One Night With a Sweet-Talking Man

by Ana Leigh

  “Remember that I’m going back to sea in a few weeks. How much time do you think it will take for you to…adjust to the idea?”

  She met his gaze boldly. “I think a lot will depend on how well you can convince me.”

  “Another challenge, Miss Caroline?”

  “Afraid you’re not up to it, Fraser?”

  Jed didn’t miss the innuendo and burst into laughter. “To think you’re the one who warned me about jumping into water over my head! Honey, I hate to brag, but I’ve never had to convince any woman to go to bed with me.”

  She shrugged. “Even Napoleon met his Waterloo.”

  He eyed her incredulously. “You really are serious, aren’t you?”

  She nodded.

  “Very well.” He sighed tragically. “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”

  Caroline broke into laughter. “Strangely enough, Vincent Calhoun said the same thing on the train. It was his excuse for his nefarious actions. Is ‘the end justifies the means’ the litany all men use as an excuse for their misconduct?”

  “It’s more of a battle cry, madam. But tell me, what did you say that might have raised his wrath?”

  “Only that I wasn’t afraid of him and will no longer tolerate his threats to my family. Oh, and I slapped him in the face.”

  Jed arched a brow. “I have sensed a greater degree of…mettle on your part, Miss Collins.”

  “Mr. Fraser, I don’t think you or Mr. Calhoun have any idea how much mettle I have. But hold on to your hat, sir, because both of you will soon find out. Shall we return to our table?”

  His hand on her arm stopped her, and he pulled her into his arms. “Was that a battle cry I just heard?”

  Her eyes flashed in amusement. “Take it any way you wish, sailor.”

  “A challenge, and now a battle cry! Well, as John Paul Jones shouted to his British foes during the Revolutionary War, ‘I have not yet begun to fight.’”

  He claimed her lips in a devastating kiss that left her breathless but wanting more. “Ready to call it quits now, before I turn up the heat?”

  She hoped he didn’t feel her trembling as she looked up at him with a teasing smile. “If that’s the best you can do, Captain Jones, I’m afraid you’re going to need a lifeboat.”

  Jed slipped a hand on the back of her neck as they went back inside. He had intended to get out of the marriage, but she had turned the tables on him.

  Hold on to your slippers, Cinderella, because I’m the one who’ll claim the final dance.

  “Well, is the marriage still on?” Nathan asked, when they were seated.

  “Of course,” Caroline said.

  Garrett grinned.

  “After we meet with Stanford, we’ll travel back home, pack some additional clothes for a longer span of time, then leave for Calistoga.”

  Jed said, “We’ll be staying with Clay. He’s the eldest of us out here.”

  Jed winked at Garrett. “You’re going to like your Uncle Clay, Garrett, and the rest of your uncles. And your Aunt Lissy, our sister.”

  “And how about Garrett’s cousins, Jed?” Caroline asked.

  “There’s been quite a few in the last few years, but most of them are babies. And the last I heard, Garth’s wife, Rory is about due, unless she’s had it already. And I also have a cousin—my Uncle Henry married shortly before he died. I’ve only met Rico once, but he’s a great guy.”

  Later, as Caroline lay in bed thinking about the coming week, she began to feel a touch of excitement at the thought of seeing the Fraser family. She was especially curious to meet the women they had chosen for wives.

  It would be interesting.

  CHAPTER

  11

  Leland Stanford greeted them warmly in his office the following morning. For all Stanford had accomplished through the years, Caroline was surprised to discover that the former governor of California, and president and director of the Central Pacific Railroad from the time of its founding was only forty-five years old.

  After an exchange of introductions, he asked, “Do I detect a Southern accent, Mr. Fraser?”

  “Yes, sir, my family’s home is located between the James and York rivers in Virginia.”

  “Beautiful state, I remember it well. I visited it often when I was young. I’m from New York, and I didn’t move to California until fifty-two. I’m curious to know what the conditions are now in the South since the war is over. I imagine there was a lot of devastation?”

