Chapter 8
Two Pinkertons rode in the passenger car after making sure no one was snooping around the train. When they made their first stop, before daybreak, they were to open the freight car door and take the ladies to the passenger car. So far, everything was going well.
When the train started moving, Max announced they could talk again. “The worst should be over. We don’t look for any trouble.”
Catherine looked at him with contempt. “Fine thing for you to say. Probably another lie! Taking us to jail, swearing you know each of us. I’ve never seen you before in my life, and I’ve never been to Arkansas! Now, you’re set on dragging us to another jail and swearing these false charges to a judge? Don’t you even speak to me, you lying devil.”
Max had forgotten that Catherine and Miriam knew nothing about what was happening. “Catherine, please…”
“How dare you be so familiar with me that you think you can call me by my given name!”
Leanne crossed to Catherine and wrapped her arm around her. “Catherine,” she soothed. “Natalie and I have a lot of explaining to do.”
Max settled on a crate and leaned back against the wall of the car. He put his hat over his eyes and did his best to ignore them as they talked. There was absolutely no way to get comfortable and doze for a few minutes.
Leanne was about to finish answering all their questions when the train began to slow. “I’m sure there’s more going on that I don’t know about. Surely so many Pinkertons and lawmen wouldn’t be brought in just to rescue us.”
Max stood. “Ladies, we should be in Tennessee by now. We will be moving to the passenger car. But don’t let your guard down. If you see anything suspicious or anyone you recognize, tell one of us immediately.
“Don’t move from your seat without one of us with you, and I mean it. We will even escort you to the door of the privy and wait.”
“I’m getting a bit hungry,” Natalie asserted.
“We have food waiting in the passenger car. Believe it or not, this entire thing has been planned out very well.”
Catherine grumbled words he couldn’t make out, still casting him a look of hatred. He certainly didn’t ask her to repeat it.
Finally moved to the comfortable passenger car, everyone dozed, after they devoured sandwiches, while two Pinkertons stood watch.
They awoke when the conductor came through announcing their next stop in ten minutes, finding the sun shining brightly.
“Ladies, you won’t be getting off the train until we get farther away. One of the men will be sending a telegram while we’re stopped, but no one else moves.”
Miriam looked around. “I thought trains stopped at every little town along the way.”
Max smiled. “Normally, that is true, but there’s nothing normal about any of this. We are in the only passenger car on this freight train. It only stops to pick up or drop off freight. Very few passengers will join us.”
Leanne grinned. “Does that mean it will shorten the trip?”
Max rubbed his chin. “Not by much. Maybe by a day or so. Why? Are you anxious to meet Jerry?” he teased.
“Yes, as a matter of fact. After all he’s done for us, we are all anxious to show him our gratitude.”
“Glad to hear it. He’s not only my best friend, but he’s the best man I’ve ever known. But I have to share best friend status with Walt.”
“Walt?”
“Yeah, he’s worked at the ranch since Jerry was little. Worked his way up to foreman and now, since his accident, well, he’s Jerry’s right-hand man with everything.”
There was no way he was going to talk to this new bride of Jerry’s about his handicap. She knew what Jerry had already told her. That was enough.
“Does he know we’re on our way?”
Max smiled. “He will when we get to the next stop. I’m having a telegram sent to him.”
Leanne thought for a moment. “Can I write the telegram?”
“I think he’d be tickled pink if you did. But we’re still too close for comfort, so don’t sign your name.”
She nodded and took the piece of paper he offered.
On my way with a grateful heart.
Max read the note. “Yeah, I think he’ll like that much better than the one I was going to send.”
********************
Jerry wrung his hands, wishing he could get up and pace the room. Walt had paid for a messenger to bring any telegrams immediately, but for two days, he had heard nothing.
The last telegram provided the date of the wedding, which he was thrilled about, and did his part by having the preacher do the ceremony. It was quite comical to have Mrs. Cooper stand in as proxy, but everything went perfectly. Walt and Max’s father stood as witness, the papers were signed, now he had to wait, worry, and pray.
Walt had finally taken the reports away from him that Max had brought, about what was going on surrounding Leanne. He had read them so much, he almost had them memorized. Walt said it was worrying him too much, and hid them, saying he needed to have faith.
He huffed and decided to exercise a bit more, and then read his Bible, hoping to settle his nerves. All during his exercises, he kept on with the same thoughts. Was he married? Did it go through as planned on Leanne’s part? Did he still own the ranch? But most of his concern was about Leanne, her friends, and Max. Had they been found out? Had anyone been hurt? Were they safe?
Looking down at his legs, he willed them to move, just a bit. He concentrated and strained, until his right foot budged about an inch. Repeating with his left foot, he was disappointed. Nothing. All he could do was wiggle his toes a bit.
