The Rails to Love Romance Collection

by Brandmeyer, Diana Lesire; Cabot, Amanda; Carter, Lisa

  “Sorry we kept you away from your admirer. Perhaps by now she’s found someone else.” Johnson smacked Wyatt on the back. “Don’t cry when she informs you there is another.”

  “She’s waiting for you, Johnson. You can find a preacher in Pueblo. Maybe acquire a positon at another paper as well.”

  “And let you have the run at the best stories in Topeka without competition? No. I don’t think so. Looks like the other train made it.”

  Wyatt nodded. “That should ease the tension around here. Might be some good interviews on that train, too, with all those legislators.”

  “I hope there is more than one. Too many reporters on board.” Johnathan paused in his tracks. “Let’s head over there together. I like you, Wyatt. Hate to fight you for a story.”

  “Excellent idea. I want to check on Miss Owen and her aunt first.”

  “Don’t take long.”

  “Why don’t you come with me? Give you a chance to meet Miss Periwinkle.” Wyatt couldn’t help the cat’s-got-you grin he knew crept across his face, though his chapped lips didn’t care for the too-tight stretch. He brushed his gloved finger across them, hoping they hadn’t split.

  “Might as well, but I imagine she’s already found a man or two to talk to on the other train.”

  “Then you’ll not be in any danger of being married by morning.” Wyatt turned back to look at another group of men following them who’d stopped at the stationmaster’s home to return the borrowed guns. “If we hurry, we can beat the rest of them.”

  Mary continued to fight Griff. The man had skin of leather. Her nails did no more than leave a red mark. Winnie had been right about there being a place to sleep on a differentcar. “Why are you doing this?”

  “You know why, sweetheart. No need to pretend to be the innocent here.” He pushed her into a sleeping berth. She fell backwards. “Paid good money for you. Could have had the other one for free, but I like that red hair. I like fighting women.” He reached for her hat.

  She kicked him in the chest.

  He rubbed the spot where her foot landed and then laughed. “Yes, I do. And I’ve got me one.”

  He grabbed the hem of her skirt. “Let’s see what color your pretty petticoat is. I bet it’s red to match your shiny hair.”

  Mary screamed and yanked her skirt from his hand. The fabric ripped at the seam.

  “Making it easier for me, aren’t you, wench?” Griff licked his lips.

  Mary sickened. If she’d eaten more, she would throw up on him. Instead, bile stung her throat. “Get away from me or I’ll shoot.” She went for the gun in her skirt pocket.

  Griff pushed her down and landed on top of her, pinning her arm to her side. “Yes, indeed. I do like a woman who fights.”

  His wet mouth moved against the side of her neck. His beard rasped against her skin.

  Mary gagged. Dear God, please send Wyatt!

  Chapter Thirteen

  The train looked homey to Wyatt with its flickering lights reflecting on the snow. Homey? Since when had he ever had a thought like that?

  Since Mary. He should have asked her to come with him, but then she would have been the only woman, unless he’d also asked Miss Periwinkle. He shuddered. Better that he hadn’t. While Mary would have enjoyed the long walk in the snow, Miss Periwinkle would have complained and made everyone miserable.

  He went first up the train stairs; Johnson followed.

  George didn’t greet them. Odd. The hairs on Wyatt’s arms tingled against his skin. High-pitched conversational cadence filled the air. Something was wrong. The car stilled when he entered. Mary’s aunt slumped in her seat. Was she ill again? Where was Mary?

  “Where’s Miss Owen?” Perhaps George went to locate her.

  “Some man drug her out of here.” A gray-haired woman palmed her chest. “She fought him, but he seemed to expect that. I wouldn’t have thought—”

  “Mildred, be still.” The older man sitting with her grasped her hand. “Someone should have stopped him.”

  “Where’s George? Why didn’t he step in?” Wyatt’s tapped his foot. He had to find her.

  “Haven’t seen him in a while. Someone said he was getting food for our car from the other train.” The older man coughed. “They pulled those girls out of this car. Went right past us, but I’m too frail. I couldn’t stop them with this wretched knee.”

