by P. Creeden
Clenna nodded again. The young woman, Josie, was a force of nature, which was exactly what Clenna needed at the moment. She was feeling a bit shy and unsure of herself. She knew that once she settled in, hardly anyone would be able to intimidate her, and her personality would open up, but she didn’t feel herself at the moment. Everything felt overwhelming, and she was sensitive to every little thing around her. Once they’d finished talking to the woman at the front desk, Josie guided Clenna up to the room.
“I’m fairly flexible, so you can choose either of the beds, though I’ve been sleeping on the one farther from the window. It still really doesn’t matter to me which.” Josie seemed a bit nervous compared to before, but still filled any silence with her commanding tone.
“I’m fine with leaving things as they are. Either bed will do,” Clenna said as she set her carpetbag on the bed closest to the window. There would be bright sunlight in the mornings, but that wasn’t going to be a problem now that she wasn’t staying up late working. Her heart fluttered in her chest. So many things were changing and falling into place, she feared when things might fall apart. They often did when things were going right.
“Are you hungry at all? I know it’s late in the afternoon, but I haven’t eaten lunch yet, myself.” Josie sat upon her bed stiffly, her hands clenching together tightly.
Clenna smiled at her. “I’m famished, actually. But I’m also exhausted. Now that I’m sitting upon this bed, I’m not entirely sure I have the gumption to get back up once more.”
“Nonsense!” Josie said getting to her feet quickly and coming to take hold of both Clenna’s hands. “As a doctor, I recommend you get a good meal in you before you even think about sleep. You’ll sleep better for it. Trust me.”
After allowing the woman to pull her to her feet, Clenna smiled, letting herself be led out the door. “Did you say that you’re a doctor?”
Ben
“How will we even know where we’re going?” Billy asked with his brow furrowed. “I’m really not sure how to read the stars at night, are you?”
Ben just shook his head at his partner and patted the chestnut gelding on the neck. “Makes no difference, we’re following the train tracks south. We’ll be fine.”
The two of them had just finished solving the case for the Denver Pacific Railway and Telegraph Company and got a nice bonus after the case had closed. Now, Pinkerton Agents were not allowed to accept monetary bonuses, and Ben and Billy would never violate the code of the Pinkertons, but they were able to take a bargain on two horses from the bandits’ herd, which had become property of the railway company when the case had closed. Both of them paid for their horses, but were able to get them at a discount, because there were more horses than the railway had been able to sell to the livery in town.
But now it would be a few extra days of journeying before they’d make it back to Denver.
Billy huffed beside him and sat a bit stiffly on his own gelding. Because Billy hadn’t had a lot of experience with riding, Ben had helped Billy choose a solid citizen for a horse. It was one that was a wee bit past its prime, so that it wasn’t likely to argue or give Billy a hard time when things didn’t go according to plan. Ben had chosen a very fancy black mare, but then traded it with the livery owner for the chestnut gelding he’d been working with the entire time they were in Cheyenne. It ended up being a stellar deal for both of them.
“Relax and move with your horse’s motion. If you keep your back stiff like that, you’re going to be even more sore in the morning, trust me,” Ben said as he watched his partner.
“I’m already sore.” Billy shook his head but did as he was told and moved his hips in the saddle.
Ben nodded in satisfaction. He enjoyed teaching others how to ride. He believed that the first priority for all riders was to get out of the horse’s way. Honestly, moving with the horse’s motion wasn’t just good for Billy’s back, but it was also better for the horse’s. And if Billy worked to keep his horse happy, they’d have a better ride all the way around. The songs of birds and crickets warred with each other in the late afternoon. Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he rode for several steps. Even the air out on the countryside was much more pleasant than anything that the city had to offer. Yes, Ben was going to enjoy the ride back to Denver, even if it did add extra days to their journey. For now, they’d follow the road that went parallel to the railroad tracks and telegraph line. If the road deviated course, they’d still choose the railroad first.
