The Mine's Eye: Whispering Willows, #8

By Diana Dawn

It appears that Lily's secret is out. How will Thomas react, especially after the horrifying truth that Ben revealed about Rumple? Plus the villagers' plan to trap Margurite has failed. Will they be able to use their newfound discovery in Margurite's spellbook to their advantage? Perhaps the answer lies deep in the mine. And can Mitch and Snow move past their recent tragedy and find the happiness they so desperately seek? 'The Mine's Eye' is the eighth book in the Whispering Willows series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diana Dawn
• Release date: Oct 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393584896

Diana Dawn

Finally, I want to thank you the reader, for coming along on this ride. I hope you had as much fun as I did, and enjoyed getting to know the heroes and heroines of Whispering Willows. If so, please take a moment to post a review and tell a friend.  I would love to read your review!         The adventures are just beginning, so if you'd like to follow along, and get notifications of new releases, freebies and special offers on my books, please join my email list by going to www.DianaDawnBooks.com or drop me a line at [e-mail].  I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you and happy reading!

Book preview

Would you like a FREE e-book of your choice from the Whispering Willows series?  Simply visit my website at  http://www.dianadawnbooks.com and sign up for my newsletter by entering your email address and I will send you a FREE copy of an e-book of YOUR choice in my Whispering Willows series! Just drop me a line and let me know which one you would like.  Plus, then you can be sure to stay informed of my latest book, giveaways, freebies, promotions, news, 'swag' and more!

Chapter 1

Blue Moon

Nate folded his arms, Tell me what? He waited, although he was deathly afraid of the answer.

Nicholas elbowed him, You know, Nate. You had your 'roll in the hay' with Lily, so to speak … now it's ol' Thomas' turn.

Nate exploded back at him loudly, Sod off, Nicholas!

Lily felt her heart drop to the floor as she watched the horrified expression wash over Thomas. He looked to Lily as if to expect a sincere denial to Nicholas's brutal lie.

Thomas, I was trying to tell you. Just now, I was trying to explain ...

Nicholas spouted rudely as he folded his arms, I'm sure he couldn't hear much while he was groping at your breasts.

Sod off, Nicholas! Thomas stepped up to him quickly as if he were about to punch him.

Nate grabbed Lily's arm gently, Lily, what does this mean? What are you saying?  As Lily shook her head, words escaped her while tears streamed down her face. I thought we had something special, Lily … that day in the loft? We need each other.

Nicholas was thoroughly enjoying his torment, Oh she needed you alright … she needed a substitute at the time. And there you were ...

Words finally found their way to Lily's lips as she screamed, Sod off, Nicholas!

Thomas turned her around to face him. Tears were stinging his eyes, Lily, did you sleep with Nate?

Thomas, if you'd just let me explain ...

Did you?

Lily whimpered and then softly whispered, Yes.

Without a word, Thomas turned on his heel and stormed out of the mill.

Thomas! As Lily tried to go after him, Nate grabbed her arm.

Wait! A substitute? Is that all I was to you, Lily? A substitute for Thomas?

Lily shook her head, but again was unable to get the words out. Nate nodded his head in understanding, and slowly turned and left the mill.

Still smirking, Nicholas tutted, You know, I tried to warn you, Lily … to tell Nate about everything. I suppose you should have told Thomas sooner too, eh?

Seething, Lily looked at Nicholas. How did he know? She knew Nate wouldn't tell anyone.

I suppose you should go to Kate for some advice on this as well.

Nicholas's grin said it all. The surgery! He overheard them in the surgery that day. Damn him! Her tears still flowing, she whirled around and walked toward the hearth. The sight of him made her sick.

Nicholas confidently leaned on his hand against the wall by the door, Like I told you Lily, those two clowns are all wrong for you. You and I would make a much better couple. Just give me a chance.

He planned this whole thing, thought Lily. He brought Nate here on purpose. It couldn't have gone any better for him, could it? She could feel her blood pressure rise. Then out of the corner of her eye, she saw it. Perhaps Thomas left it here for protection, knowing Margurite was still lurking. This whole thing was just too much for Lily. She felt like an avalanche rushing down a mountain. With her whole body shaking, adrenaline exploded through every part of her. Before she even realized it herself, she grabbed the machete leaning by the hearth and hurled it toward the door, missing on purpose Nicholas' groin by barely a foot. His smile faded, and without words he quickly turned and left the mill. Lily collapsed onto the pillows Thomas had prepared for their date and cried.

