Page 8 of Mail-Order Tess (A Mail-Order Mystery #2)

Eight

A s promised, Wade helped Mrs. Tindle with the inventory and helped Mr. Tindle clean up the wagon. It was tedious work scrubbing the wagon bed, but he didn’t mind helping the older couple out.

He’d just finished and was about to step back inside the mercantile to put away the cleaning supplies when he caught sight of a man lingering near the back edge of a building.

Something about him seemed familiar, even though he blended into the background.

He wore typical cowboy attire, and casually leaned against the back of the structure, smoking.

Did he work for one of the local ranches? Wade frowned. There weren’t that many cattle ranches in the area. This was more agricultural country. Still, the man’s posture and the way he kept glancing around put Wade on alert.

He looked at the wagon bed and decided to pretend he was still cleaning. Setting the bucket down, he returned to the wagon and busied himself, glancing casually down the alley now and then. The man had moved a few buildings away.

Wade wracked his brain. Then it hit him. “Langford,” he muttered. “Lanky! Lanky Doyle.” Nowwhatwould Lanky Doyle be doing in Independence, Oregon?

Years ago, “Lanky” had been a smooth-talking informant turned outlaw.

He’d disappeared after double-crossing a railroad inspector on a case Wade had worked.

Could it have been the same inspector Henry Bonner was tied to?

Sheriff Walker had mentioned Henry used to work on the railroad before turning to farming.

He’d been negotiating the purchase of a property just outside of town and planned to settle down and make a home for himself and his bride.

It was a good dream. Part of Wade almost wished the man had succeeded. But if he had, Tess would have married Henry…not arrived to find a mystery and near-death experiences waiting for her.

Wade glanced back at Lanky, who didn’t seem to notice him. He hadn’t recognized him yet, either. If he had, he’d have bolted.

Mr. Tindle came out the back door of the mercantile. “Well, that seems to be enough, Wade. I can hardly smell the kerosene in here anymore. Thank you so much for your help. Martha and I really appreciate it. Have you checked on Tess yet?”

“No,” Wade said. “I haven’t been back to Doc Griffith’s office since I came here. But I’ll head that way now and see how she’s doing. I’ll escort her home.”

“Well, you tell her from Martha and me that she can take tomorrow off. Day after that too, if she needs the rest.”

Wade smiled. “I don’t know if she’s going to do that. She’s a stubborn type, I’m thinking.”

Mr. Tindle smiled back. “Nothing wrong with that, so long as she digs her heels in over something worth fighting for. I’m sorry about that horse taking off like it did.

I’m just glad you were nearby when I called for help.

Thank Sheriff Walker for me too, will you? If you happen to see him before I do.”

“I will.”

“Martha and I will have him and the wife over for dinner one night. You can tell him that too.”

“I’m sure they’ll appreciate that,” Wade said.

Mr. Tindle faced the wagon. “Well, I’d best let you put that bucket and scrub brush back in the storeroom. I’d best get my horse and wagon put away.”

Wade took a quick glance in Lanky’s direction as Mr. Tindle got to work, but the man was gone.

“Dagnabbit,” he muttered. He’d have to track him down later.

For now, he’d put the supplies away and check on Tess.

He hoped she’d had a chance to rest. Once she was settled at the Adams’ house, he could stop worrying. A little , anyway.

Inside the mercantile storeroom, he returned everything to its place, said goodbye to Mr. Tindle, and exited through the storefront. As he left, he caught sight of Lanky crossing the street, heading straight toward Doc Griffith’s office.

Wade’s gut twisted. Did Lanky need a doctor? Or did he know Tess was in there? Wade leaned casually against a post, trying to remain calm. He didn’t want to spook Lanky just yet.

But watching him hover near the doctor’s office without going in made Wade’s hackles rise. Was he trying to decide if he could take Doc Griffith out first then get to Tess? “Why, that dirty, rotten…” Wade muttered, fists clenching. “I’ll tear him limb from limb.”

Lanky’s presence couldn’t be a coincidence. Hehadto be after Tess. The real question was, was he working with whoever had already tried to kill her?

This was getting more complicated than Wade liked. He pulled off his hat, raked a hand through his hair, and shoved the hat back on. Lanky hesitated a moment longer, then turned and sauntered off down the street, hands in his pockets, looking for all the world like he’d just lost a poker hand.

Wade narrowed his eyes. That was all the confirmation he needed. Lanky might’ve changed his mind about going in, but he was definitely after something.

Wade started to cross the street. He reached the doctor’s front door, then hesitated. No. He turned and followed Lanky instead.

What’s wrong with me? he wondered. He should’ve gone after him the moment he recognized him. He shouldn’t have stopped. Shouldn’t have checked on Tess first. She was fine with Dr. Griffith.

I’m losing my edge. He stayed back some distance, ducking behind porch posts and glancing away when Lanky looked around. The man was heading toward the church.

What does he want with the pastor? Or…was it because he knew Tess was staying with the pastor and his wife?

