An Agent for Meghan

by Ginny Sterling

  Meghan ignored the burning ache in her chest, thinking possibly she had awoken with indigestion this morning instead of admitting to the feeling of regret inside her at realizing that not only was this indeed a cold business arrangement between her and Jack… it wasn’t the first one!

  He’d been married to Fallon at one point… and she was lovely.

  A smiling, graceful, classic dark-haired beauty that seemed to light up the room. The men at the table were certainly fawning over her. Jack called her ‘dollface’ and practically bragged to her husband that he’d married her first. Now she was supposed to put on a charade, acting like she was married to the man, and trusting him with her life. The man who was obviously bleary eyed from alcohol and struggling to get on his horse.

  “Could you refrain from drinking so much before a mission,” she said tightly, checking her stirrups before climbing onto the horse. She’d never ridden pillion before, always using a side-saddle, but this long trip would be made in a hurry and there was no time to wait for them to fetch a new saddle.

  “I didn’t drink anymore after you left,” Jack said, giving the strap a tug. “Do you need help on your horse?”

  “I’ll manage fine without you.”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Jack said waspishly, practically stomping over towards her. He put his hands on her waist and moved to pick her up, freezing suddenly, as if he realized what he was doing.

  “I can get on the horse, Jack,” Meghan whispered, looking up at him and swallowing hard. He nodded and hefted her up, allowing her to swing a leg over much more easily.

  “Thank you.”

  “You are welcome,” he said quietly before walking off and swinging a leg up onto his own horse with ease. He grabbed the reins and swung the animals head to the side, leading them into the street. “…And I couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t drunk. I was thinking.”

  “About what?”

  “You.”

  Megan stared at his back as they rode out of town. The man was confusing. One moment, he is laughing at her – the next, he is flirting with another woman. He seemed to be unsure of himself or just as confused as she was regarding their partnership. Instead, she took a note from a book on military tactics she’s read from her father’s office. She was going to take a step back, analyze the situation, and then plan an attack that was sure to leave her the victor!

  But what was her goal to win?

  His friendship?

  A successful mission?

  Dare she delve any further?

  She stared at his broad shoulders and the fine figure of a man he was astride the chestnut horse. He’d been born in the saddle and it showed. He was beautiful, his body swaying easily in rhythm with the animal across the grassy fields.

  “How long will we be travelling today?” she asked simply, trying to break the silence between them. She saw him shake his head without looking back at her. Meghan gnashed her teeth and bit her tongue to keep from asking if he had a tremor that caused such an annoyance. Instead, she ignored it and tucked it away in her mental file.

  The study of Jack Gaines had begun!

  She nudged the horse forward to ride beside him, looking away. Staring ahead, glancing at the bluebonnets and other wildflowers, she took in every sight surrounding her… but him. No, with Jack, she would see him glance at her from the corner of her eye before craning his neck in the complete opposite direction. It was curious to see how he tried so hard not to look her. She was in a serviceable dress that would fit in a little better than her dressy tea gown that she adored. Wanting to make a good impression on her arrival, she’d worn her finest and it backfired. He’d laughed.

  Today, she’d dressed in a simple gingham gown that had an extra full skirt and heavily pleated waistline, allowing her a bit more freedom with her legs. She was glad of it today too as her skirt barely covered her boots as she rode. A straw bonnet was perched primly on her head to protect her fair skin from the sun. She wasn’t uncomely at all, but looked rather nice and more approachable, or so she had thought.

  “So what is the plan when we arrive in Abilene?” she asked, trying to draw him into a conversation. If he wasn’t comfortable talking to her, perhaps he would be better off discussing the mission instead.

  “I think we should split up.”

  “Don’t you think it will be odd for a woman arriving into town on her own? Perhaps I need to have a back story?”

  “You’ll be a widow.”

  “Ah I see. Planning on swooping in from beyond the grave to rescue me?”

  “I’ll be a ghostly apparition that will scare them silly.”

