Morgan came in and set her boots on the floor. He’d cleaned his too.
“I figured it out. I know where we go next.” Rilla rushed to him, placing her hands on his chest. “We need to go to Colorado Springs. There’s a place nearby called the Garden of the Gods. One of the rock formations is called The Three Graces. See, God’s Graces.”
Morgan’s arms came loosely around her waist. “You sure?”
Rilla realized how intimate their position was and stepped back. His hands dropped, releasing her. She was glad for that, wasn’t she?
“When I was about twelve, we performed in Colorado City. The name has been changed since then. We went west of town to see the rock formations. I remember one called The Three Graces. It looks a bit like three ladies lined up in a row. I’m sure that’s where we should go.” She went to the map and pointed. “See?”
“I think you’re right. We can head there tomorrow. Jack will be ready to go with his new shoe. I may check the other horses too. No need for them to lose a shoe on the trail when they could be worked on today.”
“We wouldn’t have to worry about their shoes if we took the train. There’s one that goes from Stones Creek to Colorado Springs.” Rilla batted her eyelashes at him, hoping he’d take the hint.
“We talked about horses and trains in Denver. We’re not sure where the trail will take us. We’ve gone to several places that don’t have rail service. We need the horses, so we ride them.” Morgan’s tone was final.
Rilla twisted her mouth into a pout, but didn’t say anything else. If she was going to be a Pinkerton agent, she needed to be tough enough to handle the job. Riding horses and sleeping on the ground was certainly tough.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THEY LEFT STONES Creek early the next morning after having breakfast at the café once more. The ground had dried so it was easy going for the horses. Rilla started out as herself but changed into Riley before they reached Castle Rock. Riding astride was easier, though she would rather be a woman in town.
They could see Castle Rock from a long distance. It rose above the rest of the landscape, a large long butte on top of a hill in the middle of the plains. Rilla had never seen a castle in Europe but could imagine that one would be a formidable fortress if the butte was one.
They ate supper in a small town, but moved on through the evening gloom to camp several miles further along, much to Rilla’s dismay. Every time she heard the whistle of a train in the distance, her shoulders slumped more as they rode along.
Morgan was getting more cautious as they neared the end of the list of clues. Rilla knew he was worried about getting the gold back to Denver without falling prey to robbery.
Rilla was beginning to feel like a liability. She knew how to shoot, but wasn’t very experienced. She wouldn’t be able to win a fight with a man. Maybe if she had a sword she’d have a chance, since she was proficient in fencing. She’d learned as a child when the other actors practiced and taught her and the other children. Unfortunately, she was lacking any type of sword.
Curled up in her blankets, wishing there was a roof over her head rather than the sky, Rilla wondered how much help she’d be if the gold was in bars. She knew gold was heavy. If Owens had stolen gold bars, it would make it much harder for her to help move them. Especially, if there were very many.
“Morgan?” She looked across the fire to where he lay. Rilla had made it clear at the beginning of their journey that, though she’d share a bed by necessity when they were in hotels, when they were camping out he would sleep on the other side of the fire. Now she missed him next to her. There was no way she would admit to that feeling though.
“Yes?”
“Do you know if the gold is in bars, or nuggets, or coins?”
“I believe it is in coins. That’s what the report says. There may be a few bars though. I don’t think it mentioned nuggets or dust. Why?”
“Coins would be easier to move. Bars would be heavy for me to help much with.”
“Coins would be easier, but we’ll deal with whatever we find.”
~~~~~
“If those are women, I’d take the real kind over them,” Morgan quipped as they stood looking at the tall rock formations named The Three Graces. They’d risen early, with Rilla grumbling under her breath, and had broken camp, getting started on the trail. They’d made good time and arrived at the Garden of the Gods near mid-day. The area was teaming with unusual sandstone formations. Morgan could see why the surveyors who first recorded the area named it as they did.
Rilla laughed. “When you are twelve, they are beautiful women in flowing gowns. Now, what’s the next clue?”
