An Agent for Evelynn

by Marie Higgins

  Tears spiked Evelynn’s eyes and she nodded. “You are a Godsend,” she said as her voice broke.

  Graham didn’t exactly want to be away from Evelynn, but he really couldn’t be in the same room with her while she bathed, even if he was pretending to be her husband. But as he washed in the hip-tub, he was grateful for William and Martha and their kindness. William’s son’s clothes were a little baggy on him, but at least they were clean.

  Once dressed and looking presentable, he hurried into the living room in hopes of seeing Evelynn looking clean. But Martha was in the kitchen humming as she prepared supper, and from out the window, Graham noticed William gathering up the chickens as he led them to their coop.

  Graham stepped into the kitchen. Martha’s humming stopped when she looked at him and smiled. “I’m glad you can wear Tommy’s clothes. He’d be happy to know they were being put to use.”

  “Where is your son, may I ask?”

  She frowned. “He’s in Heaven.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry for your loss.”

  She shook her head and moved back to the stove. “He’d been sick for many years. At least he’s not sick any longer.”

  “Very true.”

  Martha glanced around. “Is your wife still bathing?”

  “I think so. I haven’t seen her.”

  “The poor dear.” Martha shook her head. “I’ve never seen anyone so worn-out in my life.”

  “Yes, Evelynn has been pulled through the wringer, that’s for certain.” He stepped closer and motioned toward the table. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Nothing at all. Why don’t you go sit on the couch and relax.”

  He chuckled. “Because I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you would. I can’t imagine how far you two have walked.”

  The front door opened as William came inside. Graham turned to the older man. “Do you need help getting your animals housed for the night?”

  “Not at all.” William closed the door. “I just finished. And,” he grinned, “I set up a place for you and your wife to sleep for the night. I hope you don’t mind that you’ll be in the barn?”

  Gratitude rested heavy in Graham’s heart. “I’m just very happy that you are so helpful.”

  “Well, it’s in the loft, so at least you’re out of the way of the animals.”

  “Thank you again, William.”

  “Tell me,” the older man clapped his hand on Graham’s shoulder, “where are you from?”

  “We were from San Francisco, heading to Denver, Colorado.”

  “Denver?” The older man’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “What business do you have there?”

  “I’m a Pinkerton Agent, and I was called back to the head office to receive another assignment.”

  The man’s eyes widened. “Pinkerton? Then you’re a man of the law.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Then maybe in the morning, you could head into town and talk to the owner of the bank. There’s a gang of outlaws who swing by the bank and take his money from time to time. Thankfully, they don’t take it all, but still... it’s enough to discourage people from leaving their money there.”

  Bank robbers? Graham’s hopes lifted. “Indeed. It sounds like just the job for a Pinkerton Agent.”

  “That’s great.” William smiled and rocked back on his heels. “You’ll be the town’s hero if you can catch them.”

  Graham chuckled. “Hero? Now that’s something to look forward to.”

  The door squeaked open from down the hallway, and Graham’s attention jumped to the woman exiting a room. Her damp hair was braided and hung down her back, but at least it was clean. And she was clean. However, the dress didn’t quite fit her, either. The garment hung on her almost as poorly as his clothes hung on his frame.

  Evelynn gave him a smile. She looked so weary. They both would drift off to sleep once their bellies were full.

  He moved to her and slipped his arm around her waist. She didn’t seem to mind.

  “I feel so much better,” she said with a sigh.

  “You look better, but...” He lightly brushed his fingers over her red cheeks. “The sun roasted your face. You’ll be hurting tomorrow.”

  “I’m already hurting.”

  “Not to worry,” William said as he stepped into the kitchen. “Martha has some cream that will soften the burn.”

  “Indeed, I do.” Martha reached up on a shelf and took down a small container. She handed it to Graham. “I’ll let you do the honors. Just be very gentle. The sun really burned her skin.”

  He faced Evelynn and grinned, waggling his eyebrows. “Do you trust me?”

  Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened, but no words exited. Instead, her gaze moved slowly over his face as she studied him. Perhaps she didn’t trust him after all. He couldn’t blame her. He’d put her in a situation where she had to play his wife. At some point, he waited for her to snap at him and bring out the truth.

  He prayed she knew how to hold her temper among strangers.

  SEVEN

  Evelynn wasn’t sure about Graham, but what other choice did she have, especially when Martha and William watched her closely. She smiled at Graham and nodded.

  “Of course, I trust you, Graham. Don’t be silly.”

  His eyes widened briefly, but then a grin stretched across his handsome face. He dipped two fingers in the cream and brought it to her cheeks. When the ointment first touched her face, it stung. She held her breath and fought the pain, knowing this cream would help. Her mother had something similar when she was younger. She remembered the scent – and the sting.

  She enjoyed watching the way Graham concentrated as he applied the cream. It surprised her how gentle he was, too. From time to time, his gaze met hers, and when that happened, the color of his eyes softened. Her heartbeat skipped crazily, and she silently cursed her emotions. She still blamed it on the heat, and of course, the fact that she was vulnerable and had relied on him since she’d fallen off the train.

