Her heart softened in response to his tone and concern, but her throat tightened at the sensation of being controlled yet again.
“Of course not, Jacob, I'm sorry for upsetting you. I appreciate your generosity.”
“It's settled then.” He nodded as he picked up his glass of wine again. “It will be good for Ellen to have a companion, and perhaps, you'll find someone that surprises you.”
“Perhaps.” Monica stared down into her soup again. She had no fight left in her. How could she argue with a man who welcomed her into his home, when her only alternative was to return to a man like Jeb?
It wasn't until that moment that she realized she'd put herself in a terrible position. Unless she was willing to return to the arms of a man she detested, she no longer had a home to return to, and though Jacob and Ellen were quite welcoming and kind, she had no idea how long their generosity would last. She was homeless, and isolated in a place where just the thought of a woman going for a walk alone brought out panic in a man as strong as Jacob. Her heart sunk as she began to consider that she might have made a terrible mistake.
5
After a fitful tear-stained night, Monica awoke to the smell of coffee and toast. It was earlier than Ellen had made breakfast before, but she could hear soft voices in the kitchen. She dressed and splashed cool water on her face, giving them a bit more time together before joining them. No matter how she felt inside, she wanted them both to know that she was grateful. But when she stepped into the kitchen, she found Ellen and Jacob tangled up in a passionate embrace.
“Oh Monica, did we wake you?” Ellen frowned as she quickly moved away from Jacob and back to the stove. “Jacob has to be in town early to meet with Gabriel.”
“No, not at all, in fact, if you wouldn't mind, Jacob, could I go into town with you?”
“Yes, of course.”
“We should all go.” Ellen smiled. “I can ride with Jacob, and, Monica, you can take my horse.”
“Are you certain you wouldn't mind?”
“I’m certain. I hardly ever ride her, to be honest. I'm not very good at riding, though I am trying to learn.”
“She just likes to ride with me.” Jacob winked and pulled Ellen close again for another kiss.
“I do.” Ellen laughed as she broke the kiss and gave him a playful swat on the chest.
As they left for town, Monica felt wonderful on top of the horse. In hopes of becoming a lawman one day, she’d learned to ride at a very young age. Sometimes she would pretend she was a cowgirl, sometimes she was a spy, but most of the time she was a sheriff, chasing after criminals—and she always, always caught them. As she kept pace with Jacob, her mind raced with all of the questions that she wanted to ask him. Though she knew it wasn't likely that she could ever become a ranger, at least not as things stood today, she still wanted to learn as much as she could from him.
“Here we are, ladies.” Jacob dropped down from the horse, then helped Ellen off. When he turned to help Monica, she had already landed on her feet. “Come, Monica, I'll introduce you to the other rangers.” He led them both into a small compound, where four uniformed men were gathered. Monica noticed that none of them were Gabriel. After Jacob introduced them, he mentioned that Monica was visiting and had been a bit of a detective in her home town. “She might just be able to help us out on a case now and then, right, Monica?” He smiled at her. At first, she thought he might be teasing her, but the genuineness of his smile proved her wrong. Instead, it seemed as if he was offering an olive branch.
“Crime-solving is best left to the rangers.” Gabriel's voice, unmistakable in its rolling depths, drifted right over her shoulder. She held her breath as she estimated that he was inches from her back. “Don't you think, Jacob?” His shoulder brushed against hers as he stepped past her to greet Jacob.
“Perhaps, but it never hurts to have a fresh set of eyes.” He shook Gabriel's hand, then tugged him into a short embrace.
“How is it in the outlands?” Gabriel narrowed his eyes.
“Not good.” Jacob's smile faded and the men gathered in a tight-knit circle. Ellen caught Monica's hand and led her away from the rangers.
“Ellen, your husband is wonderful, but I could do without that Gabriel.”
“He seems gruffer than he is.” Ellen smiled, then glanced back at the men. “What they deal with, it's far more dangerous than we know, and sometimes it can harden a man.”
“Jacob doesn't seem hardened.”
“That's because he has me to soften him back up. Gabriel doesn't have anyone.” Her voice softened. “I don't know exactly what happened to him in his past, but I do know that when I ask him anything about his family, his entire demeanor changes. Jacob once told me that Gabriel suffered a great tragedy as a very young man, but that he couldn't tell me more than that. I imagine it is because Gabriel has refused to say more than that. As far as I can tell, Jacob is one of the few people Gabriel truly trusts.”
“It's good that he has him then. But I can tell you that as long as Gabriel is around, I'm never going to be allowed to help the rangers.” She gazed around the busy town and sighed. “I guess I'm going to have to come up with a way to prove myself.”
“Prove yourself?” Ellen's tone was wary. “Dare I ask how?”
“All I need is a real crime to solve. Once they see I can do more than they expect, perhaps even Gabriel will be willing to give me a chance.” She kept her eyes peeled as they strolled through town. When they passed the tavern, a man stumbled through the doors and headed down the steps. With his wobbly gait, it was clear that he'd had a bit too much to drink. Ellen steered Monica away from the tavern when she noticed the man. A moment later he drew their attention again with his shout.