Chapter 2

After the Storm

Stevie fidgeted nervously with the note in his hands as he chanted to himself, Wait an hour. Wait an hour. Lily's instructions to him reverberated through his head repeatedly, 'Wait an hour, then give this to Snow, please.' He'd seen something in Lily's eyes … a look so hopeless, so sad, it worried him terribly. He probably shouldn't have done it, but he did … he read the note. Well, Lily didn't say he couldn't read it himself, right? She just said to wait an hour before giving it to Snow. It was almost breakfast time when he saw Snow skipping over to greet the rabbits in the pen along with Stevie's new pup, Lucky. 'Surely, it's been an hour now,' thought Stevie as he quickly rushed over to meet her.

That morning, some of the men were preparing to accompany Ben to the mine to be sure of his safety. Against Duncan and Donnie’s better judgement, Ben was ready to return home … witch or no witch. They would leave after breakfast. Thomas and Nate clearly had no words to say to each other, nor did either of them have anything to say to Nicholas. Thomas watched the hut door all morning, to see what kind of glance he would receive from Lily. He shouldn't have left the mill last night, but he couldn't help it. With both Nate and Nicholas there, it would have been impossible to talk to her. He was simply too hurt by the news that Lily had slept with Nate, so he left the mill without thinking. So what now? He was still very hurt, but perhaps should at least give Lily a chance to explain. 'That’s what she was trying to tell me.' The thought haunted Thomas, and he pondered in his mind his feelings about the whole ordeal. 'Why? Why would she sleep with him?' This was the one thought he couldn't shake, the one thought that burned a hole in his compassion. He just couldn't get past it. He glanced over at Nate, who was practically sulking over his recent heartbreak. The more Thomas looked at him, the angrier he became.

The hut door flew open, but once again it wasn't Lily. Rushing past everyone, a teary-eyed Snow bolted up to Thomas and began hitting him with her fists, How could you! The only family I have, and you drove her away! I hate you!

Thomas found himself dodging her swings, while trying to grasp her flailing hands, I thought you loved her! You monster … you never loved her! You don't do such a thing to someone you love!

Thomas along with the rest of the hut was shocked to hear such hostile words coming from Snow of all people. Upon hearing his wife's angry voice, Mitch rushed out of the kitchen.

On seeing the commotion, he quickly ran over to Snow and restrained her gently, her arms still flailing, Honey, what is it?

She suddenly stopped and turned to Mitch, handing him the note, Lily told Stevie to give me this. She's gone!

She turned back to Thomas, And it's all your fault! I heard about what happened at the mill! Some friend you turned out to be, just leaving her like that!

After starting to read the note to himself, Mitch decided to read it aloud so that everyone could understand what was going on:

‘My dearest sister: I'm afraid I have to say good-bye. I cannot express enough how wonderful it has been to have spent these last few months with you, my sweet Snow. Please accept my apologies that it wasn't longer, but I must now return home. With Rumple dead and Margurite's plan revealed, I am no longer in danger. The Willows is your home now, Snow … but it isn't mine. At one time, I thought it might have been, but now I know that it can never be. Please do not grieve and do not worry about your older sister. I won't deny the pain I feel, but all wounds heal in time. Someday, this wound will heal as well. I have taken little Gypsy with me as my new companion. Please do not follow after me, Snow. I know this is difficult for you to understand, but believe me, it is the best thing for all concerned. Please thank Mitch for his kindness and give all of our friends my best. I suppose all that is left to say is that I love you, Snow. Good-bye. All My Love, Lily’ 

No! Snow wiped violently at her tears, I'm not letting her go! She went home, back to the gypsy wagon. I know where they are! I'm going after her! I'll bring her back ...

Mitch grabbed his wife and locked her in his arms where she couldn't get away.

Let me go … please!

Mitch ignored her cries as they finally turned into incoherent sobs. Snow, if she has your mirror shard, you can't get back through. There's only one left remember?

Snow sniffed and added in her still furious tone whilst thrusting her finger over at Natalie, Yes, because that COW stole the other pieces! Give them up, Natalie!

Mitch was surprised at his wife's newfound boldness, as he watched the surprise now cross over Nat's face.

What? What are you talking about?

Still clenched in Mitch's grasp, Snow seethed, You know exactly what I'm talking about! You stole all of the broken pieces of that other magic mirror from the mine that Ben buried. You stole them … and I found them. Funny how they mysteriously disappeared again! Give them back, NOW!

Natalie tutted as she threw Snow a superior look, You stupid little girl! I don't have a clue as to what you're talking about!

Mitch was tempted to let Snow at Natalie for the 'stupid little girl' remark, but chose to keep his grasp on his wife, nonetheless. Snow thought for a