by Jenna Brandt
Giles shook his head. “I just hired a bunch of new men at my place, but I did hear that the Lambert Ranch over in Rockwood Springs is in need of more workers. They keep up a hefty number of hired hands due to the cattle rustling in the area. If you let me win this hand, you can say I sent you over.”
“I’d be much obliged,” Bradley said, deciding to fold his hand even though he had a straight flush. He needed the reference more than he needed his money back.
“I hope losing that hand doesn’t get you into trouble with the missus,” Giles said as he raked in his winnings.
“I think my wife will understand, once I tell her that I got a job out of it.”
“Hey now, I never promised a job, just that you could say I sent you over. The Lamberts are pretty picky about who they hire, so you’ll have to impress them if you want the job.”
Bradley couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel and tell Gwendolyn about the progress he’d made. In the morning, they would be heading to Rockwood Springs, where he could get access to one of the ranches that had been having issues with rustling.
Gwendolyn wasn’t sure how to go about asking questions concerning the case. She was naturally an outgoing person, but she’d never had to work specific questions into a conversation without being caught. She decided to stop by the places she assumed would have the most information, starting with the telegraph office, followed by the general store, and finally the post office. None of them were forthcoming with information about the rustling. Her last stop was the dress shop, figuring that Bradley wouldn’t think to go there. It was a long shot that the owner would know anything, but it couldn’t hurt to check.
She entered the store and worked her way around the room, looking at the different dresses on display. She examined a couple of bolts of fabric, immediately knowing the difference between the expensive and cheaper textiles. She wondered if she would ever be able to have the luxurious dresses she had back in Boston again. She’d taken them for granted, never knowing that she might lose them.
“Can I help you, miss?” the woman asked, coming up next to her. “That’s an excellent selection; one of our finest fabrics. Our seamstress comes in from Abilene once a month for fittings, if you’re interested.”
“Not at this time,” Gwendolyn said, pulling her hand back. “My husband is between jobs, so it will be quite a time before I can afford a new dress.”
The woman looked at her, as if sizing up her purse. “From the quality of your current garment you’re wearing, I can tell you’re a woman of discerning taste.”
“I am—was, when I lived back in Boston. My circumstances have changed, and now I must make do with what I have left.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, miss, but perhaps your circumstances will change again in the future. If it does, I would love to provide you with a new dress.”
“Thank you, but I worry how safe my possessions are out here in the West. I hear that there are highway bandits, bank robbers, and even cattle rustlers around every corner. I would hate to buy a new dress and then have it stolen a moment later.”
“It is true, there is a fair amount of thievery around these parts, but the sheriff is doing his best to stop it.”
“But I heard people talking about how bad the local cattle rustling has gotten around here. Haven’t over half the ranches nearby been attacked?”
“I shouldn’t be talking about this, as the local ranch owners are trying to keep it quiet, but my brother works at one of the ranches. It’s far worse than they are admitting. He told me that almost all of the ranches have been attacked by the unknown gang, some even two times, with the exception of the Lambert Ranch. I’m not sure what they’re doing differently, but they’re the only ones that haven’t had it happen to them yet. My brother thinks it’s only a matter of time, though, and soon the Lamberts will lose cattle just like all the rest.”
“That sounds awful,” Gwendolyn said sympathetically. “Sounds like it’s a dangerous time to be working as a cowboy.”
The shop owner nodded in agreement. “I keep telling my brother he should find another job, but there aren’t many legal options for work around these parts.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Gwendolyn said in a comforting tone. “I need to be getting back to the hotel to meet my husband, but it was very nice meeting you.”
“I feel the same. When your luck turns around, please come back. I’d love to have a custom dress made from the fabric you picked out.”
“I’d like that, too,” Gwendolyn admitted, though deep down she suspected it would never happen. Fine dresses, and the events she would need them for, were far behind her. As a Pinkerton agent, she’d need to be thinking about more practical garments, such as wool skirts and cotton blouses, when it was time to replace the dresses she already had.
As she exited the dress shop, she couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel and tell Bradley what she had found out. She hoped it would prove to him that she could be an asset as his partner.
“You’re late,” he snapped out as she entered their room. Reginald rushed up to her, wagging his tail as he barked for her to pick him up. She bent down and lifted up her canine companion, cradling him in her arms. “I’ve been waiting for over a half hour and decided to eat on my own. I left some dinner for you.”
She glanced at the small table and noticed that there was some dried meat and an apple sitting on it. “I hope you’re not thinking that’s dinner,” she said, gesturing towards the food. “I was thinking we should go downstairs to the restaurant.”
“We have an early morning, and don’t have time for that,” he said through gritted teeth. “Not to mention, I have a headache since your dog has been whining since I got back.”
“He’s probably just hungry,” Gwendolyn explained, picking up a piece of the dried meat and feeding it to Reginald.
“I hope you don’t have a big appetite tonight, because that’s all the meat I have left,” Bradley stated, placing his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair. “Looks like you’re down to just an apple for dinner.”
