A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson Page A

stepped back from the door to admit the smiling man.
    â€œMillie said you’d be up to makin’ candles, so I brought you some of the fat from this old bear I kilt.” Jake held up a gunnysack.
    Emily wriggled her nose. “I can smell it from here.”
    Jake chuckled as he stepped into the house. He hoisted the sack onto the kitchen table and straightened himself while smoothing the sides of his thick mustache. “So what do you have to trade today?”
    â€œI baked you three loaves of bread and two dozen oatmeal cookies. Will that do?” She saw the look of pure joy on his face. Jake loved her oatmeal cookies.
    â€œI’ll say it will. I was just telling Hobson—you know he’s my friend and partner who runs the Fergus County Bank over in Lewistown—well, I was tellin’ him that you make about the best cookies I’ve ever had the privilege of eatin’. He told me next time I got some, I should bring him a batch, but I toldhim they’d never make it all the way from Yogo to Lewistown.” He laughed and slapped his canvas-clad thighs. “Fact is, they seldom make it back to my ranch.”
    Emily couldn’t help smiling. She was dressed in her heavy clothes but without her hat, and she knew that the forty-five-year-old Jake could have been one of those seeking her favors had it not been for the friendship he bore her father.
    â€œWell, maybe next time you can get Mr. Hobson to come here. After all, since he’s a partner in your gold venture, I would think he’d want to check things out.” She went to fetch the bread and cookies. “I put your goods in one of my old flour sacks, but I’d like to have it back if you don’t mind. That way I can refill it for you.”
    â€œThat’s good incentive for me.” He took the bag from her.
    â€œWhy don’t you sit a bit, and I’ll get you a cup of coffee. And maybe I’ll throw in a couple of extra cookies.” Emily went to the stove and picked up the pot. “It’s still warm.”
    That was all the encouragement Jake needed. He pulled out one of the chairs and plopped down, placing the sack of bread and cookies directly in front of him. “So I met that geologist fella who pitched his tent by your lean-to.”
    â€œCaeden Thibault.” Emily nodded as she placed a mug of coffee in front of Jake. “He’s studying the area’s minerals.”
    â€œThat’s what I heard. He came to look over our ditch and flume system. He thought it looked mighty well done.”
    â€œPa has always admired it. It was impressive to see how you could divert water from the upper creek to the lower area where you were working.”
    â€œCost a pretty penny. Much more money than I’d ever have. If it hadn’t been for Hobson and our other partner, we’d never have gotten it done. Now I’m not so sure it was worth it. I mean, there is gold to be had, but not in the abundance I’d hoped for.Seems I’m always a day late to the big finds, or if I find ’em, I sell out before the big strike.”
    â€œJust like my father.” Emily placed a dish with three oatmeal cookies on the table. She moved the sack of bear meat and fat to the pan she used for washing dishes. “Pa is convinced, however, that there is gold and he will find it.”
    â€œI think there’s a good fortune to be had as well.” Jake sampled a cookie before continuing. “Mighty good, Miss Emily. Mighty good.” He ate the rest of the cookie and chased it down with hot coffee before settling back in the chair.
    â€œFrankly, my efforts have turned to disaster. I do better selling meat to the trading post in Fort Benton and the folks along the way.”
    â€œThen why bother looking for gold?” Emily joined him at the table and took a seat.
    â€œFor the thrill of it, I guess. And the fact that oftentimes it turns to good. I’ve made my share