***
Once they were underway, Peyton opened the envelope from Archie. Apparently the contents were letters.
He read the latest two then folded them and replaced them in the large envelope.
His new wife, who he thought of as Red, scowled at him. “Aren’t you going to read all of them?”
He opened the valise at his feet and slid the envelope inside before fastening the latch. “Don’t need to. You tell me if there’s something else you think I need to know.”
“The description of Los Perdidos and the land surrounding it. His thoughts on the area for ranching.” She crossed her arms. “Never mind.” She turned up her pert little nose.
“I won’t, Red. The information I needed was in the two letters I read. Wake me when it’s time to eat.” He leaned back and tipped his hat over his eyes.
Her huff reached him but he didn’t bother to react. Not until she hissed into his ear. “My name is not Red, I am Judith. Got that?”
He didn’t move. “Every husband has a pet name for his wife. Mine for you is Red.”
She poked his arm. “No, it isn’t. Not unless you want me to come up with an unflattering name for you.”
He pushed up the brim of his hat. “Now what is unflattering about the name Red? You have red hair which appears natural. How could you mind?”
“All my life I have been teased because I have red hair. People discriminate against anyone who has red hair. We’re treated as if we carry disease or something. Why do you think my father and brother taught me to defend myself?”
He wriggled his shoulders against the back. “I don’t know but I have a feeling you’re going to enlighten me.”
“Other kids picked on me unmercifully.”
He raised his head and straightened on the seat. “Because of your hair?”
“Yes, because of my hair.”
He looked at Abigail for verification. She was tall and probably in her late thirties. An attractive woman, her brown hair was pulled so tight into her bun it must hurt her scalp. She didn’t dress like a servant or act like one. Apparently she was treated like family.
She closed the book she’d been reading. “Judith came home with a black eye and a bloody nose and torn stockings and dress more times than I could count. Her father was still alive then and he took her in hand and taught her to defend herself just like he had Josiah. Josiah continued her lessons after their father passed. Not that it helped because she still got in fights.”
Judith offered a triumphant smile. “But, then I won so often the others eventually stopped picking on me.”
“So, when did you start acting like a lady?”
Abigail rolled her eyes. “Hmph. She hasn’t started yet except when necessary. Rest of the time she acts like a hoyden. The good Lord knows I’ve done my best.”
Red leaned toward her companion. “Abigail, you make me sound awful and I’m not.”
Abigail reached across and patted Red’s knee. “No, you’re not awful, Judith. You’re a good person but you need to learn to control your impulses. I’m glad you’re married and now someone else can help me look out for you.”
“You know,” she looked around to see who was listening, “ours is not a real marriage. It’s only until we find and help Josiah.”
“Mmm hmm. We’ll see.” Abigail opened her book again. “Right now, though, I have help and it sure is welcome.” She met Peyton’s gaze. “So far.”
He chuckled. “Warning received.” He had no intention of crossing Abigail. He remembered she said she could shoot as welle as anyone.
In his mind he reviewed the letters. He figured if the brother was still alive, he was in deep trouble with this land hungry neighbor. Peyton’s trunk was loaded with his rifle, revolver, and plenty of bullets for both. All he had on him now was a derringer.
He leaned near Red. “You have a revolver with you?”
“We both do. Riding clothes for both of us. Abigail can ride but I’d rather she didn’t have to. I also have two knives and there’s an unassembled rifle in my trunk as well as boxes of cartridges and bullets.”
“Good girl.” He pulled his hat back down and tried to sleep.
He’d ridden through the country where the ranches were. Beautiful area but there’d been trouble north of it the past few years and he figured it would get worse. Josiah McAdams couldn’t have chosen much prettier or more dangerous land for his ranch.
He’d give the brother credit that he didn’t exactly choose the ranch when he helped the former—now dead—owner. Josiah should have ridden clear of the area in the first place. Since he was old enough to have served in the Army he should have known better.
Well, Peyton’s job wasn’t to figure out the man’s reasons. His job was to rescue him and get the man and the two women back to Santa Fe and safety. Problem was he couldn’t see the man giving up his ranch. Not in that country.
He didn’t know how much trouble Abigail Davis would be. She was determined to rescue the man she called ‘her boy’. Peyton suspected she wouldn’t settle for less than a perfect solution.
Red was going to be a pain in the rear the whole trip. She fancied herself some sort of guerilla fighter. He wondered if she’d ever seen a man die. He’d be surprised if she had. He took out a small notebook and started a list.
That night, at dinner in the dining car, he decided to find out. “You ever see a