The closer Lanky got to the church, the more Wade’s stomach turned. Oh no.Was that Mercy Vander and her friends gathered off to the side of the church building with a picnic basket?

For crying out loud! Wade fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. Do they have to be in the middle of everything I do?

He shook his head and crept forward. Lanky was nearly upon them. Did he know the four meddling matchmakers had helped Tess? Did he knowtheywere the ones who got her lodging with the Adams family?

Lanky spotted the four women and veered right, heading toward the train station instead.

Wade smirked. There aren’t any trains scheduled for this hour—and Lanky probably knows that.He was just trying to avoid anyone paying him too much attention.

Well…that said something. Was he even staying in town? Or camped outside of it?

Wade wasn’t sure, but he was going to find out. And then the inevitable happened.

“Oh, Mr. Atwood!” Mercy Vander waved him down. “You’re just the man we want to see. Could you come here a moment?”

Sure enough, Lanky turned at the sound of her voice and looked right at him.

Wade froze mid-step.

Then Lanky bolted.

Wade instinctively tensed, ready to give chase, but before he could take a single step, the four women had surrounded him, shoving a picnic basket in his face.

“Why, Wade! It’s so nice to run into you,” Martha Tindle said cheerfully.

He blinked at her. “What areyoudoing here? Why aren’t you back at the mercantile? When did you even leave it?”

Martha giggled. “Oh, I’ve been out here at least fifteen minutes. You were still scrubbing the wagon bed when I left.”

Wade groaned and let his hands slide down his face. “Good grief…”

“What?” Mercy asked, oblivious.

“Never mind.” He gave the basket a wary glance. “What’s in there?”

“Pies,” Maude declared. “Three of them, to be exact. Betsy made them. You know, Mercy’s maid? Best cook in town.”

“Yes, yes,” Wade said quickly. “I’ve heard all about Betsy. I’ve even tried her cooking.”

“Oh, he has ,” Mercy tittered. “He helped us judge that bake sale we had a couple of weeks ago to raise money for the Fourth of July celebration!”

“That reminds me,” Maude said. “We need to have another one.”

“You’re perfectly right, dear,” Mercy agreed.

“Never mind about that,” Martha cut in. “We wanted you to have these pies.”

He stared at them, pulse still racing. Had Lanky circled back to Doc Griffith’s office while they distracted him? He turned and scanned the street, but there was no sign of the slippery outlaw.

“Wade, are you paying attention?” Martha asked.

He looked back at her. “I am now. But… why are you giving me pies?”

“Why not?” Mercy asked brightly. “What man doesn’t love pie? You do , don’t you?” Her tone was almost ominous.

“Uh…yeah. I do.” Wade blinked. “But you expect me to eat all three?”

“We expect you to taste all three,” Maude said firmly, rolling her eyes. “What do you think we’re trying to do, make you sick? You can take a slice of each and give the rest to other bachelors in town.”

“Betsy’s trying new recipes, you see,” Mercy added. “And she wants your opinion.”

Wade’s shoulders slumped. His pursuit had beencompletelythwarted by these four meddling…

Matrons was too generous a word, but he couldn’t bring himself to call them anything cruel. As much trouble as they were, they’d grown on him in the two months he’d been in Independence.

“Well, don’t you want a slice?” Mercy asked sweetly.

Wade fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Dear Mrs. Vander, I wouldlovea slice of all three. There was really no need to bring me threewholepies. Why don’t you just give me three slices and take the rest back?”

“Oh no,” Mercy said, thrusting the basket at him again. “We couldn’t do that.”

Mahulda, still holding one side of the basket, pulled it back. “She’s right. We can’t take them home, because let’s face it, you’re a man. You might go plumb loco over these pastry perfections and keep them all to yourself. And that’s all right too. We’re just after youropinion.”

He dragged a hand over his face. “Opinion…” He put a hand over his eyes just so he could roll them in peace. “Opinion, you say.”

“Why yes,” Mercy said, beaming. “Your opinion means everything .”

“Everything,” he echoed flatly.

“Well,” Martha said innocently, “we suppose you could have someone help you taste them.”

“Someone like Miss Pendergrass, perhaps,” Mercy added.

A chill went up his spine. At the mention of Tess, he was reminded of what mattered. Heneededto see her. Now. “Fine. Give me the basket.” He grabbed it and turned on his heel.

“Wade, where are you going?” Martha called after him.

“To get Tess and escort her home,” he said. “I’m sure Pastor Adams and Winnie will love trying out your pies as well.”

Mercy clapped her hands together. “Wonderful! The more opinions we have, the better for Betsy!”

“And just think,” Mahulda added, “once she perfects these recipes, she can teach that lovely Tess how to bake the same pies. For you. ”

Wade stopped cold. He knew this was where they were headed. “Thank you, ladies,” he said tightly. “For the pies.” And with that, he marched straight toward Doc Griffith’s.