Three weeks later at King’s Ransom…

 

“Hold on, tight! You’ve got him!” King stood on the rail fence, watching Boone as he introduced a wild mustang to the saddle.

“This last round-up garnered us ten head of horses, one stallion and nine mares, Cap,” Jericho said as he joined him at the corral fence. 

“Good. We’re building our herd slowly. No use to outgrow the land we have cleared for grazing.” For a moment, he stepped up one rung higher and balanced by holding onto the top of a fence post. From this vantage point, he could see the rolling hills he called home. Taking a deep breath, he sighed. How had he ever been happy in the thick forests of Tennessee? Here in the Hill Country, you could see the horizon, not a dense mass of trees. “What kind of luck did the guys have finding a housekeeper? Ace is worrying me to death about it.”

“Well…” Jericho cleared his throat, not hiding his unwillingness to answer King’s question very well.

“Well’s a pretty deep subject for such a shallow mind.”

Jericho didn’t look at King, he was afraid he’d break and tell him everything. “I think they’ve located somebody, although I don’t know the details.”

“I hope he’s willing to hit the ground running. I don’t have time to mollycoddle anybody.” King stepped to the ground. “Winter’s coming and we’re going to have our hands full bringing the herd in and keeping them fat and happy.”

“I hear you. No mollycoddling.” Jericho rolled his eyes. He was mighty afraid this thing was going to turn around and bite them all in the ass.

“Keep an eye on Boone, I’m heading inside for the most unpleasant task of all.” King grimaced at Jericho. “Washing the pots and pans. That’s one chore I won’t mind turning over to our cook once he gets here.”

Jericho waited until King was out of sight, then he hung his head down to rest on the top rail, with shoulders slumping, he let out a wry laugh. “Oh, Lord in heaven, protect us from the storm that’s coming.”

* * *

 

Meanwhile…in Kansas City, Kansas

 

 “Are you sure?” Fancy asked, so stunned by the agent’s news she could barely keep herself in the chair. “I never expected this, not in a million years.”

Jubal Pierce hid a pleased smirk. Who would have thought he’d have such a delicious opportunity to needle the man he hated the most in the world? So, Kingston Ramsay was reduced to finding a bride in a catalog. He glanced down at the letter he’d received to forward to Miss Anita Mae Droddy, angelic blonde. Poor Anita would never see this letter. No, there was about to be a very unfortunate mix-up. Kingston Ramsay would be receiving a mail-order bride, but not the one he’d chosen. “Well, according to the communication I have in my hand from Mr. Ramsay, you’re exactly what he’s looking for.” He smiled generously. This was the first day he’d been happy since returning from that godforsaken war and taking over his father’s newspaper business. The Hearts and Hands column that he’d ridiculed was now giving him great satisfaction.

“Did he happen to see the newspaper article about the fire last year?” She could think of no other reason why someone would single her out.

Jubal shrugged, continuing to fill out the form. “Most likely.” He had no idea what the homely woman was talking about. “Would you like for me to send a telegram on your behalf accepting his proposal?”

“Oh, yes, please!”

“All right. Just follow these directions. He’s sent you stagecoach fare. Someone will meet you in Waco in three days’ time.”

Waco. She’d always wanted to visit Waco. Standish Gillespie had a brother there and he talked about the Wild West town all the time.

“Your new home is another hundred and twenty miles southwest of there,” Jubal told her. “He calls it King’s Ransom Ranch. Pack lightly, it’s a long journey.”

King’s Ransom. She loved how that sounded. “Oh, I don’t have much to pack,” she assured him. “Thank you so much.”

To Jubal’s horror, the ugly woman insisted on hugging him. “No need for all that. Be gone now.” He shooed her out.

As he watched the poor creature leave, Jubal grinned like an idiot. His only regret was not seeing Kingston Ramsay’s face when his new bride arrived. “Yea, you black-hearted son of a bitch, you’ll regret the day you ever crossed me. If it weren’t for you, I’d be a rich man today.” He surveyed the dump of a newspaper office. “Not working in this dead-end hell hole.”

