by Jo Noelle
Although Lake City was a three-day trip by wagon from Creede, there were homesteads strung all along that way. With tall mountains and swift rivers in the canyons, the homesteads wandered along the most passable route from here to there. A trickle of worry slipped down Eliza’s spine. This problem wasn’t just in Creede. She hadn’t made it to Bad Egg Baldwin’s home to check things out, but she was determined now to see if there was anything that would give a clue to the mystery.
She sat through the service, barely hearing the sermon. She hadn’t heard of homesteaders to the east or south having this problem. Maybe there were some. She’d have to talk to people after the meeting to see. And the question she wanted to ignore but couldn’t—when would trouble come to their place? The thought made her stomach lurch and the muscles in her back tighten. How would she keep her family safe until her parents returned? And maybe after that?
Eliza was drawn out of her worrying by hearing soft snickering down the row. When she turned toward it, she saw KC looking at her cousin. Kailin sat between her and KC with Rayna on her lap. The toddler was imitating everything Reverend Theodore did, which KC seemed to enjoy. If the reverend pounded his fist on the pulpit, Rayna pounded her dimpled fist in the air. Like she was his mirror, she leaned forward and scowled. She pointed back at him accusingly. She crossed her arms, and she shook her head with mock rage just as he did. When the reverend pointed to heaven, so did Rayna.
Eliza had to look away several times to keep from laughing aloud. She could honestly say that she’d never enjoyed a service more.
Each week, the congregation stayed seated while Reverend Theodore walked to the door followed by Mr. Anders. She didn’t know why the reverend treated Anders with deference. The man was rich but hardly pious.
This week, Benita jumped out of her seat at the front of the church. “Theodore. Wait for me,” she called.
“Sit down, Benita. I’ll make my processional alone.” His voice was low but harsh. The reverend didn’t even look at her as he spoke out of the side of his mouth.
“I’m your wife, and this is the only time we’re seen together, and I have a new dress. I’m going to walk with you.” Benita scrambled past the people still sitting while Theodore seemed to hurry his steps to leave her behind.
Mr. Anders shook the reverend’s hand before he left. Reverend Theodore stood at the door, chatting with the rest of the people leaving. Benita inserted herself into each conversation.
Without first greeting the Turley family, the reverend said, “Perhaps if you can’t control the child, she is not of an age to be part of a congregation.” He sniffed and raised his chin.
Benita just smiled hugely beside him.
Eliza wanted to punch the man, but she felt KC lean past her shoulder, closer to the man, and in a soft voice, said, “‘Forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.’ We’ll see you next week, Reverend.” He took Eliza’s fist and tucked it into the crook of his arm.
She could feel herself shaking. Maybe she’d been closer to hitting the man than she’d thought. As much as she liked the idea of being on KC’s arm, she didn’t want to take a step. It was one thing for him to know she had a limp and another thing for him to feel her waddle beside him.
He tugged her arm a little, and they began walking together. He chuckled. “I think my favorite might have been when Rayna pretended to read the Bible and slammed it shut.” She thought he might be trying to distract her. His eyebrows raised, and he laughed again.
Eliza liked the sound. She found herself smiling at the fresh memory, too.
Ellis walked up beside them when they reached the wagon and said, “KC, would you mind seeing the women home on the buckboard? I’d like to borrow your horse.”
Eliza noticed Ellis’s eyes flicking to his left. When she looked that way, she saw Dorothy Moore watching them carefully.
“I don’t mind at all. When will you be back to the homestead?” KC asked.
“An hour. Maybe two.”
Kailin handed Rayna to Eliza and climbed in the back. “You’ll miss Sunday dinner,” Eliza said.
“Save me some. I’ll eat later.” Ellis reached for Merlin’s reins.
KC pulled a braking-pole out of the rear wheels and set it in the bed. “Not likely,” he answered before Eliza could protest. “That’s the price. I get your portion. Take it or leave it.” He took Rayna from Eliza’s arms and handed her to Kailin. Then he assisted Eliza into the seat, seemingly without expecting an answer from Ellis and hopped up beside her. “Be good to my horse.”
