Where There's a Will

by Brenda Sinclair

  “We figured we might as well leave Texas behind us,” Willow added. “I disguised myself as a boy and took the name Willie Hughes. Hughes was Granny Harrison’s maiden name. We hoped to evade the law and work as brothers, employed as horse wranglers which was about the only thing we knew how to do anyway.”

  Adam squeezed Willow’s hand. “And you’re excellent at it.”

  Daniel closed his notebook after furiously making notes while Willow and Leonard had given him their version of what happened. Willow hoped he truly believed them and wasn’t simply pacifying them by agreeing with Adam. Or that this whole discussion hadn’t been a trick and he was about to arrest them.

  “I’ll leave in a day or two for Texas to investigate this in person.” Daniel stuck his bowler on his head. “Once I know my wife is settled here at the ranch, and I’ve contacted my colleagues in Chicago, I’m giving this matter my full attention.”

  Adam slapped his brother on the back. “Thank you, Daniel. I’m glad I sent that telegraph.”

  Leonard offered his hand to the Pinkerton. “I can’t thank you enough, Agent McLennon.”

  “Please, it’s Daniel.” He nodded his head toward Adam and Willow, standing arms intertwined. “Looks like we’ll be related in the future.”

  Willow gasped and felt her face redden.

  “Could be,” Adam said, softly. “If I have my say in it.”

  “Won’t get any argument here,” Leonard added, smiling.

  “Then I’m heading to Cactus Plains. Let’s get this business settled once and for all. And as soon as possible.” Daniel headed for the door. “Always room for more good people in the family.”

  Willow’s eyes welled with unshed tears. Could it actually happen? At least, Daniel appeared sincere in his intentions to help her and Leonard. And knowing Adam was apprised of her secret lifted a ton of weight from her shoulders. Could the possibility of a future with Adam prove more than wishful thinking?

  Unless Fate wormed its way into her life and ruined everything.

  Chapter 15

  The next day, Willow entered Amanda’s Clothing Emporium and wandered down the aisle toward the back of the store, looking for the proprietors: Amanda and Lily.

  “Hello,” she called. Even the two ladies they employed, Nancy Watson and Amanda’s Aunt Ruby Simpson, appeared absent from the store.

  “Coming,” Amanda called. She poked her head out of the curtained area separating the back of the store from the public area. “Willow. Good morning.”

  “Hello.” Willow smiled, happy to see the busy young entrepreneur. “Where is everyone?”

  “There’s a special luncheon at the hotel and most of the businesses are closing so folks can attend. I’ve been waiting for you, so we can go together also.” Amanda grabbed her bonnet off the front desk.

  “That sounds lovely.” Willow followed Amanda out the door and together they walked down the wooden sidewalk toward the hotel.

  “Is that Daniel?” Amanda pointed and Willow gazed in the indicated direction.

  “I believe it is,” Willow agreed. The man wore a three-piece suit and bowler. No one else in town wore stylish clothing to match.

  “Daniel!” Amanda called and the ladies waved at him.

  The gentleman fully turned toward them, and Willow realized they’d been mistaken. But the man typified a Pinkerton agent. Was he one of Daniel’s colleagues? Perhaps the fellow was newly arrived in town to deliver further information regarding the situation in Texas. He strode toward them.

  “Are you a Pinkerton agent?” Amanda smiled at the man.

  He produced a badge and quickly waved it at them. “Yes, I am. I have official business in Milestone.”

  “Anything I could help you with?” Amanda offered.

  “Perhaps you could. I’m looking for Willow and Leonard Harrison.”

  Willow’s mouth dropped open. “Why would you have business with them?” she blurted before Amanda could say a word.

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss the case.” He smiled at them, but something in the man’s tone caused Willow to pause. Don’t trust him she silently encouraged herself. And after living on the run for months, she’d learned to trust her instincts.

  “If we see the Harrisons, we’ll let them know you’re in town.” Willow latched onto Amanda’s arm and hurried her along the sidewalk. “Don’t say a word,” she whispered, some distance from the strange man.

