An Agent for Gillian

by Ginny Sterling

  “He walked over and held out his hand in front of everyone, smiling directly at me- out of all the lovely women around, he singled me out. I was stunned that such a handsome man was interested in little ol’ me! I will never forget his words either. He grinned and said, ‘Lovely wee wren- yer toes are fair bursting with joy at the music. Come dance w’ me,’ in that thick voice of his. I think I have loved him ever since.”

  “That’s so sweet,” Gillian whispered, touched by her story. She thought of Michael and how young they’d been. He’d announced he was leaving town and she’d practically begged to go with him. It struck her that she didn’t know how Cade had met his wife, but she knew the big oaf loved her. He’d gotten so choked up on the train. Gillian didn’t want to admit that he’d risen a notch in her book by his words and emotion.

  “What about you and Cade? How did you two meet and fall in love?”

  “It was arranged.”

  “I knew it,” Fallon said arrogantly. “There was something about you two that didn’t seem to mesh just yet. Are things getting better for you two?”

  “Let’s not talk about Cade just now – let’s discuss your upcoming wedding,” Gillian retorted offhandedly, trying to get off the subject. Fallon frowned and dropped her eyes, immediately perking Gillian’s curiosity.

  “You two are getting married soon, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We want to get married and we’ve been promised to each other for nearly six months, but we’ve no’ set a date yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “Rourke said he wants to give me a home of my own so we don’t have to stay with his family or my brother. The foreman at the mine keeps dropping the wages and bringing in men who will work for less money.”

  “You’re kidding,” Gillian gasped at the unfairness of it. “They are hiring in cheaper labor and taking jobs from the town?”

  “Yes- and I’m sure you’ve noticed that Schuylkill county is not a rich area by any means. We get by, but that is because the people here don’t expect much. We work, we try to survive, and it all seems to be fading away in front of us. I’ve told Rourke to find something else, another job, but he won’t take what’s offered.”

  “What was offered?”

  “Nothing,” Fallon mumbled, looking away again.

  “You are right though, he should find something else,” Gillian said sagely, watching the woman in front of her. It wasn’t nothing or else Fallon would have said something. She knew whatever it was would be frowned upon or gossiped about, and she was keeping a tight lid on it.

  “Fallon, I won’t say a word,” Gillian promised, crossing her fingers over her chest as the dark-eyed woman looked at her.

  “I can’t,” Fallon whispered, her eyes glittering with intensity. “If I said something, it could endanger him and I don’t know what I’d do without my Rourke.”

  “Is it the Mollies?” Gillian uttered faintly, holding her breath. Fallon’s eyes got a hard look to them as she frowned. Oh no! I guessed wrong, Gillian thought feeling a moment of panic.

  “My Rourke is a good man, an honest man, and he would have nary ta’ do with those hooligans. They do nothing but cause trouble and create havoc for hard working families. If he ran with the Molly Maguires - I’d be so angry and feel betrayed. No, it’s no’ the mollies.”

  “He is a good man and you are lucky to have him,” Gillian said placatingly, hoping to mend the tense aura in the room. “More coffee?”

  “Yes please. I’ve got to run to the mercantile shortly – would you like to walk with me?”

  “I’d love that. Thank you.”

  “O’ course.”

  As the day wore on, the bond grew between the two women. They walked arm in arm, laughing and talking down the main road towards the mercantile. Fallon admitted that she was looking for something new and fetching to wear to the dance tomorrow night and Gillian simply hoped that she would get to participate in the festivities.

  She had utterly no clue if they would be attending, nor if she would get a chance to dance. She loved dancing, and it was something she hadn’t been able to do in forever. Michael would dance with her at times to pacify her, but ultimately he would go and talk with a group of men to share a smoke or a drink. She almost stopped mid-stride as she realized that if she did any dancing whatsoever, it would be in Cade’s arms.

