by Clay, Verna
Lilah's neck hurt and she stretched it. Her stomach took to growling loudly and she placed her hands over it, smiling apologetically.
Rush chuckled. "I'm also ready to find a diner that serves up steak and potatoes. Since we're in Texas that shouldn't be a problem."
The train came to a complete stop and passengers hastened to retrieve their satchels, bundles, and small suitcases stowed overhead or under the seat in front of them. Rush handed Lilah her shawl and then reached into the overhead compartment for his saddlebags, looping them around his neck. He fastened his gun belt to his hips and then placed his duster over his arm. He waited for the family across from him to exit. The father thanked him and the baby started squalling in conjunction with the toddler whining. The mother, looking exhausted, handed the baby to the father while she bent to lift her toddler. The little girl started crying louder. Lilah turned her head to hide a grin, not because she thought the parents' predicament funny, but because it was just so endearing the way they cared for their children and exchanged loving glances in the midst of chaos.
Rush exited the train after the sweet family and then turned to help Lilah down. Rather than offer his arm, he reached his hands to span her waist and bodily lifted her to the ground, as if she weighed nothing. Her feet didn't even touch the steps. She swayed and he kept his big hands around her waist.
Taking a step backward, she said, "Thank you, Rush. I think I'm stable now."
His hands lingered a moment longer before he released her. She couldn't seem to inhale enough air.
"Ma'am, how about you wait over there while I inquire about accommodations and a place to eat?"
She nodded and followed him to an unoccupied corner of the depot landing. He said, "I'll be right back."
While she waited for his return, she watched passengers and workers hustle to and fro. Travelers from the coach-class cars behind the mail car were still debarking. Mostly, they were rough looking cowboys. Many of whom appeared not to have bathed in weeks. Lilah could only imagine the smell in such close quarters and felt sorry for the few women interspersed among them, especially the ones with children. Any man in his right mind would want his family to travel first class, but times were hard, and one had to manage on what was available.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Rush returned. He smiled and her heart tripped. The evening light played across the angles of his face and darkened the stubble that had grown since morning. Even wearing a smile, he had the face of a man you wouldn't want to tangle with. He said, "I was told that the Morgan Hotel is right nice and serves a great meal. If you'll excuse me a little longer, I'll just hire a buckboard and get your trunk loaded onto it. We should be at the hotel in no time."
"Thank you. Please don't worry about me. The jerky and hardtack you brought will hold me over until we get to our accommodations. I'm sorry I didn't think to bring something to eat."
"Well, like you said, you haven't traveled much. I travel all the time so I'm kind of experienced in what to bring." He glanced down the road. "I better hire that wagon before it's gone."
A short time later Lilah sat beside the driver of their buckboard while Rush rode in the back with her trunk. The distance to the hotel wasn't far and if they hadn't had her trunk they could have walked. Their driver pulled to the front steps of the hotel and light spilled from its windows and onto the now dark street. A few streetlamps cast long shadows from buildings across the hard-packed road. Rush jumped from the wagon bed and hastened to lift Lilah to the ground before helping the driver carry her trunk into the lobby. He reached into his pocket for a couple of coins and paid the driver. The young man grinned and said, "Hey, thanks. Tell me again what time I should be here in the morning?"
"Our train leaves at ten, so be here at nine."
"Sure thing. See ya then."
Rush touched Lilah's elbow and guided her to a long counter. Slots holding keys and papers covered the back wall. A tall, thin, elderly clerk with bushy eyebrows and a serious expression asked, "You needin' a room for the night?"
"Actually, we need two rooms."
The man squinted between Rush and Lilah, and then shrugged. "Sure. I got one on the first floor and one on the second."
"Which would you suggest as being the best for the lady?"
"The second."
"Great. Oh, and I'll also need the lady's trunk delivered to her room." He pointed to the trunk.
The clerk called to a young man standing at the end of the counter, "Joey, find Harmon, and deliver that trunk to room 209."
"Yes, sir," said a boy of about sixteen with thick red hair and a ruddy complexion.
