Buddie Fox: Raising More Kane

By Bev Magee

Joshua was leery when an old classmate invited him home for a party. His suspicions were confirmed when Allen Pinkerton paid him a visit. Shawna was used to setting up traps and knew this was one if there ever was one. The real question was, who wanted Joshua bad enough to risk Shawnas wrath.
Camille Harper-Carter was obsessed with Indians. There was nothing she wouldnt do to get one in particular, Joshua Kane. She thought money was the answer. But when he married into the rich Fox family, she knew it was something else. Knowing her kind, she knew a scandal would get results. Her downfall, underestimating Shawna Fox-Kane.
Ready for anything, Shawna wasnt surprised when Camille showed up at her door with a child in tow. A woman low enough to use her own child for blackmail didnt deserve to keep that child. What Shawna wondered about was, who was the boys real father.
Coyote lived a life on the run from the day he left his fathers tribe. He never gave the white woman he rescued from a raid much thought when she returned to her people, until Little Eagle came looking for him. The woman had a child that she was passing off as anothers. And it was up to him to find the truth.
The numerous attempts on his life made Joshua wary when one of the Harpers caught up with him. But Anson wasnt looking for him. He was hiding his girl out in a small town. A town where an old friend of Shawnas had tangled with some of the Harper clan. Now, they had to help the friend and the girl while saving the boy from his mothers antics. Well, thats what Joshua got when he married a Fox.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 20, 2009
• ISBN: 9781467875455

Bev Magee

This is the fifth and final book in the Pink Angel series. This one highlights the growing relationship that emerges between Nitika and her mother. It shows how no conflict can break the bond between mother and daughter.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Joshua was reading through the mail as he walked to the house. He was eager to read the letter from one of his old school roommates. It had been so long since he had heard from any of them. Not that any of them were that friendly with him, but his curiosity was getting the better of him. Why were they trying to contact him?

Shawna was just coming in from the barn when he met up with her in the office. Handing her the rest of it, he flopped down on the couch. He turned it over several times before reaching for the knife Shawna handed him to open the envelope. The letter was only one page long, but it simply stated that they were getting the class together for a reunion of sorts.

What’s it say, Shawna asked, watching the frown on his face grow.

Some of the men I went to school with want to get together with me. I have a feeling that they’re up to no good. None of them really liked me. We weren’t exactly friends back then. They’ve invited you too.

That is strange. Especially since I’ve never met any of them. Are you going?

I’m not sure yet. If we did go, who’d watch the kids?

There’re too many for Father to watch alone and I don’t know that our people would be happy if we let them loose in the village. If you’re certain that this is a trap, it wouldn’t do to bring them along with us.

My parents would be disappointed if we didn’t. But you’re right, I don’t want to endanger them. I’ll write to them and ask them to snoop around a little for us. If Clint’s coming, I’ll know for sure that they’re after me.

The telegram from his father confirmed it. Clint Ness was coming, but nothing seemed to be wrong with the reunion. All the same, Cameron agreed it would be best to leave the children behind this trip. He and Mary would just have to make another trip to Phoenix to see the tribe.

The citizens of Springfield avoided the two strangers as they rode through town. From all appearances, they had every reason to. Dressed as Buddie Fox, Shawna looked the part of her alter ego. Not wanting to be recognized, Joshua followed his wife’s lead when he chose his wardrobe. In the six years he’d been gone, he had let his hair grow. Even tied back with a leather thong it was still down past his shoulders. No one would know him looking like he did.

Joshua had made arrangements for their luggage to arrive ahead of them and be delivered to his parents’ house. He wanted no one knowing that he was coming into town. Letting the invitation go unanswered kept their arrival a secret. As they passed by the train station, Joshua saw several men watching passengers getting off.

They look like hired guns, Shawna commented glancing at the men.

Maybe this was a bad idea. I’m just making a target of myself and you.

Turning tail isn’t the answer either. Let’s just find out what your father was able to come up with. That is, if we don’t scare him to death first.

Joshua looked over at his outlaw wife. You are a bit intimidating in that outfit. I can see now why you got your reputation.

That was the idea. I think we should slip in the back. No use letting anyone know what we look like.

Father’s office has a window that we can get to. The back door can be seen by some of our neighbors.

I’ve been in your house before. I know what can and can’t be seen. You just want to make an entrance.

Shawna saw the grin spread across his face. All the stories she told him over the years had gone to his head. Joshua was dressed like an outlaw and he wanted to live out the fantasy. Well, she was game for whatever he had in mind. As long as no one got hurt.

Putting up the horses in the barn, they made their way to the side of the house where his father kept a small office. Unless the furniture had been moved, there was nothing under the window. Joshua cupped his hand for Shawna to use as a step. He boosted her up far enough to look inside.

The office looked just like she remembered. She tested the window and found it unlocked. Noiselessly, she slid it open enough to slip inside. Joshua grabbed the sill and pulled himself up. As he was rolling over the sill, the maid walked past the room and saw them. Her screams brought the whole household to the office.

The crowd parted as Cameron pushed his way to the front. In his hand he carried a gun, pointed at the ground. Seeing the intruders, he began to raise it. But stopped when he saw that the one on the floor was his son, trying to hide his face with his hat.

It’s nice of you to visit, Son. Who’s your friend?

I’d like you to meet my wife, Buddie Fox, he said standing up.

This was his idea, Father, Shawna blurted out, pointing to her husband.

Tattletale, Joshua mumbled in her ear as he poked her in the ribs.

But I also see you didn’t discourage him from scaring the whole house Shawna, he said shooing the servants away. You know, I seem to recall hearing of an outlaw named Buddie Fox. Is that who you really are, my dear?

I used the name Buddie Fox. My brothers and I were undercover marshals. The work we did was top secret, so our boss made up the outlaw story to give us a background. Over the years it just grew bigger.