“Where is he off to?” Kailin asked, pointing at Ellis as he led the horse away.
“He’s … well, he’s going to visit our neighbor,” Eliza answered.
“You mean he’s sparking Dorothy,” Kailin said.
“Sparking. Sparking,” Rayna chanted.
“Where did you hear that word?” Eliza asked Kailin. Did Eliza really want to have a conversation about courting while sitting next to KC? “Never mind. Don’t use it again.” Eliza hoped her parents moved their Uncle Morris’s family back soon. She wasn’t sure how to take over all their mother did.
The wagon rolled down the road to Rayna singing, “Sparking. Sparking. Sparking.”
Eliza was grateful when Kailin turned Rayna’s attention to counting her fingers, then her fingers and toes. Apparently, the girl’s shoes were now off. She’d deal with that when they got back to the ranch.
“Speaking of sparking,” KC said very closely to Eliza’s ear. Chills raced down her neck.
“We weren’t.”
“Well, yes, everyone in this wagon was except me, and I felt left out, so I thought it might be a good time to jump into the conversation.” He gazed steadily at her.
His words had started out with an edge of humor but were spoken in a hushed tone by the end of the sentence. Goose flesh broke out on her arms. His gray eyes, rimmed with midnight blue, seemed to darken the longer Eliza and KC gazed at one another silently.
“Tell me one of your dreams, Eliza.” He looked at her earnestly.
Her mind ran through several—to have a home and family, to be adored by her husband, to live a long and happy life. She smiled and chose another one. “I want to keep bees on my own homestead.”
“Bees? Why beekeeping?”
She hadn’t expected him to be interested. Lance had never even asked her what she wanted. “I love honey. Everything tastes a little better with a bit of it. I used to think my mother made wheat gruel for breakfast as a punishment, but one day, I drizzled a little honey on it, and just like that, it was better. Just a little in the mix when grinding sausage—.”
“Better?” KC supplied.
Eliza nodded. “I put a little on the fried potatoes while they’re cooking. You can’t taste it, but they’re better,” Eliza said, and KC repeated the last word with her. “And no one knows why,” she finished.
“Honey is your family secret for recipes.”
“Not my family’s. Just mine.” She felt compelled to look from his eyes to his mouth, his lips, full and—she found herself wishing for a few holes in the road that would jostle the buckboard just enough that their lips would touch accidently again.
He leaned noticeably away from her.
She looked down, exhaling a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. Where their legs had been rubbing alongside each other’s, there was space and cool air now. When she looked up at him, his eyes darted away from her.
Three times she had thought he might kiss her, and three times he hadn’t. Her heart shriveled a little. While it was true she did want to kiss him, it wasn’t just the kiss. She honestly was coming to admire him. She knew now that he must not feel the same way.
The rest of the ride continued in an uneasy silence except for the counting behind them—one-teen, two-teen, three-teen, fourteen.
He brought the horses to a stop in front of the Turleys’ home. “Do you think they’ll stay on once we get inside?” Eliza wondered what he was talking
about until he added, “The shoes?”
She shook her head.
He jumped from the seat. “Come on, Rayna. I’ll carry you in.”
The toddler squealed, and Eliza was sure she would have had the same response. But what had happened? She had thought he wanted to kiss her, and she felt the same.
Rayna threw her arms around KC’s neck as he took her into the house. She giggled and chanted, “Sparking. Sparking.”
Eliza followed behind them. “Oh, dear.”
5
KC Murray
A couple days later, KC finished his chores early. He’d started on some of them at three that morning, so he would have some free time that day. He needed to see what he could find out about the missing homesteader. If Bad Egg Baldwin had met with suspicious circumstances, KC might find out more about all the others by looking around the man’s old place.
He rode out just after noon, telling Ellis he had a few things he needed to do in Creede. He’d ridden east a while, then doubled back to go to the Baldwin homestead.
