An Agent for Evelynn

by Marie Higgins

  “Of course, he is. How could you doubt that your cousin would come?”

  She wiped her leaky eyes again and glanced toward the loft. Slowly, Graham was climbing down the ladder. She couldn’t wait to introduce her father to Graham. She knew Pa would love Graham as much as she did.

  GRAHAM DIDN’T KNOW which hurt worse – the way every muscle in his body screamed with pain as he forced himself to move, or the agony in his heart as it felt like it was breaking into tiny, shattered pieces. One question swam through his mind. Why hadn’t Evelynn trusted him enough to tell him about her father?

  He’d had a hard time giving his love to anyone since the deaths of his parents and grandparents, but it was because it hurt too much to have them torn from his life. But knowing that Evelynn had purposely withheld the truth from him was nearly as painful.

  How could she have kissed him so passionately, making his love for her grow, only to have her do this to him? Was there really two sides to this woman?

  “Graham,” she said, rushing to him as she assisted helping him down the last few steps of the ladder.

  When he met her gaze, there was so much emotion in her eyes. For a moment, his heart softened, but he quickly put up his defenses. She looked so lovely, even with her messy hair and dirt-smudged face.

  “Pa, I want you to meet the man who has been protecting me since I fell off the train.”

  Graham’s teeth were clenched as he turned toward the older man wearing clergyman clothes. Graham nodded and tried to smile, but it hurt his heart too much.

  “Pa, this is Pinkerton Agent, Graham Morgan. He’s a friend of Broderick’s.”

  The tall man walked toward Graham with a stern expression creased on his face. It appeared that the man wasn’t happy to see that Graham had helped protect his daughter. Apparently, the man was as fickle as his daughter was.

  The minister stopped in front of Graham and lifted his chin stubbornly. “You have been guarding my daughter all this time?”

  Graham bunched his fists, hating the condescending look the older man gave him. “Yes, sir.”

  “Pa,” Evelynn said quickly as she touched Graham’s arm, “when he saw me fall off the train, he jumped off to help me.”

  The older man’s glare seemed to narrow. “Is this true? You purposely jumped off the train?”

  “Yes, it’s true.” Graham held himself erect – well, as erect as his achy body would allow.

  “And you’ve been with her the whole time?” the older man added.

  “Of course.” Graham paused in thought. Should he mention how he’d sent her to town to get the sheriff? “Nearly every minute, sir.”

  “Pa,” the tone in Evelynn’s voice changed to one of irritation, “I know you well enough to assume what’s going through your head, and you can just stop being so negative and judgmental. Graham wasn’t by my side every minute of the day.” She took a step toward her father, folding her arms across her chest. “We have done nothing that we need to repent from.”

  Her words surprised Graham, but he held in a gasp. She was actually defending him?

  “Evie,” her father said, keeping the sternness in his voice, “you are an unwed woman and you’ve been with a man alone for a few days.”

  Inwardly, Graham groaned. The minister was correct. It was Graham’s duty to marry her to save her reputation. “Um, sir—”

  “There you go again,” Evelynn cut him off as she glared at her father. “Why do you always see the worst in me?” She shook her head. “Why did you even come looking for me, Pa? Was it because you were worried that something dreadful had happened to me? Or was it because you thought I had embarrassed you again?”

  The minister’s expression drooped to sadness when he stared at his daughter. “You don’t understand. It’s my duty to God—”

  “No, it’s God’s duty to judge us. Not yours. And I’m tired of being treated as the wicked daughter. It’s true I’ve done things in my life that I’m not proud of, but it was only to get your attention. However, now I realize that anytime you showed me a little attention, it was to condemn me.” She wiped away a tear sliding down her cheek. “I cannot do this any longer, Pa. Just go back to San Francisco and to your congregation, and let Broderick be my guardian – just as you had instructed him the other day.”

  “Now Evie, you must understand,” her father began, but Evelynn lifted a hand, stopping him.

