part0009

Mark went to the stage line office. By the board above the clerk’s desk, there wasn’t a stage due in until tomorrow, and it was going west to Rawlins. The clerk was stamping tickets and putting them in batches.

Mark showed him his badge. “I’m Mark Johnson with the Pinkerton Agency in Denver. I hear you’ve had some robberies on your stages.”

“Yes, sir.” The clerk shook his hand. “Ed Danby, and am I glad to see you. Somehow, the outlaws know just what stage to rob, too.”

“Hate to say it, but it sure seems that way. It’s not me, and I only have three others working for me that could possibly know the passengers, routes, and when the banks put on cash boxes.”

Ed scratched his sparse hair. “Can’t say. I’ve tried to think who might be up to no good, but truthfully, all the men along the stage line have been with us for two years, and none of them strike me as outlaws.”

“Do you know of anyone facing hardship? Hard times can shove a good man across the line.” Mark waited, hoping for an answer.

“No. I can’t say I know everyone, but those here are doing all right as far as I know.”

“Thanks, Ed. I’ll be in contact. I might follow the stage tomorrow. Is there any reason it might be held up?”

Ed looked about the room. “Mr. Ferguson, he’s a banker and going to check on a mine. He might be a reason to watch that run. Should I give you a ticket?”

“Yeah, I’ll let my partner go. I’ll ride along the trail out of sight just to see if anything happens.”

After handing him a ticket, Ed picked up a map. “You’ll go along the old wagon trails. There’s plenty of cover along the way. I’d stay to the north of the trail that way you can watch. More times than not, the outlaws swing in from the south.”

Mark left the depot and put the ticket in his pocket. Evangeline could ride the stagecoach. He’d watch over her.

A twinge of doubt hit him as he didn’t like the idea of putting her in danger. But she had signed on to be an agent. Besides, she’d been savvy enough to get a killer out of jail. Mark hoped they never met up with her brother again, but he had a bad feeling about the man.

He entered the hotel and bounded up the stairs. He idly wondered how long it took a lady to take a bath and hoped she’d be finished. He was hungry.

The hotel wasn’t too busy. Most of the patrons were out on business, shopping, or at dinner. He knocked on the door.

He knocked again. His anger growing with each minute. Surely, she hadn’t skipped out on him again. After a few minutes, he took his key and opened the door.

Water dripping and splashes signaled she was exiting the tub. “I told you I would be here. Get out so I can get dressed.”

Without argument, he dashed out the door, closed it, and leaned his back against the polished wood. Women must take longer in the bath than men. Yet, even as he thought about her, the sweet smell of flowers drifted from the room. She had been irresistible before. He better stay outside the room until she came out.

And it didn’t take long for her to open the door. She was dressed in a nice dress and wore a hat. She’d look fine in the dining room. He looked down at his dusty trouser and sweat-stained shirt.

To say that her words went beyond a suggestion was an understatement. “You’re right. It will take me a few minutes.”

She rubbed a gloved hand along his jaw. “Take your time and shave. We want to look respectable in the diner.”

He nodded. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. He felt like an old hound dog he used to have. The animal would gladly follow him wherever he roamed. Yep, Evangeline had turned him into an obedient puppy. “Go ahead.”

She smiled at him. “Don’t worry. I’ll be down there. I told you I wouldn’t run out on you again. You can take me at my word.”

“I trust you.” He said the words but knew he’d hurry as fast as he could. There was just something about her that he didn’t trust. Maybe it was because she was a beautiful woman in a town full of men. Whatever the case, he’d be down as quick as he could.

Evangeline smiled to herself. That Mark was in love with her was so obvious. The look in his eyes, the gentle way he talked to her, and the slight pink of his cheeks when she put a finger under his jaw.

She’d never been one for getting men to fall for her. Calvin had more or less taken notice of her and demanded she was his. She hadn’t liked that but felt helpless to do anything about it. Now, she knew that Calvin never loved her. He never looked at her the adoring way that Mark had on the first day that they’d met.

