A Widow’s Secret on the Oregon Trail (Preview)

Chapter One

Sticky little hands tugged at Anne Preston’s skirts as she rushed through the yard, dodging each child who reached for her.

They shrieked with laughter and followed her, sun-kissed skin and bright smiles glowing in the early afternoon light. She grinned and stopped, doubling over with her hands on her thighs, pretending she was out of breath.

She could practically hear the scolding waiting for her. Anne, you’re twenty-three. You’re far too old to be running around like a little wildling.

However, she loved running like a wildling, no matter how old she got. Spending time with the children was the only time she felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders.

It was a nice break from the looming threat she had yet to deal with. The one that would threaten to snatch Jamie Malloy from her. He was a young boy of only eight, he needed someone to care for him and keep him safe, and yet the world didn’t seem to care about that.

She cared though. She would keep him safe.

“Get her!” Lillian yelled, clapping her hands together from the sidelines where she sat close to the weathered orphanage, the youngest children gathered around her.

The grass blew in the breeze, dancing around the children’s ankles as they looked at each other from their various positions around the field of flowers.

Anne laughed and bounced around, knowing if Mrs. Dorothy Turner caught them playing, she would tell them to stop immediately. She was a kind woman, but she was stern at times. Didn’t have much patience for the children’s games Anne liked to play.

She pressed a hand to her stomach for a brief second, the children grouping together, their smiles smeared with jam from their breakfast. Her own stomach turned a little. Strawberry jam rarely sat well with her, but it was the only kind of jam the orphanage had in its cellar.

Jamie was the first boy to make eye contact with her, sadness still lingering in his gray eyes. Anne smiled and nodded, trying to encourage him to join in with his friends. The last couple of months had been difficult, but Jamie was getting better every day. His grief didn’t bear down on him, draining the life from him.

With a little smile of his own, he turned back to the others.

“Can’t catch me,” Anne taunted, taking a couple steps back.

The children turned, and as a group, they rushed at her. Hands reached for her again and this time she allowed them to wrap her in hugs, the children tugging and laughing as she pretended she was a monster they had conquered.

Mrs. Dorothy appeared on the porch with a stern clearing of her throat. The children froze before turning and marching toward the house. It was time for their morning lessons—though the lessons were meager at best. The schoolteacher Mrs. Dorothy kept employed would have her hands full.

Lillian approached Anne after all the children had filtered back into the house, Mrs. Dorothy following behind them. With a shared smile, the pair of women found a spot under one of the trees, enjoying one of the few hours of peace they got through the day.

Though Anne never thought she would return to living at the orphanage, she was glad Lillian was there as well. The loneliness was a little easier to bear when her childhood best friend was working with her.

“You really do have a way with him,” Lillian said, pulling out some mending from her patchwork bag. “David and Evelyn would be happy to see the way you care for him.”

“I don’t think missing Evelyn will get any easier.” Anne’s chest felt tight just thinking of her dear friend. “Their passing was tragic, but I have something else I have to tell you.”

Lillian put her mending in her lap. “What is it? Is something wrong with one of the children?”

“No.” Anne bit the inside of her cheek, shoulders slumping. “Well, maybe. Yes, actually, but you can’t tell Mrs. Dorothy. Promise me.”

“What is it?”

Anne glanced around, making sure Mrs. Dorothy was lurking around a tree. It wouldn’t be the first time. Anne couldn’t count all the times Mrs. Dorothy had been skulking around when Anne was a child. Mrs. Dorothy had only ever had Anne’s best interests at heart, and now, at twenty-three, she knew that without a doubt.

But Mrs. Dorothy wouldn’t see the situation the same way Anne did.

Lillian took Anne by the hand and held it tight. “Whatever it is, you know you can tell me. We’ve been friends since you first came here, and we’re going to be friends long after we’re both old and gray.”

Anne held Lillian’s hand back a little tighter. “You’ve always been like an older sister to me. You and Evelyn both, which is why I promised her when the illness got worse that I was going to care for Jamie as if he was my own. Theodor had agreed. Shortly before Theo’s death, he contacted Jamie’s uncle.”

Her words came out a little ragged. First, she lost her best friend, then within a matter of weeks, the same illness took her husband, Theodor.

“Why would Theo be contacted?”

“He was managing the estate. He wrote to David’s brother, Calvin, once Evelyn and David passed.” Anne slipped her hand from Lillian’s. “Calvin wants Jamie institutionalized in New York.”

Lillian recoiled, her hand flying to her chest. “Why? You’ve been caring for Jamie for weeks. New York is absurd.”

