No! It couldn’t be… Why was her family ruining her life, again? But it was more than that. They’d recognize Rick, and he’d know the Sheldon Gang anyway.
A pain throbbed in her forehead. Without being told, she knew exactly how this situation would end. Inevitably, someone would lose his life today.
THIRTEEN
No matter what, Rick needed to keep them from seeing his face for a little while longer. He doubted the police chief and his men would be on their way. He prayed the mayor had run as fast as he could to the police chief’s office, just as Rick had told him to do.
And… he prayed harder that Cecily hadn’t seen. But really, what were the odds? The situation had turned on them, and Rick feared she’d get hurt. He also didn’t want her knowing her family was here – especially when he would do anything to stop these men… even shoot them.
On his hands and knees, he crawled up the porch steps, keeping his head down. He’d found some moonshine in the barn a few minutes ago, so he’d splashed some on him to make them think he’d consumed a bit. That was the only way he could think of to get inside the house and keep them occupied until the police chief and his men arrived.
As he crawled into the house, the other men called him names and kicked him. Rick gnashed his teeth against the pain. As long as the pistols stayed in his suit jacket pockets, he’d be able to handle their childish form of torture a little while longer.
“Mayor Stephens, I’m surprised at you.” The voice sounded older, and Rick suspected it was Red Sheldon. “What would the town say if they saw you this way?”
Another man belted out a laugh. “They’d definitely not vote for him.”
If Rick wasn’t mistaken, that was Theo Sheldon’s voice. Rick stayed curled in a ball, mainly to hide his identity.
“Maybe I should run for mayor,” Trager said.
“I’d vote for ya,” Ben Sheldon said with laughter in his voice.
“Enough of this.” Red’s strong voice hushed the others. He pushed his boot against Rick’s back. “Did yer wife bring us the money?”
Rick nodded as he reached inside his suit jacket and pulled out the wad of cash and held it in the air. Within seconds, Red snatched the money from his hand.
“Is it all there?” Trager asked Red.
“I’m assumin’. Why?”
“Because I’d like to know how the mayor paid for his moonshine.”
Inwardly, Rick groaned. Why hadn’t he thought of that?
“Hmm… Very good question.” Red’s boots moved around Rick, stopping right in front of him. “Stephens, where did ya get the money for your liquor?”
“I… fouwn’ it in the ‘bandoned barn,” Rick slurred. “I couldn’t help m’self. I needed a drink badly.”
“Really now, Mr. Mayor. I never took ya for a drinkin’ kind of man,” Red said in a leery voice.
“Yah, Pa,” Theo cut in. “’Specially since the mayor wants to arrest drunks.”
Rick gritted his teeth. They were figuring things out too soon. The police chief wasn’t here yet. Rick couldn’t do this alone, but he had no other choice. In his curled position, he slowly slid his hand toward his pocket to retrieve the pistol.
“Not only that,” Trager added, “but he’s rip-roarin’ drunk. Either the moonshine is very strong, or—”
“Or the mayor is fakin’ this,” Red finished for the other man.
Rick cussed under his breath.
Red placed the bottom of his boot on Rick’s shoulder and kicked him to roll on his back. In that moment, Rick reached into his pocket. His fingers wrapped around the butt of the gun.
Suddenly, the front door swung open, whacking against the wall.
“Look who I found sneaking around in the yard,” another man’s voice boomed in the room.
Rick peeked in the direction, not believing there was another member in this gang he hadn’t heard about. But it was the woman standing next to a large, burly man with an eye-patch that had Rick holding his breath in fear. The burly man had a tight grip on Cecily’s arm. He met her gaze as his chest tightened. She quickly looked away and toward her father.
“Cecily?” Red questioned in disbelief.
“Hello, Father.”
It was hard to keep his face hidden when Rick needed to watch Cecily.
“Cecily Joan Sheldon, what in tarnation are ya doin’ here, girl?”
Hearing her full name reminded Rick that she’d lied to him, and how much he still hurt because of it. She must have a good reason, and he couldn’t judge her too harshly before hearing her explanation.
