Lois's Risk

by Kimberly Grist

  Daniel took off his hat and met her gaze. “Today’s the big day, right?”

  “What? Oh yes, I should have a house full of little girls soon.” Her cheeks flamed.

  “Well, we’d best leave. We have to get over to the sheriff’s office for a meeting.” Scotty nodded. “Good Luck with your party.”

  “Let me wrap some cookies for you to take.” Lois wiped her hands over her apron. “It will only take a moment.”

  Her boots tapped on the wooden floor as she hurried ahead to wrap oatmeal cookies and gingerbread in brown paper. As she reached for string to tie the packages, she thought of the letter she’d prayed about, pondered and reworked, then finally asked Leo to deliver to Daniel. He had not responded. Or was his lack of response her answer? She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She was not sorry she’d sent it. Lord, please help me not to make things worse.

  Backs turned, the three men huddled together and spoke in low voices. Scotty put his hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Thanks for helping us coordinate things. Knowing you are here takes a huge weight off my shoulders.”

  Lois forced a smile and followed the men onto the boardwalk. Her hand shook as she handed each a parcel. “Thank you again for your help.”

  Daniel's mouth lifted slightly. “Glad to do it.” His eyebrows lifted in surprise as a faint aroma of molasses and warm spices emitted from the package. “I thought I smelled gingerbread.”

  Lois nodded, “I know it’s your favorite.”

  “That it is.” Daniel flashed a smile that reached his eyes.

  Scotty cleared his throat. “We’d best be going, Leo. We’ll send word with an update as soon as things are confirmed. Thanks for the treats, Lois.”

  Daniel tipped his hat and joined Scotty as they headed toward the sheriff’s office.

  “Leo, please tell me what is going on,” she croaked., leaning against the door.

  He motioned with his head. “Let’s step inside so we can talk.” Lois took in a deep breath then followed her brother inside.

  “Since the sheriff will be shorthanded while Scotty is away, me and a couple of other men will help out and take turns filling in as deputy. I also agreed to keep an eye on Daniel’s place to make sure the men he hired are taking care of things.”

  Lois placed her hand on her neck. “What kind of mission is this? Where are they going?”

  Leo rubbed the back of his neck. “One of the Rangers they worked for previously specifically asked for Scotty and Daniel to join them for this assignment. Scotty seemed to think it might last two weeks. But I don’t have any of the details. They only told me what my role would be. I’m going to spend my nights in town. I was hoping you’d let me stay in your spare room? Otherwise, I’ll have to sleep on the cot in the sheriff’s office.”

  Lois pulled on her lip. “Of course, you can stay here. But you’ll have to sleep on the sofa. I don’t have a spare bed.”

  Leo grinned. “You do now. It’s in the back of the wagon.”

  Chapter 9

  “To estimate the real value of etiquette, decorum, or good manners is to measure the breadth and scope of modern civilization.”

  Houghton, Walter R. American Etiquette Rules of Politeness

  New York: Standard Publishing House, 1883.

  Returning home to relocate his sister and niece next door to the Weavers’ temporarily, Daniel gave last-minute instructions to his hired hand, then grabbed his bag and Winchester rifle. He placed the wrapped package of cookies from Lois on top.

  Pausing at his dresser, he stared at an unopened letter addressed to him in Lois’s handwriting. He’d ignored the contents for a week, thinking it an announcement of her engagement to the banker and confirmation of what a fool he was to break things off.

  He fell to his knees and prayed.

  Lord, you know how I’ve wrestled with this. I didn’t think I would make much of a husband with the additional responsibilities that came when Amanda and Helen arrived to live with me. I know I hurt Lois but thought it was best to let her go. Even though I know she will be better off financially, it feels like a kick in the gut when I see her with the banker.

  If I did the right thing, can you comfort me and help me to focus on this upcoming mission? If it is your will for me to make Lois my wife, can you help me to know what steps to take?

