The Night Of The Omen

by Wendy Vermonter

James and Artemus return to Washington D.C. from their voyage at sea to find a mystery at Headquarters. Colonel Richmond is missing many agents; one from each pair of partners has disappeared! Will Jim or Artie be next before they can solve the mystery? And does an escaped Federal prisoner, Voltaire, have anything to do with the missing men?

2. Chapter 2 Secrets Among Friends

Chapter 2. Secrets Among Friends

Later that day, on the way back to headquarters...

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The afternoon sun shone down on Jim as he rode the black horse down the long, dusty road. Thick oak lined the edges of both sides, occasionally breaking to show glimpses of the homes set far back from the road. Large brick or white paneled homes, two and even three stories, seemed to be common in the area.

He pulled the sealed envelopes from his jacket pocket to check the address again. He shook his head, muttering, "Well, I'm on the right street but this isn't what I pictured. She said she was a farm girl but these are huge estates." He tucked the envelopes back inside his coat and pulled up his canteen. He took a long drink and screwed the cap back on the threaded top. He hung it again by its long strap on the saddle horn and reached down to pat the horse's neck. "Well, big fella, maybe her family works as laborers on one of these farms. Hopefully someone will know her name." He nudged the horse with his heels and the animal walked forward again in a lazy, afternoon pace. Jim yawned as they rode around a corner. He pulled the horse to a stop as a young boy stood in the middle of the road

"Halt," the boy said sternly, holding his right hand up, palm out. "Who goes there?" A large black, shaggy dog stood behind the boy. The animal appeared sleepy with the heat but its dark eyes watched Jim closely.

"Good afternoon, young man," Jim said, grinning at the boy's seriousness. "Is this a hold up?"

"No, sir," the boy snapped, keeping his hand up, "this is a Toll Road and you have to pay to pass by." He lowered his hand and moved a step closer, fists now on his hips as he walked. His clothes seemed lose, almost too large for his small frame, and his boot heels dragged in the dirt. "Do you agree or do I have to get tough?" He pointed a thumb back, over his shoulder, "that dog is trained to kill. One word from me and…"

"Oh, no," Jim said, holding both hands out, "I don't want any trouble. I will gladly pay a toll to pass by." He paused, chuckling, "you must live around here to run this toll road business."

"I might," the youngster said suspiciously. "Why?"

Jim lowered his hands and leaned over his saddle horn, "I'm looking for someone. A friend. A pretty girl that probably lives near here, maybe works on one of these farms."

The boy puffed his chest out proudly, exclaiming, "I know everyone here. You just say the name and I can tell you where they live and all about them too." He nodded once, and held out a hand, "but it will cost you. Information and the toll."

Jim nodded and slid from his saddle. He took a couple of steps closer and got down on one knee. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I am lucky to have run onto you. This could save me a lot of time. Let's say," he reached a couple fingers into a pocket and pulled out a shiny coin, "how about a dollar?" The boy's eyes lit up and he jumped forward, to grab the coin. Jim closed his hand, hiding the coin inside his fist, "oh, no, first I tell you the name. And you better tell me the truth or else. In fact, you should come with me so you don't send me on a wild goose chase."

The boy thought for a minute and nodded in agreement. "ok," he said, "deal".

"Alright," Jim said, holding the coin again between his thumb and finger, amused as the boy's eyes moved to stare at it. "I am looking for a young blond woman, around maybe 25 years old, works on a farm. The name is Lori Huntington," he paused as the boy burst out laughing. He hoped up and down, holding his arms around his stomach, laughing. "What's so funny? Do you know her or don't you?"

"Of course I know her," the boy said, "that's my ma!" He snatched the coin from Jim's fingers as the older man froze, completely surprised. The boy turned to the dog, "I guess we can find her, can't we, Sam." The dog panted, his tongue hanging out, as the boy tucked the coin into his pocket.

Jim cleared his throat, still trying to process the information, "Lori is your mother," he said slowly. "Not your sister?"

