An Agent for Gwendolyn

by Jenna Brandt

  “Call me Rex; nobody calls me sir around here. Why don’t you come with me,” the foreman said, standing up and placing his hat on his bald head. “You mentioned you’re married. From the sound of it, it’s new, which means your wife probably has certain expectations. The only place around here with lodging is the saloon, which is no place for a proper woman. We happen to have an empty help house, so if you’re interested, I can let the two of you stay here,” he gestured to a small wooden house, “while you’re working for me.”

  “Thank you, that’s mighty kind of you,” Bradley said, with true gratitude. He hadn’t liked the idea of leaving Gwendolyn alone at the saloon all day. This would be a much better option. “My wife will be happy to hear the news when I get back to town.”

  “Why don’t you take the day to get settled in here. You can start first thing tomorrow.”

  “Again, thank you, Rex,” Bradley said, turning around to leave. “You won’t regret hiring me.”

  “Let’s hope for both our sakes I don’t. All I ask is an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.”

  When Bradley returned to their room above the saloon, Gwendolyn was sitting on the bed reading the case file again. She closed it, placing it beside her. “I wanted to go over it again so I am ready when I start to help with the case here in Rockwood Springs.”

  “About that, there’s been a change in plans. The foreman offered us a place to stay in one of the help houses out on the ranch.”

  “But if we stay out there, won’t I be isolated? How will I be able to help?”

  “You make me seem legitimate. Who would question the intentions of a man who shows up in town with a wife?”

  “So, that’s all I’m to be? A piece of your disguise?”

  “I wouldn’t put it that way,” Bradley said, realizing that it sounded better in his head than it did when she said it out loud. “Did you really want to stay here? You and Reginald will be more comfortable in a house of your own. The noise alone from the saloon would keep us up all night, not to mention you’d have to be careful as you came and went. This will be much better, you’ll see. We need to head out there now. We have the day to move in and get settled before I start work tomorrow.”

  He could see that Gwendolyn wasn’t happy about the turn of events, but he knew deep down, she would be safer out there.

  When they arrived at the house, her frustrated expression turned to outright rage. She dropped her bags on the ground in shock. “You can’t seriously expect me to live in this place?”

  “What’s wrong with it?” Bradley asked with confusion. “I know it’s not what you’re probably used to from your life back in Boston, but for Texas, this isn’t that bad.”

  “Not that bad, not that bad? There are cracks in the wall, the paint is peeling—or at least what’s left of it—and there’s a disgusting smell that even from out here makes me certain an animal crawled in there to die.” She pulled out her handkerchief and placed it over her nose.

  “I’m not sure what you were expecting, but the life of a Pinkerton agent isn’t glamorous.”

  “I wasn’t expecting that, but I’d prefer to not live in squalor. The room above the saloon wasn’t ideal, but at least it wasn’t falling down around us. Can’t we just go back there?”

  “That’s not an option. You should get used to bad living conditions as a part of the job. I’ve had to stay in far worse places than this.”

  “Well, I’m not you.”

  “Clearly,” he said, defensively. “I don’t go around complaining about everything all the time. If you don’t like the condition of the place, all it would take is a little elbow grease, and we could make it suitable. You’re just not used to getting your hands dirty.”

  Gwendolyn’s mouth fell open for a few moments as she processed what he had just said to her. Her shock turned to anger as she quickly clamped her mouth shut, then marched inside the house. Bradley followed her, curious to see what she was going to do next.

  To his utter surprise, she’d picked up a bucket and was looking around for a place to fill it with water. He bit back his laughter, realizing she was looking for indoor plumbing.

  “You’ll need to take the bucket to the pump out back. They don’t have sinks with running water in remote places like this, especially in the help houses.”