“You…” Cecily’s voice shook slightly. “You all left and I didn’t know where you’d gone.”
Ben snickered as he came toward her. “Ya left us first, ra‘member? Don’cha ra’member the note tellin’ us that yer tired of livin’ with an outlaw family?”
Rick breathed a sigh of momentary relief. He’d hoped she’d lied about her family because she didn’t want to be like them. Now he knew why she’d taken a dead woman’s identity.
“If’n yer too uppity for us,” Theo added, “then why are ye here?”
Tears filled her eyes as she stared at her father. “Pa, I tried to make it on my own, but… I couldn’t.”
Red scrubbed his whiskery chin, walked up to her and stopped. He flipped his fingers across the lace on one of her sleeves. “Wearin’ purdy dresses makes me think yer doin’ just fine without us, CJ.”
“Uh, Pa?” Ben’s weak voice slipped through.
“Not now, son,” Red grumbled, still keeping his eyes on Cecily.
Her frown deepened as her gaze dropped to the floor. “Pa, I’d stolen this gown from a dead woman. That was the only way I could live.”
“A dead woman?” Theo’s laughter ripped through the air. “Geez, sis, that’s somethin’ we’ve never done. Hey Pa, why haven’t we stolen clothes off dead people?”
Red threw his son a glare. “Because ye usually put too many bullet holes in them, ya fool.”
Rick held in a shout of joy from the confession. There was no proof that the Sheldon Gang had killed, although Rick suspected it. Now he knew the truth. And for certain, he knew exactly who to blame for killing his brother.
“Uh, Pa?” Ben asked in a low voice.
“Not now,” Red snapped.
Cecily struggled with her emotions, and Rick’s chest tightened harder. Apparently, her father’s confession upset her, as well.
Red looked back at his daughter, folding his arms. “How did you find us?”
“By accident, really.” Her throat jumped in what must have been a hard swallow. “The dead woman’s money brought me this far. While in town, I saw Theo at one of the saloons. That’s when I decided to follow him and beg you to take me back.”
Rick narrowed his gaze on her. She wouldn’t meet her father’s eyes which meant she was lying to the man. Whatever she had planned, it was to help Rick. His love for her grew.
Red slugged his arm against Theo’s shoulder. “I told ya to stay low. I don’t want the law knowin’ we’re here.”
“Sorry, Pa,” Theo answered sadly.
“Uh, Pa?” Ben repeated.
“By all that’s holy… What do ya want?” Red yelled and glared at Ben.
“I… I think the law already knows we’re here.”
The other men in the room gasped and ran to the window to peer outside. Red, however, stood still, piercing Cecily with a hard glare.
“I don’t see anyone,” Theo said, turning away from the window. “I think yer seein’ things, Ben.”
Ben slowly shook his head. “Not out there…” He pointed toward Rick. “Right here. This isn’t the mayor. It’s that Pinkerton Agent who’s been followin’ us for months.”
Gasps rang through the room. Rick cussed under his breath, realizing his hat had fallen off sometime during the scuffle. Now was the time to show them his pistols… and pray the police chief wasn’t too far away.
* * * *
Cecily c
ouldn’t breathe. Her heartbeat sped inside her chest as panic filled her. This was exactly what she’d worried about – that someone would recognize Rick.
In one quick motion, Rick pulled out his pistol and pointed it at her father, but Red was prepared. He kicked the gun out of Rick’s hand before pressing his boot against his neck. She held in a whimper. Nobody messed with Red Sheldon.
“Lookie here boys.” Red chuckled as he pushed his boot harder into Rick’s neck. Rick grasped his calf, trying to remove it, but Red was stronger. “It’s Agent Tanner.”
Both Ben and Theo pulled out their revolvers, pointing them at Rick. Red waved a dismissal hand.
“Put those away, boys. I’m sure Agent Tanner is here to n’gotiate. Ain’t ya?”
Rick nodded, but the pain in his eyes wrenched Cecily’s heart. Slowly, Red pulled his foot off Rick’s neck. Gasping, he sat up rubbing his neck as he glared at her father.