  “It’s not me who needs to understand. It’s you. But I’m an adult now, and I shall continue to go with Broderick and Cecily to Denver. Perhaps I’ll find someplace to work there. After all, I’m not a bad seamstress.”

  The older man huffed and folded his arms. “And this is the thanks I get for coming to find you?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Pa. Just like washing your hands of me was the thanks you’d given me for being your daughter not more than a few days ago. I’m sorry, but you cannot tell me what to do anymore, and you cannot make me feel guilty.”

  The man scowled. “Perhaps I can’t, but propriety dictates that if an unwed woman is with a man alone—”

  “Pa, please... no more. I’m very aware what is proper and what is not. I’m not going to marry a man just because I was with him alone. I’ll marry a man when I’m in love and not a minute sooner. And believe me, there won’t be a wedding anytime in the near future until I’m ready.”

  Graham watched Evelynn closely. It was obvious how hurt she was by her father’s judgmental attitude, and from the conversation Graham had heard, he figured out why she had pretended her father was dead. Which was worse? Having a judgmental father who always saw the worst in their child, or to have no parents at all and go through life as an orphan?

  But as he studied Evelynn, he wondered if she had loved him at all. Perhaps the feelings he had for her really wasn’t love. Maybe he was just infatuated. And of course, he’d been lonely. After all, look at where he’d been living for so long.

  “Then I suppose this is goodbye.” The older man nodded sternly.

  “I suppose it is.”

  Sadness touched her expression, but she stayed firm in her stance as she stood tall with her chin lifted in stubbornness.

  The minister turned and walked toward the barn door, but before he could step outside, two other people rushed in. Broderick and Cecily stopped suddenly when they saw Evelynn.

  Agent Tanner’s gaze shifted between the minister and Evelynn. The man of the cloth walked up to Rick and patted his shoulder.

  “She’s all yours,” he said in a tight voice. “For good, this time.”

  Rick nodded, and the man left the barn without glancing back toward his daughter. Evelynn sighed heavily and covered her face with her hands. Silent sobs shook her body. Cecily hurried to Evelynn and wrapped her arms around her.

  “Oh, Evie. I’m so glad you’re all right.” Cecily looked at Graham and gave him a pitiful frown. “However, you, Agent Morgan, look like you might need some witch-hazel to place on those bruises.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Graham nodded.

  Rick motioned his arm toward Graham. “Let’s go see if Mrs. Oaks has any cream for your face.”

  After the two men were out of the barn, Rick looked at Graham again. This time, his expression hardened.

  “Is there anything I need to be worried about... between you and my cousin?”

  Frowning, Graham shook his head. “Rest assured, nothing happened.”

  Rick arched an eyebrow. “So, there’s no reason to have a shotgun wedding?”

  A light chuckle rose in Graham’s throat. “No reason at all. But your cousin isn’t ready to marry. She just told her father that. In fact, it sounds as if she wants to find employment in Denver.”

  “Uh... yes.” Rick scratched his chin. “Did she tell you about that?”

  “No, but I was there when she told her father.”

  Nodding slowly, Rick’s gaze narrowed. “And how do you feel about that?”

  Graham shrugged. “If that is what will make Evelyn
n happy, then I wish her all the best.”

  “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Weren’t you going to see Archie Gordon when we reach Denver?”

  “Yes, but I’m seriously thinking about leaving the agency and finding something else. It seems that I don’t have the enthusiasm to be an agent any longer.”

  “If that’s how you feel,” Rick said.

  Graham stared at the house ahead of him. Was that how he really felt? But then, knowing Evelynn wasn’t going to be part of his life, he didn’t care about feeling any longer. Parting from her would be difficult and painful, but it was something that must be done. Maybe next time he met a pretty lady, he wouldn’t let his heart get involved.

  “Tanner? Do me a favor.”

  “What?” Rick asked.

  “Take your wife and Evelynn to Denver tomorrow. I’m going to stay here and recover from my injuries another day or two. Tell Mr. Gordon I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “If you’re certain that’s what you want.”

  “It is.” Graham knew it wasn’t what he wanted, but he’d never get what he wanted, anyway. Never again.

