An Agent for Meghan

by Ginny Sterling

  “I’ve come to work with a skilled agent, not some simpleton. Could you point me in the direction of a Mr. Jack Gaines?”

  “Excuse me?” Jack coughed, clearing his throat like some untried boy. She thought he was a simpleton? Of course she did! He was standing there grinning and laughing like a loon. Maybe his lunch had been tainted because he was getting goosebumps, sweating, and his heart was beating even harder.

  Good golly, she was breathtaking!

  Those rosy lips smiled, and he nearly collapsed onto the platform, unable to drag his eyes away. He let out another small uncontrollable laugh that had Rourke clapping him on the shoulder and whispering to Fallon. The goddess before him was speaking again-and this time–her words chilled him.

  “Isn’t that sweet? It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Gaines. Now, if you’ll point me to the direction of the ticket window? This will not do. I’ll be heading back to Denver,” Meghan was saying brightly, nodding, sending her ostrich feathers flying as they tickled his nose.

  She was leaving?

  No!

  She could call him a simpleton (because it was true!) or whatever she needed to say to voice her opinion, but she wasn’t leaving. Jack grabbed the arm of the pastor and stepped directly in front of Meghan who was turning to walk away.

  “Miss Chambers, we are here to do a job,” Jack reminded her. His mind was racing. She was going to need to stay so he could figure this all out. Was this what Rourke felt like looking at Fallon? Was this what infatuation felt like?

  “Ahhh, the simpleton can utter a complete sentence?”

  “I’m Jack.”

  “And I’m leaving,” Meghan said quietly, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

  “No. We are getting married and starting our assignment.”

  “No. We are not.”

  This was getting nowhere fast. Think, Jack! Think! He was quick on his feet but somehow this woman did things to him and he’d barely met her. The only thing he could focus on right now was that if she left, he would regret it.

  “Then why did you apply to the Pinkertons?”

  “That’s my business, not yours.”

  “May I interject?” Fallon said quietly as the two glared at each other.

  This was not going the way Jack had planned, but then again, he really didn’t have anything in mind. He had assumed that he would meet with some female, lay out his idea to capture Espinoza, and then see what happened in the meantime – whether or not he would need to sign annulment papers once again. He never expected to be attracted to his partner, nor for her to be the complete opposite of anyone he’d ever met before.

  People were departing all around them, leaving their small group standing awkwardly, there on the platform. A couple of men were watching his new partner longingly and Jack understood what they were thinking.

  Meghan was ethereal, like some untouchable princess from a story book. She looked so out of place out here in Texas. He couldn’t even imagine her riding horseback or washing clothes. Had she ever cooked over a fire? Or shot a gun?

  As Fallon pulled Meghan aside, she whispered something to her that made him feel like his shirt collar was two sizes too small. He tugged at it nervously, causing Rourke to chuckle.

  “It’ll be okay, boy-o.”

  “Oh, do be silent, Rourke,” Jack snapped aloud in frustration, noticing Meghan was looking at him curiously.

  A nervous giggle welled up again and Jack saw the glimmer of something quickly shuttered behind a veil in her eyes. She walked over, her cheeks flushed angrily, as she reared back to swing at his chin unexpectedly.

  His reflexes kicked in and Jack caught her wrist, mid-swing. He looked at the tiny fist in stunned surprise, and grinned. Miss Meghan Chambers was going to be quite a pleasant surprise!

  Her fingers were tucked tightly in an expert fashion, her thumb across her fingers locking them in place. She meant business and had obviously been taught how to make a proper fist to prevent injury.

  “Nice form,” he admitted, staring at her curiously.

  “Laugh at me again and I’ll show you my left,” she muttered between gritted teeth and a pinched smile, holding his gaze boldly.

  “Where’d you learn to make a fist like this?”

  “There’s a lot to me that would surprise you.”

