Chapter 4 #2
The girl could see she was clearly not needed and left them to their discussion. Carrie lost no time and lifted the pot.
“So what is it you need from me?”
She poured the tea while Spencer began to explain.
“I’d like you to pose as my wife. We’ll go to Cheyenne on the train, and no one will suspect I’m there for any reason other than accompanying my wife back to her hometown.
Your family is well established there, and with your father being the chief of police, I will probably be able to pass unnoticed.
Perhaps even work for him since my background is law enforcement. ”
“I assure you, young men show up alone in Cheyenne every single day. They aren’t suspect in the least. This is the frontier west we’re talking about, and even though it’s not that far away in miles, it’s a world away in culture and behavior.
There are far more single men there than women.
I doubt anyone would even give you a second glance. ”
“I understand that. However, being associated with your family will allow me to forgo months of introductions and gaining people’s trust. I know that might seem unimportant, but I assure you it’s critical that I move fast. Being associated as the son-in-law of the chief of police will allow me to travel in circles that I wouldn’t otherwise be allowed into, at least not until after some time proving myself.
With you vouching for me and your folks in turn standing up for me, people won’t question my presence. ”
Carrie added cream to her tea and stirred while thinking of what Spencer had said. “I suppose that does make sense. But what happens after we arrive? We can hardly live together. My parents would never allow that.”
“They wouldn’t need to know that we aren’t actually married.”
“Believe me, they would know. My mother and father have the most incredible sense for knowing when something isn’t quite right.
They call it spiritual discernment. Besides, after you capture your father’s killer, then what?
We just announce that we were never married and go on our merry ways? My reputation would be ruined.”
“So then we marry.”
Carrie didn’t even try to hide her surprise. “What are you saying?”
He chuckled. “Carrie, we’re good friends. You know and trust me. We could marry platonically and annul the marriage once Astor is caught. That way we could get a place together and your parents would be none the wiser.”
“Oh my.” Carrie had the cup midway to her lips and stopped. “Marry you?”
“We like each other well enough to pretend to be in love. You know me, Carrie. I would never impose myself on you, nor take liberties. You could work on your research, and I wouldn’t interfere.
I’m completely supportive of your interests.
The things you’ve told me about the brain are quite fascinating. Even helpful at times.”
“I’ll need my brain examined if I agreed to do this.
” She finally sampled the tea to steady her nerves.
The idea of pretending to be married to Spencer caused her stomach to quiver a bit.
She’d always found him to be handsome and exceptional company.
She had even thought at one time what a marvelous husband he would make some woman. Never dreaming it might be her.
“It’s important I move quickly. The Pinkertons are sending me right away.
Astor is notorious for finding out when a new agent is in a town.
He would flee at the first chance, so it’s important my arrival not be threatening in any way.
It would put everyone’s minds at ease regarding our appearance in Cheyenne.
I have no way of knowing who might count Eugene Astor among their friends.
He probably doesn’t even go by that name, but we believe he’s been there since 1870, and Cheyenne wasn’t very big then. ”
“Don’t I know it. I was a little girl growing up there. It was like living in the middle of nowhere at all.” Carrie remembered those early years well. She had wondered even now if she could go back to the small-town life after living in Chicago.
“Do you remember knowing a man called Eugene Astor?”
Carrie considered that a moment and sipped the tea some more.
The warmth did much to clear her thoughts.
“No, I can’t say I ever heard that name mentioned.
Papa knew most everyone because of his law work.
When he first arrived in Cheyenne, he was a deputy city marshal.
He worked at that for several years and got to know the bad ones and the good.
But I can’t say that I recall ever hearing the name Eugene Astor.
In fact, I don’t think we even had any Astors in town.
” She frowned and put down her cup. “But you did say that you didn’t think he would have continued to use his own name. ”
“Right. I think he probably took an alias. Most criminals do that to keep their identities a secret, especially if they intend to stick around and make a new life for themselves. Astor knew he was wanted not just by the law, but by the government. He knows the Pinkertons would never stop looking for him.”
Carrie selected a delectable-looking cherry tart. It was a little bigger than a silver dollar, the perfect mouthful. She popped it in, hoping Spencer wouldn’t think her too unladylike.
Instead of condemnation, however, Spencer did likewise with a lemon custard tart that was half again as big as the cherry. He smiled and gave her a nod. After he swallowed, he reached for another kind.
“Those really are incredible.”
“I know. I don’t allow myself to come here but once a month. It’s too much of a temptation.” She picked a couple of other treats for herself and placed them on her plate.
“You haven’t said anything about the idea of marrying platonically.”
“I know.” Carrie toyed with the flaky dessert on her plate.
“I’m trying to reconcile in my mind what that would be like.
We would have to be somewhat intimate.” She glanced up, afraid that she might have embarrassed Spencer.
She lowered her voice. “I am a doctor, so please forgive me if I’m uncharacteristically bold about speaking the truth.
I am not suggesting we share a bed, of course, but my parents are rather affectionate.
They will expect us to be affectionate as well. ”
“Your boldness doesn’t offend me, but I am curious as to what you’re proposing.” He grinned.
Carrie found his reaction a little intimidating.
He was, after all, a very compelling man.
He was self-confident and yet quite open about trusting in God for direction.
His looks drew the attention of more than one woman, and his easy-going manner made him a delight to be near.
Could she truly marry him and only pretend to enjoy his affection?
This caused a wave of doubt to wash over her.
Did she have feelings for Spencer Duval that went beyond friendship?
For the past year she hadn’t allowed any inappropriate thought to cross her mind because of her engagement to Oswald.
But now he was no longer in the picture, and Carrie had to admit there was something about Spencer that held her attention.
“I, uh, well . . .” She could hardly believe he had her stammering. She took a drink and cleared her throat. “Sorry. I just mean that my parents will expect us to act like newlyweds. The sweet glances, the gentle touches, the spontaneous kisses. Those are the kinds of things I’m talking about.”
“I think we can manage those. We’ve been in acting classes together and played roles where we did those kind of things.”
She took another drink. “This will be different. My parents, as I said, seem to know things that others miss. It won’t be easy to fool them.”
“So you’ll do it?”
Carrie looked down at her plate for a long moment. “I’ll consider it. Let me pray on it and think it through. I want to help you.”
“Well, think it through quickly. I’ll need to know by tomorrow. Like I said, we need to move fast.”
She looked up and met his gaze. Carrie couldn’t explain what was happening to her, but even in this moment, she knew it was something that could very well change her entire future.
“Come by the apartment tomorrow, and I’ll have your answer.”