Eleanor's Dilemma Read online

  Eleanor washed and dried their few dishes, and followed the men down to the front paddock where the worker’s hut stood. It took some effort to open the door, and she feared the hut would be in such a poor condition to make it uninhabitable.

  She was right.

  The door was almost off its hinges by the time they entered, and sunlight shone through several spaces in the roof. It needed a dust and sweep, and the bedding needed airing out.

  “I thought as much,” Floyd said, deflated. “But I’m used to sleeping outside. A few more days won’t hurt.”

  “We have a spare room up in the house. You seem like a trustworthy fellow, so you can stay there until we can fix this up.” The words were out of Eleanor’s mouth before she could stop them.

  Glen glared at her. She swallowed hard when she realized the consequences of her words.

  What would this stranger think when he saw Glen sleeping on the sofa? More importantly, was he as trustworthy as they thought?

  She certainly hoped so.

  Glen moved to her side and pulled her close. “We’re happy to have you, Floyd.” He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. If she hadn’t been so mad with him for crossing the line, she might have enjoyed the kiss.

  As she tried to pull away in protest, he held her tighter. It was as though he was punishing her for inviting this stranger into their midst.

  Floyd reached up and jiggled the frames on the walls, testing their strength. Glen saw the firearm around the same time she did. Eleanor gasped.

  Glen’s hand hovered over his own firearm, and he breached the subject. “Do you always carry a gun?”

  “What? Oh, sorry. I carry it for protection. You never know who you’re going to come across out here.”

  Glen visibly relaxed. “Especially when you’re sleeping rough, I guess.”

  The other man grimaced. “Especially then.” He went back to his inspection of the worker’s hut. “I’m happy to fix this up if you’ve got some wood.”

  “There’s plenty in the wood shed, and I found a bunch of tools in there too. Help yourself.” His arm dropped from around her. “We’d better head back to the house.” They turned to leave.

  “Mr Sanders, Missus,” he said, his tone serious. “I want to thank you both for the opportunity. It’s been a while since I slept in a bed. It will be nice for a change.”

  As much as Eleanor knew she may have put them both in danger, it felt good knowing she’d done something that made a difference to someone’s life.

  Glen waited in the sitting room while Eleanor changed into her nightgown. Floyd had long gone to bed.

  He’d spent most of the afternoon fixing up the worker’s hut, but it still needed far more work. He was a good worker, Glen had to give him that.

  She wasn’t going to like it, but he was sleeping with her tonight. He lightly tapped on the door before entering, but didn’t wait for a response.

  He hoped she was decent.

  “Go away,” she spat as she pulled the covers up around her shoulders. “You’re supposed to sleep on the sofa.”

  He laughed. “Since you invited Floyd to use the spare room, I can’t very well do that, now can I?” he said. “We’re supposed to be a married couple.”

  “But…” she paused, taking a deep breath. “It isn’t decent,” she said softly. “We’re not really married.”

  He grinned at her sense of propriety, and Eleanor glared at him. “We have to do this, otherwise it will look suspicious,” he said, then began to unbutton his shirt. She gasped then turned away from him.

  He neatly folded his clothes and placed them on the nearby chair. “I’m climbing in,” he said quietly, ensuring she knew what was happening in case she screamed.

  The bed was comfortable. Far more comfortable than the sofa he’d slept on previously, and far more comfortable than sleeping under a tree. He pulled the covers up around himself, but would have preferred to wrap himself around the beautiful woman laying beside him.

  That brought his thoughts to a halt. That sort of thinking wasn’t appropriate. He’d protected many women before in his duties both as a Pinkerton Detective and a private investigator, but he’d never felt so attracted to one of his clients.

  Even if she did think she was too good for him.

  He knew her type – had the best of everything, mingled with high society, and filthy rich. What happened to her husband was criminal, and for her to witness it was a dreadful shame. She’d never get that image out of her head, but that didn’t mean she could be so self-righteous, and act as though she was better than everyone else.

