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An Agent For Judith Page 5


  “Reckon they’re the same place you found me. If not, I know where they’re staying.”

  They made their way to the eatery.

  Jeff scanned the place. “They’re not here.”

  Peyton nodded toward the table they’d used that morning. “Let’s get something to eat while we’re here. I’m starving.”

  Jeff’s expression was incredulous. “After that breakfast? You must have two hollow legs.”

  They ordered the day’s special, which was enchiladas, tamales, and beans.

  Peyton rubbed his temple. “All these decisions made me hungry. I sure like the kind of Mexican food they have in Santa Fe. Besides, I’m a growing boy.”

  Jeff patted his own flat stomach. “You’re gonna be growing a belly if you’re not careful.”

  “Naw, I’m not worried. The men in my family eat a lot but don’t get fat.” For which he was grateful. He couldn’t think of any male in his family that weighed too much.

  Their food arrived.

  Jeff wasted no time before eating. “I’m not complaining if you’re buying.”

  “From the time you hired on all your food, hotel, and your horse’s care is paid for by my wife. She’s not stingy. I worry because she’s using her inheritance that’s supposed to last her the rest of her life. I’ve explained all that to you so you know she’ll do as she pleases and so will I.”

  “Sounds like a fine woman. I’ve been skimping while I tried to decide what to do next. Almost took a job riding shotgun on the stage but then met up with you.”

  “That’s a dangerous job. Well, guess it’s not that different from the one I hired you to do.”

  Jeff leaned forward. “Can’t explain why, but to me it’s a lot different. One thing, I’d sure rather ride a horse than on a stage. Even if you want me to drive one of the wagons, that will be better than riding shotgun.”

  “I agree and I’m glad that’s the way you feel.”

  Two newcomers strolled into the eatery. Jeff waved then motioned for them to join him.

  When the newcomers had approached the table, Jeff gestured to Peyton. “Fellas, this is Peyton Knight and he just hired me. The grizzled fella is Sarge Dickinson. The other one is Ozzie Elliott.”

  Sarge stuck out his hand. “My real first name is Winifred but I prefer Sarge.” He appeared close to forty. The man wasn’t grizzled but could use a bath and haircut. He was a big man—tall with powerful-looking shoulders and arms and a good man to have on your side.

  Next Peyton shook the second man’s hand. Ozzie was younger, maybe a year or two older than Peyton’s twenty-six. He was wiry and of medium height but he sized up as intelligent.

  “Won’t you join us? I’m buying.”

  Each man took a seat. When the two newcomers had ordered, Peyton looked from one to the other. They chatted with Jeff while he listened and occasionally injected a comment.

  As they finished their food, Peyton nodded to Jeff then looked at Sarge and Ozzie. “I understand you’ve been prospecting but are taking some time off your search. I have a job offer if you’re interested.”

  The two men exchanged looks then Sarge cleared his throat. “We’re through prospecting, at least for now. I’d like a job with regular pay guaranteed.”

  Ozzie leaned his elbows on the table. “I sure would, too. What’s the job?”

  Peyton said, “Do I have your word that whether or not you want the work you’ll keep what I tell you secret?”

  Sarge shrugged one of his shoulders. “Sure, makes no difference to me.”

  Ozzie grinned. “Only people I know to tell are at this table.”

  “A lot of soldiers are heavy drinkers and gamblers. You?”

  Sarge didn’t appear happy being questioned. “I don’t drink to excess. Gamble? You know we went prospecting so tell me what’s more of a gamble than that?”

  Ozzie shook his head. “He doesn’t gamble much. Me either. Hard not to play cards or shoot dice in the Army. Now we’re out we can do as we please.”

  “Don’t take offense but I wanted to be sure you won’t get drunk and spread my information. Or that while you’re supposed to be working you’d drink and pass out. Jeff said you were good men so I’ll share what the job is about.” He explained the situation in detail and answered each question.

  When he’d finished, he leaned back in his chair. “What’s your decision?”

  The two men looked at one another and apparently a silent signal passed between them.

