by Holly Blake
“In my defense I had to make Lamont believe that we would be…. Busy for a while.” Brody blushed and shook his head, eyes to the ground.
“I thought he was serious until I saw the look on his face and the twinkle in his eye.” Anna teared up again remembering the relief she felt when Brody had closed the door behind them and winked at her, not maliciously, but with comedic exaggeration. “He made the silliest face James. It took all my will not to laugh out loud at him.”
“I had to relieve your mind somehow!” Brody smiled and took Anna’s hand in his. His touch sent a tingle through her whole body and she blushed at the thought of wanting to kiss him right there in front of James. She controlled herself and cleared her throat, continuing with the story.
“We made it sound like a cat house in that room and it seemed to satisfy Lamont. We waited by the door for a few minutes after our great performance until we heard him snoring. Then we snuck out the window. We took Lamont’s horse and rode in circles for a while, trying to throw off anyone who might try to follow our tracks. Finally we left the horses a couple of miles away from town and made our way here. I don’t think anyone saw us. We have to make the sheriff see that Brody isn’t one of those bad men, James, we just have to.” Anna looked at James imploringly and then at Brody who had that strange look on his face again. She still didn’t know what to make of it.
“I have to send a telegraph as soon as possible,” Brody stated firmly. “Is there a safe place where it can be sent from?”
“I have the only telegraph machine in my office. Come with me now while everyone is asleep and you can send it immediately.”
Anna looked at Brody and James as they left. She was puzzled by Brody’s strange behavior, but she trusted him more each day that she knew him. She picked up the cups and plates and took them to the sink. Washing dishes was a pleasure after all she had been through and she took particular satisfaction from knowing that she was washing the dishes of the man she loved, a man she knew in her heart loved her too.
When Brody and James returned, James was quick to leave the couple alone.
“I’m suddenly very tired Anna my dear, I have to go and lay down for a bit. You should stay here where it’s safe. You can rest for a while until we think what needs to be done next.” James looked at Brody and smiled. He took Brody’s hand and shook it. “You are a good man and it is an honor to help you.”
Brody returned the handshake. “Thank you James, for all that you have done for us.” He nodded toward Anna.
“Of course, yes, I am happy to do so, goodnight.” James shuffled off to bed glancing at Anna as he scurried into his room.
“What is going on Brody? James is acting strangely now and you have a look on your face that I have seen before. You’re hiding something from me aren’t you?”
“How well you know me already Anna Duncan. I will explain everything in time, but you must trust me for now. I promise you that all will be well again and justice will prevail.”
Anna suddenly felt very sleepy. It wasn’t worth arguing, at least not while she was so tired. Besides, she did trust Brody and decided it would be best to let him explain in his own time. She sat down on the large settee in James’s living room. Brody came and sat beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders. She nuzzled under his arm and laid her cheek on his firm chest. Her eyes closed and she was asleep in seconds.
Chapter Ten
Two days went by as Brody and Anna stayed hidden in James’s rooms. The days were long and Brody seemed to grow more and more uneasy. They heard that Lamont had been captured, but there were still other men that the sheriff was pursuing.
He was bent on finding Anna and obsessed over the man who had her. Little did the sheriff know that Anna was safely in town hiding from dangers she did not quite understand. James avoided her and looked at Brody with a kind of reverence. Brody would not explain anything, just kept reassuring her that in time it would all become clear. As the days wore on Anna became more and more confused and frustrated. She loved Brody, but he had a secret, a big one and he was unwilling or unable to share it with her.
Anna was pulled out of her thoughts by Grover’s voice travelling through the frigid air. He was very close. Anna stood and looked around frantically. Brody caught her eye and putting a finger to his lips for her to stay quiet, he took one long stride toward the sheriff’s voice. Anna felt her heart leap from her chest. If Sheriff Grover found Brody, he would arrest him and take him away from her.
Anna heard another voice and a huge commotion from just beyond James’s private quarters. It sounded like an entire battalion had come into the dining room of the Inn. Voices were growing louder, more hostile and James was now heard trying to calm the Sheriff down. What was going on out there? Anna wondered, fear rising hot and fast.
Suddenly the door into the living room burst open and Brody flew backward to the floor. Anna screamed as several officers in the military entered the room with Grover and James close on their heels.
“It’s all right Ma’am. My name is Colonel Grant and I am on an errand from the President to take this man and his cohorts into custody.” He walked over to Brody and put his hand out to help Brody up. “Now Captain Laramie, or is it General Laramie?” Colonel Grant smiled as Brody pulled himself up from the floor. He towered over Grant but the smaller man didn’t seem to notice. It was clear that the two men knew each other well. “Laramie and I were at West Point together,” Grant commented, seeing the look of confusion on everyone’s face.
“Sir, I have a lot to tell you,” Brody said but Grant hushed him immediately.
“You have nothing to say to me sir. Save your stories for the man who sent you here. I am sure that I do not want to know any more about this sordid affair.” Grant looked to his aides who quickly approached Brody and placed handcuffs on him. Anna gasped and tried to reach out to Brody, but Grant’s aids stepped between them.
