An Agent For Rilla (Pinkerton Matchmaker 29) by Sophie Dawson

Author:Sophie Dawson [Dawson, Sophie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

AFTER BREAKFAST, ARCHIE, Rilla, and Morgan studied the map of Colorado. With a protractor, they drew lines from the Flatirons on the compass degrees to scale. Archie tapped the end point on the map. “That’s near Stones Creek. I’d say go there. What’s the next clue?”

“Jacob Owens,” Morgan said.

“That’s the man who stole the gold we’re searching for,” Rilla said. “Do you suppose it’s similar to the clue in Jefferson?”

“You think he wrote a letter to himself and sent it to Stones Creek?” Morgan asked.

“Maybe, but are you sure the clue leading from the Flatirons is to Stones Creek?” Rilla asked.

Archie ran his finger along the line he’d drawn on the map. “Nothing else in that area. Sure, there are some ranches, but no other towns.”

“We can go to Stones Creek and see if there is a letter for Jacob Owens. If there’s not, we’ll have to see if we can figure out where else there might be a clue.” Morgan picked up his compass and tucked it into his vest pocket.

“What is the next clue after Jacob Owens?” Archie asked.

Rilla picked up the paper with the clues. “It says, ‘Forty-five to Home.’ That could either mean miles or degrees.”

“But whose home? Jacob Owens never lived in the Colorado Territory, that we know of. He only robbed trains and banks here.” Archie began folding the map.

“I think we need the clue from Stones Creek,” Morgan said. He looked at Rilla. “You ready to head out?”

“Any chance we can take the train to Stones Creek?”

“Horses don’t like the train, and donkeys hate it. Too much noise and rough movement.” Morgan picked up his saddlebags. “You want to ride as a woman or a boy?”

“I don’t suppose I could get you to ride as a woman?” Rilla asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

“Um, no.”

“You know, it might not be a bad idea for you to use a disguise,” Archie said, his eyes dancing with mirth. “Not as a woman. There’s not a person who would ever mistake you for one. You could go as an older man, though. Maybe Rilla’s grandfather. She could put cosmetics on you and maybe a gray wig. She could coach you on how to talk like an old geezer.”

“I can do that,” Rilla said.

“I’ll think about it.” Morgan wasn’t as thrilled with the idea as Archie and Rilla seemed to be. He tossed his saddlebags over his shoulders and stalked out of the office. “Rilla, dress how you want. I’ll get the horses. We can saddle yours when I get back.”

Archie and Rilla looked at each other and laughed.

Marianne came into the room, a quizzical look on her face. “What has Morgan scowling so much?”

That made Archie and Rilla laugh harder.

“He’s not enthusiastic about using a disguise. Not any that we suggested anyway,” Rilla said. “I’m going to change. I think I’ll be a lady and ride sidesaddle today. Stones Creek isn’t that far. It may be the last chance I have for a while.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.