The Marshal's Mission Read online

  The Marshal’s Mission

  Barbara Goss

  Copyright © 2019 Barbara Goss

  All rights reserved.

  Cover Design: Samantha Fury

  All Scripture is quoted from the King James version of the Holy Bible.

  All the characters described in this story are fictional. They are not based on any real persons, past or present. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, is coincidental and unintended.

  This book is dedicated to Marty Moore, who has been a great inspiration to my writing.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  EPILOGUE

  Chapter One

  Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1878

  Federal Marshal John Hendricks tapped his fingers on the desk while Spencer Blackwood eagerly awaited an explanation. He certainly hadn’t broken any laws. He ran an honest lumber business in Van Buren. John was a family friend, but why had he been summoned?

  Finally, John spoke. “I need your help, Spence. I have a situation going on in Kansas that needs a special person. You’re smart, young, and single. You’d be perfect for the job I have in mind.”

  “Me? I’m not a deputy marshal—I run our family’s lumber business,” Spence said. “What could I possibly do for you in Kansas?”

  “This is a special case. I need someone who can get close to a woman and learn what her father is up to. I know…I have plenty of single deputies, but this woman is, shall we say, comely, and she wouldn’t look twice at any of the men I have free or confide in them. I need someone a bit more…gentlemanly, and…um…well, pleasing to the eyes.”

  Spence let out a chuckle. “Thanks, John, but I have a lumber business to run here. I can’t just run off. Besides, I don’t want to lead some woman on for information. You know I’m a Christian man.”

  John Hendricks stood, walked to the window, turned, and said, “That’s why I trust you.”

  “I have no experience spying.”

  “I’ve given this a lot of thought. Your brother, Geoff, has been working with you, and I’m sure he can handle the lumberyard for a few weeks. You’re a crack shot, fast on the draw, and smart—that makes you perfect for the job. The Justice Department is offering you a thousand dollars for a few weeks of work.”

  Though Spence didn’t need the money, he did need a diversion. Life had become somewhat boring. Every day at the lumberyard was the same as the next. He could use an adventure. Spence sighed. “What do I need to do?”

  “There’s something strange going on in Salt Creek. People are being forced from their land and homes by suspicious means: fires, raids, crops killed, animals poisoned—you get the idea. Someone is behind it. I suspect it might be the banker, Asa Livingston. In fact, I’m almost sure he’s the leader, but I need proof. I think this woman’s father may be in on it. His name is Rory McKay. His daughter’s name is Glenna.

  “The reason we suspect McKay is that his farm is one of the few that hasn’t been touched. His farm is the largest and should have been one of the first to go, but it wasn’t. The smaller places are being targeted.”

  “For what reason?” Spence asked.

  “We aren’t sure—maybe reselling them for twice what they’re worth or combining them to get more money.”

  “What’s happening to the poor land owners?”

  “They’re being run out of town. What can they do? They’re broke and have no home or land. Several have written to the Justice Department, and I’ve been ordered to put a stop to whoever is behind this.”

  His brother could mind the lumberyard; Spence yearned for adventure. Though he didn’t much like spy work, his heart went out to the landowners. He didn’t like the idea of flirting with a woman for information, though, and he’d try to get it another way if he could.

  “I’ll do it,” he said, “but I won’t use the woman to get information. I couldn’t do that in good conscience. I’ll try to get the information you need, though.”

  John shook Spence’s hand. “Thank you!” He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a stagecoach ticket. “Here’s your passage. I suggest you try to get a job on McKay’s ranch.”

  “Why not a train ticket?”

  John clapped Spence’s back. “You’re to appear in need of work—a poor man couldn’t afford a train ticket.”

  Spence took the ticket. “So, manual labor is also in the deal?”

  “Sorry, but it’s the only way to get close to the McKays. One more thing—I have an elderly aunt living in Mead. Her name is Ruth Madison. Go there if you should need some help. Everyone in town knows her. Not only will she provide you with a refuge, but you can send me a message through her. She’s just a half day’s ride from Salt Creek.”

  “You think I’ll need a refuge?”

  “No, I just like to cover all angles. Here’s your badge, but don’t wear it. Carry it. You’re now a deputy marshal.”

  When the stagecoach pulled into Salt Creek, Spence disembarked, glad to finally be done with the most uncomfortable ride he’d ever had. He felt nervous about his role in the job since he’d never had any spying experience. John Hendricks and his father, Joseph, had been close friends, so he was no stranger to John, but he’d never expected to work for him.

  He made his way to the town’s livery, inquiring about a job while he rented a horse.

  The man who gave him the horse shrugged. “We ain’t needing help here. You might try some of the ranches.”

  “That sounds like a good idea. Where’s the largest ranch?”

  The man rubbed his bristly chin. “That would be the McKay place. It’s the only big one left.”

  “What do you mean?” Spence asked.

  “Well, we have a lot of land fer sale just now, but the only large workin’ ranch is McKay’s. You take that road,” the man pointed, “about a mile and a half, and you can’t miss it.”