  That kiss he planted on her earlier today – it was a spur of the moment thing. Something to let Floyd Arnold know where he stood.

  Little did he know that quick kiss would leave a lasting impression on him. His fingers went to his lips at the mere thought of it.

  He drifted off to sleep wondering what it would be like to share a real kiss with Eleanor Carter.

  Chapter Four

  Eleanor snuggled into the warm body sharing her bed. He awoke with his arm across her waist, and as she snuggled, he pulled her closer. He knew he shouldn’t, but couldn’t resist.

  Who could? She was such a beauty.

  He grinned. Did she have any idea what she was doing? She finally rolled over to face him and opened her eyes. It was then she screamed.

  The bedroom door flew open, and a gun was aimed at the two of them. She pulled the covers up around herself and sat up. Then screamed again.

  Glen reached around and put a hand across her mouth. “It’s alright Eleanor. It’s just Floyd.” He stared down the man holding the gun. “Sorry, Floyd. My wife had a nightmare, I think. Then the gun…”

  Floyd lowered his weapon.

  “My apologies,” he said. “When I hear a woman screaming, I can’t let it be.”

  Glen sat up, his chest bare. “I appreciate it.” His eyes scrolled down to what the man was wearing. Just his drawers. He inwardly chuckled – that would really rattle Eleanor’s sensibilities.

  “Mr Arnold,” she said tersely, while at the same time visibly shaking. “Are you aware you are almost naked?” She averted her eyes as any well-brought up lady would. This time he chuckled out loud.

  “Didn’t have no time to put on anything else, Missus.”

  “We appreciate your help, Floyd. We really do.” Glen shoved the covers back and climbed out of bed, wearing just his drawers. He wondered what Eleanor would say about that.

  She slunk down under the covers, completely covering her face. He couldn’t help but grin. “My wife is not used to seeing other men naked,” Glen said light-heartedly.

  He was rewarded with a huge smile from their would-be rescuer. “Guess I’d better cover up then,” he said, laughing as he left the room.

  Without dressing, Glen headed for the kitchen where he added some wood and got the fire going. He filled the kettle and placed it on the stove.

  The scene before him was amazing. He’d not watched the sunrise for quite awhile, but guessed it would be his lot from now on.

  At least while they lived on the ranch.

  Floyd came to stand beside him. “I never fail to appreciate the sunrise,” he said quietly. “It’s been my drawcard to this kind of work for as long as I can remember.” He was now fully dressed, which Eleanor would appreciate.

  Glen turned to stare at him. “It’s new to me,” he said softly. “We’re city folks.”

  The other man nodded, as though that said it all. Then he looked confused. “I thought the Missus knew horses.” He scratched his head. “I figured you lived in the outback.”

  “When she was a child,” Glen answered. “She lived on a smallish horse ranch. And she’s had some contact since then, so yes, she does.” He had to make it up as he went along, but knew he was close to the mark. “I don’t know horses, except to ride now and then.” It wasn’t untrue. He’d been shuffled from job to job
by Pinkertons, but mostly traveled by train or stagecoach.

  Settling in one place would be bliss, but that wouldn’t be for the foreseeable future.

  “Ah, water has boiled.” He pulled three mugs from the cupboard and added the coffee, then took milk out of the icebox.

  Eleanor wandered out, fully dressed and looking as though she hadn’t just woken in terror. This woman never ceased to amaze him.

  She hip bumped him to move aside, so he did.

  The men both sat at the table, and she plonked a mug in front of each of them. “I assume you eat pancakes, Mr Arnold. I’m making potato pancakes with bacon on the side.” It was more of a statement than a question.

  His eyes lit up. “That sounds delicious, Missus. I generally just have coffee.”

  “Not under my roof,” she said matter of factly, then headed to the pantry.

