Donella went to work Tuesday morning very excited about the prospects of the day. She had met Seffi for breakfast and found out that she would be accompanying her this afternoon to go see the Morgan Electric Company’s first project completed at the Mother Lode mine. She really had no idea what to expect, but it sounded exciting.

As she neared the city offices, she saw a buggy parked at the side. She probably shouldn’t be suspicious, but after the last visit, she knew there was something bad going on. Every day her boss look more drained than before. This time, she entered as quietly as she could. She hung up her coat, being especially aware of the spittoon, and then sat at her desk. She pulled a paper up in front of her and gazed at it sightlessly. Her ears tuned in to the men’s voices. She pushed the guilt away, and told herself she was possibly protecting her boss.

“I gave you a chance, Mealing. I expected it to be done immediately, but it wasn’t. I’ll take care of the problem and you’re going to look the other way. It’s your only chance to keep your family safe. We know where they live, and we’re watching them. You just keep your eyes closed and your mouth shut, and everyone will be fine. Got it?”

Donella heard his boots stomping up the hall. She jerked as if he startled her, jumping and holding her hands to her chest. He was a filthy man. His greasy hair hung down in his eyes. Tobacco spittle clung to his shaggy beard. “Oh, I thought I was alone today. May I help you?” She felt her blood racing through her, and hoped the man thought she hadn’t heard anything.

“My business is done,” he said, opening the door and storming out of the office.

He hadn’t bothered to shut it, but before Donella could get out from behind her desk, Mayor Mealing walked through and closed it. He stood leaning back against it, shaking his head slightly from side to side slowly. Donella put the letter down.

He stood there breathing shallowly. His eyes were closed, and his lips were pursed tightly.

As she walked over to him, Donella said, “Mr. Mealing, you don’t have to do this alone.” He cracked his eyelids open, but them squeezed them shut again. “Is it something the city council can help with?”

He shook his head a little stronger.

“Could I help?

“Yes.” His head stop moving, and his eyes opened to gaze into hers. He turned and shook his head. “No. I won’t put you in danger.”

“Why don’t you tell me about it, and at least I can try to think of someone in town who might be of help.”

His shoulders sagged. “I need a telegram sent to my mother and sister in Denver. I can’t do that without causing alarm with some very bad men, and they might even be watching you, but I have to get word to them that they’re in danger.”

Donella’s heart raced. She knew she would do anything for her own family, and that must be why he was asking.

“I can get the message out without anyone knowing I’ll do it even if they were watching me,” she said. For the first time in several weeks, she noticed a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

In two strides, he was at her desk and bent over a sheet of paper, writing down a message. He folded it and handed it to her. “This is the telegram I need sent. I think you should hide it on your person.”

Donella understood that by even having this piece of paper she was putting herself at risk too. “Mr. Mealing, I understand the value of community and the love of family. I’m doing this for both of those reasons.”

He nodded and turned back toward his office but paused in the doorway. “That man means to harm the Morgan’s new business as well. He represents men who had planned to bring in their own electric company. If you can get word to the Morgans without being noticed, please do.”

When he left, Donella’s hands shook as she rolled the letter into a tube and strung her garter through it, refastening it beneath her skirts. Boone was in danger. She would get word to the mayor’s family and to the Morgans.

Donella tried to carry on as if nothing in her morning had changed. She read mail, created files, and generally cleaned the building. But every minute or two, she found herself thinking about the Morgan’s business being at risk as the mayor had said.

When it was finally two o’clock, her heart began racing. She had to force herself to be calm enough to button up her coat and tie her bonnet. She picked up the small bag she had with her and left.

If the right people showed up to tea today, she could take care of the mayor’s request and no one would be the wiser. She entered the shop and hung her coat and bonnet beside the door, inhaling the combined fragrances of the tea. A second sniff confirmed there was also the hint of gingerbread in the air. What a treat!

