part0010

Evangeline walked beside Mark to the stage depot. Arm in arm like newlyweds, he held her close. She wanted to pull away, part of her anyway, but another part of her wanted to keep him close. The comfort he gave her. The warmth and protection he gave her.

They’d come up with the story that her sister and husband lived in Rawlins, and she was to meet them while she waited for Mark to join her.

Mark smoothed her hair and smiled. “I’ll meet up with you as soon as I can. It shouldn’t be too long. Your sister will be disappointed if you don’t go.”

Evangeline caught Wyatt Ferguson watching them as he stepped into the stagecoach. She put her hands around Mark’s neck and pulled him close for a kiss. “I can’t bear to leave you.”

His gaze had followed the direction of her eyes, and he nodded. “It won’t be long, dear. Now, get aboard. Can’t have the stage late because of us.”

Evangeline played the part of a sad bride leaving her new husband. Once settled inside the coach, she reflected how well she’d played the role and startled herself with the realization that she did miss Mark.

He’d given her instructions. Sabrina and Tom were to meet them near Rawlins. Sabrina would play Evangeline’s sister. It seems Archie had sent word to the two agents when Evangeline and Mark failed to show up in Cheyenne.

Mark had contacted headquarters after he found Evangeline and told them the story and arranged for the couple to travel to Wyoming ahead of them.

Evangeline sat on the bench facing forward and was next to Wyatt Ferguson. Two rough-looking men on the stage sat opposite them and one woman who sat on the other side of Wyatt.

As far as Evangeline could tell, the woman was traveling alone. She hadn’t said a word. Wyatt didn’t pay her any mind.

The stage driver cracked the whip, and the coach lurched forward. Evangeline waved at Mark, and he waved back. Her heart warmed at the thought that she had someone who cared if she came or went. It had been some time.

Wyatt nodded to her. “Your young man will be with you soon enough.” He said it in a well-meaning tone, but he also looked at her with more than was required for a passing word.

“Yes, he will.” She looked out the window and caught sight of Mark near the depot. He smiled, tipped his hat, and disappeared behind the building. Mark had bought her a small gun to keep in her skirt pocket. Plus, Mark had seen fit to buy her a bag of peanuts.

He truly was a good man. She said a silent prayer asking for his safety while scooting closer to the window and away from Mr. Ferguson.

Not that Evangeline was afraid of the man, she didn’t like the way he looked at her. It reminded her of the way Mark looked at her. What she didn’t need was another man interested in her.

Her thoughts drifted to Sam. She prayed she’d not see him again. Not hear of any trouble he was in. But deep down, she knew he was up to his neck in trouble. That he had almost shot Mark still sent chills down her spine.

The stage rocked and swayed. The horses were making good time. She glanced on the ridge and wondered if Mark was riding close and watching over her. The thought gave her a warm feeling. It had been so long since anyone cared for her.

Sam must feel the same way. Orphaned and on the streets was no way to grow up. She’d barely escaped the life of a woman of the streets. Sam, well, he hadn’t escaped the rough life of scratching out an existence to survive.

If she could only get him to see that there was another way. Sam could give up his wayward life and pay back those he’d stolen from. The dark niggling thought that he’d done worse things forced tears to her eyes.

“Mrs. Johnson, is everything all right?” Wyatt Ferguson handed her his handkerchief.

She took the lacey hanky and nodded. “I miss my husband.” She didn’t look at him. Didn’t want to give him a hint of encouragement, or a look inside her eyes and see that she was lying.

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder. That’s what they say anyway. Though I have found that such platitudes help little in the midst of a crisis.”

Even while staring at a leather button on the seat in front of her, she could hear the compassion and interest on his face. Evangeline nodded.

“I had a lady once. We were to be married, but she went north, and I never saw her again. Heard later that she had another man she’d been writing to all along. I still think of her at times.” He patted her hand. “Don’t you worry. I saw the look on your husband’s face, and he loves you. Yes, ma’am. You are the only one for him.”

She pulled her hand from him but looked into his gray eyes. That he’d spoken the truth about Mark was sure. That he suspected that she wasn’t so in love with Mark was also evident. Like a wolf, he was prowling and sizing her up.

“Wyatt.” He gently pushed one of her stray curls behind her ear. He smiled at her. A wolfish grin that said he knew she’d spoken more to encourage herself than him.

She ignored him and turned to watch out the window. Earlier, she had worried about Mr. Ferguson and his money. Mark had thought that he was the one the outlaws might be after. Now, she wouldn’t lift a finger to save him from the gang.