"Sister?" The boy laughed again, shaking his head. "No, she's my ma. We all live in my grandad's house. It's down that ole road there. You can't see it from the main road." He pointed down a narrow dirt side road that was bare of any signage. "He don't want his name out by the road. Said anyone who knows him already knows where he lives." The boy stepped back as Jim stood up and put his hat back on his head. "Hey," the boy said slowly, obviously looking Jim up and down, "I know you! You're Jim West, ain't ya?"

Jim grinned, "I am." He leaned over and held his hand out. The boy shook hands with him, grinning. "And what is your name?"

"Tommy," the boy grinned. He let go of Jim's hand and ran closer to the black horse, rubbing his fingers over the silver conchos on the reins. He touched the leather and inspected the edge of the saddle. "My mom talks about you all the time! She said you usually wear a blue suit when you travel and ride a tall black horse and the saddle is covered with silver conchos."

Jim watched the young boy, noticing the dirty blond hair that matched Lori's, and the shape of his face, the high cheek bones and the square chin. He chuckled at the thought of the boy stopping strangers in the road demanding money for a toll. Creative, crafty, and unafraid, just like his mother, he said to himself.

"Can I ride with you back to the house?" Tommy asked, turning his excited face to Jim. "Sam can follow. My ma is home today." He shrugged, "she isn't always. She lives in Washington sometimes too but I guess you know that."

"Well I am glad to catch her home then," Jim said, stepping forward. He put his hands on the boy's waist and easily lifted him onto the saddle. The boy threw a leg over and grabbed the reins. "Hey, hold on now," Jim said, stepping into the stirrup. He swung his leg over and settled onto the horse's rump, reaching around the boy to take the reins.

Sam stood up and started a low growl, watching Tommy. The boy looked down at his dog, "its ok, Sam. Follow us. We're going home now." Jim turned the horse down the lane, and the dog followed. Tommy turned to look at Jim behind him, his forehead wrinkled with worries, "you aren't going to tell my ma about my toll road business, are you?"

Jim laughed, shaking his head, "you keep that a secret? I won't tell. That's business between us men anyway."

"Good," Tommy nodded. "Us guys have to stick together."

"How old are you, Tommy," Jim asked, as they rode down the gravel road. There were not as many trees so he was able to see much father. Fields were on both sides of the road as far as he could see, with grains growing on one side and corn on the other.

"I'm five," the boy said, "how old are you?"

Jim chuckled, "I'm thirty-five."

"That's old," the boy nodded, "my uncles are old like that too. I don't think my ma is that old yet though. My uncles are all older than her. My grandparents are really old." The young boy talked constantly as they road. Within a few minutes, they turned a corner and the house was visible. Jim pulled his horse to a stop, staring at the massive home. The center was three stories, with balconies on each level. Two symmetrical, smaller sections were attached on either side. The sides were white painted clapboards while the center was brick with white trim. The front porches were all held up with wide white columns and decorative railings. "There it is. That's our house," the boy said, pointing. "And there's my ma right on the front porch." He waved and a slight figure, dressed in a flowered print dress, waved back. "She's going to be really surprised to see you!"

Jim snorted, "yes, this day is full of surprises." He rode the horse down the road, past a large, round flower garden, and pulled up alongside the porch railing. Lori was leaning against a column, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Surprise," Jim said, though the word choked in his throat.

"Uh, huh," Lori said. She reached over the railing and grasped the little boy's arms, pulling him gently off the horse. "Looks like you found a new friend today." She gave him a quick hug and set him on the deck, "why don't you go ask your grandmother to set another place at the dinner table? Jim and I will be in shortly." The boy scampered through the open door and down the hallway as Lori turned to look back at Jim.

"Well, I see you aren't dead," she said slowly, looking at him. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against a column. "That will make Richmond feel better. But it doesn't explain why you're here. He wouldn't send you."

Jim smiled and shook his head. He pulled out a letter and handed it to her, over the railing. "This was mixed in with my mail. I noticed the address was near my mother's house so I just thought I would swing by and deliver it, in case it was something important. It's obviously late so…" he paused as he watched the girl's face. Her eyebrow crooked at him as she reached out to take the letter. "Well, anyway, I didn't mean to annoy you or interrupt anything or discover any family secrets." He started to back his horse up, feeling foolish and angry at the same time.

