A Changed Agent (16 page)

“This is a home for them. We knew it would never be for all of us.”

“I know what our agreement was, Elsie. Let me ask you this: How long had you planned to go on living here?”

“I don’t know. I guess until you decided my services were no longer needed.” Tears sprung to her eyes. “Are you asking me to leave?”

He came to her then, taking her into his arms. She heard his intake of breath, could feel the solid, steady beat of his heart beneath her ear.

His voice whispered, “I’m not asking you to leave.”

Picking her head up off the hard wall of his chest, she wanted to know, “Then what are you asking?”

The wind picked up again, grabbing at her hair, pulling the strands loose. Will rescued them, wrapping the long lengths around a finger. “I’m not sure.”

“I’m not sure I can risk my heart again.” Her words caught in the wind, and she wasn’t sure if Will heard what she’d said. He sighed against her, making Elsie wonder if she’d gone too far with her honesty.

Afraid of what she might find in his eyes, Elsie averted her gaze from his, instead looking around his shoulder to where the children were still playing on their swings. Realizing that their entire relationship had been based on Harry and Minnie didn’t make her feel any better. Whatever happened between them would affect the twins. Eventually, he moved ever so slightly away from her.

“No one knows what tomorrow will bring.”

“I have faith that tomorrow will come.” She felt her mouth loosening from the tense hold it had been in.

“Then I think you should have faith in us.” He grinned down at her. “Let’s just agree to leave it at that for right now.”

“I suppose I can do that.”

“Oh, and Elsie, I will be here tomorrow when Virgil returns.”

Chapter Fourteen

She finally gave in to Will’s insistence of her need for a break. Leaving him at the house, she wandered into the village, finding it hard to believe that so much time had passed since she’d had a chance to visit with her friend Amy. Coming to a stop in front of the bakery, she noticed the “Closed” sign had been posted. She hoped to find Amy still there and knocked on the door.

Amy opened the door, a cleaning cloth in hand. “What a lovely surprise!” Beaming, she gave Elsie a warm hug. “Elsie! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you!”

“I know. I’m so sorry for not getting here sooner.” She returned the hug.

Amy brought her back into the kitchen. Once there, she directed Elsie to a chair. “Sit here while I make us some tea.”

Not used to being waited on, Elsie offered to help. “At least let me get the cups and saucers.”

Amy pointed to the usual shelf where the tea set sat. Elsie took the china service down and brought the teapot to where Amy had set the kettle to boiling on the stove.

“Did you hear the news? My parents are going to be returning home!”

“Oh, Amy! That’s wonderful news. You must be so happy.”

“I am. While I enjoy running the bakery, it’s a lot of long hours.” Waving a hand in front of her heart-shaped face, she added, “I’m not complaining, mind you.”

“I understand. Still, it is a lot of work and responsibility running a business by yourself.” Elsie thought about how hard she worked and was thankful for Will’s occasional help.

Once she had the tea leaves brewing in the pot and scones on a plate, Amy nudged Elsie over to the small round table. “Come on, let’s sit down and enjoy our teatime.”

“Tell me, when are you expecting your parents to arrive?”

“My mother’s last letter said they’d be in Heartston within the month.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Amy put her hand on Elsie’s. “Tell me how you’re doing with the children and Mr. Benton.”

“He kissed me!” She blurted out the words.

Amy’s mouth dropped open, and then she snapped it shut. “My, my, this is interesting news.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about it.”

“Didn’t you like it?”

“His kiss was wonderful. A bit of a surprise.”

“Tell me everything.”

Elsie proceeded to explain the day to her friend. “Virgil came by while I was hanging out the wash. There’s something not right about him, Amy. I’m worried about him.”

“I heard he’d returned and that he’s been staying out at his parents’ old homestead. Frankly, I don’t think you should trouble yourself with him. Why was he there?”

“He came for the envelope.”

“I say give it to him and be finished with the scoundrel for good.”

“I would, except I left it back at my parents’ house. And as I was telling him this, Mr. Benton came home.”

“Go on.”

“I’m afraid I raised my voice and frightened the children. Harry was about to run off to find his uncle.” She remembered how safe she’d felt when Will had walked into the side yard.

“Sounds to me like Mr. Benton came home at just the right time.”

“I was glad to see him. Not that I think Virgil would do any physical harm to me, but it was a relief to have a man there just in case.”

“When did this kiss happen?”

“While I was finishing the laundry, after Mr. Benton had hung up new swings for the children.”

“Sounds to me like things are moving along nicely between the two of you.”