“You gonna follow me everywhere I go, MayBelle?” he asked as the donkey trotted along beside Merlin. He certainly hadn’t decided to take her along. She just showed up.
The donkey snorted and shook her head.
Looked like a no to him. “Good to know.”
It would take him less than an hour to travel the five miles. Plenty of time to question and chastise himself for getting involved with someone during an investigation. He’d almost made a tactical error in the wagon. KC knew needed to stop thinking about Eliza. He’d learned two valuable lessons when he became an agent—trust no one, and put no one else at risk.
He moved his horse off the road and took a trail through the forest the rest of the way. As he approached the shack, he saw three men.
“No braying.”
MayBelle’s lips parted in a grin.
His attention returned to the men. He knew two of them. They were the image of the Holmans he’d dropped off in Del Norte a few weeks ago. That was enough to throw heavy suspicion on Baldwin’s disappearance. The other man was heavyset and dressed very well. KC wished he could get a good look at the man, but he had his back to KC.
As KC surveyed the area around the shelter, he caught a flash of light in the forest across the way. After a second flash, he pinpointed its origin—Eliza was standing behind a bush with the spyglass, watching the men as he was. He admired her spunk until icy blood flooded his veins. She was taking a risk—too big of a risk. She’d written a letter and asked for help. She needed to stay out of the investigation now.
KC realized that he knew who she was, but she didn’t know that he was a Pinkerton. He’d have to tell her so she would back off.
He stayed focused on her as she lowered her glass and moved to a different spot, wearing her brother’s clothes as she’d been the first time they’d met. She was easy to track through the trees. KC glanced at the men to see if they noticed her movement. It didn’t appear that they so much as looked her way. If they did, he had no doubt two of those men would shoot now and ask questions later. Or more like, bury the evidence later.
The men walked to the small carriage, and the older man slipped into the seat and pulled away. The Holman boys retrieved their horses and left, too. KC sat where he was until even the dust from the men leaving no longer lingered in the air over the road. He watched as Eliza sneaked out of the forest and toward the shack. He had no idea if the place was empty or not, but he wasn’t going to let Eliza be alone when she found out. He left the trees when he was behind the three-walled horse shed.
When he came around the corner, the door to the shack was open, and Eliza wasn’t in sight. MayBelle looked ready to run ahead.
“Hold.”
MayBelle stopped and looked at him. KC pointed to the ground, and she stayed put.
Eliza had gone into the one-room building. Part of KC wanted to charge in there with her, but the other part wanted to guard the perimeter in case anyone came back. He positioned himself close enough to do both, if needed.
Moments later, Eliza came out and headed back to the woods, a paper in her hand. She had guts. She was efficient. And this was the last thing she should ever be doing.
He would have to talk with her—and keep a closer eye on her. Then he looked at the donkey—and keep an eye on her, too.
On Friday, Creede celebrated spring with a festival and dance. The whole Turley family had been up early that morning doing chores, then dressing in their finest. KC entered the house and nearly tripped over himself at the sight of Eliza in a blue-and-white gingham dress, putting jars into a basket. She was beautiful. He thought so each day, but today was overwhelming. Her hair, which was always pulled up when she worked, hung around her shoulders and down her back in dark auburn waves with the front pulled back and tied with a red ribbon.
They packed the jars of food and several quilts into the back of the wagon and set off for Creede. KC rode Merlin. It seemed that every family in Creede had turned out for the party as buggies and wagons lined the empty field south of the church. Two girls ran up to the wagon before it stopped.
“May Kailin come with us?” the tallest girl asked Eliza.
“Sure. Stay together.”
Kailin jumped from the wagon, and they all ran off. Rayna began to cry.
“You can stay with us, little one.” KC picked up the girl and swung her onto his back. She clung on like a circus monkey as he helped Eliza carry their basket and blankets. They were still a few yards before the clearing where they would be setting up when Eliza stopped, and he had to spin the basket to the side to keep from ramming it into her. As far as he could tell, there was no one in her way, but then he saw her staring toward a couple. They stopped walking, and the man smirked in her direction.