As far as Fancy was concerned, she floated out of the newspaper office on cloud nine. After buying her freedom from Standish Gillespie with the gold Laurence O’Malley had given her, she’d left St. Louis and traveled to Kansas City, for no other reason than not wanting to be in the same town as her abuser. Life in the new place was no bed of roses, she still had to work like a dog for someone else. Tired of being on her own, she’d put an advertisement in a newspaper column devoted to finding husbands for mail-order brides.

Yes, she knew she was no prize, but she’d prayed for a man who needed her, who could see beyond her faults to the pure heart that beat within her breast. If she could but win the love of a good man, Fancy had vowed to devote her life to making him happy. And now, she’d found him! “I can’t believe I’m getting married.” Just a few more days and her years of being afraid and alone were over. 

* * *

 

On the road, three days later…

 

“Push harder, Jericho. We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there. We’ve got to get back before the cattle drive comes through. King’s gonna kill us if we’re late. We shouldn’t have stopped for supplies in Kingsland on the way, we should’ve done it on the way back.” Boone Roberts put his powerful shoulder to the wheel of the buckboard, trying to help big Jericho free the heavily laden wagon from the miry mud of Bull Creek.

“We didn’t want the new shipment to be picked over. Besides, King’s gonna kill us anyway,” Jericho quipped as he sat on his steed in front of the team of tired horses, guiding them as they struggled to obey the men asking them to do the impossible. “I’m in no rush to attend my own funeral.”

“I fear we are going about this the wrong way, gentleman.” Gentry observed from the bank as he watched his comrades struggle. He couldn’t help but smile, thinking how he’d lay down his life for any one of these men. After fighting shoulder to shoulder with them in the war, this minor inconvenience was child’s play.

“What did you say, Earl?” Boone stood up to rest, wiping the sweat from his brow.

“Words of wisdom, commoner,” Gentry jested with aplomb, the grin still on his face. “I suggest you unload the wagon, lessen the load, and then proceed to gently lead the steeds from the stream.”

“Well, why didn’t you suggest that twenty minutes ago?” Jericho straightened up and threw a fifty-pound sack of flour over his shoulders. “Well, help me, you sidewinders!” 

Gentry dismounted and tied his steed to a small cedar, wading back into the creek to help his friends. Once the wagon was unloaded, the men were able to coax it from the mud and onto dry land.

“Well, fuck-it-all, I’m glad that’s over with,” Clay Bennett, slapped his black hat against his leg, knocking off the dirt.

“Language, Padre, you’re tarnishing your pious image,” Gentry chastised his companion good-naturedly. He knew Bennett wasn’t a normal man of the cloth. He was tougher, could fight harder, and lived by his own set of commandments - not all of them set in stone. “Do you think we’re going to beat the bride to Waco?”

Boone cursed a blue streak. “Hell, damn, fuck, no. Between our oxen getting stuck in the ditch,” he nodded toward the river, “and our run-in with that band of Indians, we’re running a good day behind. Let’s just hope she waits on us and doesn’t hire someone to take her to the ranch. I’d like to be there to break this to him gently. No matter how pretty this woman is, King didn’t ask for a mail-order bride and one showing up on his doorstep is going to take him by surprise, and we all know how Kingston Ramsay reacts to surprises.”

“He hates them, that’s why the man rarely sleeps. I remember him prowling the perimeter of the camp, expecting an ambush. When none came, I think he was disappointed.” Gentry hoisted a barrel of oil over his head as he helped the others reload the supplies.

“I don’t have a good feeling about this, my friends. I think I’m having second thoughts,” Jericho muttered as he stood in the back and arranged what the others handed to him. “The man is expecting a male cook. Male. We should’ve let King find his own wife.”

“I disagree.” Clay folded his arms over his massive chest and let out a long breath. “I think we did a good thing. King wouldn’t have done this on his own. He’s lonely and he’s hurt. He works too hard and he’s taking too many risks. He needs Anita Mae, she’ll be good for him.”

