Read Online Refining Fire by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online Page A

project.
    â€œI’m sorry.” Militine looked to the ground. How could she explain her actions without sharing the nightmares of her childhood?
    â€œI’m the one who’s sorry.” He offered her a smile. “I didn’t mean to startle you, and I know it’s not proper to whisper.”
    â€œI shouldn’t be daydreaming.” She turned back to stir a can of white paint. “I guess I’m ready to get this up on the walls.” She picked up one of the paintbrushes. “You’re welcome to join me if you tire of building cabinets.”
    He chuckled. “Abrianna would skin me if I ignored her orders. I swear that gal could do wonders in organizing the city council. If she were in charge, few problems would go unresolved.”
    From somewhere outside bells began to clang in a metallic cacophony. Thane pulled off his apron. “Got to go, Abrianna. There’s a fire. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He dashed for the door before any of the remaining trio could respond.
    Abrianna shook her head. “I suppose when the department calls, one must respond. Bother it all, anyway.” She put her hands on her hips. “I suppose I should have hired more workers.”
    â€œAre we getting paid?” Wade asked from where he’d started working to cut a hole in the wall for the stove flue.
    â€œOf course you’re getting paid,” Abrianna replied. “The worker is worth his due. I wouldn’t call you here to work without seeing you compensated.”
    Militine’s eyes widened as Abrianna pulled a wad of money from her skirt pocket. “This is for you and Thane to share.” She plopped it on the makeshift worktable. “I have additional money for you, Militine. I left it back at the house.”
    â€œYou should have left it all back at the house.” Wade came to the table and shook his head. “Abrianna, do you mean to tell me you’ve had this on your person all this time? Don’t you know how dangerous it is to walk around town with that kind of money?”
    â€œWell, I don’t have it on me any longer. Now it’s your responsibility. Yours and Thane’s. There’s enough there to encourage you both to work all night and tomorrow. But if you like, I could probably get a couple of the old sailors to help.”
    Wade put out his hand to stop her. “We will manage without their help and without your pay. I’ll hang on to this until I can talk to Thane, but I’m pretty sure he’ll feel the same. You should use this money to buy food. For now, however, please promise me you won’t walk around with this kind of cash on hand. You never know what danger lurks just outside the door.”
    Militine jumped nearly a foot when a man’s voice rang out as Priam Welby entered the shack.
    â€œMy, my. What have we here?”
    Militine moved further toward the back of the building. She’d never liked Priam Welby. There was something about the local businessman that served to remind her of the degenerates who regularly visited her father’s trading post. Welby had purchased Mrs. Madison’s downtown building and was responsible for the beautiful estate that now housed the school. Even so, the man disturbed her. He might be well dressed and groomed, but there was something almost vulgar about the man.
    â€œI had heard there was a pretty little redhead leading the rebuilding of this shack, and I could only imagine one woman.” He doffed his hat. “I see I was right.”
    â€œWe are opening a food house for the poor,” Abrianna said, crossing the room. “Perhaps you would like to contribute to the financial needs. We have food to buy, as well as additional plates and mugs. We also need dish towels and soap.”
    He laughed, and to Militine’s surprise reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Of course I’ll contribute. I’m known for my