It was only a few days before Christmas, and because she lived in the boarding house, she hadn’t made any cookies yet. She would have to ask Millie if she could borrow the kitchen to make some gingerbread at the restaurant when her family arrived. It was the one tradition she wanted to be sure to carry on from her memories with her mother. She didn’t want to break it this year. She loved making the gingerbread and rolling it to cut out houses and little people. She would have to stop by the mercantile and ask Toria to show her the different kinds of candies they carried so her family could decorate their cookies.

“Hello, Ariadne,” she said.

“You’re first to arrive. Would you care for a cookie? They’re warm—right from the oven. We have hot apple cider or wassail on special for today along with our other teas.”

“Oh, yes. I’d love the apple cider.”

Regina entered with a platter of oranges and set them on the counter. “We ordered these a month ago. I was so worried they wouldn’t come in time, but they arrived on yesterday’s train.”

Donella picked up her bag and chose a seat. She’d been working on some little surprises to bring to her dear friends at Tuesday Tea. Just a small remembrance of how much their friendship meant to her.

She sat on the far side of the room and nibbled on the edge of her cookie. She hoped Seffi and Beatrice would both come, then she could pass along the information without risking detection. If they didn’t, she’d have to find another way to help the mayor and Boone. Diane and Millie came in as Regina delivered her hot cider.

“Well, it did it again!” Diane said, pulling her lips downward in a pout.

“Did what?” Donella asked as they approached. Behind them, the door chime rang again, and more bundled women entered.

“Snowed. Again. And again. Do you think it will ever stop?”

“No,” Millie answered. “It snows all winter. It snows in the spring. We occasionally get snow in the summer. And you’ll know it’s fall when it starts to snow again. You’ve spent almost a year in Creede. How did you not notice that?” She dropped down into a chair near Donella.

“I thought it was an unusual year,” Donella said with a sigh.

“It was. We had very little snow last year,” Seffi called from across the room as she hung her coat. Beside her, Vivian and Julianne had done the same and then all chose seats, but not close to Donella. Still, she would be able to pass along at least that message.

“Come on out to the Wagon Wheel Gap lodge,” Katie “Long Shot” Dickson added. “You’ll enjoy the warm pools, especially now that it’s winter.”

“Oh, yes. Bernard and I need to come back,” Clara said. “The water is so warm—I might not leave until April.”

“I’ll make plans,” said Diane.

More women arrived and each time the door chime rang, Donella hoped it would be Beatrice. Finally, she came in with Mrs. Crowther and Rita. Good. Now Beatrice could send a telegram to the mayor’s family. Donella’s cousin Eliza entered as well and took the last seat beside Donella, letting out a big huff.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” Donella told her.

“Why? Because I’m as big as a caboose? Oh, my. Can I get any bigger? KC drove me over, and I barely had enough breath to waddle in here. Some days, I don’t get out of bed for long.”

Donella hugged her shoulder. “Maybe the doctor had the time wrong. Maybe the baby is actually coming sooner. I can’t imagine this going on another month.”

“Or maybe I’ll pop.” To Ariadne she said, “May I have a cookie, a slice of pie, and a muffin?”

“There might be some truth to the date being wrong,” Seffi said. “I hate to say it, but you’re much bigger than I was when Waylon was born, and he was my biggest.”

Katie added, “You wear it beautifully, but for your sake, I hope it’s almost over for you.”

Millie stood and walked to where Julianne was sitting and held her hands out. Baby Grace practically leaped from her mother’s arms toward Millie.

“Aren’t you a big girl, attending your first Tuesday Tea,” Millie cooed.

Grace cooed back, “Mmmm.”

The treats and the hot drinks were served, and a quiet settled over the group. Donella wondered how she would get the messages to Beatrice and Seffi. She couldn’t meet with them outside of this building or it would be suspicious if anyone were to watch. She took a sip. Why was she being so secretive? Maybe if the whole town knew what was happening, it might stop.

