In the Lawman's Protection

by Janie Crouch

  Natalie hadn’t spoken to either of them. And, after looking at Ren that one time as the train left Santa Barbara, hadn’t interacted with him, either. Not that he’d expected her to be the life of the party.

  The train had stopped once at its scheduled point, east of Las Vegas. Everyone had gotten out and bought food and any supplies they needed. Agents had been following Natalie discreetly in case she bolted, but she’d actually been the first one back on the train.

  They hadn’t gotten very far before Philip, still dressed in a hoodie, swung casually across the aisle and sat right next to Natalie. Ren leaned a little toward them so he could see what was happening more clearly. She had already stiffened and was leaning away from Philip, not looking at him at all.

  Exactly what they had been hoping for when they’d come up with the plan of Philip turning on the obnoxious.

  “Hey, you want some of my sandwich?” He was barely understandable over his chewing.

  “No, thank you.” Natalie didn’t look away from the window. “I bought food at the stop.”

  Philip just leaned in closer and waved the sub sandwich in front of her face. “Are you sure? It’s really good.”

  “No, I just want to be left alone.”

  “Aw, c’mon,” Philip whined, slurring his words a little as though he’d been drinking. “It’s getting dark. There’s nothing to look at out the window. Why don’t you talk to me instead? I’m tired of sitting by that old lady. Tell me a little about yourself.”

  Ren could see Natalie growing stiffer with every word. She didn’t respond to Philip, just kept staring out the window.

  “All I want to do is chat,” he continued. “We’ve got a long way to Saint Louis. Just talk to me.”

  She finally glanced at him before immediately moving her gaze back to the window. “I’m not interested in talking. I just want to be left alone.”

  “Really?” Philip sneered. “You think you’re too good to talk to me, is that it? Well, that’s okay, I can just stay here and get close to you. How about that?”

  Natalie’s spine was ramrod straight as Philip drew closer. She was all but pressed up against the window, but Ren caught a glimpse of one little fist tightening into a ball. He wondered what she would do if he wasn’t about to intervene for the sake of the mission. He almost wanted to find out.

  “Just leave me alone.”

  “I’m not talking about anything crazy, baby, unless you’re interested in a little alone time in the bathroom or something like that.” Philip leaned even closer.

  That was Ren’s cue.

  He stood and crossed over to their seats. “Look, I think the lady has made it pretty clear that she doesn’t want to talk to you.”

  Natalie peeked up at him, concern flashing in her blue eyes. Philip just kept staring at her. “Step back, man. This has nothing to do with you.”

  “Considering how small this train car is and that you’re a little drunk and pretty loud, I think it does have to do with me.”

  Philip snickered. “Fine. We’ll be quiet. Won’t we, sweetheart?”

  He reached toward Natalie and she flinched. Ren found it took much less acting than he’d thought to reach over and grab Philip’s wrist and yank it backward away from her.

  “Dude!”

  Without effort, Ren bent Philip’s arm into a position that wouldn’t take more than a flick of his wrist to break it. “I’m pretty sure the lady doesn’t want you to touch her.” Color had leached from her face. “Is that right, ma’am?”

  She nodded.

  Ren released Philip’s arm, and slapped him on the shoulder almost good-naturedly. “Why don’t we just get one of the train officials to come back here and sort out the seating arrangement?”

  If possible, Natalie’s face lost even more color. “No, that’s not necessary. I’m just not interested in talking to anyone.”

  Ren looked at Philip. “Why don’t you just go on back to your assigned seat? Like she said, she’s not here for conversation.”

  “I don’t think it’s fair that you both get your own sets of seats and I have to share with the old lady,” Philip whined.

  Ren glanced over at Natalie, who was still looking like she wanted to find some way to jump off the moving train, then back to Philip, who was doing a pretty damned good job of staying on script.