  Sarge slapped a hand on the table. “We’re in.”

  “Great. You have horses?”

  Ozzie nodded. “We sold the mules but kept our horses.”

  Peyton remembered Red’s list for each man. “I wonder if the three of you will accompany me to the general store. I believe it’s in the next block.”

  Sarge looked at Jeff. “We’ll have to cancel our meeting with the governor.” He broke out in a wide grin.

  Jeff grinned. “Don’t bother, I already told him you’d be busy today.”

  Both men laughed.

  Ozzie looked at Peyton and shook his head. “This is how they are when they get together. You may be the one shooting at those two before the trip is over.”

  “Beats working with cantankerous people. Done that a time or two, haven’t you?”

  Ozzie grimaced. “I was in the Army so guess that answers your question.”

  The four of them strolled toward the general store. Before they could enter, Sarge stopped and they bumped into him.

  Sarge stared the way they’d been headed. “I’ll be dadgummed, are my eyes playing tricks on me? Did you ever see such a beautiful woman?”

  When Peyton realized the man meant Red he sensed a mingling of pride and jealousy. That is, until he saw Red’s lovely green eyes held distress and her face was pale. He stepped around Sarge and Jeff to stride to Red. He put his hand at her waist. “What’s wrong?”

  “Don’t look but there are two men behind us who’ve followed us from the church. One is dressed in black with a red scarf at his neck and has a black mustache. The other is dressed in brown pants and a rust jacket and his hair is scraggly.”

  Sarge leaned close. “We’ll take care of them.”

  Ozzie said, “Consider it done.”

  Jeff clapped Peyton on the shoulder. “Nice running into you. Maybe we’ll see you later in the day.”

  Peyton directed his stubborn wife and her mama past him. “Move along quickly and I’ll join you in a couple of minutes.”

  He watched the three confront the two men who’d followed his wife and Abigail. The three pulled the two miscreants into an alley. A few minutes later, the three he’d hired emerged and rejoined him.

  When the four of them caught up with his wife and Abigail he guided her onto a side street and went toe to toe with her. “Now you know why I clearly said to go only a block in either direction from the hotel.”

  She rested her hand on his lapel. “I’m truly sorry. I know it’s my fault. We asked at the reception desk about what we should see while we’re here and the clerk suggested the governor’s palace and the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi.”

  She gestured toward the church’s direction. “I could see the church at the end of the street and forgot your warning.”

  Abigail glared at Red. “I thought I was gonna have to shoot those two behind us. Made me real angry the way they talked. Didn’t know we speak Spanish or they’d have watched what they said.”

  He kissed his mother-in-law on the cheek. “I didn’t know you spoke Spanish. You are a special blessing indeed.”

  He gestured to the three men. “These are the men who’ll be going with us. Jeff Mason, Ozzie Elliott, and Sarge Dickinson. Gentlemen, my wife Judith and her mother, Mrs. Abigail Davis.”

  The three men still gaped as if struck dumb.

  Sarge recovered first. “Ladies, a pleasure to meet you.”

  Jeff cleared his throat a couple of times. “Nice to make your acquaintance.”

  Apparently Ozzie couldn’t speak but he stared and nodded.

  Red smiled at each of the men. “I’m relieved to have you join us on our journey.” She looked at Abigail. “Isn’t that right, Mama?”

  Abigail appeared to assess each man with a critical eye. “Mmm hmm, you men will set our minds at ease.”

  Jeff gave a slight bow and stayed in place. “We’ll do our best to keep you safe, ma’am.”

  Peyton smiled at his gorgeous wife. “We’re on our way to the general store. Other than attracting unwanted attention, what are you up to?”

  Her face remained pleasant but her eyes shot sparks at him. “We ate lunch at the street stalls. We bought a few things. Now we’re going to the hotel for Mama to have a siesta. Perhaps I should go with you to the store.”

  He gave a wide sweeping gesture. “Please do. I’m sure you can add commentary that will help us.”

  “Mama, why don’t you go to the hotel and have your nap? This is the only chance you’ll have to take it easy for a while.”

