The Agent's Mail-Order Bride

by Heidi Vanlandingham

  Tate woke up to the smell of coffee and rolled over. Cat’s backside faced him as she leaned forward, one hand holding open the door of the pie safe. He smiled, hearing her soft grumbles about there being no food. He hated to admit it, but he was beginning to like waking up to a woman taking care of him. Sleeping in the same bed last night had been a bit tricky, but they’d managed. The bed was too small for both of them, but they discovered that by lying on their sides, as close together as possible, they fit. Not that he’d gotten much sleep with Cat’s soft, lush curves pressed against him.

  He stretched and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, only to open them to a cup of coffee almost under his nose. He breathed deep and let out a contented sigh as he took the steaming mug.

  “I could get used to this.” He took a sip of the scalding liquid, savoring the rich coffee bean.

  “Don’t,” Cat replied then turned back to the pie safe.

  He stared down into the black coffee.

  “How did you make it? This is so much better than Thad’s. I can’t make coffee for squat, so he’s the designated brewer. I never drank a cup that wasn’t swimming with grounds.”

  His gaze met hers from across the small room. Her radiant smile hit him like a punch to the gut. He couldn’t remember ever having such a visceral reaction to any grown woman before. Although the sensation in the pit of his stomach was similar, the plantation owner’s daughter had only been a child. He pressed his fist into his stomach, not liking the feeling at all.

  Settling down was not on his list of life goals. He’d seen too many men confined in their marriage. He liked saddling up his horse and taking off to see another part of the country without having to worry about whom he left behind or the drive to provide for a family.

  It was the reason he and Thad got along so well. Thad was of the same mind, since his fiancée was killed during the War Between the States. Tate had never seen a love like the one Thad and Annabella shared. There for a while, he didn’t think his friend would ever recover, but when Pinkerton caught up to them and offered them jobs, both of their lives turned around. They both owed their boss everything.

  Cat raised a stained cloth for him to see.

  “I strained the coffee through this. I don’t know how you men can drink the stuff when it’s filled with grounds. When I move my stuff over from the saloon, I’ll make it the way I’m used to. I would have this morning but couldn’t find any twine.”

  “Hmm. Never thought about it before. Can’t say as I enjoy it either, but in my world, coffee always had grounds in it. Depending on the guy making it, the coffee can be as weak as tea or as thick as molasses.”

  “Ewwww.”

  He chuckled as Cat’s face scrunched up. She seemed so young...and somehow familiar.

  “Exactly just how old are you?” he asked, quickly sobering at the thought she was possibly much younger than him.

  “I’m twenty-four. I will turn twenty-five on February 8th.”

  He nodded, gulping down the rest of the coffee and set the cup on the table.

  “Good. I was afraid you were a lot younger than I was.”

  “Why? Seems kind of silly to worry about something like that.”

  “Not really. I’m thirty years old with a bit of experience under my belt. You, on the other hand, are green. Without much experience, you have no idea what life can offer. If you were younger, it would be worse and I’d have to do a lot of teaching—and I’m a terrible teacher. No patience for it.”

  “Noted. I’m a fast learner and enjoyed school, so watching and figuring things out aren’t anything new for me. Just a warning, but I’m also stubborn. Not the stubborn-get-myself-into-trouble all the time but more of the I-believe-I’m-right-and-you’re-wrong then find out it was really the other way around.” She shrugged.

  “It’s a process, but I am working on getting better.”

  “Thanks for the warning.”

  Since they both slept in their clothes, all he had to do was pull on his boots, and he was ready for the day. Just as he fastened the gun belt around his hips, a loud knock sounded on the front door, and Thad walked in without waiting for a response. Tate opened his mouth to reprimand Thad for just barging in on them. Even though he would not be taking his husbandly liberties, it was the thought of Cat being forced into a compromising position that bothered him.

  Cat poured Thad a cup of coffee.

  “We have a problem,” Thad said and dropped into the chair.