She had to admit that the Pinkerton agent was getting to her. She thought of him more than not and enjoyed his company. And now felt lost without him. She went down the stairs and ignored the looks by the men at the foot of the stairs.

Walking past their cigar smoke, she found a seat on the divan nearest the dining room entrance. Plus, she had a good view of the stairs so she would see him coming. Evangeline picked up a paper.

The Denver Gazette . She went through the pages. Not really reading. But her heart stopped when she read the headline Sam Russell escapes the hangman’s noose . A short report on how he’d been taken by the Pinkerton’s to Dodge to stand trial.

She shoved the paper closed. What if Archie Gordon read the article or any other agents? She prayed that she didn’t get Mark in trouble.

A well-dressed man sat beside her. “Ma’am, I hope you don’t mind me sitting beside you. But it seems the others are all taken. I’m waiting for another gentleman.”

She wanted to tell him to leave, but he was right. All the divans and chairs were now full. “That will be fine. I am waiting for a gentleman also. My husband.”

“Well, I am sorry to hear that. You’re a lovely woman and a remarkable addition to this hotel.” He held out his hand. “Wyatt Ferguson at your service.”

She smiled and gently put her hand in his. “Thank you, Mr. Ferguson. I’m Evangeline, Johnson.” She had to think for a moment. She hoped he hadn’t noticed her hesitation. She glanced at the stairs and hoped Mark would come down quickly.

Wyatt Ferguson looked a bit puzzled but smiled. “On your honeymoon and already having to wait on your husband.” He chuckled.

“No, not really. He’ll be down in a minute.” She straightened her skirt and clutched her reticule.

“Here’s my business partner now. It was a pleasure.” Wyatt stood and greeted an older man who was equally well-dressed. Together, they entered the dining room.

Evangeline’s stomach rumbled. She really wished Mark would hurry but was glad her rumbling had waited until Ferguson left her.

She decided to watch the other men and work on her detective skills. She really needed to pay attention and become better at remembering names and faces. She’d gone around the room once and was sure she could tell Mark about each man.

Then he was standing before. While not as well-dressed as Wyatt Ferguson, Mark looked wonderful to her, and she was surprised at the relief she felt in seeing him. More than relief, she was falling for this Pinkerton agent, who played the role of her temporary husband.

“Yes.” She stood. “I told a Wyatt Ferguson that we are on our honeymoon. Just in case he asks you.”

“Good. Ferguson, you say, Well, that might just work into our plans.” He told her about his plans for her to go on the stage while he traveled on horseback.

The waiter took them to a table in the back. And then brought them a bottle of champagne. “From the gentleman in the far table by the window.”

After the waiter left, she glanced at Mark. “That was the gentleman who sat next to me on the divan while I waited. The one I told that we were on our honeymoon.”

Mark frowned. “I see. He’s also one that will be on the stagecoach with you tomorrow.”

She put a hand on his arm. “We have to come up with a story. Why would I leave you on our honeymoon? I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to tell him.”

“You did fine. We’ll come up with something. I could have trouble at the ranch near Rawlins.”

Mark shrugged. “I hope so. We can tell him, I’ll meet you later.” He rubbed her hand. “He’s a banker and going to check on a mine. The stage clerk said there was little reason for the stage to be robbed. Still, I don’t want you in any danger. Maybe you should stay here.”

“I’m a Pinkerton agent just like you. I can do the job.” She smiled. “I think you better sleep in my room tonight. The sofa is long enough for you to sleep on. We can go over our story tonight. By the way, I studied all the men and the only other woman that I saw in the foyer and can tell you what I know about each one. What they look like. Who they were with. What I think they are doing.”

Mark sat back in his chair and looked at her. “I’m impressed, Mrs. Johnson.”

“I wish I had more time to train you properly.” He leaned forward. “You don’t have to go through with it. I know you only joined to save your brother. I won’t hold it against you if you want to quit now.”

Evangeline considered his words. She should get out. She hadn’t wanted to marry him or be a Pinkerton agent. But now? She gazed at him. The truth was, she liked him, and she still had Sam to consider. “I signed up. I want to go on.” Surprisingly, she meant every word.