CRAZY LIKE A FOX

Drena Hills

 

Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness

And they live by what they hear.

Such people become crazy…

Or they become legends.”

                                                                                                __

                                                                                                      Jim Harrison

 

            He came right over the wall.

 

                Later, when they asked Sister Luke to explain, she could think of no better way to clarify why the handsome stranger was laying sprawled across her lap and her garden.

 

                As for Kid Curry he would have been quick to point out that leaping over a wall to avoid being shot and suddenly finding yourself looking up into the startled face of a nun wasn’t something one just planned to do.

 

                “I am so sorry!” he said trying to scramble to his feet and only making things worse because that required holding on to her and that was the exact moment the Mother Superior and Sister Mary Katherine chose to come around the corner.

 

                “Sister Luke Bernadette!” the Mother Superior said in a voice that just made the need for other words obsolete.

 

                “Mother Superior!” Sister Luke sputtered suddenly frightened at the ease in which the gentlemen pulled her to her feet beside him.  But then she glanced up into his troubled and concerned blue eyes and dismissed the notion he would ever hurt her.

 

                As for Kid he realized he was still holding on to her shoulders and let his hands drop like he had been burned.

 

                He knew he looked a sight.  His shirt had been torn in the fight, he was hot and sweaty from running and he needed no one to tell him how out of place the gun strapped to his hip looked in this peaceful oasis of faith.

 

                Suddenly there was the sound of scrambling at the wall and Kid knew the men after him were about to follow his path of escape.

 

                Looking around frantically he connected with the stern, angular face of the Mother Superior and they both took measure of one another.

 

                “The chapel,” she said suddenly making a decision and crossing herself in the hope it had been the right one.   Both the Sisters blinked startled not sure they had heard right and a smile broke across Kid’s face at her compassion for him.  “Declare sanctuary,” she ordered and pointed to the open doors across the neat and tidy courtyard.

 

                “Thank you!” Kid said turning to run and then paused looking back, obviously concerned about leaving them with his pursuers coming over the wall.

 

                “Go!” she said in answer to his question and knew by his concern she had made the right decision concerning him.  “They wouldn’t dare hurt us.”

 

                Relieved he took off running, hitting the doors just as the soldiers came over the wall.

 

                “Where is he?” Sergeant Padillo, a small weasel shaped man barked.

 

                “Whom do you seek?” Mother Superior said calmly facing him.  “If it is God I assure you young man we have a very functional gate where you might enter his house without crushing Sister Luke’s tomatoes.”

 

                Both Sister Luke and Sister Mary Katherine had flanked her now creating an unusual gauntlet for the eight soldiers to circumvent.

 

                “Look Sister.”

 

                “Good day Sergeant,” she said dismissing him and slowly began walking towards the church.

 

                “Padillo!”

 

                The voice was sharp and made every man fall to attention.  Recognizing the man and what his presence would mean, the nuns kept walking; determined to reach the church doors before the men.

 

                Lieutenant Rounders quickly crossed the courtyard to his men; having been too dignified to take their route into the mission.

 

                He conferred with his sergeant for a moment and then cast a scowl towards the Mother Superior.  Motioning his men forward he caught the Sisters just as they reached the porch of the church entrance.

 

                “We are looking for a prisoner, he came over your wall,” he said as the women turned on his approach.

 

                “Yes it is the natural instinct of men to seek God when the devil is on their heels,” the Mother Superior replied facing him.

 

                “Where is he?” Rounders snarled causing Sister Luke to take step back startled at the venom in his voice.

 

                “Sanctuary,” the Mother Superior replied quietly.

 

                “What!” 

 

                For one brief moment everyone felt certain he was going to strike her.  This included Kid who stood watching just inside the door and silently and swiftly his gun leapt into his hand.

 

                “He had the right,” the Mother Superior said not flinching.  She had been hit too many times before and there came a point when a woman backed by God stopped letting fear be a weapon to be used against her.

 

                “You cannot be serious!”

 

                “Surely you know Lieutenant that God never turns any man away who seeks his mercy.”

 

                “He is a wanted criminal.”

 

                “He is a child of God.”

 

                “Who must be brought to justice.”

 

                “I have seen you justice Lieutenant I am not impressed.”

 

                “The church no longer runs this part of the world Sister!  I am an authority of the American Government and the State of California and I demand you let me pass.”

 

                “I cannot refuse you entry; you have, as you say, authority and you have guns and men.  However,” and her smile was angelic as it was directed at his Catholic group of men.  “God can refuse a man entry into Heaven.”

