The Blacksmith’s Bravery by Susan Page Davis

boy?”
    â€œThat’s right. My nephew is coming to stay here for a while.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful.”
    â€œIt is?”
    Vashti smiled. “Of course. You have family. That’s a mighty precious gift, Mr. Bane.”
    â€œWell, I suppose so.” It was a long time since he’d thought deeply about family. “My sister’s husband kicked off, and she doesn’t know what to do with all the kids, so she’s sending me her big boy.”
    â€œDoes she want you to apprentice him?”
    Griffin snapped his gaze to meet hers. “I didn’t think of that. She wants me to keep him in line, I guess. Keep him out of trouble. She didn’t say anything about teaching him a trade.”
    â€œSeems to me that would be the best thing for him.”
    â€œWell… it would take a lot of time.”
    She stepped farther into the office and stood before the desk. “Yes, it would, but you know you need someone to help with the forge work. Once you’ve taught him, he could maybe take that over one day. Or if he wants to move along, he’d have a skill so’s he could support himself when he’s grown. How big is this boy?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Griffin eyed her uneasily, fearing she would berate him for neglecting his kinfolk, but she seemed deep in thought. “I don’t even know for sure he’s on the stage,” Griffin added, “but he’s supposed to come in to Mountain Home tomorrow. Guess I’ll have to ride over there and fetch him.”
    â€œWhere’s he coming from?”
    â€œSalt Lake. Took the train that far.”
    Vashti smiled. “Why don’t you telegraph the Wells Fargo division manager in Salt Lake and see if he boarded the stagecoach there as scheduled? It would be worth the money the inquiry would cost you. If he’s on the stage, you go get him, or else tell them to send him on to Boise. It would be easier to get him there. And if he’s not on board, you won’t waste the trip.”
    He gave that a full five seconds of consideration. “Not a bad idea. Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    He rose and stepped toward the doorway, but Vashti moved into it and stood her ground. She tipped her head back so she could look up into his face. “If you write out the telegram, I could run it over to Mr. Dostie for you, and I’m sure Mrs. Thistle would have a vacant room a young man could stay in, if that suits your situation.”
    Griffin frowned down at her. Why was she being so helpful?
    She smiled. “As to the shotgun messenger, I’d be happy to fill in for your man tomorrow. I’m a pretty good shot, if I do say so. I won the ribbon for personal best at today’s shooting club meeting.”
    He stared down into her new-leaf-green eyes. After a long moment, he said, “I can take care of the telegram myself. And I suppose I could put him up at the boardinghouse for a few days ’til I figure out something better.”
    Vashti didn’t move out of the way. “What about the Silver City run? I’d love to do it.”
    He huffed out a breath and shook his head. “You don’t understand, do you? I cannot—I
will
not hire a woman on my stage line. I’d be laughed out of Idaho Territory. Besides, I have a responsibility to the U.S. Mail.”
    â€œBut you’re in a bind. You said so yourself. It’s only for one day. One run. And I can do it. Just ask Trudy Chapman or Bitsy. They’ll tell you I’m a good shot.”
    â€œI don’t doubt that. It’s just—”
    â€œI know. It’s because I’m a girl.”
    â€œWell, yes. I don’t know any other way to put it. Do you think a gang of outlaws would hang back and say, ‘Oh my, look at that! They’ve got a lady on the box today. I guess we’d better not rob that stagecoach’? Of course not! They’d be nudging each