  When he finished, he straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest, proudly. She could have laughed, but refrained. She didn’t need the other couple asking questions about her relationship with Graham right now.

  She breathed a sigh of relief. Her face didn’t feel as tight any longer. “Thank you.” She gently squeezed his hand.

  “Supper is ready,” Martha announced.

  Graham held out his elbow, trying to look like a true gentleman and escort her to the table. Who was she to argue? She hooked her arm around his and proceeded with him to the table.

  The meal consisted of fried chicken and potatoes, but Evelynn hadn’t tasted anything so delicious in her life. Martha and William talked about their children; two girls and Tommy. The two girls were married and lived in California. At least Evelynn knew they were in Nevada now, but she still had no idea where they were or how far away the train station was.

  After supper, she and Graham told the older couple goodnight and they walked together in silence out to the barn. She was so tired, she didn’t care that she was sharing a roof with animals. She figured she’d sleep through a tornado because of how tired she was.

  They had to climb a ladder to get to the loft, but then she noticed the makeshift bed that William had put together for them. One bed. One blanket. Two pillows.

  Inwardly, she groaned. Of course, the older man would make one bed since Graham told the couple they were married.

  They both stood at the foot of the bed, looking at it as if it was evil. Well, that’s how she felt, anyway.

  “Why did you tell them we were married?” she asked, finally getting the question off her mind.

  “It seemed like the logical thing to do. After all, it’s scandalous to be traveling together if we’re not married.”

  She glanced at him and shrugged. “As long as they don’t find out the truth, I don’t care if they think we’re married.” She sat on the edge of the bed and removed her heeled bo
ots, but left her stockings on. She’d have to lift up her dress to take those off, and she wasn’t about to do that.

  He sat beside her and removed his boots and his stockings. It wasn’t fair that men didn’t have to wear long stockings like women did.

  She crawled to the far side of the bed and pulled the blanket up to her chin, suddenly aware that she would be in the same bed with a man who was not her husband. Immediately, she thought of Robert and the brothel. Thankfully, she wasn’t going to do that, and with any luck, Graham wouldn’t be like Robert.

  Once Graham was in bed and covered with the blanket, they both stared up at the ceiling. From down below, she heard a horse snort, and a chicken flap its wings, but she willed herself to go to sleep. After all, wasn’t she so tired she could sleep through anything? And yet now, her mind was alert to anything, especially the subtle movements he made – and his breathing.

  Suddenly, he turned on the bed, facing her. She sucked in a quick breath and tightened her fingers on the blanket. She snapped her head toward him, wondering why he’d decided to lay on his side.

  “I forgot to tell you,” he said. “When William found out I was a Pinkerton Agent, he asked if I would go into town tomorrow and talk to the man who owns the bank. Apparently, they have had a few robberies lately. I thought I could ask questions and see what I could discover.”

  Her mind whirled with the idea. From what she could recall from their conversations, Graham hadn’t known about her goal to become a Pinkerton Agent herself. So, for now, she’d keep that a secret. “I want to come with you.”

  His gaze narrowed suspiciously on her. “Why?”

  “Because we’ll be going into town. Perhaps we can see about buying a horse while we’re there.”

  He nodded slowly. “Yes, but Evie, we don’t have any money.”

  “Actually, I have some money in my wrist purse.”

  His forehead creased. “You have a wrist purse? Where?”

  “I tied it to a sash and wrapped it around my waist inside my dress.”

  “That’s an odd place to keep it.”

  “Yes, but at least it won’t get stolen from me.”

  He nodded. “That’s using your head wisely.”

  She smiled. “Thanks for the compliment.”

  “All right, so we’ll get into town and find a horse to purchase. Then we can go to the bank. Let me deal with the manager since I’m the Pinkerton Agent.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course, I will. Do you really have to warn me about that?”

  “Actually,” he arched an eyebrow, “I’m still waiting for that little spitfire of a woman I first met to make her presence known. So yes, I’m going to question your actions.”

  “You’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I’m much too tired to bring that woman out tonight.”

  He chuckled. “Ah, I’m starting to see her now.”

  “Really, Graham. Just go to sleep.”

  He leaned closer to her and his gaze dropped to her mouth. A charming smile spread across his face.

  “I’ll sleep when you sleep.”

  He couldn’t possibly know she felt an attraction between them, could he? No, she must close her eyes and not even look at him. Then perhaps he’d leave her alone. If only she could tear away from his incredibly mesmerizing eyes that were slowly, but surely, putting her under a spell.

  The longer they stared at each other, the more her heartbeat quickened. His expression softened, and his body relaxed. But he hadn’t moved. He was too close with his chest pressed against her elbow.

  Close your eyes, Evelynn! And yet, she couldn’t. Improper thoughts ran through her head no matter how hard she tried to usher them out. Her throat dried, and she was tempted to lick her lips, but then, he’d only watch her. Look at what almost happened the last time she did that. In fact, they were about this close to each other at the creek, too.

  “Graham,” she whispered.

  “What?” he said in a deep voice.

  Why had she said his name? In fact, it almost sounded like a sigh. No, it wasn’t a sigh. She really wanted to say something to him, if only she could remember what had been on her mind a moment ago.