  “Yes, sir. I think it will take several more years to restore parts of it.”

  “The Civil War was the worst event that has happened to this nation since its existence,” Stanford said. “American fighting American. What a tragedy. But just as that war tore our nation apart, the railroad will unite it again. The United States of America—it’s good to hear that again. Only this time we’ll really be united—East and West, Atlantic to the Pacific.”

  “Why are you so confident, Governor Stanford? There’s still so much bitterness,” Caroline said.

  “Miss Collins, just imagine what will result. Those on the East Coast will soon be able to enjoy the merchandise from the Orient more cheaply and more readily than they could before, and we here on the West Coast will have the same benefit from British and European ports. And now families that have been separated by distance for years will be able to be reunited for the cost of a train ticket.”

  “That’s my family’s intention exactly, sir,” Jed said. “We’re planning a family reunion in Virginia next year.”

  “Then you’ll be able to enjoy the amenities of a transcontinental train. Many restaurants have followed the tracks across the country. Excellent overnight facilities are available in many towns on the route, where one can get a good night’s sleep in clean and comfortable beds, or remain and enjoy local sights of interest before boarding the next train on a later day.

  “The economy of this country will completely change. Freight can be shipped from one coast to the other in a few days, compared to the weeks or months it took by wagon or ship. People will be able to cross mountain ranges that once took time and risks by wagon or horseback. Thousands of miles of government-owned land will now be offered free to anyone willing to homestead it. And out of that will come the growth of towns, and towns will become cities.

  “Territories, due to increased population, will begin to petition to become individual states in the union. Businesses will spring up in areas that were once barren, creating schools, churches, and law and order in their wake.”

  “But you’re speaking mainly of the taming of the West, Governor Stanford. How will a devastated South benefit from a transcontinental railroad?” Caroline asked.

  Jed said, “We sure could have benefited from a few more railroads during the war. That was one of the many advantages the Yankees had over us. They could move their troops and supplies quickly by trains.”

  “Exactly, Mr. Fraser. And now anything can be moved quickly from coast to coast by train. A fresh peach from Georgia can be in the hands of a chef in a Nevada restaurant a few days after it’s picked. A coal company in Pennsylvania can ship coal to warm a San Francisco mansion, or a New York boutique can ship the latest imported Paris wedding gown to a bride to be in Nebraska. All in a matter of days.

  “Florida oranges will become accessible in New Mexico,” he continued. “California wine in St. Louis. The needs of an increased population will put a demand on construction, thus offering more employment opportunities and a demand for greater outputs from steel factories, cattle ranches, the corn growers of Iowa, or potato farmers of Idaho.

  “Fresh Maine lobsters will make their way into a pot in Illinois; Louisiana shrimp an added flavor to a Montana barbecue.

  “And just as important, my friends, with the train will come a continual migration of people both east and west, resulting in a blending of different races, cultures, religions. As a result, this country will become more united than it has ever been.”

  “I c
oncede your sincerity, Governor Stanford, but there’ve been so many scandals relating to the building of it, and the expense was phenomenal. And the Lord only knows how many lives were lost. I’m not certain I believe the end justifies the means,” Caroline said.

  “There are many who agree with you, my dear. But have we not marveled at the causeways and viaducts of the early Romans, or the wonderment of the Egyptian pyramids, Inca temples, the China wall? All magnificent feats of engineering for their time—but achieved by the sacrifice of thousands of lives of slave laborers.

  “Many hardworking men died in the building of the railroad, but stop to think about this: a farmer can drop dead from exertion while plowing his field, a lawman can be shot to death in the execution of his duty, or a cowboy trampled by cattle.

  “The same is true of the men who perished building this railroad. Most of the men in our crews were no different from that farmer or lawman. They were men of free will, prepared to exchange a hard day’s labor, or even risk their lives, to earn an honest dollar—God rest their souls.”

