Secrets and Trust (Mail-Order Brides 3)

by Annie Boone

  Chapter Five

  After much talk and good food, Annabelle and Judd arrived back at the big house. Mateo came to the stable as they turned their horses over to the stable boy. “Judd, when I was in town today Larry Whitehead over at Cheyenne Telegraph called me over, gave me this message for you,” and Mateo handed him a telegraph. Judd ripped it open, “Marshall Gunther delayed, stop, has broken a leg, stop, Marshall Bostwick coming, stop, two-week delay, stop.

  “That’s settled then,” Judd exclaimed angrily, “I'm getting Matthew out of harm's way. We can’t wait on the Marshall. Tomorrow we all go to town, and Matthew will be on the first stagecoach out of here, even if I have to tie him to the top.”

  Just then Matthew came strolling out of the barn, from the smell of him he had been sampling quite a bit of whiskey. “Who are you planning on tying up, big brother? I assure you it won't be me. After all, the last plan you had for me didn't go so well, did it?” He pointed at Annabelle, “Does she know you're a murderer? Does she know how you try to control everyone around you? Ah, I see she does. Well, as soon I kill Hofner, or he kills me, I'll be moving on. You won’t have to worry about me anymore,” Matt said in a harsh tone.

  Annabelle was amazed at how similar the two brothers looked. Even with his face contorted in anger Matthew had the same gray eyes, high brow, and curly black hair. They were even the same height, around six feet tall. Maybe I can help she thought.

  “I realize we don't know each other,” she began, her throat suddenly parched, “but I am going to be part of this family, too. You see, I've never had a brother before, and I don't want to lose you before we even get to know each other. Please reconsider the duel,” she walked up to Matt and took his hand, “my parents have blamed me for years for the accident that took my sister's life. They couldn't forgive me. What Judd did was wrong, and he has suffered greatly.”

  Matthew snatched his hand away, as though she were a rattlesnake, “Suffered, you say, he has no idea of the torment I've endured. Seeing Elizabeth fall to her death repeats in my dreams every night, and I hear the scream before she hit the ground. I can still see her twisted body laying on the ground in front of me. So no, little Annabelle,” he shook his head, “he hasn't suffered. Perhaps if I were to throw you from a cliff he would understand my pain.”

  Judd threw a wild punch that caught Matt in the nose, “Don’t you ever speak to her that way again, Matt. She is an innocent in this, and she’s only trying to help you. She’s trying to help you – a man she doesn’t even know.” Then his younger brother punched him in the stomach. As Judd aimed for his brother's nose again, strong arms pulled him back. Mateo signaled the stable boys, and suddenly Judd and Matthew were soaked with ice cold well water. “If you boys are gonna fight like dogs, I think you should be treated like dogs,” Mateo explained to them. “You dishonor yourselves when you do this. Painful things have happened, si, I understand, but it is time to move on. Matt, you are wasting your life hating your brother,” Mateo sighed. “Maybe it would be better if Judd bought your share of the ranch. Being here is surely no good for you.”

  Matthew was still angry, but now he was freezing as well, “You side with him over me,” he shouted at Mateo, as he stumbled up the path. “I don't need any of you. Consider yourselves dead to me.”

  Annabelle began, “Judd, I am so sorry,” when he cut her off. “Mateo, it’s decided, he'll be on that stagecoach tomorrow. I won't let my brother throw his life away. Choose the men you want and make sure you're there by noon.”

  “I will do as you ask Judd, but you are gonna lose your brother for good if you do this. Are you ready for that?” Mateo stated flatly, his bushy eyebrows arched up over his kind, dark eyes.

  “Please Judd, reconsider, this will strip Matt of what pride he has left. He will hate you forever if you deny him this duel. I think he sees it as a way to redeem himself. First Elizabeth dies in front of him; he is helpless to save her, and then the man he loves like a father disappears. Matthew was the one that caught Samuel Hofner rustling cattle. I know Matt feels responsible for Red Deer's death.” Annabelle grabbed Judd's face, “There has to be another way,” she said firmly.

  Judd caught her small hands around the wrists as he slowly pulled them down, “It will be done my way because it is the only way to ensure Matt doesn't get hurt. No more discussion Annabelle.” With that he stalked off to the big house. Annabelle felt like he had slapped her in the face. He wouldn't even discuss this horrible situation with her, he just dismissed her. After pouring her heart out to him in the meadow, she felt doubly betrayed. “Lord, give me strength,” she prayed. “There are so many hurting souls here. Help me give wise counsel to the man I am falling in love with. And help me not to wring his neck. Amen.”

  ***

  Across the dusty plains into Cheyenne sat Samuel Hofner, buddying up to the owner of The Big K Ranch. Out of all the people, he had complained to about the MacIntyre Brothers, this gent was the only one who was actually interested in his stories.

