Evernight Publishing
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2013 Vanessa Devereaux
ISBN: 978-1-77130-621-8
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Editor: Melissa Hosack
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
BREAKFAST WITH A COWBOY
Love Cowboy Style, 2
Vanessa Devereaux
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
Josie glanced at the clock on the station wall, watching the second hand speeding around its face. The train was due in four minutes and twenty-four seconds. This would be her last chance to change her mind, turn toward the exit, and never look back.
However, she’d never let anyone down before. Well, not intentionally. The bag with the item in question stood at her feet. She ran her hands around her ticket, feeling its sharp edges bite into her fingertips.
She was about to embark on a train journey that would take her through three time zones, and cover 2,200 miles. The whole thing would take forty-seven hours. Pioneers had crossed this same land in covered wagons and survived, so could she.
Stomach acid churned in her belly when a rumbling noise rocked the platform, signaling the train’s arrival. She’d never traveled by rail before, neither had Jennifer. Well, that was if you didn’t count the miniature electric one at the fair. Her parents still had the photo of her and Jennifer riding on it. She closed her eyes, trying to get the image out of her mind because they were happy times they’d never share again.
Who knows what’s in store for us, so live like it’s your last day on earth.
“Can I help you with your bags, miss?”
Josie glanced up, realizing one of the train workers was talking to her and that the train was ready to be boarded.
“That would be great, thanks.”
He grabbed the handle on her pull along case and was about to reach for the smaller one when she put her hand on top of his, preventing him from doing so.
“If it’s okay, I’d like to take this one. There’s something very valuable inside.”
“Absolutely, and we have a lockup area at the rear end of the train if you’d feel more comfortable storing it there.”
She shook her head. She wasn’t letting it out of her sight.
“Are you going all the way to Seattle?” he asked when they got onboard.
The reality hit her. She was actually doing this. She was going halfway across the country on a train.
“Yes, yes, I am.”
“First time on this train?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll love it. Can I see your ticket and I’ll direct you to your seat?”
Josie pulled it out of her coat pocket and handed it to him.
“Sleepers are this way. And I’ll show you where the restrooms are, and also the restaurant car.”
Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all. A couple of days of nothing to do but watch the scenery outside the window, taking in all the sights Jennifer had missed. And then at the end of the journey…she couldn’t think about what she had to do there.
One small step at a time.
“Here you are. I’ll put your case by this seat. Have a nice trip and be sure to ask one of the staff if you need something,” he said.
Courage, she wanted to reply but doubted they kept it on board.
****
Quinn knew he could have gotten to the station faster if he got out of the taxi and walked. It wasn’t the driver’s fault. It was his for oversleeping and jumping into a cab during rush hour. His head still ached from last night’s party and drinking. He rested his temple on the side of the cab’s window, its coolness helping to ease the drumming sensation there.
He glanced ahead, seeing nothing but cars. Quinn wondered what would happen if he missed the train. Would they allow him to catch the next one? He looked at his ticket but didn’t see anything about that written in the minute print.
Still, he wouldn’t worry too much. A train wasn’t his only means of getting home. He closed his eyes again. He’d only gotten about two hours sleep and it was already catching up on him. Must be what turning thirty-eight was all about. Mel had kindly booked a sleeper compartment for him, so maybe he’d nap all the way home. That probably wasn’t what his buddy had in mind when he’d gifted the ticket to him.
The cab stopped and he opened his eyes, thinking they were stuck in another traffic jam, but he was more than relieved to see the sign for the station hovering above them.
He rummaged through his bag, pulled out some money, and handed it to the driver.
“Keep the change.”
“Thanks, and you need help with your stuff?”
“Nope, but thanks for offering.”
“Have a good trip.”
Quinn got out and slung his bag over his shoulder and the zip round bag containing his one and only best suit, over his arm. He sprinted into the station but realized he might be too late.
“Has the train for Montana left yet?” he called out to a woman sweeping the floor.
“Nope, heard it’s been delayed.”
Seems it was his lucky day after all. He ran onto the platform, saw the train still there, and made a mad dash, almost dropping the bag containing his suit on the way, toward it. He got onboard and now all he had to do was find his seat. He’d take a nice long siesta and hopefully wouldn’t get disturbed by anyone or anything until he got to Whitefish.
He walked up and down a few of the corridors, completely lost, but finally saw a lady in a blue and red uniform.
“Excuse, me ma’am, could you tell me where I’d find this compartment?” He turned his ticket around to show her.
“You’re close. If you follow me, I’ll take you right to it.”
He followed her along the next corridor, and sure enough there it was.
