by Jae
"Let me go, goddammit!" Adam struggled against the rope that bound his wrists together. He spat in their direction. "This is none of your damn business. No one will believe a word you say. I have friends in the area, and you are just some stranger."
Frankie jerked on the rope, almost throwing Adam off his feet.
"Oh, Frankie is not just some stranger," Tess said. A grin deepened the lines around her eyes. "She's a railroad marshal."
"She?" Adam and Amy echoed.
Amy's head jerked around. Pain surged along her ribs, and she barely resisted the impulse to clutch her side. Instead, she looked Frankie up and down.
She wore pants, jacket, hat, and sturdy boots. But so do you, and you're not a man. Competent hands aimed a Spencer carbine at Adam, but that wasn't proof of being a man either. Papa had made sure that all of the Hamilton women could handle a weapon.
Seems I've fallen prey to my own expectations. Tess hadn't said that Frankie was a man; Amy had assumed it because she had never met a woman who dressed like a man. Sure, some of the ranchers' daughters wore pants when they were helping out on the range. But not even Amy wore her hair as short as Frankie, and she bowed to convention and wore a dress or a split riding skirt to town.
Frankie swept off her hat and gave a bow. Her eyes twinkled. "Frances Callaghan, at your service."
Why didn't I see it before? Frankie's salt-and-pepper hair was a lick too long, and her coat fit too snugly across her chest to pass herself off as a man. The gentle curve of her hips beneath the worn gun belt said "woman." Her battered hat wasn't pulled low to hide the beardless cheeks and the soft lips. Tipped back, it revealed a strong, but definitely female face.
"Goddamn women!" Adam cursed. "Has the world gone crazy?"
Another jerk on the rope silenced him.
A railroad marshal... Amy couldn't stop staring even though she knew it was rude. She had never met a woman like Frankie. "Women can become railroad marshals in the East?" Maybe the East wasn't such a bad place after all.
"Not usually. I'm the only one I know of," Frankie said. "But I had some success as a Pinkerton detective, and that convinced the railroad bosses to hire me."
She's been a Pinkerton. A few of the stories Nattie read to them in the evenings starred Pinkerton agents. In the stories, they protected people and money transports, tracked down dangerous outlaws, and solved train robberies. Amy never imagined someone would hire a woman to do those things. Even more amazing that Mama and Papa knew people like Frankie — and didn't tell Amy and Nattie about it.
Amy's gaze still rested on Frankie when they reached the ranch.
In the fading light of dusk, Amy made out a figure sitting in the rocking chair on the veranda. She didn't need a second glance to know who it was. Mama often kept a lookout for Papa and her when they were late coming in from the range.
At the sound of hoofbeats, the door opened and Rika and Nattie slipped outside.
Firelight reflected off the rifle in Mama's hands.
"Mama," Amy called out, realizing Mama didn't recognize the visitors in the falling darkness and might feel threatened by the sudden interruption of the ranch yard's peace. "It's all right. They're friends."
Frankie stopped her horse in front of the hitching rail and jerked on the rope.
Adam nearly tumbled into the water trough. He landed on his knees in front of Mama.
"Oh, look at what the cat dragged in!" Hank hurried across the ranch yard and yanked Adam to his feet. "What's that little bastard doing here? I thought he'd be all the way to Canada by now."
"Amy?" Mama jumped up from the rocking chair. "What did you do? You hunted down Adam?" Her gaze turned into ice when she looked at Adam. "Or did you lurk in the darkness and attack her from behind, like you did me? God help me, if you hurt Amy..."
"I'm fine, Mama," Amy said. "I came across Adam at a line shack. And look who else I met." She pointed at Tess and Frankie, hoping their presence would keep Mama from asking too many questions.
Mama slid her gaze over Amy, then squinted in the dim light. "Who's that?" The barrel of her rifle pointed in Tess and Frankie's direction.
"Don't tell me I've gotten so old that you don't recognize me anymore," Tess said.
Mama's rifle trembled and then clattered to the ground. "T-Tess? Tess Swenson?"
"In person." Tess slid out of the saddle.
Then both women flew across the ranch yard and fell into each other's arms.
Amy used the distraction to hide her pained grimace when she dismounted. Holding on to Ruby's bridle, she watched Mama and Tess. Mama got along with everyone, but with the exception of Bernice, she wasn't really close to any of the neighbor women. Years ago, Amy had asked her if she had a best friend — and without hesitation, Mama said that Papa was her best friend. The words touched Amy deeply. She longed for the same thing: a sweetheart who was also her best friend.
The tight embrace looked as if Tess was more than a long forgotten acquaintance. As Amy watched, another image rose from the recesses of her memory: Mama and a younger Tess standing arm in arm in front of a piano, singing Christmas carols.
Was Tess a neighbor, back in Missouri? She squinted and tried to remember more, but nothing came.
Finally, Tess and Mama stepped back to look at each other.
Loud cursing and struggling from Adam interrupted their reunion. He tried to break free of Hank's grip.