  Amanda strode alongside Willow, neither of them uttering a word, until they reached the general store still a good half block from the hotel. Willow gazed into her friend’s eyes. “If that man is a Pinkerton agent, I’ll eat your bonnet!”

  “Exactly my thoughts,” Amanda whispered. “Don’t look behind you. But the man has been following us.”

  Willow’s breath caught. “We need to warn Leonard.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He’s with Adam and Daniel. I heard Adam mention something about talking to Sam at the cooperage.” Willow’s knees shook beneath her skirts. She hadn’t expected to encounter another man claiming to be a Pinkerton looking for her and Leonard. What was the true nature of his business? He didn’t appear as polished and professional as Daniel. This new fellow’s scathing tone had set off an alarm in her mind. No proper Pinkerton would ever talk to a lady that way, no matter her station in life. And certainly not someone like Amanda and herself.

  Amanda hooked her hand around Willow’s. “The cooperage is a half block from here on Copper Avenue. We need to find Daniel and the sooner the better.”

  “Miss!” the Pinkerton called. “Are you certain one of you isn’t Willow Harrison? From the description I got from Clarence...”

  Willow’s heart almost stopped, and she quickened her steps, almost dragging Amanda in her wake. Why would the Agency send out two Pinkerton agents? This fellow hadn’t made any inquiry about Daniel. Wouldn’t this new agent know that his colleague had arrived in town before him? Or had their uncle hired another man to find them?

  Amanda had understood the urgency and had increased her pace to match Willow’s. Soon, they were close to running toward the cooperage. Willow caught a glimpse of Adam and Daniel standing outside the establishment, talking with Sam Perkins the local cooper.

  “Adam!” Willow called, hoping the frantic tone of her voice would catch his attention.

  Adam strode toward her. “What is it? What’s the matter?”

  “Is one of those women Willow Harrison?” the man shouted at Adam, nearly closing the distance between them.

  “Who wants to know?” he replied, standing his ground and stepping in front of Willow and Amanda.

  “I do!”

  “And who the dickens are you?”

  “I’ve been hired to find Willow and Leonard Harrison.” He approached with a swagger. “Got important business with the pair of them.”

  “And what business would that be?” Daniel stepped up beside his brother, wearing his denims and a Stetson and looking anything but a Pinkerton today.

  “They’re wanted for robbery and leaving a man for dead in Texas.” A smug expression accompanied the man’s claim. “Been hired to bring them to justice.”

  “Have you now?” Daniel drawled. “And who, pray tell, hired you to do this?”

  “I don’t know as that’s any of your business.” The man sneered. “Pinkertons don’t provide the names of folks who hire them.”

  “He followed us, claiming someone named Clarence hired him,” Willow piped up as she peeked out from behind Adam, meeting Daniel’s eyes and knowing he would help her.

  “Well, sir, I believe you have been misinformed.”

  The man gaped at Daniel. “This isn’t any of your damn business.”

  “Now, Pinkerton agents don’t cuss at folks, and certainly not in the presence of ladies,” Daniel warned him. “And I know for a fact that Willow and Leonard Harrison have done nothing wrong.”

  The man chuckled. “You haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. The
pair of them are as guilty as sin. I’ll see that justice is done.”

  “Is that right?” Daniel stood arms crossed over his chest. “And this Clarence fellow hired you? And you’re a Pinkerton agent, you say?”

  “I truly am.” The man produced his badge and waved it at Daniel.

  Before the man realized what had happened, Daniel had snagged it from his grasp and given it a quick inspection.

  “Give me that!” the man demanded.

  Daniel tossed it back and the man fumbled the piece of metal in his hands before catching it. “Sorry, sir, but that badge is a fake.”

  “It is not!” the man argued.

  “Oh, I can assure you it is.” Daniel stuck his hand in his vest pocket. “Now, this badge. This is an authentic Pinkerton badge. And being that I am a Pinkerton agent, I would know that, wouldn’t I?”

  The man’s face paled. “I… I…”

  “You, sir, are under arrest for impersonating a Pinkerton agent.” Daniel grabbed him by the arm. “You’re coming with me. We’re going to have a little talk with Sheriff Robertson.”