  “As long as you don’t start laughing out of nervousness.”

  “I wasn’t laughing because I was nervous.”

  “Why were you laughing?”

  “Why did it make you mad that I found your appearance comical?”

  “I guess this attempt at a conversation between us is over,” she said flatly. If he wasn’t going to share anything, she wasn’t going to open herself up for scrutiny.

  “I guess so, sugar.”

  “You are appalling.”

  “And you are something else,” he countered, frowning at her.

  “I’m your partner in this sham and working together means we should be able to communicate and talk together.”

  “But it doesn’t mean we have to like each other.”

  “That much is evident.”

  They both grew quiet and stared straight ahead. Meghan ignored the ache in her posterior and legs. She was quite certain that by the time they stopped in town she would be hobbling from her horse but would not let him get the better of her. She planned on gliding into her room effortlessly if it killed her… before collapsing in a heap of misery, she thought.

  The sun was getting low on the horizon, shooting bright crimson and russet bands across the sky. There was nothing in sight around them and she wondered when Abilene would be in view. The greenery that had once been around them was fading into a flat plain full of grass that waved in the wind. The wildflowers she’d admired before were now gone and tall, gangly bright ruddy wildflowers were being whipped around by the strong breeze that had nothing stopping it. It was amazing to see how much different the landscape was from her home. It was like a whole different world out here.

  “How much longer before we arrive?”

  “You aren’t joking, are you?”

  “We are going to Abilene, right?”

  “Abilene is near the panhandle and miles from here.”

  “What is a panhandle?”

  “Lord help me,” he groaned and rubbed his face in frustration.

  “Look, just because I don’t understand your strange terms doesn’t mean that I’m incapable.”

  “No, this much is true. I think if we were in the middle of a bar-fight, I’d want those little flying fists on my side to buy me enough time to finish the job.”

  “You think I can’t take care of myself.”

  “I know you can’t.”

  “How do you know that, pray tell?”

  “Just look at you. You are all prim, fancy, and… well, prim!”

  “And because you have the appearance of a ruffian, you know better than me?”

  “This ruffian has been in more scrapes than you’ll ever know in your spoiled little life. I bet you grew up in a big house with servants, probably had your own personal tutors to teach you, and this is all some sort of grand game for you… am I wrong?”

  Meghan sat back in her saddle, stunned at the heat of his words – and the truth of them. He had her completely figured out and she hadn’t even realized he was analyzing her while she’d been watching him!

  “Now, what I cannot figure out is why…” Jack said, shaking his head.

  “Why would you leave all that behind. Why toss it all to the side for a false marriage with a ruffian that leads you into the wilds of Texas? Is it some jilted suitor or perhaps the money you are used to is suddenly gone and you are having t
o fend for yourself now?”

  “You never answered my question,” she said quietly.

  “Sugar, you are sleeping under the stars tonight by a fire with this ruffian watching over you. You can add that to you list of ‘grand adventures’ too. Now, I’m going to get us a rabbit or snake for us to cook over said fire… unless you’d prefer to add that to your repertoire?”

  “You just know everything, don’t you?”

  “Simpleminded ruffian at your service,” he said mockingly, tipping his hat at her. “I’ll be back shortly. Just stay put here and we’ll bed down for the night. Don’t worry, sugar. I brought two bedrolls since I saw you didn’t bring one.”

  Stunned, she watched as he rode off in a gallop towards the sunset. Meghan looked around at the vast emptiness around her. She might be pampered, spoiled, and look like she didn’t fit in… but looks could be deceiving. Dismounting from her horse, she smiled as an idea hit her.

  Jack felt awful.

  He hadn’t slept well the night before and his entire body ached from a long day on horseback. He never intended to have them ride straight through. They would be in Abilene early tomorrow afternoon. The intention was to take it slow and get there in two days but there was something about Meghan that got under his skin. She was everything that he did and didn’t want in a partner. The flare of attraction he felt inside was unnerving and combined with how he felt, it was a disaster of epic proportions.