  “There was more than one? Who else did they take?” Johnson’s words were hot on Wyatt’s neck.

  “That flirtatious Miss Periwinkle.” The woman scowled.

  Mary’s aunt stood. “Thank goodness you’re here, Mr. Cross. Did you find her?”

  The car swayed under Wyatt as he rushed up the aisle to her. “No. I didn’t know she was missing until now.”

  “What will I tell her father? I shouldn’t have brought her with me. He was right.” Her face was the color of chalk. “She isn’t skilled enough to protect herself on an adventure like this.”

  “Did you know the men that took them?” Wyatt settled her back onto the seat.

  “No. You have to find them. They were evil. Smelled of whiskey. Please hurry.”

  Where would they have taken Mary? His stomach sunk as he remembered Winnie telling him about the sleeping car. This time of day it would be empty. The perfect place to hide malevolent activity. “Come on, Johnathan. We have evil to stomp.”

  “Someone make sure she gets something to eat.” Wyatt yelled as he pounded back through the car to the door. “You.” He pointed at the older man. “You can do that much.”

  Mary struggled underneath Griff. He smelled like old fish and hair tonic. There had to be a way to get away from him. She couldn’t get to her gun, and it didn’t matter as it wasn’t loaded. Wiggling to one side, she freed her hand. She grabbed a hunk of Griff’s hair and yanked.

  “Ow! What’d you do that for?” He put his face close to hers and gave a reptilian wink. “I think you’re asking for more excitement than you’re ready for, missy.”

  A shadow cast by the gas lights wavered against the wall. Did Mary dare hope?

  Griff’s weight left her body. She scrambled off the bed to the dull beat of punches connecting with solid mass.

  Wyatt landed a glancing right cross off of Griff’s chin. He forced him down the narrow aisle away from her. “Get out now, Mary.”

  Her legs wobbled. She hung on to the curtain of the booth while the car spun. There were two Wyatts and two Griffs.

  “You’ve made a mistake messing with this woman.” Wyatt guarded his chin with a raised fist.

  “But I paid for her.” Griff snapped out a head shot, but Wyatt ducked left and blocked his attack.

  “Then you were scammed. She isn’t for sale.” Wyatt threw his weight behind one final gut punch. “No woman should be bought.”

  Wyatt’s fist connected, and Griff rocked back against the wall, chest doubled over his knees.

  Wyatt turned and grabbed Mary, holding her close to his chest. “Did he hurt you?”

  The car stopped spinning. She breathed in Wyatt’s scent. He’d come for her, protected her. She burst into tears.

  Wyatt held Mary close. What if he hadn’t arrived in time?

  “Winnie. Wyatt, that other man took her.” She broke free of his embrace, steady in her gaze. “We have to find her.”

  “My friend Johnson is looking for her. I hope he found her as easily as I found you. We split up to check the cars.”

  “You came in time. He was so…” She sniffled.

  “Shh. You don’t have to talk about it. Unless you want to.” If she filled in any details, he might have to shoot the man groaning on the floor.

  “No. I want to forget what happened. Thank you for rescuing me.”

  Wyatt stroked Mary’s back. He hated tears, but she had every right to bawl her eyes out. She clung to him, and a protective side he hadn’t known he possessed stirred. He vowed to keep her safe the rest of the trip.

  Just the trip? He didn’t want to admit it, but he
loved this outlaw.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Mary and Wyatt discovered Winnie and Johnson in the next car. Winnie’s face held a tinge of green, and her hair resembled a haystack that had been repeatedly stabbed by a pitchfork. Then again, Mary considered she might not look her best either, what with her ripped skirt. She hugged Winnie. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  “Had to bang up your man, too, I see, Johnson.” Wyatt glared at the man on the floor. “I left the other vermin in the car. We should see someone about getting them locked up.”

  “Mary, your skirt.” Winnie’s lips trembled. “And me, a mess. How are we going to go back in our car? Everyone will stare.”