  Spence tipped his new, wide-brimmed hat and mounted the horse.

  ~~~**~~~

  “Dagnabbit!” Rory McKay yelled as he came into the house.

  Glenna looked up from the book she was reading. “What’s wrong, now, Father?”

  “Griff Taylor’s what’s wrong. I found him sleeping in the hayloft.”

  Glenna closed her book. “I thought I smelled alcohol on him yesterday.”

  “Today, he smells like he fell in a vat of whiskey.”

  Glenna stood and walked to him. “Why don’t you fire him?”

  “Because my whole crew is on a cattle drive, and as bad as he is, I can’t spare him.”

  “Is he awake now?”

  “Yes, he’s grooming the stallion. The man who bought the horse will be here in an hour, and I need him to be ready.”

  Glenna kissed her father’s cheek. “I’ll take him out a cup of coffee.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart. That should sober him up.”

  Glenna made the coffee good and strong and took it out to Griff. He was brushing the stallion while leaning against the stall with his eyes closed.

  “Wake up, Griff. I’ve brought you coffee.”

  He jerked awake. “Huh? Oh, thank you. Miss McKay.” He took the cup and gave her a wide smile. “I wasn’t asleep.
I was just having a bit of a dizzy spell. They come and go.”

  “The horse’s new owner will be here soon, and that horse needs to be ready.”

  “It will be. Thanks for the brew.”

  Glenna left the stables and walked to the house. A man rode up the lane just as she reached the porch. Glenna gasped. It was the buyer, and the horse wasn’t ready yet.

  She walked quickly over to the rider. She’d have to find some excuse to stall him.

  “Hello,” she said. “I’m Glenna McKay.” She couldn’t help but notice how good-looking the man was. “The horse isn’t ready yet. Would you like to come in for coffee while you wait?”

  The man slid off his horse and tied it to the post near the porch. “Horse? I’m not here for a horse. I’m looking for some work. I just got into town and—”

  “You aren’t the buyer?” Glenna interrupted

  “No. Like I said, I’m looking for a job.”

  Glenna hesitated to invite the stranger into the house, even though he looked every inch a gentleman. “Have a seat on the porch. I’ll get my father.”

  Glenna found her father in his study. “Father, our prayers have just been answered.”

  Rory looked up from his paperwork. “Griff has the horse ready?”

  “No, far from it. He was sleeping while standing up.”

  Rory shook his head.

  “A man is here looking for a job, and he looks respectable and decent. He’s on the porch.”

  Her father’s eyebrows lifted. “Well, now. I’ll have to check this out. I hope he has some experience around cattle and horses.”

  He followed his daughter out to the porch.

  The man stood as Rory approached.

  Rory held out his hand. “Rory McKay.”

  The man shook his hand. “Spence Blackwood.”

  “Where’re you from? I detect an accent.”

  “Arkansas. Born and raised.”

  Rory nodded. “Thought so. My daughter tells me you’re looking for work. Have you worked with cattle and horses?”

  “Some. My father owns a lumber mill in Arkansas, so I know more about that, but I own several horses, and I worked on my uncle’s cattle farm every summer while growing up.”

  “Hmm,” Rory rubbed his chin. “I could use someone to work with my horses. When my crew returns from the cattle drive, I won’t need you to work with the animals—I’ll have plenty of help—but I’m planning to build an extension on the stables. Do you do more with lumber than cut and sell it? Can you build with it?”

  “Yes, sir. I’ve built a few homes with my father and brother.”

  “It looks like you’ve found a job here,” Rory said. “Come with me to the stables. I have a horse that needs grooming before the new owner comes to claim him, and I have a feeling the man on the job has fallen a bit behind. Follow me.”

  Glenna followed the men to the stables. Griff was lying in the straw, inches from the stallion’s hooves. Rory pulled Griff up and passed him to his daughter. “You know what to do, Glenna.”

  Glenna took Griff’s arm and led him to the house. He stumbled several times, but she finally got him into the kitchen. Glenna sat him down at the table and poured him another cup of coffee.

  “Griff, drink this.”

  “Can you just let me sleep?” he moaned as he put his head on the table.

  “You need to sober up so I can take you home.”

  Glenna managed to sober Griff up enough to get him into the back of the wagon and drive him home. His wife came out to claim him when she pulled up in front of his house.

  “Again?” Mrs. Taylor said. “What am I to do with you? Get into the house and go to bed.”

  She turned to Glenna after watching him stagger into the house. “I apologize for him, miss.”

  “I’m sorry, too, but my father won’t be needing him anymore. He’ll take him back if you can get him to stop drinking, but we just can’t have him coming to work drunk.”

  Mrs. Taylor smiled at Glenna. “It was just a matter of time. I knew it would happen again. Don’t worry. I’m sending him home to his mother for a few months. She knows how to straighten him out. He listens to her.”

  Glenna was relieved that she’d taken it so well. She’d dreaded firing Griff because he was a good worker when he was sober.

  She returned home to find the owner admiring his new stallion.

  “He looks fine!” the man said, patting the horse’s mane. He paid Rory and rode off, pulling his new horse.

  Rory turned to Spence. “You did a fine job.”

