Shea: Cowboy Chance: The Kavanagh Brothers Book 10

by Ball, Kathleen

  The railroad man plus others wearing the same uniform passed through the cars, counting. They would huddle together and start counting anew. Finally, the train moved.

  Shea was being silent. She glanced at his profile and could tell by the jut of his chin he was livid. They’d yet to address Adel about leaving the train without carrying her out. Phoebe stared out the window again. Her anger hadn’t subsided, and she was nervous she’d say something she shouldn’t.

  It had been frightening and humiliating to be left on the floor of the berth coach. It had been so hard to breathe as others scurried past her. She was helpless. She could have died and there would have been nothing she could do. She’d yelled for help, but no one took notice of her.

  Embarrassing tears flowed, and she discreetly pulled her handkerchief out of her pocket and wiped them away. Now what? Her eyes were bound to be red. Glancing across from her seat, Adel slept. How nice for her to be able to sleep.

  When could they go back to bed?

  “Shea, when we are allowed in the berth car we’ll check on Mary, won’t we?”

  Shea examined her face. Her face grew warm. Red face to go with her red eyes. Did her ears turn red too?

  Shea nodded and patted her hand. “I was just thinking about Mary. If they don’t let us go soon, I’ll locate her. I hope they didn’t make her and the woman she’s caring for stay in a passenger car. The woman looked terribly frail to me.”

  “Thank you. I’m grateful to have you looking out for us.”

  Shea grinned. “Not a problem. Mary is right nevertheless, Adel will accompany you to tend to you. I don’t mind carrying you. Better me than someone who might drop you.”

  “This trip is so different from the one from Pennsylvania to Kansas. They had a dining car. I was amazed. I kept to myself, though. Traveling alone made me stand out. Once I grew to know a few of the women, and explained to them about my groom waiting for me, they took me under their wings. I miss the freedom of walking.”

  “I’ll take you wherever you want to go,” Shea told her.

  No matter how hard she tried to smile, one wouldn’t come. “I appreciate it, but it’s not the same thing.”

  “I’m sorry—”

  “Don’t be sorry. I’m seeking to count my blessings instead of my problems or woes. It doesn’t naturally happen that way, but I’m trying as hard as I can. I sometimes wonder about prayers. I bet some are happy, some are sad, but are there too many complaints?” She frowned. “Hmmm… Complaint isn’t the right word. Blame versus praise? I talk to God a lot, and I tell him everything. I do ask for things. Do you think I’m the type of person who asks more than gives?”

  “I understand, and I hadn’t thought about it.” An easy smile graced his countenance. “We all have needs, and you want to know if the requests and demands overpower the praise. I’m sure that God is there for everyone, but praise is probably much appreciated.” The smile widened, and he shook his head.” And no, you aren’t a taker. You are a very giving woman, even if it’s just a smile or kind word.”

  A smile finally slid over her face. “I was angry when the accident happened. I was also glad to be alive. I prayed for healing, but everything happens in God’s time. I’m not the most patient person, but I’m trying so hard to see the good instead of the bad. If I practice it enough, it will be something I’ll have control over.”

  Chapter Nine

  Shea sighed as he sat back in his seat. Mary stepped in because Adel wasn’t the most helpful. As soon as he was in the position to fire the girl and her lazy brother, he would. There was no sense for him to go back to bed. It was already midmorning. But Phoebe looked so pale and distressed, he insisted she and Adel take a nap.

  The morning ride had been somber, but the mood was lightening. There was considerably more noise. He said a quick prayer for the conductor’s family. They’d been lucky overall. So many train robberies had many more casualties. Phoebe would think of them as blessed.

  He shook his head as he felt a smile appear on his face. She sure was something. She wondered about the most interesting subjects. The way her mind worked touched him. He enjoyed her company. A taker? Goodness no, but she probably worried because she needed to ask for more help now that…

  His memories flickered back to that day… The man from whom he’d bought the bull had said the animal was gentle. Shea would probably never know what set the creature off. Animals could be unpredictable.

