Promise of Tomorrow Read Online Free PDF Page B

chasing him before you got here. Had a couple of the fellas askin’ how it was you could be late and the boss didn’t notice and did they want that in their new shift manager?”
    â€œHe’s jealous.”
    Big Frank’s hand sluiced water from his hair. “Old Mike told Robert to shut his trap and get out.”
    â€œI was only late by a couple of minutes. I woke up later than I wanted.” A twinge of conscience pinched in Jack’s gut. He should have guessed his tardiness would allow Robert the fodder he needed to make a case against him. “Mike knows Robert’s trouble.”
    Frank’s eyes were grave. “You need to remember something, though. Old Mike is almost done. He’s as good as gone. If Robert can cause a big enough stink among the younger men, Fulton might not consider you for Mike’s job just because the guys don’t like you.” He stroked a hand down his jaw. “I wouldn’t put it past Robert and his cronies to cause an accident to put you out of the way for a while.”
    Accidents, Jack knew, occurred hourly, more toward the end of the twelve-hour shifts than the beginning. Carelessness ran rampant when the men grew weary. If Robert were to go so far as to do such a thing, he would have a lot of opportunities to pull it off.
    Jack’s eyes went to the ragged scar along Big Frank’s forearm. A piece of slag had hit him and burned. The Scot had been lucky he had been a good distance away from the flying slag, or its velocity could have penetrated and killed him.
    â€œThat’s part of the reason I want to make these ideas of mine work. We need a better way of doing this, Frank. Safer. The Bessemer is just the beginning.” He clenched his fist. “I’ll be on my guard for Robert’s tricks.”
    Big Frank’s hand clamped down on his shoulder. “And I’ll be praying for you. Why don’t you and Alaina come over for supper one evening? Missy and Sam would love to see you.”
    â€œI’ll tell her,” he said, though he knew he needed every spare moment to tweak his plans. Success was so close. It seemed to him the shape was the problem. The Bessemer’s oval shape worked so well.
    A flash of inspiration ran through his head as Jack raised his face to the evening sky. Mentally he reviewed the details of the new idea. Excitement coursed through him and renewed his strength. He would put the idea to the test as soon as his shift was over. Alaina wouldn’t be home from South Fork. . . .
    Jack ran a hand over his wet hair when he recalled the Hensleys’ premature departure and Alaina’s expected arrival in Johnstown last evening. His frustration grew. He needed to act on his new design as soon as possible, but Alaina would expect him, too.
    Frank turned to head back inside and Jack followed. “You two going to tell her mama about your engagement?”
    Jack’s step faltered. “Why, yes. Sure. We’ll let everyone know.”
    â€œHer mama’s not going to be happy.”
    What energy Jack had felt moments before seemed to leak from him. “We’re prepared for that.”
    Frank shouldered his cloth bag, and they left the building’s stifling heat and constant noise. Big Frank chuckled. “You’re not going to believe this, but Mrs. Morrison is a good woman deep down. A parent wants what they think is best for their child, even if they don’t go about it the way they should. Mrs. Morrison’s had her share of hurts, and sometimes you have to look beyond a person’s hurt to see their heart. I’ll be praying for you.”

Six
    Clumps of oatmeal stuck in Alaina’s throat with every bite. She finally gave up, shoved her bowl back, and pressed her palms together on the scarred wooden kitchen table, determined not to allow her mother’s silence to continue. “Will you need my help today?”
    Her mother appeared startled at her