Donella gathered her courage and said, “There’s trouble brewing in town.”

“Again?” Isla asked as if she were truly horrified.

“Out with it. We are all in this together,” Seffi said.

Donella was glad to hear that. She loved these women with all her heart. They accepted and supported each other. She was glad that they’d help carry this new burden too.

Seffi continued, “We’re not going to ignore misconduct by the riffraff or let it go unnoticed or unchecked.”

Other ladies spoke up too. “Yes.” “That’s right.”

“Tell us what has you upset,” Julianne said.

“I have a secret—two really.” Donella began lifting the bottom of her skirt. “And they both have me worried.” She looked at Seffi. “I’m worried about your son, but I’m also worried about our mayor.”

“Oh, yes,” Beth said.

“He took on a terrible job trying to keep this town from being unruly,” Eliza agreed. “There’s enough to do if we had ten marshals in Creede. Marshall Wheeler and KC are always busy.”

“As are their deputies,” Lydia commented. “Sometimes we just have to help the men out.”

“What would they do without us?” Rhona asked as the women laughed.

Donella begin pulling the note from around her garter.

“Ooh, very clever,” Seffi said.

“Yes, covert,” added Katie. “Like a real spy.”

“This is a note the mayor wants sent to his family in Denver. He’s worried about them because someone has threatened their safety. I don’t know who the man is, but I’ve seen him twice now.”

“Did the mayor say he was threatening him?” Caroline asked.

“He said his family was threatened and more,” Donella replied.

Diane moved closer to her and put her arm around Donella’s shoulder. “Tell us everything.”

Donella launched into the story of what had happened from the first time the man was there to the second. She also told them everything the mayor said after the man left. Then she read them the letter.

“If he’s watching the mayor and the mayor’s family, then he’s watching you too, Donella. Having you go to the telegraph office would trigger suspicion for sure,” Katie added.

“His family has to know that they’re in danger,” Julianne spoke up. “My husband said that once he joined with the Pinkerton agency, he could never really quit. If he were called to help them again, he would do whatever he could. He has friends who are Pinkertons all over the United States, and they help each other.” Julianne’s eyes brightened with an idea. “We’re not going to send a telegram directly to his family. We’re going to have it go to a Pinkerton agent, then he can take it to the family.”

“But won’t that also tip someone off if they’re watching the mayor’s family?” Millie asked.

Isla stood up excitedly. “It won’t if he’s carrying flowers and wearing his best suit. And since he’d be clearly on the front porch courting the sister. They won’t pay him much mind.”

“You’ve always had a devious mind,” Rhona chuckled, “and I love it. No one would suspect that.”

“Then the mother can quickly pack a small bag as if they’re going shopping. They’ll just leave and not go back,” Isla said.

The women nodded along in agreement.

“Let’s assume that the mayor’s family will be safe. The next order of business is how do we keep him safe?” Seffi asked. “We’ll talk about my boys last.”

Donella was distracted for a moment watching Eliza. There was no doubt that she was so large with child that she was incredibly uncomfortable. She leaned this way and that on her seat. She stretched her back and twisted it back and forth, trying to ease the discomfort. Donella said a quick prayer in her heart for Eliza and her child. It wouldn’t be long, and she hoped everything would go well. Every time a woman had a child, it was an act of faith.

The angel appeared beside Eliza, laying her hand on Eliza’s shoulder. Donella quickly schooled her expression, but her heart banged in her chest. The nurse-angel bowed her head and closed her eyes, then she smiled broadly and disappeared.

Eliza seemed less restless immediately. What had the angel done? No one else had even noticed, and the conversation around her carried on.

“Now, about the electric company,” Vivian said.

“I’ll tell the boys about it,” Seffi said. “We’ve dealt with rustlers, robbers, and criminals for a decade. They’ll know what to do.”