“Tell me, Agent Tanner, to what do we owe the pleasure of yer company?”
“Well,” Rick said with a croak and then cleared his throat, “I was actually called to San Francisco to find Mayor Stephens. I didn’t know I’d get a bonus and find your family as well.”
Chuckling, Red withdrew his revolver, mainly to show Rick who had the upper hand. Cecily had seen her father do this before. Her brothers, Trager and the fool who’d caught her sneaking in the yard, thankfully, had put their guns away. She only had to keep an eye on her father.
“Unfortunately, Red,” Rick continued, “your plan failed. The mayor will sign those bills. So it looks like your efforts were all for naught.”
The nerve above her father’s upper lip jumped, making his scowl even darker. “It’s not tomorrow at six o’clock yet, is it? There’s still time to kidnap the mayor again.” He motioned toward the burly man who’d grabbed her. “Go get him and bring him back. Tell Mayor Stephens that if he doesn’t come peacefully, his town will suffer.”
The grotesque man with the eye-patch nodded, turned, and hurried out of the house. Cecily breathed a little easier. Four men were better odds than five. Rick could take two, and she’d take two—
“Now the only thing I need to decide is what to do with ya.” Red glared at Rick. “I suppose I could kill ya, but that would be easy.” He lifted his nearly black eyes to Cecily. Chills ran through her blood. “However, since my daughter is finally comin’ into the family business, I think we should have her do the honors.”
Her body froze. She met Rick’s pleading gaze, and she wanted to die herself. He couldn’t really believe that she’d kill him. Unless… maybe he wore that helpless expression for her family’s sake. After all, they couldn’t know she and Rick were both Pinkerton Agents.
“I… I don’t know, Pa. I’ve never killed—”
“Then this will be yer first one.” He gave her a dark scowl as he offered her his gun. “If ye want us to trust ya, ye’ll do this.”
She desperately tried to read Rick’s expression, and at times, it appeared as if he was encouraging her to take Red’s gun. Praying that she was following his instructions, she took her father’s pistol. Her hand shook as she pointed it toward Rick. For a moment, she could see victory in his eyes. Her fear calmed, knowing she’d done the right thing. He would still have his revolvers, she was sure of it. And of course, she had her knives.
“She’s not goin’ to shoot him,” Ben complained and withdrew his gun, aiming it at Rick. “I don’t mind shootin’ another Pinkerton Agent.”
Rick whipped his head around toward Ben and glared. “You killed my brother?”
Ben shrugged. “He was tryin’ to stop us from robbin’ a bank.” He bent closer to Rick. “If it makes you feel better, he died quickly.”
Rick swore and lunged toward Ben, wrapping his fingers around his neck. Ben lost his balance and fell to the floor, dropping his gun. Cecily tried to keep track of where his gun had gone, but in the scuffle, she couldn’t see it. Theo and Trager reacted quickly, pulling Rick off Ben. Her brother rubbed his neck that still had Rick’s finger marks on it.
“Shoot him!” Ben shouted.
Theo growled and withdrew his gun, pointing it at Rick. “If she’s not going to, I will.”
Cecily’s heart sank, but she didn’t have time to think. She aimed her gun at Theo and pulled the trigger. His weapon dropped from his hand as he stumbled back and grasped his thigh as blood dampened his pants.
“Where’s my gun?” Ben yelled as he searched the floor.
Immediately, Mr. Trager reached for his pistol. She tossed her father’s gun at the man to distract him and quickly bent and snatched the knives out of her boots. She threw one at Trager, catching him right in the middle of his gun hand, and his weapon dropped to the floor.
Her father pulled out a smaller gun from his boot and she aimed her last knife at him. He froze, but glared at her.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she warned.
“CJ, sweetheart, put the knife down. Yer on our side, remember?”
“No, Pa. I’m a Pinkerton Agent, and this man you’re trying to kill is my husband.” She adjusted the knife in her fingers, still ready at any moment to throw it at Red. “I will not let you harm him – or anyone for that matter – ever again.”