  “Why don’t you take my seat for a while? That way you’ll have your own set and can spread out and get comfortable.” His eyes flickered to Natalie. “I’ll sit here if that’s okay since I have work to do and am not looking for any conversation. Would that be okay?”

  She looked back and forth between him and Philip. She didn’t like it, he could tell. But when her eyes rested on Philip it was in distaste. When they rested on him it was in...fear.

  Either he was projecting his intent in some way he wasn’t aware of, or Natalie was very astute. Regardless, he was going to need to handle her with the utmost care if he was going to get her to trust him.

  “Um...” She bit on her lip.

  Ren gave her a friendly smile. “I understand. Just hang on a second and let me make a call up to the conductor.” There was a phone near the front of the car that allowed passengers to make calls to the train officials if needed. Train officials that were all, for the most part, Omega Sector agents for this journey. “We can get this sorted out so you don’t have to worry.”

  “No,” she said quickly. “No, it’s fine. If you don’t mind giving up your seat, it would be fine with me if you sit here.”

  Ren raised an eyebrow at Philip. “Okay with you?”

  Philip looked over at Natalie and shrugged. “Your loss.” Then got up and sauntered over to Ren’s seats.

  Philip winked at Ren as he followed him and grabbed his stuff. Ren gave the younger man a little nod. So far, everything was going as planned. Hopefully Ren’s gesture of help would soften Natalie slightly toward him.

  A few moments later he had his papers and laptop in hand and moved to the set of seats facing Natalie. He chose the seat near the aisle so both of them could stretch their legs without hitting each other.

  She gave him a soft smile. Looking at her like this for the first time—not a photograph of her or through a recording device—Ren was almost struck dumb by her beauty. Straight blond hair that was in a braid that fell over her shoulder, wide crystal-blue eyes.

  Lips so full and pouty they made him forget for a moment that she was most likely working with a man who had killed multiple innocent people and planned to continue.

  No matter how angelic she looked—whatever air of innocence and fragility she gave off—Ren could not forget she was the enemy.

  He smiled at her. “I promise, no talking.”

  She gave a little laugh. “You don’t have a sandwich you’re going to wave in my face, do you?”

  “No, left all my sandwich weapons at home.”

  “Ah, hope we’re not ambushed, then, or else you won’t be much help.” She gestured toward his computer. “I’ll let you get back to work. Thanks again for the rescue.”

  She turned back to the window but Ren could see her checking him out in the reflection. And once it got dark she didn’t have the excuse to stare out it anymore. She just sat there for a long time, looking at her hands folded in her lap.

  “Do you not get cell coverage on your phone out here?” he finally asked. He could understand if she didn’t want to contact Freihof, but surely there was something more interesting to do than just stare at her hands.

  Her eyes flew to his. “I’m sorry?”

  “People are on their phones all the time. It’s unusual to see someone without one these days. I thought maybe yours just doesn’t have coverage.”

  She shifted a little in her seat. “Oh, yeah. That’s it. No coverage.”

  “No games or anything? E-reader?”

&nbs
p; She shifted again, looking away. “My phone...isn’t working right. So, not having coverage doesn’t matter. And it’s not much use for anything else.”

  He gave her his friendliest smile. “Going to be a long trip without anything to do. Or maybe you just prefer paper books?”

  That got him a real smile. “Actually, I love paper books. But I didn’t have a chance to buy any before I left.”

  “Sudden trip or are you like me, a last-minute packer?”

  She relaxed just the slightest bit. “A little of both, I guess. Wasn’t planning on taking the train, but the bus was full.”

  Ren nodded. “Yeah, the strike. What a mess.” He shut his computer, watching to see if she would tense and turn away, pleased when she didn’t. “I suppose you’re going to mock me now.”

  Those blue eyes flew to his. “I am? Why?”

  “Because of my fear of flying. I just can’t stand the thought of being in an airplane. Therefore, my life involves a lot of buses, driving or, in this case, trains.”

  “What do you do?”

