“Excuse me for not mentioning sooner that you are a vision of loveliness tonight.”
The compliment took Beth completely by surprise. “I... Thank you. Ah...” Beth regained her composure. “Until I started this trip, I had never traveled in my own country. I’ve never seen a man robbed or shot, or a gun drawn. I haven’t seen savage Indians. This is where you come in. I want you to show me all this. I want to see stagecoaches and trains held up. In other words, I want to see the real frontier. Naturally I’ll be making sketches and taking notes the entire time. I intend to write novels.” Beth looked him straight in the eye. “I am writing about outlaws.”
Cole was dismayed. She was serious! There wasn’t even a hint of humor in her expression — or Howard’s. Now, how the hell was he supposed to react to this? Damn! Someone had better supply him with some answers—and soon. What was her part in this assignment? “Do you realize what you’re asking?”
Beth stood. “Of course I do,” she replied indignantly. “I’ve done a considerable amount of reading on the matter.”
“Are you going to let her do this?” Cole asked Howard as they followed Beth into the small parlor.
“You will learn that the lady has a mind of her own.”
“Why would you ask such a ques —” Beth broke off and laughed with delight. “Howard, I do believe he thinks we are lovers.”
“I gave it some thought,” Cole admitted.
“Why, I’ll wager you were even convinced that I’m a kept woman.”
Cole kept his comments to himself. He was still trying to digest all the woman planned to accomplish during her travels.
“Actually, Howard, I can see where he could have reached that conclusion.”
Nothing was going right, and Cole would very much have liked to join Howard in a drink of that whiskey the debonair gentleman was pouring himself. He was having to second-guess everything, and his guesses were not getting the results he’d expected. Figuring out Beth Alexander wasn’t going to be easy.
“You are wrong on both accounts,” Beth assured Cole. “Howard and I are good friends. He watches after me.”
Cole watched her sit on the divan with the grace of a queen.
Beth looked directly at the tall man. “Now, I believe the time has come for you to tell me if you can provide what I want. Are you familiar with the area from here to Dodge City, my final destination?”
“Oh, I can provide what you want, and yes, I do know the territory. The question is whether or not I want to provide your entertainment. Are the men you’ve hired to go on the trek aware of what you are planning? I would think they would have concern for their lives, even if you don’t.”
Beth’s eyes flashed with indignation. “Let’s settle all the questions you might have so we will not have to broach this subject again. I want to write dime westerns. You are asking yourself why, when they are about men, and I don’t need the money. Because the editor at Beadle Library turned down my proposal. He said it was obvious I didn’t know what I was writing about. He was right. However, I can be a very determined woman. I will write those novels and prove my worth to the world, but as the editor said, first I must become acquainted with the real West.
“As for our trip, there will be nothing to concern yourself about except getting me to my destinations and providing what I want. Those who work for me have specific jobs and are quite capable of taking care of themselves. I am also capable of taking care of myself. There is little that I haven’t seen or done, including hunting tigers in India and playing matador in Spain.”
Beth paused, then added, “And I have seen death. When I was hunting, one of the maharaja’s beaters was mangled by the tiger.”
This time Cole didn’t ask if he could be seated. The high-backed chair looked the most comfortable.
“As for my people,” Beth continued, “I interviewed and hired each one individually. I made sure they would be loyal, willing to follow my orders without question and, most important, willing to take personal risks. They are a daring group, even the women. Does that take care of everything?”
“How long do you think it’s going to take to accomplish what you have planned?”
“I hadn’t thought about it. Are you in some sort of a hurry?”
“Not really. Just curious.”
“I have even purchased a house. It is presently being readied. I thought we could use it as a central base.”
“Let me see if I understand this correctly. You’re planning to ride out, watch a stage being held up, then return to town? Then after a good rest, do we ride out again and watch Indians scalping settlers? What do you need me for?”
“TO be my guide!”
“Anyone can do that. Go find an ex-lawman to do your running back and forth.” He knew he was taking a big gamble. He could only hope that she was as determined a woman as she’d stated and didn’t like things or people slipping out of her hands.
Beth raised her lace handkerchief to her nose and inhaled the scent of jasmine perfume. “I’m well aware that we may have to bivouac for two or three days on some occasions.”
One thing was certain. No matter what Beth was involved in, she definitely needed watching after. “If I took this job, we would leave and not return until everything has been accomplished. Seeing someone murdered or scalped by an Indian is a lot different than being mauled by a big cat.”
“I’m quite brave, and you needn’t try to frighten me. You might also like to know that I’m not easily dissuaded from what I set out to do.”
Cole leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “If that is so, how come you kept me handcuffed until this evening?”
“I have an investment in you and I want to make sure you don’t run off, at least not until I feel I no longer need you.”
“And what is to keep me from leaving right now with you as my hostage?”
“Howard, and the men waiting outside.” Beth pulled a small revolver from her pocket and pointed it directly at the outlaw. “I hope you’re not foolish enough to think that because I’m a woman I don’t know how to use it.” She gave him a warm smile. “Mr. Wagner, I will not be a handicap. My horsemanship and marksmanship are every bit as good as some men’s and exceedingly better than others. I have nerves of steel and do not faint in a crisis.”
“I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong man, Mrs. Alexander,” Cole bluffed. “That deputy lied to you. No man can provide you with what you’re looking for. You seem to be a sensible woman, so think about this. Of all the thousands of miles of track, who can make a knowledgeable guess as to where outlaws plan to stop a train, for instance? Not only where, but when. You’d do better to just rob the damn thing yourself.” Cole stood. “Also, Indians do not scalp people for ladies’ entertainment. Shoot me if you like, but I’m leaving. We both know I’m not the man you’re looking for.” He headed toward the door, gambling she would stop him.
“A hundred dollars for every time you provide what I want!”
His