“I’m with the reverend.” Gentry pointed his finger at Clay. “Regardless, there’s no time for second thoughts. We’re too far gone with this plan to back out now. We’re just going to have to hope for the best.”

“I concur.” Clay smiled. “As the good book says, all things work together for good.”

“Right. Let’s be positive. She’ll be a pretty woman at his mercy. He won’t send her back. You know how King takes in strays,” Boone spread his arms. “What do you think we are?”          

“I think we’re all crazy. The big man is gonna hog tie us to an anthill and douse us with honey,” Jericho replied. “And I’m afraid we just might deserve it.”

* * *

 

In a stagecoach headed south toward Waco, Texas …

 

Fancy kept her hands folded in her lap as she swayed and rocked with every jarring bump of the wheels turning over the hard ruts of the trail. She just knew her body was black and blue. Thoughts of where she might be bruised made her blush. Would her husband want to see her without clothing? The thought made her shiver. She wondered what Kingston Ramsay looked like. What kind of a man contracted for a wife without even seeing her? This worried her. Lifting a hand, she pushed a lock of hair away from her face, wishing she could be pretty for her new husband.

“Pardon me, madam, would you change places with me?”

Fancy jerked her head up to see the elderly gentleman across from her point to the window.

“I need a little air.” He cut his eyes to the large woman sitting next to him, snoring loudly.

“All right, yes.” Fancy held onto the side of the coach and stood to her feet. She was so weak that she thought she might fall headfirst into the man’s lap. How long had it been since she’d eaten? She couldn’t remember. “Are we almost to Waco?”

“Should be close, I recognize a few landmarks,” another passenger answered, the cowboy who sat to the right of sleeping beauty.

What should’ve been good news made Fancy nervous. She still couldn’t believe King Ramsay had answered her advertisement. Hardworking woman is desirous of opening a correspondence with a man in view to a matrimonial engagement. I am twenty-six years of age and possess a good moral character. I am also tolerably well-educated, considering my circumstances, and not afraid of hard work. I am thoroughly versed in the intricacies of homemaking and will toil from dawn to dusk to build a home. My appearance is passable. No serious offer will be rejected.

Yes, she was desperate. And yes, she’d fibbed in the appearance department. She had no illusions about her looks, just last week the Weeks boy at the church social had called her a scarecrow. What with her reddish straw-colored hair, her too big eyes, and gaunt body, he couldn’t really be blamed for his observation. Still, many people had overheard his disparaging remark, and none had argued. The only reason she’d stayed was for the food, the cookies and punch had been the only meal she’d eaten that day or the day before. Since Rastus Monroe had garnished her wages for the broken plow, Fancy had been unable to buy groceries.

When Kingston asked if she needed anything to make the journey, all Fancy had requested was payment for the stagecoach ticket. The only coin she possessed was her precious lucky piece. She had no idea of its value, but she would rather starve to death than try to spend it. To her, the old coin was priceless. So, there’d been no extra for food, she would eat once she was safely ensconced in her new home.

The thought made Fancy smile. Beginning her new life was an adventure. She had no idea what her future held, but whatever it was, it had to be better than her past.

* * *

 

Drumroll please…

 

A few hours later, Fancy stepped off the stagecoach and looked around, hoping to see someone waiting for her. There were plenty of people milling around, some on horseback, others on foot. She held her hand over her nose to keep the dust kicked up by the horses from choking her. As she stood, a feeling of trepidation swept over her. If no one came, what would she do? With a steadying breath, she made her way to the sidewalk to get her bearings. Looking up and down the bustling street, she noted the Sheriff’s office, the hotel, the newspaper/telegraph office, and a saloon.

“I’ll start with the newspaper office. They might know something.” She figured Kingston would’ve used the local Hearts and Hands agent as a contact when he sent her his offer. Placing a supportive hand on the side of the building, she made her way down the street.