  “So then I punched that Matthew kid right in the face. Ain't nobody gonna accuse me of being no thief,” Samuel Hofner blustered. Simon Jones thought to himself, No one accuses you because all they have to do is look at that ugly mug you got to know you're crooked. He wouldn't dare say it out loud. Not because he was scared of Hofner, though. The truth was he planned to use the man in his own scheme, and there was no sense in antagonizing him, not yet anyway. Simon straightened the cuffs of his black waistcoat and checked the time on his Waltham pocket watch. He and the watch were both from Massachusetts, a much more sophisticated place than this town, in his opinion. As soon as he made his fortune, he was going back home to Boston. To do that, he needed this sorry nincompoop’s help. After hearing the same story three times, he decided Hofner needed to sober up.

  “Listen up Samuel, it’s time to make some plans and for that I need you to be alert. There could be a great deal of money in this for you but only if you do exactly what I tell you,” Jones enunciated. “Let’s head over to Ma's Kitchen, we'll have pancakes and coffee, and then we can talk business,” Simon said, as he hoisted the much larger man to his feet.

  Chapter Six

  Abuela was teaching Annabelle more about cooking. She had stated in her advert that she was an adequate cook. It turned out that "adequate" meant that she could keep people from starving if it became necessary for her to serve them a meal. Abuela was of the opinion that Judd and the others might prefer to starve even in a dire situation. Training and learning were in order here.

  “This is how I see it,” she explained, waving her spatula in the air for emphasis, “every woman, and man,” poking the spatula at Mateo, “should learn how to cook.”

  “Even if you never have to do it, it’s nice to know you can if you want to.”

  “Don't give me that look, Mrs. Connie,” Mateo said, as he pilfered through the pantry. “Gloria took the kids to visit with their cousins at her sister's house yesterday. I’m just looking for a snack until dinner, you see.”

  The old woman laughed as she leaned over Annabelle, “He proves my point for me. That cornbread looks delicious, just a few more of these peppers,” she tossed in a handful, “and now we see if the stove is hot enough.”

  “Do not worry my Hermoso Nina, those aren't hot peppers, just red bell peppers for a little color and flavor. I will save my habanero's for a day when you feel adventurous.”

  Annabelle giggled, “What did you call me just then, Abuela, it sounded so pretty. I would like to learn your language if you feel up to teaching me.”

  “I called you my beautiful girl, and I would love to teach you. Staying busy keeps my mind off Red Deer. I have begun to worry that he will never be found. We were married for thirty years. I know his soul is in heaven, but I would like to bury his body close to me so I can visit him,” she explained, while putting the cornbread in the oven. “I am just a silly old woman, I guess,” Consuela sighed. “I also wanted to give his p
ocket watch to Matthew. He always loved that old thing. It was one of his most treasured possessions.”

  “But you aren't silly at all,” Annabelle said vehemently. “After my sister died I would go to her grave and talk to her for hours. It always made me feel better. Oh, and on our birthday every year I placed a bouquet of white daisies on her grave. Daisies were her favorites.”

  “Judd took some of the vaqueros out riding in the North Pasture, Mrs. Connie. ”Mateo said, “Maybe today they will find your husband. And when they do, that dog, Samuel Hofner, will answer for it.”

  ***

  Annabelle dreaded the day still to come. Her bedroom was so cozy, with the heavy blue quilt snuggled up to her chin. Yet she knew today was important in more ways than one. Judd had returned last night with good news of a sort. For the first time since Red Deer went missing, a piece of his clothing was found. It was only a scrap of his brown jacket, but Judd knew his men were looking in the right place now.

  And on the other side of important issues, Annabelle figured if Judd went through with his plan to have his brother bundled up and stowed on a stagecoach they would never be reconciled. Maybe Judd doesn't think there is hope anyway, and this is the only way he knows to keep Matthew safe. She tried to reason his plan in her mind, and she was having difficulty seeing it from his point of view. Just then, she heard pounding on the front door.

  “Abuela,” Judd shouted, “is Matthew in there? He's not at the big house.”

  “No, no. He’s not here.” Consuela cried, as she opened the door. “Where could he have gone, Judd? Are you sure Samuel Hofner has not taken him?”

  Right, then they heard Mateo calling out from the barn. They hurried outside to find out what he had found. “His horse is gone, Judd, but there's no sign of a struggle.”

  “Thank God,” the little woman shouted, before turning to Judd, “Where did he go? Why would he leave? I don't understand.”

  “This is my fault,” he confessed, running his hands through his hair until it stuck out all over his head.

  “Matt overheard me talking about sending him away on the stagecoach. My best guess is that he's holed up in a hotel in Cheyenne until the duel tomorrow. I have to find him.”

  “We are coming with you,” Annabelle announced from the door of her room, “together me and Abuela can check the restaurants while you and your men check the hotels. Please, we want to help,” she added softly.

  Judd scowled, “Fine, but this is against my better judgment. The wagon leaves in ten minutes. Be ready to go.” And with that he was off, running across the yard to the stable.

  ***

  Annabelle had never seen such a crowded city before. “Where did all these people come from?” she asked Judd, as they stopped on the boardwalk.

  “There is a rodeo here this weekend,” he explained. “People come from a hundred miles around to watch the events. This is gonna make Matthew a sight more difficult to find. And more dangerous too. I want you ladies to stay together, you hear? We meet back here in two hours. If we ain't found him by then, well, um, just be careful,” he sighed, as he walked away.