  TWELVE

  Five whole days of being by himself was about to drive Graham insane. But it gave him time to think. And time for his heart to break that much more when he realized he was madly in love with Evelynn, but he’d never see her again.

  She’d made him laugh those days they were together, and even though she was the one who’d saved him, she’d made him feel like he was her hero. He loved how she was able to think so quickly, even though she’d been in a stressful situation. He admired her ability to make the outlaws feel compassion for her as she made them relax their defenses so that Graham could attack.

  To sum it up nicely... Graham and Evelynn worked very well together. They complimented each other.

  Perhaps he’d search for her in a few months in hopes that she would be interested in courting him. Because he knew right here and now, Evelynn Tanner was the only woman for him.

  Now he sat in the lobby of the Pinkerton Agency, waiting to speak with Archie Gordon. Graham had decided that if Gordon could offer him a town to work that had an interesting case, he’d stay in the agency. If not, he’d tell the agency good-riddance.

  A noise from up the hallway drew his attention to the woman with reddish-brown hair and a bright smile who walked out of a room, her calico dress swishing around her legs. Marianne Chapman, Archie Gordon’s secretary, was a sweet and gentle woman, but she didn’t take any guff from the agents.

  “Mr. Gordon will see you now, Agent Morgan.” Miss Chapman motioned to the door she’d just exited.

  Graham quickly removed his cowboy hat. “Thanks, ma’am.”

  He followed her until she stopped by the door, motioning her hand for him to enter. When Graham walked in, she closed the door behind him. Archie Gordon, a tall, thin man with red hair, sat behind a desk. Several files were scattered in front of him, but he kept them away from his coffee cup.

  “Agent Morgan.” Gordon nodded. “Agent Tanner told me of your capture by the Farrington Gang, and I’m happy to see you had gotten out of there in one piece.”

  Chuckling, Graham rubbed his still sore ribs. “Barely, and I definitely didn’t do it alone.”

  “Yes, Agent Tanner told me all about it. What a clever woman Miss Evelynn Tanner is, don’t you agree?”

  Graham’s chest tightened with pain as the ache in his heart grew. “Indeed. She’s extremely clever.”

  “Please sit, Agent Morgan.”

  Graham sat and rested his hat on his lap.

  “Agent Morgan, as much as I appreciate the work you’ve done in Monterey, California, I would like to give you another assignment. This one will be filled with...” He paused, twisting the ends of his mustache, “excitement and intrigue.”

  Curiosity had Graham leaning closer to the desk. “Tell me more.”

  “Allan Pinkerton has given me a task to pair the best agents with those in training. You, Agent Morgan, are on my list. I’d love nothing more than to pair you up with a new agent.”

  Graham arched an eyebrow. “You wish me to train a new agent?”

  “Indeed, but this will be a special agent, and a special assignment.”

  Graham nodded. It was sounding better and better. “Continue.”

  “Allan Pinkerton wants these new agents to be trained by the best. Pinkerton wants these agents to represent the agency and make him proud.”

  “That’s very understandable, Mr. Gordon.”

  “Are you up for the challenge? Because I assure you, the assignment will be far different than you’ve ever done before.”

  Usually, Graham was a patient man, but he wished Gordon would just come right out and say it. “Yes, Mr. Gordon. I assure you, I’m up for the challenge. I’ve been hoping for something different in my career.”

  Archie’s grin stretched wide. “Splendid.” He steepled his fingers on the desk. “These special agents are women.”

  Graham waited for the other man to laugh. This must be some kind of joke. “Women?”

  “Indeed. Allan Pinkerton has hired a few female agents, and he wants to hire more. Agent Tanner married one of the first female agents, and Pinkerton has been very pleased with the results.”

  “Uh, yes. I have met Mrs. Tanner. She seems like a very intelligent woman.”

  Gordon chuckled. “Although it sounds highly irregular and almost scandalous to pair a woman agent with one of our best men, it really makes sense. Women agents are needed desperately in the field. Nobody will suspect her of being an agent. These highly intelligent women will be able to talk to people better than our men agents have ever done before. Just imagine all of the things they can do as they sweet-talk the outlaws into releasing information.”