That she was attracted to the man bothered her. Why she would have two men interested in her at this point in her life was beyond reason to her. And she was married to one of them. Not entirely by choice, but Mark had stood with her and said the words.

What God must think of such an arrangement, she wasn’t quite sure. Or more truthfully, she didn’t want to know. She had said her vows in front of a preacher. Even if he was also a Pinkerton Agent, Wade Scott held the Bible in higher regard than his six-shooter and badge.

She turned her thoughts to Mark. He’d confided in her that he had never thought about marriage until he saw her that day in Archie’s office. Said he was overtaken by her and believed that it was the doings of the Lord.

Just what she needed. Another kind man to cater to her needs. But her throat was dry and seemingly coated with dust from the trail. Even after she drew the window curtains, a layer of dust covered her clothes and everyone inside the coach.

“Everything will work out. Don’t worry.” Wyatt settled back in his seat and left her alone.

Perhaps, she’d finally given him the message that she didn’t want to be bothered. He stretched his long legs out and put his hat over his face.

For some reason, that bothered her. It was one thing to be in the center of his attentions, but to be shoved out of his cares by a hat, well, that was annoying. She would have liked to have an intelligent conversation, and Wyatt was the likeliest candidate.

By the snores from the other two men in the coach, and the quiet woman, Evangeline was on her own. Just as well, she didn’t need Wyatt prying into her life. She prayed he hadn’t noticed that she wasn’t in love with Mark.

Her hand rested on the pocket of her skirt with the peanuts. She grinned. Maybe Mark had found a way to her heart. She took out the bag and ate some of the peanuts, tossing the shells out of the coach.

She enjoyed her snacks, and peaking between the curtains, watched the scenery go by. Just as she was ready to drift off into a needed nap, the horses slowed, and the coach stopped near a creek flanked with tall trees. It was such a peaceful scene.

The thought of her brother was so strong that her knees shook. Was he in trouble? Had he been caught again and about to hang.

That wasn’t the driver’s voice. It was Sam’s. She stumbled to her feet and stepped out of the open door. Wyatt stepped out next. Then the two men followed by the woman.

Evangeline looked around but didn’t see her brother. Instead, she saw a short man with a handlebar mustache waving a gun in her face. To the front of the wagon, she saw a tall man on a horse holding the reins to a riderless horse.

She didn’t see her brother. Perhaps she was dreaming. She stood next to Wyatt, who didn’t seem to be bothered in the least.

Then another man stood atop the coach. Even with the kerchief covering his face, she knew it was Sam. He pointed his gun at the drivers. “Get down. Both of you. And leave the guns on the coach.”

“You know what we want.” Sam stared at her. “Don’t make a move, and nobody gets hurt.”

Evangeline believed he’d said those words to her. She remained still. Aware of the gun Mark had given her in her pocket, she didn’t see any way that she could prevent the robbery, and against so many, she wouldn’t have a chance.

Sam threw a satchel to the mustached outlaw. “Put the things in this bag.”

Evangeline knew her mouth was open. How her brother could slip back into the outlaw life after she’d saved him was beyond her. Beyond her since of duty anyway. She was about to yell at him when Wyatt pulled her back behind him.

She shouted, “No!” and jumped between Wyatt and Sam. “Don’t. Just take what you want and leave.”

Her brother cursed, grabbed her and hauled her in front of him. “No one move or the lady gets it. Everyone, empty your pockets and then get on your belly.”

Sam pulled Evangeline roughly, threw the satchel to the mustached outlaw, and then took her to the front of the stage where his horse was tied.

“Too far down the wrong trail for that. Let’s go.” He mounted and yanked on her until she was behind him. “Hang on. I don’t want you to fall off. When we get to another town, and I can trust you not to tell, I’ll let you go.”

Evangeline held onto her brother’s waist. At least she’d saved him from killing Wyatt. A shudder went through her. She and Sam had been so close, and now he was like a stranger to her.

Sam galloped his horse away from the stage, the other outlaws followed.

Evangeline thought about clobbering her brother or jumping from the horse, but maybe she could find out who the other outlaws were and find the man that was giving the information. Mark had said someone had to be informing the outlaws when to strike.

Although, she wondered why they had robbed this stage. She hadn’t seen anyone besides Wyatt, who looked like they had money. And she saw what Wyatt had thrown in the hat. It didn’t look like more than a couple hundred dollars, yet they hadn’t taken his gold ring.

She hung on as Sam urged the horse over a hill. Soon they were following a creek and keeping in the line of trees.

There was no gunfire behind them. No one was coming. Evangeline looked behind her. Where was Mark? He’d said he was going to follow the stage.