  Place a hedge of protection around Scotty and me and on our families as we leave. Use us and give us wisdom to stop these evil attacks. Amen

  As Daniel rode his horse toward town, he heaved a sigh. When he quit the Rangers over three years ago, he hoped to never return to its line of work. He’d gained immense satisfaction when he settled in one place. Tending to his farm and livestock was not only a means to make a living, but it added a sense of fulfillment. Farming suited him. He was committed to making it his new lifestyle.

  The message from his former captain, now railroad detective, persuaded him. “If this mission is to be successful, we will eliminate one of the deadliest and most notorious gangs of our time. The robberies are minor compared to the brutal and senseless killings these barbarians have committed. To be successful, I’m in need of the best marksmen available and men I can trust. I confess you are the first man I thought of. I need your help.”

  After boarding his horse at the livery, Daniel carried his rifle and bag toward the recently-constructed sandstone jailhouse. His friend, Deputy Scott, paced along the boardwalk.

  “You’re wearing your worry on your shoulders, Scotty." Daniel set down his bag and extended his hand.

  Matching his firm grasp, Scotty chuckled. “I see you haven’t lost your grip or your nerve.”

  A muscle twitched in Daniel’s jaw, his eyes narrowed. “I got your message and came as quick as I could. What else can you tell me about the situation?”

  Pointing his thumb over his shoulder, “Pa and the railroad detective are inside ready to give us their plan.”

  Their boots clunked along the boardwalk. Scotty opened the door and followed Daniel inside.

  Sheriff Micah Scott greeted him with a warm handshake. “Glad to see you, Daniel. When Special Agent Moore requested the talent of a marksman with a good head on his shoulders, I thought of you, and before I could even suggest it, he asked for you by name. The detective will give the details, but in short, the railroad has enlisted our help in preventing a train robbery.”

  Agent Matthew Moore rose and clasped Daniel’s hand. “I’m glad to see you. You’ve filled out some since I last saw you.”

  Daniel met Matthew’s gaze. “And I see you’ve gone a little gray around the temples.”

  Detective Moore chuckled. “It was you young recruits that gave these to me. I’m proud of them.”

  He perched on the side of the sheriff’s desk. “Since time is of the essence, I will be brief. We are working with a brother-and-sister, former outlaw team turned bounty hunters. They have provided us with information we believe will not only prevent an assault on the railroad but will allow us to apprehend and arrest members of the most notorious and blood-thirsty gang around today.”

  Daniel took off his hat and wiped his brow. “You say this brother-and-sister team are ‘former’ outlaws? What makes you think you can trust them?”

  “It’s a good question. Although it would never hold up in court, I believe this same brother and sister participated in numerous train and stagecoach robberies but have now switched their loyalties. But as to whether we can trust them, we can’t be sure.”

  Detective Moore strode to the window and stood, clasping his hands behind his back before returning to face Scotty and Daniel. “Which is why we will proceed with caution. We won’t be working alone. The Texas Rangers are now assisting the marshal in this area to provide ground cover. They’ve already assembled multiple posses.

  “Our assignment is to make sure those bandits never make it on board. If we do our job as planned, we’ll drive the would-be robbers off, and the marshal and his men will take it from there.

  “I b
elieve it’s the nontraditional, undercover lawman that helps to bring things to a close more quickly than conventional practice.” Gesturing between Scotty and Daniel, the detective explained, “Let me be clear; I don’t trust this brother-and-sister team any further than I can throw them. But one thing I am sure of, they are in it for the bounty money.”

  Sheriff Scott opened the drawer and pulled out a bank draft. “They also want safety, which they won’t have until this gang is either dead or behind bars. You might conclude they have more to lose if we are unsuccessful in this roundup than we do.”

  “If this is the same gang we’ve heard so much about, you would think after the success they had holding up the last train, they’d want to lay low for a while,” Scotty said and walked over to the gun rack.

