Free The Only Gold by Tamara Allen

guilty twitch of the lips before Simon looked elsewhere. Of course he would leave the telling of that news to Jonah. “If I may introduce our new cashier….” He heard Reid pass the gate and loom up behind, like a hungry wolf seeking some new tidbit to devour. “Mr. Reid Hylliard, late of Washington, Chicago, and… where else was it?”
     
    Reid smiled and held out his hand to shake Fisher’s weather-beaten one. “I don’t think there are too many places I haven’t been. It’s a pleasure, sir. You look like a fellow who’s been to more than a few interesting places, yourself. You’ve done a lot of prospecting?”
     
    “Near forty years of it, sir, and come away with a tidy sum, if I do say so.” He smoothed the lapels of his green and yellow checked coat. “I’ll do forty more, God willing.”
     
    “You’ll want sturdier bags,” Reid remarked, running his thumb over a threadbare spot on the bag Simon held.
     
    Jonah took a closer look. “Mr. Campbell, if you continue to tie the bags that tightly, you will have a sack of gold dust instead of coin.”
     
    Mr. Fisher threw a bright-eyed glance at Simon. “Told you, son.”
     
    “There’s a trick to tying those,” Reid said as Jonah reached to take the bag. “Let me show you—”
     
    “I am familiar with the requirements for bagging gold.” Jonah got a firmer grip as Reid started to take the bag from him. “You’re not the only one with practical experience—” He broke off as the bag opened in his grasp and showered gold in every direction. At the tremendous clatter, customers in line whipped around. The staff deserted their posts to peer past the counter in equal measures of delight and dismay. A far-flung coin glittered, still rolling, until it toppled at the feet of several gentlemen just entering the bank. Jonah looked up to see Nat Gavet and the rest of the directors in the doorway and, in their midst, Bennet Grandborough.
     

Chapter 6

     

     

     
    In the stillness, with all eyes upon him and the spilled gold at his feet, Jonah forgot how to breathe. When reflex took over and forced air into his lungs, he still couldn’t move of his own volition. It was only Mr. Fisher’s quiet, “I’ll be damned,” that jarred him from shock to an overriding sense of urgency. He started to his knees to gather the gold and found Reid had a firm grip on his arm. But Reid did no more than smile at him before becoming a whirlwind of activity himself. “Margaret—”
     
    She was already through the gate with a box in hand. Reid thanked her as he took it and beckoned to two young boys standing in line with their father. “How would you fellows like to earn a bright new quarter dollar apiece? Gather up these coins as quick as you can, but be sure you don’t miss any, and give them to this gentleman when you’re done. Deal?”
     
    To everyone’s amusement, the boys seized the box and went to work. Jonah suspected they would have taken on the job without recompense, but the reward lessened any temptation to pocket a coin or two. Reid, straightening, clapped Mr. Fisher on the shoulder. “They’ll have it up in a few minutes. Mr. Campbell will keep a sharp eye on the proceedings,” he added more quietly, and Simon hastily nodded. The staff went back to their work at a glance from Reid, who then addressed the customers. “I do apologize for the commotion. If you’d all just consider it nothing more than a tale to liven up conversation around the supper table, I’d be grateful.”
     
    There was a soft chorus of chuckles, and Reid secured their affection with a grin. “Thank you….” He swung back to Mr. Fisher. “Allow us to provide you with a new bag to replace this one. Margaret, would you be so kind as to take Mr. Fisher upstairs for a cup of tea while he waits?”
     
    “Certainly.”
     
    As they passed, Reid spoke in Jonah’s ear. “Your office, please.” An unobtrusive push in that direction got him moving, and Jonah went