An Agent For Judith Read online

  They hadn’t found the kind of bonnet she wanted but this one would do very well. The type she’d found was intended for a child’s nurse. Also, it was similar to those women wore when working in the fields. The long cloth brim extended far enough forward to shade her face and the crown was shirred where it joined the brim then hung down to cover her neck. Not only would it conceal her identity, it would protect her skin.

  When she was ready, she pulled the black shawl around her shoulders. Gazing in the cheval glass caused her to laugh. She looked nothing like the real her. No one would give her a second glance.

  Finally, they were going to find Josiah. She added her nightgown to the carpetbag and snapped the closures. After setting it near the door, she checked the room for anything she’d overlooked.

  When Peyton returned he acted surprised. “You not only have a wonderful disguise, you’re ready. I’m impressed. Shall we go?”

  While he closed the bedroom door, she gazed toward the room where Abigail stayed. “You said she’s awake but I haven’t checked to see if Mama is ready.”

  “She’s waiting downstairs. She’s keeping watch in case Jeff arrives while I’m up here.”

  She twirled for him to see her costume. “Does she look as bad as I do?”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “There is no way I will answer that question. What I will say is that her disguise is almost as good as yours.”

  When they reached the lobby, Judith spotted Abigail talking to Jeff. Only, neither looked like his or her normal self. Abigail wore the blue dress and a gray shawl pulled up over her head. Jeff wore what looked like the white pants and shirt of a Mexican worker with a serape and wide-brimmed sombrero.

  Peyton walked faster. “Guess he’s already loaded the luggage.”

  Practically running to keep pace with him, she almost asked him to slow down. “But, I don’t think I dawdled.” She was certain she had dressed in record time.

  “You did very well, Red. Abigail was up and dressed when I rapped on her door to wake her. She sure is eager to see your brother.”

  “So am I but I did get a little sleep. Peyton?”

  He slowed and faced her. “Yes?”

  “In case I forget later, thank you for agreeing to this and everything you’ve done so far.”

  A wide smile creased his face. “That’s my job, Red.” In spite of downplaying all he’d done, his eyes conveyed gratitude because she’d recognized his efforts.

  “Yes, I realize that. To you this may be routine but it isn’t to Abigail and me. I want you to know I’m indebted to you.”

  He resumed his earlier pace. “Come now, Red, you’re paying me, not directly but that’s how it works.”

  His eyes twinkled when he glanced her way. “Besides, what loving husband wouldn’t help his adoring wife?”

  Before she could snap that he wasn’t even a real husband and she was not adoring him, they reached Abigail and Jeff.

  Jeff rubbed his hands together. “Found a panaderia stall by the wagon yard. We have lovely large cinnamon rolls—I mean rollos de canela—and Sarge has a pot of horrid, almost undrinkable coffee waiting.”

  Judith’s brief flare of temper disappeared. “What a wonderful recommendation. I can hardly wait for a cup.”

  Abigail took Judith’s arm. “Let us hurry. Who knows what Josiah is enduring? My poor sweet boy needs us.”

  The four of them climbed into the two-seated buggy Jeff had waiting. He hunched over so he appeared an older and subservient driver.

  Judith scanned the streets they traveled in case she saw the men who had followed her the previous day. She’d had her revolver in her pocket but she would have hated to use it. The two men had panicked her. Never in her life had she felt so alone.

  That was ridiculous because she was with Abigail, who also carried a revolver, and there were people around them. At that moment she’d realized she was the outsider now. If she had to defend herself she might not be treated justly.

  Certainly the same would be true when they found Josiah. If the neighbor, Lawson, controlled the marshal, who knew how many others bowed to his will? Peyton had been truthful when he said they would be against a stacked deck.

  Few people were on the streets but the wagon yard was busy. Other wagons and occupants ready to leave on their journeys, those camped for indefinite periods, and several empty wagons for sale were spread over the yard. They stopped near the two wagons they’d be using. After moving the luggage, Jeff drove the buggy next door to the livery stable.

