CantrellsBride

by Suzanne Ferrell

  * * * * *

  Restless wranglers from the two ranches filled the saloon with noise and smoke. Nigel drew little attention to himself as he sat sipping his whiskey and watching all the activity between the saloon girls and ranch hands. Deciding his prey hadn’t gone to Pine Bluff, he doubled back to Doverton. The woman’s trail had grown cold. His patience with the hunt had worn thin.

  His back to the wall, he listened to the conversation in the room behind his table where two saloon girls were taking a break from entertaining their customers. He liked sitting this close to the back room. It provided him with information without risking his identity.

  “I tell you it ain’t safe out here anymore, Diamond,” one of the girls was saying. “Did you hear about that girl over in the Silver Nugget in Pine Bluff? Had her throat cut, she did. It frightens me to think that there’s some man out there who’d do something like that.”

  “Lola, calm down,” the other girl answered. “You know most of those cowboys out there tonight. Just stick to the ones you know real well. Bobby’ll take care of any rowdier ones. He always takes care of us, don’t he?”

  “I know he does,” replied the soft-voiced Lola. “It’s just that I been thinkin’ about quittin’ the business anyway and headin’ back East. You know Miz Laura made me realize that I could be somethin’ else if I tried hard enough.”

  “Yeah, honey, and I could be the queen of England.” Diamond’s deep-throated laughter floated out from the back room.

  “No, I really mean it. She’s been reading the stories she’s had me make up to learn writin’ and she says I have a real gift for tellin’ stories. She said I could write some and she’d send them to the people who print her books.”

  Nigel straightened in his chair

  “Well, I don’t see her around town much lately helping you with this big writing career of yours.”

  “I know, but that young Jones boy, you know the one with all the red hair? Well, he said she and her husband were out of town right now. I think it’s real strange that they’d leave so close to the time that baby’s due, don’t you?”

  “Not really, honey. When my ma was birthin’ we never knew what she’d do. It seemed that when her time was close, she’d beat us on a daily basis.”

  “When she gets back I’m gonna see if she really meant what she said. I really don’t want my throat slit like that poor girl.”

  “Come on, Madam Shakespeare. We best get back out in the saloon, or Bobby’ll be the one cutting our throats.”

  Nigel watched the two buxom ladies pass by his table, trying to decide which one was the would-be writer Lola. She’d know if this Laura was the woman that he’d been seeking. If so, then his search was at an end and Lola wouldn’t have to worry about her writing career. He’d make sure she quit the business.

  The older-looking woman walked directly to a group of boisterous men sitting at a table, laughing at what one of them whispered in her ear as he reached around and pulled her close. The second woman glanced around nervously until she saw an old man she apparently knew. Adjusting her small costume, she sauntered over to lean on the old man’s shoulder. Nigel appreciated the roll of her hips as she moved. A young cowhand he’d had drinks with the last time he’d been in town approached the pair.

  Nigel straightened from the table and slowly moved toward the bar where the trio stood. He moved just close enough without seeming to notice them and allowing the younger man to recognize him first.

  “Hey there, Edward,” greeted the cowhand, using the alias Nigel had adopted while in the West. “When did you get back in town?”

  “A few days ago, Rusty.” Nigel shook the other man’s hand, keeping his gaze on the wrangler and not drifting over the young lady beside him.

  “Well, hell, stay and have a beer with me and my friends, Zeke and Lola.”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  For the first time, he allowed himself to take in the other two members of Rusty’s group. The weathered old man nodded his greeting, while Lola looked a little nervous. He decided to have only one drink with them before retiring for the night. He could almost smell his prey in the area. He’d take his time with this lead and gain little Lola’s confidence a bit at a time. When she least expected it, he’d strike like the serpent hypnotizing its victim before the kill.

  “You sound like one of them there Engleeshmen.” Zeke shot a stream of tobacco juice into the brass spittoon at the foot of the bar.

