how Jeffers thinks it’ll be completed in time without more carpenters.”
“As you aren’t the foreman, I don’t see how your opinion holds much sway,” Niall said with a frown.
“I know if you want quality, you don’t attain it by hoping rough carpentry can take the place of finish work.”
“Who are you to imply…?” Niall began with flashing green eyes but was cut off by a severe look from Morgan.
“Whatever you might think, we are finish cabinetmakers,” Morgan said as he nodded to the three of them around the table.
“But the others aren’t,” Gabriel argued. “Four of us will be unable to complete all of the fine carving and finish work by May.”
Morgan sighed. “I fear you are correct. If Harvey hadn’t been so high-strung as to get in a bar brawl…”
“What was it over?” Gabriel asked.
“Politics,” Niall said. “The eejit doesn’t know to keep his mouth shut. Why in God’s name go into a bar in Butte promotin’ McKinley? We’re all W. J. Bryan men.”
Gabriel suppressed an amused grin. “Is that a requirement for me to work with you?”
“No, though don’t go talking to us about it if you aren’t. I can’t stand another four more bloody years with that man,” Niall said with a long sigh. “Promotin’ the likes of Amalgamated and big business over the common man.”
“Did you see what they did in Pennsylvania?” Morgan asked as he flicked a copy of the day’s newspaper, The Anaconda Standard , onto the table.
Gabriel read the headline proclaiming the strike of ninety thousand coal miners in rural Pennsylvania. “That’s a lot of men! How long do they expect the strike to last?”
“No one knows. But it’ll be winter soon, and more expensive coal is not something that any of us needs,” Larry said.
“Though we should support them,” Niall argued as he leaned toward Gabriel to read the article. “Who would’ve thought that many men could organize?”
Morgan nodded. “Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?”
Gabriel lowered his voice to barely above a whisper. “Would the miners here strike?”
“Who’s to say? But they make a good wage. Much better than most.” Morgan picked up the paper and folded it on top of the table. “What I hope is that actions like this will help Bryan. Show the American people that the likes of McKinley and his ‘full dinner pail’—”
“What a bunch of malarkey,” Niall muttered.
“—is nothing more than a slogan. That the majority of Americans aren’t any better off than before, and his support of the trusts is only hurting the common man.”
“Some would argue McKinley and his policies have led to economic stability,” Gabriel argued. “Folks aren’t making runs on the banks like they were back in the mid ’90s.”
“Are you saying you support the man?” Niall demanded.
“No, I’ve no love for the man who’s sent my brother to the Philippines. Nor for the man he’s chosen to run with.”
Larry snickered. “There are many who like Teddy Roosevelt and his expansionist views.” He, Morgan and Niall watched Gabriel’s reaction closely.
Gabriel merely studied them.
“What brings you here from Boston, Gabriel?” asked Larry.
“A change in circumstance,” Gabriel said.
“I wonder if it has anything to do with the photo of that fancy piece in your room?” Larry mused.
Gabriel took another sip of beer. “I have always wanted adventure, and Butte seemed the perfect place.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get the story out of you one way or the other,” Larry said with a laugh.
“Are you ever serious?” Niall demanded. “Here we were, about to start a good discussion on politics, and all you can think about is some photo of a pretty girl you saw in his room.”
Larry shrugged his shoulders.
Niall shook his head in disgust but not before Gabriel saw his lips quirk with a smile.
“Well, it’s a damn sight more interesting than listening to you yammer on night after night about the same
Heidi Hunter, Bad Boy Team