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