Lori let out a long sigh as she tossed the envelope onto a porch chair, "oh, stop," she said, "you can't run away now. I guess I can't keep secrets from secret agents. But you sure can't avoid eating dinner either. My mother would have both our heads if you didn't share the sacred midday meal with us." She sat on the railing and swung her legs over the top. "Come over here and give me a ride, I'll show you around the farm."

Jim nudged his horse forward and held his left arm out. Lori grabbed his forearm and swung onto the horse behind the saddle. She pulled her skirts flat behind her and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Where to," Jim said quietly. "This place is enormous."

"Down the road," she said, pointing. "Then to the left. I will show you the fields and the lake, then we will circle back and take care of your horse before dinner." Jim nudged the horse again into a slow walk. "So, where ya been? Richmond has been going crazy with all the disappearing agents lately. But now that you're back…"

"Artie and I were on a trip," he said, slowly, "a sudden, unexpected, and very long sea voyage. It was a separate issue than what appears to be going on with missing agents." He paused, thinking, "Colonel Richmond described what's been happening but you might be able to fill in some holes."

"No one is sure that anything is really happening," Lori said slowly. "An agent named Harrison, no one I ever met, was the first one. He was reported missing by his partner. Richmond and Jeremy were worried but hoped he would turn up eventually, dead or alive. Then, a few weeks later, an agent named Perry was reported as missing. Again, they were upset but didn't notice any patterns. By the third missing agent, Clark was his name, they started talking about something more organized happening. Then you two both disappeared, so that seemed to break the pattern, throwing everyone into a panic and mass confusion. Richmond has been muttering to himself a lot, writes notes down constantly in a little notebook. Jeremy is always running between the office and the telegraph room downstairs. Steve is mostly hanging around the equally confused, but pleasant, new secretary."

Jim grinned, "yes, I met her. Celeste, I think she said." He turned to look back at Lori. "What about the prison break in New York? A Federal prisoner suddenly is transferred to a State prison and then escapes?"

"Yes, Richmond was very upset when that report got to him," she said, nodding. "And it happened while you are Artemus were missing so he swore it was connected. But I guess not?"

"No," Jim said, turning the horse around a corner. Fields of corn and grains were on both sides of the narrow dirt road. In the distant, on steeper hills, were various colored cows grazing on shorter grass. "Voltaire was Dr. Loveless's number one assistant. Both were arrested by Artemus and I in California a few years ago. They were housed in the same Federal prison. But one day they escaped together. Loveless is smart but has no athletic ability because of his small size. He needs Voltaire to help him move around quickly. After we tracked them down and arrested them a second time, they were housed separately. Both placed in even stronger prisons." He paused, stopping his horse to look at a distant small lake, sparkling in the sunlight. "Very nice to have your own lake."

"It is nice," Lori said, pointing to the right. "My father and his brothers made an earthen dam many years ago. It seems to be holding, well even when it floods, and really is over full with water. We go swimming and fishing in it and, of course, the cows use it too."

"Of course," Jim said, his eyes taking in the small row boat tied to a dock near the road. He shuddered at the thought of rowing, even just on the small lake. He eyes returned to the sparkling surface, almost looking for the fin of a shark.

"Just keep on the roadway, it will eventually go to the barns," Lori said, pointing to the right. "And keep telling me your story about Loveless. He must have escaped again since you seem to be chasing him all the time now."

Jim snorted as he nudged his horse forward with his boot heels. "Yes, he escaped this last time without Voltaire. The prison wasn't sure but suspected he hid in a large laundry bag and was removed by the company that cleans the cells. He probably doesn't weigh very much and he is good at hiding. With his small size, he can hide almost anywhere." He let out a long sigh, "and now Voltaire has been mysteriously transferred out of the high security Federal prison into a low security State facility. Richmond was doing some investigating through official channels but I want to visit the prison itself. Both prisons, actually."

"Do you think it might be connected with the disappearing agents," Lori asked.

"Hard to say at this point," Jim said quietly. The road became steeper as they moved away from the lake. Buildings appeared on either side of them, and Lori described them as they moved past, pointing out a blacksmith shop, tannery, tinsmith, and other workmen as they road by. "You seem to have a small village back here."

