“You were going to be a nun.”
“No, I wasn’t. Pay attention. I went to the convent to grieve the loss of my mother. When I was home on the farm, I wore pants when I worked outside. I can do most jobs on a farm, ride a horse, and shoot a gun.”
West laughed out loud. “Shoot a gun? You’d shoot your foot off.”
“I’ll have you know that my instructor at the shooting range was pleased with my ability with both a handgun and a rifle. If he wasn’t, why do you suppose I was issued a handgun? Maybe it was to help protect you,” Julia stated with both hands fisted at her sides.
West grumbled, under his breath, but the fire he saw building in Julia’s eyes told him to change the subject of their conversation.
“All right, we can practice a bit when we get to Wyoming. Right now, we have to get married. The judge’s office isn’t far. Come on,” West instructed and began to walk away from Julia.
Julia didn’t believe that marriage should be considered so lightly. If it was all in the name of justice and working to save someone’s life and find a murderer, then she supposed she could pretend until she was able to obtain an annulment.
West held the door to the judge’s office open for Julia to enter, and the kindly judge heard them before he saw them.
“Come in, please. Archie told me I’d have a new couple to marry today. It’s good to see you, West. Who is your lovely bride?” Judge Hotchkiss said, smiling at the couple.
“This is Julia Masters, your honor. You know we’re here to get married before we go on her first assignment.”
“I understand, but I still like to know who I’m marrying. This may not be a grand cathedral wedding, but I take all marriages seriously. Please fill out these forms, and we’ll get started,” Judge Hotchkiss said.
A few minutes later, the judge smiled and said. “I’ll make this brief, but you could smile. You both look as if you’re facing a firing squad.”
Both Julia and West tried to smile, but it didn’t reach either of their eyes.
“Do you Julia Ruth Masters take West Laurence Lange to be your husband in good times and bad, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live or until you decide to end this marriage?”
“I do,” Julia answered, trying not to sound as frustrated as she felt.
When the judge repeated the vows for West, he replied. “Yeah.”
“You’re supposed to say, I do,” the judge chastised.
“I do.”
Then by the power afforded me by the Territory of Colorado, you are husband and wife. I don’t suppose kissing the bride is in order here, but do you have a ring?” Judge Hotchkiss asked.
West shook his head. “I never thought about one. I suppose they might have some at the general store.”
“Wouldn’t a jewelry store be more appropriate,” the judge suggested.
“Jewelry store?” West stammered. “For just a simple ring that doesn’t mean anything. It’s a bit expensive, don’t you think?”
Julia offered, “I can buy my own ring. That way, I’ll know where to sell it when we come back.”
“Very good,” the judge said. “I wish you both success on your assignment, and please try not to kill each other.”
West raised his eyebrows, and Julia said, “I doubt if it will come to that. We’re both professionals.”
“At least one of us is,” West countered. “You still have a lot to learn.”
“I have my badge, and Mister Gordon said I was an agent. All you’re supposed to do is teach me anything I didn’t learn during the past week.”
West groaned, paid, and thanked the judge before offering Julia his arm.
“Shall we go, Missus Lange.”
“That’s right, I’m Julia Lange now. I suppose we should go get that ring before we pick up my things at the dormitory. Thank you for your time, Judge Hotchkiss,” Julia said, smiling at the judge before taking West’s arm and leaving.
Chapter 4
When Julia and West were seated on the train, West pulled the dossier from his case and opened the file.
“This case gets worse each time I learn a new piece of information,” West said, handing Julia a piece of paper.
Julia’s eyes widened when she read the paper. “A bounty? Someone put a bounty out on the treasure. How can you collect a bounty from an unnamed source? Who would pay anyone to steal a gold box that apparently has little value? Stealing is a crime.”
West shrugged. “The flyer claims the box holds no value unless it’s nestled inside two other matching boxes. I don’t understand it either unless it’s a ploy to keep whoever finds the box from stealing it themselves.”
“Good observation,” Julia agreed. “If the young priest hid the box, unscrupulous men would still try and find it. A five-hundred-dollar reward for the box or information leading to its discovery is a lot of money. Perhaps the box is actually worth quite a bit alone or even more if combined with the other boxes sort of like a collection piece.”
“Maybe, but I believe it’s worse than that. Most bounty hunters hunt not only for money but to see justice done and travel with a code of honor. Some will kill a bounty rather than try to bring them in, but most try not to kill the men they hunt. This treasure will bring a certain type of man into play. One more cold-blooded and callous.”
Julia tapped her lower lip with her index finger and tilted her head at West. “Can you explain that to me? I’m new at trying to understand the criminal mind.”
“Certainly, anyone who sees that flyer can decide to go after the chest. They won’t need a certain set of skills or care who gets in their way. They are driven by the want of money alone, and I think many would kill to get their hands on five-hundred dollars,” West explained.
“That I can understand.