“Here’s a map of everything on the train. Observation deck is down this way to your right and the restaurant is beyond that, and then the bar is this way,” she said pointing to her left.
Alcohol was the last thing he needed, but maybe a glass of wine would help him sleep even better.
“Thanks for your help.”
“Have a good trip. And we’re here to help so just holler.”
Quinn stepped inside the compartment, placed his bag on the seat, hung up his suit, and then sat down. He kicked off his cowboy boots and rested his head back as the train began moving. He watched as Chicago slowly disappeared from view. It had been his first time in the Windy City. Actually his first time in any city of its size. Not that he had anything personally against them, but give him the small towns any day. He was itching to get back to the ranch, his horses, and the cattle. The steady rock of the train made his eyes flutter and then shut.
The first ten minutes of his sleep had been a treat, but then someone sobbing had jarred him wide awake. It sounded like a woman. He closed his eyes again, trying to block it out, but he wasn’t that sort of person. Whoever it was sounded sad. Well, duh, Nolan, people who cried weren’t usually jumping up and down with happiness.
He pulled at a loose piece of thread on his jeans. The cowboy in him wanted to go and see if he could help. The other little part, the modern man, wondered if he should mind his own business. Quinn leaned his head back again.
People were unpredictable these days, getting uptight about a gesture that used to be a given not so long ago.
She sobbed, this time it was louder, and he even heard her catch her breath.
Hell, she needs comforting.
He jumped up, exited the compartment, and traced exactly where the crying was coming from. Next compartment if he wasn’t mistaken. The curtains in there were pulled across the glass. He turned to leave but then couldn’t. He was an old-fashioned guy and when a woman was crying a cowboy stepped into help.
“You okay in there?” he asked, tapping on the glass in the door.
Shit, what if she had a guy in there with her, a husband who was about to suggest he mind his own business? Not that he was scared. He’d been in his fair share of bar brawls.
He listened closely. No response. No answering of the door.
At least she’d stopped crying.
But he’d better check one last time before he went back to his own space.
“Ma’am, you okay?” he asked again. He peered around the gap where the curtain didn’t fit all the way around the window in the door. Ma’am should have been miss because she couldn’t be more than thirty. Prettiest thing he’d ever seen.
“I’m fine. Sorry if I disturbed you,” she called to him.
He saw her glance his way and quickly stepped away just in case she thought he was some type of peeping tom who went on train journeys to spy on women traveling alone.
“Didn’t disturb me, miss. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
“Yes, really it’s okay and I’m fine.”
It hadn’t sounded like it and her voice was weak, probably from crying. However, he would take her word for it and not push the issue more.
“Have a good journey, miss.”
He touched his head, thinking his cowboy hat was there to give her a polite goodbye, but realized he wasn’t wearing it.
Damn, he missed that thing. He walked back to his compartment and sat down.
He pulled out his book and opened it, getting comfy in the chair so he could read. But he just looked at the words without comprehending them. The place was silent, no sobbing to interrupt his peace, but now knowing he had a pretty woman just a few feet away disturbed him big time.
Chapter Two
Josie knew she couldn’t stay in her compartment for the whole trip. She needed to stretch her legs, plus she was getting hungry. She pulled out the mirror from her purse and checked her appearance. Her eyes were still red and puffy from her sudden outburst a little less than an hour ago.
She hadn’t realized her sobbing was so loud until the man had knocked on her door. His voice had been deep and sexy. She’d also gotten a peek at him through the gap in the curtains. Gorgeous is how she’d describe him with his strong jawline and wavy dark hair. A cute guy had coming calling and she’d sat there with a red and blotchy face.
One lost opportunity. She smiled thinking how she’d heard Jennifer’s voice in her head just then, and not her own.
“Okay, I know, I know, I promised.”
Damn, she hoped no one overheard her talking to herself.
She dabbed some blusher on her cheeks, put some drops in her eyes, and blinked a few times. Now she looked at least half respectable so she could to head to the restaurant for a quick bite.
Josie stepped into the corridor and remembered the restaurant car was to the right. She headed that way, passing a few people and having to squeeze past them in the tight fit of each of the train’s corridors. She saw the glass door that had restaurant written in black lettering on it and opened it back, letting a couple out before she stepped inside.
The place was more crowded than she’d expected it to be. She glanced at her watch. She’d hung around in her compartment longer than she’d thought, because it was already close to eight and prime evening dinning. Maybe she’d dig out the energy bar she’d stuffed in her bag and have an early breakfast tomorrow. She was about to turn and leave when a lady called out to her.
“Would you like me to find a seat for you?”
Josie turned back to see her holding a menu.
