He tapped his chest. “I work for Pinkerton Detective Agency and I take my orders from Archie Gordon, not some prissy redhead.”
Archie put two fingers to his lips and whistled. “Stop this. You can continue this discussion after the wedding while you’re on the way to New Mexico. Right now, Peyton, go pack you gear. You’ll be going as a wealthy man looking to buy a ranch. Get outfitted as such.”
Peyton glared at his boss then stomped from the room, muttering under his breath.
“Miss McAdams, have you checked into a hotel?”
“My luggage is in your cloakroom. I came straight here from the depot.”
“That’s fortunate. There’s a small room adjoining the cloakroom if you’d like to freshen up for your wedding. The minister just united another couple and has joined us for lunch. I’ll go catch him before he leaves.”
“Thank you. I’ll be ready in five minutes.” Or so. She figured it would take longer than that to calm Abigail.
She went back to where the woman waited. “I won’t be much longer. They’re assigning an agent to the case and I’ll go with him.”
Abigail crossed her arms. “We will go with him.”
She took a deep breath. Mr. Gordon had said no civilians. Somehow she had to convince that rude Peyton person to overlook that rule. “That’s what I meant, of course. The director said there’s a room here where I can freshen up.”
Abigail nodded to a closed door. “There’s a chamber pot through that door. That nice young lady let me use it after I finished my lunch.”
“Good, I’ll hurry in and then I have to meet with Mr. Gordon again.” She was glad there was also a mirror, sink, and pump for water. She did hurry so she’d be able to head off the director before he saw Abigail.
“Aren’t you getting lunch?” Abigail started to stand but Judith motioned her to remain seated.
“Later, dear. There’s something I must do before we leave.” She hesitated then added, “Please read about New Mexico while you wait. Find Los Perdidos if you can.” She hurried away before Abigail could ask questions.
When she returned to Mr. Gordon’s office, he guided her to a common room where her scowling groom waited. To her surprise, several women were there.
Mr. Gordon’s booming voice announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Miss Judith McAdams, soon to be Mrs. Peyton Knight.”
People called “Hello” or “Best wishes” or “Poor woman”.
Mr. Gordon proffered his arm and she laid her hand on it. They walked toward a man at a lectern. Her reluctant groom stood sullenly. Before the man’s officiating got underway, she handed a ring to her groom. “I’d like to use my late mother’s ring.”
He took it from her as if she’d offered him a snake. He slipped it on the end of his little finger. “Fine with me.”
He handed a different ring to Mr. Gordon. “She brought her own.”
Archie smiled pleasantly and sat down then nodded to the official.
The minister or whoever he was smiled as if he did this every day. Perhaps he did. “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to unite this man and this woman in the bonds of matrimony.”
Judith had attended numerous weddings and had been a bridesmaid in two of them. This was definitely an abbreviated version of the vows. She supposed promising to love and cherish would have been inappropriate.
When they were wed, they started toward the exit and she spotted Abigail standing in the doorway dabbing at her eyes. Judith widened her eyes and gave a tiny shake of her head. Quickly, Abigail disappeared from sight.
When she and Peyton reached the luggage, he said, “I had my luggage sent to the foyer and placed with yours. Supposedly by now it’s loaded onto the wagon. We should be ready to go. You have the money on you to pay for the tickets?”
“Yes. I’d better give you the cash to purchase them so people don’t think you’re a gigolo. I’ll be watching you, though.”
“I’m sure you will.” He stopped short when he saw Abigail seated on a trunk in the wagon. “Who the devil is that?”
“My traveling companion—our traveling companion, Abigail Davis. She’s like a mother to me and to my brother.”
He shook his head. “No, no, no. I’m your traveling companion. Remember, no civilians.”
Abigail crossed her arms with her mulish expression intact. “Young man, I was shooting guns and hunting before you were out of short pants. I am going with you to find Josiah. If he needs nursing, I’ll take care of him same as I did until he was grown.”
He raised a hand as if pushing her away. “Look, we have rules—”
“Ha, like a marriage which is temporary instead of forever.” Judith glared at him. “Abigail is going if we have to leave you here in the dust.”
“Fine with me. Archie would never allow her to go with us.”
“Mr. Gordon will allow it because I am the client and I am paying a heck of a lot of money for this trip. Now get in the darn wagon.” She stepped up on the wheel to climb in on her own, but the driver rushed to help her.
Peyton stared back at the headquarters then at the wagon. He walked back and forth the length of the wagon as if pondering whether or not to go with her or go talk to the director.
The driver appeared to enjoy the exchange far too much.
She looked at Peyton. “The train to Santa Fe leaves in less than an hour. If you’re afraid to go with us,