Across the way…Reno Black considered his next move. His trip had proven to be a failure. The soldier wearing Cole’s sutler wasn’t his brother. He’d questioned everyone he could find at the military hospital, but no one knew the true identity of the injured man. After exhausting all avenues, he’d returned to Texas. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to give up, not after hearing the rumors of people who’d seen his brother in the days following his supposed death at Antietam. He’d been heading for the saloon to buy a drink before leaving for Kingsland, but somehow his feet changed directions. Giving up on Cole was impossible, not until he knew one way or the other. Making his way to the Herald’s office, he knew what he had to do. Hiring a Pinkerton detective would prove costly, but he needed to know one way or the other.

As soon as he pushed open the door, he was met by a strange sight. A young woman stood there in near tears, wearing a decidedly worn dress. The kindest thing he could say about her looks was that she had a pleasant smile. Her hair was a bright shade of red and she was much too thin.

“My name is Fancy Grace. Are you sure no one from King’s Ransom has been in today?”

“No, ma’am. I’m sorry. Perhaps you should get a hotel room and wait. If someone does come to fetch you, I’ll send them right over.”

Fancy hung her head. She didn’t have money for a hotel room…or even a meal. She was feeling lightheaded and weak. Making a grab for the counter she swayed on her feet. “I’ll just go outside and wait.”

Reno’s chivalry wouldn’t let him ignore the situation, even if the woman hadn’t mentioned King’s Ransom. “Excuse me, ma’am, let me help you.” Ignoring the questioning look from the newspaper clerk, Reno guided the gaunt young woman to a chair. “Sit right here while I take care of a bit of business, then I might be able to help you. I’m familiar with the folks at King’s Ransom.”

“Oh, you are? Thank goodness!” Immense relief flooded Fancy. “Thank you so much.” She let her eyes rove over the big man with the long dark hair. She knew this wasn’t King, or he would have said so. Perhaps they were friends.

Reno gave the clerk the information for the telegram, asking for a Pinkerton agent to contact him. In the interim, he would assimilate all the information on Cole and his last known whereabouts. After he paid for the telegram, he turned to the woman who’d been asking for someone from the ranch. Seeing her pale face, he wondered if she were ill. “Is there anything I can get you? Water, perhaps?”

Hating to ask, Fancy didn’t think she could go much further. “I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten in days and Kingston only sent enough money for the stagecoach ticket.”

Hearing his Captain’s name, his curiosity was aroused even more. “Well, let’s see if we can remedy this situation.” He offered the woman his arm. “We’ll get you something to eat and you can tell me what your problem is, and I’ll see if I can be of service.”

 Fancy was so relieved, she didn’t even consider turning down his generous offer. “How kind of you.” She stood and clasped the man’s strong arm. “Do you know Kingston? Is he a friend of yours?”

As Reno led the woman out of the newspaper office and down the sidewalk toward the hotel dining room, he weighed his words. Until he knew what she wanted with King, he’d play his cards close to his chest. “You could say that, we served together in the war.”

“Oh. Well, I’m certainly glad both of you survived. So many lost their lives, it’s very sad.” She forced herself to stand upright and not lean on the solid man’s shoulder. “I don’t need much, I’m not used to much.”

Reno frowned as he led her into the eating establishment. This wasn’t the dinner hour, so they were the only customers. “Sit here, I’ll go see the cook and see what I can rustle up.”

Fancy did as he asked, so grateful for the turn of events. Doubt had nearly consumed her when she arrived and found no one waiting for her. Of course, this man wasn’t King, there might still be something amiss.

Reno returned with a bowl of beef stew and a piece of cornbread. He’d had to bribe the cook with an Indian Head Penny, but he had food for the damsel in distress. “Here, miss, eat up.”

Fancy accepted the warm bowl and began to dig in. “Oh, thank you.” She said between bites. “This is wonderful.” She closed her eyes as the food began to work its restorative magic. “I get so hungry sometimes, I need to take my time and savor every bite.”

Watching her eat, Reno was at a loss as to what was going on. He knew he needed to find out. He’d stopped by the livery stable when he’d arrived on the train to inform them he was ready to retrieve his buckboard and horse for the journey back to Kingsland. Before he could leave, however, he needed to determine who this woman was – and what she wanted with King. “My name is Reno Black, miss.”

