{"id":6337,"date":"2021-08-11T11:34:41","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T15:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whitefire-publishing.com\/read\/?p=6337"},"modified":"2021-08-11T11:34:41","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T15:34:41","slug":"miranda-and-the-miner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whitefire-publishing.com\/read\/miranda-and-the-miner\/","title":{"rendered":"Miranda and the Miner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Melody Carlson<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An education back East?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the last thing Miranda Williams wants, but since her stepfather had noted it in his will, her stepsister Delia is determined to see it through. But Miranda doesn\u2019t want to go East, and she certainly doesn\u2019t want to be subjected to more schooling. As Delia\u2019s wedding day approaches, Miranda is certain her only chance of salvation lies in finding a groom\u2014fast!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And at first she thinks all is going according to plan when Jackson O\u2019Neil from a neighboring mine begins to pay her attention and sets her heart to fluttering. But Jackson has his own dreams, dreams of heading to Alaska and striking it rich in gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With new friends, old bitterness, and an ocean of possibilities, how will Miranda find her way to a future of her own?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Chapter 1<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

August 1884<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double W Ranch, Colorado<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda Williams desperately longed for a change. Or perhaps she simply wanted to change herself. She wasn\u2019t even sure as she slid the peach satin gown over her head. It had been altered for her to wear at stepsister\u2019s wedding, and she had to admit it was a gorgeous garment. As she struggled to button the back of it, she wasn\u2019t sure it was possible for her to change. The past few months only seemed to reveal just how spoiled and stubborn she truly was. Not to mention just plain silly and childish. But being around Delia this summer had triggered something in Miranda. She knew that her stepsister had something that she wanted. And it wasn\u2019t just the ranch that Delia had inherited from her father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it wasn\u2019t Delia\u2019s fancy eastern gowns and pretty jewelry. It wasn\u2019t even Delia\u2019s handsome fianc\u00e9, Wyatt Davis. Oh, Miranda would\u2019ve loved having all those things for herself. And she\u2019d certainly tried to snatch them. But now she realized that had been very wrong\u2026and the consequences severe. Still, she longed for something more\u2026something she couldn\u2019t even put into words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, Miranda would stand by Delia as she repeated wedding vows with Wyatt before a small crowd of family<\/a>, friends, and neighbors. While Miranda was honored, she knew herself well enough to know she\u2019d being fighting back feelings of envy\u2026and self pity. Delia\u2019s happy life just seemed to cast a dark, sad shadow across Miranda\u2019s. Just one more reminder of her own immature selfishness. Would she ever grow up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda sighed as she studied her image in her bureau mirror. With her auburn curls pinned up with a silver comb that had belonged to her deceased mother, she actually did look somewhat grown up. The problem was, despite recently turning seventeen, she felt very much like a child. And despite recent demands to be treated more like an adult, Miranda suddenly wanted to turn back the clock. And she didn\u2019t want to go back East to attend the university that both her stepfather and Delia had decided would be perfect for her. Miranda was definitely out of sorts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, my! You look beautiful!\u201d Delia exclaimed as she entered the bedroom. \u201cThat color is lovely on you, Miranda.\u201d She examined the bodice. \u201cGinger did an excellent job of altering it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda nodded. \u201cBut it\u2019ll be too short for you now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s perfect since I\u2019m giving it to you. As well as a couple of other things that you\u2019ll need in Philadelphia. Not fancy dresses, although there will be a few formal events at the university.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda cringed at the word university.<\/em> Everyone kept assuming she was glad to be sent off to a strange school in a strange place\u2014and to be fair, this was partly her fault since she\u2019d sort of played along. But as her departure date drew closer, her confidence shriveled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Delia asked as she finished buttoning the back of the gown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026just a little out of sorts today.\u201d Miranda sighed. \u201cMaybe it\u2019s the heat. It\u2019s been awful hot the last few days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delia went over to close the window. \u201cBetter shut this to keep what little cool air there is inside. It has been hot. Even the chickens looked droopy this morning.\u201d She chuckled. \u201cBut at least your bedroom is on the cool side of the house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne thing to be thankful for.\u201d Miranda frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now Delia peered curiously at her. \u201cAre you upset about being moved back to your old room? Because you know\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, no, that\u2019s all right.