A squealing sound reached their ears long before the train ever came into view around the bend. The deafening engines roared past along with each and every wheel of the cars. At first, the chestnut gelding under him jigged a bit, dancing to the side, away from the train. At least the conductor had the wherewithal to not blow the whistle. Then the soothing presence of Billy’s gelding and Ben’s calm hand helped the horse settle back down. After the train passed entirely, Ben grinned up at Billy. “Well, that was a bit of adventure, wasn’t it?”
Billy just shook his head and patted his older bay gelding on the neck. Chances were that Billy had been tense during the ordeal, partly because a passing train carries a great deal of noise, but also because seeing the chestnut’s reaction had to have been a bit unnerving.
The two of them continued to ride south alongside the line, and as night began to fall, they made camp a good ways away from the rails. Even though it was unlikely that a train would pass in the night, it was better to halve the amount of noise, regardless. They hobbled the two horses so they couldn’t travel far and then let them both loose to get their fill of the grass near the river overnight. A wide array of stars filled the night sky. Ben didn’t know the names of the constellations, but knew how to find the big dipper, and therefore the north star, if he ever found himself lost in the wilderness. He pulled out a pot from his pack and poured a bit of water from his canteen into it along with some dried lentils so that he could make a hearty soup with some dried meat he’d had as well. Once he’d gotten it prepared, he set it all on the campfire and settled down with his saddle at his back and waited while the meal cooked and watched the dancing flames.
Billy sighed. He’d been doing that a lot on this trip, and had Ben wondering what the matter was with his partner. But he wasn’t the kind to ask. If Billy wanted to share, he would. And apparently, Billy was ready to share. “What do you think about this business of having to marry female Pinkerton trainees?”
Ben’s heart pinched in his chest. “I decided to put it out of my mind until I am forced to think on it. I’ve known about the situation for a long while now... almost a year and haven’t had Archie call me down to his office and introduce me to a new wife. I thought, after the spell of ladies last year, that it would all be over, but with the new agents coming in from Chicago after the fire, it seems Marianne and Archie have started it back up again.”
“I don’t want to burden a woman with marrying me. I’ve never felt fit enough to be any woman’s husband,” Billy’s voice remained quiet, but his face reddened in the firelight.
“Good thing it’s just a temporary situation, then. Remember, it’s just on paper. You don’t have to stay married to any woman assigned to you by the agency.” Ben pulled out his pocketknife and began whittling on a stick. Even though he wasn’t doing anything more than making a pile of wood shavings, the repetitive motion soothed him and cleared his mind.
“You mean that we might have to marry more than once?”
Ben lifted a brow. “I hadn’t thought of that, but I don’t think so. I don’t think Archie has forced the situation on anyone more than once. In fact, I heard that a lot of the couples are returning and staying married.”
“Who would do that?” Billy chewed his bottom lip, staring at the flames in thought.
Ben shook his head. “No idea.”
Chapter 3
Clenna
A few days later, Clenna jumped from her bed and spun around as Josie rushed into the room. Her ey
es widened as she took in her mousy roommate. Josie’s eyes seemed unfocused, and she chewed on her lip as she slammed the door shut and rushed to her bed to sit. Clenna watched her as she slowly lowered herself back on her bed. She lifted a brow at her friend. “What has got your bonnet in a bunch?”
Josie’s breaths came in quick pants as she worked to catch it. She waved the envelope toward Clenna. It was all the answer that she needed to give. This was what Josie had been waiting days for. The answer. Clenna nodded and let out a slow breath, her heart rate racing still.
She couldn’t take her eyes off Josie as her friend set the envelope down in front of her and pulled off her gloves slowly. Droplets of sweat formed on Josie’s forehead and slowly she was catching her breath. Had she run the whole way back from the telegraph office? Josie dabbed at her forehead with her kerchief and continued to stare at the envelope atop the lavender quilt, unmoving. Slowly, Clenna stood from her bed and approached her friend. Josie hadn’t moved from her position. Clenna shook her head and snatched the envelope from the coverlet.