She gave Reno a bright smile, one that transformed her face into…pleasant. She held out her hand. “I’m ever so pleased to make your acquaintance.”

He nodded and took her outstretched hand, just as a thought occurred to him, “Are you the new housekeeper for King’s Ransom?”

Fancy laughed. “Well, I’m sure I’ll be doing some housekeeping, for sure, but no. I’m King’s mail-order bride.”

Reno’s jaw dropped. He searched for words to convey his surprise. “Are you sure?” was the best he could come up with. The idea that Kingston Ramsay had resorted to ordering a mail-order bride was ludicrous.

“Oh, yes.” She dug the letter from her battered reticule. “See.”

Reno examined the sheet with the Missouri Democrat’s letterhead. Scrawled handwriting gave directions to one Miss Fancy Grace to meet representatives of Kingston Ramsay in Waco. “Well, this comes as a surprise. I had no idea.” The only thing he could think to do was escort the woman to the ranch. “I’ve been out of town, so I’m not sure why no one is here to meet you. However, I am on my way to King’s Ransom and I’ll be glad to escort you myself.” Once he delivered her safely, if there was some misunderstanding, they could work it out there.

“Oh, I am ever so grateful. Thank you.” Fancy finished her meal and stood to her feet. “I can’t tell you how overjoyed I am at the prospect of traveling to my future home. I am forever in your debt. I am most anxious to begin my journey and start my new life. I’m sure Kingston will appreciate you escorting me. Perhaps, whoever was supposed to meet me, met with some kind of difficulty on the way.”

Reno quelled the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. “I’m sure you’re right.” He escorted her from the restaurant and down the street to the livery stable, placing her bag in the wagon. “Allow me. Take ahold of my hand, madam.”

Fancy was feeling so much better. Everything looked brighter. Everything was beautiful. “One moment, please.”

Reno wondered at the delay, until he saw her move to the front of his team to address the pair of gray dapple mares.

“Oh, aren’t you beautiful! What are their names?”

“Uh…” Reno had to think. “Jericho calls them Stormy and Windy.”

“Stormy and Windy. Perfect names. I love them!”

He waited patiently while the woman made the acquaintance of two of King’ horses, giving them both kisses and hugs.

“I wish I had apples or carrots to give them.”

“Well, there’s a wild crabapple tree not far from the ranch house, I’m sure there are a few left lying on the ground.”

“Marvelous!” She came around to climb into the seat, holding tight to the hand Reno offered her. “I used to sell apples when I was a little girl.”

“Really?” Reno wasn’t able to shake the uneasy feeling he couldn’t explain. “Was it a lucrative business?” he asked as he lifted the reins and started them on their way. “Giddy-up.”

“Hardly. I ate more than I sold.” As they passed through the streets of Waco, Fancy couldn’t help but notice the stares of several people. Their curiosity was obvious. Despite her good fortune, she felt exposed, vulnerable, and very lacking.

* * *

 

…About four hours later, Boone pulled back on the reins, stopping the horse drawn buckboard even with the newspaper office. “Let me go in and see if they’ve heard anything from our bride. Since we communicated with her through the agents at the paper, she might have checked in here. Keep your eyes open for Miss Droddy, boys. Since we’re late meeting the stage, I’m not sure where she’ll be.”

“At least we know what she looks like,” Clay said, checking up and down the street. “I sure don’t see anybody who even resembles her standing about.”

“She might be at the hotel. I doubt we’ll just find her sitting on the street,” Gentry murmured as he gazed in every direction, his eyes searching for a blonde-haired beauty.

“Lord, help, I’m as nervous as a whore in church.” Jericho was sweating. “Maybe she changed her mind.” He loosened his collar, trying to get a little air. “King ain’t gonna be happy when he finds out what we’ve done. This woman ain’t gonna be happy when she finds out King’s not expecting her,” he muttered. “Ain’t nobody gonna be happy.” Damn. They were up shit creek without a paddle. One lie had led to another and now the day of reckoning was here.