\u201d Miranda sniffed as she glanced around the small, cluttered room in need of tidying after she\u2019d carelessly dumped her things in here. Truth be told, she had been rather miffed at getting kicked out of the master bedroom she\u2019d claimed after her stepfather was murdered. But then she realized it rightfully belonged to Delia since she was the true heir of the Double W. And it would belong to both Delia and Wyatt after they married. Besides Miranda\u2019s attempt at squatter\u2019s rights, that room had never belonged to her. Nothing on the ranch really belonged to her\u2026anymore. She was only the stepchild\u2026Delia was Winston Williams\u2019 real<\/em> daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Delia helped her out of the silky gown, Miranda felt starkly aware that she truly was the stepchild<\/em>. Hadn\u2019t everyone gone out of their way to make that clear once Delia arrived? And with the reading of the will, it all grew crystal clear. Delia was the true heiress. She got everything. And, sure, her older stepsister had been generous enough, but it wasn\u2019t the same as if Miranda were lady of the house<\/em> like she\u2019d dreamed of\u2026that was hard to let go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is it then? Why are you scowling like that?\u201d Delia sat in the wooden rocker by the window. \u201cI\u2019ve noticed you\u2019re unhappy these last few days. Please, talk to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda tried to sort and sift her thoughts. \u201cOh, I don\u2019t know. It\u2019s a lot of things. I\u2019m not even sure what\u2026\u201d Wearing only her chemise and bloomers, she sat on the edge of her bed and, folding her arms in front of her, tried to contain her emotion\u2026and tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not surprised.\u201d Delia sighed. \u201cYou\u2019ve been through a lot, Miranda. We both have. And there\u2019s so much going on lately. I can understand how it might take its toll on you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda just shrugged. Delia\u2019s sympathy just made the lump in her throat become harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBesides losing your mother, even though it was awhile back, you just lost your father and you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou mean your<\/em> father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was your father too, Miranda. And you got to spend almost ten years with him. Years I never had.\u201d Delia\u2019s green eyes grew sad. \u201cAnd, more importantly, I know how much he loved you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI guess so.\u201d Again, she shrugged. \u201cBut he didn\u2019t always approve of me. I know he thought I was a silly flibbertigibbet sometimes. I\u2019m sure he would\u2019ve liked me to be more like you.\u201d She looked at Delia with teary eyes. \u201cI wish\u2014I wish<\/em> I were more like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delia got up and, hurrying to sit next to her, put her arm around Miranda\u2019s now trembling shoulders. \u201cOh, darling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m not like you,\u201d she sobbed. \u201cI\u2019m a selfish, spoiled brat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am too. I heard Ginger and Daisy talking the other day. They said that very thing. They both think I\u2019m a selfish, spoiled brat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe you used<\/em> to be like that,\u201d Delia said gently, \u201cbut you are growing up. You help out a lot more now. Remember how grown up you acted when Wyatt first arrived? Even Ginger was impressed with how you jumped in to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was only because I wanted to impress Wyatt. Because I wanted to steal him from you, Delia.\u201d Tears streamed down her cheeks. \u201cAnd that\u2019s worse than selfish. It\u2019s horrible. I\u2019m not only a spoiled brat, I\u2019m conniving and evil and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re not.\u201d Delia laughed. \u201cIt\u2019s no wonder you went after Wyatt. You recognized a good man when you saw one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven though I knew he was your<\/em> man?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, that was a bit indiscriminate. But I give you credit for recognizing Wyatt was a much better choice than poor Marcus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPoor<\/em> Marcus?\u201d Miranda turned to Delia with anger. \u201cMarcus was a murderer! He killed our father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Delia grimly shook her head. \u201cI still have to work to forgive him for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will never forgive him. Never!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, for your sake, I hope you do forgive him, Miranda. Someday\u2026when you\u2019re ready\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever!\u201d Miranda declared with heartfelt conviction. \u201cHe ruined everything. He was a beast and a liar and a murderer. I\u2019ll hate him until the day I die. And longer!\u201d Now she was crying harder than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delia handed Miranda a clean hanky. \u201cLike I said, little sister, you\u2019ve been through a lot. It\u2019s no wonder you\u2019re out of sorts. But have you really told me everything that\u2019s troubling you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda wiped her nose. \u201cNo\u2026there\u2019s one thing I haven\u2019t mentioned to you\u2026or anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Delia looked intently at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about going to the university\u2026in Philadelphia. It\u2019s frightening\u2014it scares me to death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delia actually smiled. \u201cOh, is that all?