Rick stood slowly, pointing his pistol at Ben while Cecily made sure her father didn’t try anything stupid. Then again, most of his life he’d done stupid things.
Suddenly, there came thunderous footsteps running up the porch mere seconds before the door broke open and the police chief and two of his men rushed inside.
Rick assisted the police chief as they cuffed the men – even the bloody ones – and took them outside. Cecily’s body continued to tremble, but it was from exhaustion this time. Finally, the truth was out and her family were caught. For the first time since she’d stolen Ruth Livingston’s identity, Cecily felt free.
She leaned against the wall while watching out the window. Rick and the police chief loaded the men on the back of a wagon. The way her father and brothers sent murderous glares toward Rick made her nervous, but she had to believe justice would prevail.
Rick chatted a little with the police chief before shaking his hand and both men moved in a different direction. Rick sauntered toward the house, and her heartbeat picked up rhythm. He was so very handsome, even though the mayor’s clothes that he wore looked to be a size smaller.
He entered the house, and as soon as his eyes met hers, he stopped. A smile stretched across his mouth.
“How are you holding up?”
“I still feel shaky,” she said.
“That’s to be expected.” He moved in front of her and took her hands in his. “You have a great talent for throwing some mean knives.”
She chuckled. “I told you I had that skill.”
“And shooting your brother’s leg that was pretty talented, too.”
“Well, considering I was aiming for his hand, that doesn’t make me too talented, in my opinion.”
Laughing, he gathered her in his arms. “Do you want to know what I liked the best?”
Tenderness coated his expression, and the warmth from his eyes melted her heart. “What’s that?”
“I liked… no, I loved the way you defended me. I loved how you weren’t afraid to admit that you were a Pinkerton Agent and that you were my wife.”
She relaxed in his arms and she felt so comfortable this way. “That was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I was always fearful of making my father upset. My brothers are two back-woods dolts and always have been. I’m surprised we came from the same parents. But seeing the pleading look in your eyes gave me the strength I needed to stand up to them.”
He cupped the side of her face as his thumb stroked her cheek. “Cecily Joan Sheldon, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Happiness filled her completely, and she giggled. “But Rick, I am your wife.”
“Legally, you’re not, my beautiful Cecily. I married Ruth Livingston, and s
ince she’s dead, I need to marry you and make you a respectable woman.”
Her face heated. “Yes, you do, but I’d rather we marry because we’re in love.”
Rick leaned down and kissed her. This kiss was so very different from the others, and her heart rejoiced. She actually felt how much he loved her. She wanted to show him how much she loved him and how much she was grateful for his patience and understanding.
She broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against his mouth. He continued to kiss her temples. “Rick? Is our case finished now?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Because I’d love to find a minister who could marry us right away.”
A deep chuckle rumbled through him as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her. His eyes sparkled with excitement. “I know a minister who owes me a favor, and I’ll convince him we need the ceremony sometime this evening.” He winked.
“Splendid, because I don’t know if I can wait any longer to become your wife.”
Rick nodded. “I feel the same way, because tonight… I’m going to make you mine, forever.”
EPILOGUE
One month later
Rick squeezed his lovely wife’s hand as their carriage stopped. He peered out the window and frowned. Their next case wasn’t one he liked, but surprisingly enough, his amazing wife was excited about it. Who would have known she’d be eager to help him shut down brothel houses? Cecily had explained that she’d wanted to put these women out of business because women in their profession had taken so much from her brothers and her father over the years.
“Are you ready?” Rick asked his wife.
Cecily nodded sharply. “I’m more than ready.” Her smile relaxed. “Have I ever told you how much fun it is working side-by-side with you?”
“Actually, I don’t believe you have. But I’m having fun, too. However, I do get worried about you a lot.”
“Don’t be.” She shook her head. “I carry knives, remember?”
He laughed and gave her a quick kiss before opening the carriage door. After helping his wife out, she hooked her hand around his arm as they headed toward the brothel. It was ten o’clock in the morning, and the place was quiet. Of course, everyone stayed up all night and slept all day.
An Agent For Cecily (The Pinkerton Matchmaker Book 8) Page 10