  “I’m originally from that country, sir. Now I’m living out here in the wilderness as many of your original settlers did.”

  “Do you like our Wild West?” Lola gave him a tentative smile.

  “I find it has some very beautiful vistas.”

  “My, you do talk fancy, don’t you?”

  Nigel spent an hour conversing with the trio before excusing himself to retire. He considered it a long enough exposure to the young woman. Soon, very soon, he’d have the information he needed.

  * * * * *

  “Nathan, it’s damn cold out here.” Micah’s deep voice boomed outside the cabin door.

  “About time you got back,” Nathan said as he opened the door.

  Micah shook the layer of snow off his shoulders and stomped his feet before striding past Nathan. He deposited three burlap sacks on the table with a thud. “It took a couple of days to get everything done.”

  “You must be half froze to death,” Laura said, tucking William in the bed then coming to greet him. “But we’re glad you’re back safe and sound. Did you see Rachel?”

  “She’s right as rain, ma’am. Seems to like playing with Sarah’s young’uns,” he said, then awkwardly accepted the hug Laura gave him.

  “If you’re done handling my wife, you want to tell me what you found out?” Nathan stepped between them and possessively pulled Laura up against him, fighting the sudden urge to punch his oldest friend.

  “You get all this put away while I see to my animals, then I’ll sit down and tell you all I learned. By the way, Miz Laura, Sarah sent you some things in that third bag there.” Micah headed back out into the whirling snow.

  “What things did Micah need to get done in town?” Laura asked as she pulled the contents from the smallest bag—a dark green calico dress and a soft, creamy white nightgown. She held up the gown and grinned at Nathan.

  “Great, leave it to Sarah to send the one thing I finally got rid of.” He busily unloaded the supplies from one of the sacks. “I sent Micah to find out if there were any strangers in town. I’ve had Frank and Tom watching for months now.”

  “Why have you had them watching for strangers for months?”

  The deadly calm in her voice crept over Nathan. Warily he glanced at her. “Because I’ve known for some time that someone’s been trying to find you.” He held his breath in anticipation of her answer.

  “How long?”

  “Since you received that letter from your friend in Washington.”

  Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. “You read my letter.”

  The hurt and anger on her face sent shame coursing through him. He set down the sack he held. “Yes, darlin’, I did.”

  “Don’t you darlin’ me, Nathan Cantrell. How dare you read my private mail.”

  “You were so upset by it, I was afraid you’d make yourself and the baby sick. I thought if I knew what caused you such pain, then maybe I could help find a way to protect you from it.”

  “I don’t believe you. You actually read my mail then took it upon yourself to solve my problems without telling me about it? Were you ever going to tell me?” Her eyes had that dangerous liquid fire in them again.

  His own anger peaked. “You wouldn’t confide in me what was worrying you, so I had to protect you any way I could.”

  “Don’t you go blaming me for your subterfuge. You had no right to read my private mail.” She took a step backward.

  He reached out and grabbed hold of both her arms, halting her retreat. “Yo
u needed someone to look out for you, and since I’m your husband, that responsibility fell to me.”

  They stood with their anger a palpable line between them.

  Liquid green fire met his gaze, her pride keeping her stiff in his grip.

  After a few minutes, Nathan felt the tension in her arms begin to relax. She lowered her gaze from his. He pulled her closer to him. When her head finally lay on his chest, she let out a low sigh.

  “I’m not used to having anyone watching out for me. I’m used to taking care of my problems myself and I was afraid you’d send me away. This is the first place I’ve felt at home in since the death of my parents. I guess I was afraid of losing it.”

  “I know, darlin’. That’s why I wanted to keep you safe until you thought you could trust me.” Leaning back, he looked down at her. “You aren’t mad about the letter anymore, are you?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “But it was for a good reason…”

  “I know it was. I just don’t want you to think you can read my mail any time you want.”

