An Agent For Judith Page 4

  He shook his head slowly. “I’ll bet every crook in the country knows where that pocket is.”

  “Doesn’t matter now, does it? We weren’t robbed. I’ll hide the rest when we get underway.”

  “The rest—” He held up his hand. “Never mind, I don’t want to know. All right, I’ll get everything on the list and hire the men. They don’t get paid in advance though. I’m dividing this up so I never have to show all of it.”

  He counted money into stacks on the bed. “This will get the wagons. This will get the provisions. This will buy the teams and horses for the remuda. This should take care of our hotel and meals.”

  Forgetting he was in only his underpants she watched as he tucked money into various pockets of his clothes and his boots. When she realized she was staring, she quickly looked at the wall. She sensed the heat of a blush on her face.

  As if he hadn’t noticed, he sat on the bed. “I’ll put the last two inside my socks in the morning before I leave the room. You and Abigail go shopping tomorrow as if you are used to being ladies of leisure. But listen, stay close to the hotel. You don’t want to attract the wrong attention. You can use the relaxation before the trip to find your brother gets brutal.”

  Fear for her brother had become her constant companion. His mention sent a fresh wave of alarm washing over her. “I’m afraid it already has. Mr. Corrigan is dead and Josiah is surely wounded or worse. Find dependable men to go with us, Peyton. That’s the only chance we have to arrive at the ranch and rescue Josiah.”

  He crawled back into bed. “All right, Red. Go to sleep while you have four walls to keep you safe.”

  “I’m counting on you and the men you hire to help keep me safe. I’ll be helping, too.”

  ***

  The next morning Peyton slipped from bed and dressed quickly. He couldn’t keep from pausing to admire Red as she slept. She was one fine-looking woman, the most beautiful one he’d ever seen, and apparently now rich. She was his wife but he couldn’t touch her. Life was no darned fair.

  Downstairs he headed out the door for breakfast. He wanted a place that was respectable but sliding into seedy. Yesterday he’d found what he wanted a couple of blocks from the hotel. If this didn’t work he’d check with the sheriff for recommendations.

  Seated in the corner this morning with his back to the wall was a man who looked familiar. He was tall but appeared on the thin side. In fact, he looked down on his luck.

  Peyton strolled that way while he searched his mind for the man’s identity. They were the only two diners in the dingy place. He hoped that didn’t mean the food was bad.

  At the man’s table, Peyton paused. “Care if I join you?”

  The man’s gaze suggested he was sizing up Peyton. “Might as well seeing as how the place is so crowded there’s no other place to sit.”

  Peyton laughed. “I sure do hate crowds, don’t you? What are you having?”

  “Just coffee today. I’d have eaten from the street sellers but it’s noisy out there. Thought I’d sit in here a while where it’s quiet and nurse my coffee.”

  When the waiter appeared, Peyton said, “I’ll have two eggs over easy, a big steak, fried potatoes, and biscuits with butter and jam on the side. My friend here will have the same.”

  The man’s scowl was likely from embarrassment. “Did I ask for your help?”

  “Nope, but I don’t like to eat alone.”

  The man leaned back in his chair. “I know you from somewhere. You ever been down in Texas?”

  Aha! The name popped into his mind, Jeff Mason. “That’s right, Jeff, that’s where we met when you were with the Texas Rangers. You give that up?”

  “I got tired of not being paid half the time. Last time I got shot, I didn’t go back.”

  “Name’s Knight, Peyton Knight. If you’re looking for an honest job that does pay well, I have one on offer

  Chapter Six

  Peyton saw recognition flash in Jeff’s eyes. “Now I remember your name. You still a….” He looked around. “You still with the same outfit?”

  “I am. It’s only fair I warn you this job might get you shot but I hope not.”

  Jeff chuckled. “Like I said, I’ve been shot. It’s the not getting paid that riled me. What’s this you have on offer?”

  “Accompany two women who’ve hired me to find the younger one’s brother. Last they heard he was likely injured and being bedeviled by a neighbor who wants his ranch for the water. Or, maybe he’s just land greedy.”