  Looking around the mercantile, Gillian picked up a slab of salted pork and some beans so they would have something edible at the house. She also got some jam, some flour, and lard. Fallon made her wait to get the eggs but promised to give her some from the house. Apparently Rourke had several chickens that he kept, which provided easily for both his family and hers. She saw Fallon trying on a bonnet nearby and wincing at the price.

  “That’s really pretty,” Gillian commented.

  “And really expensive,” Fallon retorted in a hushed voice, smiling ruefully. “I’d rather have less and finally marry Rourke than to have a new bonnet for the dance. What about you? Are you getting something nice to wear?”

  “I have a few ribbons that I have hidden away. I thought I would just tie one up in my hair. I could give you one too. I have a blue one that would be striking against your black hair.”

  “That’d be lovely,” she exclaimed happily, hugging Gillian. “My dress has blue flowers on it and would match perfectly. Thank you! What are you wearing?”

  “I have a pale calico that is my best dress.”

  “I bet it’s pretty.”

  “It’s serviceable,” Gillian shrugged noncommittally. In truth, it was actually pretty plain compared to some of the women in Denver that she’d seen walking around and had made her feel quite impoverished, but here in Shenandoah – it would be very fetching. This was a very secluded area and it was obvious that the income in this region was a little lower than what was in Denver. She’d seen a lot of children running about in threadbare clothing and understood the need to make the quilts for the parishioners. These people had nothing and treasured what they did possess.

  “Could I help next time everyone gathers to work on the quilts? I can sew a straight line even if I’ve never made a quilt before. Maybe I could learn how it’s done?”

  “Oh Gillian!” Fallon said happily, hugging her again. The dark-haired woman was so enthusiastic and full of life. Gillian was sure that she’d never had a sad day in her life, as bright and optimistic as her smile was.

  “I would love that! We are meeting next week on Thursday and making an event of it. While the men are at the mines, we sew all day and have a light luncheon together. I think the ladies would utterly love you, my friend.”

  Returning back home, Fallon ran to fetch several eggs for Gillian and offered to teach her how to make a local dish. She was just planning on boiling the beans until they were edible and hoping that they could snare a rabbit or two in the next few days. Stunned, she was surprised to see her return with not only eggs, but also with butter, stewed tomatoes, and canned oysters.

  “In this area, we can get oysters fairly cheaply, so we tend to have oyster pie quite often. What did you have back home?”

  “Deer or squirrel. My father used to hunt a lot and enjoyed the sport of it.”

  “Mine used to fish the banks when we had time,” Fallon confessed with a shrug. “Those days are gone, and now we find a way to make what we can edible and filling. The goal is to satisfy as many mouths as possible. We’ll make a large pie, have the tomatoes with it, and maybe make a few cookies for dessert. Rourke loves sweets.”

  “So does Cade,” Gillian uttered, surprising herself. She’d only guessed at it when she’d unpacked his things, and hoped she was right in her assessment. Hopefully doing all of this would allow Fallon to trust her in confessing what she couldn’t admit earlier – who it was that offered a job to Rourke.

  Chapter 8

  Laughing uproariously, the two women were chatting amicably and having a great
time when the front door suddenly opened to reveal Cade’s sweat stained face followed by Rourke’s. The pie and cookies they’d made sat cooling on the table between them as they talked. Gillian had never made oyster pie, and it was disgusting to handle the slimy food

  “What’s this?”

  “We’ve been waiting for ya’, Rourke,” Fallon quipped, getting to her feet.

  “Och love, let us go get cleaned up first,” Rourke said, backing away from the door frame.

  “Take Cade with you,” Gillian quipped with a smile, looking at him. She saw his face split unexpectedly as he returned her happy expression. His hazel eyes and teeth gleamed from his dusty face. She froze at the wave of attraction she suddenly felt as their eyes locked. She saw him withdraw as his own smile fell. Nodding, he backed away and disappeared from sight. Gillian could hear the pump outside of the house working and the splash of water as they washed their faces.

  “You’re sweet on him aren’t you?” Fallon teased. Gillian looked at her new friend, startled at her words.

  “Shhh! Don’t say that out loud,” she argued, “Cade might hear you.”