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs that all?\u201d Miranda wadded the hanky into a tight ball. \u201cI\u2019ve never been anyplace bigger than Colorado City and Denver. I will be a fish out of water in that big city. I will be completely lost there.\u201d She bit her lip, knowing it wasn\u2019t truly the big city that disturbed her. In a way, she looked forward to that part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t feel lost there, Miranda. And I already told you that Wyatt\u2019s Aunt Lilly and Uncle George are coming to the wedding. I wrote a letter to his aunt, and she wrote back saying she looks forward to meeting you and she even offered to help you to get settled in the city and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not really what I meant.\u201d She took in a deep breath. \u201cI\u2019m really worried, Miranda. To be honest I\u2019m scared to go to the university.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut why? It\u2019s a wonderful school. I loved it there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda bit her lip, wondering how much to disclose\u2026. \u201cThis is the real truth, Delia. I know I\u2019m not smart enough. I will be a complete failure, and it will be terribly humiliating for me\u2026and a disappointment to you. I know it.\u201d She felt relieved to have thrown her cards on the table. \u201cI\u2019m just plain stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not true. I read through your school materials in our father\u2019s library files. And I realized not only was he a very good teacher, I could see that you\u2019re quite smart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI might be smart about some things. But not like you. Everyone talks about how intelligent you are, Delia. I\u2019m not like that. Even though my schoolwork looks fine to you, you don\u2019t know how long it took me to complete my assignments. Father tried to be patient with my lessons after my mother passed, but I know he felt I was slower than molasses. I honestly don\u2019t think I can succeed at higher education and I don\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou just need to give it a chance. There were lots of girls in college who were, well, not so academic as you\u2019d think and, well, they just had to work a bit harder, but they\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, no, that\u2019s not<\/em> me, Delia. I can\u2019t do it. And I don\u2019t want to do it.\u201d She was crying again. \u201cI would rather stay here and tend chickens and milk cows and scrub floors and\u2014and\u2014anything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delia looked amused. \u201cInteresting\u2026since you\u2019ve never been particularly interested in farm work before. And I suppose that\u2019s an option, but I can\u2019t believe you\u2019d want to settle for that. Our father had higher hopes for your future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, then I could get married. I\u2019m sure there are plenty of nice men around here who\u2019d be willing to marry me. I suppose I was so stuck on stupid old Marcus I didn\u2019t pay attention to other fellows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re barely seventeen, do you really want to marry? And to just anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather be unhappily married than lost and miserable at some Eastern college.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t be serious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am! I think I\u2019d do anything not to be sent to that university.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delia slowly nodded. \u201cAll right. I hear what you\u2019re saying. I\u2019d like to give this some careful thought, Miranda. And some serious prayer. I know our father wanted you educated like I was, but maybe there\u2019s another solution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Miranda grabbed Delia\u2019s hands. \u201cThere has to be another solution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delia squeezed her hands then slowly stood. \u201cThank you for being honest with me about this.\u201d She picked up the peach gown, carefully hanging it on the wardrobe door before she turned to look at Miranda. \u201cTry not to worry about it, honey. This is supposed to be an exciting week, remember? Uncle Enoch is coming on tomorrow\u2019s train. And we have a lot to keep us busy these next few days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda tried to feign enthusiasm. \u201cYes\u2026I do want to enjoy the wedding preparations. And I do feel better now. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomehow, we\u2019ll figure this all out. Maybe Wyatt will have some advice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miranda thanked her again, and after Delia left she did feel a bit better. But she still felt absolutely certain that she did not want to attend the women\u2019s university. Delia had frequently told Miranda about her schooling, trying to convince her it would be a great experience, going on about how intellectually stimulating her classes would be, and how fun it would be to live with other smart young women. But the idea of being cooped up with a bunch of bookworms scared Delia witless. She knew she\u2019d never be able to read all those books or keep up with that kind of intense education. Furthermore, she didn\u2019t want to!<\/p>\n\n\n