  The air was cool and the wind whistled down the streets. It wouldn't be this cold in Atlanta for a few more months. Annabelle was glad she wore her thick green wool dress. Taking Abuela's hand, they entered Sally's Place. Weaving through the throng of people, she spied the man who had served her and Judd the first time she was in Cheyenne. “Excuse me, sir, I see you're busy, but have you seen Matthew MacIntyre today?”

  “No ma'am,” he replied distractedly, “but I've been so busy my own sweet Mother could've come in and I don't think I'd have noticed.” And then he was gone.

  “What if we cannot find him,” Abuela said, after two more restaurants and a general store were of no greater help.

  Annabelle wrapped her arms around the tiny woman. She was so small Annabelle felt like a giant at her own five foot three inches. “There, there, Abuela. Something good will come of this. I just know it. God will make a way where we don't see one. We must keep trusting and believing.”

  “I know you are right, my Annabelle. I’m just so worried. Where do we go next?” she offered, sounding relieved.

  “Let's cross the road here,” Annabelle began, as they moved with the flow of people across the crowded street. Annabelle was holding Abuela's hand but had to let go to step around a hole when she felt someone tugging on her arm, looking up and up she saw the large nose and hairy mustache of Samuel Hofner.

  “If you scream I will kill your old Abuela,” he promised, showing her the knife at his belt. Annabelle stayed quiet as he carried her further and further away until she could no longer hear her name being shouted by the woman so precious to her.

  “Why are you doing this,” she finally hissed. “The MacIntyre’s are good men, why are you so cruel. How could you kill Red Deer,” she stopped talking, realizing she was on the verge of hysteria. I must be strong, she thought. There are so many things I have left unsaid with my parent. So much of life that I want to explore. I still have a wedding to plan, she realized. She couldn’t help it, but she laughed out loud.

  Hofner jerked her arm, as he pulled her down one alley after another. “You won't be laughing when I kill them MacIntyre boys tomorrow,” he growled. “If that stupid Injun hadn't found my hiding spot for the rebranded cows I took, he'd still be alive. It was his own fault I had to shoot him. I offered him money to keep his mouth shut, but he wouldn't take it. Here we are, home sweet home.”

  Annabelle felt completely disoriented, and she had no idea where she was. The ramshackle building in front of her was unfamiliar. It looked like an old boarding house.

  “This place belongs to my new employer, Simon Jones,” Hofner bragged. “After I kill them MacIntyre’s he's gonna buy up the Circle M. Since them boys ain't got no family to speak of, the land will go back to the Wyoming Territory. Jones will get the whole kit and caboodle for a song. When he sells it to one of his rich friends he's gonna pay me for all my hard work. Won’t that be nice?”

  Annabelle couldn't believe the stupidity of this man. “How do you know they didn't will the property to Consuela Rodrigo,” she asked, “or Mateo Valasquez, for that matter, in case they died without heirs?” I am not going to let that happen, she vowed to herself.

  “Mr. Jones said not to worry about that, no court around here would let Mexicans and Injun lovers keep all that land. I think he’s right. But I decided to grab you all on my own. I wasn't certain Judd hadn't married a pretty little thing like you yet. This way I can kill you nice and quick if it turns out he did or put ya on a stagecoach back to Atlanta if ya ain't married yet,” he concluded, sitting Annabelle on a hard-backed chair. “I'm gonna tie ya to the chair now. Buck up, lady, if I find out tomorrow you ain't married I promise to let ya go.”

  Annabelle felt so confused. “Why let me live, I don't understand.”

  “Why, that's simple as pie,” he laughed, “I ain't never killed a woman before. Seems underhanded somehow. I will if I need to, but not if I don't have to. Off I go for some sleep. Need to be well rested now, don’t I?”

  “Wait,” Annabelle cried out, “where did you put Red Deer's body? If you don't kill me, I'd like to tell Mrs. Rodrigo one day.”

  “He’s in the north pasture under the dogwood tree. The ground was easier to dig there,” he said simply, blowing out the one candle in the small, dirty room.

  Chapter Seven

  “What do you mean, Abuela? How can she be missing? I left you together, right in front of Sally's Place!” Judd exclaimed. Worry was sinking deep into his heart. This had to be a mistake; surely, Annabelle would walk up any moment. He didn't see how anyone could hurt her, she was too precious, too kind, too outspoken. Then he groaned aloud. The outspoken part could get her killed.

  “This is how I know she was abducted Judd,” she held up a piece of green fabric. “Annabelle never called out when we got separated, even though I called her name,
and then I found a trail of this cloth. It is from the green dress she wore. She left us a way to find her. Such a smart Nina. Thinking all the time even in a crisis.”

  Judd sent Mateo's nephew back to the ranch for more hands to help them look. He tried to send a certain stubborn old lady back as well, but she flatly refused. They compromised by her agreeing to wait in Sally's.

  His distant neighbor Simon Jones was in town and offered to look when he heard Judd yelling at the crowd for help. About ten men volunteered and Judd quickly showed them the green cloth as he explained what to look for.