  Phoebe would be married now if not for the accident. Some husband, though. He’d turned and run at the first sign of trouble. She was better off without him, but he wouldn’t have wished for the accident to happen, so she’d know her so-called groom was a coward.

  There really was more than one way to look at things. Well, maybe not all things; leaving Phoebe on the ground by the train couldn’t be looked at as anything other than what it had been.

  Phoebe will fit in well at the ranch. She could make a life there. She wouldn’t marry the first who proposed, would she? His smile quickly turned into a frown. Laughter behind him brought his musing to a stop.

  Turning his head, he saw Adel with a man and a woman, and they were laughing hard. Immediately he rose and strode to the seats they were using. “Where is Phoebe?”

  “Sleeping. She wanted to sleep some, so I found my new friends.”

  “Don’t you think you should be with her in case she wakes and needs anything?”

  “Calm down, cowboy,” the young man said with a chuckle. “It’s not as if she can walk away and disappear.”

  “Is that liquor I smell?” Shea demanded.

  “We’re taking it easy. Not like Jasper. We’ll be lucky if we see him before tomorrow morning.”

  One, two… No sir! Counting would not calm Shea. “Adel, have you been partaking?”

  “Shea, I’m a good girl!” Adel insisted before she laughed.

  “You and your brother are both fired. You can leave the train when we stop and get a return ticket.”

  Adel’s eyes widened. “We can stay on the train as long as we wish. Our ticket was paid to Fort Worth.” Her smirk was one of triumph.

  “Yes, but your return ticket will be from the next station and back to Abilene. You’ll have to settle the difference from your wages.”

  Adel batted her eyelashes at him and smiled again. “Fine with me. Jasper may choose to continue back early. He plans to give his money to our ma for the farm.”

  He couldn’t stay there. He needed to yell and hitting might be involved. Calm down, cowboy? Shea gave them his most scathing expression and walked toward the berth where Phoebe was reportedly sleeping.

  * * *

  “What?” Phoebe jumped when Mary put her hand on her shoulder.

  “Shea is here. Take his help while he’s here.”

  “Where is Adel?”

  “I do not know. She ran off a while ago and hasn’t been back to check on you.”

  Phoebe sat up. She poked her head out and smiled at him. “If you could carry me into the changing room…”

  Shea was immediately by her side. “You’re still in the same nightgown? I’ll buy you more at the next stop.”

  Phoebe didn’t even have to look. She knew her gown was stained from the holdup. “I have a few with me. Adel was too fatigued to help me.”

  His eyes filled with such fury it scared her.

  “Why are you here and not Adel?” she whispered.

  “I’m going to lift you now. Ready?”

  So she wasn’t going to get her answer. “Yes.”

  Shea gently carried her and placed her on the bench in the small room and then grabbed her bag and settled it beside her. “Mary will be right in. Take your time, I’m not in a hurry.”

  All she could think to do was nod. She could detect his fury was just beneath the surface of his gentleness.

  With Mary’s aid, Phoebe had a fresh dress on. It was brown and didn’t flatter her at all, but when traveling it was always suggested to wear dark clothes so
the dirt wouldn’t show. There wasn’t a place to wash clothes on the train. She had a few dark frocks and planned to rotate them.

  Shea walked in and took her bag and placed it on her bunk. Then he came for her. She was fearful to ask what was wrong. Men could be unpredictable when angered.

  “Thank you for carrying me. Are we near the next station yet?”

  “Why?” he sounded suspicious.

  “I like to watch the people at the stations. Some are so joyous a loved one has come home, and others are sad to say goodbye.” A smile worked its way to her lips. “I bet it sounds strange.”

  “Not in the least. We might pass Adel with her new friends. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t react to her. I think it best for now to just ignore her. I’ll tell you what transpired after we get settled.”

  What on earth? “Of course.” Soon enough, she spotted Adel. Who was she with? Sighing, Phoebe turned her head aside and stiffened at the laughter as they passed. Maybe it would be better if she didn’t ask Shea what happened.