  Reaching for his Winchester rifle, Sheriff Scott continued, “That’s the funny thing about greed. No matter what you take, it’s never enough. You mark my words; they’ll be there. Although they may be surprised by the warm welcome they’ll receive.”

  Agent Moore took out his six-shooter and spun the cylinder before placing it back in his holster. “We will be joined by several Rangers when we get up the road a piece. After we board, we’ll stay out of sight until we get close to the target location or see activity from the gang. You men about ready?”

  Chapter 10

  “Such exclamations as " The Dickens," or " Mercy," or " Good Gracious," should never be used. If you are surprised or astonished, suppress the fact. Such expressions border closely on profanity.”

  Houghton, Walter R. American Etiquette Rules of Politeness

  New York: Standard Publishing House, 1883

  Detective Moore paused on the train platform and clasped his hands behind his back. “I believe Walt Whitman expressed it best when he described the steam engine as a fierce-throated beauty. Between the sounds of the hundreds of moving parts and the huffs of steam, I find it downright musical.”

  The engineer activated two long whistles with the pull chord, and clouds of steam and fire shot up from the engine as it began its departure from the station. Daniel and Scotty followed the detective along the rails as he continued their tour.

  “Although it varies by region, the railroads arrange cars to distance passengers the farthest from the engine. Luggage, mail and other freight create a safety barrier between the locomotive and passenger coaches. First class, dining, sleeper cars and anything exclusive are located at the rear,” Detective Moore explained.

  They boarded, then stepped into a finely-appointed private rail car. Daniel blinked. The walls were dark mahogany, the floor carpeted, and the room filled with upholstered chairs and card tables. To the left, a large bedroom opened into its own bath.

  Scotty whistled. “It’s like a small mansion,” he said.

  Agent Moore cleared his throat. “Since the owner won’t be accompanying us on this trip, he graciously allowed us to use it for our planning purposes. Sit down and take advantage of the luxury. It will be short-lived.”

  Sinking into an upholstered chair, the detective opened a drawer and pulled out a box of cigars. “We’ll have a couple of hours of planning time before we refuel at the next water stop. If things go the way we planned, we’ll pick up some reinforcements.”

  He offered each a cigar. “Once we have a chance to assess our talent, we’ll work together to fine-tune our plan. Then we’ll move to less stellar accommodations.”

  Daniel took a chair next to the window and leaned forward. “How many men are you expecting?”

  Pausing as he lit his cigar, the detective answered, “ten, but I am hoping for fifteen.”

  Based on the information received from the informants, Daniel worked with Detective Moore to draw out a plan. “The tip indicated the bandits would strike approximately three miles before the locomotive passed into the journey through the mountains. That will be their last chance because after we pass through, it will be too difficult for horseback riders to attempt to board the train.”

  Moore posted the most proficient marksman strategically in pairs closest to the train’s engine. Once the attack began, the train would break to give the appearance of stopping. The bandits’ raised guns would be met with retaliation from armed men scattered throughout the train.

  Daniel and Scotty were stationed directly behind the engine in a former passenger car converted for livestock. The stench left by the previous occupants was thick and putrid. Crates of various sizes, baggage and dozens of bales of hay lined the walls. Daniel extended his arms. The entire width of the compartment was less than ten feet.

  “If you move crates closer to the window, it will provide you a place to sit and offer some cover once the shooting starts.” Detective Moore blew circles of smoke with his cigar. “Remember, our role is to drive them off and keep them from getting on board.”

  “How many do you figure will be part of the holdup?” Scotty lifted a crate and moved it to the corner.

  “Hard to say, but anywhere from as few as six to a couple dozen. Either way, we will be ready. We’ve got about an hour before we reach the pass, which is where we expect them to make their move. I’ll be back when we get closer.” Detective Moore exited with a wave of his hand.

  “He wasn’t kidding when he said our accommodations would be less than stellar,” Daniel said as he reached for a crate.

  “Let’s line the hay bales in two rows closer to the walls. As shots are made, that will provide some barrier,” Daniel said.