"Yes, it's expanded over the years," she said. "My father employs many people in the area and adds more all the time. Many have talents and training but need a location to work. So he just provides the buildings. There is even a school now on the edge of the property. My son Tommy will be starting this fall."

Jim pulled his horse to a stop underneath a wide oak tree and removed his hat, wiping sweat from his forehead. He swung his right leg over the saddle horn and, twisting, dropped to the ground. He removed his canteen and took a drink. He offered it to Lori and she took it, taking a quick drink. "I must admit," Jim said quietly. "Tommy surprised me. But, now that I have thought about it, I'm not sure why."

"Would you like to hear the story?" Lori asked, handing his canteen back. Her gaze was steady with no sign of embarrassment. "It's not a long story."

"Don't I get to guess first?" Jim grinned. "You fell in love, nature took its course, and you had a child. Nothing unusual. I assume your husband passed away, maybe in the war?"

Lori's pale grey eyes stared at him for a moment, "that would have been handy but, no," she said, "I was married for almost two years. My husband had the marriage annulled because I wasn't giving him a child. A couple months after we separated, I realized I was pregnant." She shrugged, "he lives in Washington. Tommy lives here."

Jim watched her for a heart-beat, "so he doesn't know about Tommy?"

"No," Lori said sternly, as she slid of the black horse to stand in front of Jim, "he doesn't." She let out a long sigh, "I've always told him his father is elsewhere, doesn't live with us. Someday, when he is older, he can decide if he wants to connect with him. But for now, Tommy lives in my world."

"Do other people know about this," Jim asked quietly, "outside of your family?"

"Colonel Richmond knows," Lori said, "which is why I have this part-time deal with the service. President Grant knows, of course, since my father and he are close friends and I have been friends with his daughter for years."

"Yes," Jim said, nodding, "you had mentioned he suggested this arrangement with Richmond for you to guard women in need of protection. This has put a dent in my opportunities with all the Princesses visiting the U.S." He grinned as she laughed. "Well, your secret is safe with me. I won't mention it to anyone." He reached passed her to hang the canteen on the saddle horn. "Care to walk for a bit?"

They turned and walked up the sloping path. Jim's horse followed behind him. Lori turned to watch the horse, "he is well trained. You don't even keep the reins with you?"

As they paused, the horse walked up behind Jim to nuzzle the back of his head, the large tongue licking up his sweating neck. "No," Jim said, reaching back to pat the soft nose, "I couldn't shake this guy if I tried. No need to pull on the reins." He turned to look at the horse as he talked, "except for the time with the wolf. You took off running down the road into the dark and left me behind, didn't you?" The horse shook its big head, "but I guess you did come back on your own."

They continued walking in awkward silence, "So tell me about dinner before I go in." Jim said, "who will there? Formal? Informal?"

Lori rolled her eyes and stopped walking again, "Informal, shirt sleeves rolled up, hands and face scrubbed clean, dogs outside." She laughed as she looked back at the horse, "and horses that think they are dogs too." She looked around the buildings as they continued past more workshops. "My mother is the cook, with a couple of my cousins to help; my father, of course, and my four brothers, and their wives and kids."

"That's a large group," Jim said, "is this every day?"

"Oh, yes," Lori said, nodding, "they all live on the property and everyone works here doing something. Except me," she sighed. "I used to work a lot in the fields, cutting hay and grains. My mother wanted me to cook when I got older but I didn't like being stuck in the hot kitchen. And she doesn't have any of those cook books that your partner has. She expects everyone to just remember how to make everything." Lori shook her head, "no, I couldn't stand it. Last winter I helped in the school. I think I will do that again this year. I taught history and law," she said, smiling at Jim.

"That's impressive," Jim said, giving her another look. "Law books can be dry to read. I started to study that in college but the war interrupted and I never returned. I helped start the Secret Service instead, growing it, adding more agents and training everyone." He took a long breath, "you never know what turns life will take."

"Well, just be prepared for a lot of questions," Lori said, as they reached a large corral. "They have heard a few stories about you so your introduction can be short. But everyone will want a lot of exciting adventure stories."

