“Five.” There was a time to fight and a time to surrender. The latter would not mean defeat. It would merely provide another opportunity to save the day. Besides, she needed to see to her brother.
“Six.” She raced back to the bush and threw her bag in the center. It would be safe there and maybe she’d have a chance to get it later. Better than having her weapon confiscated from the start.
“Seven.” She took a deep breath and stepped from the bushes. A riotous fight broke out among the gamblers and the man with the gun shot a bullet into the air. The noise stopped and all eyes fastened on her.
“Smart move woman.” This was a new man on the scene. The next development she and Trace had been waiting for. “Get over here and join your husband.”
Gen covered the distance slowly, taking in the scene. By her wagon sat Andrea on the ground with Nick’s head in her lap. She was attempting to muffle the sobs. Gen picked up her skirt and rushed toward them instead, the change of direction bringing hideous laughter from the men.
“Tough luck, Trace old boy. Your woman appears to care more for the wounded than you. She’d have likely let me shoot you.”
Gen’s eyes silently pleaded with Trace and hoped he understood. He was still standing, but Nick lay helpless on the ground. Surely, he’d not believe the mockery of the reprobates. She dropped to her knees when she reached the couple by the wagon. Nick’s chest raised and lowered and she sighed with relief. Andrea pointed to the bloody stain in the middle of his shirt. Shaky fingers unbuttoned and pulled the garment off to the side out of the way. She examined the injury and smiled at Andrea.
“The bullet barely skinned his flesh passing straight through all those inches of extra fat around his middle. He’s just passed out. He’ll come around.”
Gen stood to her feet and headed for the back of the wagon. A voice from behind stopped her.
“Where do you think you’re going, little lady?”
“This man needs medical attention and I plan on giving it to him.”
“Well, lookie here, boys, we got us a doctor.”
“I’m not a doctor. You’re a lousy shot. Anyone could fix his injuries,” Gen said.
“Now maybe I didn’t plan on killing the cowboy. Just wanted to stop him from getting in the way.”
Gen ignored him and looked at Trace. “Could you get a fire going? Stick your knife in the blaze until it’s red hot, then bring it to me.”
Trace moved into action and thankfully no one stopped him. She picked up the pace and the man who’d held her husband at gunpoint now made his way toward her. He didn’t hinder her progress, but stood watching while she rummaged in the back of the wagon for the bag of medical supplies she’d brought along. When he offered a helping hand, she clutched the supplies tightly against her waist and stepped down from the wagon unassisted. Gen hurried toward her brother.
“He’s coming to,” said Andrea when Gen dropped down beside the couple.
Gen rubbed a hand over his brow. “Bad time to wake up, brother. I’m about to cause you pain.”
His grin was edged with agony but it encouraged Gen. “Wouldn’t be the first time, little sister.”
She passed him a rope to put between his teeth. “Want this to bite on or a taste of whiskey?”
“The rope will do. Wouldn’t want to offend the Good Lord so close to knocking on his pearly gate.”
She chuckled. “There’s no heavenly meeting planned for you today. You are far from death’s door. It’s no wonder the bullet slowed down and slid clear of that extra weight around your belly. You need to cut back on those second pieces of pie.” Gen spoke as she cleaned the wound and the area surrounding it.
“Sorry I’ve been such a jerk about your choice of husbands. I worry about you.”
“Don’t bother yourself concerning my love life. It appears yours is in a much sadder state.” Gen chanced to glance at Andrea and noted something deeper brewing behind her eyes, something her previous declarations of not caring contradicted.
“Thank you for tending to my brother in my absence. I appreciate it.”
“He’s always been so kind to me and I’ve returned it with childish anger.” Gen noted a flicker of hope pass over Nick’s face but Andrea spoiled it all when she added, “Terrance would be so disappointed in me.”
Gen gulped at the hurt that lodged on her brother’s face. The inconsiderate girl did not know when to quiet her tongue. She wondered what Nick saw in the immature Miss Andrea Friskin.
