Phoebe was delighted for Thaddeus, who reveled in the attention, although she lived in some dread of the moment Fiona would drop the hammer. As for Remington, he made being out of Fiona’s reach his priority. That meant he was also outside Phoebe’s. She had hoped for one riding lesson, but a week gone, all she had been able to do was try on the clothes he bought for her—using money she gave him—and make minor alterations.
If Fiona was correct, and Thaddeus meant to push Remington in her direction, then Fiona was equally committed to pushing him the other way. Phoebe considered herself well out of it, except that she rather missed Remington being around.
All the hands offered their company when they weren’tworking, which meant she saw a lot of Johnny Sutton. It was Ben who most often rescued her, gently leading her away and showing an interest in what she was reading or asking her about New York. He would stay with her until someone barked at him to get moving, and he always begged her pardon before he took off, usually at a run.
Phoebe liked all of them, but she was especially fond of Ben. She watched him around Ellie, how gentle he was, how he looked out for her. He would remove a heavy stew pot from the stove and just grin when she tapped him on the wrist with a wooden spoon. He let her fuss over him in front of the other men after he took a nasty spill from the back of a horse. He just sat there grinning, the only visible sign that he was embarrassed the scarlet tips of his ears. Phoebe thought that had less to do with his mother’s attentions and more to do with the ribbing he was getting for taking the tumble.
Phoebe thought that Fiona would insist on coming to the dressmaker’s with her if for no other reason than to criticize her choices, so it was a pleasant surprise when she snapped open her parasol and announced she was simply going to walk and see what, if anything, struck her fancy. Phoebe’s second surprise was less pleasant.
Fiona insisted that Ben accompany her.
• • •
Remington balanced himself on the top rail of the corral and watched Scooter Banks gentle one of the mares before he climbed into the saddle. “Scooter’s got a way about him. The animals respond.”
“I’ve noticed. Puts me in mind of you.” Thaddeus climbed the rails to sit beside his son. “I thought you’d come looking for me as soon as you got back.”
“Haven’t been back that long. Here I am. Here you are. There’s not much to tell you.”
“Tell me first, did you run into them on your return?”
“No. Saw them, but they didn’t see me. I stayed clear of the road, and none of them knew I was out anyway.”
Thaddeus nodded. “Good. So what did you hear from Jackson?”
“You’re going to be disappointed. There wasn’t much he could tell me.” He cupped his hands around his mouth and called to Scooter. “Watch you don’t pull the reins tight. She has a tender mouth.” When Scooter acknowledged him, Remington went on. “There’s been a search, a thorough one from Sheriff Brewer’s description, and he can’t find any evidence that the robbers were local men. He’s been working with a detective hired by Northeast Rail to investigate the robbery and Phoebe’s abduction.”
“Well, that’s something, isn’t it?”
“It is, but Brewer is not hopeful the investigation will continue beyond a few more weeks. Not without a lead. There’s precious little evidence.”
“Hmm. What’s the man’s name? The detective. Would it help if I had a word with him?”
“His name is Smith. Michael Smith. I don’t know if you could influence him to stay on longer or not. He was not around when I was talking to Brewer, so I don’t have a good sense about him. The sheriff seems to think he’s competent and motivated, but he takes his marching orders from the company.”
“I understand.”
“All the passengers have been interviewed. Smith tracked them down and spoke to them.”
“Really? Then why didn’t he come here? Speak to Phoebe and you?”
“I asked the same question. Brewer said it was because he already had our statements. You can imagine he gave me a good ribbing about the fact that I was unconscious during the entire robbery.”
“I’m sure Jackson would have been sympathetic if Mr. Shoulders had clobbered you senseless, but you—”
“Tripped over my own feet. Yes, I know.”
“That isn’t what I was going to say. Phoebe never once said you tripped. That is Jackson’s invention, and shame on you for letting him get away with it. Phoebe told him youwere on your feet because you were trying to reach that little girl. The train lurched and you went down.”
“That’s Phoebe’s invention. I don’t have a clear memory, but I’m fairly certain I was on my feet to reach her, not Madeleine.”
“Well, if you were, that’s my fault. I asked you to look out for her and you did.”
“Mm.” He called out another direction to Scooter to test the mare’s agility. “I’m thinking I want to go back to Thunder Point. Have a look around.”
“The place has been trampled. I was there that night, don’t forget. Brewer and Ben were with me. I imagine the Smith fellow asked to see it as well. What do you think you’ll find?”
“Probably nothing, but I want to look. You have objections?”