  Graham’s memory jumped back to Evelynn and the way she’d handled the Farrington Gang. “Oh, I’m quite certain they can do things like that, Mr. Gordon.”

  “However, there is one catch.” He tapped his fingers on the desk.

  “A catch?”

  “Yes. Um...” Mr. Gordon stretched his neck. “By chance, are you courting anyone, or do you plan on marrying in the next year.”

  What did that question have to do with anything? Graham shook his head. “Of course, not. Why?”

  “As the head training agent, you’ll be with this woman agent all day and night. Both of you will be unwed, and so... well, I’m sure you see where I’m going with this.” He shook his head. “It’s very scandalous, and we definitely don’t want to ruin the woman’s reputation.”

  Unease settled inside of him, making him uncomfortable. He shifted in his chair. “Yes, I see where you’re going with this. You expect me to marry the woman agent, don’t you?”

  Gordon nodded. “But it’ll be in name-only, and it will last as long as you are training her. Once the training is done, you can seek an annulment. I will be the one who will conduct the ceremony, so it’ll be done right here in the office.”

  His heart twisted. If and when he married, he wanted his wife to be Evelynn. He wouldn’t settle for any in-name-only type of marriages. But then, this assignment would help him prove not only to himself, but to Allan Pinkerton, what kind of detective Graham Morgan really was. Pinkerton believed in him enough to have him meet with Archie. So perhaps Graham should accept the assignment. Besides, it would give Evelynn a chance to realize that she loves him. At least he hoped.

  Graham straightened in his chair and nodded. “I’ll accept the new assignment, sir. When should I start?”

  “Splendid.” Archie rubbed his hands together. “There’s no need to wait. I have a female agent picked out just for you. She’s a very gifted woman who knows how to read people well and play off their emotions. You two are perfect together.”

  Graham groaned inwardly. He didn’t want to be perfect with anyone but Evelynn.

  Archie pushed away from his desk and stood. “She’s here right now. She
’s been in the dormitory just waiting for me to find her an agent. If you agree, I would like to get the two of you started today. I could perform the ceremony within the hour.”

  Flexing his hands, Graham hesitated as his mind scrambled to settle on his decision. Obviously, the best thing to do would be to get it over and done with. He prayed Evelynn would still be single when he was finished with this assignment and came looking for her. “I’m ready when you’re ready.”

  Archie moved to the door and opened it. He searched the hallway, and then motioned his hand. “Miss Chapman, we’re ready.”

  Graham’s mouth dried and the nervous beat of his heart made him wonder if he was doing the right thing. He’d promised himself that if he ever married, it would be someone he loved. If only Evelynn had returned his feelings. If only she’d been ready to share a life with him.

  Light footsteps clicked on the hardwood floor in the hallway. Graham turned away from the door and stared out of the window. Breathing slowly, he willed himself to be strong. He was only doing this to further his career.

  The rustle of a woman’s dress alerted him to the woman who stopped beside him. She smelled nice. Like flowers.

  He glanced briefly her way. She wore a light baby-blue gown. Her hair was wound up in a bun and a white veil, masking her eyes and nose was pinned to the woman’s hat sitting on her head. Her mouth was turned up into a smile.

  The image of Evelynn popped into his head, making his heart ache even worse. He couldn’t go through with this faux marriage. His heart told him to find Evelynn and propose first. Then, if she refused, he could take this assignment from Allan Pinkerton.

  Archie held the Bible as he stood in front of Graham and the woman, smiling widely.

  “We are gathered here today to unite this man and woman in holy matrimony...”

  “Stop.” Graham held up his hand and shook his head. “Forgive me, Mr. Gordon, but I can’t go through with this. My heart belongs to someone else, and I must find her first to see if she shares my feelings.”

  Mr. Gordon frowned. “I thought you were not courting.”

  “I’m not, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t met a woman and fallen in love.”