  “We do?” From the corner of his eye, Tate noticed the coffee kettle begin to shake just before Cat set it back on the stovetop, but it was Thad’s rattled expression that bothered him more.

  “What terrible thing could possibly have happened overnight?”

  Thad scrubbed his face and took a long gulp of his coffee then cradled the cup between his hands.

  “Sutton’s thug pulled me from Cat’s room and forced me to the saloon for a ‘talk’. Luckily, that’s all it was because my gun and knife were on the small side table in the room. Sutton asked a few questions about who we are, why we’re in town, but it was the look in his eyes when I told him Cat had married that afternoon that bothered me. Enough so, I didn’t sleep much. Cat’s right. Sutton is ruthless and nothing is going to stand in his way when he wants something. We already know he wants money and power, but from his honey-coated tone when he mentioned your new wife, he wants her.”

  Tate frowned. “You think this will be a real problem?”

  “Yes. Deep down, I was afraid this would happen,” Cat whispered as she dropped into the empty chair beside him. She turned her head, tilting it back to see him better as he stood over her.

  “I’m sorry, Tate. I didn’t mean to add to your problems. I wasn’t exactly straightforward with you earlier about Big John. He is interested in me. But I am most definitely not interested in him. He’s repulsive.” She shivered.

  Tate dropped his hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed, feeling her body quivering, but he didn’t know if it was simply from an overload of emotions or fear. He’d bet his next meal that it was from fear.

  “We knew this was a possibility, actually, a big possibility. Don’t worry yourself over something that hasn’t happened yet. We’ll figure everything out when a problem confronts us; otherwise, no use crying over spilled milk.”

  “Thank you.” Cat gave him a relieved smile but couldn’t stop the slight tremble of her chin.

  “You too, Thad. Everyone in Alta knows Sutton’s interest in me, but I’ve always managed to put him off or evade him altogether. It was a lot easier when Rose Marie was there because he would keep to himself. Guess he didn’t like seeing her temper. And believe you, me, she has one.”

  “There’s something else,” Thad said. “Sutton wants to meet with us at noon.”

  Tate pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at the time before dropping it back into his vest pocket. “It’s almost noon now, so let’s keep the appointment. I think sitting down to a delicious meal is our next step.”

  He held out his hand to Cat, palm up. “Why don’t we all go pay Big John a visit? Nothing like getting things moving faster than walking into the snake’s own home.”

  “Well, you won’t be getting the delicious part at the saloon,” Thad added.

  Ignoring Thad, Cat’s gaze moved from Tate’s hand to his face. She stared at him, her green eyes dark and speculative.

  “You might just be a bit crazy, you know that?”

  She placed her cool palm in his, and he wrapped his fingers around her small hand and gave it a quick squeeze.

  “Like usually recognizes like, sweetheart.”

  She smiled and her eyes lightened to a soft heather green.

  “Oh, they most certainly do.”

  Chapter 7

  Cat walked beside her new husband, thankful her legs weren’t short; otherwise, she would fall further behind with each step. With Thad lagging behind them, he could occasionally give her a push forward. Thad had said he want
ed to walk slower, using the excuse that he had rushed over to their lodging, but she knew better. He held back to make sure no one snuck up on them from behind. She took a deep breath and tried to get her nerves to settle down. Her efforts were all for naught the moment Tate opened the saloon’s front door.

  He walked inside the dim interior, but she hesitated. She tightened her grip on Tate’s hand, when his forward motion pulled her arm taught, but still she couldn’t move. He stopped and turned back to her. She focused on his handsome face and some of her fear evaporated. She didn’t know why, but he made her feel safe. No one but her father had ever given her that feeling.

  She mentally said a prayer for the strength of mind to carry out this crazy plan and to endure it with fortitude. With a quick nod to Tate, she followed him inside, making sure to stay just behind him as he wove among the scattered tables then stopped in front of the table in the corner. Big John’s favorite table.

  “I hear you had a talk with my business partner last night,” Tate said in a low drawl.

