“Nick? Why would that change our plans?”
“He was arguing with Andrea, behind a building. She was dressed in some cloak and dagger outfit, but I recognized her from the family painting her folks have on the wall.”
“Nick doesn’t know Andrea,” said Gen.
“Apparently he does. He called her by name, using quite an angry tone,” Trace said. “When they parted, she vanished into obscurity, so I followed him. He asked inside about a private chartered group leaving at noon and paid for two people. After he left, I went inside and signed us up.”
“Chartered – as in a wagon train? We’re not traveling by locomotive?”
“Not this time. We are roughing it with a bunch of stragglers who prefer to ride in discomfort and face the dangers of the wild.”
Gen swallowed her disappointment. “Or perhaps to remain hidden from the general public. That could be their agenda.”
Trace nodded. “Good observation.”
“I suppose I should repack. Not the setting for pretty, stylish dresses.”
“Yes, practical garments would be easier. Include cooking pans, blankets and the like. We’ll need to feed ourselves. I had to nearly beg for the burly man in charge to let us tag along, but he finally gave in. A retired trail master named Zack Scott. But this is the best part. Guess who the man hired to hunt food for us is?”
Gen shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“Simon Frezner! Now you know why we have to go. Both Andrea and the man with the baby will be traveling with us.”
“And don’t forget my brother? This is not what I wanted Nick to be doing with his life.” Gen looked away to hide the puddle of tears gathering in corners of her eyes.
Trace squeezed her hand. “Throw in some cans. Whatever you see in the cupboard; or go to the mercantile and get what you think we need. Use the money I gave you for expenses.”
“Where are you going?”
“To the livery. Need to rent a wagon so we look the part. Welcome to your honeymoon, sweetheart.”
With that, he was gone. Gen moved into high gear, changing her dress into something more appropriate for the trail and rearranging her personal suitcase. In the pantry, she scanned the cupboards and noticed an abundant supply of beans. She understood it to be a good staple while camping but decided to go to the store and add diversity to their diet. In the end; coffee, rice, and one of every vegetable canned variety went into the food box. Gen had no idea how long they’d be with the group, so she added dried meat, cheese and a couple loaves of bread.
Their task had been to find the missing person, and according to Trace, he’d seen her this morning. A perfect opportunity to tote her home to her parents. Case closed. Instead they were about to leave on a wagon ride southward alongside Andrea Friskin, Nick, perhaps a baby, and some mystery man running from the law. All while under the disguise of a honeymooning couple. Trace was not sharing something and that made her uncomfortable. She should be able to trust her own partner. Doubt crept in and spoiled the lure of the adventure. By twelve o’clock, they were lined up with three other wagons with no sign of the girl under surveillance.
Gen pulled him off to the side. “Well, Mr. Stapleton, where is Andrea?”
“I don’t know. I was sure I read your brother’s signals right about her coming, but must confess, I didn’t actually hear him say her name aloud.”
“What kind of detective work is that?”
“It’s called a sixth sense,” he stated with force. “One thing I know for sure is the girl’s not leaving on today’s train, so by using process of elimination and your brother’s concern, this mode of travel is the next best option.” Trace appeared satisfied with those conclusions. “I’m thinking maybe this area is too much in the open for a girl hiding from her family. Likely she’ll join the wagon train once we get out of town.”
“Sounds probable,” agreed Gen. “But if she doesn’t show by tomorrow, we’ll split and go our own way.”
“But what about your honeymoon?” he asked as if she really expected one.
“That was not part of the bargain.”
He appeared annoyed. “Well, my dear, that’s what folks here expect to see, so put on your happy face and let’s figure out what Andrea is up to.”
“This is your idea, isn’t it, because a missing person case is not up to your standards of real detective work? Now you’re sending us on a wild goose chase to investigate as to why the troubled girl ran away from home?”
“I figure it’ll be a feather in our team-cap. If we solve her problems, she won’t be tempted to run from home a second time. Her parents will appreciate us going the extra mile.”
“Her parents don’t realize that we are the agents on the case,” Gen said.
“Definitely not. But Archie will pass on a bonus should it come our way.”
“I read accepting bonuses is against Agency policy.”
“Rules are made to be broken.” Trace picked her up by the waist and swung her around in a circle before laying a kiss on her mouth. He whispered in her ear. “Are you ready, my love, to meet your public?”
Truthfully, she was anything but ready. Trace’s spontaneous public show of affection had unsettled her, in a good sort of way, should they have been a normal married couple. She hated feeling helpless to stop her emotions from responding every time he came close. He scooped his arm through hers and nudged her reluctant frame toward the group.
“Good afternoon, folks. My name is
