“Of course,” Dulcie said. She reached over and patted Anne’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, my dear.”
“Don’t worry,” Rob said. “We’ll get the truth out of that scoundrel tomorrow.”
Dan wondered whether they would. Maybe they could prove the man at Stone’s farm was an imposter, but would that bring them any closer to finding Anne’s uncle?
Anne rode in the wagon the next day, with Dan driving. Rob and Bank rode their horses just ahead of them. Much to Dulcie’s chagrin, Rob had insisted she stay in Eugene City and make the acquaintance of Mrs. Skinner.
“We don’t know what this fella will do when we confront him,” he pointed out. “We know he’s slippery. I figure having to protect Miss Anne is a big enough worry for the three of us, without you being there, too. And if it comes down to needing support in this town, we’ll need the Skinners on our side.”
Dulcie huffed and rolled her eyes, but in the end she persuaded the landlady to prepare a small cake for her to carry to the Skinner house after the others set out.
Anne rode first to the county courthouse, at Rob’s suggestion. They all hoped the people and records there could shed some light on the situation. The clerk behind the desk produced a copy of the deed to Anne’s uncle’s property.
“I remember him,” the clerk said. “Tall, fair man with a British accent.”
“Yes,” Anne said, delighted to hear this description that coincided with her expectations.
“You should talk to Mr. Skinner. He’s the county clerk. I’m just an underling. He’ll know more about it, I daresay.”
“I was hoping Mr. Skinner would be here today,” Bank said. “Would he be over at the post office?”
“He might. Some days he’s off on business.”
Bank nodded. “Come, Miss Stone, we can stop in at the post office. I doubt Mr. Skinner can take the time to ride out there with us, but it would be good to at least get his take on this.”
Dan went into the post office and came out frowning. “He’s gone for the day. Rode up the valley—something to do with cattle.”
“All right then, we’ll proceed as we planned last night,” Bank said. “You ready, Miss Stone?”
“Yes.” Anne didn’t really feel ready to confront the man at Uncle David’s farm again, but she was glad she had three stouthearted gentlemen with her this time.
A low ceiling above them threatened rain as they rode southward. Anne wore her woolen overcoat, warm wool gloves, and a floppy velvet bonnet that covered her ears. Dan turned up his collar and settled his hat low on his head. He had leather gloves, but Anne thought he might do well with a soft muffler. Perhaps she would knit him one to show her appreciation for his support in this venture. Elise had taught her to knit, and while she couldn’t tackle anything with size yet, a muffler should be within her ability.
They arrived at the small house as the first raindrops splashed down. Dan helped Anne down from the wagon. Rob eyed the nearby barn and dismounted.
“Wonder if we can put the horses under cover.”
“Let’s see what we get for a reception,” Bank said.
They walked to the door, and Dan knocked. A moment later, Millie opened it. She looked at him and Anne, then past them to Rob and the marshal. Her eyes flared, but she stood back and opened the door wider, her expression neutral.
“Good morning. I see you’ve brought some friends.”
“Yes.” Anne walked into the house and spotted David standing near the table.
His face clouded as the men entered behind her. “What’s this?”
“Hello.” Anne smiled. “I hope you don’t mind. I brought along my dear friend Rob Whistler. I mentioned him to you yesterday.” She gestured toward Rob. “And this is Deputy Marshal Bank Raynor.”
“Marshal?” David scowled at Bank, then looked back at Anne. “What did you bring him for?”
Bank stepped forward. “My boss—him being Marshal Nesmith, up in Oregon City—asked me to ride out here with Miss Stone and make sure everything went all right. Seems she had a little trouble up north of here when she tried to find you.”
“Is that right?” David looked back to Anne. “You didn’t tell me.”
Bank said, “Well, somebody didn’t want her to find her uncle. That fella’s in jail now, but the marshal asked me to see that there weren’t any shenanigans today.”
David stared at him uncertainly.
