Read Online A Maverick's Heart by Roz Denny Fox - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Roz Denny Fox
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families.”
Seth murmured an agreement, wondering if that was where Lila’s husband had worked.
“Opportunity Mine was where a couple of brave or stupid men claimed to have found a dozen sapphires. They went back a second day, but came out swearing they’d heard ghosts or some such tripe. They cleared out of town. Far as I know, the stories kept other hunters away.”
“Interesting. I’m no stranger to evil-spirit legends. Superstitions are entwined with gems, especially in Asia and South America.” Seth smiled. “In some areas it’s hard to hire guides. I haven’t made definite plans to search here. If I do, I’ll be careful.”
The woman stopped in the back corner of the library and tapped the face of a few file cabinets. “The month and years filed in each drawer are listed on the front.”
“Thanks.” Seth pulled a small note pad and pen out of his shirt pocket.
“Good luck,” she said and left him to his own devices.
He found an article on the Rainbow Mine first. As the librarian noted, a crew reported digging there the summer after the mine closed. They’d found clear quartz and some smoky crystals. Apparently not enough to bring the hunters back. Seth knew clear quartz sold for more now than it used to, but not enough to waste his time.
He next located a series of articles on the pair who’d found sapphires in the mine named Opportunity. Reporters had chosen to write human-interest pieces that tied their experiences to a haunted mine. One suggested perhaps poison gases in the old tunnel had made the gem hunters dream up ghosts.
Seth went back to the drawer that held papers printed the year of the mine accident. It took longer, but he finally located issues where it had made headline news. He found Kevin Jenkins among the names of missing miners. That must be Lila’s husband. He didn’t see a specific story about her and Rory, but the articles were still sad. He considered not writing down who currently owned the Opportunity Mine. However, if only two gem hunters had taken out a few high-grade sapphires, likely there were more. And that mine actually sat quite near Zeke and Myra’s ranch.
Seth took a break, sobered by the tragedy that had taken the life of someone dear to people he had come to like a lot. Would any gems he might find be worth possibly raking up bad memories for Lila? On the other hand, he could do some initial exploration without explaining anything to her. After all, she hadn’t expressed an interest in what he did for a living.
Pocketing his notes, he thanked the librarian. Rather than go directly to seek information on permits, he elected to stop at the sporting-goods store.
He initially picked out a youth mitt and several baseballs. He stood in an aisle testing bats when a passing clerk said, “You must have a son or daughter starting Little League next week.”
“No. These are for a friend.” The man’s casual comment pricked Seth’s conscience, causing him to again ponder what it’d be like to have a child to guide in ball playing and other activities. He pictured a baby he’d watch grow. For that to happen he’d have to set down roots. He grimaced, thinking of two of his serious girlfriends. Both were married with families now.
The clerk continued to hover. “Do you want the high-end bats that some parents are buying?”
“Not at the moment. This boy’s mother asked me to stick to a budget.” He added two adult mitts to his stack. “Can I leave these at the counter while I check out backpack oxygen tanks and masks?”
“Sure. If you’re planning to dive in any of our lakes, you’ll need a wetsuit.”
Seth shook his head. “Not necessary.” Reluctant to admit he might be descending into an abandoned mine, he ignored the clerk’s obvious interest. He owned top-of-the-line equipment he had stored with a friend in Italy who, since he’d married, had given up gem hunting. Trailing the clerk to where masks and packs were displayed, Seth spared a
Seth murmured an agreement, wondering if that was where Lila’s husband had worked.
“Opportunity Mine was where a couple of brave or stupid men claimed to have found a dozen sapphires. They went back a second day, but came out swearing they’d heard ghosts or some such tripe. They cleared out of town. Far as I know, the stories kept other hunters away.”
“Interesting. I’m no stranger to evil-spirit legends. Superstitions are entwined with gems, especially in Asia and South America.” Seth smiled. “In some areas it’s hard to hire guides. I haven’t made definite plans to search here. If I do, I’ll be careful.”
The woman stopped in the back corner of the library and tapped the face of a few file cabinets. “The month and years filed in each drawer are listed on the front.”
“Thanks.” Seth pulled a small note pad and pen out of his shirt pocket.
“Good luck,” she said and left him to his own devices.
He found an article on the Rainbow Mine first. As the librarian noted, a crew reported digging there the summer after the mine closed. They’d found clear quartz and some smoky crystals. Apparently not enough to bring the hunters back. Seth knew clear quartz sold for more now than it used to, but not enough to waste his time.
He next located a series of articles on the pair who’d found sapphires in the mine named Opportunity. Reporters had chosen to write human-interest pieces that tied their experiences to a haunted mine. One suggested perhaps poison gases in the old tunnel had made the gem hunters dream up ghosts.
Seth went back to the drawer that held papers printed the year of the mine accident. It took longer, but he finally located issues where it had made headline news. He found Kevin Jenkins among the names of missing miners. That must be Lila’s husband. He didn’t see a specific story about her and Rory, but the articles were still sad. He considered not writing down who currently owned the Opportunity Mine. However, if only two gem hunters had taken out a few high-grade sapphires, likely there were more. And that mine actually sat quite near Zeke and Myra’s ranch.
Seth took a break, sobered by the tragedy that had taken the life of someone dear to people he had come to like a lot. Would any gems he might find be worth possibly raking up bad memories for Lila? On the other hand, he could do some initial exploration without explaining anything to her. After all, she hadn’t expressed an interest in what he did for a living.
Pocketing his notes, he thanked the librarian. Rather than go directly to seek information on permits, he elected to stop at the sporting-goods store.
He initially picked out a youth mitt and several baseballs. He stood in an aisle testing bats when a passing clerk said, “You must have a son or daughter starting Little League next week.”
“No. These are for a friend.” The man’s casual comment pricked Seth’s conscience, causing him to again ponder what it’d be like to have a child to guide in ball playing and other activities. He pictured a baby he’d watch grow. For that to happen he’d have to set down roots. He grimaced, thinking of two of his serious girlfriends. Both were married with families now.
The clerk continued to hover. “Do you want the high-end bats that some parents are buying?”
“Not at the moment. This boy’s mother asked me to stick to a budget.” He added two adult mitts to his stack. “Can I leave these at the counter while I check out backpack oxygen tanks and masks?”
“Sure. If you’re planning to dive in any of our lakes, you’ll need a wetsuit.”
Seth shook his head. “Not necessary.” Reluctant to admit he might be descending into an abandoned mine, he ignored the clerk’s obvious interest. He owned top-of-the-line equipment he had stored with a friend in Italy who, since he’d married, had given up gem hunting. Trailing the clerk to where masks and packs were displayed, Seth spared a
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