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

For some people, this drinking tip is a quick and easy remedy,” he said with a smile.

She noticed his friendly gray eyes, returned his smile, and handed him the flask.  “If you need anything to eat, I have some things in my basket.”

“Thank you.  I have a few things tucked away, and I ate a huge dinner before boarding the train.”  He held out his over-sized hand. “I’m T.J. Andrews.”

Elise shook his hand. “Elise Ansell.”

“Where are you headed?”

“Russell, Kansas.  And you?”

“Near Hunter’s Grove.  The ranch is just a few hours away from Russell.”

“Business?” she asked.

 “Kind of.  My grandfather passed away and left me his cattle ranch.  After his funeral I went back to Cleveland to settle my affairs so I could take the ranch over.” He chuckled. “Not that I know too much about raising cattle.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” she said.

“How about you?  What brings you to Russell?”

“I’ve been offered a job there, and I’ve accepted it.”

“Please, tell me it’s not in a saloon. There isn’t much else there that employs women.”

Elise stiffened, and then she remembered her father’s words to be careful because she was living in a man’s world.  She answered him frostily. “Hardly.”

“I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have said that.  It’s just that I’ve been to Russell, and I don’t recall a sewing factory or any other business that would hire a woman—no insult intended.  If you’d have said you were going to Kansas City for a job, I’d have thought that maybe you would be working at one of the large hotels or fashion shops.  Might you be a governess or housekeeper?”

Elise blurted, “I’m a horse trainer.”

T.J’s eyes widened.  “A horse trainer?”  After a pause, he smiled widely, “That’s amazing.”

Elise still felt hurt by his remark about her being a saloon woman.  “It was nice meeting you, T.J., but I’m going to try and sleep for a while.”  She turned her head and closed her eyes.  It took a while, but she finally did fall asleep.

It was a long, tiring journey, with so many stops. She and T.J. became friendly, and they shared some meals.  She learned all about his past, and she told him hers, not that she had much to tell.  Despite his remark about her occupation in Russell, she liked him.   He had a melodious laugh, and he was unmistakeably handsome.  He seemed interested in hearing about her horse training, and he shared his nervousness about running a cattle ranch.

When the train finally stopped in Kansas City, Elise wished the trip were over, but she still had a two- or three-day stagecoach ride ahead of her. It relieved her that T.J. would be riding on the stagecoach with her.

Thankfully, there were only five passengers on the stage, so they weren’t too cramped.  The roads were muddy, and the stage often skidded and swayed from side to side.

“What does T.J. stand for?” Elise asked.

T.J. blushed.  “Aw, don’t make me tell you.”

“Is it a silly name?”

“I think it is.  That’s why I go by T. J.”

“I’ll probably never see you again once we get to our respective destinations, so,” she nudged him playfully, “tell me.”

“I’ll tell you if you promise never to call me by that name.”

“I promise.” she crossed her heart with her hand.

“Thorndyke Jermaine.”

“What?  That’s a great name.”

He shook his head.  “I prefer T.J., especially now that we’re out West.  I can’t walk into a saloon with a name like Thorndyke Jermaine Andrews.”

As the stagecoach neared Russell, Elise gathered her belongings.  “It’s been nice traveling with you, T. J. I wish you luck with your ranch.”

“What’s the name of the people you’ll be working for?  Maybe, if I’m out that way, I’ll stop and say hello,” he said.

“I don’t know the name of the ranch, and I’ve forgotten the family name.  I have it written down in the letter in my trunk.  I’ve only corresponded with their housekeeper, who’s a friend of my mother’s.”

T.J. helped her from the stagecoach. He took her gloved hand and said,  “Not goodbye, then.  I’ll make sure to stop by once I get things settled.”

Millie squeezed Martha’s hand as they waited for the stagecoach to stop.  She could hardly wait to see what Elise looked like.  Her smile faded when she saw the passengers climb out of the stage.  There was only one woman among the passengers,  and a man was holding her hand.  Who was he, and why was he with their horsewoman?

Chapter Five

Millie breathed a sigh of relief when the man with Elise got back into the stage. Elise waved to him, and looked around the crowded platform.  Martha and Millie walked toward her, waving their arms.

Elise saw them and smiled.  Millie thought she was pretty, and she just knew her father would find her so, too.

Clay jumped from the wagon to grab Elise’s trunk.

Martha introduced them, and the four of them went to the waiting wagon.  Millie sat in the back with Martha so Elise could sit beside Clay.

Millie couldn’t stop staring at Elise.  She had a nice smile and seemed lady-like for a horsewoman.  Now, if only her father liked her, Millie’s wish would come true. Millie thought she didn’t look much like a horsewoman in her navy-blue suit, with her hair in a bun.

Martha and Millie showed Elise to the bedroom.  “I hope you don’t mind sharing a room with Millie,” Martha said.

Elise looked down at Millie and smiled.  “I’d be delighted to have your company.  Being so far from home, it will be nice not to be alone.” She noted that the room was large and bright.  The home was old, but it was clean, and well-kept.

When Martha left, Millie asked, “Can I help you unpack?  My father bought you a new