  The waiter brought their food.

  “Women?” Jeff shook his head. “They have any idea what could happen to them?”

  “They do but they’re stubborn and refuse to wait here while I go. Both of them are good shots, can ride, and one of them is my wife… um, temporarily.”

  Jeff chuckled as he cut his meat. “You already know she’s temporary? Not a good sign.”

  Peyton explained the arrangement and the details. “You interested?”

  “Not like I’m making any money sitting here.” He flushed slightly as if embarrassed. “Uh, I’d need a draw to get a saddle. Had to sell mine to buy feed for my horse.”

  “That can be arranged. You know another seasoned man who can be counted on?”

  Jeff didn’t slow down on his meal. “Matter of fact, I know two. Don’t think one would hire without the other seeing as how they’re partners. Were in the Army together.”

  The former Ranger shook his head. “So far, all they’re partners in is misery. Went prospecting but didn’t find enough to more than pay for their supplies.”

  “Happens more often than not. Listen, soon as I leave here I have to arrange for a couple of wagons and the supplies and teams and a remuda. You want to come with me and put in your two cents?”

  “Why not? I’ll introduce you to the two men I mentioned. Other than them, I haven’t met any here I’d trust.” He waved his biscuit as he spoke. “That’s not to say there aren’t plenty around, but I can’t vouch for them personally. You can probably find a man or two through the sheriff.”

  “That’s where I was going if I hadn’t seen you. I’d as soon everyone think I’m checking on land grants.”

  Jeff shook his head. “Not smart. Makes you sound too well-heeled.”

  Peyton started to get annoyed but then considered that the older man had been in plenty of places and knew what he was talking about. “What do you suggest?”

  Jeff looked at his plate for a few minutes as he shoveled food into his mouth. “How about you and your wife and her mother are headed to southwestern Kansas? They don’t want to ride the stagecoach. Make up someone in the family that’s sick and the women need to go before the person dies. That way, you’re not a threat to anyone.” Jeff devoured his food and sopped the plate with biscuits.

  Peyton mulled over what the former Ranger had said. He hated to admit it but the idea was better than those he or Archie had proposed. Red would likely be annoyed when he changed stories.

  “Your idea has merit. Don’t believe there’s any way to get into that corner of Kansas but by stagecoach.”

  He was still eating but thought he had a story. “Let me keep this as simple as possible. We’ll be headed toward Kansas on our way to her brother’s ranch because he’s been hurt and needs our help. That’s all the truth.”

  Jeff used his fork to point at him. “I see you got your thinker going. Better let the women know before they lord it about.”

  “I’ll head back to the hotel for a quick talk with them. How much of a draw you need to get your saddle and pay the stable?”

  Jeff named a fair price. Peyton gave him the money from his petty cash pocket. Danged if he didn’t feel like a walking bank trying to keep track of all his stashes.

  He took out a small notebook and pencil and wrote down what he’d spent for breakfast and the amount he’d advanced Jeff. With all he’d be spending today, he figured a detailed record would be required by evening.

  “Wagon maker’s next door to Sanders’ Livery Stable, the one I used. It’s two blocks north of where we’re standing now. I’ll wait for you there.”

  “Won’t take me long.”

  “Two women? Son, you don’t know a lot about women, do you?” Jeff walked away chuckling.

  Up until he’d met Red, Peyton had thought he understood women as much as any other man. The thing was, she wasn’t like any woman he’d ever met. Even Abigail was different.

  When he got to the hotel, he met them coming down the stairs. Another surprise because the hour was still early.

  He tipped his hat and spoke quietly, “Ladies, I was coming to discuss something privately. Do you mind returning to our room for a brief conversation?”

  “We were going to breakfast. Have you eaten?”

  “Yes, and I’ve hired one of our cowboys.”

  Abigail took Red by the arm and announced, “Oh, dear, I forgot my shawl. Let’s go back and get it.”