  “I have a sheep and dairy farm in Montana.”

  Damn it, where the hell had that come from? A small auto parts store owner in Saint Louis. That was supposed to be his cover, something nondescript and not very memorable.

  Why the hell had he told her the truth? He did have a sheep and dairy farm in Montana. His parents and brother lived and worked there. Ren had been itching to get back there himself.

  But he definitely had not been planning to tell his suspect about it.

  “Oh, wow, like cows and sheep?” She sounded a little excited before laughing harshly at herself. “Of course cows and sheep. I’m an idiot.”

  “Nah, don’t say that. But yes, cows and sheep. We sell wool to some boutique stores out in California and across the country.”

  Damn it, more truth. But he was committed to it now, so he’d have to stick with it.

  “That’s pretty interesting. I’ve always loved animals, but...”

  Only when it became obvious she wasn’t going to finish did he prompt her. “But what?” he asked gently.

  She looked back out to the blackened window for the longest time. “But having a pet or being around them just never worked out for me.”

  “Did you know that during WWI President Woodrow Wilson had a flock of sheep trim the White House lawn?”

  She laughed, then looked surprised by the sound. “You’re making that up.”

  “I’m not, Scout’s honor.” She liked animals? That he could give her. “My family got into sheep and dairy farming because my mother loved animals and couldn’t stand the thought of slaughter. So sheep and dairy cows it became.”

  He told her some more entertaining stories about growing up with his brother on the farm, about getting chased around by chickens when he was a toddler and how his brother, Will, had thought that black sheep were dirty and tried to wash one when he was young.

  And damned if he hadn’t used Will’s real name. A pretty common name, but still.

  By the time he’d finished she almost looked like a completely different person. Her face was more relaxed, unguarded. Her long legs were tucked up under her as she’d turned to the side to listen to him, head against her seat, playing with the braid over one shoulder.

  Every time he’d stopped telling a story, tried to get the conversation turned back to her, she’d asked another question about his life. Some downright insightful.

  Had his father considered becoming a large-animal vet at one time? Yes, until he’d realized he wanted to own his animals and farm.

  Did his mother ever knit them anything from a particular sheep they’d loved? Yes. Ren still had a sweater she’d made him from a sheep he’d once carried home after it had broken its leg.

  Had he and his brother both reached a point where they’d felt trapped by the farm and wanted to get away?

  That one wasn’t as easy to answer. Yes, Ren had left just after high school, deciding he’d preferred the excitement of joining the army than staying there any longer. The army had fast realized his ability to pick up new skills quickly, as well as his natural strength and intelligence. They’d fast-tracked him into special forces.

  Ren had loved the army but had gotten out after six years when he was approached to start a special law enforcement task group that would be made up of the best agents and ex-soldiers the country had to offer. He’d birthed Omega Sector. And had been fighting bad guys ever since.

  Like the bad guy sitting across from him now, with alabaster skin, her blue eyes drooping. She would’ve fooled him, he had to admit. If he hadn’t already known what she was capable of, he wouldn’t have believed it.

  So yeah, he’d left the farm because it had made him feel trapped. Like nothing ever happened there. But he was beginning to realize how wrong that was. Maybe shootouts and arrests didn’t happen there, but life did.

  Light did.

  He’d been living in the darkness so long that light was starting to seem damn more appealing.

  “You going to go to sleep there, Peaches?”

  One eyebrow cocked. “Peaches?”

  He shrugged. “Your skin. Just looks smooth, like peaches and cream. My mom used to make it for us.” Damn it, the truth. Again.

  “Yeah, I’m a little tired. My name’s Natalie, by the way.”

  He smiled. “I’m Warren Thompson, but generally go by Ren. Get some rest. I’ll make sure no one attacks you with a sandwich. We’ve got a long way to go.”

  Plus, it would make it much easier for him to do what he was about to do if she was already out.

