Last Chance Wife by Janette Foreman

Author:Janette Foreman [Foreman, Janette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-01-26T18:57:50+00:00

Chapter Nine

A broken stamp. Exactly what Ewan didn’t need.

Inside the mill, he shook his head, stifling a cough as the dust caked his lungs. He couldn’t believe the mess a busted cam could make. When he’d rushed inside, workers had already begun scrambling to stop the machinery before it tore the battery apart completely. In the wake of the breakdown, chunks of quartz and gold lay everywhere, scattered across the floor and shot up atop the stairs and supplies lying around the room’s perimeter. Dust mixed with gold on the mercury-coated tables. The mangled machinery had finally been put to rest before it destroyed anything else—though a considerable amount of damage had already been done. Not to mention the drop in production they would see while this equipment was nonoperational.

“We’ll have to send for a new part. Maybe a few,” Marcus said beside Ewan. “I’ll be honest, it probably won’t be cheap.”

Ewan looked away. “I know.”

Thankfully, no one had been hurt. He glanced at George, who couldn’t have heard the disaster happening and might have unknowingly moved in the wrong way at just the wrong time, and Ewan’s mind replayed Winifred’s worry of sabotage. He hadn’t wanted to believe her, but what if she was right? Sabotaging the machinery would be easily accomplished—someone might have loosened a bolt or thrown something into the machine...but who would go to such great lengths to hurt his company—and the people who worked here?

One thing was certain: Ewan couldn’t handle another injury to his workers, the people under his care.

“I’ll look into buying a part,” he replied, though he knew it would be too expensive to purchase right now. Unfortunately, without the repair, he was down to one five-stamp battery. How could he hope to increase his earnings and fix his second machine if his production would now be cut in half? Especially if more unexpected breakdowns popped up around the mine.

The men dotting the room didn’t speak, but Ewan could read their thoughts anyway. In their minds, this was one more disaster, one more tick mark, against the Golden Star Mine. And as surely as he stood here, they were losing their faith in their jobs faster than he could restore it.

Lord, how can I turn their faith around? First thing was figuring out why so many problems had arisen in recent months. He clapped one of the workers on the shoulder and turned to leave. “Heading to my office. Thanks for all you do.” Maybe it would be enough, but maybe it wouldn’t. Winifred’s advice had never been so true. Tell them you care. Encourage them to continue working as hard as you do. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, and if you don’t change something, weak links will start popping up all over the place.

He stepped outside and started for the office building.

Shouts caught his attention up the hill. Slowing his walk, Ewan raised his eyes to the mine. Miners dashed in and out of the adit like frantic ants, carrying shovels and rocks, shouting to each other.

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