  “You must be Tate,” Big John said, his loud voice gathering a bit of attention from around the room, but the men quickly dropped their heads back down to the cards in their hands.

  “I am.”

  Tate squeezed her hand again then, before she could react, pulled her around his body and tucked her underneath his arm. With her hand still gripped in his, the awkward position pinned her own arm over her chest. Uncertain whether to react or even speak, she decided to remain still and keep her mouth shut. Big John turned his dark gaze on her, and she fought to keep still. All she wanted to do was turn and leave.

  “Hello, Catriona. I just learned congratulations are in order?”

  She nodded, not trusting her voice enough to speak. She could see the anger smoldering deep in his dark, inset eyes, which narrowed the longer he stared at her.

  “If you had told me, I would have been better prepared, but as it is...well...” His thin shoulders shrugged. “I have a wonderful idea. I will throw a small soiree in your and your new husband’s honor. How about tomorrow night?”

  She cleared her throat, knowing it wouldn’t do any good to deny him. Big John always got what he wanted.

  “Thank you, Mr. Sutton.”

  “Why, I’m a nice guy, and I take care of those who work for me.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

  Turning to Tate and moved his thick cigar from one corner of his lips to the other. “Now, young man, did your partner tell you I wanted to meet with you at noon? We’ll have a delicious meal and a drink of my best liquor—on the house, of course.”

  “Of course,” Tate agreed.

  “Cat, sweetheart,” Tate hugged her closer. “Why don’t you go upstairs and visit with your friend, Ayana, while we talk. If you’re hungry, come back down in say—thirty minutes?” he offered with a quick glance at Big John who nodded in agreement.

  Cat felt the press of his lips on top of her head, which surprised her, but she didn’t let on and forced her gaze to remain on the table. She didn’t like being left out but didn’t argue. To prove they were a couple, she rose on the tips of her boots and kissed Tate’s cheek.

  “Thank you. I would like to visit a bit with her.”

  She kept any emotion off her face and walked up the stairs. However, the moment she stepped onto the landing, she bolted the remaining few steps across the hall and pounded on Ayana’s door.

  Her friend opened it with a startled expression as Cat pushed past her. She moved to the corner and shoved the small table away from the brass grate on the floor. Dropping to her knees, she gently pushed open the lever. Leaving the grate partially closed, it allowed her to hear enough of what the men said at the table below, but it wasn’t open enough for the two women to be seen.

  “What are you doing?” Ayana asked as she, too, kneeled beside Cat.

  “Big John called for a meeting with Tate and Thad. He actually pulled Thad from my room last night to question him.”

  Ayana’s eyes widened. “Oh, that’s not good. Means Big John suspects something. You three better be extra careful from here on out.”

  “Shh.” Cat leaned down, trying to listen to what the men were saying. At first, she couldn’t make out the words, with were muffled by the occasional holler from one of the other patrons, but she was finally able to focus on the conversation below when she heard Big John offer them a house.

  “...it’s a quaint place and should suit you and Cat just fine. Think of it as a wedding present from me and Rose Marie.”

  “Is Rose Marie your wife?” Tate asked.

  “Heavens no! I’d never marry a woman like her. She’s a sad excuse for a woman...a whiny one at that, but she does what I tell her to, so I keep her around. Now, Catriona, she’s a woman worth killing for. Don’t you think?”

  Cat’s breath caught in her throat. Ayana’s slender fingers wrapped around her arm, her fingernails digging through the coat sleeve. It wasn’t the first time Big John had talked this way about Rose Marie, but never before had he been so hateful.

  “Thad also mentioned you are looking to go into business in my small town? I have a few mining prospects. I could use a couple of dependable men to oversee them. Are you interested?”

  Cat held her breath, listening for Tate’s answer.

  “What’s the pay?”

  Big John gave Tate a look Cat was very familiar with. It was his self-satisfied look that told her the saloon-owner thought he’d gotten exactly what he wanted. Big John sat back against his chair with a loud squeak from the weight pressing against the back and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Well now, that depends on how well you do your job. There will be a few things you will have to do that may seem unpleasant but necessary, I assure you.”