Trace moved in from behind and passed her his hot knife. “The wound looks clean, Nick, but I need to close the hole. It’s going to hurt.”
“I’m getting used to the feeling.” Gen knew he meant emotionally but smiled and pushed the rope between his teeth. “Bite down hard. It won’t take long.”
She puckered the wound closed, and pressed the knife over the top to sear it. In response, his body surged upward and a stifled scream filled her senses. Tears gathered in her eyes knowing she caused such discomfort to her brother. She loved him. When she noticed his body finally relax, she knew he’d fainted. Gen finished up her nursing and stood to her feet.
“Where is the baby, Andrea? Shall I bring him to you?”
“I don’t know. One of the men came and grabbed him from me. I haven’t seen or heard him cry out since the skirmish began.”
“The men took the baby? That’s odd.”
“I think they just want to hurt me. I believe they are sending a ransom note to my father. Pay up or she dies.” A sob broke deep in her throat.
Gen squatted and hugged the frightened girl. “Don’t worry, I’ll try to find out what happened to the baby.”
She scanned the area and found Trace off to the side. He beckoned to her. When she reached him, he took her into his arms and held her, no words, just a sweet comfort she so wished was real. Near death experience peeks everyone emotions, obviously even her husband. He pushed her to arm’s length.
“Are you all right, Gen?”
“Yes, but terribly sorry he didn’t swallow your inventive story. I couldn’t…”
“I understand. I know you love your brother.”
He gave no mention that her surrendering might have been to save him also. She wondered if now was the appropriate moment to correct him on the assumption that her only concern was for Nick when it was his well-being that prompted her to admit defeat.
“I left the gun hidden in a bush. Maybe we can get to it later, when the time to act is right.”
“I have a smart woman as an apprentice. You think on your feet and I appreciate that.”
“I try. And…”
Trace turned away, cutting off her sentence before she could bear her heart. Gen felt certain the man could see her love for him in her eyes but chose to leave the words unspoken. Pushing her away seemed to be his way of late. Confusion ruled their marriage and now threatened to creep into their working together as a Pinkerton team.
Chapter 9
By supper Nick was sitting, eating up the attention Andrea was showering on him. Gen arrived with a pot of stew from yesterday’s leftover meat and some wild vegetables she found nearby. Of course, her captives made her pick for everyone with a watchman following at her heels, but she refused to cook for the bunch. No one forced the issue and campfires burned throughout the small gathering.
Andrea was ecstatic. “Oh, Genevieve. Thank you so much for supper. I’m near exhausted tending to your brother and worrying about the baby.” She looked at Trace who carried their plates and the coffee pot. “Have you heard anything?”
“I thought I heard some squawking from one of the wagons. Probably gave the job to one of the bandit’s wives.”
“Why? I was a good mother?”
“The baby is not yours, Andrea, and you’re not in charge,” said Nick. “Let it go.” Gen raised her brows trying to get a message through to her brother. That was not the kind of talk that would win the girl’s affection. Nick back-peddled, but a touch of attitude ling
ered in his tone. “I’m sure once your man gets here to rescue us, the baby will be returned to you.”
“Oh, I truly hope so,” Andrea said.
Nick, his expression screaming he’d had enough, tried to push himself to his feet. He groaned and eased back down. “Still a bit on the tender side, Sis, but I’m beholding to you.”
“Never had to mend a bullet hole in you before, Nick. You should have stayed at the farm, where it’s safe.”
“What about you? Marrying a Pinkerton man and wandering in the woods for your honeymoon sounds like you’re choosing to live on the side of danger.”
“Apparently peril has chosen to invade our precious time away together.”
Nick studied Gen. She glanced away and concentrated on stirring the ingredients in the pot. “Andrea, go fetch your table settings and we’ll eat together tonight.”
“You are a gem,” said Andrea, giving Gen a quick hug and racing to the back of her wagon.
“The girl probably doesn’t even know how to cook, Nick. Have you lost your senses?” asked Gen.