 

                Rounder’s eyes narrowed as he heard his men start to mumble and shuffle their feet.  This was the woman who’s Sisters cared for their wives and helped their sick children.  She had known each of them since they had been boys.

 

                Rounders considered all of this.  He was in enough trouble in letting the man escape; it would not due to have the church uprising on top of everything else.  Deciding time was on his side he gave her a mock bow.

 

                “All right Sister you win this round, but I am going to station my men around this mission and the minute he tries to leave…well we shall ensure a little justice of our own.”

 

                “Lieutenant?” the Mother Superior said pleasantly as the men eagerly turned to leave.

 

                “Yes?”

 

                “Please have your men use the gate when they leave?  Sister Luke has spent so much time on her garden I would hate to see her work abused in such a way again.”

 

                Snarling something she ignored, the man stormed towards the gate causing his men to scurry to catch up.

 

                “Mother Superior that was great!”  12-year-old Patrick McCulley said freeing himself from the grasp of the tall nun whom had kept him in the shadows.

 

                “My mother says you are the bravest woman she has ever met,” shy doe eyed Manuel Montoya added joining his friend.

 

                The two nuns who had kept the boys from joining the fray crossed themselves grateful things had not gotten violent.

 

                “The nerve of that man,” the older, shorter one said fiercely.

 

                “That will be enough of that Sister Michaela,” the Mother Superior chastised.  “And you Sister Aegidia,” she scolded the shorter, younger one beside her.  “One does not clap when God wins an argument.”

 

                “Yes Mother,” the little nun said.  “Oh but you were wonderful!  Such a bully that one!”

 

                “So who did we give sanctuary too?” Sister Michaela said glancing at the doors of the church.

 

                “I am just about to find that out,” the Mother Superior said and picking up her skirts hurried into the cool refuge of the building.

 

                                                                **************************

 

                Heyes let out a long suffering sigh as he was offered a seat in the plush sitting room of the hotel.  He had been on his way to a very large and important poker game when the two men had come up along side him on the busy San Francisco street and ‘suggested’ he accompany them.

 

                “I don’t suppose you would like to tell me what this all about?” Heyes asked with a pleasant smile that drained from his face as he recognized the man in the corner of the room as an employee of Armenderez.

 

                He had thought he had seen the last of the aristocratic Mexican landowner and his men at Appleby’s a week ago at the auction of the bust of Caesar.

 

“Mr. Smith,” Armenderez said entering the room with three more men.  Heyes would say one thing for the man, he certainly knew how to intimidate.

 

                “Senor,” Heyes said rising in respect. 

 

                “Thank you for accepting my invitation.”

 

                “You have a way of inviting people they find hard to turn down,” Heyes said being seated across from the man and taking the glass of brandy he was offered.

 

                “My men are very loyal, but lacking in certain social skills, please accept my apology.  I notice your partner is not with you,” the man said lighting a cigar as Heyes refused the offer of one.

 

                “Yes he left with Mr. McCreedy,” Heyes replied knowing full well he all ready knew that.

 

                “And he will be returning soon?” Armenderez said casually.

 

                “Look what’s this all about,” Heyes said losing patience.  He had a poker game Silky had taken great pains to include him in and he didn’t intend to miss it.  In fact it was the sole reason he had remained behind and let Kid take the job guarding McCreedy alone.

 

                “I have just relieved Mr. McCreedy of his precious bust.  He took it far too well Mr. Smith; I do not trust him.  I also have great respect for you and your partner.  Why did he feel the need to take Mr. Jones with him?”

 

                “Because he doesn’t trust you,” Heyes replied honestly.

 

                “And that is the only reason?”

 

                Heyes thought of his and Kid’s suspicions about the real reasons Big Mac had wanted Kid along on his journey down the California coast to San Diego, but neither had been untrusting enough to turn down the $1000 he had been offering for the job.

 

                Smiling innocently he replied, “Important men don’t let me into their confidence Mr. Armenderez.  Now if you will excuse me I am late for an appointment.”

 

                “Certainly,” Armenderez said rising with him.  “But one thing Mr. Smith?  So far my battle is against Mr. McCreedy, I would hate to think I had to add you and your partner to my list of enemies.”

 

                “So would I sir, good night.”

 

                Heyes was still thinking about the encounter as he entered the private club and gave the doorman his hat.

 

                “A telegram Mr. Smith,” the man at the reception area said handing Heyes the message.

