“Who goes on a honeymoon with other people?” she asked.
“We do. It’s not safe traveling alone. The Indians are worrisome on occasion, and the countless rogues on the trails lie in wait to invade a lonely campsite built for two.”
“I suppose you’re right,” said Andrea.
“But this is the last place I expected to see you,” said Gen. “Figured you were more the going-abroad type?”
“Don’t put all debutants into a neat bundle. For me, life at the estate is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Gen. “Is it true you have a child with you?”
“It’s not mine, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m on my way to meet up with my future husband, the father of the baby.”
“How wonderful! You have all this time alone to bond with the child before you arrive,” said Gen.
“It might have been perfect, until I discovered Nicolas was the one hired to accompany me. Of course, Terrance has no idea the man is obsessed with me. Your brother is not easy to shake off.”
“Have you told him that you love another?”
“Love? I don’t even know Mr. Laker. But he does promise me everything I need to start fresh where no one knows me.”
“Be careful that you’re not exchanging one prison for another. Men can say just about anything in a letter,” said Gen.
“But he’s entrusted me with his child. That speaks highly of the man,” Andrea said in his defense.
“Why was he separated from the baby in the first place?”
“His wife died in childbirth and at first he grieved and could not face the infant. The infant stayed with his grandparents. But now Terrance wants to start over fresh – with me and his son. I find it endearing.”
Gen gulped down her fears. If her so-called future husband arranged delivery of the child to Denver, why couldn’t he have brought it all the way to Colorado Springs? And why on earth would Andrea have to foot the bill for the original transportation on the train, and now hide herself on a wagon train before meeting him? It all sounded rather fishy. And what did Gen’s brother, Nick, have to do with it all?
“Would you care to walk a spell?” she asked Andrea. “We can stay close to your wagon in case the baby wakes.”
“I would love to stretch my legs.”
Gen encouraged Andrea to lead the conversation and when she hit on a subject that might provide some valuable hints as to where her head was spinning, she’d probe. Obviously, they couldn’t simply order her home halfway, kicking and screaming the entire way. What would they do with the baby? And Andrea was not in the frame of mind to face the absurdity of her mission. With Nick in the picture, Gen grew eager to see this case play out.
“Nick must care for you a lot. To not give up his pursuit despite news of your interest in another man sounds like a foolhardy chase. Why do you think he took the job to follow you to your new life?”
“Perhaps you should ask him. We don’t speak much.”
“Has he been a gentleman?”
She laughed. “Completely! The man is as righteous as they come.”
“And you don’t appreciate a man with good morals?”
“It doesn’t matter. Being with a farmer is not my goal.”
A shot rang through the air and Andrea jumped and looked around frantically.
“Probably nothing,” said Gen. “I saw the hunter go out to scare us up some meat.”
They walked close enough to the wagon that Gen could see the grimacing storm brewing in Nick’s eyes. Her unexpected presence was throwing him a curve and she could see he was trying to rearrange plans in his messed-up mind.
“Tell me about the man you wish to marry?” asked Gen.
“Well, I’ve never met Terrance face to face, but we’ve written letters. He is a third-generation sea captain who travels the country – maybe even the world - to help poor souls who can’t afford to relocate. A man who doesn’t work for monetary gain. I am so proud that he wants me to be his wife.” She paused. “As a matter of fact, this whole trip was funded by him. Didn’t want to say anything but the couples in the other wagons are in dire straits and need to make new starts elsewhere.”
“I didn’t know,” said Gen. “Your Terrance sounds like a rare kind of man.”
Gen noted the sparkle in her eye, but the hint of a shadow lurked within the swimming depths and caused her to wonder if all was as perfect as the runaway girl claimed.
Andrea confirmed it. “And you would think this lot should be grateful. The men do not appear one bit appreciative of the man paying their way. Sometimes they are down-right rude.”
“Perhaps their circumstances have made them harsh,” Gen said trying to ease her suspicions. The girl was a walking dynamite stick with a short fuse. Out of her league with this exploit.
When the baby wailed, Andrea ran for the wagon. Nick stopped to allow her to climb in the back and cast a sideways glare at his sister. “If you’re done meddling, you should return to your own problems. Don’t want to bore that new husband so early in the marriage. He doesn’t have a good record for sticking around.”
Gen never bothered to answer. She turned about face and headed back to her wagon. When Trace noticed her, he stopped the team and she climbed up beside him.
“Hello, my dear. I was getting pretty lonely back here without you.”
Her smile couldn’t help but be tainted with Nick’s final remarks still ringing in her ears. “Been talking with Andrea. It is our job to seek out clues, isn’t it?”
“Of course. And