  Glenna smiled at the man. “Welcome to the ranch.”

  Chapter Two

  Rory McKay invited Spence to have dinner with them—the chuck wagon cook was still on the cattle drive, and when he was away from the ranch, any crew members left behind ate with the family.

  Glenna had a hard time keeping her eyes away from him, and she noticed he tried hard to keep his gaze away from her. She studied him as he spoke to her father. His hair was so dark a shade of brown it appeared almost black, and he had eyebrows to match. Spence’s eyes were also deep brown, and when he smiled, he had slight dimples. She stopped admiring Spence when her father’s conversation caught her interest.

  “Yes, we’re fortunate that our ranch hasn’t been victimized,” she said.

  Spence looked up from his meal and asked casually, “Why do you suppose that is?”

  “The dogs,” Rory said. “I have watchdogs on the property.”

  “And our cattle provide most of the beef in Salt Creek,” Glenna added. “If something happened to our ranch and cattle, the town would have little, if any, beef.”

  Glenna continued, “Which is why Asa Livingston, the banker, is protecting our property.”

  While she spoke, her eyes met Spence’s, and she felt a spark. It lasted just seconds before he broke the eye contact. Glenna wondered what he was afraid of. Perhaps he worried he’d lose his job if he showed an interest in the boss’s daughter.

  Her father continued to push her into agreeing to allow Asa Livingston, the town banker, to court her. He wasn’t unattractive, but she didn’t like him. He thought she’d feel complimented by his attention because he was rich, and her father forbid her to be rude to him, but she refused to let him court her. His mannerisms were too forward and bold. He was loud and too sure of himself for her taste.

  Besides, no one could tell her who she should be attracted to. Something like that seemed to happen on its own, and at that moment in time, she felt a flutter in her chest every time Spence’s eyes met hers.

  After dinner, they had coffee and tea on the porch. The conversation was light. Her father explained the workings of the ranch and his new building plans. When the sun dipped below the horizon, her father showed Spence to the bunkhouse.

  When her father returned, he sat beside her on the porch and sighed. “I like that young man. He seems too smart to tend horses and cattle. I can’t wait for him to start expanding our stables.”

  “He appears to be a gentleman,” Glenna said.

  Her father slid his chair closer to his daughter’s. “Glenna, I saw the way you looked at Spence. He’s a good-looking man, but he has nothing to offer you. I think you should let Asa court you. He’s been after me to give him an answer. He can give you the finer things in life.” He lowered his voice. “More than a horse tender can.”

  “Father, I think Spence is a handsome gentleman, and you’re right, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him. We don’t see real gentleman like him here, in Salt Creek, every day. I have no one in mind that I’d want to court me. I’m just not ready.”

  “Ready? You’re twenty.”

  Glenna patted her father’s hand. “But I love living here with you and being your daughter. Please let me have that a bit longer.”

  Her father took her hand in his. “Of course, you may. I don’t want to lose you at all, but I know I will someday, and if I have to, I want to be sure you marry well.”

  “I
don’t really care for Asa Livingston, Father.”

  “I didn’t want to tell you this, but it looks like I have no choice. The reason our ranch hasn’t been vandalized to force us out is because Asa has men patrolling our ranch to keep it safe. He’s threatened to stop the patrolling if you don’t agree to let him court you.”

  “What? I thought he was guarding our ranch to keep the town supplied in beef.” Glenna shook her head. “And this is a man you want me to marry? One who threatens people?”

  Her father hung his head. “I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, Father.” Glenna closed her eyes and laid her head back in the chair. “So, I’m forced to let him court me or we lose the ranch?”

  “Possibly.”

  Glenna sat up straight, having gotten an idea. “Can a woman let a man court her but never marry him?”

  “I suppose, if you don’t suit, yes.”

  Glenna stood. “Then, I’ll let him court me, but I vow, I’ll never marry him.” She turned and went into the house.

  Glenna awoke to sunshine filling her bedroom. She yawned and moved to the bottom of her bed to look out the window. It was a glorious day. She became alert when she saw Spence walking a horse around the corral. It surprised her to see him breaking the white stallion. Her father was sitting on the fence, watching him. The horse stamped its feet, snorted, and Spence, quick on his feet, managed to dodge its advances. Glenna feared for Spence. She’d seen many a ranch hand mauled by an unbroken horse. She quickly dressed, put her hair in a bun and ran outside to watch.

  Glenna boosted herself to sit on the fence beside her father. She watched the horse’s flesh quiver whenever Spence came near. Spence held an apple in his hand, and the horse turned away from it, running around the corral bucking, and nickering. Spence stood still with his hand outstretched, holding the apple. Glenna could tell the horse wanted the apple, but refused to take it. At one point, the horse came close to the apple, sniffed it, snorted, and turned away.