Josie’s panicked eyes met hers. “What are you doing?” Her voice squeaked and became higher pitched than usual.
Clenna huffed and held the envelope up between her fingers. “You’re staring at it as though the power of your eyesight is going to help you see through the envelope and know what it says inside.”
Josie frowned and stood. “Of course, that’s not so.”
With a shrug, Clenna offered, “If you’re so scared to open it, I can do it for you.”
“Absolutely not,” Josie said as she snatched the envelope from Clenna’s hands. “I’ll do it myself.”
Clenna’s hands went to her hips. “I should hope so.”
It had been her hope that making a bit of sport with Josie might give her the confidence to open the letter. The paper trembled in Josie’s hands. She swallowed hard and without another word or a glance in Clenna’s direction, she ripped open the seal. Her eyes trained across the words on the letter. Clenna lifted a brow, wondering what it might say, but her stomach sank a bit as she watched her friend pale. Josie’s arm fell limp at her side as her bottom eyelids filled with tears. Clenna swallowed. She didn’t want to see her friend like this. She needed to help her. Slowly, she took the letter from Josie’s flaccid hand and read it herself.
“Thank you so much for informing us of your father’s passing. We’ve already been in contact with a doctor who is willing to take the position. I’m sorry, but we’ll have to decline your generous offer. Condolences. Signed, the Mayor.”
Clenna’s ire rose up as she watched her friend’s heart break as though it were pinned to her chest. Men. They ran the world and treated women as though they were only around to make and raise babies. It was the reason Clenna had decided that she didn’t want to marry—likely that she would never marry, if she became a Pinkerton agent and was able to support herself as she should. Slowly, she folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. “They don’t know what they are missing, you know. I’m sure this new doctor wasn’t educated at one of the best schools of medicine in New England. You would have done a better job, I’m certain.”
Josie nodded, her eyes becoming wide as her gaze focused on Clenna’s hands. Her mouth opened and closed a few times and slowly she shook her head as she was wrapped in her thoughts.
“I know that look,” Clenna said softly as she put an arm around Josie’s shoulder. “I’ve seen it before in the mirror. You don’t know what to do now, do you?”
Josie looked up at her, tears making tracks down her cheeks. Slowly she shook her head, and the sight of her friend’s beautiful dark blue eyes becoming rimmed with red struck a chord inside Clenna. Maybe she could do something to help her friend. They both needed the means to support themselves, but there weren’t many opportunities for women like them. Then suddenly a thought struck her. Clenna squeezed Josie’s shoulder. “Why don’t you apply at the Pinkerton office with me?”
A frown tugged at Josie’s lip. “The Pinkerton Detective agency?”
Clenna nodded, came around to the front of Josie, and took both her upper arms in her hands. She ducked down a bit so that her eyes were level with Josie’s. “Yes. They are looking for educated, smart, strong women—like you and like me. We’re shoo-ins for the position. It’s like we’re cheating.”
Josie lifted a brow and shook her head. “I should be a doctor somewhere. That’s my training. It seems like it would be a waste if I did something else. It’s all I’ve ever known—all I’ve ever planned for.”
Narrowing her eyes at Josie, Clenna let her go and stood up to her full height again. She shook the envelope from Cheyenne in her hand. “And how is that plan turning out for you? Your options are pretty simple now. You can wallow in your misery and do nothing—sit on the bed and have a good cry. Or you can pick yourself up and make a new plan. This might be your greatest opportunity. There aren’t many professions that allow unmarried women to have a career that doesn’t involve a saloon.”
Her friend frowned and chewed her bottom lip a moment. Everything that Clenna felt bubbled up to the surface. It had been five days that she’d spent resting in Denver. She could have gone to the agency any one of those days, but she didn’t feel ready. She didn’t know if she’d ever be ready. Honestly, she feared that the Agency might turn her down. She feared that she might be too late, and all positions would be taken. Each of those fears froze her in place so that it became harder each day to make herself go to the agency and apply for the job. But she could do it if it would benefit Josie, too. She could do it for Josie’s sake... as well as her own.