“I never expected to have feelings like these again, Amy. I figured after Virgil and with my age and all that no man would be interested.”

“Don’t you dare say such a thing! You’re a beautiful woman inside and out. You’re smart, too. And look at the wonders you’ve worked on those children. They adore you. So it seems to me William Benton is a smart man to be interested in you.”

Elsie blushed. She wished it were that simple.

“Amy, I really know very little about his past.”

“Does that matter?”

“It’s just that sometimes he goes out and returns late into the night or not at all.”

“Perhaps he’s doing work for John over at one of the lumber camps.”

Toying with the teacup handle, she thought Amy could be right. But that wasn’t her only concern.

“He frequents the saloon.”

Amy raised her eyebrows. “I know the men who work at the camps come into town just to go to the saloon. Could it be possible he’s socializing with them?”

“I suppose so. He did mention he went there for business purposes.”

“Elsie, I get the feeling that he is not the type to take advantage of all the saloon’s services.”

“You’re right. And he’s never smelled of alcohol. Just nasty cigar smoke.”

But deep down she could tell Will was keeping something from her . . . holding back a part of himself. She’d learned her lesson the hard way with Virgil. She wouldn’t give herself to another man unless she knew for certain he could come to her freely. Elsie didn’t want to believe that Will could be doing things she would never be able to accept. Keeping secrets from those you cared about never served anyone well.

“I’m tired of fretting about my relationship with Will. How are things going with you and Mr. Oliver?”

Amy’s face lit up. “He’s been by nearly every day for the past two weeks. Comes by at the same time every morning for a scone and coffee.”

“I’m glad to hear this. Has he come to his senses and realized that you’ve been pining after him?”

Amy laughed. “I think he knows.” She looked down at the empty plate, saying, “He’s asked me to join him for a day at one of the Great Camps.”

Clapping her hands together, Elsie exclaimed, “I’m so happy for you!”

“Thank you. I’ve waited a long time for him to take notice. I’m afraid our outing will have to wait until after my parents’ return, though. There’s no one to look after the shop.”

“It won’t be long. You said so yourself they’ll be here within the month. By then the roads will be dried from the melting snow and spring runoff. You’ll be able to enjoy the trip. And in the meantime you can enjoy your morning visits with Mr. Oliver.”

“I’m so glad you stopped by today, Elsie. You’ve helped put some of my worries at ease. As for you and Will, I feel like it’s all going to work out.”

Rising from the chair, she helped Amy clean up their tea dishes. After they were finished, she hugged her friend good-bye and walked back home. Will had been right, a few hours away did wonders to rejuvenate her. Now she felt ready to finish the chores.

She paused in front of the house, her breath caught in her throat. Laying her hand against the base of her neck, she looked at the scene before her, finding it almost impossible to believe that a few short months ago this house had been vacant.

Where emptiness had once been, life now pulsed blissfully along. She took in the rockers on the porch and the swings swaying happily in the breeze. From where she stood, she could just make out the edge of the vegetable garden Will and Harry had so lovingly planted. Around back, the sheets she’d hung out this morning flapped, dried by the wind.

She could hear Will’s voice speaking in gentle tones. Moving closer, she realized he was reading aloud to Harry and Minnie. They sat on the top step of the back stoop. Will sat between them with the book resting on his lap. Minnie had one arm looped through the crook of Will’s elbow, and Harry was using his finger to follow the words along the page as Will read them.

She didn’t recognize the book. She could see a picture of a train on the cover. It didn’t matter what the book was because at that very moment Elsie felt her heart bursting with so much contentment, so much love for the children, for this home they were creating. And for Will. She knew without a doubt, no matter what happened, that she wanted this to last forever.

Elsie decided the kisses from Will were just the beginning of wonderful things to come for them. She now believed the Lord had brought them together to make a home for Harry and Minnie, and more importantly for them to find each other. But how could she make this her future with Will when he seemed so reluctant to open his heart and mind to fully accepting the Lord into his life? She knew he had faith, she just had to get him to trust in that. And there was this unfinished business with Virgil gnawing away at her. She needed to settle things with that man once and for all.

Elsie had to find a way to put everything right.

Finally coming to the end of the story, Will looked up at her. “Did you have a nice visit with Amy?” he asked.

“Now, how did you know that’s where I went?”

Leaving the book with Minnie, he stood. “It’s where you always go when you’re in need of a good friend to talk to.”

“Amy’s parents are going to be coming home soon. She’s very excited about seeing them again.” Stepping around Will, she retrieved the laundry basket from where she’d left it at the back door.