  “You win. From now on I’ll wait for you to give me the letters before I read them, but you have to promise to let me know when there’s a killer stalking my family, okay?”

  Smiling, she stood on her toes and kissed him hard on the mouth. “Okay.”

  The door creaked behind them.

  “Is it safe to come in now?” Micah drawled as he entered the cabin for the second time.

  Nathan released his wife with a gentle pat to her behind, then turned to his friend. “Glad to see you found the supplies out at the farm. Did everything else go well?”

  Micah nodded. “If you dig into that second bag you’ll find some of your canned goods and apple butter, Miz Laura.”

  “Please just call me Laura, Micah. I’m glad you brought the supplies with you. Frankly I’m getting tired of stew.”

  “Sarah also sent some of her blackberry jam. She thought old Nathan here might need some sweetening up by now.” He slapped his friend on the back. “If you’ve got some coffee made, I’ll pour me a cup.”

  “You just sit by the fire and I’ll get you not only some coffee, but some stew and biscuits too.” Laura moved around the room while the men sat at the fire.

  Reaching into his pocket, Micah pulled out two envelopes and handed them to Nathan. “I picked these up from Frank for you. He’s had his eye open for anyone new moving through town. There was a strange man in town about the time Laura ran up this mountain, but he’s been through several times since then and never once asked about her.”

  “Did Frank say if he looked like an English gentleman?” Nathan opened the first missive. It was from his brother.

  “Frank seemed to think he had an English accent, but he was dressed more like a buffalo hunter than a gentleman. Tom’s seen him talking to Lola from the Golden Slipper a time or two. Said she seemed to know him.”

  “Nathan, Nigel wasn’t dressed as a gentleman the last time I saw him.” Laura sat at the table with them. “Remember, I said he was dressed like Micah and had grown his hair out.”

  “That’s right. This man, did you get a look at him?”

  Laura watched Nathan fold the letter he’d been reading and place it in his pocket. She’d have to remember to ask him about it later.

  “No,” Micah answered Nathan’s question between bites. “I didn’t get a chance to. Besides I thought it best if as few people as possible knew I was in town this trip. Laura, I’m sure glad you’re feeling better. I thought I’d have to endure Nathan’s cooking when I got here.”

  “Thank you, Micah. It’s nice to be appreciated.” She shot her husband a haughty look. “Some people think I’m so weak that it could take me months to recover from having a baby.”

  “Speaking of babies, where is that little fella?”

  “He’s sleeping right now.” She couldn’t help beaming at him. “You wouldn’t believe how much he’s changed just since you last saw him.”

  Micah grinned at her as he finished his meal.

  “Laura, Micah brought this for you.” The gravity in Nathan’s voice drew her attention. He handed her a letter. “You’ll let me know if there’s anything I should know, won’t you?” he asked as she opened it.

  Dear Laura,

  I’m so pleased to hear you’re doing well there. And you’re going to have a baby! That’s such wonderful news. Please be extra careful now. If you haven’t told your husband about our friend, please do so.

  Henderson, Adam, Joey and I are doing some investigating from this side. We’ve discovered that whatever our friend was involved in, the British embassy has no official knowledge about it. I’ve taken your old position at Goldberg’s library. He’s such a sweet man—but I digress. There’s been a gentleman visiting who appears of Eastern decent. He’s also visited the embassy, where Henderson is now a coachman, and inquired after our friend. We’ve put the boys on his trail and he works for an import-export company.

  Before you lecture me on taking on this investigation, please know we are being very careful to keep our actions hidden. We all want to make sure you are safe, but also Officer Howard, who was looking into your disappearance and the senator’s death, has vanished. Henderson believes he may have met his own demise.

  I urge you again to tell your husband about everything so he can protect you. Things are not what they seem and until Nigel is found you’re not safe.

  Please be careful and let me know when the baby has arrived.

  All our love,

  Claudia

  “What is she thinking?” Laura whispered as she finished the letter.