"Get that man out of my sight before I pick up my rifle and shoot him," Mama said, her eyes as wild and determined as their dog's when Hunter took on a coyote attacking the hens.
"Is there somewhere to keep Adam until I can bring him to Oregon City in the morning?" Frankie asked.
Amy again marveled at Frankie's confidence. She spoke as if she didn't expect anyone to object to her actions, as unusual as it was for a woman to transport a prisoner on her own.
"Oh, don't worry about him," Hank said, a growl in his voice. "The boys and I will take damn good care of him. We'll have a nice little reunion, right, Adam-boy?"
Adam struggled and cursed, but Hank had a firm grip on his bound arms. He wasn't gentle when he shoved Adam across the ranch yard and toward the bunkhouse.
A glance at the blackened grass where the old stable once stood smothered any compassion Amy might have for Adam.
"What are you doing here?" Mama turned back to Tess. "I thought you were in Montana, freezing your behinds off." Before Tess could answer, Mama hugged her again. When she finally let go, Mama's gaze fell on Frankie.
Amy held her breath. Does she already know Frankie is a woman? Will she realize?
Frankie dismounted and took off her hat to greet Mama.
"Oh, you must be Frank." With a friendly smile, Mama stepped closer, then froze. She squinted into Frankie's face and let her gaze travel down her body.
Smiling, Frankie shook the limp hand. "Call me Frankie," she said.
"Frankie is a railroad marshal, Mama," Amy said when she couldn't stand Mama's stunned silence anymore. Her instant desire to make this awkward situation easier for Frankie surprised her.
"I know," Mama said. "But it seems we have some catching up to do on other topics." She nudged Tess, and the smile finally returned to her face.
Tess chuckled. "That's exactly what Luke said too."
"You met him along the way?" Mama's gaze had been warm and welcoming before, but now she looked at Tess as if she was the most important thing in the world — or brought news of that most important thing.
"Yes. He made it safely to The Dalles and said to tell you not to worry."
New energy filled Mama's steps as she walked back to the house, her arm still looped through Tess's. "Let's find a place for you to stay, and then you must fill me in on everything. I've got so many questions."
"We could stay at a hotel in town," Tess said.
"Baker Prairie doesn't have a hotel," Amy said. Besides, she didn't want Tess and Frankie to leave so soon. Never had someone as fascinating as the two strangers visited
the ranch, and she wanted to learn more about the woman who was a Pinkerton detective and a railroad marshal.
Mama nodded, not letting go of her friend's arm. "And even if it did, I wouldn't hear of you staying at a hotel. I'm sure we can make room here on the ranch." She glanced to where Rika was still silently waiting on the veranda. "Hendrika, I know it's a lot to ask, but do you think you could stay at the main house for a while so that Frankie and Tess could have the cabin? Just until we find another solution."
Amy tensed. She knew what that meant. Her parents' bedroom was their sanctuary and not open to visitors. Nattie's room was small and already doubled as an office where the ranch's books and Nattie's notes on the breeding program were kept. That made Amy's room the only logical choice.
Rika's gaze met hers from across the veranda. Even in the falling darkness, Amy felt the gaze like a touch.
"Sure," Rika said.
Tess seemed to become aware of the other people on the porch for the first time.
"This is Nattie, our younger daughter," Mama said, wrapping her arm around Nattie's shoulder. "And this is Hendrika Bruggeman. She's gonna marry Phin, our foreman, as soon as he gets back with Luke."
The thought sent a stab through Amy that was more painful than Adam's vicious kick. It's none of your business. Be happy for Phin and stay away from Rika. She climbed the two stairs to the door. I think I'll bed down in the stable with Ruby tonight.
* * *
Her daughters and the ranch hands crowded around the table, listening to every word Tess and Frankie said. Everyone was starved for stories of faraway places and wanted to hear about the towns Tess and Frankie had visited.
Everyone but Nora. The questions tumbling through her mind had nothing to do with Tess and Frankie's travels. Her questions couldn't be asked in front of others. She tapped her finger against the rim of her plate as she waited for supper to end, but her curious daughters kept the questions coming.
"Oh, Independence sounds so exciting," Nattie said, her supper forgotten on the plate in front of her. "Why did you leave?"
Nora saw Frankie and Tess exchange a quick glance.
"During the War, there were two horrible battles in Independence, and after the first one, Frankie convinced me that it was too dangerous to stay. When the railroad bosses sent her out again, I went with her." New lines formed around Tess's mouth when she smiled at Frankie. Clearly, she didn't regret her decision to leave Independence and follow Frankie across the country. "We spent a few years up north, far away from Independence and the War."
"Did you ever go back?" Nattie asked.
"No. Independence was never the same again. There's nothing left for me there."
Nothing left? Not even the brothel? Back when Nora had worked for her, Tess had toyed with the idea of selling the brothel. But her sense of responsibility held her back. Unlike the owners of other establishments, Tess made sure her girls were well-fed, had access to a doctor, and got fair wages for their services. "So you sold the livery stable and the restaurant and... all of your other businesses?" Nora asked.