“Well, I do believe we’ve saved Creede again,” Isla said. She popped the last bite of her cookie in her mouth, then clapped her hands together to brush off the crumbs.

“Not yet,” Aileen said. “But we will.”

When the tea was over, Donella picked up the sack she brought. “I made each of you a gift.” She pulled out a pinecone that had a bright silk ribbon tied around the top layer of scales and a silver bell hanging below. “It’s an ornament,” she said as she handed them to the women.

“It smells lovely,” Millie said. She gave it a little shake and listened to the bell.

“I sprinkled a little cinnamon inside each one so they’ll give your homes a nice fragrance.”

“We have a gift too,” Ariadne said. Regina handed around an orange for each person.

Donella scratched the skin with her fingernail, then held it to her nose. This was a rare treat. Many ladies handed around little presents, and Donella filled her little bag with the gifts before they all left. “Thank you,” she said as she followed Seffi out the door.

Donella and Mrs. Morgan met Boone in the front, standing beside a sleigh. “Why do you have six mules harnessed to the sleigh? Surely you don’t think we weigh that much,” Donella teased.

Seffi answered while pulling on her gloves. “Driving a team up and down mountains through the snow is secondhand to Boone. He’s a good driver. He knows these animals will be surefooted up and down the hill.”

A small smile played around Boone’s mouth. His eyes flashed to his mother and back to Donella a couple of times. Then he said, “Would you sit with me in the front, Donella?”

Oh dear. She had hoped to sit in the back where she wouldn’t be able to see the road, but her desire to sit beside Boone was greater than her fear of the drive. “I’d like that.”

Boone settled his mother into the backseat, then handed Donella up to the front. He walked around to the other side and jumped up beside her and pulled the fur blanket around them. Donella was surprised at how cozy it felt to be there with him, and she scooted closer, so they touched from hip to ankle. When he looked out the corner of his eye at her, she said, “To keep us both warm.”

“You’ll get no disagreement from me whatever the reason,” he replied. Boone pulled a fur blanket over them then shook the reins to start the mules.

Donella was surprised at how warm the blanket was, but she supposed that’s how the animals stayed warm all winter as well. Or it could be that she was sharing heat with Boone, and as a result, creating more of her own.

“The road might get rough. Maybe you’d like to hold onto my arm to steady yourself.”

She wrapped her hands around his arm and swayed on the seat with him. After they’d passed the Tivoli on their way out of town, Donella asked, “Do you have the desire to sing Jingle Bells? I honestly never really understood that song while living in Texas, but I understand now.”

He chucked, and Donella leaned closer to listen to the deep rumble. Then he began to sing, “Dashing through the snow,” and Donella joined him. “In a one-horse open sleigh . . .”

When they finished that song they began singing it over again.

The drive up to the Mother Lode mine was uneventful—thank heaven! Growing up in Texas had in no way prepared her for the treacherous conditions that the Coloradoans seemed unaware of on the snowy roads. She thought it might be best if everyone just stayed home until May.

She shook herself. She could never do that. She had to become a Coloradoan and quick. The mines along the road to Bachelor were the moneymakers for all life in Creede, and the road boss, Rio Lopez, knew that well. He put extra attention into this road to make sure it was cleared of snow first, and often.

Her little talk almost took the fear away. There was always a risk though, since they would also have to go back down after their visit to see the electric lights. She wasn’t going to think about it.

Boone turned off the main road opposite Cougar Flat and parked the sleigh by the mine opening, handing each woman down.

Seffi put her hands over her ears. “What’s that noise?” she shouted above the roar.

“Progress,” Boone answered with a smile. “Come on. It’s better inside.”

When he pushed back the heavy log door, Seffi gasped. “I can see why you wanted to keep this a secret,” she said. “It’s the closest thing I’ve seen to a miracle. Except, there is that one time with Vivian at the railroad station, but never mind about that.”