“Just take it easy. All of this will work out, you’ll see.” He jumped down from the wagon and stepped onto the wooden sidewalk. The Waco Herald’s door stood ajar and flies were buzzing in and out of the opening.

Once he ventured inside, a young man wearing a full-length printer’s apron stood up from behind a desk. “May I help you, sir?” He started to offer Boone a greeting, but pulled his hand back when he remembered it was covered in ink. “My name is Horace Renfro.”

“Hello, I’m Boone Roberts. I’m looking for a young woman who was to arrive from Kansas City to meet Kingston Ramsay. My boss answered an ad she placed in the matrimonial column. We’re late getting into town to fetch her. We ran into a little trouble along the way. I thought she might have checked in with you?”

Horace gave him a speculative look. “There was a young lady here earlier looking for you. She was very upset, considering you didn’t arrive when expected.”

“Yes, Anita Mae Droddy. Bride elect of Kingston Ramsay. I’m sure she was upset. and we’ll be sure to apologize when we see her.”

“Hmmm.” Horace nodded, frowning. “I don’t believe that was her name. However, she did leave with…let me see. A man came in to send a telegram and found her.” He went to check the telegram information. “She left with a Mr. Reno Black.”

Boone barely heard Reno’s name, he was more stuck on the fact that the clerk had said the woman wasn’t Anita Mae Droddy. “What do you mean that wasn’t her name?”

“Sorry.” The clerk looked uncomfortable. “Her last name was Grace, I do believe.”

“She was supposed to be a beautiful blonde named Anita.” He knew his voice was coming across as harsh. Letting out a hard breath, he asked, “When did they leave?”

The clerk consulted his pocket watch. “About four hours ago.”

“Damn.” He hightailed it out to where the others were waiting.

“What’s wrong?” Gentry asked when he saw the expression on Boone’s face. “Where’s Anita?”

“Good question.” Boone took off his hat and slapped it against the buckboard. “I don’t think she came. I think the damn Hearts and Hands outfit made some kind of a mistake and sent the wrong bride. The clerk said the woman’s last name was Grace.”

“Well, where is she? Maybe we can get to the bottom of this thing.”

Boone laughed wryly. “Well, we can’t. She’s already gone. Left.”

“What?” Jericho asked from where he stood at the front of the team, letting the horses drink from a watering trough. “Where’d she go?”

“She left with Reno. Four hours ago.”

“Holy shit.” Jericho covered his face and laughed. “This would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. We are so fucked.”

Boone hung his head. “There’s only one thing to do. After we tend to the horses, we’ll head out and see if we can catch them.”

“I fear that will be a difficult proposition,” Gentry noted as he brought some feed from the back of the buckboard for the horses.

“I’m sure Reno will stop for the night to let the woman rest. We’ll keep going, that’s the only way we’ll overtake them.”

Boone shook his head and headed for the saloon. “I don’t know about you all, but while the horses catch their wind, I’m going to drink whiskey.”

With murmured consents, the rest of the group joined him, wondering at the whirlwind they’d released upon them all.

* * *

 

Farther on down the trail…

 

Fancy was talking too much, she knew she was – but she was nervous, and she didn’t know how to stop. “I’m so glad you came along when you did, Mr. Black. If you hadn’t, I probably would’ve tried to walk to the ranch. I didn’t want to disappoint Mr. Ramsay, not after he’s so kindly agreed to marry me. I know my weaknesses and I can’t afford to neglect so kind an offer, I probably wouldn’t get another one.”

Reno listened, speaking when he got a chance. “You wouldn’t have gotten far on an empty stomach, that’s for sure.”

“Yes, your arrival was very fortuitous.” She clasped her hands in her lap and sighed. “I love it out here, this is so different from anywhere I’ve been before. The countryside is gorgeous. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of looking at these rolling green hills and beautiful limestone cliffs.” Fancy sighed. “I’ve never belonged anywhere or to anyone before. I just can’t wait to get to my new home. I’ll be the best wife any man has ever had.”