  The man attempted to reach into his vest pocket, but Daniel quickly stopped him. “Have you a weapon in there?”

  Soon, Daniel had relieved him of possession of his pistol. “Now, come along peaceably and you can explain what exactly you’ve been hired to do. And I suspect it isn’t anything that a true lawman would approve of.”

  The man attempted to wiggle out of Daniel’s grasp.

  “Let me help you with that,” Adam offered, grabbing hold of the culprit’s flailing arm while Daniel maintained his grasp on the man’s other one.

  “You ladies should set off for the hotel if you’re of a mind to attend that community luncheon,” Daniel suggested.

  “Not on your life!” Willow blurted. “I want to hear what this scoundrel has to say for himself.”

  “Me, too,” Amanda added.

  “Let go of me immediately! This is unforgiveable treatment of a Pinkerton! You’re mistaken. How do I know you’re even a Pinkerton?” the man harangued the brothers as they escorted the imposter down the street.

  Five minutes later, Daniel and Adam shoved the man into a cell at the Milestone jailhouse and closed the door.

  “Agent McLennon, who you got here?” Sheriff Robertson stood on the sidelines as the former citizen of Milestone carried out his arrest. The prisoner’s face paled considerably.

  “This fellow claims he’s a Pinkerton agent hired by a man named Clarence to find Willow and Leonard and bring them to justice.” Daniel waved the man’s pistol in his direction. “I have a suspicion he intended to act as judge and executioner instead, as he’s been hired to do.”

  “Well, we don’t take kindly to folks coming into town and threatening our citizens,” Sheriff Robertson explained. “What have you got to say for yourself?”

  The man glared at the local lawman. “I ain’t saying nothing.”

  “That’s the smartest thing that’s come out of your mouth all morning,” Daniel muttered. “I believe Clarence Pearson hired this lowlife to impersonate a Pinkerton and find Willow and Leonard. He’s probably been paid a few extra dollars to kill them and tie up any loose ends regarding his activities on their family ranch.”

  Willow listened while Daniel explained to Carl Robertson what Leonard had told him about their uncle cheating at horse racing and gambling away ranch revenues. Daniel assured the sheriff that Willow and Leonard weren’t guilty of anything except fleeing a terrible situation when it seemed they’d run out of options.

  Daniel turned and glared at the man on the other side of the bars. “Perhaps you were the man who left Clarence for dead and robbed the ranch of several thousand dollars. Makes me wonder if perhaps you were out to tie up your own loose ends with a couple quick murders of the only two people standing in your way.”

  “I never did a thing to Pearson. I never stole no money either. He paid me to dispose of the problem,” the man blurted. Then he cursed a streak when he realized he’d just as good as admitted to intending to kill two people.

  “You’ve heard his admission. Keep this piece of garbage for the circuit judge to decide his future.” Daniel shook hands with the sheriff. “I’m heading to Texas tomorrow to learn the truth of the matter. Appears Clarence Pearson is about to find himself in a heap of trouble.”

  “That fool Pearson thinks he can get away with…” the man left his accusation hanging in the air.

  “You’re saying their uncle is up to no good?” Daniel scoffed and turned away from the man. “Now there’s a shocking revelation.”

  “Uncle.” The man laughed, uproariously, and then flopped onto the cot.

  Willow glanced at Daniel. He mouthed don’t say anything, and she stopped herself from blurting her question. What had the man meant by his outburst and wicked laughter. No doubt, their uncle had committed a number of crimes. But had he done more than they’d even learned?

  For the past several months, she wouldn’t have imagined placing herself in the hands of a Pinkerton when she and Leonard were fleeing for their lives. Now, she couldn’t imagine her future in more capable hands. And she prayed Agent Daniel McLennon would soon learn the truth.

  Chapter 16

  Willow had been informed by a ranch hand that Adam had sent for her, that she was needed at the main house. Whatever that meant. She entered the house through the back door and hurried into the kitchen.

  She spotted Mrs. Sheridan seated at the kitchen table with Adam hovering nearby. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” the housekeeper blurted.