  “Please allow me to escort you.” Peyton put his hand at Red’s waist and offered his arm to Abigail. They climbed the stairs and went to Abigail’s room.

  In Abigail’s room, he explained the plan to them. They agreed it would be less dangerous than if people thought they carried money or a bank draft with them.

  Red appeared to be considering their plans. “So, instead of wealthy socialites shopping, we can appear as worried as we really are. I still intend to walk around the town. It’s so different than any place I’ve ever been.”

  “You should but stay close to the hotel. There are plenty of shops within a block in each direction. Some stalls on the street sell food. Other stalls sell about everything you can imagine.”

  “I saw them from the window in our room. I could smell meat from the stalls that were cooking
food. The aroma was tempting.”

  He looked at Abigail. “Do you want to get a shawl, Mama?”

  She laid a hand on her cheek. “I can’t get to one because it’s in the trunk stored downstairs. I should have thought before I spoke. Instead I was as impetuous as Judith.”

  Red shrugged. “Say you lost yours. There are stalls selling them near the hotel.”

  Abigail appeared annoyed. “Then let’s go downstairs.”

  At the bottom of the stairs, Abigail spoke loudly. “I can’t imagine where that shawl went. I had it on the train.”

  Red patted her arm. “You must have left it there.”

  He worried about them fending for themselves in an unfamiliar place. “Will you be all right on your own or should I stay with you?”

  Red snapped, “We can handle shopping, thank you. You go do your stuff. Perhaps we’ll see you and go with you part of the day.”

  He’d expected Red to raise her hackles so he was prepared for her sharp answer. He clamped on his hat and bid them goodbye.

  ***

  Judith escorted Abigail into the dining room and they were seated. After they’d given their orders, she drummed her right fingertips on the table.

  “Now what has you riled?”

  “I don’t like having things in upheaval. We agreed on a plan and,” she snapped her fingers, “like that he’s changed it. Hmph, that’s just like a man.”

  Abigail leaned toward her. “Judith Ann, what is wrong with you? He is doing what he is supposed to do. What he said makes sense. Don’t let your stubborn pride get in the way of your priorities.”

  “It’s not stubborn pride.” Realizing she’d raised her voice, she looked around. A few diners had glanced her way. She lowered her tone, “I’m afraid if we don’t stick to a plan we’ll make mistakes.”

  Abigail laid a hand on hers. “Listen here, baby, I know you’re as worried as I am. We’ve chosen our path by joining forces with Peyton. You have to have faith he’s as good as his reputation.”

  Her insides ached with fear for her brother. “Josiah can’t afford for us to mess up now. I know he needs our help.”

  “That’s what we’re doing but if we don’t do this right, then we won’t make it to help him.” Abigail spoke clearly. “You have to quit worrying so, baby. Soon we’ll be headed toward Kansas to help your brother. I can’t wait to see my boy.” She pulled a handkerchief from her cuff and dabbed at her eyes.

  “Yes, Mama, I’ll try to be calm. Perhaps after our meal we can look at the stalls and find you a new shawl to replace the one you left on the train. That might cheer us.”

  After they’d finished their meal, Judith asked at the registration desk for suggestions of sites they might wish to see. The clerk suggested the governor’s palace and Saint Francis of Assisi Church and the San Miguel Chapel. They strolled to the sidewalk and paused. The streets appeared to radiate like spokes of a wheel from a central building.

  They ambled to that building, the one they’d been told was the governor’s palace and where locals displayed their wares for sale.

  Judith held a silver cross suspended on a chain. “Mama, look at this. Isn’t it lovely?” The cross was inset with turquoise. She paid the seller, pretending she had only a small amount of money.

  Abigail purchased a similar one. “I like this one for me. They will help us on our journey.”

  The man whose wares they were viewing held up a medal. “If you are on a journey, you each should carry this image of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child.”

  Judith reached for it. “How much for this?”

  He named an amount.

  “I haven’t much money and I wish to protect all those going on our travels. If I were to buy six of these, would you make a special price?”