  “So, it seems there is,” Jack admitted quietly, still holding her fist. “I’m sorry. Looks can be very deceiving, and it was quite rude of me to laugh. It’s very nice to meet you, Meghan.”

  She stood there with a surprised look at his candid admission, before relaxing her stance. Jack released her wrist and took a step forward to stand beside her.

  “I’d like you to stay and I promise, no more laughing at you.”

  Her curt nod was all he needed.

  “Pastor? If you’ll do the honors?” Jack said quickly, not looking away from Meghan, afraid to break the slight truce between them. He had unwittingly started things off on the wrong foot and it was time to swallow his pride. He was curious about the woman Archie had sent and would need time to discover all of her secrets… including the boxing fist!

  The pastor stepped forward and took their hands, laying Meghan’s directly on top of his, pulling out his bible. Jack was trying to keep his hand from trembling as the sudden touch seemed surreal. The words were dulled out from the blood rushing in his ears as he looked at Meghan. She still looked skeptical and that was his fault, it would take a lot of work to undo the damage he’d already done by being completely undone at her unexpected appearance.

  “Jack?”

  “Oh! Sorry. I do,” Jack said quickly, realizing that it was his turn to speak.

  “And Meghan?”

  “I do.”

  “Mr. Gaines, you may kiss your bride. I will send a telegram to Archie to let him know that the mission has begun. Best of luck to you both.”

  Jack turned to Meghan and saw that eyebrow raise once again, in a silent challenge. He’d been knifed by his first wife, and nearly punched by his second one. Perhaps he wouldn’t take advantage of this moment quite so quickly. He leaned down and gave Meghan a perfunctory peck on the cheek.

  “Come along, Mrs. Gaines,” Jack said, quickly. “Let’s get you to the hotel, so you can get some rest from your trip. We’ve got some things to discuss and quite a bit of travelling to do first thing in the morning.”

  Chapter 4

  Meghan looked at her new husband out of the corner of her eye as he lead her down the street to a nearby hotel. Jack is nothing like she expected or anticipated. He was… enchanting? Thinking that he was good-looking wasn’t enough of a description. His bright eyes were full of surprise and delight. His laugh, albeit sorely misplaced, had washed over her warmly, making her feel things she’d never imagined.

  She was attracted to him – and he’d actually laughed at her.

  By all appearances, she’d expected a tough, hard as nails man, that would be lethal if necessary to uphold the law. She never expected him to be… likeable?

  This stranger was now her husband…

  In name only, right? she suddenly thought, remembering back to her discussions in Denver. As they walked into the hotel, Meghan felt her heart thrum nervously in her chest as Jack handed her a key, walking her up the stairs to the doorway.

  “We have separate rooms, right?”

  “Yes, sugar,” he said, and then hesitated, swallowing. She saw his Adam’s apple bob a few times as he looked at her warily. It was like the term had slipped out before he knew it. She wasn’t mad, just surprised. Truthfully, the entire thing had just taken her breath away this afternoon. She never expected him to look at her the way he did.

  Like she was special…

  “It’s Meghan, not sugar.”

  “Sure thing,” Jack said, opening the door and gesturing that she should enter the room. It was a very nice room that had a fan near the window to circulate cool air. It was strange to have someone enter the room behind her, especially knowing they were alone an
d she’d just married the man.

  “So,” Meghan started, seeing Jack set down her valise on the single small bed in the room, “tell me about our mission. I was told you would fill me in on the details.”

  Pulling the large hat pin from her hair, she removed her chapeau and lay it on the bed, glad to be able to finally take it off. The pin had been rubbing her head quite a bit ever since the wind had tried to remove it from her. Actually, it was just nice to be able to relax, because she’d been so nervous earlier and was finally winding down.

  Glancing up at the silence, she saw Jack was just staring at her, muted.

  “Cat got your tongue?”

  “What? Oh… ah…” Jack cleared his throat, looking away, and grabbed a chair for her, then leaned against the wall nearby. Was he shy? His face looked a little ruddy and he wouldn’t look at her.