  “We will march in there and sit by Aunt Cora and let her fuss over us. No one jumped up to save us from these men. Let them see what damage they wrought.”

  Winnie’s eyes widened. “Johnson found me in time. Didn’t Wyatt?”

  “In time for what?” Had Winnie’s attacker hit her on the head?

  “To protect your virtue.”

  Red-pepper heat blossomed across Mary’s face. “Shh.” She turned to see if Wyatt heard.

  “Johnson, help me drag this one next door. I’ll keep them in there until you find out where we need to put them. I’m thinking the caboose would be the spot where someone could watch them until we reach Pueblo.”

  “Why don’t we drag them there now, before they get their wits about them and start swinging?”

  “Good idea. Ladies, can you make your way back to your car?”

  “Yes, we can.” Winnie braided her hair. “As soon as we feel presentable.”

  Wyatt touched Mary on the shoulder. “How about you? I should escort you back to your aunt.”

  “No, I’d rather see those men contained somewhere as soon as possible.” Her heart skipped a beat. He cared about her.

  Once the men left, Mary turned to Winnie and tucked a piece of her hair back into her bun. “That’s better. About what you asked. Wyatt did reach me in time.”

  Winnie sighed. “We are fortunate to have been saved.”

  “Yes, but if you thought what you did, will the others think that, too, because of my skirt?”

  Winnie stepped back. “Let me see. Turn for me.”

  Mary did a slow revolution. White fabric peeked out of the tear. “What am I going to do?”

  “I can help.” Winnie pulled up the hem of her dress. “See, I pinned my petticoatbecause it was too long. We can use the pins on your skirt.”

  “But then yours will drag below your hem.”

  “I don’t care. The older women will think I’m sloppy, nothing more. But the tear in your garment will cause titters for sure and damage your reputation.”

  “Thank you, Winnie.” Mary’s heart softened. She was sorry for judging Winnie as selfish and uncaring for eating her aunt’s cake.

  “It’s okay. You would do the same for me.”

  “Why didn’t your uncle help us?” Mary tried to remember. Was he in the car when they were taken?

  “He’s not my uncle.” Winnie hiccupped a sob. “He said he was a friend of my father’s. He’s awful, Mary. What he wants me to do… I can’t, I just can’t. I won’t.”

  “You won’t have to. Aunt Cora and I will find a way to save you.”

  “Can you find me a husband before we get to Pueblo?”

  Wyatt. Would he marry Winnie? He did make a dandy rescuer. But could Mary stand by and watch him wed another? It would be an act of kindness a missionary would do. Maybe she wasn’t strong enough to be one after all.

  Mary explained to her aunt what happened in such a way so no one overheard the conversation. Winnie sat across from them, hugging the window.

  “There is no way, Miss Periwinkle, that you are going to sit with that man or go anywhere with him once we reach Pueblo.” Cora’s voice rose.

  “Shh, Aunt!”

  Cora lowered her voice. “You will travel with us and then return to St. Louis.”

  “He has my luggage tag. He said I wouldn’t get it back if I tried to run off. I don’t have money to replace my clothing.”

  “Never you mind. If he refuses to give it to me and Mr. Cross, then I’ll provide you with a new wardrobe.”

  Wyatt? Had she decided he would be a good match for Winnie? Mary squirmed in her seat. “Father will help her, I’m sure.”

  Aunt Cora gave her a knowing look. “I am positive of that, but he won’t be in Pueblo when we arrive. Mr. Cross has proved himself useful in certain situations. It won’t hurt to ask him for assistance in this manner.”

  Mary sat back. She couldn’t argue with her aunt because she was right. Wyatt was all that her aunt said and more.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the women’s lounge.” Winnie scooted to the edge of the seat.

  “Would you like me to come with you?” Mary wasn’t sure her new friend should go anywhere alone.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Winnie left the car, and Mary turned to her aunt. “Do you want her to marry Mr. Cross?”

  “Would that bother you?”

  “I don’t know. No. Yes. Aunt Cora, I’m conflicted. I want to be missionary, but I find myself desiring Wyatt’s company.”