  “I suspect money had something to do with that accomplishment, sir,” Jed said.

  “Yes, indeed, young man. Since the beginning of time, man has been willing to sell his soul to possess it. I’ll not deny my associates and I may be the worst of such scoundrels. We amassed personal wealth in the process. Did everything short of out-and-out murder. We cheated and lied, bent laws, broke rules, bribed governments, and trampled over our rivals. We swindled and extorted money from whomever and whenever we could. But it wasn’t greed and money that drove us to build that railroad; it took a unified dream—and the vision to keep that dream alive. Without it, there would be no transcontinental railroad today.

  “Skeptics claimed it was impossible to lay track through the Sierra and the Rocky Mountains. We proved them wrong. We tunneled through granite walls and forty-foot snowdrifts when we had to—and we did it. Laid track through the heat and waterless sands of alkali deserts when we had to—and we did it. We built bridges to span raging rivers and granite gorges when we had to.” He slammed a clenched fist on his desk. “And we did it!”

  Stanford leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile.

  “Two-thousand miles between here and Missouri. We headed east, the Union Pacific headed west, and we met in Utah. I shall never forget what a glorious day that was.”

  “What happened?” Garrett asked, held spellbound by the man’s oratory.

  “We drove in the final spike linking the two railroads, my boy. A monumental event this country will never know again.”

  “Wow,” Garrett murmured with hushed wonderment.

  “What’s in store for you now, Leland?” Nathan asked. “Do you have another vision in mind for the country?”

  “Now, I’d like to see us crisscross this whole state with our trunk lines, then start branching out more. Maybe even form another railroad company in another state.”

  “Leland, you referred to your railroad adding trunk lines, which is what brings us here today. Jed, will you explain our problem to him and what you believe Calhoun’s intentions are?”

  Stanford listened intently as Jed explained the whole situation. When he finished, they waited a few moments while the man remained deep in thought.

  “If I understand correctly, Nathan,” Stanford finally said, “even without Mr. Calhoun’s involvement, you’d have no intention of giving the railroad an easement on your property.”

  “Not at this time, Leland. Jed told you my reason: it’s too soon to cut down those trees; they’d be worthless to me. I can’t afford that loss.”

  “Excuse me a minute,” Stanford said and left the room.

  He returned within minutes accompanied by a serious-looking young man with spectacles, who was carrying a folder. After introducing him, Stanford said, “Bob is the surveyor and engineer who laid out the trunk line in question. Mr. Collins has a few questions that perhaps you could answer, Bob.”

  “Of course, Mr. Stanford,” the young man said. “How can I be of help, Mr. Collins?”

  “Well, I’m told you’ve routed the track through a particular section of land that would create a serious problem for me. Is it possible a different route could be considered?”

  The young man opened a diagram and laid it out on the table. “As you can see, this drawing represents the four properties involved. The black line of crosshatches running through it represents the intended railroad track. This became difficult because of the various elevations involved. Note the deep drop here, a sharp rise at this point, even a river. These were all considerations which couldn’t be ignored.”

  He withdrew another diagram and spread it out. “Now, here is a detailed quadrant of your property. It has many varying elevations, but the only area that comes nearest to the elevation of your adjacent neighbors is the one I’ve indicated. Sadly, it has a river that runs through it.”

  “And bisects my mill and a section of the trees that I’m concerned about,” Nathan said.

  “Bob, can this portion be rerouted enough to avoid damaging the mill, without avoiding extensive additional costs to the railroad?” Stanford asked.

  The young engineer studied the details. “Because of the river, it’s important we don’t lower the elevation so that we don’t end up with any track underwater.”

  “The river never overflows,” Nathan declared.

  “We still have to make it a consideration, due to the bridge we have to build to span it.”

  He picked up a pencil and began to write some figures on a sheet. After several minutes, he put aside the pencil.