  Abigail acted as if thinking over the idea. “I believe I’ll do that but I’ll walk with you until we get to the hotel.”

  They’d become a crowd and had to walk two abreast. He and Red led while Jeff offered Abigail his arm.

  Sarge pretended to offer Ozzie his arm.

  Ozzie batted his arm away. “I’m still mad at you for not dancing with me last night at the party.”

  The three new employees and Abigail laughed.

  Peyton exchanged a glance with Red. “Apparently the three of them go on like this a lot. Ought to keep our trip lively.”

  “I’m glad they’re cheerful. I’m so nervous, a little laughter helps.”

  They paused at the hotel.

  Jeff turned to Peyton.
“I’ll see Mrs. Davis to her door then catch up with you.”

  Peyton visualized the two men who’d followed Red catching Jeff alone and seeking retribution. “Naw, we’ll wait for you on the bench over there.”

  Jeff was a gentleman and continued to offer Abigail his arm as they proceeded toward her room. Peyton wondered if Jeff was as smitten with Mama as Peyton was with Red. Both were remarkable women.

  Sarge nudged Ozzie. “I think we’ll have to remind our friend he’s a little old to play Romeo.”

  Peyton raised his eyebrows at Sarge. “Didn’t know we ever got too old for love.” He figured Jeff was in for some ribbing when the other two got him alone.

  Jeff soon returned. “Reporting for duty.”

  Chapter Eight

  Peyton, his wife, and the three men he’d hired quickly strode to the general store. Making purchases took more time than he’d expected. He stood watching Red discuss another mundane thing with the store’s owner. He supposed his impatience showed.

  Jeff nudged him. “You invited her to come and to comment.”

  “I didn’t realize she would deliberate on Every. Single. Item. I’ll have a gray beard by the time we get out of here.”

  Jeff chuckled but offered no sympathy. “When everything is totaled and ready to be delivered to the wagon yard, why not let Sarge, Ozzie, and me go and you escort your bride back to the hotel? I know how to pack a wagon and I guarantee Sarge and Ozzie do as well.”

  Peyton rubbed at his jaw. “I’ve overlooked something. I need to get the women and their luggage—and what little I have—to the wagons in the morning while calling as little attention to us as possible.”

  “Any ideas?”

  “They need to dress plain and for Red… um, that’s what I call Judith, to make sure her hair doesn’t show. Will you rent a rig and come pick us up early?”

  “You bet. Tell me when and I’ll be there.”

  Peyton pulled out what he figured the buggy rental would cost plus a bit and handed it to Jeff. “About five should be a good time. Wear a different shirt if you can in case those two from earlier are hanging around.”

  Sarge drifted to where he and Jeff talked. “Sure is nice of your wife to make certain we have warm coats and blankets and such. Even in summer the temperature drops to freezing some nights.”

  “She’s a generous woman but I worry about her getting carried away.” He stuffed his hands in his pocket. “Guess she knows what she’s doing.”

  Sarge nodded while looking at Red. “She knows her mind, that’s for sure.”

  It was her money to do with as she wished so he had no say one way or the other. In addition, he had no idea how much she’d inherited. Both facts bothered him even though he knew he was being illogical.

  She was his wife in name only and he’d better keep that foremost in his mind. He hoped she wasn’t spending all of her money. Still, if he had to spend every dime he had to save his brother or his sister, he’d do it without hesitation.

  Once everything was stacked on the store’s delivery wagon, he paid with the money he’d stashed in one sock. Earlier, he’d dropped several coins on the floor at the end of an aisle. When he bent to pick up the change he sneaked the cash from its hiding place and strolled near the front counter.

  Sarge gestured toward the loaded wagon. “Like you asked, Ozzie’s gone to pick up our belongings and give notice we won’t be back to the place where we was staying. We’ll guard the wagons tonight to make sure nobody helps himself to the supplies. Jeff is joining us.”

  “Thank you. This much gear will offer a lot of temptation to some.”

  Jeff crossed his arms and scanned their surroundings. “You got that right, and not just in Santa Fe. Your wife was smart to have us get brown dusters instead of yellow slickers so we don’t show up as much. But, those white wagon covers will call attention from a long ways.”