The clerk turned his ledger around so Rush could sign it. "That'll be a buck and a half a room, sir."
Rush reached into his pocket for some coins, handed them over, and asked, "Do you have a bathtub that can be delivered to the lady's room?"
"Sorry, sir, we don't. We got one ordered from Dallas but it hasn't arrived yet."
"Well, then, I'd like extra water delivered to her room." He tossed the tall man a coin.
The clerk's somber look softened and he said, "As you wish, sir."
Lilah, who had lived in the luxury of her townhouse for the past fifteen years, marveled at the crudeness around her, and it brought back childhood memories of a small farm, loving parents, and days of hard work. In her youth, she had wanted nothing more than to escape the harshness of country living, but now, she wanted to return to those days with the knowledge of the world she'd gained since that time. Her choices would have been much different.
Rush accompanied Lilah to her room and unlocked the door. Stepping inside, he gazed around before handing her the key. "Ma'am would you like to eat in the dining room or have supper delivered?"
Wanting to remain alone with her memories, she said, "I'd like to eat in my room." She felt she needed to give an explanation and added, "I'm very tired."
Rush stepped to the door and asked with a lopsided grin, "Shall I order steak and potatoes?"
Lilah returned his smile. "Would you add some apple pie, too?"
Rush tipped his hat, chuckled, and closed the door.
Chapter 7: Headache
Rush was up early the next morning. The hotel bed had been comfortable and he'd slept well. Hell, just about any bed felt good when you were used to sleeping on the open range.
When he'd first started this journey to find Lilah, he'd wanted to just get it over with, but now that he'd found her, he liked her company and didn't mind that it would take three weeks to reach Oregon City.
He had relaxed on the worn-out divan in the lobby and lifted a cup of tar black coffee to his lips when motion on the stairs drew his attention. Dressed in a modest blue dress with a white collar, Lilah gracefully descended. It seemed no matter her attire, even the simplest of dresses, she garnered attention. The hotel clerk and his assistant, as well as the few hotel guests having risen at such an early hour, stopped what they were doing and watched her. Rush wondered if she was aware of the distraction she'd created. She appeared oblivious. He rose and lifted his cup to catch her attention. With a shy smile she walked across the lobby.
"Mornin' Lilah. Are you a coffee drinker?" He remembered the tea she'd served at her home.
"I am. Love the stuff. The blacker the better."
That surprised him and he grinned. "Have a seat and I'll fetch you a cup. The dining room doesn't open 'til seven but I sweet-talked the cook." He winked and started toward the kitchen, but turned and asked, "How was your supper? Did you enjoy the apple pie?"
She grinned. "It was wonderful. I didn't leave a crumb on my plate. I sure hope they serve biscuits and gravy this morning."
Rush laughed loudly. "It's nice to meet a woman with a hearty appetite."
She returned his playful banter. "Well, I'm afraid hearty meals are giving me a hearty middle." She patted her stomach.
Rush's gaze moved to her waist and back to her eyes, taking in her bosom during the travel upwards. Damn, she's a fine
woman.
His perusal must have revealed something of his thoughts because the laughter in her eyes disappeared and she quickly glanced away.
"I'll be right back with your coffee, ma'am."
When he returned, he sat in a chair across from the divan and attempted to get them back on even footing. Obviously, Lilah did not like being scrutinized by men. Scrutinized? Hell, you were ogling her. He said, "Our train departs at ten for Houston, so we have plenty of time to eat before leaving for the depot."
She sipped her coffee and asked. "Did you travel the trains from Oregon to Louisiana?"
"Actually, only about a third of the way. I left my horse with Cooper and Hallie and bought another one to ride the Oregon Trail. In Nebraska I detoured from the trail and rode to Dallas, where I sold my horse and caught the rails to Houston and then Orange on the same trains we're taking. Once we reach Dallas we'll travel by stagecoach to Omaha, Nebraska and our travels will change from my original route. We'll take the Union Pacific Railroad all the way to California and then proceed as I shared earlier. Someday there will be northern rails to Oregon, and as fast as expansion is moving west, it'll probably be sooner than we realize."