“A man can’t help who he falls in love with,” said Nick. “Look at you and Trace. He should have married a lady-detective in training and instead got stuck with a tenderfoot like you. All in the name of love.”
She bit her lip and glanced at Trace, who beamed. Role playing again, no doubt. “At least I can cook.”
Andrea arrived back at the campfire and Gen placed a large scoopful on their plates. Trace filled two coffee cups and passed them to the traveling duo. He pushed two stumps into place across from them and motioned for Gen to sit. The four of them stuffed their mouths and ignored the watchful eyes of their captors on the other side of camp.
Eventually Trace directed a question at Andrea. “Do you think your father will send someone to rescue you instead of the ransom?”
“Wouldn’t put it past him. A life is less valuable than his precious money.”
“Don’t you think you are being too harsh, Andrea? Your family has always provided the best of everything for their daughter.”
“That was before I spit it all back in his face. He is not the forgiving sort and has probably already disowned me for rejecting his chosen husband, Stanley Jacobs the 3rd.”.
“Yeah, I’d be nervous of a man with two first names,” said Nick.
“No one asked you,” said Gen. She rested a hand on Andrea’s arm. “Do you suppose Terrance will come to rescue you?”
“Of course, he will. Just as soon as he hears of this botched job his hired trail master has organized,” said Andrea.
“Maybe it will be too late when he hears of your abduction and you’re already tucked back under the covers at the Friskin estate – under house arrest, no doubt, until after you become Mrs. Andrea Jacobs,” said Trace.
The girl gasped and looked at Nick. “You can’t let that happen. Terrance hired you to get me to Colorado Springs.”
“Or have you ever considered he might be the one who planned your kidnapping all along?” Trace held up his hand when she started to object. “This is his band of merry men.”
Andrea covered her mouth to avoid the screech that leaked from the terror in her eyes. “What a horrible thing to say. Definitely it would be the first scenario, Mr. Stapleton. Terrance is a nobleman and would not stoop to such a devious plan.”
“Just speculating, woman. Who else has it in for you?”
“No one,” she hesitated. “Except a couple of beaus that I deserted when choosing to run away. Men were gathering in droves to seek my hand in marriage. All money hungry idiots I wouldn’t give the time of day to.”
“So, we shall add the gent with the two first names to our list of suspects,” said Trace.
“I find it odd that a Pinkerton agent just happens to be on this ridiculous ride across the country,” said Andrea.
“Ridiculous?” said Gen. “It was my hope that hiding off the beaten track would allow me undisturbed time with my husband. I suppose that didn’t work out as planned.” She smiled at Trace while confirming his story of her tagging along for the ride. This was not the time to claim her equality in their Pinkerton team effort. “And you, Andrea, seem to singing a different tune today. Yesterday you bragged that your future husband provided this means of travel for the poor and destitute.”
“I know what I said,” bellowed Andrea. “But I never did understand why the baby and I had to go this route. I wanted to take the train but Terrance was emphatic I experience the trip firsthand with his low-life charity cases.”
“Low life? A bit harsh, if his people had been legitimate,” said Nick. “But as it turns out, a good description of our fellow travelers.”
“Not to mention, another reason to keep the great Mr. Laker on the suspect list,” said Nick.
“Oh, Nicolas! Why do you want to hurt me so?”
“Hurt you! I took this lousy job hoping to bring you to your senses. All I ever wanted to do was love you, but you’d have none of that, oh high and mighty Miss Friskin.” He stood to his feet.
Trace intervened. “You are both distraught.” Kindness streamed from his words. “Rest easy. I am on the case now, and love always finds a way. Meanwhile, my true identity must remain our secret. Just the four of us. Everyone else still sees us as lovebirds.”
“You best brush up on your acting skills, mate. You don’t fool me,” said Nick.
“Let it go,” said Gen. “We do not have to prove anything to you or anyone else. Married couples grow intimate differently, and my husband is the gentlest supporter a woman could ask for.”
Nick laughed heartily until he bent over and groaned. “Is my sister being her cold frosty self?”