"And your father is friends with President Grant?" Jim walked through the gate, into the corral. The horse followed and then hurried ahead to a water trough. As it drank, Jim unbuckled the saddle and carried it to a rack nearby. Lori carried the horse blanket behind him.

"My father knew him before the war," she said, "they were both at West Point together. Both served in the Mexican War. Then my father supplied food to the soldiers during the Civil War."

"My father also attended West Point," Jim said quietly, "and was in the war with Mexico. He had an injured his right leg from a bullet wound that got infected. It never healed correctly, left him with a permanent limp. But I don't think it was painful. He worked in Washington in an office, helping the veterans."

"They may have all traveled in the same circles," Lori said, "I suppose everyone probably did from this area." A dinner bell clanged from the house. "Oh, that's the ten minute warning," she grinned. "We better get cleaned up."

Jim pulled the bridle off his horse and hung it on the rack by the saddle. He patted the horse's neck. "I'm going to get some lunch, you stay put. I'll see ya later." The horse tossed its head and moved to a rack of hay. Jim followed Lori out of the corral and closed the gate. Many people were walking toward the large house up the lane. "This isn't the life I expected when you said you lived on a farm."

"It's still a farm," she said, smiling as they entered the house.

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Hours later…

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"Now, James," the tall, older man said slowly, as they walked in the hot afternoon sun, "we all take our work very seriously. No man is exempt from the hard labor of the fields and shops and no man would refuse to learn a skill to better himself." He paused to look over the large field in front of them. Grain was drying in the sunlight, stacked in tall groups. Many people were working with hand scythes, cutting stalks of grain on the edge of the field, handing them to others who tied them into bundles and formed the tall upright stacks. "In this field, we are growing oats. After they dry, the stalks will be gathered for threshing to beat the oats from the stalks. The oats will go to our mill on the back side of the pond." The older man pointed toward the pond in the distance. "The remaining straw will be stored in the barns near the hay." He paused again, clearing his voice. "My daughter Lori was brought up with her brothers in the fields as a youngster. I thought it was important for her to have the same learning as they did." He winked at James, the stern face taking on a warmth that Jim hadn't seen during dinner. "But the misses has often reminded me that I ruined her for women's work inside the home. Seems she didn't take to cooking and mending and that fancy needlework." He gave a short laugh, "no, my daughter could work better than most men. Still can. And I still think it's a good idea for her to learn it all."

Jim grinned, "she seems to be a strong and intelligent young lady." He caught Lori watching him from a few yards away. The men in the family, and Lori, had all walked from the house after the meal, to work in the grain fields. "I am afraid that I haven't had half the education she has, concerning farming. I have cut hay a bit but never grains." He watched the people moving in small groups, and the stacks of grains increasing in numbers. "My father kept horses but he purchased the feed."

"That's very good," the older man said, "that's commerce. We who grow need customers." He rubbed his chin absently, "As I said at dinner, I don't remember your father during West Point or during the war. It's been so many years," he said, shaking his head, "but when you mentioned he worked with the veterans in Washington." He stopped to turn to Jim, "and he walked with a limp, you say, and he was often riding a fine horse. I do believe I met him during his work." He nodded, continuing to think. "Yes, I remember that I spoke to a man at a funeral one day. I remember he didn't dismount, as others did. It was explained to me by others later that he would not be able to walk to the funeral chairs to sit in the audience and therefore always stayed mounted so he could see and hear the minister speak." He nodded, "must have been him."

` "Yes, he would often listen from his horse," Jim nodded, "in the back, out of the way. I would accompany him to many of those funerals." He thought back of numerous formal military funerals, seated on a horse next to his father. "There were always so many people that it was often difficult to remember who attended or even speak to half of them. But he wanted to be seen and communicate to men that needed help."

