The Rancher's Temporary Engagement

by Stacy Henrie

  Was it her imagination or did Edward look suddenly sad? “Evidence, yes.” He cleared his throat. “Once the flames fully die down, we can safely look around. In the meantime, we’ll need to ensure the roof on the house doesn’t catch fire.”

  Maggy nodded in agreement as he hefted the bucket at her feet and moved slowly toward the house. As she followed, she glanced back at the spot where they’d been standing. Very soon, she would have to say goodbye to him, to this man she’d come to care for as far more than a friend, but at least she would have the memory of that kiss to carry with her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Hours later—after the main house had been saved, after everyone had drunk their fill of Mrs. Harvey’s tea, after the wranglers who weren’t on guard duty had returned to their beds—Edward was finally able to scout for evidence around the burnt buildings with Maggy. He still wore his ash-streaked shirt and trousers, and though he longed to change and lie down for a few minutes, a fresh set of clothes and sleep would have to wait. Finding possible clues had to come first.

  The dawning of a new day threw enough light on the ground to see by. It also illuminated Maggy’s long auburn hair and a smudge of ash on her cheek that he longed to smooth away. It would only be an excuse to touch her face, to kiss her again, though he wasn’t sure she’d welcome either one.

  Each time Edward thought of her tender, potentially lifesaving kiss, his heart gave a jolt. Kissing Maggy had been sweeter and profoundly more affecting than he’d imagined. She’d risked her own life to try to help him, something he didn’t take lightly, but what he’d felt for her in return went much deeper than gratitude or friendship.

  He cared deeply for her—he knew that now. And yet last night, when he’d begun to think she might feel the same, she’d stepped away from him, shuttered her emotions and turned the conversation back to solving his case.

  Fresh regret wound through him as he surveyed the remains of the guest cottage. The charred boards no longer stood as a testament of his hard work and care.

  But I am not what I do, he reminded himself, echoing Maggy’s truthful words during the fire.

  Thankfully, in spite of his own stubbornness, God kept showing him that he wasn’t just the son of an earl or a successful rancher. He was somebody simply because he was God’s child. And with Maggy’s help, he’d finally been able to see and understand that. He had much to feel grateful for—his life, his staff, his ranch—and most of all, for Maggy. She’d infused his rather solitary life with her charisma, and he would never wish it differently.

  He turned to eye the stable. It would need to be rebuilt, but it would get a new life, a second chance. Could he and Maggy have another chance? Would she be open to considering a life here, with him?

  “Edward!”

  He turned toward her, his question on the tip of his tongue, until he saw that she held something in her hand. “What’s that?”

  “It’s a bandanna.” She lifted it, her blue eyes alight with familiar excitement. “I think the person who started the fire used it to wipe his face, then accidentally dropped it behind the stable.”

  Edward took the bandanna from her and examined it. The item looked like any ordinary bandanna, except for what appeared to be initials sewn in one corner. “C.H.,” he said, showing Maggy the monogram.

  “Chance Howe,” they said at the same time. Mild shock gave way to a resurgence of anger. Maggy had been right in suspecting Howe, which meant the other rancher had likely hoped to trap her inside the burning guest cottage.

  A glance at Maggy’s face showed she was contemplating similar thoughts. She tugged the bandanna from his grip and started past him.

  “Where are you going?” he asked as he moved swiftly to catch up with her.

  She didn’t slow. “We need to talk to Vienna.” She threw him a determined look. “It’s time we find out if she knows anything and to tell her who I really am.”

  They found Mrs. Harvey and Vienna in the kitchen, talking in muted voices, empty teacups on the table. “Any ideas how the fire started, sir?” Mrs. Harvey asked.

  “Not how,” Maggy said, “but who.”

  Vienna looked confused. “Someone started it on purpose? Why would they do that?”

  “We’re hoping you might have some insight into that, Vienna.” Edward tempered the words with a kind smile, but the girl still paled.

  “I don’t understand.”

  Maggy set the bandanna in front of Vienna. She picked it up, her expression becoming even more bewildered. “How did Chance’s bandanna get here?”

