A Horsewoman for Harlan by Barbara Goss (the top 100 crime novels of all time TXT) 📕

over, the woman goes back to training horses, and the girl hangs around the stables with her father and the woman.  About six o’clock, they all go in to eat dinner. The housekeeper even walks her to the outhouse just before dark.  I see the girl in the upstairs bedroom getting ready for bed, the light goes out, and that’s the end of their day.”

“Hmm.” T.J. continued rubbing his temples.  “And school is out until fall harvest is over?”

“That’s what I hear.”

“Wait—they all go to church on Sunday, right?”

Troy nodded.

“I saw a sign in town advertising the yearly Sunday School Picnic.  Surely, the Tanners will go to it.  Maybe you can nab the kid there.”  T.J. added,  “I was also thinking of cutting Pete Swanson in on our raid.  We need another person.  What do you think?  Can he be trusted?”

“So,” Troy said, “I grab the kid and run to a designated place with her, while you and Swanson steal the horses?  Why can’t Pete steal the kid?”

“First, tell me—can he be trusted? You know him better than I do.”

“He’ll do anything for a piece of the action.  I’d vouch for him.”

“I know the two of you have been friends, but are you sure you know him well enough to trust he’ll do what we need him to?”

“He’ll do it, but pay him off before we leave with the horses because we don’t want to cut him in on the profit from their sale.”

“Right. We just have to point the kid out to him so he knows who to grab.” T.J. smiled.  “This should work.”

“What about the locked stables?  Surely, the family will lock them tightly up before going to the picnic.”

“You and I will have plenty of time to chisel off the locks.  The family, being gone for the day, will give us time to grab more horses, too.”  T.J. grinned.  “So, get Pete, take him to the ranch, and point the kid out to him.  Then, we are good to go.”

Chapter Eleven

The annual church picnic was always held on the last Sunday in June, starting immediately after the service.  It was the event of the year for Christ Church, Russell, Kansas.

The women walked into church carrying pots and covered dishes and left them on a table at the back of the church.

It didn’t feel like a regular church service because of the the excitement radiating off the congregation.

After the service, everyone rushed to the church's backyard, which was set up similar to a park. Except for the small graveyard adjacent to the picnic grove, it was lovely.

The church women bustled around, setting the dishes on the long wooden table that had been placed beneath a large shade tree.

Elise and Martha helped while Harlan and Clay stood within a circle of men, talking about horses.  Millie played with some of her school friends nearby.  Everyone was in high spirits, especially when the women announced that the food was ready.

Harlan could almost hear the table of food groan from the weight.  Everything looked so good.  He turned to get Millie, as every year he helped fill her plate or she’d just put the desserts on it, and he smiled when he saw that Elise had already taken Millie to the table and was helping her fill her plate.  Elise!  How lovely she looked that day, dressed like a proper lady in a crisp cotton dress with a square laced collar and pleated skirt.

Besides all the salads, vegetable dishes, and desserts, the picnics always had sandwiches for the main course since they were easiest to eat out of doors.  Each sandwich was wrapped in a colorful cloth napkin and tied with a ribbon.

One of the women called out, “The sandwiches with the red ribbons are chicken, and the ones with the blue ribbons are beef.”

Harlan chose a beef sandwich.  He took some beets, baked beans, and raw carrots.  The sandwiches were made of finely chopped meat mixed with dill pickle and mayonnaise.

Benches and wooden chairs were set all around the yard, and people sat in groups to chat while they ate.  Harlan kept his eye on Elise, Clay, and Millie to be sure they got their lunches and were settled.  The women all sat on the opposite side of the yard, while  Clay joined Harlan’s circle of men.

After the meal, the congregation members who were farmers always cleaned up, taking the scraps for their pigs or chickens.

Elise walked over to Harlan with a cool glass of lemonade.  “I see you missed getting your lemonade.  It’s very good.”

“Thank you,” he said, taking the glass from her.  “Are you enjoying your first church picnic?”

“I truly am.  Mrs. Smith said there would be a tug-of-war for the men and a sack race for the children.  Millie’s excited.  She’s picking out her sack, now.”

“Did you hear that, Clay?  We won the tug-of-war last year.  Think we might again?” Harlan asked, elbowing Clay.

“I’m in,” Clay replied.  “As soon as I get another sandwich.”

“That boy can eat,” Harlan said when Clay had left them.

“He’s a growing boy,” Elise said, “and getting handsomer, too, I might add.  Didn’t you notice who was standing beside him at the food table?”

Harlan turned to look.  “No!  Are you kidding me?  Mrs. Smith’s daughter, Helen?”

“Shh,” Elise said.  “I just have a hunch is all.”

Harlan laughed.  “Well, good for him.  He’s been talking about going to a barn dance all week, and now I think I know why.”

Elise said, “Well, good luck in the tug-of-war.  I’m going to help Millie with her sack race.”

Harlan stood. “I’d better grab Clay.  If you don’t mind, I’d like to set off for home before dark, say… about eight o’clock?”

“Oh, perfect.  I’ll be ready.  Millie and I will meet you and Clay by the buggy