  “What’s the matter, darlin’?” Nathan asked, worry creasing the corners of his eyes.

  “She’s putting herself in danger, as well as Henderson and the boys. Here, read for yourself.” She handed him the letter, biting her bottom lip nervously.

  Nathan quickly read the letter, then handed it over to Micah and drew Laura up against his chest. Frightened tears spilled over her cheeks. When Micah finished, his gaze met theirs across the table.

  “What does your friend think she’s doing?” Micah sounded like Nathan when he thought she was acting foolishly. “Doesn’t she have a brain in her head? An experienced investigator is missing, presumed dead, and your friend thinks she and her companions can get involved without coming into some danger?”

  “I agree with you, it is a very dangerous situation.” She gave him a gentle smile but felt she had to defend Claudia, at least a little. “You don’t even know Claudia and yet you sound like Nathan when he’s decided I’m not using my common sense. My friend is one of the most intelligent and cautious women I know. She also has three loyal people helping her, all of whom are extremely cautious in their actions.”

  “They may all be the epitome of caution and cleverness, my dear wife,” Nathan said, “but they don’t know what they’re up against. Didn’t you just come to the same conclusion that they’re acting foolishly?”

  She hated to agree with him, but he was right. “I know, and the worst part is I can’t help them at all.”

  “Once we’ve caught Blackwood, we’ll see what we can do to help your friends.” Nathan let go of her and pulled out the letter he’d placed in his pocket. “In fact, I’ve already set Neil on the task of investigating Blackwood’s activities back East too.”

  “What do you mean?” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and focused on the words in the letter. Despite her concern for her friend, the last thing she’d want was for Neil or his family to be in jeopardy because of this mess.

  “I asked him to check into the senator’s murder after I read Claudia’s first letter. He’s hired a Pinkerton man to look into Senator Anderson’s activities too. Now that we knew who to look for, Micah posted another letter asking him to make discreet inquiries at the British embassy after Blackwood.” He took her hand in his. “Beth sends her love and congratulations on our baby,” he added softly.

  “You told the
m about the baby?” She couldn’t hold back her surprise. During all her months of worrying about Blackwood and the baby, she hadn’t realized her husband had wanted this child as much as she had.

  “Darlin’, I wrote them the day after we found out you were expecting.”

  She stared into his face and read all the love he held there for her. Did she have the courage to claim it?

  He drew her back to him, bent his head and kissed her gently. She melted into his strong embrace.

  “Pardon me,” interjected Micah, “but I believe we have a killer to stop. That is if you can keep your hands off your wife for a few minutes.”

  “Shut up, Micah,” muttered Nathan, then kissed her again. Finally he released her enough to turn his attention back across the table. “Have Frank or Tom seen anyone else they don’t know hanging around town?”

  Micah shook his head. “My guess is this is our man. From what Laura’s told us, he’s devious and from this letter,” he held up the letter he’d been holding since reading it, “her friend’s information suggests he might be involved in something of a sinister nature back in Washington. I’d say he’s willing to do anything to protect that. So changing his appearance and visiting frequently are not necessarily beyond his abilities.”

  “That’s the way I see it too,” Nathan agreed. “We’ll send you back into town in a few days to scout out the saloon and see if you can identify him and where he’s holed up. My guess is he’s found a hiding place close to town. Did Burnside agree to help us?”

  Laura watched the exchange between the two men, a feeling of security settling on her. Their confidence and calm decision-making filled her with hope.

  Micah finished his coffee. “He said he’d have a place ready for them when you’re ready.”

  “Good.” Nathan went to the fire and retrieved the coffeepot, filling both their cups again. “While you’re in town, I’ll take Laura and the baby to Burnside’s.”

  “Why am I going to Mr. Burnside’s ranch?”

  “Because I need to know you’re safe.” Nathan sat down beside her again and drank from his cup.