again. He intended to settle his horse, but when he turned around, he was face to face with the angel.

She had sad, pleading eyes, and she motioned for him to come. He’d trusted her before, and he would now. But when he took a step to do so, she walked to his horse and handed the reins back to him.

He walked his horse out of the shelter and swung back into the saddle. He could hear commotion just up the road. It seemed like many mining towns have that in common—they attracted rough people. Out of curiosity, he glanced over to see what was happening and noticed the angel was halfway up the block already, a soft glow around her, approaching three men standing around a woman. His horse turned into a trot of its own will and headed straight toward the group. That was fine by him. The closer he got, he noticed that the men were holding the woman by her wrists, and she was trying to shake free.

Although the woman’s back was to him, he didn’t have to see her face to know that the situation would put a fright into her. A well-trained horse would try to avoid stepping on a man, but this was a different case. Boone nudged Magnificent forward, and she launched into one of the men, knocking him to the ground and freeing one of the woman’s hands.

Startled, the woman turned around, and Boone could clearly see Donella Turley’s tear-streaked face. Blood pounded in his ears, and he shook with anger. He jumped from his saddle. One of the men scrambled away. Boone planted his fist in the jaw of the last man who was still holding Donella’s other wrist. The man twisted around from the force and dropped to one knee before he ran up the street.

Boone pulled Donella into his arms. He noticed that Magnificent was standing on the first man’s coat, but he had squirmed away, leaving it behind on the frozen ground.

Donella burrowed her face into his chest, and he tightened his arms around her. He was relieved that he was there when she needed him, and it chilled him through to think that he might not have been. He didn’t know why the angel had taken a particular notice of him but he was grateful and thanked the Lord for her presence. Boone could feel Donella’s shoulders shaking when her fright turned to sorrow.

He bent his head over and whispered to her hair, “You’ll be all right, Doni. You have angels watching you.”

She caught her breath suddenly. Her crying stopped, and she turned her eyes up to him. “I was praying for help, and you came.” Donella looked around. “Where is . . .? Did she . . .?”

“Are you looking for someone?” Boone asked, wondering if Donella had seen the angel as well. Although she cast her eyes around again, she just shook her head and then wrapped her arms around him one more time. She took a deep breath. “I have a bag of medical supplies.”

“It’s right here.” He pointed to it by his horse. When she loosened her arms, Boone added,  “I think you were headed to Hearth and Home to have dinner with me, weren’t you?”

The sorrow in her eyes vanished, and she smiled at him. “Yes, Boone, I was.” They each took a step back and dropped their hands down.

Boone noticed her bare hands. “You know, Donella …”

Donella lifted her hand to his mouth, hushing him with a single finger. “No, I’m not Donella to you. You called me Doni, and I like that very much.”

Boone knew he couldn’t take her in his arms at that moment and kiss her with all the passion he felt, but one day soon, he knew he would. He removed the gloves from his own hands and pulled them over hers, then settled in his saddle. She put one foot in the stirrup and he pulled her up to sit behind him on the horse’s rump in the old pillion-style.

She leaned against his back and threw her arms around his waist. “Thank you, Boone.”

He liked the feel of her snuggling against him. “You’re welcome.” He held the reigns with one hand and pressed his other hand on top of hers that was clasped at his waist. He then turned his horse back toward Hearth and Home.

Boone opened the door to the restaurant and stepped aside to allow Doni to enter. As he followed her inside, he saw his mother’s expression, the high arch to her eyebrows and the perfect O on her lips that stretched into a broad smile. Yeah, his ma had known before he had. Doni would never just be Miss Turley to him again.