  “Again, tell me, why do you insist on being a missionary?”

  “To help.”

  “You can choose to help from anywhere. Missionaries need support from those of us who aren’t living in Africa and India. Even today, offering to help Winnie is a mission act. What kind of things could you do if you married Wyatt and lived in Topeka?”

  “He hasn’t proposed, Aunt Cora. And then there is Father. He won’t approve.” She considered what her aunt said. She was right. Missionaries had come to her school to speak and raise money. Maybe she and Wyatt could visit one of the countries so they could speak with authorities and then raise money or even collect soap and send it back. That is, if he asked her to marry him.

  Wyatt tested the rope that tied Griff’s wrist to the bunk in the caboose. Both men sobered and expressed regret, but that wasn’t enough for Wyatt to let them go.

  “Why did you choose them in the first place?” He stepped back. They wouldn’t be going anywhere, especially since he and Johnson decided to take shifts watching them.

  “The blonde’s uncle said we could have them. He said she would be available in Pueblo, that he wanted to start his business early.”

  Wyatt clenched his hand into a tight fist, then forced it to relax. He couldn’t bring himself to hit a tied-up man no matter how much he wanted to.

  “Those are respectable women. You were misinformed.”

  “Tell them we’re sorry. Griff and I were playing cards and drinking with the girl’s uncle. When he lost, he offered them to us instead of money.”

  “That will be the last time he does that.” Wyatt settled in with his notebook on a hard bench. “Tell me what you know about him.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Wyatt’s neck hurt. He’d spent too much time guarding the prisoners. The swaying of the train beneath him coaxed and cajoled him to close his eyes. The engineer had received the all clear that morning, and the excursion to Pueblo resumed. There were many cheers of joy rumbling through the coaches.

  He and Johnson decided to spend the last night of the trip watching the two men rather than split the time. The caboose had two unoccupied beds that were more comfortable than the seats in the cars, making it a cozy nook for him and Johnson to discuss the state of the world.

  “Johnson, with the trains going to more places, there are going to be more towns springing up and newspapers needing reporters. Have you ever thought about moving west?”

  “You suggesting something? Trying to oust the competition?”

  “No, just thinking aloud. I’d like to try another city or town, but I plan to stay in Topeka.” Was Mary still sleeping? He’d popped into her car to check on her and found her resting against the window. She had to be cold. He wanted to pick her up and move her closer
to the stove. But he didn’t have the right.

  “Not me—I want to see the world. All the little towns with their crazy lawlessness will make for great stories. Might even send them to New York for the big papers.” Johnson yawned. His voice lowered and slowed as the night wore on.

  Wyatt slid off the bottom berth and gazed out the window. The sky sparkled with millions of stars. He wanted to show it to Mary.

  He nudged Johnson’s foot. “Wake up. I’m taking a little walk.”

  Johnson snorted. “Checking on your woman again?”

  “Yes, I suppose I am.”

  “Mary, are you awake?”

  She jumped. Stopped a scream from escaping her lips when she realized it was Wyatt who touched her. “Is something wrong?” She sat up and rubbed her eyes. The train still moved, Aunt Cora gave a ladylike snore, and Winnie—well, she had a line of drool on her chin. Mary quickly wiped her own just in case.

  “Will you come with me to the observation car?” Wyatt whispered.

  She blinked, then stood, responding to his request before she processed the thought in her mind.

  “I understand if you are afraid, but there are others there. We won’t be alone.” He held out his hand to help steady her as she stepped over Aunt Cora.

  In silence, they made their way to the car. Wyatt spoke the truth. There were several people in the car, all staring out the windows.

  Wyatt pulled her to an empty space. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  Outside, the moon and stars shimmered on what appeared to be a large lake. The reflections of the dancing stars took her breath. “It’s the most amazing sight. Thank you, Wyatt, for waking me. We should have woken Aunt Cora and Winnie, too.”

  “No. I mean, there’s something I wanted to ask you without them being present.” He pulled her close to him and whispered in her ear. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I feel in my heart that you are the woman God chose for me.”