  He’d opened his big mouth and let all the acidity inside of him out. He’d attacked her person and felt terrible about it. Embarrassed, he’d rode away before he did any more damage, leaving the spoiled princess alone in the middle of nowhere. He was such a dunce! He didn’t even ask if she was armed or needed help getting down off the horse. He expected to return to see her still seated primly on the saddle, waiting for him.

  Well, he thought sadly, if she was mounted on the horse she could get away if there was trouble.

  He spotted a jackrabbit in the distance and quickly shot it. It was like a blessing from above to be able to catch it so quickly. He’d need to skin it out here to save her sensibilities and then put it on a spit. Sighing heavily, he realized that he’d need to make a campfire first to start some coffee. He could use a strong cup before having to pull the lion’s share of work.

  Yeah, Espinoza wouldn’t be able to resist having someone so delicate to capture and truthfully, Archie had sent the perfect bait to draw him out. He just hated that Meghan was the bait. He wished he could have met her under different circumstances.

  He would like to be in his Sunday suit, meeting her at a church social or maybe at a cotillion. She needed flowers, jewelry, or a pretty bonnet gifted to her to catch her attention. He was pretty positive that others had tried and failed, leading her here. There was something so mysterious about her that enraptured him to no end, making him want to know her better, and was bungling it all in the process.

  As he rode back towards the vicinity that he’d left Meghan, he saw the horse standing there riderless and faint wisps of smoke rising in the breeze. Was she gone? Was she injured or captured?

  This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go!

  He hurried into a gallop only to pull the horse’s reins moments later, stopping in his tracks. Meghan was sitting beside a fire with a small pot sitting in the flames. The lid on it was steaming and she was maneuvering a stick under the handle to remove the lid.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m checking to see if its cooked.”

  “If what is cooked?”

  “There was a quail in the grass, so I got him.”

  “You got him? How did you get him?”

  “Well, I rang a bell for my cook and maid,” she said sarcastically, flipping the lid off the pot into the dirt angrily towards him. “…And said, ‘fetch me my dinner and I’ll have a pot of hot chocolate with my dinner, as well’… then I told them to ‘draw me a bath’,” she smarted, standing to her full height and leaning forward to peer in the pot.

  Jack winced.

  He deserved that – and more.

  “Meghan,” he began, and saw her cross her arms as she glared at him.

  “You know, you should give people a chance before you dress them down verbally,” she chided, “but dinner is ready and I’m starving. So, partner… are you hungry?”

  Jack nodded, sliding down from his horse, and held up the rabbit. Without a word, he untied the bedrolls from the saddle and unrolled one in order to access the small iron spit that he had neatly tucked away. The two small Y bars were easy to hide and could make for a weapon if ever needed.

  “Well that’s a handy trick,” Meghan said, the admiration in her voice. “I’ll have to remember that. It’s a good hiding spot.”

  “A friend of mine taught me that one.”

  “I’m glad you got a rabbit.”

  “I’m glad you started the fire and got a quail,” Jack said carefully, looking at her. He was stunned that she’d been clever enough to gather buffalo chips in the grassy plains to make a fire. The dung burned well and was easily found if you had the gumption to retrieve it.

  “Plains oak was clever of you.”

  “Plains oak?” Meghan parroted, a perfect eyebrow arching in curiosity before a smile split her face. His heart flipped in his chest at the sight. “Oh, that’s funny. Yeah, there is nothing wooden about the dung patties.”

  “I’ve heard it called several things and figured it was the most polite term I could come up with for you.”

  “Jack,” Meghan said with a sigh, and he saw her shoulders sink. The feeling of guilt returned to him, knowing he’d caused this rift between them. She wordlessly removed the small cast iron pot from the fire, allowing him to place the rabbit on it to cook. She tucked her knees under her and sat down in the dirt and grass easily, like it was just an everyday occurrence.

