Page 9 of The Heart of Bennet Hollow

“This was years ago. His daughters were but babies. Some not even born. An under-the-table deal, if you will. One that we both benefited from, and fairly so. Bennet even supplied several mules to the mine’s stables in years past when his horse and donkey were both alive. All business settled in good faith.”

William’s mind whirled with what this meant.

Jorgensen continued. “For these families—Webb, Hatcher, and Bennet, the land is all in question for different reasons. For us to arrange the sale of the mine, we’ll need to resolve each of these cases. Ways to tidy up the deed before this company can be sold.”

That meant time.

After Jorgensen explained more about each tenant, he finished with the last of all. “You may’ve already come to this conclusion, but the Bennets don’t have a single boy to work the mine. Other families have sons that become breaker boys. But not Bennet, poor soul.”

William had first encountered the lives of breaker boys when he’d visited the Pocahontas mine a few years prior.

There he’d witnessed lads as young as twelve picking apart coal and rock with bare hands, skipping school and the chance of an education.

A dismal trade. All for the pay of a few cents a day and calloused fingers.

When they came of age, they’d become nippers, spraggers, and colliers.

“And the girls?” William knew he’d nearly danced with one the night before. It was hard to forget the combination of bright, perceptive eyes and a homemade dress.

“The Bennets get by. They run a farmstand and once sold the mules I mentioned. Only a few left now and the Bennets are holdin’ on to them.

” Jorgensen turned a fountain pen in his fingertips.

Dried ink stained his skin. “Should you wish to acquire the New River Coal Company, we could strike arrangements with Mr. Bennet and the other residents to settle the matter. As mentioned, some of the lawyers are already looking into it. Bennet’s a good man, so I’m hopeful the arrangement will be settled well. ”

“And what if coal dwells on his land?”

“It would require a new survey. I doubt it, but if there was coal, the land’s too far from the hoist house to tunnel. A new shaft would be needed. That means a new hoist house. Roads. Lodging for miners. The place would show no memory of its former life. Woods and brambles wiped clean.”

Made over into a wasteland and Mr. Bennet made out to be a liar.

William leaned back in his chair. It was a responsibility that didn’t sit well with him, but he’d come here on business, not to forge friendships.

He could always bring in another geologist but the arrangements would take time as well. He’d need to think on all of this.

Jorgensen hesitated as though expecting a coal baron to disregard one lowly geologist. Not wanting to rush the discussion or begin bartering with such questions unanswered, William stood and shook the man’s hand. “How does a week sound? Will you be ready for me to visit the tunnels by then?”

“That would suffice.”

Then they could discuss how much this mine was worth.

As well as the issue with the local residents, including the geologist that William intended to better understand. To make out his character and intentions. That alone could tip the scales in this process.

With one more handshake, William exited into the sunlight, spotting Callum striding his way.

William ran his thumb over his mouth, recalling the few words he’d shared with Lizbeth Bennet.

In particular—any information it might give him to this case.

The lass had alluded to her home life, and while he’d filed the details carefully away as with any conversation, the file wasn’t so easily retrieved. Had it been distraction?

Had he felt something more for her than idle curiosity?

Impossible.

William blinked, sidelining the thought.

“Where are we going in such a hurry?” Callum asked as they fell into step.

“I need to wire Pennsylvania to bring in recruits. Borrow some of the employees from my Chess Creek mine.” William wouldn’t know for sure what state this mine’s construction was in until he ventured into its reaches.

Sense said to bring in the regiment: engineers and laborers that operated under state-of-the-art methods.

His men were crucial in moments like these.

Worry circled his mind, so he boxed it in with logic.

He wouldn’t allow any of his future investments to be a penny on a train track. Reckless and wasteful.

William would send the wire today and summon a crew.

“What did you think of her? Jayne Bennet?” Callum blurted as they walked.

Yet another conversation that included the name Bennet. “The fair-haired one?”

“Yes. She danced two rounds with me, and then yet another. Was she not one of the loveliest creatures you’ve ever seen?”

William considered the memory. It would do his friend no good if he fueled this infatuation. “She was pretty,” he said glumly. “But she smiled too much.”

Callum rolled his eyes and droned on, most of which William ignored.

It would only lead his friend further into danger if this flame of romance were fanned.

The man came from a family with both name and fortune.

To consider compromising that on affections rooted in a place that no one had ever heard of was unthinkable.

“My advice?” William clipped. “When our business is settled, put thought of New River—and its inhabitants—far behind you.”

“And that’s coming from you. Didn’t we come here for you to purchase real estate?”

“Which is a business deal. I have no plans of moving in.” That’s even if he won the bid.

When it came to the Bennets’ land and the wealth that might dwell beneath the surface, if the mine were purchased by anyone but him, it would likely all have to go.

The fields, the gardens, the house. William was still undecided as to what he would do if the mine and land became his.

There were hard decisions to be made in the coming days.

Though everything he’d just said had been directed at his comrade, William had some work to do of his own.

Stamped in his mind were several sentiments that he needed to dispose of surrounding a young woman.

The sooner he cut ties with a certain smile and the scent of chamomile, the better.