  Her nod was full of trust, and just for a second guilt ate at Ren. It didn’t get any better when she tucked herself into a tighter ball on her seat a few minutes later, one small hand curled under her chin.

  He forced the feelings away. He wasn’t dragging her into the darkness; she already lived there.

  He just hoped he’d be able to find his way back to the light when this was all over. After what he had to do. Because the light had never seemed so far away.

  Chapter Five

  Natalie dreamed of sheep. All kinds. Baby lambs, adults heavy with wool and some that had just been shaved. She dreamed of sweaters and yarn and of a special sheep that had to be carried back to the safety of the farm.

  She sat and watched as the man she’d listened to for hours, would’ve listened to for the rest of her life if she could’ve, ran around her with the sheep. Would ask her to count them, to make sure they didn’t get lost in the darkness.

  It was a crazy dream, because she knew she was dreaming, knew this wasn’t real. She felt funny, like she was moving.

  She was on a train, her tired brain remembered, but her eyes refused to open. But the movement felt different. Like she was being carried somewhere.

  But she didn’t want to go anywhere else; she just wanted to stay here on the nice farm with the sheep.

  “No, please,” she murmured.

  “Shh,” someone said. “You’re just dreaming.”

  That voice, that smoky, sexy voice again. She didn’t want it to stop. Ren’s voice.

  “Sheep,” she said, hoping he’d understand. She wanted him to tell her more stories.

  “Yes, the sheep. Stay with the sheep, Peaches.”

  Peaches. That made her feel warm. So nice and warm. She just lay there and basked in it.

  But soon the warm became hot. Too hot. What was happening? The sheep were nowhere around anymore. Just the heat. A fire. It was burning her.

  Natalie forced her eyes open only to find she was surrounded by smoke. She coughed and sat up. Where was she? What was happening?

  And why in the world was she outside sitting in half a foot of snow?

  “Natalie, stay there.” It was Ren again, somewhere nearby but she couldn’t see him throu
gh the smoke. “There’s been an accident.”

  “A-an accident?” She tried to clear fog from her brain but couldn’t.

  “Yes, the train derailed or something. Crashed.” Suddenly he was there kneeling beside her. She could still barely see him through the smoke, but could see blood streaming over his temple. She coughed again.

  “There’s a fire.” She still couldn’t figure out what was going on. “You’re bleeding.”

  “I’m fine. But yes, the train is on fire. You need to stay back. I’m not sure what sort of materials the freight sections were hauling. Could be combustible.”

  She tried to focus on his words, to understand them, and she did, but it was like they had to wade through mud to get to her brain. She put her hands up to her head.

  “Are you okay?”

  “My brain is so slow. How did I get here?” She couldn’t remember any of it.

  “I carried you. I’ll tell you the whole story later, okay? But right now I need to go back.”

  She grabbed his wrists. The thought of him leaving her alone in the dark and smoke and snow, when she couldn’t process anything, scared her.

  “Am I hurt?” she asked. “I can’t seem to figure things out. I feel almost drunk.”

  “Maybe you hit your head. But I’ve got to get back in there.”

  It finally became clear to her. “Oh, my God, the other people. I’ll help you.” She tried to stand up but dizziness assaulted her.

  Ren’s hand fell on her shoulder. “No, you just stay here. Trust me, in the shape you’re in, you’ll do more harm than good.”

  “But that elderly lady...”

  He gave a curt shake of his head. “She’s gone, Peaches. She and the guy who was hitting on you. The way the train car flipped when we derailed...if I hadn’t changed spots with the guy it would’ve been me dead. No one could’ve survived.”

  Natalie bit back a sob. “Oh, no.”

  “Just stay here, okay? I’m going to see if I can find the train engineers, although, honestly, I’m not holding out much hope. But just don’t move. We’re not far from a ravine, and I don’t want you falling. Plus, it’ll just put us both in more danger if I have to look out for you, too.”