Donella wondered about Seffi’s remark though she’d heard a few whisperings about angels in Creede. She knew that the angel-nurse would be a miracle for her and Creede. Finally, she looked inside as Boone stood beside the door and understood Seffi’s comment. The sparkling light was truly amazing. She slipped her hand into Boone’s and squeezed it. She was glad that he wanted to share this moment with her.

His hand relaxed like he had expected her to let go, but she hung on as he moved inside and shut the door behind them. She loved the strength in his hands, and the way they walked in step with each other.

“I want those out at the ranch,” Seffi said. “On the house. On the barn. I’ll look around and see if there’s somewhere else I want them too.”

“I imagine there are many people who would want that in their homes,” Donella added. “Or even by their businesses. I can hardly wait to see these everywhere.” She could understand why the Morgan’s had kept this business a secret until now. Everyone would want this eventually, and that would mean fantastic income for whoever put it in first. She also understood why ruthless men would try to scare someone out of doing it.

“Although you left your aged mother alone on the ranch for eight long months,” Seffi winked at Boone. “I think you’ve done right going off to Telluride to learn about this. You’re getting our little town ready for the twentieth century.”

Donella walked up closer to a shining globe. “I wish I could pick one like an apple and take it home with me,” Donella said. “I know it’s just light, but it makes me feel happy.”

When she walked back to where Boone was standing, he took her hand in his again. The thrill of touching him burst in her heart like a fire—no, like electricity and those light bulbs.

Boone’s voice was husky and low. “I’ve got to meet up with Holt at the Hidee Hole mine and get some work done today. But I’m glad you came.”

“I’m glad you invited me,” Donella said.

Boone’s face was very close, and Donella held her breath. His eyes looked into hers and then at her lips. She loved the feel of his rough hand on her cheek and jaw. She felt as if there could not be a more magical place. The moment stretched out. Was he going to kiss her? She hoped so and leaned toward him—until she heard Seffi.

“That’s wonderful—the lights I mean.” Seffi stood gazing at her and Boone so close together.

Boone stepped back and put some space between them. He cleared his throat. “I’ll get you back to town now.”

The noise of the steam engine had been so loud that the women hadn’t yet told him about what the mayor said when they were at the mine.

When they stopped at Hearth and Home, Seffi grabbed his arm and walked him inside with her. She patted him on the cheek. “I’m so proud of you. What an amazing thing you’ve brought home. I’ll need you to help me climb the stairs to my room.”

Donella could see the look of disbelief on his face, but Seffi insisted.

Donella didn’t follow them up, but seated herself near the large fireplace at one end of the dining room. A few minutes later, he returned.

“My ma told me what is going on. You don’t need to worry about us. We’ll take care of it. We knew there’d be some fierce competition, and that’s why we kept it a secret. We’re ahead of anyone else who comes in now. It will all work out.”

He paused for a moment and bit his cheek. He looked nervous. Was he worried about it after all?

“I’ve been trying to say this all day, and . . . I just wondered if . . .I’d like to have dinner with you and take you to the theater tonight. Would you have time to come?”

Donella held back a laugh. He was more worried that she would say no than he was about being harassed by criminals.

Oh no. She already had plans. She felt her smile fade. She wanted to spend every waking moment with him if that were possible. “I would love to, but I’ve been going out to see patients in all my spare time, and I promised my sister that I would spend time with her tonight.”

Boone reached out and took her hand, sending a sizzling bolt straight to her heart.

“Then I’ll bring Holt. The sisters can sit together and we’ll sit on the ends.” His eyes brightened. Oh, his eyes. Would she ever get used to the crystal blue of them. She hoped not. She felt her heart expand with full force taking her breath away.

“I’ll ask and hope she agrees.” Donella turned toward the staircase, but Boone lifted her hand to his lips, kissing each of her fingers. Then he pressed her hand to his cheek and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he simply said, “Tonight.”

Chills raced down her spine. If her sister loved her at all, she would go to the theater tonight.