“It is.” Anne swallowed hard, trying to force down the fears that threatened to overwhelm her. She tucked the loose strand of her chestnut-colored hair back into the braids pinned into a bun at the nape of her neck.

“I can’t believe this. You’ve got to speak to Mrs. Dorothy. There has to be something we can do.”

“I’m not going to let this Calvin man whisk Jamie away. Calvin doesn’t even live in New York, he’s just claiming he does business there often and keeping Jamie there would allow him to see Jamie more.”

“You can’t let him do that.” Lillian’s hands balled into fists. “Why would he want that?”

“I don’t think it has to do with seeing Jamie more. If that were the case, Calvin would want to care for Jamie himself.” Anne glanced at the sun on the horizon, wishing it would hurry up and set. “Well, from what I read in the letter, I can only assume his uncle wants his inheritance. If Jamie is in an orphanage in New York without a family name, Calvin might be able to speak to the bank. Convince them that Jamie passed with his parents and Calvin should be the one to inherit the money.”

“You can’t stay here with Jamie.” Lillian glanced around as if she was expecting someone to pop out of the bushes with him. “Not until this matter is settled. His uncle has a stronger claim to him and if he comes to town, Jamie will have to go with him.”

“Which is why Jamie and I are leaving tonight.”

Though Anne didn’t want to leave Saint Brigid’s Orphanage, she was left with no choice. Jamie was her priority, and she wouldn’t have some man—Jamie’s uncle or not—rob him of what was rightfully his.

Lillian’s jaw dropped, her eyes misty with tears. “I don’t want to lose you both.”

Anne didn’t want to lose her either. They’d been friends for so long it was hard to picture a life without Lillian.

Anne took her hand and squeezed it tight. “I don’t want to leave either, but this is the best option to keep Jamie safe. Please, I need your help.”

“I’ll make up excuses for the two of you, give you as much of a head start as I can.”

The sun started dipping closer to the horizon, the blue sky above starting to stain with streaks of orange. Anne got to her feet and pulled Lillian up with her.

“Will you get Jamie ready? I need to look as if I’m busy with the other chores to be done around here so Mrs. Dorothy doesn’t suspect a thing tonight.”

“Of course.” Lillian hugged Anne tight. “I’ll help with whatever you need.”

“Protect yourself, too.” Anne held Lillian a little tighter. “I don’t know who Calvin is or what he’s capable of.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.” Lillian pulled back. “You go do what you need to.”

***

The stars danced in the sky as Anne’s quill hovered above the paper.

Mrs. Dorothy,

Thank you for all that you’ve done for me over the years. I know this won’t make much sense now, but I’m doing what I must for Jamie. His uncle wants to take him from me and institutionalize him somewhere I can’t care for him.

I think he wants to do so for the money.

Jamie is with me and we’re safe. I’m going to keep him safe. I love you.

Please tell the children I love them. I’ll see them again one day and that they are all my family and I wish I could take them all with me. Please tell Lillian she has been a good friend to me over the years and tell Adeline I’ll miss helping her teach the children.

Thank you for being like a mother to me.

Love,
Anne

Tears dripped from her cheek onto the page, smearing the ink at the edge just a little. Anne folded the note in half and put it on her pillow, taking a moment to collect herself.

As an owl hooted outside, Anne grabbed the bag filled with all she and Jamie would need. She clutched the strap tight as she crossed the hall and went down the stairs, careful to avoid the squeaking board.

She slipped through the door into Jamie’s room, scooping him out of bed and holding him tight.

We’ll be okay now.

We’ll be safe.

I’m not going to let anything happen to you.

Chapter Two

Patrick Fallon scowled and looked at the watch on his wrist once more. If he didn’t need the money for his younger sister Mary’s wedding, he wouldn’t be meeting with anyone right now. He would be at home with a book and a cup of coffee, enjoying the way the dawn rose.

Instead, he was sitting in an office and waiting for Calvin Malloy.

He ran his hand down the stubble on his jaw before glancing around the room, taking in the books on a bookshelf in the far corner. None of the spines were creased. Calvin Molloy clearly liked his books for show.

Just when Patrick was about to stand, a man strode into the room. The man made a beeline for the desk, his pale blue eyes focusing in on Patrick. The man pulled out the seat across from him, giving him a sharp nod.

“Calvin Malloy.” Calvin shoved his hand across the desk, shaking Patrick’s quickly before folding his arms. “And you’re Patrick Fallon, former Pinkerton agent, correct?”

Thirty years old and I’m already a former agent. He hated how that sounded, but stepping back from his previous job had been a necessity forced on him.