  Sarge handed Abigail, Peyton, and her each a cup of coffee. “The neighbor let me share their fire.”

  Ozzie passed around a basket of cinnamon rolls. “If it’s all right with you, we thought we’d save the breakfast basket until we stop for a rest in a couple of hours or so.”

  She took a roll. “That sounds reasonable. Mama and I are eager to get on the way.”

  Peyton scanned the surroundings. “I believe we have too many spectators here. Don’t anyone turn around. Former acquaintances have appeared across the road.”

  Sarge grumbled under his breath. “Should have taken them to the sheriff.”

  Peyton shook his head. “You can’t go to jail for following someone on a public street or for making insulting comments.”

  Abigail gestured with her roll. “They were saying terrible things they would do to Judith. That should be against the law.”

  Peyton put his arm around her. “I’m on your side, Mama, but we have to consider what the sheriff would say. The men didn’t know either of you could understand them. There is no law against conversing privately.”

  With a look close to a pout Sarge dumped the remains of the beverage. “I get the feeling my brew wasn’t well received. Next time someone else can make the coffee.”

  Even though his coffee was truly horrid, Judith didn’t want his feelings to be hurt. “You were kind to think of us so early in the day. I appreciate your thoughtfulness but I am too nervous to concentrate on food and drink. Even though apparently I finished my roll, I don’t even recall doing so.”

  Abigail handed Sarge her empty cup, the contents of which she’d dumped when he wasn’t looking. “Thank you for a most welcome drink to get our day started, Mr. Dickinson. You have enough other duties. I will make the coffee and cook for us. My Judith will help me.”

  Now smiling again, he tucked the cups and coffeepot into a box inside one wagon. “Ladies, both of you please call me Sarge. Sure glad someone else will be doing the cooking.”

  Judith said, “Men, I have a token to give you for safety. You should carry this Saint Christopher medal in your pocket. He is the patron saint of travelers. I don’t know your religion, but I think each of us can use divine help.”

  Jeff smiled and slid the medal into his pocket. “That’s kind of you.”

  Sarge appeared perplexed but touched. “No one ever gave me anything like this. Thank you.”

  Ozzie practically beamed. “I’m sure pleased you thought of me.”

  Gratified by their reaction, Judith said, “All right, let’s get on our way.”

  Peyton helped Judith climb into one wagon. “If you don’t like the way we have things set up we’ll change at our first stop. Right now, we want to get moving.” He climbed up beside her.

  She leaned to the side to look for Abigail. “Where is Mama?”

  Peyton released the brake and snapped the reins. “Jeff is helping her into the other wagon and will drive for her. Sarge and Ozzie will bring the spare horses and keep up with us.”

  “You have planned well, I’m sure, but please go on. Perhaps knowing more details will quiet my stomach. My muscles are clenching so badly, I’m afraid I’ll retch.”

  He leaned toward her in concern. “Aw, that’s probably Sarge’s coffee at work.”

  After he’d driven the wagon from the yard and onto the street, he glanced at her. “We made sure to mention the words Kansas several times when we were arranging the goods in the wagons. Doesn’t hurt if people think we’re headed that way.”

  “Is there a road the direction we’re going?”

  “Because of the mountain passes, there are only a couple of roads out of Santa Fe and only one is a major route. The fastest we can travel will be twenty miles a day. Uphill and across rivers, we’ll be lucky to do a third that.”

  “Thank you. I studied a sketch Josiah drew in one of his early notes. Then you saw the one of how to reach the ranch in his last letter. I memorized that one but nothing was to scale. I can’t visualize the paper into landscape.”

  “Being eager to see your brother will make the trip seem endless. I expect us to reach Los Perdidos in four days, three if we’re lucky, five if we have bad weather or other hazards.”

  The band around her chest tightened until she could barely speak, “Other hazards?”

  “Relax, Red. I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending there’s no potential for problems. But, we’ve tried to prepare for everything. We have a spare wheel for each wagon, tools to make repairs, medicines for the animals and us, extra food, and probably a lot of things we’ll never use. Better to have extra than not enough. I figure your brother can use what we don’t.”