  “We are going to be trying to bring a man named John Espinoza to heel. He is currently working on trafficking women north and has been known to kill those that try to stop him.”

  “Is that why I was needed for this mission?”

  “No. Yes. I mean…”

  “Jack? Do I make you nervous or something?”

  Jack’s warm green gaze met hers and she realized he looked alarmed. He was incredibly handsome and she remembered seeing the impish dimple in his cheek when he’d been laughing earlier.

  “You are the bait,” he bit out, almost sounding angry.

  “And you are going to keep me from getting injured or killed, right?”

  His face paled at her words.

  “Is that correct?” she repeated, feeling suddenly nervous. “Jack? This is where you say ‘yes, Meghan’?”

  He stared at her for several moments before shaking his head. He looked almost confused and beside himself. Where was this rugged, tough man that was supposed to teach her the ropes?

  “I’m not going to allow myself to be captured if you have no intention of saving me, Jack. I mean, partners are supposed to have each other’s backs and if you were in trouble – I would try to rescue you,” Meghan instructed dryly. “Is something wrong?”

  “I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

  “I do too… now.”

  Jack ran a hand through his hair nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. He kept glancing at her under his eyelashes, suddenly standing and pacing the floor before her. This did little to reassure her of anything at all. He reminded her of a caged tiger she’d seen in books. It had been fascinating to see the foreign animal and all that raw power held captive.

  “You are supposed to be the bait and yes, I’m going to follow you and keep you from getting hurt. We need to leave for Abilene in the morning and will be travelling by horseback. Do you have something else that you can ride in? Something more… ah…” Jack swallowed nervously again, pointing at her gown.

  “Something more… serviceable?”

  “Yes!” he said, clearing his throat. “‘Plain’ was the word I was looking for.”

  “Yes. I have plain clothing that won’t bother you so much.”

  “I’m fine,” he squeaked nervously, backing away from her suddenly. “I’m not bothered, sugar. I’ve got this all under control.”

  “Certainly,” Meghan said, barely holding back a smile. He looked like a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs just waiting to get caught. It was almost comical to watch him squirm around.

  She was pretty sure what was going on now.

  The man she’d married obviously didn’t like her and couldn’t wait to get out of the room. The way he kept referring to her as ‘sugar’ was an attempt at being nice. He sounded like he was choking when he said it.

  “I will be ready in the morning. I’ll have a knapsack packed instead of my large valise for travel. Could I store it somewhere? I wasn’t sure what I would need when I arrived.”

  “Of course. We’ll be joining my friends for dinner this evening and I’m certain they wouldn’t mind holding your things for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  A few hours later, Meghan was seated at a dining table with Jack and the other couple that had witnessed their nuptials. It was painful to see the difference in him when he was with his friends versus when he was with her. He was laid back, easy going, and cracking jokes as they ate. Meghan picked at her food wordlessly as the conversation flowed around her. This reminded her of dinners at home, where she was ignored there too.

  “Dollface, any regrets in marrying this oaf?” Jack questioned, holding up his whiskey and toasting the man named Rourke easily. It was obvious to see they were friends, but Meghan wondered at the personal nickname so easily given.

  “She definitely preferred me over you!”

  “Just remember, I married her first.”

  “What?” Meghan whispered, alarmed and dismayed at his words.

  Jack was mid-swallow in his drink and began to sputter and cough. Meghan looked at Fallon who was smiling warmly at Jack as he tried to catch his breath. It was becoming all too clear why Jack was nervous around Meghan earlier in the day.

  He still cared for Fallon.

  Meghan set down her fork and felt her stomach turn painfully, feeling nauseous. Here was just another example of being passed over and forgotten. A stunningly handsome example that she was hoping to get to know better. The idea struck her that maybe he could escort her to wherever Bernie was when this was all over with… or even that maybe they could develop a friendship or fondness between them over time.