"Yes, it was a bad time," the older man said, "but President Grant has been excellent putting this country back together. And especially spreading commerce back into our southern states. Hopefully the bitterness will pass with time." They continued to walk down the road, approaching the grain field. The old man turned to his daughter, "Lori, I will leave you to give James a tour of our work here. He may find the mill interesting." The man turned to shake Jim's hand, "I hope you will stay with us this evening. I look forward to discussing President Grant with you and what this secret work my daughter does. She always seems vague with details." The man leaned over to kiss Lori on her cheek and then walked slowly toward the workers.

"Thank you for being patient with him today," Lori said quietly, watching the older man walk over the rough terrain. "He loves to know everything, from his farm to all the secrets in Washington."

"He seems to have an active mind," Jim said, "and your brothers appear careful to include him in all the decisions here. Its healthier for him to keep involved. I would like to hear about Grant before the war. He never has much to say about that to Artemus and me."

"They won't let you leave now," Lori laughed, as they started to walk down yet another dirt road. "First its noon dinner, then its evening supper. Then it's, 'oh, you should stay overnight. Not safe to travel at night.'" She pointed at the cottages behind the various workshops. "All these people just stopped in to say Hello and here they still are. Can't leave."

Jim laughed, "well, I will have to leave eventually. I have another mystery to solve, as usual." He took a deep breath, "but I don't really have to be back in Washington until tomorrow. Artie should be arriving tonight, and will let Cobb know to get the train ready. It should be put back together now. If not, we can travel by public train. I want to visit the prisons," he paused, shaking his head, "maybe Richmond will know more by now. It's been a week."

"Maybe the missing men have returned now," Lori said, "like you and your partner. Disappear and reappear, with barely a word about what happened." She hooked her hand onto his right elbow. "You keep twisting everyone's questions back at themselves but I think it's time you told me what the hell you did for over three months."

Jim picked a long piece of grass as they walked, putting the broken end into his teeth. He grinned as he chewed on the grass. "Well, I guess I can tell you, if you can keep a secret."

"I'd say we could just call it even," Lori agreed.

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Late that night…

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"You could still escape," Lori whispered, leaning closer to Jim. Her lips were almost touching his ear, the tip of her nose brushing against his hair. "Into the darkness," Jim laughed quietly. "You're falling for their trap; dinner, friendly conversation, free room and board, and even more relatives tomorrow. It won't end, I warn you."

"I don't want to run away," Jim whispered back. "I like it here. Comfy bed tonight, breakfast, which I am sure will be as fantastic as your mother's meals were today," He leaned closer to her, watching the moonlight glint off her blond hair, "besides, this is the first time I have been alone with you. Tell me you missed me while I was gone and worried every day."

"If I did miss you, I wouldn't admit it. You would just get ideas. Besides you have enough women to chase," She giggled, as his lips touched her neck. "If you stay, you'll have to attend church tomorrow".

"I can go to a church service," he whispered, his voice soft and low now, "I won't burst into flames." He touched a finger to her chin and turned her face toward his, "maybe you don't want to be seen with me at church. Maybe you've told too many stories about me to your friends and don't want me to find out."

"Who, me?" She smiled in the darkness, "I never talk about you."

Jim leaned closer and kissed her lightly on the lips while bracing himself for a face slap. Instead he felt her hand move to his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss.

She pulled back slightly, whispering, "don't let this kiss give you ideas. I'm just bored tonight and you're handy. I'm not going to be standing in line in Washington waiting for you to ask me out."

"What if I asked you out," Jim whispered, his lips touching her's as he whispered. "Would you say yes? Dinner and dancing? Theaters?"

"What about Melinda and all the others," Lori said, teasing, "I don't want to start any fights in the office. Secretaries can be dangerous."

"Artie can make me a disguise," Jim chuckled. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, kissing her, feeling her melt against him.

"Ma?" a small voice floated through the darkness. "Ma? Are you out there?"

Jim leaned back from Lori, as they sat on the porch swing. "Well, we were alone for a good five minutes," he whispered. Lori leaned away from him and called out to the little boy.

"Tommy," she whispered toward the open doorway, "we're out here on the porch." Little feet thumped across the wooden hallway floor. The little boy appeared in the doorway, paused, and then hurried toward them. He jumped onto the bench, sending it swinging backwards until Jim put his boot heel onto the deck to stop its movement.

