“Let’s ride, team,” said Nick rather proud to be actively working with the Pinkerton detectives. “I might just join up with the Agency when we get back. This is pretty exciting, and keeps a man on the straight and narrow.”
“What about Andrea? A new prospect for husband has recently opened up,” said Gen.
“Finished begging the girl,” he said. “Besides, she’s not the prize I thought. Rather pampered and finicky even for my tastes. Can’t even make a decent cup of joe.”
“Funny how a man’s priorities change when stuck with a female for a length of time,” said Gen.
“Not funny at all,” said Trace and she couldn’t figure if that was a positive or negative statement. But she definitely knew it was aimed in her direction.
They’d also been stuck together for this adventure and character revealed under pressure was a good indicator of a person’s worth. It pained her to think he might be disappointed. Continued employment with the Pinkerton Detective Agency was part of it, but her heart knew that was not what she feared. She did not want to be rejected by her husband, Trace Stapleton.
A couple hours later, they watched as Frezner tied Andrea to a lone tree growing from an upper plateau, one seen clearly from a distance but probably too far for her to overhear conversation. They gagged her with a checkered neck scarf. The girl’s eyes rounded with fear as she glanced over the nearby ledge that dropped steeply to the ground below. Gen tapped Trace on the shoulder.
“I want to sneak in behind her – to assure her we are here and it will soon be over.”
“Let her fret a while longer. Might take some starch out of her. Don’t want her to give us grief about taking her home later,” said Trace. Gen smiled weakly and held back. She’d let him take the lead in this last leg of the case.
The trail master and two of his original hired men led their horses down the rocky slope. From a distance, Gen spotted a cloud of dust in the air from three riders approaching the crossroads at a rapid speed.
She nudged Trace and pointed. “Our meeting is about to begin.”
“Will you wait here, Gen? I’ll bring Nick down for this round.” Seeing the deep concern on his face, she wilted and nodded. “I’ll watch from here. If you need help, signal.” She watched relief flood his face. Compromise wasn’t such a bad thing.
He took off his hat and waved it in the air. “This a good enough signal?”
“Perfect.”
Gen watched Trace and Nick descend the forested side of the hill, keeping to the bushes to remain unseen. They arrived at the bottom about the same time as the men from Denver entered the crossroads. The wagon train bandits stepped out to make the switch. Money for the girl.
Gen didn’t recognize any of the newcomers from her wanderings around Denver, but she didn’t hang out with the three-piece suit types very often. And the leader, with the wavy, blonde hair and mesmerizing blue eyes screamed money and prestige. What started as a peaceable conversation between the two sides slowly turned sour. Zack Scott showed a level of impatience that had his two sidekicks tapping their fingers on the handle of their trusty guns.
Eyes lifted to the plateau where Andrea stood tied in full view. The aristocrat novice weakened in the middle of the sleazy deal, and the scoundrels appeared to be taking advantage of his greenhorn efforts to make the trade. She glanced at Trace and noticed him waving his hat and pointing to Andrea. What did he want her to do? When the shoving began, Gen hurried to close the distance between her and the captive woman.
At the birch tree, Gen snuck in behind the woman who sobbed quietly. “Quiet now, Andrea. You need to be brave.” She fumbled with the knots that bound the frightened girl, and when she groaned loudly in protest, Gen yanked the rope tighter. “I said, quiet. It’s a tough knot and they are watching you from below. Play the captive role and maybe we’ll get you out of here before the guns start firing.”
The last knot loosened just as the fight broke out. Trace dove for the novice’s knees and toppled him just in time to avoid being shot from the bullet discharged from Zack’s pistol. Andrea ripped the gag from her mouth and exhaled loudly.
“It’s Stanley! My father actually sent the man who wants to marry me.”
“The miracle is that he came, Andrea. Maybe you should consider that act of dedication instead of fighting your destiny. Ever think maybe the man is trustworthy and that’s why your father sent him with the ransom money?”
“Stanley does look rather out of place down there, doesn’t he?” A heavy sigh escaped her. “I certainly failed in my choice of marriage partner. Perhaps it’s time to bow to their horrid, chauvinistic practices and accept my fate.”
“Happiness comes in many forms, Andrea. Tell the man what you expect from life and see if he bites. He must love you to come out here and face the enemy on his turf.”
“He loves the position that my father and his connections will do for him,” said Andrea. “But in all fairness, I should give him a chance. As much as I care for your brother, I could never marry a man of no means. I’ve come to grips with that selfish truth. With no skills to work within a household, I’d be useless to a commoner. I require maids and Stanley will be able to provide as many as I need.”
Gen almost said aloud that a lifetime of pampering was a poor reason to marry a man, but then remembered her