Why didn’t you ever tell us this before, Cameron asked tucking his gun in his waistband.

My boss thought that we were dead and I wanted to keep it that way. Even after he found out, it wasn’t exactly something you say in a letter.

So the story about how Joshua found you isn’t true either?

What story, Sweetheart, Mary asked as she joined them in the office. Hello Son, Shawna.

Mother, Joshua said with a nod and realized he still had his hat on. Most of that story is true, he explained dropping his hat on the desk.

It was a saloon, not a livery that caught fire and I kind of was the cause of the fire. Some men didn’t like losing their money to me. They tried to burn it out of my hide, she confessed lifting her shirt to reveal the scarred skin.

Why would they do that to a woman, Mary shuddered.

They didn’t know I was one. You see, I was pretending to be a man. We’d ride in as either three men and ride out as two men and their sister, or the other way around. That’s how we kept from getting caught.

I’m not exactly sure what you are talking about, but your luggage showed up the other day. I had it put in your room upstairs if you’d like to change out of those disguises, Mary said leaving.

I hope you’re planning a long stay, Son. Because it sounds like you have a lot to tell us.

That all depends on how much Shawna’s allowed to talk about.

Joshua changed his clothes. While he was comfortable in his riding clothes, it felt good to be wearing something clean. Shawna chose to change into cleaner jeans and shirt. The last time she saw his parents, she was dressed in a skirt and blouse. He only hoped she didn’t shock them too bad.

You’re not going to wear that in plain sight, he warned when he saw her looking at her gun.

Fine, she mumbled, untucking her shirt.

When they rejoined the family, Allan Pinkerton was sitting in the parlor. Joshua grabbed for Shawna’s arm as her hand instinctively reached for the hidden gun behind her back. Removing the scorn from his face, Joshua lead them into the room.

What do you want Pinkerton?

Joshua, Cameron said, surprised at his son’s tone. Is that any way to talk to a guest in my house? Allan just stopped for a visit.

Visit, my foot. He heard we were in town and came looking for us. Who told you? Clint? Or was it one of those men waiting for us at the depot?

Clint no longer works for me. It seems he got into quite a scuffle with someone while he was at your ranch. He wouldn’t tell me who. But I can almost guess who it was, Pinkerton said looking past Joshua at Shawna.

I wasn’t home Allan. Because if I was, Clint would have been in worse shape than he was. So why are you here?

Chapter 2

I received word that someone was looking for you, Joshua. And since I knew you, I was curious about why. Someone told me about this little get-together that your medical class was having and I had a feeling that you would be attending. I just wasn’t expecting you to arrive in the manner that you did. Those men at the depot were my men. I sent them there to protect you when you got to town. When they told me the only strangers in town were two outlaws, I asked them to describe them. They couldn’t remember what you looked like, but they knew exactly what ‘Buddie’ looked like.

I see you finally talked to Jackson. Does this mean that you won’t be dogging me anymore?

I lost a lot of clients because of you. I only make that kind of mistake once.

So who has enough money to put you on my husband’s trail?

Allan grinned, You’re a smart one, but I can’t tell you who. Only that it’s a woman.

Shawna’s eyebrow went up and Allan laughed inwardly. A jealous wife was what Camille wanted. If the socialite only knew the family her former love had married into, she never would have hired him to find Joshua. Mrs. Kane was more likely to tear the woman apart than pay her any blackmail money. If even half the stories about Buddie Fox were true, Shawna was a dangerous woman when riled. And right now, she looked plenty riled up.

Is that all you have to tell us?

For now.

Good, Joshua began, picking up Pinkerton’s hat. Then I’d suggest you go tell your client that I am in town and that I am willing to meet her any time she’s of a mind to.

Camille Carver was pacing the floor of the hotel when Pinkerton returned. She rushed to his side and grabbed his arm. Well, what did he have to say?

Dr. Kane said he would meet you any time you want. But if I was you, he said shaking loose from her grasp, I’d forget this whole thing. His wife’s here with him.

Good, she beamed. I wanted her here when I told him. So what did she do when you told them about me?

Nothing, he shrugged. But she’s a dangerous one. You don’t want to tangle with her.

I’m not paying you for your advice, she scolded. If things go as planned, you will be paid handsomely for your services.

My service for you is complete and I’d like to have my money now.

I don’t have that kind of cash on hand. It’ll take me a couple days to get it together.

Pinkerton looked at the woman for a few moments before he realized her plan. I can tell you right now, whatever you have over Dr. Kane won’t get you any money. Mrs. Kane doesn’t take kindly to blackmailers.

Oh she doesn’t, does she? What’s she going to do to me, give me a firm lecture?

The last person who tried to blackmail her ended up dead. From what I heard, she killed him herself. I told you, she’s dangerous.

I’m not afraid of her, she said lifting her chin. No one can scare me like that.

Joshua was pacing the parlor, wondering who would have the money to hire Pinkerton. His head was jumbled with the names of women who had the money. What would any of them want with him? None of them ever liked him. One name kept coming to mind, Camille Harper. She was obsessed with Indians, ever since her trip out to Colorado.

Her parents had thrown a party for her once she returned. She was insistent that he be in attendance. The whole night she had clung to his arm, ignoring the other young men in the room. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get the girl off his arm. All night she talked about her stage getting attacked and how exciting it was. Like it was part of some romantic story.

He had finally gotten loose and was outside getting some air, when she found him. Camille had brought him a drink. It was there that she told him that she had spent several nights in the bed of one of the warriors. She wondered if all Indians were like that. When he showed little interest in her story, she got mad and stormed into the house.

The next thing he knew was waking up in her bed, naked. While she claimed that she’d had a wonderful night with him, he couldn’t remember any of