  “Please...” She couldn’t get any more words out for some reason.

  “Please, what?” He leaned closer as his gaze rested on her mouth.

  No! She couldn’t let him. But maybe just one kiss wouldn’t hurt.

  “Please...” She swallowed hard. “Go to sleep. I’m tired.”

  Finally, she was able to say what was on her mind. But then, after the words were out, she groaned silently. Was that what she really wanted?

  “Goodnight, Evie.”

  He rolled away from her until all she could see was his back. At least maybe she could get some sleep now.

  She hoped.

  WHY HADN’T HE TRIED harder to kiss me?

  Evelynn grumbled as she rode into town the next morning on William’s buckboard, sitting next to Graham. She and her so-called husband hadn’t said much to each other this morning, even during the wonderful breakfast Martha had made. And now that Evelynn and Graham were alone again, they’d gone back to playing the quiet game.

  Had it only been a few days ago when being quiet had been a nice break in the day? Now her thoughts wouldn’t leave her alone. She hadn’t slept well last night, and so far this morning, she could tell that Graham was irritable, too.

  So why hadn’t he tried to kiss her? True, she told him to go to sleep, but he still could have moved his hand to her face and traced his fingers along her jaw, and then up to her lips while he scooted closer to her. He could have said something sweet that would make her heart flip with excitement, and then lean closer and whisper kiss me...

  “What?” Graham asked.

  She jumped and snapped her gaze to him. “What, what?”

  “Did you just say something?”

  She sucked in a breath. Had she? Was she so involved with her daydream that she said something aloud? Oh, she prayed she hadn’t been that stupid.

  “No. I didn’t say anything.”

  “Oh.”

  “Why?” she said quickly. “What do you think I’d said?”

  The horses’ reins hung loosely in his gloved hands as he guided the animals toward town. He glanced at her and his gaze moved to her mouth. Then he shook his head and watched the road.

  “I was hearing things, I’m sure.”

  Oh, dear... She had said it aloud! What was wrong with her? She couldn’t blame it on the hot weather now, since this morning had a touch of coolness in the air. She rubbed her arms. Yes, the air was definitely chilly.

  “Are you cold?” he asked.

  “Just a little.”

  He shrugged out of the jacket William had let him borrow, and handed it to her. She really shouldn’t, but how could she turn down such a nice gesture? As she slid her arms inside the sleeves, his scent wafted around her. She could literally smell him. Or it could be the soap, and yet, the garment smelled good. Just like him.

  “When we get back to William and Martha’s home,” Graham said, keeping his gaze on the road ahead, “I’d like you to see if Martha has your dress.”

  “She told me she was going to wash it and sew the rip in the sleeve.”

  “That’s very nice of her to do that.”

  “I agree. However,” she plucked at the skirt of the dress, “until I’m able to get my dress back, I’ll be very uncomfortable in this one. I’m sure you’ve noticed how overly large it is on me.”

  Grinning, he nodded. “Yes, I noticed, which is why I asked that you get your dress from Martha.”

  She sighed and folded her hands back on her lap. “We’ll have to ask around to see if anyone knows where the nearest train station is located.”

  “I had already planned to do that.”

  They entered town, and she’d never been more relieved to see other people. She hoped someone here would know the train station’s location. No doubt, Rick and Cecily were worried about
her.

  She glanced up and down the street, searching for a sign that could tell them where they could purchase a horse. Although she wanted two, she really only had enough money for one.

  He stopped the rig and jumped down, then turned and held out his arms to assist her. She fidgeted with her hands, not really knowing where to place them, but then finally settled on his shoulders... his muscular shoulders.

  She shook the thought out of her head and hooked her hand around his elbow as they sashayed into the bank. Only three people waited in line; two middle-aged men and an older woman. It appeared that only two workers were inside behind the counter. They were both busy.

  Graham glanced at her and shrugged. “I suppose we have to wait.”

  “Hopefully, not too long.”

  As Graham stood in line, Evelynn slowly stepped toward the window and peered outside. Living in San Francisco had gotten her used to seeing many people and many shops in the middle of town. But this place was very barren, in her opinion.

  From the corner of her eye, three men on horseback rode up to the bank and jumped off their horses. The men were dressed in black and wore matching hats. Around their necks were red bandanas. As they headed toward the front door, they lifted the bandanas to cover the lower half of their faces.

  Her heart dropped, and her body froze in fear.

  The door swung open, and the three men with drawn pistols rushed inside. The last man coming in kicked the door close.

  “This is a stick-up,” yelled the larger man out of the three. “Don’t anyone move.”

  Panic rushed through her and she glanced at Graham’s stiff body. He didn’t have his pistol, so how could they get out of here without being robbed?

  More importantly, how could she and Graham take down these bandits? It didn’t matter that she wasn’t a Pinkerton Agent. She needed to start thinking like one now.

  No better time like the present...

  EIGHT

  Graham bunched his hands into fists. His first reaction was to grab for his pistol, but then he realized he didn’t have it. He grumbled under his breath. Since he’d never been in this situation before, he wasn’t sure what to do. For now, he must keep his eyes on the bandits. And protect Evelynn.