“Yes. Your butler told me you wanted to meet. What about?” Patrick forced out the words while trying to hide the disgust in his voice. Patrick thought a man looking to hire another would at least be on time to their first meeting. First impressions were important, and it seemed as if Calvin didn’t care how he was portrayed.

But if he was willing to pay, Patrick would work.

“My nephew is missing.” Calvin leaned back, arms still folded across his chest. “I have reason to believe a disturbed young woman kidnapped Jamie from the orphanage he was placed in until I could retrieve him.”

Patrick stiffened. “Your nephew doesn’t live in Kansas City?”

“No. He was living in a town about a day’s ride from here with my brother and his wife in a town called Millerville. I don’t want sheriffs or deputies in this though. The poor boy has been through enough with his parents dying and the last thing I want for him is to be swarmed with people he doesn’t know.”

“So you send one person he doesn’t know after him?”

Calvin nodded. “It may seem odd, but I only need you to find them for me. Find them and keep an eye on them. Write to me when you find them and I’ll come get him. You shouldn’t approach the woman with him at all. I’ve gotten word from others who’ve known her that she’s dangerous.”

Patrick clasped his hands tighter together. “Where do you believe she might be headed with him?”

“I don’t know.” Calvin ran a hand through his hair before shaking his head and looking down at the desk, dark circles beneath his eyes. “I don’t know who this woman is beyond someone my brother used to trust. If you were taking a child, where would you go?”

“I can’t imagine, but she’d have to come to Kansas City to catch a wagon train, and if I were the one kidnapping a boy, I’d join a train and make sure to get out of Missouri as soon as I can.”

“He’s only eight. Tall for his age. Hair that’s nearly black and gray eyes. His full name’s Jamie Malloy. He’s a good kid and all I want is for him to be brought back and finally have a place to stay safe and grieve his parents in peace. We’re supposed to travel to New York in a matter of weeks, so finding him and returning him is rather urgent.”

“What about the woman?”

“Anne Preston. She’s petite, shorter than the average woman from the description I’ve been given of her. I’ve been told her hair is a darker brown and she’s got hazel eyes.”

Patrick pulled out a small notebook, writing down the details. Though he had a sharp memory, it was better to be prepared. If he went around accusing those who might be innocent because he forgot a detail, it would only complicate his hunt.

Clearly, Calvin wanted discretion at every turn. There was something about him and the way he gave Patrick a smile that left an unsettling feeling behind. However, he couldn’t refuse to work for a man simply because he didn’t like them.

Patrick stood and tucked his hands into his pockets, giving Calvin a sharp nod. “I’ll find him.”

Turning, Patrick strode out of the room and down the stairs, leaving the office with thoughts swirling in his head. He’d head straight for the train station. There wouldn’t be much time to tell Mary goodbye if he had to leave, but he could write her a letter. If she even noticed his absence. She was busy planning her wedding to George, and Lord knew George was busy between building a new schoolhouse during the day and building the home he’d share with Mary in the free moments he had.

Patrick walked through the busy streets, heading to the edge of town where the wagon train normally formed. There was a trail master sitting to the side of a covered wagon, picking the dirt from beneath his nails with a knife.

“Excuse me,” Patrick said as he approached the man. “My sister was supposed to join one of the wagon trains today, and I was supposed to see her to send her off, but I don’t know if I’m early or late.”

The trail master laughed and tipped his hat back, getting a good look at Patrick. “One of the trains just left. Headed out with almost two dozen wagons from what I saw. What’s she look like?”

Patrick held a hand as high as he estimated a petite woman might stand. “She’s about this tall, dark brown hair. She’d have her son with her. About as tall, but he looks young for his age. Dark hair too. Gray eyes.”

The trail master shrugged. “Don’t think so, might’ve been though.”

“Anne and Jamie.” Patrick sighed and looked around, tucking his hands into his pockets and rocking his weight slightly. “She’s never going to forgive me if I don’t see them off before they leave.”

“Recognize those names.” The trail master tucked the knife back into the sheath on his built, standing up and stretching. “Got on the train that left this morning. Oregon.”

Patrick groaned before reaching out to shake the man’s hand. “Thank you. I’m going to have to get Anne a letter written and in the mail. Hopefully she’s going to forgive me.”

The man chuckled. “Good luck dealing with a woman. They’re a stubborn breed.”

Though Patrick wasn’t one to refer to women in such a way, he felt like he would need the luck.

Anne had nearly an entire day’s head start. Patrick would have to hurry home to get his horse, and then he’d have to hope he could catch the wagon train before it got too far away.

If Calvin had been on time, I wouldn’t be this far behind.

The boy was in trouble, and Patrick wasn’t going to waste another moment getting to him.