"We ain't got much time. So, come along. You can move faster than that."
Wilder pulled at the man. The thief stumbled releasing the valise.
Wilder reached down and picked up the valise. The thief looked as if he were about to object, but then changed his mind when he saw the way Wilder was looking at him.
"Why are you doing this?" the man said his brows furrowing.
"I don't like to see women being taken advantage of. Especially by the likes of you," Wilder declared.
Once again the thief looked like he was about to object, but quickly thought better of it.
"Now, we are going back to those ladies, and you are going to return their valise and you are going to apologize. Ain't that right?"
The thief simply nodded.
Wilder grasped the valise, and they made their way through the now empty station building and onto the platform. Wilder looked along toward the seat where the two women had been seated, but saw that they were no longer there. He heard frantic voices from his left and turned.
There they were, talking with the train guard. Passengers were starting to board the train. The two women were frantically pointing and yelling at the guard who was just shaking his head in a resigned manner.
Then, Wilder saw the blonde woman notice him. Her strikingly blue eyes widened as she looked at the valise in Wilder's hand. Her mouth opened, and she tugged on the arm of the other woman who turned.
Wilder felt the thief try to pull away from him, but Wilder dug his fingers even tighter into the man's arm. The thief winced, and Wilder shook his head. "That's not a good idea. What's your name?"
The man's eyes rolled.
"I think I'd like to introduce you to your victims," Wilder explained.
The man sighed. "Silas. Forester."
"Well, Mr. Silas Forester. I think you have some apologizing to do. Don't you agree?"
Wilder saw Forester's jaw tighten. There was a flash of indignation in the man's eyes.
Wilder turned and saw the two women making their way toward him.
"Why don't you just smile," Wilder said with more than a hint of sarcasm. "Let's be nice to these lovely ladies."
Wilder looked down at Forester. The man's lips had stretched into the most unconvincing smile Wilder had ever seen. Wilder sighed and shook his head. "You can do better than that, Silas. Those women are upset enough without seeing such an ugly face as yours."
Wilder saw Forester's arm twitch as if he were thinking about reaching for his gun. Wilder matched the man's arm movements. If it came to a draw, there would only be one winner.
"My valise," came a voice. It was an angry voice, but the tone of it was also mighty sweet to Wilder's ears. Wilder turned. The blonde woman drew up in front of Wilder and Silas, looking back and forward between the two men.
"Can someone explain to me what's going on?" she said.
Wilder looked at the woman. She was even more beautiful up close. Her features were even and her skin was clear. There was a defiant poise to her entire demeanor. Her shoulders were held back, her chin jutted out stubbornly. She didn't look in the slightest bit phased by the presence of two complete strangers, one of whom was grasping her valise.
"I believe this man owes you an apology ma'am," Wilder said looking at Forester.
"What do you mean?" she replied.
Wilder looked at Forester and saw that the man's mouth was shut tight.
"Let me explain," Wilder offered. "I saw this man take your valise, ma'am. While you were talking with you friend," Wilder said glancing behind the blonde woman at her friend. The relief on the brown haired woman's face was clear to see.
"How dare you, sir," the blonde woman exclaimed. "I ought to have you taken to the local sheriff."
There was a gush of steam from beneath the train's engine and a whistle sounded loud along the platform. Wilder frowned. "I think that might be a bit difficult, Miss...?"
The blonde woman's brows furrowed and she looked at Wilder. "Miss Amelia Crawford." She turned and looked at her friend. "And this is Miss Bethany Lennox. And you are...?"
"The name's Wilder, ma'am. Wilder Armstrong."
Amelia's eyes widened with interest. "Wilder? That's a singular name."
Wilder shrugged. "It's the only one I've got," he said with a quirk of his mouth.
"Am I to understand that you saw this man take my valise and that you pursued him?"
"That's just about it, ma'am," Wilder replied.
Wilder saw Amelia turn to Bethany who looked surprised.
"May I have my valise. please?" Amelia said stretching out her arm.
Wilder turned to Forester. "Well?" he prompted.
Forester handed the valise to Amelia, but said nothing.
Wilder dug an elbow into Forester's side. The man's face creased with discomfort.