  Over her shoulder, she gave him a withering glare. “I knew that.” She headed out the back door, and after a few minutes, she returned with the bucket that was filled to the top. She picked up a rag and put it in the water. She wrung it out before setting to work on the dirty counters and table. Deciding he’d let her do enough on her own, he picked up the broom and started to sweep the floors. Within a couple of hours, just as Bradley suspected, the house was in good enough condition and they could move in.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired,” Gwendolyn said as she sank into the chair at the kitchen table. “Even though I’m starving, I don’t think I have enough energy to pick up a fork, let alone cook—not that it matters since we don’t have anything to make.”

  “Why don’t I run into town and bring us back some food? I’m not that tired.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “I’m used to long hours and hard work. It won’t be long until you are as well. Why don’t you rest until I get back?”

  “I’m too exhausted to argue with you,” she said, pulling herself up and heading into the living room where a solitary couch sat in the middle of the living space. “I’ll just wait for you here.”

  Bradley made quick work of going into town and picking up some groceries and supplies at the general store. When he returned, he was ready to make dinner for the both of them. But as he entered the house, he found his wife sound asleep on the couch. She looked peaceful with her head resting on her hands. Reginald was sleeping at her feet, guarding her like he always did. In all the time he had been around Gwendolyn, he really hadn’t had a chance to watch her without fear she might catch him. As he observed the even rise and fall of her chest as she slept, he could see how truly beautiful she was. When he agreed to take on a new recruit, he never thought about the possibility of thinking of her as a real wife. The more time he spent with her, however, the less he thought of her as a burden, and more as a potential partner both in and out of work. She’d proven herself capable on more than one occasion, and he was beginning to see that there was much more to Gwendolyn than being a spoiled socialite.

  The unexpected urge to reach out and kiss her took Bradley by surprise. It had been a long time since he thought about a woman like that, and the last person he expected it to happen with was his Pinkerton wife. Though he wanted to feel how soft her lips were, he refrained, knowing that it wouldn’t be right to take advantage of her while she slept. Instead, he lifted her up into his arms and carried her into the room down the hall. He placed her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.

  After putting away the groceries and supplies, he decided he was ready for bed, too. He took a spot on the couch, where Reginald was still sleeping. He patted the dog’s head, whispering, “I’m not sure what your mother is doing to me, but she’s making me re-think everything.”

  The dog nuzzled into his hand, then moved up the couch until he was sandwiched between Bradley and the couch. Before he knew it, Bradley was drifting off to sleep, dreaming about kissing his wife the next chance he got.

  The following morning, Gwendolyn woke up in an unfamiliar bed in a room she didn’t recognize. How did she end up in here? She glanced around, and quickly realized that it was the help house on the ranch. The next thing she noticed was that Reginald was missing. Panic set in as she wondered where he was. Did Bradley accidentally leave the door open when he got home, and Reginald had gotten out? Gwendolyn jumped from her bed and rushed from the bedroom.

  What she found in the living room was not at all what she expected. Curled up on the couch together were Bradley and Reginald. Her dog had decided to sleep with her husband instead of her.
She tried to push away the feeling of betrayal, knowing that it was a good thing that Reginald was finally starting to accept Bradley in their lives. They looked so peaceful, she decided to let them continue to sleep. Quietly, she made her way into the kitchen and looked in the cupboard and cold box. True to his word, Bradley had brought back food for the house. The problem was, she didn’t know how to cook. Growing up, her family had full-time help, including a chef. How hard could it be, though? She was certain she could figure out something as simple as toast and eggs.

  The first step would be to start a fire in the stove. She glanced around for wood and realized that there wasn’t any in the house. Wouldn’t it be outside? Deciding she needed to check, she slipped out the back door and looked around the outside of the house. On the far edge, there was a stack of wood. She walked over and started to collect several pieces when she heard a sound that sent a shiver up her spine. A rapid rattling sound caused her to freeze in mid-motion. Her eyes darted to the side. Coiled up by the side of the wood was a large gold and black colored snake. She wasn’t overly familiar with reptiles, but from what she could remember from school, Texas was home to a large variety of them. Based off the sound it was making and the coloring of this one, though, she was certain it was a rattlesnake. If it struck out and bit her, it was going to shoot venom into her blood. She’d be dead in minutes. What should she do? Her first instinct was to run, but wouldn’t that just make it attack?