“But he is innocent.” Anna cried. “He’s not one of the outlaws.” She grabbed desperately for Brody’s arm.
“Don’t worry Anna, I will explain everything soon,” Brody said as the men led him out of the room.
“Ma’am, you are safe now, be grateful for that and move on with your life.” Grant tipped his hat and left without further explanation. His southern accent was tinged with a cool air of total command. He was a man that was used to being obeyed.
“Anna, it is so good to see you. I was so worried,” Grover said as he crossed the room to her side. “I don’t know what is going on but those men took Brody, the outlaws Donovan and Lamont and have forbidden me from going after the others. Lieutenant Johnson won’t even tell me what in tarnation is going on, but it seems it’s got something to do with the military and some mighty powerful members of it. One thing is right though, you are safe now Anna.” Grover put his arm around her shoulders to try and comfort her, but Anna felt cold and empty.
“Why don’t you come back later Sheriff? Let Anna get her wits about her for a bit,” James said as he patted the Sheriff on the back and led him away from Anna and out into the dining room.
“I will come back and see you tomorrow Anna,” Grover shouted over his shoulder as James led him away.
Anna didn’t want to see anyone, no one that is except Brody. She sank down on the settee and began to sob. Great floods of tears overwhelmed her as she felt her heart break more completely than when she realized she had been left at the train station.
Anna barely noticed James who had returned to her side with a handkerchief that had belonged to his beloved wife and a look of grave concern on his face. “It will be ok Anna. This is not the end of the world.” He put his arms around her and patting her back like the child he never had, he gave her what comfort he could. Anna held James in return, gaining strength from this older Italian man who had become like a second father to her. She knew in that moment that she would never again be the same naive girl who had come to this place, but she was part of it now. Wyldewood was now her home and
she would never leave it, no matter what happened to her here.
Chapter Eleven
Eventually summer came to Wyldewood, Wyoming leaving behind the chaos of the spring. The townspeople had begun to call the whole incident “The Spring Excitement” and it had already taken on the air of a legend as people passed the story and the rumors one to another.
Anna had become something of a local celebrity; she was the girl who was stolen from town by a military spy. That’s what they said, but she knew that wasn’t what really happened. She missed Brody more every day. She felt that knew his heart, even if she didn’t really know the man. She mourned him because she didn’t know what had happened to him, and was afraid to find out. She hoped that she would see him again someday, but for now she tried her best to get on with things as best she could.
She continued working at the clinic and the Inn. She was happy and excited to hear that Dr. Ivy was expecting a child in the winter. Ivy was teaching Anna midwifery skills so that she could help her bring the baby into the world. Although Anna suspected that part of the education had to do with Ivy trying to keep Anna’s mind off of her heartache.
Grover spent a lot of time in town now. He kept asking Anna if she was alright. She knew that he wanted to ask her courting, but she just couldn’t offer him any encouragement. Her heart belonged to Brody and it always would.
Anna cleared away the last of the settings in the dining room of the Inn while James closed up for the night. James had been kind, sweet but awkward with her since the incident. He always seemed to want to say something to her, but didn’t seem able.
“Our dinner will be ready in a few minutes Anna. Come through when you’re done.”
“I’ll be there in a couple of minutes James.” Anna finished up what she was doing and looked over the dining room. She felt a certain satisfaction in her work. The room was spotless and set for the morning breakfast. The Inn was full at the minute with travelers heading west to seek their fortunes. They were full of excitement and adventure. Anna remembered being one of those very people just a year ago and she smiled to herself. She took off her apron as she passed through the big kitchen into James’s small kitchen in his private quarters.
“You look happy Anna,” James said looking up at her as he laid the small table for them. He smiled at her, his face full of love and concern. She sat down at her place and James sat across from her. He took her hands, smiling and looking deeply into her eyes. “There is still sadness in your heart little one.”
“I am content James. That is the best I can do for now.” She bowed her head and James said grace.
They were quiet as they ate, Anna lost in her thoughts of the past and James still trying to find the right words to bring Anna comfort. Anna took her last bite and looked at James. When she finished chewing she asked, “Have you ever thought about getting married again James?”
Startled James choked on his food. He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth. He took a long drink of water while staring at Anna. “Why do you ask?” he choked out finally.
“You’re such a wonderful man James. You deserve a good woman in your life.” Anna looked into the frightened man’s face and realized what was going on in his head. “Not me!” She laughed. A look of complete relief passed across James’s face and then he arched his eyebrows in a frown.
“And why not you?” he asked half seriously.
“You are like a father to me James. I do love you but I was thinking of a more, mature woman.”
“Who do you have in mind my dear? I have not noticed any lovely mature women roaming around lately. Did I miss someone?”
“No, but I came here because of an advertisement. Why don’t you place one and see what happens? I know that you are so full of love that it should be shared with another lady.”
“What lady would have such an old codger such as me? I appreciate the thought Anna but I am happy with my lot in life. I had a wonderful wife and was very lucky to have found her. A man can’t expect to be so lucky twice in one lifetime.”
