Manny pushed the bowl away from him. Imogen hadn’t come that morning. She’d been late getting home the day before, and he was a little worried that she might not be able to come back.
He was tempted to go into town and check on her. Maybe even go to her mansion and see if she was home. He wondered what kind of stir that would make among the residents. He could send Tito, but that would probably look even more suspicious. He didn’t want to do anything that might harm her reputation.
He would be going back down in the mine in six days. It was a Monday, and he would return the following Monday. Tito had mentioned not going back down and continuing their paperwork for the company, but they would be interviewing the last of the employees this week, and the job would be done. He’d enjoyed it and was still enjoying it. He’d gotten to meet almost everyone in the company now. All the miners anyway.
He rested his hands on his full stomach and leaned back in the hammock, closing his eyes. He felt almost normal again, with no pain from his leg. The thinner cast would come off on Friday, giving him the weekend to get his foot used to being out of it. The doc had given him some exercises to stretch it out after being confined for a month.
“Hey you,” he heard. His eyes snapped open, and he looked at Jimmy, who was standing over him smiling. He pushed himself up, swinging precariously side to side.
“Jefe! So sorry, I was just taking a siesta. It’s a nice afternoon, and I am full from my lunch.”
“I just wanted to check on you and see how things were going,” Jimmy said, lifting his hands. “You don’t have to get up. I can see you’re relaxing. You and Tito have done a real great job getting all those surveys done these last three weeks. I think you’ve earned your money.”
Manny smiled, feeling accomplished. He enjoyed getting compliments from his boss for the work he’d done. “We still have more to go. Tito and I will be talking to everyone on the last page this week. I know we will have the project finished by the time I go back to the mine on Monday.”
Jimmy nodded. The look on his face was mischievous, but Manny didn’t question him. If Jimmy wanted to tell him something, he would without a doubt.
“Well, I do have some other news for you that you might like,” he said, teasing Manny.
Manny raised his eyebrows. “Oh?”
“Yes. Is Tito around?”
“He has gone to start the afternoon questioning. I told him to wait an hour before sending anyone to me. So I could rest.” He was a little embarrassed, feeling like he’d done something wrong by wanting his nap.
Jimmy again shook his head, a look of dismissal on his face. “That’s fine. That’s fine. I just want you to know – and you can pass this on to Tito – that you will be getting a bonus for the fine work you’ve done.”
Manny’s heart sang. No matter the size of the bonus, he would add it to his savings. He could feel himself inching closer to his dream of buying land and building his own home there.
“That is wonderful news, Jefe! Gracias! I do appreciate that! I know Tito will, too. We do enjoy working for you and your company.”
Jimmy laughed. “I thought you’d be happy about that. And you’re welcome. You bring a much- needed sense of unity and security to this encampment. Sometimes I wish it was like that in Bryantsville. Too many people there think too highly of themselves, though.”
“Sí. I had noticed.” Manny was perched on the side of the hammock, pushing himself gently back and forth. He was anxious to know how much the bonus was. He looked up at Jimmy, thankful that the sun was blocked from his eyes by the white clouds drifting through the sky. “I … may I ask when we will get the bonuses?”
“I’ve got them right here.” Jimmy pulled two pieces of paper from his breast pocket and held them out to Manny, who immediately turned them around to see how much they were for. They were both in check form, fifty dollars to each of them. Tingles ran over his skin, and his eyes widened.
“Fifty dollars! Boss! Are these real? Surely we did not do enough work to merit this much.”
“Don’t bite the hand that feeds ya, friend,” Jimmy replied with a laugh. He clapped one hand on Manny’s shoulder and leaned down slightly. “You’ve earned it. You keep people happy here. And I’ve noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time with Miss Brown. Imogen is a lovely girl. If you want a girl like her, you’ll have to have what she needs to live a happy, comfortable life. Am I right?”
“Sí, yes, you are right. Gracias! Thank you! Thank you!” Manny wanted to keep saying thank you, but he felt three times should be enough.
“You need me to cash those for you?” Jimmy offered.
Manny nodded, handing both checks back. “Sí. If you will put the cash in with the money at the end of the week, I would appreciate it. I’m sure Tito will be all right with that, too.”
Jimmy nodded. “You got it. I’m glad to be able to bring you this news and this money, Manny. If there’s anything I can do to help you out, you just let me know.”
An idea came to Manny’s mind, and he held up one hand. Jimmy raised his eyebrows curiously.
“There is something,” Manny said. “I … I have been looking for land to buy … land at the bottom of Montgomery Mountain. There are caves lining the mountain there, you know.”
Jimmy gave him a nod, interest in his eyes. He folded his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the side. Manny stood up so they could look at each other directly.
“I have wanted a certain area since we came to Tent City, Tito and me. A small creek runs through it, and … well, it’s the most beautiful spot I’ve seen. I’m sure it belongs to someone.”
Jimmy pursed his lips. “Welp, I’ll be honest with ya, Manny, that’s probably Jacob Brown’s land, and even if ya woo his daughter, you might have some trouble getting that land.”
“Would you be able to check and see if the land is for sale?”
“I don’t think Jacob’s got any land for sale.” Manny’s hopes were being dashed. Then, Jimmy continued, “I can always ask, though. I’ll tell ya if Jacob is willing to sell, I’d even buy the land for ya, and you can buy it from me.”
Manny blinked in disbelief. “Are you an angel sent from God, my friend?” Manny asked. “You must be! An angel straight from God.” He jabbed his index finger at the sky, shaking his head. He leaned forward and pulled Jimmy into a hug. “Thank you, my friend. I can’t say that enough.”
“Well, let’s just see how things go before we start celebrating,” Jimmy said with a laugh, hugging Manny and patting him on the back before releasing him. “I’ll look into it and let you know. Listen, you … uh … you’re not spending time with Imogen to see if you can get the land, are you?”
Manny shook his head, visions of Imogen’s beautiful face and form floating through his mind. “No, boss. She is an angel all of her own. I believe I have feelings for her that run deeper than my desire for land.”
Jimmy nodded, patting Manny on the shoulder again. “Good. She’s a good woman. You be a good man.”