Song of My Soul (Silver Hills Trilogy Book #2) , livre ebook

Baker Publishing Group - Ginny Aiken

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133 pages

English

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Description

Adrian Gamble gets more than he bargained for when he moves to Hartville, a booming mining town in the Colorado highlands. He was hoping for a life of quiet anonymity, but as the new owner of the town's silver mine, he instead finds himself under the voracious scrutiny of everyone in town the moment he arrives. Even Phoebe Williams who runs the mining company's general store tries to keep her distance.Despite her initial misgivings, the recently widowed Phoebe finds herself increasingly attracted to her employer. As Adrian's past comes to light, Phoebe is faced with a choice regarding this man she has come to love and admire. And Adrian must decide whether to stay on the run from his past or confront it so he can finally face the future.

Informations

Publié par	Baker Publishing Group
Date de parution	01 juin 2004
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781585587650
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0259€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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© 2004 by Ginny Aiken
Published by Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.revellbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher and copyright owners. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
eISBN 978-1-5855-8765-0
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.
Psalm 149:5–6
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
About the Author
1

Hartville, Colorado—1893

Adrian Gamble wasn’t his name, but it was the one he was willing to use.
He led his horse down Hartville’s main street, taking note of the sights and sounds it offered. On either side, solid buildings replaced the ramshackle structures he’d expected to find in the mining town. Evidently, the residents had found a good enough living here and decided to stay. They’d established permanent homes and businesses and looked to be thriving.
Perhaps he’d live long enough to do the same.
As had become his habit, he glanced over his shoulder and to either side, checking to see if any familiar faces followed in his wake. He prayed every minute of every day for the Lord to keep him safe from his pursuers.
He hoped out-of-the-way Hartville and its established mining company would provide a measure of anonymity.
A wooden sign in the window of a plain, whitewashed storefront on the right side of the street told him he’d reached his destination. Douglas Carlson, attorney-at-law, did business within.
“Good afternoon,” he said to the bespectacled and serious man he found shuffling papers in a cabinet just inside the door. “I’m looking for Mr. Carlson.”
“You’ve found him. And you are . . . ?”
He bit his tongue to keep the dangerous name from popping forth. “Gamble,” he said instead. “Adrian Gamble, and I’m here to finalize my purchase of the Heart of Silver Mining Company.”
A flicker of interest showed from behind the glass lenses as the lawyer extended his hand. “Pleased to make your acquaintance. I’ve been looking forward to this day.”
Adrian returned the firm clasp. “So have I.” But for very different reasons . He ignored his irritating conscience, aware that subterfuge was his only choice at present.
“Please, follow me.” Douglas gestured toward the open doorway at the left side of the room. “My secretary had to go to Denver for a family funeral, but she prepared all the documents you need to sign. I have them at my desk.”
The attorney closed the door to the simple, attractive office and pointed to the comfortable-looking leather armchair in front of his neat desk. “Do take a seat.”
Adrian sank into the chair. “Ah, it’s a pleasure to sit in something other than a saddle after riding a ways.”
“There’s a reason trains are such popular means of travel from practically any part of the country.”
Adrian didn’t take the bait. He had no intention of revealing his departure point or explaining his reasons for avoiding crowds. “So you say everything is in order.”
Douglas’s eyes again gleamed, this time to broadcast that little escaped his notice. Adrian would have to remember that in the future and guard his tongue.
“Everything from the deed to the property to the general store and its inventory, as well as the Harts’ former home and all its furnishings. You only need to sign and assume the reins.”
Adrian allowed himself a satisfied smile. “I’ll also need to gather the two boxes I shipped ahead in care of the company. Would they still be at the train station?”
The lawyer pushed a pen-and-inkwell stand toward Adrian and handed him a sheaf of papers. “No. I decided it made more sense if everything was delivered to the general store, since the porters know to take all mining company supplies there.”
With conscious effort, Adrian avoided signing the wrong name on the deed. His man in Virginia had assured him that he would be the owner of the mine and all the other company property despite signing as the stranger, Adrian Gamble. The man he once was no longer existed.