 

                Concerned he opened it, read it and then crumpled it angrily.  Kid had been right, McCreedy had brought him along as a hired gun planning on using his reputation to ensure cooperation on a land grab deal concerning land Armenderez owned directly over the border.

 

                Kid had managed to bolt before his identity had been divulged, but he was now on the trail penniless.

 

                Quickly Heyes scribbled a reply sending it along to the next town Kid had indicated he was heading for and enclosing money to be wired along with it.

 

                “Can you see that this goes out immediately,” Heyes requested.

 

                “Certainly sir.  Should I bring you a reply?”

 

                Heyes thought of the two-day marathon poker game ahead of him.

 

                “No, no just have the confirmation its been picked up sent to Mr. O’Sullivan’s house, I’ll get it there.”

 

                “Very good sir and good luck.”

 

 

                                                ****************************

 

                “You are safe my son,” The Mother Superior said formally as she entered the sanctuary with her rather odd group of followers.

 

                “Thank you ma’am,” Kid said stepping out of the shadows.  “I’m beholding to you.”

                “What is your name?”

 

                “Thaddeus Jones ma’am.”

 

                “Are you Catholic?”

 

                “No ma’am, is that a problem?”

 

                “To some, but not to God,” she said almost smiling. 

 

                “You look thirsty,” Sister Aegidia said handing him a cup of cool water.

 

                “Thank you Sister,” he said drinking it grateful.

 

                “What did you do to get them on you?” Patrick said fascinated.  “They got my Pa under arrest too.”

 

                “Patrick Sean McCulley,” Sister Michaela groaned.

 

                “Well it seems I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Kid said honestly.  “I think I overheard something certain people wish I hadn’t of.”

 

                He didn’t miss the glance that stole around the group.  What was it that had these people so frightened?

 

                “Sit down Mr. Jones,” the Mother Superior said.  “I am Anna, this is Sister Aegidia, Sister Michaela, Sister Mary Katherine and you have met Sister Luke.  These two young men posing as ruffians are Manuel Montoya and Patrick McCulley.  Could you please tell us what you overheard?” she said obviously not enjoying the need to ask him for a favor.

 

                “Well it began when I arrived just outside of town.  I was dead weary and flat broke so I holed up in a barn at a deserted farm house and went to sleep.”

 

                “Sanchez farm,” Sister Mary Katherine guessed.  “They were driven off last week.”

 

                “Don’t know about that ma’am, but I awoke to the sound of three men talking.”

 

                “Did you get their names?” the Mother Superior said a little too urgently.

 

                “Yea there was that Lieutenant fellow, another man who called himself Grayden, got the impression he was a pretty important land owner around these parts and another fella they called Judge.”

 

                “Judge Rivers,” Sister Aegidia said crossing herself.  “The unholy trio themselves.”

 

                “What did they?” the Mother Superior urged.

 

                “Talked about a fellow named…” he stopped realizing it was the same last name as one of the boys.

 

                The woman immediately understood, “Manuel, Patrick you have chores to finish.”

 

                “Aw but it was just getting good Sister!” Patrick moaned.

 

                “Now young man!”

 

                Reluctantly the two boys shuffled out.

 

                “Talked about a fellow named Montoya, under arrest, and how he was too dangerous to keep alive.  Talked about getting rid of him and making it looked like he tried to escape.  They were also concerned that a priest, Father Robert?,  had left town. That one, Rounders, said he had sent men after him.

 

                A gasp of horror went over the group, followed by a flurry of crossings.

 

                “Father Robert left yesterday attempting to get word to the Governor of our plight.  We are virtually trapped here unable to get a message to the outside world,” the Mother Superior explained sinking into a pew wearily.

 

                “Ma’am if I can help,” Kid said dropping to one knee in front of her so he could meet her eyes.  “You just say the word.”

 

                His sincere, completely inappropriate response brought a smile to the woman’s lips, which she quickly dispensed with.

 

                “You are most kind Mr. Jones, but I fear we are in God’s hands now.”

 

                “It’s the railroad,” Sister Luke explained as he looked around for an answer.

 

                “And greed,” Sister Michaela snorted.

 

                “Santa Fe line reaching Los Angeles?” Kid asked remembering how keen McCreedy had been to get news of the expansion as they passed through Los Angeles.

 

                “You know of this?”

 

                “My work used to involve railroads, I know a bit about their tactics.  Is the Santa Fe trying what the Southern Pacific did up at Mussel Slough?” Kid asked referring to the slaughter of seven men a year ago over farmland the railroad was trying to take back.

