Delving Beneath the Surface

Chapter 16

Verona shoved through the bush and brush that grew along the side of the mountain. The thickets tore at the sleeves of her sweater. The sun set by the time they reached the river, so they had no choice but to work by the glow of their flashlights. As much as she wanted to believe that she would have noticed a second entrance into the mine, she honestly has no idea.

"Anything?"

"Nope," Sam said as he popped out beside her, "just a whole lotta rock."

"Would it even make sense to build the new entrance near the old one?" Sebastian said as he shoved his way out the brambles. He cradled something close to his chest. She craned her neck, more curious than anything. He opened uncurled his fingers to reveal a small, speckled frog resting his palm. She shook her head, smiling despite herself.

Of course.

It wouldn't surprise her if he abandoned the search in favor of catching that little fella.

He ran his finger down the frogs back and continued, "If they built the new entrance too close to the old one, that would ensure a lot more crossover with an unstable mine. They would never risk that if they were encountering too many cave ins, right?"

"I don't think they would," Haley said as she stumbled out of the brush. Her hair had fallen from its ponytail, thick curls hung loose around her shoulders. She plucked a thistle from the cuff of her jeans and flicked it away. "And besides, aren't miner's like hella superstitious or something?"

"I think you're confusin' miners with sailors, lass."

Verona felt her soul her leave her body as she swiveled around. Gil threw up a hand, blinking, as she shined the light on his face. Her heart hammered in her chest. She could say with absolute certainty that she had never seen Gil leave the comfort of his rocking chair. If he was wandering around out here, did that mean Marlon was close by? She scanned the area as she sputtered, "Gil, we were just—I mean, what are you—" She tucked her pickaxe behind her back. "We weren't doing anything wrong?"

Gil cracked a smile. "Only someone who was doin' somethin' wrong would have to say that." He strolled past, whistling a jaunty little tune. He made it a fair distance away and called back, "Fortunately for you, I have no intentions on sayin' nothin' to no one."

"We weren't thinking of going into the mines," Verona stressed as she hurried after him. Gil paused, his back still to her. "Honestly, we weren't. We were just looking for the entrance to the old mines. I want to see something." She nibbled on her lower lip. What was the harm in asking? "You wouldn't happen to know where that is, would you?"

Gil didn't say anything at first, but he also made no move to leave. "You know you've got your grandpap's spirit, lass," he chuckled to himself, "He wouldn't have given up on this little venture either. Marlon shoulda known that lockin' up the mines wouldn't stop ya from getting' yer answers. Hell, it never stopped your grandpap either."

"But Marlon said—"

"Marlon said a lot of things he didn't mean that day." Gil finally looked back at her with this soft look on his face. "Underneath that hardened exterior is a big softie who cares a lot about the people in this town. If anythin' had happened to you kids on his watch, he would have never forgiven himself. I know he regrets what he said. Cut the ol' coot some slack."

"I never meant to make anyone worry," Verona said in earnest, "I just wanted to do something that mattered. I hoped finding answers would achieve that."

Gil puffed out his cheeks. "Well, if it's answers you're lookin' for, then you're not in the right place." He waved away from the cliff side, down the bank of the river. "Did ya know about the quarry on the edge of town. The old bridge is out of commission for years though. Ain't no one been there since the early days, when we was just a small pinoneerin' village."