Gwendolyn’s eyes moved to meet his. He looked angry, but she didn’t care. He was acting downright rude, considering how hard she worked throughout the day. Narrowing her own eyes into slits, she retorted, “I have my own stipend from the agency. I’ll just go down and feed us both.”
Bradley jumped up from his chair and rushed over to her. He grabbed her by the arm, saying, “I thought I made it clear, I’m in charge around here. I told you, we have an early morning, which means we need to get some sleep.”
Yanking her arm free from his grasp, she snapped out, “What’s so pressing? You haven’t told me why we need to get up so early. Maybe you should work on communicating with me better.”
“We’re moving on to Rockwood Springs. One of the local ranch foremen around here told me there isn’t any work near Woody, but the Lambert ranch in the neighboring town is hiring.”
“Well, that makes sense, considering what I found out today at the dress shop,” Gwendolyn said, picking up the last piece of meat and feeding it to Reginald. “The owner’s brother works at one of the ranches on the outskirts of Woody. She said that the Lambert Ranch is the only ranch in the area that hasn’t been attacked by cattle rustlers.”
“And you didn’t think to mention that when you got back here?” Bradley accused. “You should have told me straight away.”
“I would have, but you snapped my head off the moment I walked in here. I’m sorry if that kept me from telling you about my results.” She turned towards the door, saying over her shoulder, “I’m going downstairs for dinner. You can join me if you like.” When he didn’t move to get up, she added, “Suit yourself; enjoy the last apple.”
Gwendolyn wasn’t sure why Bradley was so obstinate. If he tried just a little bit to get along with her, they could make their relationship at least cordial. It seemed at every turn he went out of his way to be contrary. If he kept this up, it was going to be a long year together.
Every time someone entered the restaurant, her eyes darted to the door, hoping it might be Bradley. When it wasn’t, she felt herself crumble a bit more. She wasn’t used to a man avoiding her. Back in Boston, it was just the opposite; men jumped at the opportunity to spend time with her, let alone enjoy a meal by her side.
“What’s wrong with my husband, Reginald?” she asked her dog, looking down at him as she gave him a bite of her food as he sat on her lap. “Am I really that difficult to be around? I always prided myself on being pleasant company, but his reaction to me makes me wonder if it was my money that made me popular back home.”
“Just so you know, it’s not your fault at all,” Bradley said as he took a seat across from her. “I’ve never wanted a partner, so having one is taking some getting used to.”
Her eyes rounded with surprise at his arrival. She had given up all hope that he would join her. “I didn’t think you were coming down.”
“Since I’m responsible for you, I couldn’t sleep until you returned. I figured I might as well get a decent meal out of staying up.”
“I just ordered the chicken and rice. The waiter said it’s excellent here.”
“Sounds good to me,” he said, gesturing for the waiter to come over. “I’ll have what my wife is having.”
“Thank you,” Gwendolyn said with a smile.
“For what?”
“For explaining why you’ve been acting the way you have. I understand this is a big change for you; it is for me, too. I think if we work together, however, we can make this partnership beneficial for both of us.”
“It sure would beat fighting the whole time,” Bradley conceded. “Tell you what, I’ll do my best to ease up on you going forward.”
She nodded. “And I’ll listen to what you have to teach me.”
They spent the rest of the evening talking about her life back in Boston and his childhood in Dallas before his parents were killed in a carriage accident.
As they returned to their room, Gwendolyn was shocked by his solitary life. “I’ve never met a Texas native. Most everyone comes from somewhere else, but you’ve spent your whole life here.”
He nodded. “I was with the Texas Rangers for a while, then spent some time working as a cowboy all over the state. Once I got my first assignment as a Pinkerton agent, I knew I’d found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The hardest part for me, though, was the travel. As soon as I could, I asked for a permanent transfer back to the Texas office. I’m a Lone Star man through and through.”
“That explains your independent nature. No wonder it’s been so hard for you to take on a partner.”
“Like I said, it’s not you, it’s me. I’m going to work on my attitude to make this easier for you. You don’t deserve me taking out my frustration on you.”
Gwendolyn looked around the room, realizing that there was only one bed. Even though they were married, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to share a bed with him.
Bradley must have noticed where she was staring, because he moved over to the bed and pulled the blanket from it. “I’ll take the floor for tonight.”
“Thank you, that’s kind of you to offer me the bed,” Gwendolyn said, placing Reginald on the edge of it. “Do you mind turning around while I remove my dress?”
Without a word, he turned towards the door, giving her privacy as she quickly undressed down to her shift. She climbed into the bed, patting the spot next to her for Reginald to join her. “I’m finished.”
Bradley pulled off his boots and removed his shirt and belt, leaving his undershirt and pants on before taking a spot down on the floor next to the bed.
“Can I give you a pillow? I have two,” she said, taking one from the bed and offering it to him.
“Thank you,” he said, taking it and placing it under his head. “We should both get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
Gwendolyn silently said her nightly prayer before her mind drifted off, thinking about how quickly her life had changed. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but for the first time in months, she didn’t feel scared.