  “I believe he dropped it.” Maggy kept her voice gentle. “After he set the guest house on fire.”

  Vienna slumped against her chair. “W-why would he do that? Is he that angry with me?”

  “Not with you, Vienna.” Maggy crouched beside her. “I believe he was trying to hurt me.” She glanced up at Edward as she added, “And Edward, too.”

  “You and Edward?” Vienna shook her head. “I still don’t understand. I know Chance can be a bear, but I’ve never known him to hurt anyone.” Her cheeks flushed. “Apart from me,” she murmured in a pained tone.

  Edward dragged an empty chair over for Maggy, but when she indicated he should take it instead, he sat by Vienna. “There’s something about the ranch you need to know...”

  “I’ll make some more tea,” Mrs. Harvey announced as she rose to her feet, inspiring a brief smile from Edward. The older woman might enjoy sensationalized stories, but she also knew what a body needed in times of turmoil and stress.

  He began by telling Vienna about the first threatening note he’d received, then he outlined the various attacks against the Running W that led to his decision to hire a Pinkerton agent. Vienna’s green eyes widened, but she didn’t say a word.

  Maggy picked up the narrative next. “The first agent Edward hired wasn’t successful at finding anything, so the superintendent in the Denver office assigned me to the case.”

  “You?” Vienna’s expression could only be described as astonished. “Y-you’re a detective?”

  Maggy chuckled. “Guilty.” Sitting on the floor of his kitchen, in a soiled robe and nightgown, she looked nothing like the detectives Edward had imagined. But there couldn’t be a more skilled, courageous and beautiful one than her. “After my husband died, I ended up helping a Pinkerton agent in our little mining town. He’s the one who encouraged me to apply for a job.”

  “Are you really engaged then?” Vienna asked, looking between them.

  Maggy’s expression clouded, though Edward wasn’t sure why. “We became temporarily engaged,” she explained, “so I could join the ranchers’ wives’ club and dig up clues there.”

  “Then you aren’t staying? Once you solve this case?” The sorrowful note in the girl’s voice matched the one squeezing at Edward’s heart.

  His earlier thought about asking Maggy if she would consider a life here, with him, rang through his head once more. But her next words had his hopes turning to ash, just like his guest cottage and stable.

  “I can’t stay,” she said, more to her lap than to them. “I’m hoping to be promoted to head female detective. In that role, I’d oversee all of the female agents at Pinkerton’s. I just need to solve this case first.”

  It was as if a fist had connected with Edward’s stomach. His case had been a means to an end, nothing more, nothing less. Somehow he forced a smile. “Congratulations, Maggy. You’ll be fantastic.”

  “Thank you.” The smile she gave him didn’t seem as luminous as some of her others, but perhaps she was simply nervous about the promotion or at what still needed to happen to solve his case. “That brings us back to Chance. Has there been anything unusual about his behavior the last couple months, Vienna? Anything he’s said against Edward?”

  Vienna appeared to be thinking hard. “I’m sorry, but I can’t recall anything.
” She twisted the bandanna around her fingers.

  “What about your aunt and uncle?” Maggy asked. Edward guessed where she was going with that question.

  The girl’s eyes went large again. “What about them?”

  “Has Chance been meeting with them or talking more about them recently?”

  Her brow furrowed. “You know, now that I think about it, Chance has talked a great deal more about them recently—and in far more positive terms than he once did.”

  “Was there animosity between them at one time?” Maggy asked.

  Vienna shook her head. “Not exactly. They thought he was wealthier than he actually turned out to be. Lately, though, he’s been talking about them helping him—helping us. Something about getting more land and horses. I didn’t pay much attention.”

  “If they promised to help him...” Maggy looked at Edward. “My guess is the Druitts promised to help Bertram and Winchester, too, in exchange for their cooperation.”

  He gave a quick nod. “That must be what Bertram meant when he said the other week that Druitt had promised him a nice deal. And that would also explain why he and Winchester were willing to help with the letters and sabotage. What about the buggy, though?”