“In the midst of all this natural wonder and you want to get back to business.” Morgan pulled the folded list from his pocket.
“We can come back and enjoy the wonders another time.”
Morgan glanced at Rilla, wondering at her reference to the future. She was looking off in the distance, seemingly not aware of her words. It gave him hope she was considering staying with him once they found the gold.
“It says ‘House 45’. That’s all.”
“What does that mean?” Rilla turned and focused on him. “Did Owens ever live here?”
“I don’t think so. Colorado Springs isn’t that old. The town was Colorado City until a few years ago and very small.”
“Do we know where he lived in 1845?”
“I believe he grew up in New York state. He’d been a child at the time. I don’t think that’s what the 45 refers to.” Morgan folded the paper and slipped it back into his pocket.
“In previous clues the numbers were compass degrees and mileage. We need to check the map,” Rilla said and headed toward where their horses were waiting.
They spread the map out on a flat rock. “There’s nothing at a 45-degree direction that indicates a house,” Rilla said.
“Ha! Pueblo. The Spanish word for house. It looks to be about 45 miles south from here. What do you think?” Morgan looked at Rilla. She was smiling with excitement lighting her eyes. His heart turned over. He wasn’t sure what he would do if she wanted an annulment. Of course he’d give it to her, but he wouldn’t like it and didn’t know how he would go on.
“I think you’re right. Let’s go. I’m pretty sure there will be a hotel or boarding house in Pueblo.” Rilla led Biddy to a rock which she used to mount.
Morgan laughed as he mounted Condor. “We won’t make it there tonight.”
“I know, but we will by tomorrow night.”
~~~~~
They did make it to Pueblo the following day, but they were soaking wet when they arrived. A storm had come up quickly, catching them out in the open. Jack had panicked and broken his lead. It had taken them off the trail in order to retrieve him. Rather than get to Pueblo in the early afternoon, they were both a sodden mess, tired, and irritable by the time they rode into town.
Morgan insisted that Rilla stay in the hotel and get into dry clothing while he tended the horses. He hadn’t reacted well to her suggestion that she go to the livery with him so the work would be done more quickly.
“Stubborn man. Here I am dressed as Riley and he won’t let me help with the horses, and he doesn’t think that will be noticed,” Rilla mumbled as she carried their saddlebags into the hotel. Morgan was leading the horses to the livery.
“Yer Pa treatin’ ya like a baby, son?” Rilla looked up to see the hotel clerk grinning at her.
She cleared her throat to lower her voice. “Yeah, he thinks a little rain is going to kill me. It’ll kill him faster than me. He’s old.”
The clerk laughed. “I know what’ll bring ya both back into good spirits. Ya go get yerself changed and come back here. I’ll direct ya ta the best place ta get ya some grub. When yer pa gets here, ya can go ahead and get yer order in. By the time he’s with ya, it’ll be ready.”
Rilla thought that was a good idea. She was chilled to the bone. Dry clothes and a hot meal sounded almost as good as a hot bath wo
uld. Since there was no chance of that, she’d settle for second best.
In the room, Rilla peeled off her shirt and pants. She draped them over the metal footboard of the bed. Her corset cover and corset were damp, but she couldn’t go out without the corset. The corset cover hung next to her shirt. She’d just buttoned a dry shirt and was tucking it into her trousers when the door opened and Morgan stepped in.
“I hear you’ve been chatting with the clerk. You need to be careful that you don’t let him figure out you’re a girl. That would be spread around to everyone in town and then fly like wildfire all over the area.” He dropped the carpetbags and began removing his wet garments.
“I made sure he didn’t think I was a girl. He did most of the talking. I just listened and nodded.”
“That’s good. We can’t bring attention to ourselves. We’re getting close to the end of the list. If men start following us now, we’re in trouble.” By now Morgan was taking his undershirt off, revealing a muscled chest with a scattering of blond hair.