Chapter 3
The following morning, Bradley and Gwendolyn arrived in Rockwood Springs. He leaned over in the stagecoach and warned his wife of what to expect. “You should know, Rockwood Springs has the reputation for being the most lawless town in all of Texas.”
“Surely, whoever made that up is exaggerating,” Gwendolyn stated dismissively.
Bradley shook his head. “Not in the least. There’s no sheriff, bank, or hotel. The saloon lacks rules and has plenty of cheap libations, making it a beacon for rowdy cowboys and bandits. There’s nothing but trouble in this place.”
“If there’s no hotel, where are we going to stay?” Gwendolyn asked with fright. “I hope you don’t expect me to sleep out under the stars like a bandit on the run.”
Bradley chuckled. “I’d pay to see that, but no, we’ll have to stay in one of the rooms above the saloon.”
“That doesn’t sound much better,” Gwendolyn quipped back, pressing her lips together as she tightened her grip around her dog. “Will it be safe for Reginald?”
“I’d be more worried about your own skin,” Bradley pointed out. “I’ll do my best to keep you both safe, but you’re going to have to keep your head down and not engage with the customers.”
She nodded without saying a word.
They climbed out of the stagecoach and made their way down the one dirt street. Along the sides, there was a sprinkling of a few wooden buildings, including a general store, a church, and the saloon. There was also a small town square by the church.
“We should go get us a room at the saloon before I head out to the Lambert Ranch. It’s early enough that there shouldn’t be anyone besides the owner there, which means I can leave you in the room and no one will know you are there.”
“What am I going to do all day in that room if you get the job at the ranch? How can I help the case if I’m stuck in there all day?”
“We’ll figure that out if I get the job,” Bradley explained. “Let’s worry about one problem at a time.”
They arrived at the Long Reach Saloon and entered the establishment. Bradley’s assumption had been correct, and the place was empty, at least for the moment. A tall man with graying brown hair came through the back door. “What can I do for you?”
“We’re needing to rent a room,” Bradley stated.
“How many nights?”
“Not sure, one for certain. Can I pay you for tonight, and then pay as we go for any further nights?”
The man nodded. “You’re in luck. I’m not full up at the moment.” Then glancing at the dog in Gwendolyn’s arms, he added, “Just so you know, if your dog destroys anything, you’re responsible for replacing it.”
Bradley moved over to the bar and pushed a large sum of money across the bar. “Is that enough for tonight and any incidentals that we might accrue?”
“It sure is,” he said, taking the money and counting it. He stuffed it in his pocket, then added as he reached out his hand to Bradley. “I’m Mr. Weston, the owner of the Long Reach. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thank you, Mr. Weston. I’m Ben Hampton, and this is my wife, Gail.”
“Pleased to meet you both,” he said with a grin. “Are you looking for work?”
“I’m heading out to the Lambert Ranch to see if they could use a hand out there.”
“What about your wife? We could use another saloon girl, if she’s interested.”
The way the saloon owner looked at his wife, he knew he was sizing her up as a good piece of meat. She was pretty, which would mean she’d be a real draw for men when they came to the saloon. Bradley didn’t like the idea of her working there, however, especially without him being around to protect her. “She’s good. I can provide for us both.”
Gwendolyn glanced over at Bradley as if shocked by his blunt rejection of the other man’s offer. She didn’t a
rgue about it in front of Mr. Weston, but as soon as they were in their room, she let him have it. “Why did you do that? If I got a job as a saloon worker, maybe I could hear some of the men talking about the cattle rustling. It could really help our case.”
“You’re not ready for that deep of undercover work,” he stated firmly, hoping she would take the cue and drop the subject. Apparently, he wasn’t so lucky.
Placing Reginald down on the bed, she accused, “Didn’t you just tell me last night you were going to work with me on this? The moment you get the chance, you take back control. Our partnership is never going to work if you keep doing that.”
“That’s not why I rejected his offer. Look, I can’t do my job if I’m worrying about what might happen to you. If I get the job at the ranch, I won’t be around to protect you.”
“I didn’t think about that,” she admitted, “I suppose it wouldn’t be the best idea for me to be working in the saloon without you around.”
“Thank you for seeing my point. I only have your safety in mind.” He pulled out his pocket watch and looked at the time. “I should head out to the ranch and see about getting a job. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Bradley exited the saloon and made his way out to the Lambert Ranch. He asked around until he was directed to the foreman’s office.
“What can I do for you?” the short, burly man asked as he looked Bradley up and down.
“I’m looking for work. Giles from Brookside sent me this way.”
“What experience do you have?”
“I’ve worked at several ranches back East.”
“What brought you out West?”
“My wife and I wanted to start over where her family can’t get involved in our lives.”
The man nodded. “I get that; in-laws can be a real nuisance. I wish I could get away from mine, but my wife had the stupid idea to move her mother into our house. Tell you what, I have an open spot on my herding team. It’s hard work, but you look like you can handle it.”
“Thank you, sir.”