“I saw that!” Walt exclaimed from the front door. “You really are making progress.”
Jerry sighed. “Not enough and certainly not fast enough.”
“What were you expecting, Jerry? To be up walking, perhaps riding a horse by the time Leanne gets here? You need to be happy for any progress after all this time. It’s been thirteen months of hell for you, I know. But it’s coming along now.
“You remember the first six months filled with surgeries and no hope from the doctors? And now, you do have hope, and look how far you’ve come. I know you want it to happen now, today, and I don’t blame you. I wish it would too. Just be thankful for every step forward.”
Jerry shook his head. “I would be thankful for a step forward, and that’s the problem. I can’t take a step at all.”
Walt put his hand on his shoulder. “You know what I mean. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself. You know where that leads.”
“Yes, I know, but I’m just so worried, not knowing if everything’s okay. Surely, Max knows I’m waiting for news.”
Walt sighed. “All we can do is wait and pray. Right now, I have a new man I’m trying to break in. I’ve got to go. See you at supper, or sooner if I see anyone come up.”
Jerry sighed, continued his exercises, then prayed as he held his Bible in his lap. He opened it and read:
Jeremiah 33:3 – Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Looking up to the ceiling he whispered. “I am calling to You, Lord, and I’m waiting for Your answer. I know You have everything under control. I just ask that You give me peace about the matter.”
It was almost dark when the young messenger boy from town rode up fast, and greeted Jerry as he sat on the porch. He handed him the telegram and scampered away.
Reading those few words made his heart soar. He had never read such sweet words, even in all of Fiona’s letters filled with hollow promises.
“Thank you, Lord.”
Walt made his way to the house for the night. “Did you get word from Max?”
“Nope, better.” He handed him the telegram.
Walt chuckled. “I guess you’ll want this put in a frame.”
“Great idea,” he mused. “Hang it right over the fireplace.”
********************
“I have good news, and not so good news,” Max announced as they were about to leave the train. “We will be here until noon tomorrow, which I’m sure all of you are glad of.”
He waved his hand for them to follow him to the hotel. “The bad news is, that was the easiest and fastest six hundred miles of the trip.”
He heard sighs from all the ladies. “Don’t despair, we are six hundred miles closer to safety and the end of the trip. Tomorrow and the next day, we will travel by stage.
“With no extenuating circumstances, we will make it in time to catch our next train by five o’clock that night.”
Leanne turned to him. “How are the four of us and the four of you men going to fit in one stagecoach?”
Max got a twinkle in his eyes and his mouth twitched trying to resist a grin. He wanted so badly to tease her, but he had to resist.
He cleared his throat. “One of the men will ride shotgun beside the driver, and the rest of us will be on horseback.”
“What about all of our things in the freight car?” Catherine fretted.
“Your clothes were packed in trunks and will travel with you. The rest is packed in crates and will be moved by a freight wagon. It may be weeks before you see that stuff again.
“Your trunks will be delivered to the hotel for you to change clothes.”
“Oh!” Miriam exclaimed, “A bath! I can’t wait to take a bath tonight.”
Max chuckled. All of these women had different personalities. Leanne seemed to be a deep thinker, but that could be from her present circumstances. Miriam was the most pleasant, with a child-like innocence. Natalie was quiet and he couldn’t quite figure her out, but once again, she had been through quite an ordeal, even before she landed in jail. And then there was Catherine…snippy, yeah, that described her. He could imagine she had a temper that matched her red hair and had probably let her mouth get her in trouble lots of times.
He couldn’t help but wonder what men in town they would end up with. They were all beautiful, and he could tell they were intelligent, with all the social graces of true southern belles. But that wasn’t his problem. Poor Jerry and Walt having all of these women take over the ranch house, he shook his head in sympathy. At least Mrs. Cooper could come back to the diner. That would make a lot of people happy, including himself. He planned to stay clear of Jerry’s for a long while.
“Ladies, go on up to your rooms.” He handed them two keys. “I have business to attend. I will see you at supper, around six o’clock.”
He nodded toward the three Pinkertons. “You will be safe, but please, don’t leave the hotel.” With that said, he tipped his hat and left. Hoping he had time to send and receive a telegram by tonight, he hurried to the telegraph office.
Using the code his father shared with him, he sent Mr. Deaton a request for information and told the man they were fine.
After a fine meal that night, with the ladies refreshed in body and spirit, he excused himself to check for the reply.
It wasn’t what he hoped for.
Dangerous situation. Will send information when possible.
The Pinkertons received a similar message from their boss. Until they knew what was happening, they had to stay on high alert.