“Someone stole my horse!” The man appeared furious as he glared in all directions. “When I find out who it was, it will mean a bullet between his eyes!”
“Monica, come over here, out of sight.” Ellen grabbed her arm and started to tug her away.
“It's all right, maybe I can help him.” Monica brushed her friend's hand away.
“No, Monica, I don't think that's a good idea. Remember what Jacob said—” It was too late, as Monica had already crossed the road toward the tavern.
“Sir!” Monica walked up to him with a broad smile. “Perhaps I can help you.”
“You? Did you see who took my horse?” He turned his angry glare on her. She could smell the alcohol like a cloud around him.
“No, I didn't, but if you tell me a few details, I may be able to figure out who took it.”
He scoffed. “How? I don't need some woman. I need a ranger.”
“Since none appear to be here at the moment, perhaps you could just tell me what you know, and then as soon as a ranger is available, I'm sure he will be glad that the crime has already been solved. Unless, of course, you want your horse to get farther and farther from you with every second that passes.”
“Fine, if you think you can help, then go ahead. I don't have much to tell you, though. I went in for a drink and came out to no horse.”
“Was the horse tied securely?”
“Of course it was, do you think I'm some kind of fool?” He took an aggressive step toward her, but she did not back away.
“No, I just wanted to rule out the possibility that the horse wandered off on its own.”
“Wandered off?” He laughed in her face. “I knew that this would be a waste of time. Where are the rangers?” he shouted at the crowd that gathered around him.
“Please, sir, it is always best to rule out the most obvious possibility. Now, did anyone else know that you were going in for a drink?”
“Sure, I told some men as I rode into town that they should join me for a drink. Two older men, and a boy, not more than thirteen.”
“And did any of those men join you for a drink?”
“No, they didn't.”
“Interesting. I think it would be unlikely for a random person to steal your horse, not knowing whe
n you might return; however, if someone knew that you'd just gone in for a drink, then they might take advantage of the opportunity while you were occupied.”
“That may be true.” He stroked his beard, then reached for his revolver. “And when I find those men, I will shoot them all!”
“Just a moment!” She held her hand up and looked into his eyes. “I can solve this, and retrieve your horse for you, but I will only do so if you promise not to harm anyone.”
“They stole from me. They should pay for that!”
“And I'm certain that the rangers will make sure they do, but I will not help you if you intend to commit murder.”
“It's not murder if they're thieves.”
“Do you want my help or not?”
“Fine.” He sighed and holstered his revolver. “Where are they?”
“I will bring your horse to you. You stay here, and I will return with your horse as quickly as I can. Now describe your horse to me. ” She tried to hide the tremble in her voice. Not much frightened her, but a drunken man with a weapon was one of those things. She didn't fear for her own life, but for the horse thieves. When it came to crimes, she liked to solve them, but she never liked the possibility of a person getting killed.
“Where am I going to go? I don't have a horse,” he mocked. A few people in the crowd snickered at his comment.
“Again, do you want my help or not? She gritted her teeth and turned, walking back in the same direction she had just come from.
“Alright, alright. He’s about 16 hands, dark brown with black legs, tail, and mane.”
“His name?”
He hesitated, “Big Brown.” Another snicker rolled through the small crowd.
“Very original. I’ll return shortly,” Monica declared through barred teeth. If it wasn’t for the fact that she wanted to prove herself, she would have walked away and wished him luck with finding his own horse.
“Monica! Where are you going?” Ellen caught up with her, breathless and flushed.
“To find his horse.” She continued to stride forward with determined steps.
“You can't just walk up to a horse thief and take a horse. And we're not supposed to leave town alone—Monica, please. How do you even know where the horse is?” She pleaded, glancing back over her shoulder and pulling at Monica's arm.
“Please, Ellen, I have to do this. Stay here if you would like, but I am not turning back until I have that man's horse. Don't worry, I won't be in any danger. I think I know exactly where it is. Besides, I’m not wandering through town alone if you’re with me.” She pried her friend's hand from her arm and continued on.
“You can't know that, Monica! How can you know where his horse is?” Ellen quickened her pace to catch up with her.
“I do.” Monica's voice was hard and determined as she looked straight ahead. “If you insist on coming with me, then do be quiet. We don't want to spook him.”
Both women fell into silence as they reached the outskirts of town. Monica led her around the side of an old house, then down a trail through some thin brush.
“Do you even know where you're going?” Ellen hissed as quietly as she could.
“Shh. Just ahead.” She pointed to another smaller building, that looked just as abandoned as the first. With soundless steps, she crept around the side of the building. There, as she expected, was a boy, with a horse.
“You there!”
The boy jumped up and started to climb up on the horse.
“Don't you dare. You have a better chance with me than you do with the man you stole that horse from, and if you don’t hear me out, the rangers that will catch you soon enough.”
The boy turned. His face was streaked with dirt, and his clothes were shabby.
“Please, miss, I don’t know what you’re talking about. This horse is mine. I have nothing else.” His eyes searched to and fro as if seeking something more than merely two women.