  “You are right. I did grow up in a fancy house with nice things. We did have staff that worked for my parents, and yes… I had a tutor. There is a different side to me as well and if you’d give me a chance, I’d like for us to be a team.”

  Jack swallowed and placed the rabbit over the fire before sitting down next to her. He knew that if he giggled nervously at being so close to her at this very moment, that this surprising woman might kill him in his sleep or at the very least, beat the tar out of him. That thought drew a smile to his face as he realized she was quite pleasantly a nice, yet feisty person that was ultimately looking to fit in with him.

  “I’d like to apologize,” Jack began, reaching over and taking her hand. Don’t think about how soft her hand is in mine, he thought wildly looking at her, nor how beautiful her eyes are in the sunset.

  Her face seemed to be highlighted by the embers of the fire and the last rays of light, making his hands tremble. He held her hand for a moment and cleared his throat nervously.

  “You’ve never done this before, have you?” she said with a faint smile.

  “Done what?”

  “Apologized.”

  Jack burst out laughing and nodded. He saw her smiling at him, a playful glint in her eyes, and realized that not only was Meghan lovely – she was incredibly astute. The primness was all an act. She was cunning in a way that was exactly what he wanted and needed for this mission. He’d just been conveniently cornered into an apology he was already planning on giving.

  Chapter 6

  Meghan watched Jack as the realization and respect hit him square between the eyes. Checkmate, she thought silently, proud of herself. She wasn’t going to let him bully her or get away with being nasty towards her. If he didn’t want her as a partner – that was one thing – but being obstinately rude was another. She had stewed for the last hour how to get him to understand that she was more than just what he’d dubbed her – and she could be of some help on this mission.

  “Meghan Gaines, you are one impressive creature,” Jack said, his voice full of admiration and respect. “I am extremely sorry for being so uncouth to
wards you earlier, and you deserve better.”

  His thumb caressed her knuckles as he held her hand. She couldn’t help but admire the way his heartwarming, lopsided smile lit up his eyes. Her heart had stuttered at the way he’d said her new name aloud, as if he was testing it on his tongue. Silently, she was pleased at the change and the way it sounded to her ears.

  “Apology accepted,” she said with a warm smile and nod at him.

  “I’m glad. You know, you could always tell me if something is wrong,” Jack said easily.

  “Actually, I tried to talk to you earlier while we were riding and you kept shutting down the conversation. So, no – I couldn’t speak with you,” she reminded him and took a deep breath to calm her temper before it flared again.

  “I think we both needed a moment to realize we aren’t each other’s enemies. We are partners and until we treat each other as such… this mission could fail. Failure puts each of us in danger,” Meghan finished.

  “Smart and beautiful,” he murmured, glancing down at their hands. He was still holding her hand in his, caressing her skin, and driving her insane at the sensations it was causing.

  “You think I’m beautiful,” she asked before she could stop the words from escaping her lips. His eyes looked back at her and she saw the surprise in them.

  “Meghan,” he breathed reverently, leaning forward towards her slowly. It was as if time was standing still between them. She couldn’t help but notice that he had long, thick lashes that surrounded his intense eyes. His lips were no longer smiling, but rather parted in anticipation as he drew closer to her. She found herself leaning towards him, his breath caressing her lips as they drew closer together… and screamed.

  “OHMYGOSHWHATISTHATONYOURLEG,” she yelped.

  Meghan began yanking her hand from Jack, scrambling away unabashedly in the grass from the massive hairy spider that had crawled onto Jack’s pant leg. She’d never seen anything that horrifying before in her life. Spiders back home were tiny and easily disposed of. This… this was the size of a rat!

  Horrified, she saw Jack jump up, knocking it off of him. The tarantula jumped towards him, the front legs up in the air, menacingly. Meghan got to her feet as fast as possible in order to be able to run, if needed. The monster looked as if it had fangs; two prongs wiggled in a threatening fashion. She had no intention of finding out if it was poisonous or not!