  “What buggy?” Vienna threw Maggy a puzzled look.

  She quickly detailed what had happened the other day. By the time she finished her tale, Vienna had gone white again.

  “You think it was Chance that tampered with the buggy as well as starting the fire?”

  “Yes.” Maggy stood. “I don’t think your aunt or uncle were behind either of those.” She went on to share Kitt’s warning about their friendship. “Chance is angry with me, especially now for my part in you leaving him. He might have even thought that harming me would convince Edward to leave.”

  Vienna’s shoulders drooped. “I’m so sorry, Maggy. I don’t know what else to say.”

  “You’re not to blame for any of this,” she said with unmistakable conviction. “And you’ve given us more insight into Chance’s reasons for helping your aunt and uncle.”

  The girl turned to look at Edward. “Why would Uncle Nevil and Aunt Dolphina want you gone?”

  “We believe they want a successful and operational ranch to use as leverage.” He accepted one of the teacups that Mrs. Harvey handed around. “It would be an attractive incentive for Lavina to move back to Sheridan.”

  Vienna nodded slowly. “I believe you might be right.”

  Edward shot Maggy a knowing smile—those words would always represent a private joke between them.

  “Each time Lavina visits, they launch a new campaign to convince her to stay.” The young woman suddenly clapped her hands. “And yet, I think I know why they’ve been much more aggressive this time.”

  Maggy took a sip of her tea, her expression expectant. “Why?”

  “Uncle Nevil has been quite ill for the last year or so.”

  Edward exchanged a glance with Maggy. “I didn’t know.”

  “No one does, not even Lavina. I only know because I happened to stop by their house one day when the doctor was there. My aunt swore me to secrecy.” Vienna blushed. “I feel it’s important for both of you to know, though. He’s desperate to have his daughter close by and hopes to see a grandchild or two born before he passes away.”

  “The motive,” Edward exclaimed at the same moment as Maggy.

  Mrs. Harvey set down her cup. “So what do we do now?”

  “I think we still wait to force a confession from them at the ball, since it’s only two days away.” Maggy began pacing the kitchen, her tea now growing cold on the table. “Do you think Howe will be there?” she asked Vienna.

  The girl shook her head. “Not likely. He’s not too fond of social events, except for the dinners at the inn. I don’t plan to be there either, considering the circumstances.” Another flush stained her face.

  “It’s all right. You don’t need to be there, Vienna,” Maggy reassured.

  Edward couldn’t stomach any more tea. Placing his cup next to Maggy’s on the table, he rested his arms on his knees and voiced the question that had been on his mind the last few days. “How will we get them to confess at the ball?”

  “What about a note?” Mrs. Harvey suggested, breaking the thoughtful silence.

  He looked at his housekeeper in surprise. “A note? What sort of note?”

  “Like one they write in those books.”

  When she blushed, he knew she was talking about her dime novels. But he wouldn’t dismiss the idea. It had been one of her penny dreadfuls that had inspired him to hire a detective in the first place, which had led to Maggy entering his life.

  “The person writes a note to the scoundrel,” Mrs. Harvey continued, “anonymous like, and says ‘we know what you did and you need to meet us here at this time.’ And then the sheriff comes along, too, and hides as the person gives their confession.”

  Maggy stopped pacing and gave Mrs. Harvey a hug. For a moment, Edward wished he’d come up with such a smashing idea so her embrace might have been his instead.

  “Mrs. Harvey, that is brilliant.” Maggy’s delightful laugh filled the kitchen. “You ought to be a detective yourself.”

  The older woman’s cheeks turned a deeper red, but she was grinning. “Go on, now. It’s nothing I haven’t read in stories over and over again.”

  “What about Chance?” The question came from Vienna.

  Edward looked to Maggy for the answer. “I say we start with a confession from the Druitts,” she said, her eyes meeting his. “They might be willing to give him up to prove that they weren’t involved in the arson or attempted murder. Then with the sheriff in tow, we’ll confront Howe.”