“That is not an excuse to be a thief. If he really is yours, what’s his name?” she asked as she continued moving toward them.
“Umm—-Ranger! His name is Ranger.”
“Really? Let’s test that. Ranger, here, boy,” she called softly. The horse ignored her. “Big Brown, here boy,” she called next and the horse immediately moved toward her. Reaching the boy, she snatched the reins from his hand. “If I hadn't found you first, you likely would have been killed. This isn’t your horse—you stole it. Now what sense does that make?”
“Better than starving.” He kicked the toe of his shoe into the sandy soil.
“Starving?” Ellen gasped. “Have you nothing to eat?”
“Don't fall for it, Ellen. Look at this belly.” She poked a finger into the boy's rounded stomach. “He is well fed and has been taught to steal. Haven't you? Don't try your con artist ways on me. You may be young, but you are old enough to know better.”
“Ellen?!”
Both women jumped at the sound of Jacob's voice as he rode up behind them with Gabriel at his side. Monica's heart dropped at the sight of Gabriel's fierce expression. He held her gaze with such intensity that she almost forgot why she was there.
“This is the missing horse.” Monica held the reins out to Jacob. “I would suggest that you let the boy go, however, as the owner of the horse has threatened to kill the person who stole his horse.”
Both Jacob and Gabriel dismounted their horses. While Jacob took custody of the boy, Gabriel stood directly between Monica and Ellen.
“I can't believe you've done this.” Jacob looked past Monica, to Ellen. “Why would you ever put yourself in this kind of danger? You know better.”
“It isn't her fault; she was following me.” Monica folded her arms across her stomach and frowned. “I found the thief, didn't I?”
“You found the thief?” Jacob's cheeks grew deep crimson as he took a step toward her. “You put my wife in danger!”
“Jacob, I chose to go with her.” Ellen shook her head and held up her hands. “The point is, the crime was solved.”
“I promised to return the horse to its owner. That's all.” Monica glanced at the boy. “Clearly, there was no danger.”
“Clearly.” Gabriel rested a hand on her shoulder. It was heavy and a little rough, but so very warm that her body reacted despite the tension that sung through her nerves. “You have no concept of the danger that you put yourself and Ellen in. Jacob, escort them home, and I'll deal with the boy and the horse.”
“No, you can't.” Monica twisted out from under his grasp and turned to face him. “He'll kill the boy—you can't let him do that. He's just a child!”
“I am a ranger, not a murderer.” He held her gaze for a moment. “He will not be harmed.”
“By you?” She stared back into his eyes.
“By anyone.” He nodded his head toward the boy. “You, get out of here now, while you still can, and be certain that you do not show your face in this town again, or I can assure you that you will face far worse.”
The boy didn't hesitate to take off at a run. Monica breathed a sigh of relief, but that sensation faded as she looked back at Gabriel's expression. He was furious. “Get them home, Jacob, now.”
“Yes, sir, I will.” Jacob moved forward decisively, taking each of their arms and moving them back toward town. Monica wondered if he would refuse to let her stay, now that she'd involved Ellen in one of her adventures. As they walked back to town to retrieve their horses, Jacob's tone calmed down.
“Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to chase a horse thief?” He looked between the two of them, but mostly at Monica.
“He was just a boy,” Monica muttered. She felt deflated by the fact that despite the crime she solved, neither Jacob or Gabriel appeared to acknowledge that fact.
“You couldn't have known that. He could have been armed. There could have been several men. You have to think things through, Monica.” Jacob shook his head.
“I did know that. He was with two older men that would know better t
han to risk their lives for a horse in broad daylight. I also knew he wasn't armed, because if he was, he would have taken more than just the horse. There were plenty of easy targets in the area that he could have robbed. So, no, I wasn't in any danger. I did think it through, and I wouldn't have gone after him if I had thought any different.” She pursed her lips. “I don't just rely on instinct; my observations led me to the boy and the horse.”
“You have no idea what you're dealing with out here, Monica. I can't say that what you did wasn't impressive, but I also can't say that it wasn't reckless and dangerous. Now, what do you mean by observations?” He paused as they reached town and retrieved their horses. As they continued on toward the house, Monica pleaded her case.
“I knew that he wouldn't take off because he would be exposed if he was on the plain. So, he had to find somewhere to hide. I noticed this place when we traveled into town, knew that it was abandoned, and remember seeing a boy here the last time we came through. It's the first place anyone passes when they near the town from this direction, and an easy place for him to get back to. It's quite simple, really.”
“If it was so simple then you should have left it to the rangers. It's not as if you didn't know where we were. So why didn't you, Miss Benton?” The use of her formal name and his question weighed heavy in the air between them.
“If I had, you might be standing over the body of a boy right now, instead of having the option to let him go. That man wanted blood for the theft, and there were no rangers around to calm him. Even if there were, there was no guarantee that one of those rangers wouldn't have turned the boy over to the drunk man. There were no lawmen in sight, and I felt confident I could solve this.”
Monica's Mystery Page 4