Lilah's expression reflected amazement. "Just think, my sister traveled from Missouri to Oregon by wagon train. She always had more courage than me. I don't think I could have done what she did."
"I highly doubt that."
Lilah gave him a questioning look.
He winked. "From what I've seen, you have plenty of spunk. Remember Brutus?"
She laughed. "That's called false courage. No, what my sister did—forging past mountains, rivers, Indian territory—takes true courage."
Lilah's heartfelt words made Rush want to cup and caress her lovely cheek. He forced himself to glance past her. "Looks like the dining room is open for business. Let's go order up some biscuits and gravy."
* * *
Lilah again found herself seated beside the window on the train. The young family now sat directly in front of her and Rush, and she caught glimpses of the baby. Because she couldn't help herself, she leaned forward after the train reached its traveling speed and asked the mother, "How old is your baby?"
The woman turned until she could see Lilah and said, "She's three months. Her name is Roxanna California. My other daughter's name is Eula Sarah."
Lilah smiled. "Well, your children are just adorable. By the way, my name is Lilah Parker."
The young mother grinned. "It's nice to meet you. I noticed you and your man yesterday and would have introduced myself and my husband, but, as you can see, we've been distracted. Traveling with children can be very challenging. My name is Sadie Gunther and this is my husband Clive."
Clive, cradling a sleeping Eula Sarah, had turned when their conversation started. "Nice to meet you, ma'am." He looked at Rush and nodded. "You too, sir."
Rush said, "Please, call me Rush."
For the next several minutes, until the baby let out a squall, Lilah and Rush talked with the delightful couple. They were traveling as far as Houston to visit Clive's grandparents who had never met their great-grandchildren.
Lilah settled back and fanned herself. She was used to humidity and Texas proved to be just as humid as New Orleans. The train they traveled on today only had two passenger cars and wasn't near as nice as the previous one. The weather, added to the hardness of the seats, made travel uncomfortable. After a short stopover in a small town, they continued eastward into remote territory. In a few more hours they would reach Houston. Even though Lilah tried to stay awake, her eyelids drooped.
The slowing of the train awakened her. She mumbled, "Are we there?"
Rush responded, "Not yet. We're still in open country. The conductor announced the train is stopping to refill water in the tender."
Lilah stretched her aching back and leaned toward the window to see down the tracks. She saw the water tower, but didn't see any workers rushing about as at the other drops.
Suddenly, an unexpected shout from the coach's entrance startled everyone and a cowboy wearing a red bandana over his nose and mouth, with his hat low on his head, shoved the conductor inside. Another cowboy, his face hidden by a blue bandana, entered behind them. The first cowboy lifted the butt of his pistol and knocked the conductor unconscious. He then waved his weapon in a threatening manner. A scream from a woman near the front, followed by a rasped, "Shush, be quiet, woman," from a male traveler, broke the stunned silence.
Beside Lilah, Rush said under his breath, "Damn!"
Lilah glanced at him. He said softly, "Don't call attention to yourself, darlin'." She saw him move his foot and edge his holstered gun farther under her shawl and push it beneath Mr. Gunther's seat. He whispered, "I'll use it when the time is right."
The front man of the two bandits shouted, "Listen up folks, if ya'll do what I say, I won't shoot ya. Jus' so ya know, I got a man in the other coach keepin' everbody comp'ny till I git there." Lazily, he scratched his neck. "When I step next to ya, I want ya'll to slowly gather yer money and valuables and drop 'em in my sack. Try any funny business and I'll splatter yer brains. Don't think I can 'splane it any simpler than that." He added, "And don’t think the engineer or fireman or any other workers is goin' to save ya, they're all sleepin' just as peaceful as yer conductor." He snorted and suddenly pointed his pistol and fired. Several women screamed and a man near the back yelled and grabbed his leg.
"Didn't I warn ya not to try anything, idiot. Yer damn lucky I'm usin' ya as an example. Next time it'll be yer brains—not that ya got any. Anybody else wanna be a hero?" He waved his gun and his partner laughed.
The heads of the passengers vehemently shook no in response.
