Prospects, Mining Maine for Riches: Excerpt from the Novel

A struggle between Lizzie Millett and nemesis Aphia Stevens is, in this author’s opinion,

one of the most dramatic elements of the novel PROSPECTS, Mining Maine for

Riches (2020, Maine Authors Publishing).

In this excerpt from my novel PROSPECTS, Mining Maine for Riches (2020, Maine

Authors Publishing) is a scene in the dramatic struggle between seamstress Lizzie

Millett and nemesis Aphia Stevens.

You can read last week’s excerpt from The Spinster’s Hope Chest – first title in the

Lizzie Millett Series—HERE.

From PROSPECTS, Mining Maine for Riches.

Francena hurried into the kitchen, where Liz was preparing dinner. She was in such a rush that she caught her foot on a table leg and almost fell.

“Auntie, you must come with me! There’s someone at the door to see you, a wild-looking woman who has tied her horse to our railing out front.”

Her words came so rapidly and at such a high pitch, Liz could not understand her.

“Slow down, girl. You’ll hurt yourself. Now, take a deep breath and start over.”

“I’m sorry, but you really need to come with me right now. I answered a loud knock on the front door and saw this woman standing there. She is wild-looking. She shouted at me that she wants to see you immediately. Said you know what it’s about.”

As Liz walked into the shop with her niece close behind, she was shocked to see Aphia

Stevens, who had entered the room and now stood next to one of the design tables. She was dressed all in black from her knee-high leather boots to the sweaty kerchief that held back her hair. Her black dress was dirty with mud spatters along the hemline, and large sweat marks had formed under her arms. Jammed behind a sash at her waist, the handle of a pistol was clearly visible. At Liz’s entry, she laughed maniacally and drew her arm across the table, scattering papers and pencils about the room.

“I warned you, Miss! I warned you the last time I was here. You were not to delve into

my private life anymore. You paid no attention to my warning. Now I am back.”

Liz stood stock-still, then pushed Francena back into the kitchen. “Miss Stevens. Aphia

Stevens, get out of my house.” She pointed to the open front door, but remained standing near the kitchen entry ready to jump out of the way if her visitor became violent. “You are not

welcome here,” she said firmly.

“Miss Lizzie,” Aphia sneered, “I’m likely as welcome here as you and your friends are at

my house.” Her voice grew louder. “Why do you continue to torment me? Send your friends to investigate me? I’m the one who should be angry, not you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Aphia. There has been no effort on my part to

bother you. Now, please leave my house—right now!”

The wild woman turned, screamed, and rushed toward Liz with both arms in the air, but

Liz held her ground and put up her own hands to fight off the attack. Aphia suddenly came to a dead halt within a foot of her target and put her right hand on the gun handle.

“My dear,” she said quite calmly, “I have brought my Colt pistol with me. I am skilled at

its use. Do not put me in a position to draw it.”

Liz said nothing and lowered her hands to her sides. Franny, who had exited the kitchen

and entered the office from the rear, poked her head out from behind one of the sewing

machines.

“Miss Millett, I understand that your husband has died. I would not want you to join him

so early in your life. Now listen to me very, very carefully. You are not to send your man Nathan Hallett, his friend Potter, or any other of your people to bother me anymore. This is the second time I have warned you, and I want it to be the last. They came to my place on the pretense of getting permission to cross my land. They even gave me money to be cooperative. But I am not easily fooled, miss. I know what you’re doing. You are trying to get even with me for stealing your fiancé. Now that you are alone again, you want to ruin my life so that it is as miserable as your own.”

Liz stared at her assailant in disbelief. Yet, she said nothing, realizing the potential danger

that threatened Franny and herself. What could she say to reason with a person who was insane?

She went along with Aphia’s demands.

“Miss, I apologize for the intrusion in your life made by my friends. It was not at my

request, I assure you. I will warn them against bothering you anymore.”

“I’m glad you see my situation, Miss Millett. You must realize that I do not need any help

in making myself miserable.”

With that said, she turned abruptly, dashed through the open door, and jumped back up on

her horse. Before riding off, she smiled at Liz and shouted, “Please forgive the mess I made of your shop!”

Franny came out of hiding and grabbed her aunt’s hand. “What is wrong with that

woman?”