 

                “Yes and when Mr. Montoya stood up to them they threw him in jail on a trumped up murder charge,” Sister Luke said fiercely.

 

                “Sister Luke where did you ever learn such language?” the Mother Superior winced.

 

                “Mr. Garcia explained it to me,” she blushed.

 

                Kid found himself laughing and that in turn made her smile and the Mother Superior scowl at them both.

 

                “You will be safe here until Father Robert returns at the end of the week,” the Mother Superior said rising.  “The fiesta is only a week away and Grayden would not dare to try anything with everyone in town.  You may have Father Robert’s bed at the back of the church.”

 

                “Thank you ma’am, I won’t be any trouble at all.”

 

                “Why don’t I believe you Mr. Jones?” she said and then looked around to see which of the Sister’s had giggled, but was unable to catch her.

 

                “So there is no way I can send a telegram to my partner ma’am?”

 

                “I am afraid not, is he likely to worry?”

 

                “Born expert at it ma’am.”

 

 

                                                ****************************

 

                With a happy yawn and a satisfied stretch Heyes stepped into the entry hall of Silky’s home two days later.

 

                He had done well, very well.  Silky’s rich business acquaintances had played a fair game of poker, but they were no match for his expertise, especially since it seemed lady luck had been riding with him.

 

                “Telegram sir,” the butler offered him the envelope on a silver tray.

 

                Thanking him Heyes slowly opened it as he began climbing the stairs to bed suddenly stopping.

 

                The message informed him the money had not been picked up.  Mr. Jones had never reached Los Angeles.

 

                “Dankins?” Heyes called out to the butler.

 

                “Yes sir?”

 

                “There has been no word since this one?”

 

                “No sir, Mr. O’Sullivan did say to show you the morning papers when you awoke, something about the railroad deal down south getting violent?  Shall I awake you for supper sir?”

 

                “No, but you can saddle me a horse.”

 

                “A horse sir?  Where shall I tell Mr. O’Sullivan you are headed?”

 

                “Los Angeles.”

 

 

                                                                ****************************

 

                To Kid’s surprise being trapped in a mission in the company of 5 nuns had not turned out to be the grueling ordeal he had suspected it might.  For one thing there was plenty of hard labor to be done and for another he found the Sister’s company rather freeing and relaxing. Society and his career choice had limited the opportunity of just being friends with a woman, but the Sister’s calling relieved them all of any expected sexual pretenses and they all lapsed into an amiable acceptance of one another at face value.

 

                He also found himself re-evaluating the way he looked at a woman.  At first the black, severe outfits had dashed any thought of him thinking of them as such.  It was almost as if they were a third sex to him.  But he quickly found without a physical appearance to define them he had to delve deeper and notice personalities and characteristics to differentiate among them.

 

                Sister Luke for instance, though in her thirties, was the tomboy.  Coming from farm country like him, he quickly felt at ease with her practical common sense approach to problems.  She was also impulsive, quick thinking and brave and therefore always in trouble and the two found amusement in their similarities.

 

                Sister Katherine Mary was the quiet graceful one who could find good in a heart of stone. She had the voice of an angel and having overheard her once he from then on arranged his day to make sure he was always working near her window at the time where she sang as she manned her loom.

 

                Sister Aegidia was the cook and quickly took him to task for being so thin and began working magic to fatten him.  She was cheerful, fun and he found it was impossible to spend five minutes with the woman and not leave feeling better about yourself.

 

                Sister Michaela was the oldest and reminded him most of the nuns he remembered from the home.  Bent with rheumatism she worked as hard as anyone and quickly earned his respect for the way she carried on without complaint.  When she snuck his shirt away and he caught her returning it mended the next morning and he thought of her enduring the pain in her fingers to perform the task his heart went out to her.

 

                Which explained why he was in the Mother Superior’s office only 12 hours after arriving.

 

                “Mr. Jones we do not kiss nuns.”

 

                “It was on the cheek ma’am, she mended my shirt,” Kid said trying not to feel 10 years old as the woman circled around his chair.

 

                “And then there are the flowers.”

 

                “You said to cut some for the alter?”

 

                “Yes, but not deliver bouquets to the Sister’s rooms!”

 

                “I thought they might cheer them up a bit.”

 

                “And then there is your working at the smithy.”

 

                “Ma’am?”