Tess's gaze met hers, and a silent understanding passed between them. "Yes. But don't worry, I left everything in good hands. None of my employees will suffer just because I'm no longer there to see to things. But for me, it was time for something new."
A new life, Nora thought. Every woman in Tess's brothel had wanted that. But unlike the young girls, Tess had long ago stopped dreaming of white knights charging in to rescue her. Now she seemed more hopeful, more adventurous and full of life than ever before, making her appear years younger than she was.
Nora looked at Frankie, who had changed into a beautiful dress. Sometimes, white knights come in surprising forms. She still couldn't figure out Frankie Callaghan, but the affection in Tess's gaze was unmistakable whenever she looked at Frankie.
Are they really... sweethearts? Tess's letters indicated it, and in hindsight, all her little hints about how Frank was as special as Luke now made sense. Back when the letters had first arrived, Nora had grinned at how smitten Tess sounded, but she never thought Frank might be Frances, a woman.
Nora couldn't wait to get the many questions in her mind answered, but not in front of Nattie and Amy.
Nattie wasn't so shy about asking questions. "And how did you meet Mama and Papa?"
Nora tensed. Up until now, Luke and she had managed to answer questions like this one with vague explanations. After a while, their daughters stopped asking. Until now. Nora's stomach churned, and she shoved back her still half-full plate.
But Tess didn't blink an eye. "Oh, I met your papa when he was a dashing, young soldier about to fight in the Mexican War. He protected me from the unwelcome advances of a drunken man. That's how he broke his nose. We became friends when I patched him up."
It was the truth — or at least the part of the truth she could tell Nattie and Amy without giving Luke's and Nora's secrets away.
Nora sent her a grateful glance.
"And Mama?" Nattie asked. "How did you meet her?"
A half smile played around Tess's lips when she looked at Nora. "Well, I guess your mama was drawn to horse places even back then. We met in the livery stable I owned in Independence, and I offered her a job."
Nora had almost forgotten what a smooth liar Tess was. It was a necessary skill for the madam of a brothel. Tess knew how to tell just enough of the truth to make people believe they knew all of it.
"Is that where you met Papa?" Nattie asked Nora.
"I was the one who introduced them." Tess came to her rescue again. "Your papa was rather shy around women back then. Left to his own devices, he wouldn't have talked to your mother."
Nattie giggled. For her, it was probably hard to believe that Luke, the confident rancher, had once been a shy young man.
Nora, however, vividly remembered the self-conscious expression on Luke's face the first few times she had unwrapped her chest in front of Nora. It had taken many years until Luke became comfortable enough to enjoy her own body as much as Nora did.
A sudden wave of longing gripped her. Oh, how I wish Luke was here and could share this evening with me. Everything was so much easier, so much clearer when she was with Luke. She sent a silent prayer, hoping that Luke and the boys had found a good place for the night and had enough food.
Finally, supper ended. The ranch hands filed out of the house. Nattie and Amy still peppered Tess and Frankie with questions while they cleared the table, though.
Oh, no. Nora finally wanted some answers of her own. "Amy, you go up and clear some space in your room for Hendrika. Nattie, please help Hendrika pack a few things she might need."
"Uh, Mama," Nattie said. "I wanted to ask Tess some more questions."
"You can ask her tomorrow. Now it's my turn to catch up with her," Nora said.
Without further protests, Hendrika and Nattie left the house. Amy trudged up to her room.
Frankie blinked when she found herself alone with Nora and Tess. "Um. I think I'll check on Adam, make sure the ranch hands don't let him escape."
One last glance at Tess, then the door fell closed behind her.
Nora smiled and dragged Tess to the cozy kitchen. "I see she's as good as Luke at avoiding these situations."
"Are we having a 'situation'?" Tess asked. Mirth danced in her blue eyes.
No time to play games. Nattie would be back soon with more questions for Tess. "Your letters sounded like you were in love," Nora said, remembering how happy she had been for her friend when she had first mentioned "Frank."
Tess's smile softened. "I am."
"With Frankie?"
"Yes."
The certainty of Tess's answer surprised Nora, maybe because she had struggled for a while when she found herself falling in love with Luke.
"Does that mean you're..." Nora searched for the right words. "...like me?"
Tess grinned. "I wish. You're still so beautiful." She trailed the back of her fingers over Nora's cheek. "And here I thou
ght ranch wives were supposed to look old and careworn."
Nora captured the hand and held it between her own. "Flatterer." She softened her words with an affectionate smile. "You know that's not what I mean."
"If you mean am I a woman who loves another woman with all her heart, then the answer is yes."
Nora had always thought her feelings for Luke were unique. "So you are...?"
Laugh lines deepened as Tess grinned at her. "Am I what?"
"Sharing Frankie's bed?" Before she could chicken out, Nora sought refuge in the bluntness of the prostitute she had once been.