He accompanied her to the wash line, where she began taking down the sheets.

“The children seemed to be enjoying your storybook.”

He helped her with the sheets.

“I bought it for Harry to replace the one his aunt Mary Beth took from him. I probably should get a special book for Minnie, too.” He frowned. “When do you suppose she’s going to talk to us?”

“Soon, I hope. I pray for her every day.” Stacking the last folded sheet on top of the full basket, she added, “She’ll come around.”

“I don’t know if I have the patience like you do to wait for that day to come.”

Watching him pick up the basket, she replied, “You need to leave it in the hands of the Lord and believe that when the time is right, Minnie will find her voice again. Will, if you could just trust in him and trust in me when I tell you your faith can carry you through even the most unimaginably hard times.”

Just as she thought he might, Will didn’t respond. Instead, he turned and walked up the back steps into the kitchen, leaving the basket by the table. It was as if a dark cloud had descended on them. His entire demeanor changed. She could see him closing himself off from her like he’d done so many times before. She longed to reach out to him, to touch him, to hold him close.

“Tell me what caused you to lose faith, Will. Please.”

“Elsie,” he warned. “This is not a subject I wish to discuss.”

“Maybe you should.”

“Let’s just say I’ve traveled around a lot and seen the things people do to one another.” He shrugged. “Their actions have left me thinking that sometimes faith isn’t enough to get a person through life.”

“Oh, Will! You’ve never been more wrong.”

“I need to go into town for a while.”

She stilled. And then she started tapping her toe. Why wouldn’t he tell her what he was thinking and feeling?

“Will, you just have to turn to the Lord again.”

He shook his head. When Elsie reached her hand out to try and touch his arm, he took a step back.

“I have work that needs tending to over at the lumberyard.”

She knew he wasn’t being truthful with her. Determination and pride kept her from calling him on the fact. “Should I wait on supper for you?” she asked.

“Don’t hold it for me.”

Will walked away from the house feeling like the biggest of cads. But the moment he’d seen Elsie’s face, he knew he had to get to the bottom of the bond thievery as soon as possible. He wanted to close the case. He couldn’t move forward until this job was finished. Being a Pinkerton had been his life for so many years. Will could barely imagine not doing this job. How could he possibly fit someone like Elsie into his life? He also knew Elsie’s strong feelings about the church and her faith. She deserved a man who could give her the world she desired. And that man was not him.

He heard the ruckus even before he came in sight of the saloon. The closer he got, the greater the feel of the tension filling the air became. Stepping between two lumberjacks, he elbowed his way into the room. Here the din was much louder. He squinted his eyes, looking through the brown haze of cigar smoke into the crowd, until his attention fixed on one man.

Dwarfed by the dozen or so lumberjacks standing around him in a loose circle, Virgil Jensen had one hand in his pocket while another gripped the handle of a beer mug so tightly Will could see the whites of his knuckles. He could make out the grumblings of a few of the men. Seemed there was a poker game about to start. Virgil wanted in.

“You still owe me for your last game,” a tall, burly man snarled. Will recognized him from the lumber camp.

He saw Virgil reach into his pocket and pull out a thin roll of bills. It didn’t look like there was enough there to cover his debt and the next game. He was curious about how and if Virgil would get himself out of this mess. Deciding to keep his distance, Will stepped away from the group. He glanced toward the stage where the next show would be starting.

The sound of dozens of voices swirled around him, mingling with loud laughter and the occasional cheer as the dancing girls started assembling in a line along the low stage placed at one end of the narrow room. Candlelit sconces were set up in a row at the edge of the stage, casting the girls in hazy light. Their long shadows swayed on the wall behind them. Making his way to the bar, Will got his usual—a glass of dark ale—which both he and the bartender knew Will wouldn’t touch. He laid a coin in the bartender’s hand. The bartender inclined his head in the direction of the stage. Turning, Will rested his elbow on the bar and looked over the heads of the lumberjacks just in time to catch Lily lowering her head. Will followed her gaze. He saw Virgil still standing in the mix of men.

Virgil shifted from foot to foot. His eyes were wide, and he looked afraid. Virgil’s wild gaze shifted between the doorway behind them and the man standing in front of him with his hand out. Will couldn’t tell if he was more afraid of the men or of not getting in on the game.

The pieces of the puzzle Will had been fighting to solve were all falling into place. Virgil had a gambling problem.

The piano player started up a loud, upbeat dance tune that set the girls in motion. Their mid-calf-length skirts swirled and waved around their legs, riding above their knees to show off their frilly, thigh-high garters.