Millie stepped forward. “Well, isn’t that thoughtful of you? We had no idea Anne had so much trouble. Won’t you all sit down? I think we have enough seats. Let me see….”
A few minutes later, Anne and Millie were seated at the table with David and Bank, while Rob and Dan stood back to listen.
“Now, Mr. Stone,” Bank began, “it seems you’ve been named as an heir in the will of Miss Stone’s father. You can understand why we want to be sure you’re the right man before she gives the information on how to claim that inheritance.”
“Well, uh, sure.” David looked to Millie, but she said nothing.
“So, I have here some information…” Bank took a slip of paper from the pocket of his hunting shirt. On it, Anne had written a few facts about her family the evening before. “Now, can you just confirm for me, please, your date and place of birth?”
“Uh…” David swiveled his head and again looked at Millie.
She gave a slight nod without changing the tight set of her mouth.
“Let’s see…I was born…uh, that would be May 16, 1824.”
As he spoke, Anne watched Millie. She closed her eyes briefly but otherwise didn’t move. Anne knew the date was off by nearly ten years but didn’t speak up.
“And whereabouts was that?” Bank asked.
“Oh, in England,” David said more confidently.
“Where in England?”
“Mm, outside of London.”
“Could you name a town, sir? Or a county at least?”
“Uh…it’s been a long time. I’m not sure I remember.”
Bank grunted and looked down at the paper. “And could you name your four siblings for me?”
“Huh?” David stared at him blankly.
“Brothers and sisters,” Millie said. “He wants to know the names of your brothers and sisters.”
“Oh.” David ran a hand through his beard. “Well, uh, there was me and…me and Anne’s father, and…hmm…well, there was John.”
His gaze darted to Millie and then to Anne.
Anne tried to smile encouragingly.
“Uh, Millie, can you get me some coffee?” David asked.
“Certainly.” Millie hurried to the stove and then bustled about between the cupboard and the table.
Anne rose. “May I help you, Millie?”
“Uh, sure. There’s two more cups there. See if the other gents want coffee, would you?”
A few minutes later, David, Bank, and Rob sipped their coffee. Anne caught Dan’s gaze as she resumed her seat. Dan nodded soberly.
“Well, then,” Millie said, “maybe we can get on with the paperwork now. Is there something for David to sign?”
“Not just yet,” Bank said. “Mr. Stone, it appears you don’t know much about your family.”
“Well, now, that’s a fact.” David smiled sheepishly. “You know, it’s been a long time since I saw any of ’em.”
“But still,” Bank said. “You ought to know when you was born. Any man should know that.”
“What’d I say?” David asked. “Don’t tell me I gave you the date wrong.”
“You certainly did.”
“Well, what do you have? Maybe somebody copied it wrong.”
Bank scowled at him. “I don’t think so, but if you can tell me your mother’s name—”
Millie shoved her chair back. “This is ridiculous. David’s scatterbrained. So what? Does that mean he can’t have what’s rightfully his?”
“Not at all,” Bank said. “I’m just not sure anything’s rightfully his.”
“Why, you!” Millie stood shaking and glowering at Bank. “It’s not his fault that he’s stupid.”
“That’s right,” David said. “That old dun mare of mine kicked me in the head last fall. I can’t remember half of nothing since then.”
Anne managed to keep a straight face, but Bank let out a guffaw, and Rob barked a little laugh as well.
“Is that right, ma’am?” Bank asked Millie. “Did he take a kick to the head recently?”
Millie hiked her chin up. “Yes, he did. If I hadn’t nursed him back to health, Miss Stone here wouldn’t have an uncle to her name.” She turned a malevolent glare on Anne.
“Well, then,” Rob said with a deferential glance at Bank, “perhaps you could answer a few questions, ma’am. Maybe you can tell us the name of your mother-in-law.”
“Well…” Millie’s mouth twitched.
“Her mother-in-law?” David said.
“Yes, I asked your wife if she could tell me your mother’s name,” Rob said.