  “It’s okay to like your husband.”

  “He doesn’t care for me,” Gillian protested, glancing at the doorway again, just to make sure Cade didn’t appear suddenly. If he heard, she would never hear the end of this, and she had come to the conclusion that the man either disliked her or enjoyed torturing her mentally.

  “Then make him care for you.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Sure, it is.”

  “Just like it’s easy for you to tell me about Rourke’s job offer?” Gillian countered in a heated whisper. “You don’t want to talk about that - well I don’t want to talk about this!”

  “You hush! I told you no one is supposed to know,” Fallon said hotly, her eyes flashing.

  “See?” Gillian retorted, crossing her arms over her chest angrily.

  “I’ll tell you if…” Fallon began and grew quiet looking to her left. Gillian’s stomach flip-flopped at the idea that Cade might have heard the conversation they’d just had. Cade reappeared in the doorway. His face had been scrubbed and his ruddy brown hair was wet, causing it to curl. Rourke was not far behind him.

  “What’s going on?” Cade said quietly.

  “Wren, is e’erything alright?” Rourke said tenderly, walking to Fallon’s side and resting his hand possessively on her shoulder in almost a protective manner. Gillian was keenly aware of Cade remaining where he was. She had no support it seemed.

  “Everything is fine - we just were talking about something neither one of us felt comfortable discussing.”

  “Does it need to be talked about over dinner?” Cade asked, looking at Gillian. She felt her face turn bright red in embarrassment and saw Fallon’s triumphant grin. That just irked her to no end.

  “Cade, shut the door and come inside so we can serve up the meal. You are letting the flies in,” Gillian hedged, letting Fallon have her moment to gloat while she ignored her. Two could play her little game, she thought, and smiled sweetly the moment the front door was closed and there was privacy.

  “Fallon said she thought I was sweet on you,” Gillian said in a syrupy voice, looking at Cade’s impassive face, and then turned her eyes on Fallon. She saw the woman’s dark eyes widen in horror as she realized what was happening.

  “… and Fallon was just about to tell me what job offer her fiancé had elsewhere and why it was so very dangerous.”

  “Curse you Gillian Malone!” she snarled, jumping to her feet angrily as Rourke tried to calm her down. This time Gillian was shocked to see Cade step closer to her just as Rourke had done for Fallon. Cade’s pinched mouth told her he was very upset right now as he stared at her.

  “Gillian, we will talk later,” Cade uttered quietly. “Rourke, whiskey?”

  “Aye,” Rourke said heavily as Fallon sat down, looking utterly defeated.

  Gillian wished the floor could swallow her up right now as she felt like she’d betrayed her friend and her partner at that very moment. Cade grabbed a small metal flask she’d seen in his bag off the mantle, pouring some in Gillian’s tea as well as Fallon’s without asking. He then handed the flask to Rourke, who took a large swig and handed it back. Cade tossed it back and winced at the taste.

  “Now then,” Cade said, sitting down and putting the flask on the table between them. “It’s a shame to ruin a decent meal and a budding friendship when all we need to do is have a serious talk.”

  “Are ye a Molly or union man?” Rourke said quietly, staring at Cade.

  “Neither,” Cade replied in the same measured tone. The two men looked like they were sizing each other up as Fallon stared at Rourke with fear etched on her face. He reached over and gripped her hand, nodding silently to her.

  “I met a man recently who offered me a job,” Rourke began, and took a deep breath before continuing. He swallowed hard before he grabbed the flask, downing another sip of the whiskey for bravery. “He offered me to help him and come work w’ him in Chicago.”

  “Doing what?”

  “As a Pinkerton agent,” Rourke whispered fearfully, looking at Fallon. “I said no because I’ve got’ ta protect my woman and Pinkertons are in danger here. If word got about, I could be killed, or my sweet wren could be hurt. I canna endanger her.”

  “I love you,” Fallon said with tears in her eyes, nodding, as she squeezed his hand in support.

