Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26) by Clara Kincaid Page B

will crush you.”
    Johanna glanced over at the log-jammed river and knew that to be true, but it looked almost like you could cross the river by way of the logs. Of course, she knew that couldn’t be done without them turning in the water.
    She kept close to Paul as they walked into the cutting room. A log was on a set of rollers that moved it along as a circular saw cut through it. She clapped her hands over her ears as the saw made the most irritating metal grinding sound.
    “As the water drops down on the water wheel, it moves the spindle that turns the arms of the saw and propelling the log along,” Paul explained. “Another man has to hurry to remove the board before the next rotation.”
    They walked over and Paul showed her where the boards were set for drying. In the distance, lumber was loaded onto a ship. All men were hard at work, not one had idle hands.
    “This is really interesting,” Johanna said.
    As they went back the way they came, the heel of Johanna’s boot caught between the cracks and she flew toward the river.
    Paul grabbed Johanna before she hit the water and jerked her up. She jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly as her heart pounded. “It’s okay,” Paul said, pulling her a shoulder’s width apart. “Are you okay?”
    “Besides nearly having a heart attack, you mean?”
    “I told you it can be dangerous. Let’s get out of here before you really get hurt.”
    Johanna waved to the men before she left. They stood red-faced and didn’t brave a response, but most likely they weren’t used to a lumber baron’s wife acknowledging them. She wanted to set herself apart, though. If not for them, business wouldn’t be able to do as well.
    They went back down the stairs and Paul took her to a building with the word ‘office’ in bold red lettering. In the door they went, and a young man sat behind the only desk with a pile of paperwork covering it.
    “How is it looking?” Paul asked.
    “Not sure. It will take a week to go through all the invoices.”
    “Do your best, Ashton. I want to be sure we’re being paid properly by the other lumbering companies. I can’t help but wonder if they’ve been giving William monies for cheating me, or if he was cheating us all.”
    “I’ll do my best to sort this out, Mr. Worthington.”
    There was a warning knock at the door and a man with white hair and long sideburns walked in. “Oh, there you are, Paul. I had hoped to discuss an important matter with you.”
    “I don’t have the time right now. I’m giving my wife Johanna a tour of the mill today.”
    The man’s bushy eyebrows danced. “Calvin Raybarry, dear, and what a lovely wife you have, Paul. I had no idea you were courting anyone.”
    “I’m a man of mystery.” Paul laughed.
    “I was wondering how the lumbering is going on your land?”
    “Good as far as I know, but I plan to do an inspection tomorrow.”
    “Good to know. I can’t help but wonder how long the trees will last before the time of lumbering is at an end.”
    “I can’t say, but I have other things going, as well.”
    “Such as?”
    “I’d rather not discuss my private business matters,” Paul said. “Is that all you came here to say?”
    “Well, I did hear you fired your bookkeeper yesterday.”
    “I did.”
    “I assure you that I paid you fairly, but I have suspected that your accountant was involved in underhanded dealings. He was bragging about his deception at the tavern last night. He didn’t seem upset he’d just lost his job.”
    “Like I said, this is a personal business matter, and I’d rather not discuss it.”
    “Do you plan on contacting the police about his deception?” Calvin asked.
    “Good day, Calvin, and thank you for the information. I’m a fair man, and I hope we can continue to do business with one another.”
    He nodded at Johanna. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance, dear lady. You’ve found yourself a good husband in Paul. He’s the most honest man I know of.”