Jim gave a gentle push to swing it again more slowly. "I thought you were in bed," he said, leaning an arm behind the boy, along the back of the bench. The boy wiggled deeper between him and Lori, grinning.

"Oh, I heard you talking and I wanted to come out too," Tommy said, whispering. He leaned against Jim's side and put his bare feet onto his mother's lap. "And you said you were leaving tomorrow and I wanted to listen to more stories tonight."

"I said I would be around for a bit tomorrow," Jim laughed, smoothing the boy's blond hair. "Breakfast, church, and Sunday dinner."

"But we can't talk at church," Tommy said, already sounding sleepy. "And breakfast is hurried before church. We barely get fed anything. And then dinner is really fancy and we can't talk much then either." He blinked toward his Mom, "are we going to let Mr. Jim come back again?"

"Mr. Jim," Jim laughed, "that's pretty formal. You can call me Jim and I'm sure I'll come back to visit you, whether your mother likes it or not. Us guys stick together, remember?"

Lori punched him lightly in the shoulder. "You guys?" She tugged at her son's bare feet. "Yes, Jim can visit whenever he wants. Maybe you can take him fishing on his next trip." The little boy yawned and his eyes closed as he lay in Jim's lap. "I think you can go back to bed now."

"I think he's already asleep," Jim said, watching the boy. "He really does look like you. It's amazing you have a son. My mother was just saying to me this morning how life can change quickly. I never thought…"

"Good things can come from the worst situations," Lori said softly. "But I am probably the world's worst mother." She wiped a tear from her eye. "I want to be here with him, then I want my own home, but then I want to be in Washington with my friends," she paused as her voice caught in her throat, "I love my work but I want to be an old fashioned housewife too."

Jim stared at her, surprised at the sudden heart-felt confession. "Well, first, you need to be married to be a housewife, I think," he joked trying to lighten the mood. "And I think you are a fantastic mother, from what I've seen today. Maybe a little unconventional since you are also a secret agent." He grinned at her as she giggled, blinking away tears. "And we need to discuss that in more detail. Your parents seem to think you work in an office in Washington. Just what do they know?"

"That I work in an office in Washington," Lori repeated. "Safe, boring, steady. And I get a lot of days off to come back here. I make my own schedule."

"Nice office work," Jim said, nodding. "No mention of guns, knives, fighting? No mention of escorting Princesses?"

"That bothers you, doesn't it," she laughed. "You miss being the Princess escort service? You really should be doing more important work than that."

"That was important," Jim sighed, "and it was my favorite part. But good to know for more family conversations tomorrow. I don't want to let any secrets slip out." He picked up the boy, now sound asleep, and moved him slowly to his shoulder. "Well we might as well put him back to bed and get to sleep ourselves. I don't want to be late for church in the morning."

"I always heard you were brave," Lori said, quietly walking behind him as they entered the house. "This will certainly prove it to me."

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The afternoon sun shone around the yard, leaving the wide roofed porch in deep shade. A chorus of cicadas buzzed in the distant trees, their song broken by the closer buzz of bees in the flowers along the porch railing. The humid air hung around everyone relaxing in small groups in the shade.

Jim dropped his saddle bags on the wooden floor near the front steps, stretched and yawned, and sat down slowly on the porch swing next to Lori. Her face flushed slightly as she brushed hair back from her face. "All packed?"

Jim chuckled, as he stretched an arm behind her along the back of the porch swing. "Yes, it didn't take long. No field work this afternoon?" He squinted down the long house to where Lori's brothers and cousins were sitting in a huddle, plucking lazily at banjos and guitars.

"On a Sunday?" Lori asked, pretending to be shocked. "My parents would take you behind the barn if they caught you working on Sunday." She covered her mouth, trying to stifle a yawn. "No, this is our day to relax. My mother won't even wash dishes until after dark." She pointed at the young men nearby, "They are all trying to learn how to make better sounds out of those things."

"Hmm," Jim said, "takes time. I used to play a guitar but I don't have one now. I think I hit someone with it on the train and it didn't sound as good with a huge hole in the back of it." He grinned at her. "We break a lot of stuff on that train."