Trace refused to nibble on the bait and reached for her hand and squeezed. “Gen and I are doing fine, Nick. Like she said, don’t worry. I’m determined not to strike out with this gem. The third time is the lucky charm.”
“Nicely put,” agreed Gen. “Do you want another cup of coffee anyone?” Everyone raised their cup for refilling.
“Good and rich, sis. Just the way I like it.”
Andrea looked sheepish. “Maybe you can give me some cooking tips while we wait for these horrid men to ruin my life.”
“That is not going to happen. Not on our watch,” said Gen.
“You mean Trace’s watch, right little sister?”
“Stop nit-picking. No woman likes a nag.” She cast a firm look when she took his plate. “Come on, Andrea. We’ll chat while we wash up the dishes.” When she stopped to grab Trace’s plate she said, “Thanks for putting the water on to heat. You are so thoughtful.”
“My pleasure.” His expression played havoc with her senses and she felt the rush of heat racing up her neck. At least she couldn’t be labeled as frigid as long as these heated episodes continued to invade her staid composure.
The guards kept their distance allowing the small group of four a bit of privacy. When it came time for bed, Trace and Gen slipped away and escaped under the cover of their own wagon.
“What’s our next move? Will we just sit and wait for even more culprits to arrive?” asked Gen.
“We need to get Andrea out of here,” said Trace. “I kick myself for not making our move earlier to take her home.”
“That would have just brought the take-over earlier. Most of these hooligans have been with us for the entire trip. And you heard her; she’s still holding on to the dream of Terrance Laker so until this thing plays out, that girl is not ready to go home.”
“You’re probably right.” He ran his fingers through his hair and stared at the floor. Gen moved to his side and began to massage his neck. “You are all knotted up. I’d hoped you’d have learned some patience by now.”
“Yeah, well there’s a lot more needed in the intimacy department – Nick hit the nail on the head there.”
“That I am cold and frosty? Not my favorite description of myself,” said Gen with a nervous chuckle.
“I don’t believe it for a minute. When,
or if the time is right, I don’t reckon we’ll have any problem cozying up to one another.”
“Is that what you’re hoping for, Mr. Stapleton?” There was tease in her voice and he relaxed.
“Hope and reality are two different things.”
“Don’t stop there. Let’s get this conversation out in the open once and for all.”
“Your brother was right about Sarah, my first wife and first trainee. Things went bad in Cheyenne. Too many coming against us at the same time. There was a shootout in the street and she was gunned down. She should have stayed in the hotel like I told her, but no, she was stubborn like you.” He studied her face. “You are so eager to be in the battle. I’m afraid of losing you.”
“Is that all?”
“Isn’t that enough?”
“I did tell you that I can outshoot most men. And that adventure is pulsing in my blood like a runaway train. I did not join the agency to sit idly by in a hotel room while you risk your life to close cases.” His face displayed the hours of pain that one moment in history had caused him. She cupped his face in between her palms. “I don’t think Sarah would want you to live in fear and not be able to accomplish your job to the best of your ability. I certainly would want you to move on and fight the forces of evil.” She felt him relax under her fingers. “Did you love her?”
“No. I respected her but not love.”
“Do you think you could love me?”
“I very much fear you are too late in asking that question.” His words said yes but still the shadows lingered.
She grinned and leaned closer. “Do you suppose we need more practice kissing? Just to satisfy my brother’s doubts as to your inability to play the part of a love-struck man.”
“You don’t need to ask me twice, wife.”
Trace tilted his head and met her eager lips half way. The kiss was sweet, tantalizingly sweet, and he pulled her closer. She slid her arms around his neck and the two became lost in a moment - that stretched into quite a few. Eventually, he inched back and their eyes made contact, speaking volumes of secrets trapped within their hearts for too long. Gen silently admitted to falling madly in love with her husband. She tried to remind herself that he could just as quickly end their union like he had with wife number two. The thought disturbed her, but while still quivering from his kiss, she doubted it would be anytime soon.
An Agent for Genevieve Page 7