  She took a deep breath. “Thank you. As angry as it makes me when you call me Red, saying he can use what we don’t has made me feel better. That sounds hopeful.”

  “Of course we’re hopeful or there would be no point to what we’re doing. He needs us as reinforcements and we’re racing to his aid.”

  “Racing being very loosely defined as two lumbering covered wagons,” she said with a hopeful smile.

  His grin boosted her mood even more. “Yeah, that’s what I meant.”

  Chapter Nine

  Peyton caught Sarge’s glance. The former Army man held up two fingers and gestured behind them. He nodded that he understood and Sarge dropped back with the horses.

  Judith grabbed his arm. “I saw that. Those two men from yesterday are following us, aren’t they?”

  “You are too durn smart for my own good. They followed us from the Santa Fe wagon yard. I don’t know their intentions, other than trying to abduct you.”

  “Easy for men on horseback to get ahead of us and lay a trap. If it were me, I’d choose a place like those hills up ahead. How far away do you think those are?”

  “Couple of hours. Keep your revolver ready.”

  “Should they try I assure you those men will not survive to abduct me.” The steel in her voice left no doubt she would deal with the two. “What I want is for each of our party to survive intact.”

  “Wouldn’t mind that myself, Red. We can’t help your brother otherwise.”

  After a few minutes, she said, “We must keep in mind those two men may be going to Los Perdidos for their own business. I don’t believe that to be true, but stranger things have happened.”

  “You count pigs flying as one of those strange happenings?”

  “I’ve heard of flying pigs all my life,” she scoffed with a sly grin. “I’m hopeful that someday I’ll see one.”

  He couldn’t keep from laughing.

  Half an hour later he turned off the road. “Mules need a break. This grove of trees by a creek looks as good a place as any. I’m ready for breakfast.”

  “People need a break as well. Mama and I will make good coffee this time.”

  He hated to waste time brewing a drink. The air was still chilly and he supposed they could use the hot beverage. Judith had a fire built in no time and Abigail had coffee boiling.

  He and Jeff drove the teams into the water without unhitching them while Sarge and Ozzie watered the horses. Each of them kept a lookout for anyone approaching. Tonight they’d have to unhitch the mules but he didn’t want to do so now. He had a hunch their two followers would love to drive off the team.

  While they were eating, another group passed. They traveled with a buckboard piled with something under a tarp. Six men on horseback rode with the wagon. They waved but kept traveling while one of the horsemen broke away and rode to speak to them.

  Peyton quickly climbed on his wagon and drove his team from the water, set the brake, and climbed down to join the women. Each woman had a hand in her pocket while she worked clearing up their picnic. Good to know they were remaining alert and cautious. Still, he wanted to appear the protector and head of the group.

  The stranger took off his hat and nodded to the women. “Howdy, friends. We wonder have you heard anything about trouble on the trail heading north?”

  Peyton frowned. “Not a thing. You expecting trouble?”

  He acted worried. “Hope not. Heard the Comanche were riled up.”

  Peyton shook his head. “They usually are but we heard they were a good ways east of here raiding into Texas. Hoping we heard right and you didn’t.”

  “Me, too. I’d sure like to keep my scalp. You folks going far?”

  “A far piece, headed toward Kansas.”

  “Kansas, you don’t say? If I was you I’d a gone by train.”

  “Wish we could have because it would have been a lot easier. Southwestern corner of Kansas only has stage service and seldom even that. Where you folks headed?”

  “We’re on the way to Mora. Well, have a good trip and stay clear of Comanche.”

  After the man rode off Jeff strode up to Peyton. “You see the brand on that horse?”

  Peyton lowered his head but watched the man catch up to his group. “Yep. Like the one in Josiah’s letter. I’ll bet all of those animals have the same brand.”

  “I wouldn’t take that bet.” Jeff stomped to the other wagon and drove it from the creek.