  After much discussion and rearrangement of hay and baggage, Daniel settled on his newly created perch and scanned the horizon. Scotty was restless. “How’s the farm going, Daniel? You going to plant cotton again next year?”

  Keeping his eyes on the terrain, Daniel scowled. “I think I’m done with cotton. I plan on planting barley this fall, and then I’m going to focus on alfalfa. Had a good crop this year. Hoping I’ll be able to focus on expanding my dairy farm.”

  “With the extreme weather we’ve experienced lately, I imagine you won’t have a problem finding buyers. Any rancher who survived the last few years knows the importance of having additional feed on hand for their stock.” Scotty rubbed the back of his neck. “Whatever happened between you and Lois?”

  “What is this? Why are you asking so many questions?” Daniel glared. He pressed his hand to his vest pocket, touching the unopened letter from Lois. His name written by her dainty hand made his heart pound. He couldn’t blame her for moving on. After all, he was the one who broke things off. What he wouldn’t give to go back and do things differently.

  “Sorry, I’m letting my nerves get the best of me.” Scotty rearranged the hay in the back of the car and moved the stacks closer to the wall.

  A bump in the track caused Scotty to reach for his gun. Daniel kicked the newly arranged bales. “Sit down and try to relax for a minute. I don’t mind answering, especially if it will keep you from moving anything else over here.”

  Scotty shrugged and plopped down on a bale of hay.

  “The truth is I would like nothing better than to court Lois. But I took a financial hit when my sister lost her husband. I had to come up with funds to move her and her daughter out here. I added on to the house, hoping to make things more comfortable for us and to help pull my sister from her depression.”

  Daniel wiped his head with his sleeve. “The cash I will earn from this job will give me a little nest egg. But I’m afraid it will be too late for Lois and me.” Daniel placed his rifle aside and stretched his arms over his head.

  “Lois is not only pretty but smart, funny, kind, and she was so understanding when I was forced to turn my attention to my sister and niece. She has her own worries with her dress shop.” Not to mention the trouble she has with her pa. “ But you would never know it. There is a sense of peace about her.”

  “It sounds like you have things in better order now. What’s stopping you from picking up where you left off?” Scotty asked.

  Daniel repositioned himself on a crat
e. “I know I hurt her when I broke things off. Besides the owner of the bank has been calling on her. I don’t believe my farm would ever measure up to his gold.”

  The sound of the door opening caught their attention. “Men get ready to teach a few bandits this train is not easy pickings. I’m headed to cover the engineer. When we start to slow, take your best aim and shoot. May God be with us,” the detective called.

  “Right on schedule.”Daniel took in a deep breath and raised his Winchester to his shoulder. Although his six-shooter hung at his hip, the repeating rifle would be better suited for this job. He called out. “Remember, take your time so we will have the advantage of the element of surprise.”

  Six masked men rode toward the train’s engine. The brakes squealed and hissed as guns cracked. “Here comes the first six. I’ll take the three closest to the engine. You take the rear. On my signal, one, two, fire.”

  The flat explosions of Winchesters erupted and each man brought his rifle into play. Daniel got his first two shots off quickly before the bandits turned their aim specifically on them. Loud bangs hit the car as a second set of six masked men charged the train. His heart pounded. Help us, Lord.

  Daniel took a deep breath then he took careful aim toward the bandits. Not wanting to take time to reload, he reached for his Colt and fired again as the second group veered off. The whistle blew, the train picked up speed, and a signal sounded that all was clear. The smell of gunpowder rampant, Scotty used his hat to clear the smoke. “If I never have to go through something like that again, it will be too soon.”

  Daniel grinned. “I’ll remind you of your statement the next time you talk me into coming with you on another mission.”

  Scotty rubbed the back of his neck. “I made up my mind. If I lived through this, I’ll risk disappointing my pa and tell him how I feel about continuing in this kind of work. No more special assignments, and as soon as we can find a reputable replacement, I’m resigning as deputy.”