"I bet you do," Lori laughed, "including hearts." She touched the end of his nose. "I hope Malinda doesn't find out you were here. More broken hearts."

"I won't tell her if you don't," he said, winking, "I don't need secretaries fighting over me at headquarters. Richmond doesn't like us going on dates in case people do have angry break-ups. But we do anyway, we just keep it light, as friends." He paused as Tommy burst around the corner of the yard, with the big black fluffy dog at his heels. He raced up the steps and jumped onto the swing. Jim was ready and had braced his feet, only letting the swing move slightly. "Who's chasing you?"

"There's a man coming and he wouldn't tell me who he was or why he was coming," Tommy blurted out. "Sam barked at him too but he just said he was delivering a document," the child said, speaking slowly to pronounce the last word. "Mom, I bet it's from your secret job from your secret boss."

Lori stole a glance over the boy's head toward Jim, "could be," she said, wrapping her arms around the boy. "Can you tell Jim what we always say?"

Tommy twisted on the bench seat to look up at Jim, "Moms might leave but they always come back," he said, "and she does important work." He nodded, to emphasize his point, but then a worried look came to his face, "does my mom do secret work? Like catch bad guys?"

Lori gave Jim a hard look from behind the child, as Jim took a deep breath, "Tommy, all Moms do important and difficult work, whether they are at home or elsewhere. Your grandmother feeds this large family every day. And your mother, whatever she does, here or elsewhere, does important work. Colonel Richmond wouldn't ask her back and help him if she didn't accomplish whatever task he assigns her."

"Speaking of tasks," Lori said, nodding toward the road.

A man riding slowly on a dark brown horse approached the house. He seemed to be wearing a uniform, when he was farther away, but as he approached, the cloth was a plain blue suit with gold buttons. A very non-descript suit of a government assistant, much like Colonel Richmond's suit. The man stopped the horse a few yards out and dismounted. He dug into a saddlebag and pulled out a white envelope. He turned and marched stiffly to the steps, holding the envelope out.

"Miss Lori," he announced, clearing his throat. "From the Colonel, ma'am." He voice broke again as his face blushed in the bright sunlight. "I was instructed to away your response." He awkwardly stepped forward as Lori rose from the swinging bench. "If it is convenient for you, ma'am," he repeated, clearing his throat again.

"Thank you, Charles," Lori said, taking the envelope. "I am sure I can give you an answer." She stepped back to open the envelope and Jim stood, walking forward into the sunlight, curious.

"Oh, sir," the man said, "Forgive me, sir, I didn't see you there, sir." The man stopped talking and stood frozen in a salute.

Jim growled and shook his head, "I'm not in uniform, Charles. You don't salute people in civilian clothing." His voice was low, "try to remember that. You could encounter me when I am undercover."

"Yes, sir," Charles said, stuttering now, "are you undercover now, sir?"

Jim blinked, staring at him, "no, not today," he growled through clenched teeth.

Lori stepped between the two men, "Charles, please tell the Colonel that I will be returning this evening with Mr. West. Thank you for bringing this letter to me." Charles nodded to Lori, giving her a short bow and then turned to Jim, starting to salute. He snapped his arm behind his back and turned quickly, almost running to the horse. He mounted and hurried his horse back down the street.

"Poor Charles," Lori said, "He can barely deliver a letter. He probably forgot my response already."

"You can feel sorry for him if I break his arm," Jim growled, glaring at the man's back as he faded between the trees. "Saluting me, or Artie, when we aren't in uniform could be very dangerous."

"When was the last time you were in uniform?" Lori handed him the letter and returned to the bench. "You guessed it mister," she said to Tommy, "So I am riding back to Washington this afternoon with Jim. But I will be back in a few days." She hugged the boy tightly and picked him up. "You can help me pack by traveling bag." She walked past Jim as he was folding the letter.

"Richmond writes your "orders" differently than mine," he chuckled, "he never writes 'Please come right away, if you can'…must be nice. You need to show this to Artie, he would find it amusing." He held the door open for Lori and followed her back inside. "Can I help you pack too?"

"No," Lori called out over her shoulder, "but you can carry my bag when I'm done."

tbc