"Good. Now I'll jus' relieve ya of yer money, jewelry, and whatever else I want." He snickered. "I'm passin' the plate, brothers and sisters."
While the other sweaty outlaw with greasy hair sticking from beneath his dusty hat pointed his gun down the aisle, the first bandit held out an old flour sack and walked from person to person. The terrified men and women, listening to the moaning of the man who had been shot, hastily emptied their pockets and reticules.
Over the back of the Gunthers' seats, Lilah could see the young father cradling his baby protectively and Mrs. Gunther bending over her toddler. When the grimy cowboy stepped next to the young family, Mr. Gunther placed his money in the sack.
The cowboy glowered, "Are you deaf or just hard-headed? Put yer ring in there, too." Mr. Gunther removed his ring and dropped it in the bag. The outlaw glanced at Mrs. Gunther and then back at her husband. "I can't believe you ain't give yer pretty li'l wife a ring." He snarled at Mrs. Gunther. "Hand it over. Where's yer weddin' ring."
"I-I d-didn't bring it with m-me, sir. Since the baby, my fingers are too b-big," she stammered.
Mr. Gunther said, "Leave her alone. She's telling the truth."
The cowboy raised a greasy eyebrow and snickered, "Now ain't you courageous. Well, maybe I don't believe ya and maybe I'm jus' gonna take yer woman as my prize." He grinned wickedly and said to Mrs. Gunther, "Put that kid aside and git in the aisle."
Lilah said loudly, "I'm prettier!"
She heard the Gunthers gasp and felt Rush stiffen. "What the hell are you doing?" he whispered.
Lilah said to the outlaw, "Why would you want her when you can have me?"
The slimy man cocked his head sideways. "Did you hear that brother?" he yelled to his partner. "Hell, we got a crazy woman on board."
"Jus' hurry up and get the goods. Forget 'bout the woman."
"No way. She's right 'bout bein' prettier. In fact, she's downright beautiful. I think boss'll be happy with this one." He stared hard at Lilah. "Get yer ass in the aisle."
Lilah's heart pounded as she forced herself to stand. Suddenly, the outlaw whacked Rush with the butt of his pistol and snarled, "I ain't taken no chances with this one. He's lookin' right unhappy 'bout me taken his woman."
Rush slumped forward and Lilah screamed, "No!" Without
thought for her own welfare, she lunged at the outlaw. He also knocked her in the head, but only hard enough to stun her, not render her unconscious like Rush.
Numbly, she felt herself being pulled into the aisle and dragged backwards.
Chapter 8: Posse
Rush groaned. He sounded pitiful even to himself. Sprawled in the aisle of the coach, a man bent over him and shouted, "He's comin' round."
Opening his eyes was torture for Rush when the light hit his pupils. He felt nauseous, dizzy, and disoriented. For a second, he closed his eyes and returned to the safety of darkness, almost letting himself slip back into blessed unconsciousness. However, something kept nagging at the back of his mind, wanting to be remembered. Lilah!
He jerked his eyes open and tried to bolt upright.
"Whoa. Hold on young man. You took a pistol butt to the head."
Rush placed his hands against his temples and rasped. "Did they take the woman? The one traveling with me?"
There was a pause and then, "Yep. Sorry 'bout that."
He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. "How long have I been out?"
"About an hour."
Rush silently cursed a string of profanities. He'd been weighing his options of pulling his gun while the men were still on the train or waiting until they made their escape before shooting them. He'd decided to wait, but when Lilah had played the rescuer, he'd known he needed to move quickly. That's when he'd been struck unconscious. "Did they disable the train?"
"Yep. They also let all the livestock loose so we ain't got horses to make up a posse."
"Did they discover my gun under the seat in front of me?"
"Don't think so. Let me check." Rush heard movement and then, "It's still here."
"Good. Help me sit up."
"You sure you want to so soon?"
"Yes."
The kindly man placed an arm under Rush's back and lifted. When the room stopped spinning, Rush glanced at the onlookers crowded around him. "Is Lilah the only person they kidnapped?"