Rilla’s throat tightened. She swallowed, hoping her words would come out normally. “I know all that. You don’t need to scold me for nothing.” She was irritated at him for his criticism that she felt was undeserved. She was also trying not to stare at his chest, which she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off. “The clerk told me to come back so he could tell me where we can get a good meal. I’ll just do that, and leave you alone to get changed.” She stalked to the door, but didn’t lift the latch when Morgan said, “Rilla…”
“It’s Riley, and don’t you forget it, Pa.” She opened the door and slammed it as she went through.
~~~~~
Morgan wiped his hands down his face. He’d handled that poorly. The stress of the day was affecting him. The sudden rainstorm, having to find Jack, them both being wet to the skin, his worry that Rilla would take ill from it. As they got closer to the end of the clues, Morgan’s worry for Rilla mounted. There would be no way he’d be able to keep her safe if it was found out that she was a woman posing as a boy. That alone would label her a loose woman and fair game. If news of the gold, if they found it, got out neither of them would be safe.
The case had seemed an easy one when he’d heard about it. Follow the clues, find the gold, take it back to Denver. As their journey progressed, he’d realized the difficulties they faced and the possible danger. His feelings for Rilla magnified each. Until today, he’d been able to keep his worry from her. It had come out in irritability and criticism toward her. She didn’t deserve either.
All the time they’d been together Rilla had deferred to him, learning and following his suggestions with no complaints. Sure, she grumbled to herself, but she wasn’t trying to make him hear. He’d come to realize it was her way of letting off steam. It was kind of cute really.
Now, he’d let his stress vent at her and she’d done just what he didn’t want her to do, go and spend time talking with the hotel clerk. It was his own fault. He’d unfairly railed at her.
Morgan picked up the shirt he’d tossed in a soggy heap on the floor. Seeing her garments laid across the footboard, he draped his over the headboard. At least it might be dry by morning. He picked up his duster, that he had shucked to the floor, and hung it beside hers on a hook on the wall.
He hurried to put on dry clothes and pulled the door open intent on getting to her as soon as he could, but stopped short. Rilla was leaning against the far wall, arms crossed over her chest with the sullen look of an irked teenage boy. The sight made him grin. There was no way anyone would think of her as anything but what she wanted them to think.
Just to keep up the charade, Morgan grumbled, “Come on, boy. Let’s go get some grub.” He wanted to break into a wide smile, but was able to keep the scowl on his face.
He could hear grumbling behind him as he strode down the hall. That made it all the more difficult to keep to the character he was wanting to portray. Rilla certainly was.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“WHAT IS THAT smell?” Rilla scrunched her face at the odor. It smelled like rotten eggs.
“There must be hot springs around here.” Morgan looked around, searching for the telltale steam rising from the hot waters.
“Hot springs? Where?” Rilla’s tone had turned from disgust to interest. She began searching the area too.
“I’d say, over there somewhere. We can skirt further that way and avoid the smell.” Morgan pointed in the opposite direction than the steam. “We’ll still be headed to Beaver Creek.”
After they’d eaten, the evening before, both of them had been in a better mood. Rilla had still been cold, but a hot bowl of stew in her belly warmed her from the inside. Morgan’s apology for his terseness had helped too.
The next clue, ‘Good Fur Stream,’ had been easy to figure out. West of Pueblo was Beaver Creek. They’d figured the following clue out also. ‘King Chasm’ was the Royal Gorge that was just outside Cañon City. The total distance between Pueblo and the Royal Gorge was only about 40 miles. Depending on the terrain, they might be able to get to Cañon City in one day.
Rilla kicked Biddy’s flank and turned in the direction of the hot springs. Even snuggling next to Morgan during the night hadn’t warmed her totally. Some time in hot water would accomplish that, and she wasn’t going to miss the opportunity even if it took them another day to get to their destination.
Morgan’s call was ignored as she rode. It wasn’t long before she found the source of the smell. Rilla didn’t care. Water was bubbling out of a crack in the rocks, steam trailing as the creek moved to a pool also fed by another creek.