  “Gail, are you out here?” she heard Bradley’s voice yell from the back porch.

  She knew better than to say a word. If she made any noise, it would cause the snake to react. She just needed to stand still and hope the snake would uncoil and slither away.

  The familiar barking of Reginald made Gwendolyn’s blood run cold. Her dog had never seen a snake before. What would he do if he saw one for the first time? Worse yet, what would he do if he thought she was in danger?

  Deciding to take a chance, she raised her voice just loud enough for them to hear. “Stay back, there’s a rattlesnake over here.”

  Reginald must have not understood her command, because a few moments later, he came charging around the corner. He stopped just short of where the snake was, and starting dancing around it, barking ferociously. The snake struck out once but missed the dog only by inches.

  “Get back, Reginald, right this instant,” Gwendolyn cried out in fear, temporarily forgetting that she was close enough that the snake could turn its attention back to her.

  Reginald wasn’t listening, too focused on the cold beast in front of him. He continued to bark and move back and forth in front of the snake. Just as it was about to strike out again, she saw Bradley approaching along the side of the house. He must have gone back through the house and come out through the front. He had a shovel in his hand, and before she could even blink, he was swinging it out at the reptile. The rattling stopped and the snake lay limp in the dirt. Gwendolyn collapsed on the ground, shaking out of control from the contained fright that was now seeping out of her in waves.

  Bradley rushed to her side and gathered her up into his arms. “Are you all right?” he asked, concern clearly written all over his face.

  She nodded. “I am, thanks to you. If you hadn’t come when you did, either Reginald, or me, or both of us, would have been bitten.”

  “You weren’t, though,” he confirmed, looking her over to make sure.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in all my life. I’ve never been so close to something so dangerous.”

  “Here, let me help you inside.” Bradley placed his arm around her waist for support. “Come on, Reginald,” he called out over his shoulder as they entered the house.

  “I was just trying to get wood for the stove,” she said as he guided her into a chair. “I never even considered the fact there could be snakes outside.”

  “Texas is still largely unsettled, especially in this part of the state. There’s all sorts of wild animals around here,” he explained as he picked up a clean rag, dipped it in fresh water, and placed it on her face as he knelt down in front of her.

  “You knew exactly what to do. How did you know that?”

  “I’m a Texas boy, remember? Killing snakes was part of growing up for me. Shovels work best, but a rake or a gun can be used in a pinch.”

  “Thank you,” she said, reaching up and placing her hand over his. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t shown up when you did.”

  “I promised I’d keep you safe,” he whispered in a raspy voice. As she looked into his eyes, she could see desire reflected in them. “I keep my promises.”

  “I can see that,” she whispered back, trying to keep her own emotions under control. There was something pulling them close together, urging them until they were only inches apart. Gwendolyn’s lips parted slightly as she took in a deep breath in anticipation of a kiss. Before it could happen, though, Reginald came in between them, barking.

  “He’s hungry,” she stammered out, pulling back and standing up. “I should find him something to eat.”

  “Why don’t I make breakfast while you take care of him?” Bradley offered, jumping up onto his own feet.

  She nodded, moving away from Bradley. Some distance would be good, considering she almost just shared a kiss with her husband. It was because she nearly died, wasn’t it? They were both frightened for her life, and so it caused them to react in the moment. It wasn’t anything more than that—an isolated incident that wouldn’t be repeated. The only problem was that she was still thinking about the almost kiss. If it had been a fleeting reaction to a stressful situation, why did she wish Reginald hadn’t interrupted?

  Once everyone was fed, Gwendolyn decided to get ready for the day. She’d just slipped on a clean dress and pinned her hair up in a bun when Bradley entered the bedroom. “I need to go to work now.”