“That makes me feel very hopeless James.” Anna glanced at her plate and began to clear away the dishes.
“You should never be hopeless Anna, there is always hope.”
“I’m sure there is,” Anna said flatly.
“I will look through the papers and see what I find Anna, but I had such a wonderful wife she will be hard to compete with. Don’t be disappointed if I don’t find a woman as good as she was, ok?”
Anna grinned at James as she sat back down across from him. She felt a weight lift from her heart and excitement fill her again. “We will find you a lovely lady, I’m sure of it.”
“I am so happy to see that look on your face again! I haven’t seen that light in your eyes for far too long.”
“I love you James. I wish I could have known your wife, she must have been a very special lady.”
“She was, just like you are a very special young lady.” James grinned at Anna. “You are very special to me and I hope you will always remember that no matter what happens.”
“I will James.” Anna got up and, stepping behind him, put her arms around the seated man and gave him a squeeze.
Chapter Twelve
Anna threw herself into the project of finding James a wife. She wrote adds, went through replies with him and talked endlessly about who would make a good wife for an Innkeeper. She was so busy with this new romance she nearly forgot her own broken heart.
She was on one of her missions with a stack of response letters to put in the mail when she heard a voice that made her freeze.
“Hello, Anna.”
She slowly raised her head, not ready to believe her ears, afraid she might be wrong. But there he stood; like a dream she had dared not dream. Brody was wearing a crisp, clean uniform and a tentative smile on his face. Tears sprang to Anna’s eyes as she dropped the letters and ran to the man she still loved.
“Anna! I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner. I don’t even know where to begin, but I’m here now and I will never leave you again, I promise.” Brody took Anna in his arms and picked her up into the air spinning her as he spoke. “I never wanted to make you cry, I am so sorry.”
“Oh Brody, you’re here now and that is all that matters. I love you.”
“I love you more.”
Brody set Anna on the ground and caressed her damp cheek. He bent down and kissed her soft lips. He put his arm around her waist and held her tightly. “I’m never going to let you go.”
“Oh!” Anna jumped out of Brody’s arms and started grabbing for the letters she had dropped. “Help me picked these up,” she begged as she frantically grabbed at the letters that had blown all over the dusty road. Brody ran around scooping up the wayward letters. They both laughed and looked into each other’s eyes.
“We have a lot to talk about Anna Duncan,” Brody said as he handed the letters to Anna. He pulled her up and embraced her. She looked up into his sweet face and saw the look that always confused her.
“What is it Brody? What have you been keeping from me and where have you been all these months?”
“I was in Washington with the President and a certain friend of mine that I cannot discuss. The friend that I cannot tell you much about graduated from West Point with Grant and I.”
“Why did Grant arrest you?”
“It was a ruse, Anna.” Anna’s heart leapt every time Brody said her name. She wanted to take him back to the Flannigan’s farmhouse, just the two of them and talk for hours like they had before. “All I can tell you is that I was working. There has been a great deal of misappropriation of funds within the military. I was commissioned to find everyone involved by pretending to be a man of less than honorable intentions.”
“Do you really have a brother?”
Brody laughed. “Yes, everything I told you about myself is true. Billy getting involved with the outlaws was a lucky accident really. He had created a way into the operation that I couldn’t have achieved on my ow
n. He is coming to Wyldewood next week by the way. He is really looking forward to meeting you, seeing how I haven’t been able to talk about anything else.”
Anna smiled into Brody’s eyes. “Well, I’m just glad it is all behind us now. I am safe, you are back, the outlaws and thieves have been captured and your brother is safe and coming home. Life couldn’t be much better.”
“I agree. I have to wear my uniform for one month and then I will no longer be in the military. I have retired my command and…” Brody dropped to one knee and looked up into Anna’s face. “Anna Duncan, would you do me the honor of being my wife. I love you, I have since you sat on the side of my cot afraid I would tear the stitches you sewed me up with.”
“Yes, of course I will marry you. I love you Brody.”
***
Neither Anna nor Brody saw the man standing just around the corner watching every move. He had seen Brody arrive in town and decided to watch him and see what he would do. As he watched Anna and Brody embrace after Brody asked the girl to marry him, he turned around and walked down the street. He mounted a large pale horse and rode out of town and away from the happy couple.
***
Anna and Brody were married within the month. Brody opened a carpentry shop and was set to work fixing up the Inn for James and building a house for he and Anna, as well as Billy to live in. Billy had arrived and was put to work as Brody’s apprentice. Winter was nearly upon them when a letter arrived at the Inn. It was Brody’s final discharge papers from the military. It held a few gold coins and a note that simply read ‘for services rendered, debt paid in full.’ As Brody read Anna the letter he knew he was closing forever that chapter of his life.
“Does this make you feel sad?” Anna asked.
Brody shook his head. “You know what the good book says. “When God closes one door, he always opens another. He has opened the door to a wonderful future with you by my side.” Anna smiled; her heart full of a love and a sense of belonging like she had never known.