“There,” he said. “What’s next?”
Douglas stood. “As I said, all you need is to move right in—to your new home and business. Both are ready.”
“You did indeed take care of everything. I’m much obliged.”
The lawyer shrugged and reached for a brown overcoat hanging from a hook on the frame of a tall mirror near the door. “If you don’t object, I’d like to show you around.”
“First I must find a livery.”
“Of course. Amos Jimson’s stables are right around the corner, and you won’t find a finer man or better place to keep your animal.”
Adrian followed his guide. He’d achieved a major goal and wanted to celebrate, but the wariness that had replaced his once easygoing nature prevented him from even the slightest lowering of his guard. His life depended on his vigilance.
The stables were as clean and well tended as any Adrian had ever seen. And the owner? Amos was another matter altogether.
“Where you hail from, son?” the large black man asked in a kind voice.
Adrian gave the reply that had served him well for a while. “Oh, from just about everywhere.”
“From just about everywhere, you say.” Canny smarts lay behind the slow, molasses-rich southern voice. “And precisely whereabouts is everywhere?”
“Back east.”
“I see. Back east.” The livery owner’s perusal turned to scrutiny, and Adrian began to chafe under its intensity. Then Amos added, “An’ just what brings you to Hartville?”
“Give the man a chance to catch his breath, Amos.” Douglas evidently knew the livery owner well. “He’s just ridden into town, and from the looks of him and his horse, he’s been on the road for a fair spell. This is Adrian Gamble, the mine’s new owner.”
Still more interest lit Amos’s smile. “Mm-hmm. Looks like we’ll have us plenty time to get us better acquainted, won’t we, Mister Adrian Gamble? I don’t figger you’ll be travelin’ everywhere for a spell. Running the Heart of Silver takes a toll on a man’s time.”
“I’m not afraid of work—never have been. I know I’ve taken on a large responsibility, but I trust the Lord will make me equal to it.”
Again the wise brown eyes narrowed, and the lines at their corners, lines surely gained over years of life’s experiences, deepened. Adrian felt as though his drawers were flapping open in the brisk Colorado wind.
“Glad to see you’re a God-fearing man, Mister Gamble. Always good to know another brother on the straight and narrow road to heaven.”
He squirmed. He hadn’t fooled Amos for a second. And he wouldn’t be taking him up on his roundabout invitation to get better acquainted either. “I must be on my way, Mr. Jimson. Pleasure meeting you.”
Amos laughed. “Is it now? Well, we’ll soon see, son, how much pleasure you’ll be finding in Hartville. At least you’ll know for the next while where you hail from, now won’t you?”
Adrian spun on his heel and headed out the wide entry to the stables. Douglas took several loping steps and caught up with him seconds later.
“I’m sorry about that,” he said, gasping. “Amos is incorrigible. He survived the hell of slavery and figures he’s entitled to say whatever’s on his mind. Sometimes he goes a mite far.”
“A man has a right to speak as he wishes.” Adrian cast a sideways glance at his companion. “And to keep his counsel, too.”
Without missing a step, Douglas met Adrian’s gaze, acknowledging his meaning.
“He certainly does.” The lawyer then waved toward the substantial structure they’d reached. “And the general store’s a good place to be mindful of that. Not much that happens or is said here stays within these four walls.”
Adrian paused on the steps to the boardwalk right in front of the store. “Surely you’re not saying I have a gossiping busybody in my employ.”
“Heavens no,” Douglas said. “Phoebe Williams is a hardworking woman, not given to excesses of any sort. And as a pastor’s widow, she’s the soul of discretion.”
Adrian forced his shoulders to relax. “I’m glad to hear that. I can certainly use an efficient and sensible manager at the store.”
Douglas cast Adrian a sharp look. “Excellent. The whole town has worried about Mrs. Williams’s future. No one knew your intentions for the store, and she depends on her wages.”
“I hope no one’s thought I’d come to turn folks out on the street. I don’t intend to make many changes—if any—to what seems to be a well-managed operation.”
“Well,” Douglas said, “there is something you might want to consider. You’ve a sizable number of Chinamen working the mine, and the situation might be growing troublesome. You’ll have to watch for—”
“Oh! Dear me, Douglas,” exclaimed the tiny, gray-garbed dynamo who barreled into the attorney. “I had no idea you were out here. Did I hurt you?”
The woman’s question brought a smile to Adrian’s lips.
Douglas laughed. “Letty, you’re no bigger than a minute. Of course you didn’t hurt me. And if you had, what then? Why, I’m sure you’d patch me up right quick.”
He turned to Adrian. “Allow me to introduce our intrepid physician, Dr. Letitia Morgan—”
“Dr. Letitia Wagner ,” the petite woman interjected.
Adrian arched a brow and extended his hand. “A most progressive town, Hartville.”
The doctor’s chin rose as she took his fingers in a