  “If my calculations are correct, we can angle in at the same elevation thirty feet to the east of the mill and be back on the original route. Shouldn’t take more than a couple of extra rails.”

  Stanford slapped him on the back. “Well done, Bob. Make the necessary changes on the drawings.”

  “One thing, Mr. Stanford,” Bob said as he prepared to leave. “This change will take out Building C on the drawing.”

  Nathan looked at the sketch. “That’s the bunkhouse.”

  “It’s a lot easier to rebuild a bunkhouse than a mill, Nathan,” Stanford said. “Just make sure there’s no one in it when we come through, because nothing gets in the path of the Central Pacific Railroad. Right, young man?” he said to Garrett and tousled his hair.

  Garrett laughed in delight. “Right, Mr. Stanford.”

  “That doesn’t fully solve the problem. I can’t afford to lose those trees,” Nathan said.

  “I’ve already figured what to do about that. I’ll pay for the trees that you’ll lose. But your crew will have to cut them down.”

  “What will you do with them if we do cut them down?”

  “We have many uses for wood on the railroad. The main need is for fuel to keep those iron horses chugging along, and we also use it on the interior walls on the freight cars. I’ll give you ten cents a running yard and hire your mill to trim them.”

  Nathan was at a loss for words, so Caroline asked, “Why are you doing this for us, Mr. Stanford?”

  “I’m a man of vision, Caroline, and I figure if I decide to run for president one day, I’ll be able to count on the four votes from the people in this room.”

  “Five votes if you count yourself, sir,” Jed said.

  Stanford snorted. “You don’t think I’d vote for a crook like me, do you?” he said, causing them all to laugh.

  “Speaking of crooks, sir,” Jed said, “we still have Calhoun to worry about, and his threats to the Collins family.”

  “You don’t have to worry about him, Mr. Fraser. I’ll handle our Mr. Calhoun. I intend to offer him a position with the Central Pacific. And, of course, threaten to withdraw my financial support when he runs for governor if any one of you is harmed—even accidentally.”

  “But why in the name of sanity would you hire a man like him?” Jed asked. “He intended to swindle you.”

  “In my forty-five years, Mr. Fr
aser, I’ve learned a lesson that Mr. Calhoun is about to learn if he intends to succeed in politics: never try to swindle a swindler.”

  “It’s no wonder why the man was so successful at bamboozling investors he spoke of; he’s amazing, isn’t he?” Caroline said when they were on the train to return home.

  “We’re talking millions and millions of dollars. I can accept the desperation they resorted to in order to build the railroad, but if what the papers imply is true, what they skimmed off the top is unconscionable,” Jed said. “Still, the insight it took to see the future economic gains for this country is remarkable, considering how difficult the physical challenges were,” Jed said.

  “No doubt they had their own economic gains in that vision, too,” Nathan said. “But I can’t help liking that man. Always did, from the first time I met him.”

  “So after a few hours in his presence, Caroline, you now believe that the end justifies the means?” Jed said.

  “I would never go as far as to say that,” she said. “Except, of course, he did prove that theory, didn’t he?”

  He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Well, the next thing on our agenda is our marriage. Let’s hope the end will justify the means in that case.

  “Tomorrow we leave for Calistoga.”

  CHAPTER

  12

  The train ground to a stop at the Calistoga depot with a final hissing puff of steam.

  Caroline looked out the window and saw Clay and Garth Fraser. She would have recognized them anywhere. They were probably in their early thirties by now.

  Her breath caught in her throat when she studied Clay. She’d always thought Andy had resembled Clay so much they could have passed as twins, but Clay had always exuded confidence, eompared to Andy’s shy nature.

  As for Garth Fraser, his grin and good nature had probably broken the hearts of most of the girls between here and Virginia.

  But they weren’t boys anymore; time and a war had transformed them into men, which had only enhanced their handsomeness.