  Sarge’s face solemn, he led half the horses up from the water. “Sure was a friendly fella, wasn’t he?”

  Ozzie led the other half of their horses from the creek. The usually cheerful man scowled. “First time I ever knew someone to question the way you were traveling. Not his business whether you go by train or wagon. Lucky he didn’t get shot.”

  Red stood up. “I saw that man staring at me. I didn’t look up but I could see him from under the brim of my bonnet.”

  He took her hand. “Red, his horse had the brand your brother drew.”

  “I knew it, that despicable coward pretending to be friendly. Next time I see him I will shoot his—”

  He clamped his hand over her mouth. “Remember the big picture. First, there are seven of them. Second and even more important, we are the good guys. We don’t shoot people first even if we think they work for a criminal.”

  She crossed her arms. “He could have been the one who beat Mr. Corrigan. He could have done the same to Josiah.” He saw tears gather in her eyes and her bottom lip tremble.

  He circled his arms around her. “You don’t know that for a fact, honey. We’ll win in the end, Red. Don’t let them get to you this soon. We haven’t even arrived in Los Perdidos yet.”

  Abigail had stored things in the wagon but hurried up. “What is wrong? Why did you cover Judith’s mouth? Why is she crying?”

  Jeff took Abigail’s arm and walked her a few yards away while speaking softly.

  Peyton closed his eyes and clasped Red. He’d had an idea he’d like having this woman in his arms but he’d underestimated how much. She was a heavenly being sent to earth.

  She sniffed and stepped away, brushing at her eyes. “I’m sorry, Peyton. Mama’s right when she says I’m too impetuous. I’ll douse the fire and we’ll be ready.”

  Even in her ridiculous costume she set his senses reeling. He watched her move away, the disguise unable to hide her graceful movements. Dadgum but he was in big trouble this time.

  Driving through mountain roads with numerous places for adversaries to strike kept them all nervous. They were certain they’d be attacked and didn’t want to be caught off guard. By the time they reached a place suitable for camping for the night, Peyton was bone tired and could see Judith was exhausted.

  “Walking around will be welcome.” He climbed down and reached up to help her and whispered, “Red, stay close to the wagon.” When he’d set her on the ground, he spoke aloud, “Dark tonight, might rain.”

  She whispered, “Tell the others that if there’s rain, they should come into the wagons.”

  “We’ll have two men on guard all night. We’ll take shifts. You sleep with your gun by your hand.”

  “I’ll have my Winchester by my hand and my Colt revolver under the pillow. So will Mama. I also will have my knife ready.”

  She waited a bit. “You know, Mama and I could share a bed and then the two men who aren’t on guard duty could sleep in the other wagon’s bed.”

  “No, we appear a happily- but recently-married couple with your mother along. Don’t change the plan.” He wanted the two women in separate places. He knew one would defend the other.

  Sarge approached him. “Can we string the remuda between the wagons?”

  That didn’t sound good. “You see something?”

  Sarge constantly scanned the camp edges. “Not really but… well, you have those itchy feelings between your shoulders sometimes?”

  He did. “Yeah, and now is one of those times. I don’t remember them being wrong, do you?”

  “No, but I hope to the devil this one is.” Sarge strode to help Ozzie string the remuda rope.

  Jeff sauntered over. “I’ll take first watch. Nerves are all worked up and I don’t think I could sleep.”

  “Sarge has an itchy feeling between his shoulder blades. That what you mean?”

  “Something like that.” He scanned the area but the night was inky.

  Ozzie adjusted his bed for the night. “I’m beat to a frazzle. I had second watch last night and can’t hardly wait to stretch out again in that new bedroll.”

  “Jeff will wake you at one. If it rains, you can move to the floor inside my wagon.”

  “Hey, thanks. Won’t rain tonight but it’s gonna be cold. Spent too long prospecting in these mountains to think different.”

  When the remuda was in place and supper finished, Peyton added enough wood to keep the fire going a few hours. “Sarge, you want first or second watch?”

  “First. I’ll wake you at one.” He carried his rifle to stand in the dark.