“Are you sure? It looks pretty packed in here.”
“We can always find room for a single diner.”
That made it sound depressing, like she was the only one dining alone tonight.
Her stomach rumbled. The energy bar wasn’t looking that great right now.
“Okay,” said Josie.
She followed the hostess to the middle of the car and her heart missed a beat when she saw him. The man who’d come calling at her compartment. He was sitting eating a steak and reading a book while he did so. He was also eating alone and the hostess was stopping by his table.
“Sir, do you mind if this lady joins you at your table?”
“No, there’s really no need to disturb him,” Josie whispered.
He looked up and her legs went weak. She hadn’t seen his beautiful blue eyes when he’d spoken to her earlier. They were baby blues if she ever saw them.
He smiled. “No problem at all. I’d be happy for some company.”
He moved his book and bottle of beer so the hostess could put the menu down on Josie’s side of the table. She sat, lost for words. She was only thankful he hadn’t seen her earlier and therefore wouldn’t realize she’d been the sobbing woman.
Josie smiled at him, and then quickly looked at the menu.
“I can recommend the steak,” he said.
“It does look good.”
“Quinn Nolan.”
He extended his hand across the table to her.
“Josie Shaw.”
His handshake was firm, his hands calloused, yet in a strange way the most comforting she’d come in contact with. And those eyes, and the long eyelashes as he looked across the table at her made her blood pressure rise.
Blushing big time.
She sipped the water the hostess had just dropped off at the table, hoping it would cool her down.
“You feeling better now?” he asked.
“What?”
That question had thrown her. He knew it was her. Shit, how had he known?
“You were crying earlier. I’m the guy who stopped by your compartment. Sorry to say I took a peek through a gap in the curtain on the door. I never forget a pretty face, even when it’s tear-stained.”
She didn’t know whether to be angry that he hadn’t minded his own business, or flattered by his compliment about her looks. She guessed the new Josie should opt for the latter.
“I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”
The waitress chose that minute to walk up to the table.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
“I think I’ll have the grilled chicken breast.”
Josie saw him shaking his head as he read his book, but he said nothing.
“That comes with two sides,” said the waitress.
Josie glanced at the menu. “I’ll have the baked potato and green beans.”
“Anything to drink?”
“The water’s fine.”
“I’ll get that order in straight away for you.”
The waitress walked away as Quinn looked up and shook his head again. “Should have gone with the steak. Here try this. Maybe it’s not too late to change your order.”
He cut off a piece of meat, forked it, and held it close to her mouth.
“Are you always this outgoing with strangers?” she asked.
“Just the pretty ones.”
She was going to take the fork from him, but she could almost hear her sister urging her to be brazen. Josie smiled, leaned across the table, and took the meat off the fork with her mouth. She glanced at the handsome guy as she chewed. Damn, he’d been right. The piece of steak melted in her mouth.
“Told you,” he said.
She quickly swallowed it so she could answer him.
“I haven’t said I like it.”
“Oh, I know you do. It’s written all over your face.”<
br />
He was borderline obnoxious, but she was beginning to enjoy having him as a dinner companion.
“Written all over my face. Really?”
“I can always tell when a woman’s enjoying something, I interpret pleasure really well.”
She was blushing again. She could feel the burn in her cheeks and not just because the dining compartment was jam packed and heating up by the minute.
“You want another bite?”
Josie grinned at him. Had that been intended as an innuendo? He smiled. Sure it had.
The waitress arrived with her meal, taking her mind off his dimples. How she’d always loved a guy with those.
“Anything else I can get you?” asked the waitress.
“No, not right now, thanks.”
Quinn took another bite of his steak as Josie cut off the first piece of chicken and put it into her mouth. There was no comparison. The chicken, while tasty, didn’t match up to the steak.
“See. Told you,” he said without looking up.
“It’s delicious,” said Josie before taking another bite.
“Like hell it is. I can also tell when a woman’s not enjoying something.”
Like faking an orgasm. How many times have I had to do that? Never, ever again.
Why she’d thought of that, was beyond her. No it wasn’t. That had popped into her head because he was good looking, sexy, and his subtle yet continual naughty way of saying things was corralling her in with each passing minute.
“So what are you reading?” She pointed to the book by his plate, hoping that would steer her mind into more neutral territory.
“A new biography about Buffalo Bill Cody.”
“You like biographies?”
“I love all books. Have since I was old enough to read. My mother used to read a story to me and my brothers every night without fail.”
“Glad to hear that because I’m a librarian.”
He put down his fork. “Then my stereotype of them all being old and stuffy has been dispelled.”
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