  Vienna gave a decisive nod, her expression determined but also sad. “If there’s any way I can help, I’d like to.”

  “Thank you, Vienna.” Maggy bestowed what appeared to be a genuine smile on all three of them. “And now...we have a confrontation to prepare and stage.”

  * * *

  “Do I look too...fancy?” Maggy asked, studying what she could see of her coiffed hairstyle and blue velvet dress in the bureau mirror. Ms. Glasen had created a ball gown more fitting for a duchess than a detective. However, Maggy did have to admit, the lighter flecks of sapphire scattered across the darker blue color made her eyes and auburn hair stand out. Even the cream-colored lace at her shoulders complemented her skin.

  Vienna smiled into the mirror from where she stood behind Maggy. “You look gorgeous. Mr. Kent isn’t going to be able to take his eyes off you. Temporary fiancée or not. Isn’t that right, Mrs. Harvey?”

  “Just what I was about to say myself, love.” The housekeeper beamed as proudly as if Maggy were her own daughter.

  A lump of gratitude rose in her throat for these two women. “You both look exceptional, as well.” Last minute, Vienna had decided to attend the ball. She’d borrowed an evening dress from Maggy and Mrs. Harvey had donned her Sunday best.

  “Maggy?” she heard Edward call up the stairs. “Are you ladies ready? The horses are hitched to the wagon.” Most of the staff would pile into the wagon, while the rest would ride their horses.

  She threw one last look at her reflection. “We’re nearly ready,” she called back.

  “We’ll go first,” Vienna said, a twinkle in her green eyes. “Then you can make a grand descent down the stairs.”

  The last four days Maggy had seen a slight change in the young woman. Vienna was still shy, but she no longer appeared timid. There was a quiet confidence that had begun to radiate from her, and Maggy couldn’t be happier.

  Except she wouldn’t be around to see her friend fully develop her inner strength.

  If all went well this evening, Maggy would be leaving in the next day or two. She’d already sneaked a note into Mrs. Druitt’s valise earlier that day, when she and Vienna had go
ne to the city hall building to help put up the decorations for the ball.

  Edward had been busy with preparations, too. After he’d accompanied them into town, he’d paid a visit to the sheriff. He had reported that he’d been working with a Pinkerton agent—though he didn’t say it was Maggy—and asked if the sheriff would be attending the ball. Some well-placed hints about horse thievery and arson had piqued the sheriff’s interest and secured his cooperation.

  Vienna and Mrs. Harvey left the room, grinning and chattering like schoolgirls. Grabbing her sapphire-colored gloves off the bed, Maggy hurried after them, pulling her gloves on as she walked. Her pulse jumped when she reached the stairs and saw Edward at the bottom, talking to the other two women. He hadn’t looked up yet, which gave her a few seconds to watch him unobserved.

  It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen him dressed well before. Tonight, though, his ensemble, which included a tailcoat and cravat, had him looking every bit an earl’s son—and as fine looking as ever. Not for the first time, she felt proud to be known as his fiancée and friend.

  But not for much longer.

  Her heart lurched with pain at that thought, and she hurried to draw a calming breath. There would be time enough, on the train ride back to Denver, to mourn over what might have been between them. For now, she would proceed with their carefully laid plans.

  She lifted her chin and descended the stairs. When Edward glanced up at last, his jaw visibly slackened. The awed look in his gray eyes made her grateful she’d chosen to wear her fanciest gown after all.

  “I’m ready,” she announced into the quiet. Vienna and Mrs. Harvey seemed eager to exit the house, leaving her and Edward alone.

  He stared at her a moment longer, then offered her his arm. “You are beautiful, Maggy.” The low timbre of his voice and the intense way he studied her made it difficult for her to breathe. Then there was the belated but delightful realization he hadn’t simply complimented her dress or her look tonight—he’d told her that she was beautiful.

  “Thank you.” She slipped her arm through his. “You look very handsome yourself, Edward. But then you always do.” She hadn’t planned to share that last part, but it had slipped out nevertheless, and she couldn’t take it back now.