  He leaned forward again, his forearms resting on the tabletop. He picked up a deck of cards and smiled.

  “You play?”

  “A little.”

  “Good,” Big John said. “How about a friendly game of poker?” He held up a deck of cards and the moment Tate nodded began to deal.

  Cat watched the usual byplay of laying one or two cards down and Big John dealing out the replacements. The clinking of coins hitting the copper bowl echoed in her ears as the cache grew while the game played out.

  As the men studied their hands, Thad laid his hand face down on the table.

  “Too rich for my blood.”

  Tate continued to stare at his hand and waited for Big John to make his move. Cat had seen her boss do this so many times—a routine she knew by heart. She counted to ten under her breath. Sure enough, Big John smiled and laid his cards on the table, face up.

  “Three of a kind.”

  Cat scowled as she stared at the three kings, a two of clubs and a five of diamonds.

  “Dang,” she whispered to Ayana. “Big John cheated. That’s his favorite winning hand.”

  “Of course he did. He always cheats.”

  Just as Big John moved to take the winnings from the bowl, Tate laid down his cards and Cat gasped. He held a straight: a seven of diamonds, eight of clubs, nine of diamonds, ten of spades, and on top lay the Jack of hearts. She grabbed Ayana’s hand in hers and squeezed, wanting to laugh and cry at the same time.

  Just as carefully as she had before, she closed the grate and sat back, smiling until her cheeks ached.

  “He won. Tate beat him.”

  Ayana stared back, her eyes wide and her mouth open.

  “How? Big John would never let someone win. Who is your Tate? What do you know about him?”

  “What do you mean?” Cat’s smile disappeared. “Why are you so worried all of a sudden?”

  Ayana wrapped her hands around Cat’s, which were lying in her lap.

  “Sweetie, I don’t want to see you hurt. Don’t get me wrong, I like Tate and Thad very much, but they both have a hardness about them... The same kind we’ve both seen in James Black. I would bet everything I own they all have pasts—and not the good ki
nd either. Maybe they’re not all bad, but they’ve skirted that line.”

  Cat thought a moment, knowing Ayana’s intuition was right. She had seen that same hard glimmer in Tate’s eyes but chose to ignore it. She would ignore it this time, too. Something about him pulled at her, tugging at her compassion, her heart.

  “I understand what you’re trying to tell me, and I promise to be careful.”

  Ayana’s eyes filled with worry.

  “You are going to continue with this marriage?”

  “I have to,” Cat said in a determined voice. “I don’t quite know how to explain it, but there’s something about him. I sense an inner battle deep inside—much like what’s inside me. I can help him heal from whatever it is tearing him in two. I just need to figure out how to break down his walls.”

  “I wish you luck,” Ayana said as Cat turned to the door. “Catriona?”

  Cat poked her head back inside.

  “Yes?”

  “Promise me you will be careful?”

  Cat smiled, pouring all the reassurance she could into the gesture.

  “I promise.”

  Shutting the door behind her, Cat made her way downstairs, her stomach growling the entire way. She walked through the maze of tables, stopping beside Tate and was surprised to see a strange man sitting between Tate and Big John. He was scruffy with several days’ worth of beard. He wore a long mustache that drooped almost to his chin. He had beady eyes and the extra pounds around his middle told her he made sure he ate regularly, and probably too much.

  He was dressed more like a cowboy with a faded leather vest that wouldn’t have buttoned closed, even if he sucked in his stomach. His flannel shirt was blue, and one cuff had a dark stain on the underside. Since he was seated, she could only imagine his pants and boots were as dirty and worn as the rest of him.

  Tate stood and grabbed a chair from a nearby table and placed it between his and Thad’s. With a loud squeak, Thad scooted his chair over to make room for her. Sitting with her hands in her lap, she impatiently waited for the promised meal.

  “Cat,” Tate said, pulling her attention away from her complaining stomach. “This is Don Welder. Don, my wife, Catriona.”