  He sat her down and took his seat across from her. “Jasper and Adel no longer work for me. I wasn’t pleased with either of them. I planned to replace them as soon as I could find someone. Adel leaving you alone this morning was irresponsible. Well…actually it was horrid. She came in with her friends and they were laughing. I asked where you were, and I found out she hadn’t checked on you. Apparently, they’d been drinking. Jasper had to go to bed; he imbibed too much.”

  “Oh my!”

  “I informed Adel I’d only pay for a ticket from the next stop to her home. I guessed she planned on going forth to Fort Worth with her new companions. I want her gone, her brother too. Jasper has plans to hand his wages over to their mother for the farm, but Adel…” He drew a deep breath and pressed his lips together then let the breath out. “Well, she stated she’d pay the difference in the train fare from her earnings. They are so very different from their cousin Dee.”

  Leaning forward, Phoebe wanted to touch his arm in encouragement, but momentum had her falling forward. Shea caught her before she ended face first in his chest. She’d need help of a woman on this trip.

  “I’m sorry. I’m still learning what I can and can’t do.” She kept her gaze on her folded hands.

  “We’re all learning. Please don’t hesitate to ask me to help you. I know it’s awkward, but we’ll manage.” His voice was full of concern.

  Peeking up, she noted his eyes were no longer filled with rage. What a relief! Seeing Jasper, she inwardly groaned.

  “I’m fired?” Jasper looked sick, and he smelled sour.

  “Yes, both you and your sister. You were both drinking to excess, and that is not acceptable.”

  Jasper paled. “You’ll still pay us for the days we worked?”

  Shea nodded. “I heard you need money for the family farm.”

  Jasper shrugged his shoulders. “It’s going to belong to the bank if I can’t make the back payments.”

  “Do you do a lot of work on the farm?”

  Jasper shifted his weight from one leg to the next. “I hired men to do my part. I realize now how foolish it was. When my pa was alive, it was all work and nothing else. I know how to work and run the farm, but it’s probably too late. I apologize for making your trip more troublesome than it should have been. When Adel told me, she was going to help, I was doubtful. She isn’t the nursing type.”

  “I’ll give you both of your wages. You can decide whether you prefer your sister to squander it. What’s your mother’s name?”

  “Her name is Lucy Gates. I’ll be getting off at the next stop. If you could send the money to the bank, you were probably made poor by those robbers.”

  “I’ll talk to you before the next stop.”

  With a quick nod, Jasper left.

  “He’s not a wastrel after all,” Phoebe murmured.

  “I’m going to wire money to pay off the farm. I’ll send it to the bank and have them bring Mrs. Gates the papers. Poor woman, it must be awful to watch the farm go. Usually when you default on the first payment it goes downhill unless someone steps up to turn matters around.”

  She angled an assessing gaze on him. “You are a very nice man.”

  “I’m glad to hear it!” interrupted a harsh voice. “Aren’t you, Wilma?”

  Phoebe had to quell a groan and smile at Mrs. Burns and her daughter Wilma.

  “I’m so elated you made it through the robbery,” Phoebe told them.

  Mrs. Burns sat down next to Phoebe and gestured for her daughter to take the place next to Shea.

  “If you ladies will keep Phoebe company until I get back, I’d appreciate it.” Shea stood briefly, locked gazes with Phoebe, and then left.

  “Where do you suppose he’s going?” Mrs. Burns inquired.

  “I honestly don’t know, but it’s kind of you to stay with me.”

  Mrs. Burns sniffed. “Where are your servants?”

  Wilma squirmed in her seat.

  “They have to get off at the next station. Family business, I believe.”

  “We would be happy to help now and then. Right, Wilma?”

  The blond girl nodded. “Yes, mother, of course.”

  “How long have you known Shea Kavanagh?”

  A shudder went through Phoebe. Mrs. Burns was a nosey one. “Three weeks, I think.”

  Mrs. Burns crossed her arm over her chest. “Oh my, and here you are traveling alone with him. Your parents must be besides themselves.” She stopped and stared while waiting for Phoebe to speak.

  Phoebe turned her attention to the daughter. “Wilma, have you traveled much?”