“She’s not my wife,” David said with an injured air.
“Oh, pardon me,” Rob said.
Millie’s face had gone crimson, though with mortification or rage, Anne couldn’t tell.
“And just what is your relationship to this gentleman?” Bank asked.
“I don’t see that that’s any of your business,” Millie replied.
Rob smiled apologetically. “So you can’t help him with the necessary information? That’s too bad, ma’am, because if he really is entitled to something, it’d be a shame if he couldn’t claim it.”
Millie didn’t speak, but her face shivered and squirmed until Anne thought she would explode.
“Well then, I guess it’s time for us to hit the road,” Rob said. He stood and pulled out Anne’s chair for her.
Anne rose and cleared her throat. “Well, I, uh…I guess we’ll be going.” This was where she would ordinarily thank her hostess and assure her that meeting her had been a pleasure. For once in her life, Anne’s manners didn’t help her.
Dan held up her coat. “Come on, Miss Anne.”
Bank rose, turned, and took a step toward David until their noses were only inches apart. “I don’t suppose you want to tell us where the real David Stone is—the gentleman who owns this property?”
“I own it,” their host said.
“Oh really? Can you show us a deed?”
“Well, uh…”
“You’d have to go to the county courthouse for that,” Millie said. “He doesn’t keep it in the house.”
“Funny thing,” Bank said. “We were there this morning. We saw the deed on file. And the man who owns this land was able to give them proof of his identity.” He stretched up into David’s face. “And he isn’t you.” He drew his pistol and poked it into the man’s ribs. “You want to tell me who you really are?”
CHAPTER 5
He’s David Stone.” Millie’s voice was like granite.
“Really?” Bank didn’t bother to look her way but kept staring into the man’s eyes. “Ma’am, did you know it’s a crime to abet a criminal?” He prodded their host. “Put your hands up. I’m taking you back to town.”
Slowly the man raised his hands. “I didn’t do anything. Millie—”
“As far as I know, his name is David Stone,” she said. “I haven’t been here that long, but that’s the only name I know him by.”
“Millie—”
“Don’t talk,” she snarled. “Are you completely daft? If you want to go to prison, go, but you’re not taking me with you.” She strode to the door, snagging a shawl from a peg on her way out.
The door slammed shut behind her.
“You want me to stop her?” Dan asked.
“Not unless she’s stealing one of our horses,” Bank said.
Dan hurried outside, and Rob followed.
“Miss Stone,” the deputy said, “I’m going to truss this fella up and put him in the back of the wagon. That all right with you? If you’d rather not ride with him, you can take my nag.”
Anne looked down at her full-skirted traveling dress. She hadn’t brought Dulcie’s sidesaddle along today. “I’ll be fine in the wagon, so long as you search him first for weapons.”
“No fear.”
Anne nodded and staggered out the door. Her legs felt like rubber. Dan met her on the steps and offered his arm.
“Where is she?” Anne asked.
“She went to the barn. Rob’s keeping an eye on her.”
“Mr. Raynor plans to take the man back to Eugene.”
“Fine by me.” Dan went with her to the wagon and gave her a hand up.
The barn door opened, and Millie rode out on a chestnut horse. She cantered toward the road without looking their way.
A few minutes later, they set out with Dan driving and the man who claimed to be David Stone tied up in the back. Bank and Rob rode close behind them, watching the prisoner every step of the way.
As they drove, Anne’s mind whirled. Had she set out on a fool’s errand last spring? She remembered the tip Elise had received in St. Louis that had sent them across the plains in Rob’s wagon train. Had they chased a false clue all year long? They’d questioned hundreds of people, inquiring for David Stone. With persistence, they’d located a few who remembered an Englishman—the accent had made him stand out. People remembered that and his genteel manners. Obviously this was not the man to whom they’d referred. Maybe he really was named David Stone, but she doubted it. And where was her uncle?