“Lance,” Eliza whispered, making the word sound distasteful.
From the beginning, KC had known she’d broken an engagement. Was that the man? The girl hanging on his arm was wearing a gown more suited to a ballroom than this country field. Eliza turned around and looked as if she was going to run.
“Let’s put our things down. Where would you like to sit?” he asked. The man’s attention seemed to be on them.
Her round eyes relaxed a bit, and she nodded her head the other way.
“All right, sweetheart. Anything you want.” He raised his voice enough that the man gave him a puzzled look in response. He was sure Eliza wore the same one.
Eliza took tiny steps and seemed stiff. He wondered what caused that response. Would she tell him if he asked? He’d think on that.
As soon as they set things down, Ellis arrived with the woman from the church meeting on his arm. “There’s a shooting contest. You gonna join?” he asked KC.
“Yes,” Eliza answered at the same time as KC did.
“My pa says I’m a hooligan, and there’s a twenty-dollar prize. I’m joining,” Eliza said.
“Me too,” KC answered.
“The foot races are first,” the woman with Ellis added.
“Dorothy Moore, this is KC Murray.” Eliza gestured to him. “He’s working on the farm until our parents return.”
Knowing that his time with Eliza had an ending date caused sadness. He wanted to spend more time with Eliza, and he wanted solve this case soon. They were completely opposed. Several times in the past few days, he’d considered taking her into his arms. Each day brought a stronger desire to do just that. He knew he couldn’t. He would savor today. “Pleased to meet you.” KC nodded toward Miss Moore.
“Will you join the footraces?” she asked the group.
Lance walked by and began laughing. “Maybe they’ll have a race for the lame.” The girl on his arm forced a laugh too.
Eliza’s jaw clenched. She had a competitive spirit. She probably used to enjoy racing before whatever happened to her.
“No, thank you. I have delightful company to keep,” KC answered Dorothy, then smiled at Eliza. He stepped to the side and stood in fr
ont of Lance when he tried to join the group. The man shifted to the side and so did KC, determined not to make the man feel welcome.
“Come along, Penny. Let’s go find hospitable company.” Lance stormed off.
Before long, Kailin and her friends came by the Turleys’ quilt. Kailin was flipping a silver half-dollar into the air. “First place in the girls’ foot race. Mr. Anders himself gave me the prize money.”
KC noted that Eliza stiffened at that.
Kailin locked elbows with her friend. “We’re going to do the egg toss next. Come with us, Eliza.”
“I’ll need a partner.” She glanced at KC.
“I accept.” He asked the third girl, “Could you mind Rayna for me?” She nodded.
When they lined up facing their partners, KC and Eliza were beside Ellis and Dorothy, but Lance and Penny squeezed in with Lance between Eliza and Dorothy.
Penny’s hands wrapped around KC’s arm as she pretended to stumble. “Oh, thank you for catching me. I thought I was going to fall.” Her hands stayed there, and KC wasn’t sure how to get out of her clutches.
“I’m Penny Crowther. My parents own the dry goods store. I haven’t met you before. Are you new to Creede?” she asked.
At first, KC thought something was in the girl’s eye and then realized she was either winking or batting her eyes at him. The men handing out the eggs stepped up to them, and KC was grateful to turn his attention elsewhere. The young woman removed her gloves, holding them in one hand. She also took an egg. Good. Her hands were full.
The contest started with alternating tosses and then alternating steps taken away from their partners, increasing the gap. During each successive round, partners were disqualified as their eggs broke. KC tossed. Eliza caught the egg, letting her hands fall back with the momentum of the thrown egg.
The couples took another step away from each other. KC noticed that whenever they were taking steps backward, Lance said something to Eliza that soured her expression.
Soon after Eliza and Lance both threw their eggs, Lance made a remark, and Eliza slapped him. That was enough for KC. His concentration narrowed to a pinpoint on Lance’s face. He hurled the egg at him, hitting him on the cheek. A yellow glob dripped off his chin onto his shirt. Before Lance could take a step, a second egg hit him in the chest.