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different story.” The mill’s owner took a step toward Jonah and slapped his arm. “Let’s go see what you’ve got.”
    They followed him outside, Jonah matching stride with the southerner.
    Meredith lagged behind with the newspaperman. “I’m excited to learn that there is a newspaper in Buckman’s Pride.”
    â€œWhy is that?” The reporter’s tone was frigid.
    She shrugged her shoulders. “Just love the business.”
    â€œThere isn’t any room here for another reporter. It’s a small operation.”
    â€œIs that so?”
    Meredith pranced off and caught up with Clement Washington and Jonah. “I’ve never seen anything as excellent as these redwoods.” Her breath came in heavy spurts. “How far do you ship your lumber? It must be in great demand.”
    â€œIt is.” Pride laced his voice. “We ship timber all over the West Coast. San Francisco and farther.”
    â€œHow is the harbor here?” She cast a glance at the newspaper reporter, who had tagged after them. His eyes turned to dark narrow slits. Meredith knew he resented her conversation with the mill owner and wondered what made him so disagreeable.
    â€œToo shallow with sandbars. There’s no harbor to speak of along this coast. Mostly use steam-powered schooners now. They get around good, as long as they don’t get caught in a storm of course. You might want to take a look at the wharf where the timber gets loaded onto the schooners. It’s something to see.”
    â€œI would like that.”
    â€œJust a fortnight ago, we lost a couple schooners. Nearly their whole crews went down with the ships. Horrible.” He shook his head, his eyes reliving the scene.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Meredith said.
    By this time, they had reached the wagon. The man, who looked as if he’d be more at home on a cotton plantation than a sawmill, grazed his eyes over the bittersweet belongings of his old partner. “James always did take care of his tools. I’ll get someone to come unload this stuff. Thanks for your trouble. Give Mrs. Cooper my regards and enjoy your stay.”
    As Washington shuffled away, the newspaperman gave Meredith a smirk. “We did an article on that storm. Good day, Miss Mears.”
    â€œI’ll drop by to see it,” Meredith called over the man’s shoulder. She saw his back flinch, though he did not give a reply. Perhaps it was old news, but it would make good material for her magazine articles.
    Once they were alone, Jonah said, “You shouldn’t have set his teeth on edge like that. I might like to work with him sometime.”
    â€œMe? What did I do?”
    â€œJust born a woman, I suppose.”
    â€œHumph!” She squared her shoulders. She was well aware of that, having heard it enough times in her past. Her father’s words surfaced.
“You should’ve been born a boy. If your ma had to die birthing you, it was the least you could have done for me.”

Chapter 5
    T he coffee sloshed over the rim of the china cup and caused a puddle on the white tablecloth. Meredith rushed forward. “Here, let me help.”
    â€œWhat? Oh! How clumsy of me.” Mrs. Cooper hurried to get a rag, but when she returned to the table, her eyes swept over her guest.
    The reporter’s face burned. “I should have forewarned you. I plan to dress like this when I ride out to Bucker’s Stand, and that’s where I’m headed this morning.”
    â€œWhy?” Mrs. Cooper asked.
    â€œBecause it’s a man’s world out there,” Meredith said. She seated herself at the table, Mrs. Cooper’s chilly gaze fastened upon her. “I’ll fit in better.”
    â€œWell, I never.”
    Concern shown in Jonah’s eyes as he watched the women spar.
    â€œI don’t know how New York City behaves these days, but the folks in Buckman’s Pride won’t take kindly