She backtracked in her mind. Where had they lost the real David’s trail?
“Oregon City,” she said softly.
Dan looked over at her. “What?”
“People in Oregon City knew my uncle. Two years ago, he was there, and he had the British accent and the refined manners. Those who knew him by sight looked at the miniature and said it was him. That’s where we lost the trail.”
“How do you figure?” Dan asked.
“Someone told us David had bought some land near Eugene. I wrote to him in care of general delivery at the Eugene City Post Office. And I got back the note from this man and Millie. So was my uncle never here?”
“I’m pretty sure he was,” Dan said. “From what the county clerk told us, the man who registered the deed to that land was the genuine article.”
She sighed. “You’re right. I was forgetting that. But if Uncle David bought the property, where is he now?”
“Maybe the marshal can get more out of the impostor when he’s got him in the jail. Without Millie around to prompt him, he might actually say something relevant.”
“True. Perhaps I should make another list of questions—like how long has this fellow been at the farm? And does he claim to own it outright? If so, how did he pay for it? We know Uncle David had means. He’d sold his business in Oregon City.”
“And Mr. Skinner told Rob he knew Mr. Stone. I’m sure Bank can get Skinner to take a look at the prisoner once we get back to Eugene. That should settle it.”
Dan had such a practical mind. That was a comfort. Anne settled more comfortably on the wagon seat. If she didn’t look behind her on the way to town, she might be able to forget that they were transporting a prisoner who’d tried to claim her uncle’s inheritance.
Millie Evans waited near the river for a good hour. Shouldn’t take them longer than that to clear out. She let the bony mare graze and thought about her prospects.
If they’d left Sam alone, things would be fine. If they’d arrested him, she’d have to fend for herself—nothing new. But she’d want to get her stuff out of the house if she could and avail herself of any plunder she could carry. The rain had stopped, but not until she was thoroughly wet. She’d risk building a fire in the farm kitchen’s stove and dry out.
When she judged enough time had passed, she put the bridle back on the mare and headed by farm lanes and wooded paths toward the Stone farm. She approached from the side and sat watching for a long time from beyond the corral before mo
ving closer. The wagon and team were gone, and no saddle horses stood in the yard. Unless they’d hidden their mounts in the barn, the marshal and the rest were gone.
The cattle still grazed in the pasture. She’d expected Sam’s horse to be missing, but the skinny blue roan cropped grass alongside the steers. They must have hauled Sam off in the wagon, she decided. That wasn’t good. Not that she cared—much. But she could use his roan for a pack horse.
She approached the back door of the house cautiously, not seeing any flicker of movement in the one window on that side. The stillness was creepy. She dismounted and hitched the mare securely. All she needed was to have her horse light out on her.
The quiet of the house felt even eerier than that of the barnyard. She checked both rooms to be sure. She wouldn’t dare sleep here. The marshal might come back. He would probably send someone to tend the livestock today or in the morning. He wouldn’t leave the cattle there for someone to steal. Or, if he was that stupid, Miss Stone would do something about it. She was probably the tenderhearted type that would hand-feed an orphaned bear cub until it got big and killed her. And anyway, she’d no doubt lay claim to all of David Stone’s property in the name of protecting the family’s belongings.
Just how extensive were they, anyway? That mysterious estate in England must be worth a lot, or his niece wouldn’t have come halfway around the world to tell David he’d inherited it. Too bad there wasn’t a way to find out.
In the bedroom, she grabbed her extra dress and petticoat and her heavy winter coat off the pegs on the wall and emptied the dresser drawers into a sack. Too bad the little plan she and Sam had cooked up hadn’t worked out. He’d invited her to come cook for him when his rich boss went off into the mountains. Millie had conceived an idea that when Stone returned, she might convince him to keep her around for more than her cooking. He obviously had money. He had big plans for this farm and the improvements he’d make in the spring. Why shouldn’t she be part of the plans?
THE Prairie DREAMS Trilogy Page 37