  “And I you, wren,” Rourke said earnestly, before looking at Cade and Gillian. “If yer gonna say anything ta anyone, then we’ll need to leave here before dawn. It’s a death sentence to be a Pinkerton in these here parts.”

  Gillian looked at Cade, unsure what to say or do. This young couple could be their way into finding out what was actually going on, but if they ran away – their one lead would disappear. If they told them, then they would be endangering themselves too. Cade seemed to understand the silent look that passed between them as he nodded slowly.

  “Then I guess we are all in trouble, aren’t we friend?” Cade announced quietly, picking up the flask from the table and taking a sip before handing it back to Rourke. Gillian could see his hand was trembling.

  “Fallon,” Gillian whispered softly, looking at her stark face and fearful eyes. “Cade is my partner - not my husband.”

  “I’m her husband alright,” Cade corrected with a frown at her. “We married at the Denver Pinkerton office and are looking for James McKenna.”

  “McKenna?” Rourke whispered, looking stunned. “He’s the one that offered me the job! The man is snooping around e’erywhere and becoming a danger to himself.”

  “Allan Pinkerton sent McKenna here personally. We are here to help garner information and then return to Denver - to our boss.”

  “You are Pinkerton agents?” Fallon whispered, looking at Gillian in shock.

  “Yes, Archie Gordon hires women and has them marry before sending us out into the field. Our partner,” Gillian explained, pointing at Cade. “Is supposed to help train us and protect us.”

  “And I will,” Cade vowed.

  “I can protect myself.”

  “He hires women?” Fallon repeated, looking at Gillian.

  “Ohhh no ye don’t woman!” Rourke said angrily. “I see the wheels turnin’ but you’ll no’ be puttin’ yerself in danger.”

  “You said we’d be partners, no matter what.”

  “No’ that.”

  “I trust you with my life and I know you’d protect me.”

  “Always, my wee wren,” he said tenderly, picking up her hand and kissing her knuckles, “But that doesna mean ye have to go runnin’ towards it.”

  Gillian couldn’t help the sigh of envy that escaped her at seeing this display of love and affection between the two of them, nor did she want to acknowledge Cade’s sharp glance at her. The oaf was clueless on love apparently, she thought to herself.

  “Now that’s out of the way,” Cade said smoothly looki
ng at Rourke, “Feel free to ask about the job you were offered and why I think you should take it. Gillian, could you fetch some plates. Fallon, did you ladies make cookies? Let’s eat and clear the air between us all.”

  Gillian found herself sipping on the whiskey-laced tea and relaxing. The atmosphere turned from tense to relaxed as everyone began to realize that neither was a threat. Fallon and Gillian ended up hugging each other in apology, to which Cade simply looked at her with that single arched eyebrow that irritated her to no end. She didn’t understand why he had to look so smug all the time. The man was just as flawed as anyone else.

  Rourke asked several questions, and it was like the floodgates had opened for the man. He spilled everything that he knew, now that he felt like he could trust them. Apparently no one in the area would willingly admit they were Pinkertons. The last two that had come to the area had disappeared and had been found dead days later. This did not sit well with Gillian at all – and apparently neither with Cade.

  She found him watching her several times throughout the evening as they ate dinner together. There was something different about him tonight too. It wasn’t just that he was cleaned up or letting down his guard. He seemed almost congenial and outgoing at the table… which made her realize how handsome he could actually be when he smiled.

  Swallowing hard, she tried not to think about how Cade looked but couldn’t help the path her mind went down. He was good-looking in a roughhewn way. Those dark auburn curls had dried and his bright hazel eyes had a tenderness to them that seemed to call to her soul.

  She found herself analyzing the little things too. It wasn’t that he was just handsome, but there were other things that she noticed. The shape of his hands, fingers, and fingernails. Cade had a dusting of hair on his arms compared to Rourke and a deep golden tan compared to Rourke’s olive complexion… and that dimple. The man had a sinful dimple on his right cheek when he smiled that made her toes curl in utter delight. She wanted to make him laugh just to be able to see it appear again.