"Skirted Clues"
Chapter 1 Excerpt

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. Proverbs 3:23 

October 1890 

   This horse would be her demise. Moment Alexander studied the size of the raven colored beast and realized she needed a stool to mount it.
   “She knows you’re afraid,” Gus said with a chuckle.
   “She?” Moment seized a quick glance at the horse to make sure of its gender. “Does she have a name?”
   “Yep, Nightmare.” Gus laughed, but she saw nothing funny about the matter.
   She trembled, but neither Gus nor this insufferable Nightmare held any power over a determined woman. “Very well.” She tossed her head. “I have an assignment, and I intend to follow through with it.”
   Gus crossed his ample arms across a massive chest and stood with his feet planted apart. “Do you need a hand up? I do say, you and Miss Hunnicut are right short little women.”
   Moment gritted her teeth. “Size has nothing to do with intelligence, Mr. Drummond. Ruth already proved her mettle, and I will soon prove mine. No, thank you, but I don’t need any assistance.”
   She peered around the dark stable, but in the early morning hours with just a hint of orange and yellow slipping over the horizon, she couldn’t see anything suitable for her to stand on. Moment sneezed. The cold weather always made it drip like a waterfall and taking care of the matter sound like a foghorn.
   “God bless you.”
   “Thank you.” At least the man had manners – at times. Gus cupped his hands. “Here, Miss Alexander, step up here.”
   Seeing no choice but to oblige the man, she stepped into his large hand. Instantly gratitude washed over her for Victoria offering a riding skirt. Her dear friend had several, along with boots, gloves, and the like for proper ladies’ riding attire. Out of sheer stubbornness, Moment elected to use a man’s saddle, especially since most of the women here didn’t bother with them. Nightmare shook her head, and Moment shuddered. In the next breath she sat atop the saddle. Gus would torment her forever if he knew she was not only afraid of horses, but also terrified of heights. Taking a deep breath, Moment wondered what she was supposed to do next.
   “You can’t let her sense your fear,” Gus repeated without a hint of teasing in his voice. “She’ll take off and go just where she pleases – just like a few Pinkerton women I know.”
   “I’ll overlook that last remark, and thank you for the lift up.”
   Gus handed her the reins. He rubbed his auburn beard. “Have you never ridden a horse before?”
   Moment stiffened. “Not exactly, but I’m sure it’s quite simple.”
   He pushed his Stetson back on his head. “I will never, ever, make those fellows in Chicago mad again.” He inhaled deeply and took the horse by the bridle. “I’m going to lead you out to the road. Pay attention to me, or you’ll end up stranded somewhere. If I didn’t have work to do, I’d ride with you.”
   “I appreciate your concern,” she replied. “But I have an assignment and I wish to pursue it on my own.”
   “But you’re shaking like a fall leaf, and I don’t believe it’s the cool weather. In fact, I wish you’d reconsider.” He frowned. “Miss Alexander, you are scared to death so admit it.”
   “I’m not afraid, simply. . .uninformed.” She detested lying, but admitting the truth had its own set of retributions.
   “Did anyone ever say you are more stubborn than a mule?” When she failed to reply, he continued. “All right. Here are some instructions. You pull the reins to the right when you want her to head right and left when you want to go left. Pull in both reins when you want to stop, but not too fast or sharp or she’ll think you want to rear up.”
   Moment listened to every word. After all, her life depended on it.
   “Do you know how to get to Brady Miller’s place?”
   She nodded and patted the map in her coat pocket.
   “I hope you have a good sense of direction.”
   “I have excellent navigation skills.” Nightmare pawed at the dirt floor, and Moment tensed. 
   Gus stopped the horse. “Let me give you a little more information. First of all, a lady horse is called a mare, and the horse’s name is Night.”
   Immediately Moment realized what he’d done. A gentleman didn’t play jokes on a lady, especially a frightened one. “Thank you for enlightening me.”
   “Then calm down,” Gus’s voice echoed across the rafters. “This is the gentlest horse I know. Don’t disturb her sweet temperament by confusing her. Do you understand?”
   A thousand rebuttals flew across Moment’s mind, but she swallowed them all. No point making Gus angry, even if he didn’t know proper Pinkerton protocol. “What else do I need to know?” She remembered Victoria offering to teach her how to ride, but Moment couldn’t bear to reveal her fear. At this moment, she’d much rather be taking lessons from Victoria than Gus.
   “Your weight goes in the stirrups. These things.” He pointed to the footrests. “Touch your heels to her side when you want her to go. I recommend you avoid trotting, because as inexperienced as you are, Night will jar your teeth out.”
   Moment’s eyes flew wide. She hadn’t expected this.
   “Do you remember all I’ve said?” He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me come looking for you.”
   “I’ll walk first.”
   “I imagine you would. Brady Miller can be a bit feisty, and since he’s a suspect in these train robberies, he might not ‘preciate you snooping around. Be careful.”
   The kindest two words Gus had spoken all morning. “I will take heed, Mr. Drummond.”
   “And I want to see you the moment. . .where did your mama get that name anyway?”
   Moment stiffened. “She wanted a thoroughly modern woman.”