  She nodded. “Have a good day. I’ll see you when you get home.”

  Gwendolyn made a list of what she needed to do around the house, then decided that her real job was to help with the case. Even though they weren’t staying in town anymore, it didn’t mean she couldn’t go back there and ask around about the rustlers. When she did that in Woody, she’d found out some important information. Maybe she could do the same here.

  She walked the short distance into town with Reginald by her side. Though it wasn’t far, her boots weren’t the best for such endeavors, made more for fashion than function. She needed to invest in a better pair for walking, now that she didn’t have a carriage to drive her around anymore.

  Her first stop was the general store. It wasn’t huge, but it was clean and well organized. The owner, Mr. Breecher, was as nice as they came, but he didn’t have any useful information. She checked with the land office, but again, no luck finding out anything of help. Her final stop was the livery. She met a nice family there called the Caldwells, but they also didn’t know anything about the rustlers. The only other place she could ask would be the saloon, but she knew better than to go in there. It was the last place a proper married woman should be seen entering.

  As a matter of fact, she crossed the street to avoid the place altogether as she headed back out of town. She didn’t get far, though, before she heard men whistling and hollering at her to come back. She kept her eyes down, rushing faster to get away from them. She turned the final corner to head down the side street that lead towards the Lambert Ranch, when someone stepped in front of her, blocking her path. Her eyes darted up to find a tall man with a sinister grin on his face, sneering at her.

  “Where do you think you’re going, little lady?”

  “I’m headed home to my husband,” she clipped out, trying to step past him. “If you will excuse me.”

  “No, I don’t think I will,” he said, moving side-to-side to keep her from escaping. “My friends and I were hurt that you didn’t come back like we kindly requested.”

  Two more men stepped out of the shadows, moving towards her in a menacing manner. The
first man reached out and grabbed her, yanking her towards him. A cry of pain slipped from her lips, causing Reginald to bark over and over.

  “Shut that mutt up,” the man yelled to one of his friends. “He’s going to draw attention.”

  “Please, don’t hurt him,” Gwendolyn begged, fearing for her canine companion.

  “Maybe we won’t, depending on what you’re willing to do to stop us.”

  Gwendolyn’s eyes rounded with shocked disgust at the implication. Her mouth went dry as she realized she was in a very dangerous predicament.

  “What, nothing to offer? I guess you don’t care about the mutt as much as you acted like you did,” he said, nodding over his shoulder at his friends. “Get to it, boys. Make the mutt shut up.”

  The men reached out to grab Reginald, but he bit the hand of the man who was the closest. The man yelped out in pain, moving back as his friend reached back to kick Reginald.

  “I wouldn’t hurt that dog if I were you,” she heard Bradley’s voice say from beside her. Relief flooded Gwendolyn, knowing he would get her out of this situation.

  “You should just stay out of this and move on, mister, if you know what’s good for you,” the man holding her ordered in a threatening tone.

  “You see, I can’t do that,” Bradley said, coming into view with his gun drawn. “You’ve got your hands on my wife, and your friend was about to kick my dog.”

  “This is your wife and your dog?” the man asked, as if he didn’t believe him.

  “Yes, and you should let her go right now,” he commanded, pointing his gun at the man. “I’ve shot men for less.”

  The two men near Reginald looked at each other, as if deciding if it would be worth taking Bradley on. They must have decided it wasn’t, because they scurried off down the street.

  “That leaves just you,” Bradley said, gesturing to the man who seemed bound and determined to keep holding onto Gwendolyn. “This is your last warning. Let her go, or I’m going to pull the trigger.”

  Slowly, he let her go and stepped back. “You should get your woman to stop sashaying around town like she did today. It attracts all sorts of attention.” He winked at her, and added, “Sorry for the misunderstanding.” He took off after his friends, leaving Bradley and Gwendolyn alone with Reginald.