“Fortuitous is a fancy word, Miss Fancy,” Reno chuckled. “You must have excelled in school.”

Fancy laughed. “I’m self-taught. Mostly. I worked for a school master for a year and a half. He let me use his library.” She smiled, remembering Mr. Tomlinson with fondness. He’d been easy to please and kind to her when it mattered. “At other times books weren’t so easy to come by.” Her voice lowered to a near whisper. “I remember once getting beaten for borrowing a novel at another place I lived. They accused me of stealing, I spent a few days incarcerated. They were going to…molest me, but I wasn’t pretty enough. They just whipped me and let me go.”

Reno didn’t know how to react. The information she passed along was said so offhandedly. He felt anger build up within him at anyone who would raise a hand at so defenseless a creature. “King has a wall full of books, that’s one thing you two will have in common.”

Fancy hugged herself when a shiver of anticipation made her tremble with excitement. “I look forward to many exciting discussions with my husband.”

Knowing Cap’s feelings about his ex-fiancée, he was still having trouble processing the fact that King had connected with this unusual woman and offered to marry her. “Why were you working in so many different jobs?”

“To survive,” she said simply. “My parents died when I was small, and I was placed in an orphanage. When I turned eight, they placed me on one of the orphan trains. I was taken off in St. Louis and bought by a family with four small children.”

“Bought?”

“Yea, that’s the way the orphan trains worked for most kids. Some were adopted out to families, but most were sold to farms and factories for an indentured servants price. If you can’t save up to buy your own freedom, you’re sold to someone else for a profit and the price goes up.” She sighed. “It’s very difficult.”

“How did you escape the system?” He was beginning to see that he wasn’t the only one with problems.

Fancy gave him a satisfied grin. “I was rewarded for a good deed, a deed I would’ve done a thousand times over for nothing.” At his quizzical look, she elaborated. “A house in the neighborhood caught fire and I happened to be passing by. When I heard the little girls screaming, I couldn’t walk away. I raced into the building and brought them out.”

“By yourself?” Reno was astonished.

“Yes, there was no time to wait for the fire brigade. There were other people standing about, but I was younger and faster, I guess.” She rubbed her palms, which still bore the scars. “Their father was very glad to have them safe and sound. He gave me a reward large enough to buy my freedom. There was even a write up in the newspaper.” She blushed profusely. “They took my photograph.” Fancy looked up at Reno. “Did you happen to see the article?”

“No, I didn’t. Sorry.”

She nodded, understanding. “After leaving St. Louis, I traveled to Kansas City. Of course, I worked there also, but the jobs were my choice. For the most part, I was treated fairly,” she told him calmly. “It is very hard for a woman to make it on her own, so I decided to try and find a husband.” She straightened her skirt and sat up primly. “I am almost certain that King saw the write-up about me in the paper. What other reason could there be for him to notice me?”

  Reno didn’t have a clue. This was all a surprise to him. “The sun will be going down soon. I’m sorry you aren’t chaperoned properly, but I think it would be wise to stop for the night. You can sleep in the back of the wagon and I’ll put a bedroll down by the campfire.”

“Camping out!” Fancy was all smiles. “I think this will be a grand adventure.”

Once he stopped, she helped him by gathering wood and settling the horses for the night. “I don’t have any food for us with me, I wasn’t expecting company.”

“No problem.” She patted her stomach. “I’m still stuffed from the stew.”

“Well, I have water.” He held up the canteen. “When you’re thirsty, just say so.”

“These accommodations are first class,” Fancy assured him. “I’ve spent many nights in much worse circumstances.”

Her reassurance didn’t go very far in making Reno feel better. He still felt like he was walking into a trap of some kind. “Well, catch some shut-eye. The sooner we go to sleep, the sooner we can get on the road.”

“I’ll be out like a light in just a few seconds.” Fancy settled down on the blanket he’d left for her, her mind racing with the possibilities that tomorrow held.