  Jack cleared his throat and drank some water, watching her over the rim of his glass. His eyes were watering from the obvious discomfort caused by the fluid going down the wrong way.

  “I was teasing,” Jack wheezed, “Fallon was another agent temporarily until we annulled our marriage. She married him instead.”

  Meghan saw him point at Rourke who just shrugged nonchalantly. Fallon smiled easily at her and nodded at Jack.

  “It would have never worked between us. He’s like family, nothing more.”

  “You don’t owe me any explanations. I do believe I’m going to excuse myself, however. We’ve a long trip in the morning and I want to be well rested.”

  “I’ll walk you to your room.”

  “Enjoy your dinner with your friends. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Meghan it was a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Aye, Meggie – yer in for a real treat with this boy-o,” Rourke said with a smile, winking at Jack who flushed and looked away.

  Meghan didn’t say a word. She nodded her head in acknowledgement and walked away. A feeling of pain and disappointment burned in her gut for the loss of Jack’s potential affections… that she had never even had a chance of winning.

  Jack watched Meghan walk gracefully across the room. The curve of her waist and sway of her bustle was enough to drive a sane man crazy. She was incredible. He was stuck looking like a boy, still wet behind the ears, for the next few weeks.

  “Why Jack Gaines!” Fallon said softly, staring at him in surprise.

  “What?”

  “You’ve never looked at me like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you’d polish the dust off my boots and lick them clean.”

  “My wren, I think you have it backwards,” Rourke snickered in delight, watching Jack. “I think he’d lick her dusty boots without bothering to polish them.”

  “That’s enough,” Jack bit out, getting to his feet.

  “Now that’s the man we know and love,” Fallon grinned, glancing at Rourke, who was also smiling before giving him an incorrigible wink.

  “Ye’ve got it bad for the gal.”

  “What am I going to do,” Jack said, collapsing back into his seat. He reached over and plucked Rourke’s whiskey from in front of him, downing it in one large gulp. The bitter taste barely covered the acidic feeling in the pit of his stomach. Meghan made him nervous and he felt like a bumbling idiot around her.

  “Talk
to her,” Fallon encouraged him, laying a hand on his arm.

  Jack glanced at her hand, once again realizing that her touch did nothing for him but Meghan’s set him afire. “Get to know the woman on the inside before falling all over the pretty girl before you. There’s more to her than just those fancy duds.”

  “Speaking of which, can you hold her things at your house?”

  “You know we would without even asking.”

  “I’d never take advantage of the friendship that I have with you both.”

  “And that’s precisely why ya never hav’ta ask, Jackie my boy.”

  “Anytime you want to talk or need something, Jack – we are always here for you,” Fallon said earnestly, squeezing his arm. “Don’t be a stranger and relax. If you let Meghan get to know you, she’ll see just how wonderful we think you are.”

  “That’s going a bit far, my love,” Rourke said wryly. Fallon quickly released Jack’s arm and nodded to her husband. “The sooner he moves on with his new wife, the better everyone will be.”

  “You know there’s nothing between us, right?” Jack protested.

  “Aye, but does she?” Rourke said, pointing up at the balcony where the hotel rooms were lined up neatly. Jack glanced over his shoulder to see Meghan’s stricken expression just moments before she let herself into her room.

  “Give her time,” Fallon said quickly before he could take off up the stairs… and do what? Jack thought morosely. They had no relationship other than he was attracted to her – but was the disappointment on her face a possible sign the feeling was mutual?

  “Speaking from a woman’s point of view, she’s been through a lot today. She just arrived in town, got married to a man that laughed at her, and now thinks you are still interested in me. Give her time and get to know her.”

  “My wife’s a brilliant woman.”

  “Yeah, she is. You’re a lucky man, Rourke.”

  “Don’t I know it,” he bragged and then smiled, pointing at the closed doors over Jack’s shoulders. “You are too.”

  Chapter 5