 

                “I realize it is quite warm and the fire is rather hot, but please keep your shirt on,” she coughed remembering his naked bronzed upper body and the way she and the other Sisters had been momentarily stopped by the sight of him hammering the horseshoe into submission.  “You are causing a distraction to my Sisters.”

 

                Kid looked up confused and then his eyes widened, “Ma’am?”

 

                “You are a handsome young man Mr. Jones, far too handsome and add charming and kind to that and well I will be glad to see the back of you.”

 

                “Sorry to be so much trouble ma’am,” Kid said with genuine concern.

 

                “Oh it isn’t that,” she said sitting down frustrated at herself for thinking of how much he reminded her of her own little brother.  “It’s just I’m afraid of how much you are going to be missed when you leave.”

 

                He looked up and this time she let him see the smile.

 

                “Even by you ma’am?”

 

                “Did I get flowers in my room?”

 

                “Yes ma’am.”

 

                “Even by me Mr. Jones.”

 

 

                                                **********************************

                 

                “The priest, you have secured him?” the obese, elegantly dressed older man asked questioning Rounders.

 

                “Yes Mr. Grayden,” the officer said standing uncomfortably in the man’s plush office, the man he was speaking with purposely keeping his back to him in a show of disregard.

 

                “And this stranger, he is still holed up a the church?”

 

                “Yes sir.”

 

                “Find a way to make him leave.”

 

                “But sir there is no way we can entice him to leave…”

 

                “Then don’t, force him too.”

 

 

                                                *****************************

 

                “You ask him,” Patrick McCulley said nudging his friend forward.

 

                “Me?  It is your idea!” Manuel said indignant.

 

                Kid missed none of this as he finished applying the last row of bricks to the wall he had been repairing.  The damage done by the earthquake some 50 years ago still remained and there was much that needed work.

 

                “You fellas wanna tell me what you are so darn terrified to ask me or am I gonna have to sit here and guess all day?” Kid asked turning and giving them a smile.

 

                Encouraged they stumbled forward each one giving the other secret looks that spoke volumes.  Now whom does that remind me of Kid thought amused.

 

                “Mr. Jones we wish to buy your services,” Manuel said and in order to entice him he pulled out a small bag and dropped its contents into his hand.

 

                The diamonds on the bracelet caught the sun and dazzled them.

 

                “Where did you two get something like that!” Kid said whistling as he examined it.

 

                “My mother.  It is all she has since the government seized our estates when they arrested my grandfather.”

 

                “And what exactly am I suppose to do for this?” Kid asked.

 

                “You must play the fox!”  Patrick said eagerly.

 

                “Wanna try that again?”

 

                “Every year at fiesta Senor one of the soldiers dresses as the legendary fox who freed the prisoners held captive by the Spanish Government unfairly a hundred years ago.  This year Lt. Rounders has taken the part.”

 

                “My father was training to take his place so he could sneak in and free Manuel’s grandfather,” Patrick said.  “But he was caught and arrested.”

 

                “Training?”

 

                “The fox must be an expert with a sword, whoever played him would have to fool the guards and the people by winning a mock battle against the soldiers.  My mother was training him for the part.”

 

                “Your mother knows how to sword fight?”

 

“My mother is grand lady,” the boy said stiffening not sure if his mother’s honor had been insulted.  “Her brother, my uncle won many awards in Spain for his use with the sword, she used to play with him when she was a child and became quite good before she grew up and became a lady.”

 

“I’m sure your mother is very special Manuel,” Kid soothed liking the boy’s defense of her.  “But how was Patrick’s father going to fool everyone that he was the Lieutenant?”

 

“The fox wore a disguise, a mask and dressed all in black so no one knew who had helped the prisoner’s escape and his family would not be harmed.”

 

“Sounds like a great story, but how can I help?”

 

“We want you to take my dad’s place,” Patrick said.

 

“Me?  With a sword?” Kid started to laugh.  “Sorry fellas not my choice of weapon.”

 

“But my mother will teach you, you have a week!” Manuel begged.

 

“Look I…”

 

Kid stopped suddenly listening.  The woman’s scream had rose up over the high wall from the town square next to them. 

 

“That was Sister Luke!” Patrick said alarmed.

 

Kid started to run.

 

                                               

                                                ****************************

 

“Get your hands off of me!” Sister Luke cried in terror now.  At first the behavior of three men taunting her and refusing to let her enter the gates of the mission had seemed just drunken foolishness, but now the look in their eyes convinced her it was something more.