Rilla dismounted and tied Biddy next to the second stream. Its water was cold and clear and the horse quickly put her muzzle in to drink her fill. Rilla took her boots off, then stuffed her socks inside. She hiked up her trousers and dipped a toe into the pool.
“Ohhh, I’ve found heaven.” The temperature was perfect. The combination of the hot spring and the cold creek resulted in water she couldn’t wait to immerse herself in. It wasn’t long before she was down to her chemise and drawers, carefully stepping into the pool.
“Rilla!” Morgan’s call had her turning in the neck deep warmth in the direction of his voice. “What are you doing?” He was standing, his hands on his hips, glaring at her.
Rilla smiled, not caring that he was angry. She was finally warm after their drenching yesterday. “I’m enjoying myself. The water is wonderful. I plan to stay here until even my little toes are warm.
“You can join me if you want. The water is wonderful.”
“I think not.” Morgan studied her, then tilted his head. A sly grin appeared on his face. He sat on a rock and watched her as she paddled around in the pool.
When Rilla was totally warm, she knew her respite was over. They did need to get to Beaver Creek and then on to Cañon City. At least she wouldn’t need to pay for a bath when they got there.
Turning toward Morgan, she found him looking at her with his chin resting in his hand, elbows on his knees.
“I’m ready to get out now.”
“Go ahead.”
“You need to go away.”
“I think not. I don’t want to leave you to the dangers of the wild animals who might be around.” Morgan’s eyebrow raised.
“There aren’t any wild animals nearby. The horses wouldn’t be so calm if there were.”
“They might be down wind. The horses couldn’t smell them then. Come on out. We need to get going.” Now he was grinning.
There was no way she could get out of the water with him sitting there, looking right at her. Not only would her chemise and drawers cling to her skin, but they would be transparent. When she’d disrobed, Rilla had taken care to roll her corset and tuck it under her shirt so he wouldn’t be able to see it.
Rilla wasn’t sure how to proceed. She wasn’t sure how far Morgan would take his teasing of her. There were dry undergarments in her saddlebag. All she needed was for him to bring it near and go somewhere
he wouldn’t be able to see her. Then she could get out and dress.
“Come on, Riley.” Morgan stressed the name they used when she was dressed as a boy.
He was baiting her. Well, she’d just take the bait and see what he’d do. Would he watch her reveal herself to him, or would he allow her to keep her modesty and turn away before he compromised her? It was a test of his character. Rilla decided to see if he passed it.
She began walking to the shore, her eyes fastened on his. His widened as she approached. Just as her breasts would be revealed, Morgan stood and turned away. He went to Biddy and pulled the saddlebag off, tossing it behind him. He grabbed Condor’s and Jack’s reins and continued walking away and around a large boulder.
Rilla smiled. Her belief in him was confirmed. Morgan was a man of character. She’d known that from the beginning of their journey. Not once had he done anything that could be considered untoward. Yes, they tended to snuggle when they shared a bed. They never spoke of it, simply accepted it as innocent accidents as they slept.
Within a few minutes, Rilla was dressed and mounted on Biddy. One last look at the wonderful pool, and she rode around the rocks to find Morgan and continue on their way.
~~~~~
Morgan let out a long breath. He’d only intended to tease her a little longer before he took the horses and came to where he was now standing. Rilla had certainly turned the tables on him. Now, he was trying to erase the image of creamy shoulders rising from the water. The straps of her chemise were there but her skin was visible through the fabric.
Morgan swallowed the lump in his throat at the memory of the vision she’d presented him. Venus rising from the waves wouldn’t be any more beautiful. Or alluring.
For a few moments, he’d been frozen, gazing at her loveliness. Two more steps and he would have seen… Morgan cleared his throat and ran his hand down his face. No need to make it more difficult for himself. He needed to get the image out of his mind. Needed to focus on something, anything else.
An Agent for Rilla (The Pinkerton Matchmaker Book 32) Page 9