Chapter 24: 024 I have a backache.

Lucy Sullivan's face creased into a frown, "But, I want to go to the mountain with you."

Samuel Smithson didn't anticipate that Lucy would want to go to the mountain with him. Edward York, unaware of Lucy's true intentions for tonight, casually asked, "So, Sister-in-law, you want to go to the mountain, huh? We can take you with us tonight."

Samuel shot him a glance, then looked at Lucy.

Lucy's face turned completely red. Stammering, she said after a long pause, "I, uh, my back hurts today." She finished with a shy and resentful glance at Samuel as if to say, "You're to blame."

Samuel rubbed his nose, and then began, "You don't have to join us tonight. It's dangerous in the mountains at night, and it's not safe for you. I'll work fast tomorrow and then accompany you to the mountain."

Samuel thought that Lucy, as a city dweller, was simply curious about the mountain, having never visited one before. He worked quickly, figured he'd accompany her for a stroll there in daylight.