“Come now,” Clenna said. “You know that I’m right.”
“Okay,” Josie finally said with a small smile. “I’m not sure that this detective agency thing is the best idea, but you’re right that I need a new plan.”
“It is the best idea. You’ll see,” Clenna said, suddenly getting excited. “Let’s go right now and talk to them.”
“Right now?” Josie’s eyes went wide. “But you’ve been talking about going since you arrived almost a week ago.”
Chagrined, Clenna’s cheeks flushed. “I’ve been working myself up to doing it. It’s a big decision. Just like you were working up the courage to open that envelope and I helped you, you’re helping me feel as if I can do it now by coming with me.”
“Really?” Josie asked, finally letting a giggle escape her.
Clenna nodded and grabbed her overcoat. “Truly. Now, let’s go before I lose the nerve again.”
Josie stood and Clenna grabbed her by the arm so she wouldn’t think twice about what they were doing. They were off and down the stairs faster than Clenna’s doubts could catch her.
Ben
A shrug pulled up Ben’s shoulders again as they turned the corner and headed through the front gate of the Denver Pinkerton office. When they reached the front door, Ben grabbed hold of it and then motioned with a bow. “After you, sir.”
A smile on his face, Billy shook his head as he stepped inside.
Ben followed. The foyer was well decorated, but slightly dark compared to the bright sunshine outside. He had to blink a few times to allow his eyes to adjust. Then Ben slapped a hand on Billy’s shoulder. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. And I am so sick of pemmican and hardtack that I might eat the first thing I see in the kitchen. Wanna come with me to see what Pearl’s cooked up?”
Billy huffed laugh. “Sure.”
They started down the hallway toward the kitchen when they passed the receiving area where Marianne’s desk sat. Two women stood in front of the desk. Beautiful red, curly hair turned gold at the tips everywhere light caught it. Ben’s heart fluttered in his chest as emerald eyes turned on him. Ben found himself tongue tied. He fancied himself a bit of a ladies’ man. He liked to wrap women around his finger in the saloon, but never allowed things to go further than a bit of flirting. He liked the feeling of making a woman fall for him, but he’d never quite fall
en for a woman, himself. But this striking redhead might have just struck the right chord in his heart. He swallowed hard. What kind of foolish thought was that?
He broke his stare and glanced at Billy, who suddenly gaped at the two ladies in front of the desk. “Josie,” Billy whispered.
“Who’s Josie?” Ben lifted a brow as he came around the side of Billy.
But Billy didn’t say a word, his mouth still agape as though he were trying to catch flies.
A tiny, mouse of a woman approached with her gloved hands clasped in front of her. Her genuine smile fixed on Billy. “Mr. Hogge? What are you doing here?”
Mirth danced around in Ben’s belly as things began to fall into place. Was this the reason for all the sighing on the trip to Cheyenne that they’d just taken? Had Ben finally figured out the reason for Billy’s apparent heartbreak? He watched his partner as the man continued to gape and not say a word. Slowly, Billy shook his head. Ben couldn’t help but shoot a glance up and meet eyes with the gorgeous redhead who stood over the pair with about as much confusion on her face as Ben felt.
Ben gave Billy a sideways glance and then bowed slightly to the girl closest to them. “Hi there. I’m Ben Mercer. And it seem’s you’ve made Billy Hogge’s acquaintance. We just got back from agency work, and we’re heading toward the kitchen. I’m sorry that my friend has suddenly gone silent like that on you.”
Billy still didn’t say anything, so Ben elbowed him in the side. The man gasped for a breath as though he’d been holding it. “Miss... I mean Doctor Roth. I thought you’d be gone.”
The mousy woman tilted her head and met eyes with Ben. “Agency work?”
Slowly, Billy nodded but didn’t say anything again. Was the man really struck dumb by the shock of seeing her unexpectedly?
Ben elbowed him again and then nodded to the woman. “Yes, Billy and I are both Pinkerton Detectives.”