  “I know but we’ve taken all the precautions I can imagine. At least the covers will be used and not pristine white as if new. Let’s hope they’re dirty. Now we need to get underway and move as fast as we can.”

  That night in their room, Peyton explained the arrangements he’d made for the next day. “We’ll have to eat breakfast from the basket the restaurant prepares for us. Did you and Abigail get a shawl?”

  “Each of us did. Now I have something to give you to wear. Please say you will.” She grinned. “Consider it a wedding gift.” In her hand he saw a fancy medal on a chain.

  “What is this you want me to wear? Is that jewelry?” He looked closely. “A Saint Christopher medal?” And, a fancy one that must be an inch and a half in diameter.

  “I don’t know what religion you are or if you are even religious. We need all the protection we can get so please humor me on this.”

  He pulled the chain over his head. Felt foolish wearing a necklace and would never have thought he would. Her request seemed reasonable, though. She was right that they could use all the blessings they could find.

  “Nice of you. Thanks.”

  “I’m not Catholic but I think it makes no difference to a saint. Besides, God loves each of us. Abigail and I have a nice cross necklace but I got us each a small medal to carry in our pocket. Your larger medallion is from a different stall.”

  “Don’t see how it could hurt.” The metal was cold against his skin. He supposed it would soon warm. He caught himself grinning like a fool, touched she’d considered him. Get over feeling cocky. If you aren’t safe, the mission to rescue her brother suffers

  “Listen, Red, tomorrow you have to dress in a way that if those two men see you they won’t recognize you. Do something to hide your hair.”

  She arched a brow and raised her chin. “Wait until you see Abigail and me. You’ll be surprised and pleased.”

  She poked his arm. “You must not look so regal and handsome, Peyton. Can you look like a poor peasant?”

  He chuckled, pleased at her description. “I am a poor peasant. We have to wake really early. Jeff is coming for us at five and it will be dark as pitch then.”

  She snuggled into her pillow. “Hardly worthwhile going to sleep then, is it?”

  “Go to sleep anyway, Red.

  “I hope you won’t oversleep.”

  “Me, too.” He couldn’t explain why, but he never overslept.

  This time he had terrible nightmares that kept waking him. Each time his heart pounded and he gasped for breath. He prayed the bad dreams weren’t a premonition of things to come.

  The difference was having Red as his responsibility. He hadn’t wanted a woman partner. Archie should have insisted she wait in Denver after giving him the details. She and Abigail would be safer there.

  ***

  Judith woke in semi-darkness with one lamp burning low on Peyton’s side of the room. He was dressed in moccasins that came almost to his knees and deerskin britches. His shirt appeared to be cotton but was the same color as the deerskin. Over his head he pulled a blanket-like shawl.

  When he looked up, he grinned. “Like my serape?”

  She couldn’t stop staring. “You look totally different, like maybe a trapper or something.”

  He laughed. “I am ‘a trapper or something’ but I trap people. Time to get up, Sleeping Beauty. Abigail is awake. Jeff will be here in twenty minutes. I’ll start carrying our luggage to the reception area while you get dressed and conceal your hair.”

  She sat up and watched him load up both arms with luggage. When he’d closed the door behind him, she left the bed to get ready. Last night she’d repacked the few things she’d used while staying here except her nightgown and what she’d wear today. Now she raced in a flurry of activity.

  With her hair pulled into a tight bun, she donned the dress she’d purchased yesterday from one of the street stalls. As soon as she’d seen it hanging on the end of the stall’s cover, she knew that was what she needed. The dress was slightly faded calico with not much shape. The lady who operated the stall said it was “prairie style” and what the wives of farmers and ranchers wore at home. Judith took two dresses for herself and two for Abigail.

  The one she’d wear today was gray with tiny white and pink flowers. Abigail’s was faded blue with a pattern of dark blue squiggles. Judith had also purchased a green one for herself and a tan one for Abigail so they’d each have a change of clothes during their trip.