  Glen studied Floyd over the top of his mug, and wondered how trustworthy this man really was. He could be a good ally if needed. He would think on that. If a gang turned up here, he may be overwhelmed. Another set of hands, another weapon in the mix – it could make all the difference.

  His wife returned and began to mix the pancakes. “We need to organize those chickens – we’re going through a lot of eggs.” She snatched up three medium sized potatoes, peeled and diced them, and threw them into a pan to cook.

  She looked Glen up and down and it was all he could do not to grin. “You,” she said tersely. “You can go and make yourself decent. No one sits at my table without a shirt.”

  He couldn’t help but grin.

  She turned her back and resumed cooking. Floyd was clearly amused. “Better do what the Missus says,” he whispered, then winked.

  Still grinning, Glen shrugged his shoulders then deserted his coffee to go and dress.

  The moment he sat back down his breakfast was placed in front of him. He leaned in to inhale the aroma. “Smells delicious, sweetheart,” he said, laying it on thick for Floyd’s benefit.

  “It certainly does, Missus,” Floyd said, agreeing.

  Eleanor stared at him. “You may call me Eleanor or Mrs Car…” she stopped dead. “Uh, Mrs Sanders.”

  Floyd looked from one to the other of them, his expression one of utter confusion.

  She looked to Glen, obviously devastated.

  “We’ve not been married long,” Glen intercepted. “My darling wife can’t get used to be Mrs Sanders.” He chuckled, and Floyd joined in.

  Glen stood and took her in his arms. “Don’t upset yourself,” he said gently. “You’ll get used to it.”

  It felt so good to hold her. Glen knew it was wrong to feel this way, but he couldn’t help it. Bit by bit she was showing more of her true self than she had in weeks.

  She didn’t have to feed Floyd, nor did she have to provide him with a bed to sleep in. But she did both out of kindness.

  With her head resting against his chest, it felt comfortable, not awkward as he’d expected. She stayed there for quite some time, and finally pulled back. She looked up into his face, and he stared at her lips.

  They were there for the taking, and that’s what he intended to do. To put on a show for Floyd of course. There was no other reason.

  At least that’s what he convinced himself.

  He leaned in and gently kissed her. He knew the moment their lips connected he’d done the wrong thing. He was falling more for this woman with each passing day.

  He’d been employed to do a job, and without a doubt, he was doing it. That did not include falling in love with the client.

  She glared at him, then pushed herself away, reaching for her own breakfast. They said grace, then ate their meal in silence.

  “What were you thinking?” She hissed under her breath when they were alone in the bedroom. Kissing her like that was unforgiveable. They were not married, and he had no right to kiss her. Or even to hold her.

  That she’d enjoyed both should not come into it. The fact was, it was not proper behavior for an unmarried couple.

  He took a step toward her. “It felt nice though, didn’t it? Go on, admit it.” She felt like slapping that smirk right off his face. “The truth is, you need to get used to it.” He let his words hang between them.

  “I most certainly will not.” She put her hands to her hips.

  He laughed again. “We are supposed to be married. Newlyweds.” He got closer and snaked his arms around her waist. “And newlyweds are all over each other. Can’t get enough.”

  She pulled her lips into a tight line, then remembered what her mother told her. It is not ladylike to do such a thing. She relaxed her mouth, then pouted.

  That surely wasn’t much better.

  “Cute,” he said, then leaned forward and kissed her again. She began to push him away, but finally relaxed into him. His arms came up her back, and he tightened his grip on her.

  Her husband had been dead for less than three months and she was letting another man kiss her. Albeit a man she’d been in close proximity with for some months. He knew most of her idiosyncrasies, her likes and dislikes, and her habits, good and bad.

  She shoved herself away from him. “I can’t keep doing this,” she said softly, her voice breaking. She turned her back to him so he wouldn’t see the tears that were forming. “We are not really married. I feel as though I’m breaking my vows to Nathaniel.” She sobbed, and wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.