  His eyes widened. “Six? Sí, Señora, for you I would if I could but I don’t have so many. I have five. For these I will give you one for free if you buy four.”

  Abigail frowned at her. “We do not need these. You are being foolish with the small amount of money we have to last us.”

  The man held up a hand and reduced the price. “I will include a chain for one of them. That is my final offer, Señora.”

  Judith appeared to think it over. “I’ll take them and the chain.”

  She couldn’t keep from smiling as they strolled on.

  Abigail waited until they were far enough that the jeweler couldn’t hear. “I didn’t know we were Catholic.”

  Judith laughed and hugged Abigail. “I didn’t know we were anything in particular. Don’t you agree we can use all the help we can get? This will be a difficult journey.”

  “I sure will be glad to see my boy again. Look over there—see that street stall with shawls for sale? I believe I’ll get one.”

  The two of them looked their fill at the wide variety of items available but their purchases were few. She had hoped they’d cross paths with Peyton if for no other reason than to learn his progress.

  Abigail wore the cross she’d purchased but carried her shawl. “I’m ready for lunch and then a siesta.”

  “Mama, do you want to eat at a stall or go to the hotel?”

  Abigail gestured to one of the stalls. “I say we sample what that man is cooking that smells so good.”

  “Then we should go to that church at the end of the street. It looks really old, doesn’t it?”

  “That is the one the man in the hotel mentioned. Don’t you remember he said it was built in 1610? Imagine, baby, that church was there before the Pilgrims reached Plymouth Rock.”

  Chapter Seven

  Peyton hurried to where Jeff had said the wagonmaker was. With all the folks coming this way on the Santa Fe Trail there might be used wagons for sale. He sure couldn’t wait for one to be built to specifications.

  Jeff leaned against the side of the building but straightened when Peyton approached.

  Peyton asked, “You get your saddle and horse squared away?”

  “I did for a fact. You’re here a lot sooner than I expected.”

  “My wife is stubborn about many things but about this she saw right away it was best.” Even saying ‘my wife’ was foreign. Sure made him feel uncomfortable. He wished he could get rid of this morning’s memory of her lying in bed with her hair spread out on the pillow. Leaving her was harder than it should have been.

  They went into the barn-like structure with a sign proclaiming Ferguson and Son Wagonmasters. The owner took them to the wagon yard where there were several wagons for sale. Peyton inspected each one, for they were not duplicates. He chose two with ribs and canvas covers. Both had room for a bed, trunks, and storage.

  Mr. Ferguson tapped the floor of one with his cane. “This one has a secret hidey-hole in the floor right here behind the bench.”

  Peyton saw the benefit for Red’s money and the deed. “Aw, I don’t know what we’d use it for. Still, my wife and her mother may want to store something there.”

  Jeff said, “Be a handy place for bandages, ointments, and such.”

  Peyton purchased the two wagons. “You’ll have the cover in place on each as we agreed? I’ll be bringing supplies to the wagon yard on and off all day.”

  Ferguson used his cane to gesture to the large space where several folks had parked their wagons. “I charge rent for those that leave their wagons here. Since you bought these two and won’t be here long, I won’t charge you for the spaces.”

  The wagon maker used his cane to point at the two wagons Peyton had just purchased. “Soon as you get your teams I ask that you move them away from the shed. I don’t want someone trying to buy those two.”

  “You can count on it. That’s the next item on my list.”

  He and Jeff strode to the livery stable.

  On the way, Jeff gestured to the corral. “Don’t know if you planned to use oxen or mules or horses. Sanders has a dozen mules for sale. He knows someone who has about that many oxen.”

  “Mules will be faster and that’s what my wife and her mother want. They’re worried about the brother and can’t get there fast enough to suit them.”

  By noon, Peyton had secured a dozen mules, eight horses, eight barrels for water, and was ready to start on the furniture and food lists.

  “I’d like to meet the two men you mentioned. You know where they’ll be at this time of day?”