 

Kid reached the gate in time to see a storekeeper shut his window, the square had suddenly emptied and to his amazement a soldier passing quickly turned and went the other way.

 

It was a trap, he knew it was a trap.

 

“Let’s see what kind of woman you really are!” one of the men growled clearing the dishes from a table with a sweep of his hand and throwing the nun across it.

 

Kid’s leap took all three of the men down in one massive tumble.

 

He was outnumbered, but he was angry and the first man got the worst of it going down with one punch.  He then turned on the other two to work out his rage.

 

“Sister get inside!” he yelled and to his relief Manuel and Patrick had, had the courage to follow him out and were quickly helping the woman down and to the gates.

 

He decked a second and turned to the third when he heard the rifle click back.

 

“Ah Mr. Jones!  Welcome,” Rounders voice sneered. “I guess every man does have his price!  Arrest him!”

 

 

                                *********************************

 

Hannibal Heyes rode into the village of San Juan Capistrano two hours later to find a subdued and wary populace.

 

He had traced Kid as far as the town before this one and he knew he would have had to go through there on his way back.  It was inquiring at the last posting station he had over heard the gossip about a fair-haired gringo seeking sanctuary at the church.

 

Dismounting he quietly entered the Mission and began searching the grounds.

 

Frustrated he entered the church and walked up to the front.  If Kid was there, he was doing a fair job of hiding.

 

Hearing voices and deciding he was not quite ready to make his presence known he opened the door of the compartment next to him and slid in.

 

It was a small box, with a seat, almost like a wardrobe, but there was ventilation and on the whole it was quite comfortable.

 

Tensing he heard someone open the cubicle next to him and sit down.

 

“Forgive me Father for I have sinned,” a voice said through a grate next to his ear.

 

Heyes froze considering this revelation and its implication on him.

 

“Father?” the voice queried when he said nothing.

 

A born Protestant Heyes was completely at a loss on the etiquette of Catholic Confession, but he did know how to bluff.

 

“So tell me about it,” he said in a voice he hoped sounded Catholic.

 

“Father?” the woman said shocked.

 

“I mean go ahead my child,” Heyes said searching his memory for any phrases he might have picked up.

 

This seemed to mollify the woman a little and she continued.

 

“It has been one week since my last confession.”

 

“Well that doesn’t sound very long, how much trouble could you have gotten into in that short of time?”

 

That did it.  He heard scuffling and suddenly the door to his compartment was flung open and light flooded in blinding him.

 

“Who are you?”

 

Heyes squinting, his eyes attempting to adjust to the light.  “Joshua Smith ma’am,” he said only able to make out dark curls and black lace.

 

“Posing as a Priest!” she gasped.

 

“Francesca what are you yelling about I could hear you half way across the…” the red headed woman clearly pregnant stopped and stared at Heyes in the confessional box.

“New Priest?” she asked innocently and clearly impressed.

 

                “Bridget he was hiding in there.”

 

                “Bridget McCulley Father, tell me what order are you?  Rome come up with a new wild west version?” she said fighting a smile.

 

                Heyes liked her immediately and gave her a grin back as he eased out.

 

                “Actually wrong place, wrong time, forgive me ladies,” he said tipping his hat and backing up.

 

                “Oh hey come back any time, I think I might start to look forward to confession with you on the other side!” Bridget laughed.

 

                “Bridget!” Francesca said shocked as Heyes gave her a wink and another smile and hastily retreated.  “We are in a church.”

 

                ‘Fran, God makes men that look like that He has to expect women to notice.”

 

                Her friend stared at her shocked.

 

                Bridget laughed, “I was joking!  No I wasn’t,” she sighed deciding it wasn’t good lie and lust in church.  She stopped seeing her friend’s troubled face.  “I’m sorry, I really am just as worried as you are, I just deal with it differently.  Do you think the information this man Jones supplied was true…Jones…did he say Smith?  What was I saying?  Oh yes what are we going to do?”

 

                “The only thing we can do, I must take your husband’s place in the plan.”

 

                Bridget McCulley bit back the smile as she took in the enchanting woman in black lace and satin before her.  Still in mourning for her husband, her friend presented an elegant and refined picture of Spanish nobility.  It was quite a stretch to imagine her dressed as a man.

 

                “Fran I know you mean well, but nobody is going to think you are a man.”

 

                “I must try.  Meet me on the beach at noon when everyone takes their siesta.”

 

                “All right, but borrow some real clothes from Marie for my sake?”