  He gently turned her to face him. “We have to do this, otherwise people will be suspicious. When people get suspicious, your cover will be broken.”

  “It would be different if we were really married, but we’re not.” Her head hurt, not from the crying, but from the thought she’d been unfaithful to her dead husband.

  Glen stared at her, his expression thoughtful. “I have an idea, but I’m not sure you’ll like it.”

  She glared at him. “If I won’t like it, don’t say it.”

  “Hear me out. We’ll go into Belle and get married.” He put his finger to her lips as she began to protest. “When this is all over, we can get an annulment.”

  She pouted again and put her hands to her hips. “We’re supposed to already be married. Besides, I don’t want to marry you.” She looked him up and down. There was certainly nothing to complain about. Mr Glen Sanders was certainly a good looking specimen. With his sky blue eyes and his blond hair, he was quite handsome.

  He was tall and strong, just like a man should be.

  “What say you? Shall we take a trip into town?”

  Should they? She honestly didn’t know what to do. Her head hurt more than ever. “Whatever will the preacher say?”

  Glen pulled her close. “He will be sworn to secrecy. He has an obligation.”

  Eleanor had no idea if she was doing the right thing or not, but nodded in agreement.

  Floyd handed Glen a list of supplies he needed to finish the repairs on the worker’s hut. Once the hut was ready, Floyd could move in, and they could look at getting more horses and other trustworthy workers.

  There was a lot Eleanor had planned for this place. For someone who didn’t want to be here, she was becoming very comfortable with the town. Or at least with the ranch.

  She put on her best dress – if she was getting married, even just for show, she was going to look the part, she’d told him. Was that a sign of her relenting or just compliance for the duration?

  He may never know. What he did know, what she’d drummed into him, was it would be a marriage of convenience, and none of the benefits. One that would be annulled after it was all over.

  He had no choice but to agree.

  They headed straight to the sheriff’s office, then the church. The preacher was told little, and sworn to secrecy.

  The sheriff and his deputy were their witnesses, since they couldn’t have anyone else witness such a covert ceremony.

  Once everyone was there, the wedding ceremony was over in a mat
ter of minutes, and the paperwork was in his hands.

  Glen put his arm around his new bride, but she didn’t seem happy.

  He thought this would fix things, he honestly did. She was an upstanding woman, doing everything by the book, and getting married was meant to repair the rift between them.

  He glanced across, and saw tears in her eyes. “This does not tarnish Nathaniel’s memory,” he whispered.

  “I think it does,” she said on a sob, and he pulled her against his chest.

  “Can’t cry on your wedding day,” he said gently, wiping her tears with his thumb. She looked up at him with those big brown eyes and it melted his heart. “What say we celebrate at the café? Of course we won’t be able to say we’re celebrating.”

  This was his way of trying to cheer her up, but he wasn’t convinced it would work.

  She nodded regardless, and he watched as she straightened her shoulders and pulled herself together in a matter of moments, right in front of his eyes. Someone, most probably her mother, had really done a number on Eleanor. He’d heard women in society were taught all the niceties from very young, but had never seen it in action before.

  He felt so bad for her. Turning her emotions off like a faucet simply wasn’t natural.

  Glen leaned over and shook the hands of the sheriff and deputy. “Thank you both. Your help is appreciated,” he said, then invited the pair to join them at the café.

  He turned to the preacher. “Thank you, Preacher, for your discretion.”

  The preacher didn’t look as though he was convinced, but nodded in agreement. “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “Preacher,” Sheriff Knight said, then took the man aside. Glen watched as the preacher’s eyes opened wide. It seemed he might now truly understand their plight.

  Glen led his wife, now his real wife, out to the wagon, and helped her aboard. “We’ll go to the café first, then get the rest of our supplies from the Mercantile.”

  He knew he was being selfish, but Glen was not unhappy about marrying his charge. Perhaps it was their many months of confinement together, or perhaps it was much more. Only time would tell.