  The girl turned crimson. “A bit, ma’am. We’re trying to locate the right city to settle at. I’m looking forward to stopping at Parsons. It’s a growing town because of the railroad. Many of the towns have been tiny.”

  “We are not stopping at Parsons, darling,” said Mrs. Burns. “I should have told you. I’ve decided we need to continue to Fort Worth. And I’m sure Phoebe wouldn’t mind if you used her first name.”

  Poor Wilma. Phoebe had been on the receiving end of the type of mother stare Mrs. Burns gave her daughter.

  “I’ve heard Fort Worth is a big town. I bet there will be many ranchers to meet. What do you think, Phoebe?”

  She blinked at Mrs. Burns. “I wouldn’t know.”

  “Oh, that’s right you poor dear, your groom ran from the Abilene train station when he saw you. Oh goodness me, I didn’t mean it that way, but I guess it’s true.”

  The more Mrs. Burns talked; the sicker Phoebe felt. Looking out the window and ignoring the conversation was more favorable. Too bad it wasn’t polite. Then again, she didn’t feel the need to be polite at the moment.

  The train stopped, and she watched Jasper get off, but she didn’t see Adel. She did spot Shea talking to a man and then heading for the bank. What a generous man. He didn’t have to pay the Gateses a penny more than was owed. Was he just being generous because of her? He’d said nothing about liking her, had he? Was she just another problem for him to take care of? Her chest tightened at the thought.

  Chapter Ten

  Shea smiled at the three women as he sat back down. “I’ve taken the liberty to have our meal brought to us plus food for the morning. I thought we’d be able to time the stops but because of the robbery the timetable for the train has changed. We will be here for a bit. They are changing out the car that the safe was in.

  He didn’t wish to mention the coffin that was there for the conductor. They planned to put the body on a north-bound train. So many passengers had stormed the sheriff’s office wanting their valuables back that Sheriff Farming boarded the train and began scrawling down every passenger’s account of what had transpired. He would be riding the train at least to the next stop so he could take down information without holding the train up.

  A portly man stopped at their seats, interrupting Shea’s musing. He held two picnic baskets and handed them to Shea.

  “I can’
t thank you enough. I appreciate it.”

  “You all have a pleasant trip.” With a smile and a nod, the man left.

  Shea reached in and handed out napkins. Next, he handed each a sandwich.

  “Thank you, this looks wonderful,” Phoebe said.

  Mrs. Burns’ nose twitched as though a sandwich wasn’t good enough for her. “Yes, simply wonderful.”

  Her daughter didn’t even glance at him. Not even when he passed her a cup of fresh lemonade. Her mother apparently did all the talking.

  “I was telling Phoebe that my daughter and I have decided to get off at Fort Worth. I’m hoping you can recommend an acceptable place for us to stay.”

  “Fort Worth has very few acceptable places. Its nickname is Cowtown. You’ll find plenty of saloons and cowboys to fill them. I know there are a couple of boarding houses on the north-west side.”

  Mrs. Burns stopped eating. “Isn’t that where you’re going?”

  “My family will meet Phoebe and me at the station with a wagon and drive us to the ranch. If we get in too late, we’ve been known to drive out of town and then set up camp. It’s not safe to drive the horses at night.”

  “Camping?” Mrs. Burns asked. “Well, there will be plenty of time for me to decide what our plans are.”

  “Yes, there is time.” He shifted so his focus would be on Phoebe. He captured her gaze and smiled. Her sweet answering smile sent happiness into his heart.

  “I believe we can be of help to you, Shea.” Mrs. Burns voice grated on him. “We can be Phoebe’s traveling companions.” She sat up tall as though she was offering him the world.

  “I’ve hired someone else. Thank you for your kindness, though.”

  Phoebe’s lips twitched while she gave him a look of surprise. He was pleased she didn’t ask questions. Maybe she trusted him. Trust was good.

  * * *

  Phoebe was dying to ask who he’d hired, but she’d wait until they were alone. If he’d wanted the Burnses to know, he would have told her the name. Poor Wilma. Was Wilma’s mother fishing to catch a man so different from her own mother demanding she marry William Bell?