  Adam’s concerned expression suggested otherwise. “It certainly isn’t nothing.”

  “Young man, you’re being a needless worrywart.”

  Willow figured Adam wouldn’t have sent for her over nothing. She crossed her arms and stared at Mrs. Sheridan, convinced there was something she wasn’t confessing. “Not leaving until you tell me.”

  “Tell you what?”

  “Whatever it is you’re not telling me.”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Mrs. Sheridan claimed but didn’t make eye contact with her.

  “I doubt that. Or Adam wouldn’t have called me up here.” Willow chuckled. “Interrupted my favorite job, stall cleaning. I’ll never forgive you, Adam.”

  A smile creased Mrs. Sheridan’s face.

  Adam shook his head, but a smirk gave him away. “Go ahead. Tell her what happened.”

  “All right.” Mrs. Sheridan heaved a sigh. “I took a little spill this morning.”

  Willow gasped. “When? Where?” She crouched at her side. “Did you hurt yourself?”

  Mrs. Sheridan waved off her questions. “It’s nothing. Just need a few minutes to rest.”

  Willow glanced up at Adam who threw up his hands.

  “You know she’s downplaying this,” he commented.

  Willow guessed Mrs. Sheridan was annoyed with herself for allowing an accident to happen in the first place, and secondly, hoping any resulting injury wouldn’t keep her from her duties. “What’s the truth of it?” Willow rose from the crouch and stared down at the stubborn woman.

  “While picking apples out in the orchard, I fell off the ladder,” she admitted. “Sammy noticed me hobbling back to the house and came running. Not an easy feat at his age. Adam caught sight of him running to my rescue and came up to the house also. And then Adam insisted he fetch you to help with the noon meal, despite me telling him I could do it.”

  Willow glanced at the idle woodstove and empty countertops. “You’ve been doing an admirable job so far.”

  “I’ll be all right in a moment or two,” Mrs. Sheridan whispered.

  “You require Doc Bennett. You could have broken a bone or badly bruised yourself at the very least,” Adam suggested.

  “Don’t be silly. I’ll be right as rain in…” she left off mid-thought when Doc Bennett strode into the kitchen. “Where did you come from?”

  “Heading back to town after deliv
ering the Hudson’s new baby. Spotted Sammy riding like a house afire. He sailed right by me less than a mile from here. When he realized who I was he swung his horse around.” Doc Bennett removed his hat and set it aside on the kitchen table. “Told me you were picking apples and fell off a ladder. He insisted you needed my attention.”

  Mrs. Sheridan sat with her lips pursed. Willow suspected Sammy would be in for a talking to later. “It was a short ladder,” she muttered.

  Doc stared at Mrs. Sheridan. “You realize that’s not how apple picking is done, Nellie. You’re supposed to put the apples in the basket and remain standing on the ladder.”

  “You’re not the least bit funny,” she scolded him. “As long as you’re here, you might as well take a gander.”

  “Where did you land?”

  “Right hip.” She peeked up at the doctor. “Hurts a mite.”

  Doc Bennett chuckled. “I don’t doubt it for a second. Let’s have a look at you.”

  “I’ll go back to work—" Willow began.

  “No, you don’t, young lady,” Mrs. Sheridan blurted. “Since the doctor is here, someone needs to start—”

  “No need for anyone to cook,” Adam interjected. “Sourdough will bring food up here for the family. You stay off your feet, Mrs. Sheridan, until Doc tells you everything is all right.”

  “Thank you, Adam.” Doc Bennett smiled at him. “Do you suppose you could help this woman into her room? I need to take a peek at that hip.”

  “No problem at all, Doc.” Adam strode across the floor, hefted the housekeeper into his arms, and carried her into her room down the hall from the kitchen. He deposited her onto her bed and met eyes with the physician. “She’s all yours, Doc. Make sure she behaves.”

  Willow peeked into the room and smiled, noticing the shocked expression on Mrs. Sheridan’s face. She’d been settled in her room before she’d realized what was happening. “Do you need help removing your clothing, Mrs. Sheridan?”