"What you got to say for yourself?"
"I don't need to say nothing," Forester.
"I think you do. And if you don't, I might just stay on here in town and make sure you're dealt with properly."
"You're riding on the train?" Amelia asked.
"I am indeed, ma'am. All the way to Montana."
There was another loud whistle and the guard called out. "Last call. Everyone on board." He looked over at Wilder and the others with obvious impatience.
Wilder sighed. "Now come on, Silas. Do the right thing here. These fine ladies deserve an apology, and I think you can deliver that right here, right now."
Forester's shoulders sagged and he sighed. "I'm mighty sorry I caused you upset, ladies."
Wilder grinned at Forester. "Now, that wasn't so hard was it?"
Forester glared at Wilder.
Wilder peered at the train. "I do believe this train is about to depart ladies," he said. "May I escort you both back on board?"
"We've only just been introduced," Bethany said sounding scandalized.
Wilder released Forester. "Count yourself lucky, Silas. I'm sure if I'd stayed around here you'd be in a heap of trouble. I guess this isn't the first time you've been caught. I'm sure it won't be the last."
Forester grimaced. "That's something you won't ever know anything about. Even if you claim to represent the law."
Wilder saw Amelia's eyes widen at hearing Forester's words. Wilder turned and bowed to the two women. "If you would be so kind, ladies. I think the train is about to depart. Do you have everything you need?"
Bethany's eyes narrowed and she scowled at Forester. "You should be ashamed of yourself, sir," she declared. "You're lucky we have to leave so soon."
Forester turned and started to make his way toward the station house.
Wilder followed the two women to the door of the train's carriage. He raised an arm and tried to help Amelia step up onto the train carriage. She gave him a stern look. "I think I can get onto the train myself, sir," she said firmly.
Wilder smiled at her. "The name's Wilder, ma'am."
"I suppose it is," Amelia said haughtily, turning to follow Bethany up the steps and into the carriage. Wilder smiled and shook his head as he followed behind them. Some folks were just never grateful.
CHAPTER THREE
The two women found their seat and quickly settled down. The carriage was long and had rows of seats, most of which were occupied by their fellow passengers. Wilder paused as Amelia and Bethany readied themselves for the train's departure.
Amelia looked up at Wilder as he stood with his hat in hand looking down, waiting for an invitation he wasn't sure was about to come.
"Can I help you?" Amelia asked.
"I was figuring I could take this here seat for the rest of the journey. There are no more stops until we reach Montana. Figured you ladies might like some company."
"You think that, do you?" Amelia asked, her eyes narrowing.
Bethany looked up at Wilder. He could see a whole different expression on her face than the one that was written on the face of her stern friend.
"I think that would be lovely," Betha
ny said excitedly. "Don't you think so, Amelia."
Wilder glanced down at Amelia and saw that she still wasn't convinced.
Bethany frowned. "Amelia. This kind gentleman just put himself in danger to recover our property. The least we can do is do him the kindness of passing the rest of the journey with some pleasant conversation."
Amelia nodded and looked up at Wilder. "Please, would you join us, Mr. Armstrong. We appreciate your kindness. Forgive me for being so terse with you. It's been a disturbing experience for Bethany and myself."
Amelia gestured to the opposite leather covered, padded seat that faced the one she and Bethany were seated upon.
Wilder felt a surge of satisfaction and sat down on the seat. He saw that Amelia was holding on firmly to her valise. "I don't want to seem like I'm prying, but I guess you had some pretty valuable belongings in that valise of yours."
Amelia held the valise on her lap and wrapped her hands around it. "You're right, Mr. Armstrong. It has some very important things in it, all of which are irreplaceable."
Wilder nodded and felt satisfied that he'd done something good, at least for the women. The truth was Forester wouldn't have stood a chance if he'd tried anything stupid with Wilder. He hadn't decided just how much he wanted to share about himself with the women. But one thing was for sure. They were both pleasing to the eye. Suddenly the prospect of the remaining hours on the train journey to Montana Falls didn't seem so daunting.
"Where did you get on the train, Mr. Armstrong?" Bethany asked.
"Minneapolis,"
"That's funny. I don't think we saw you on any of the previous stops."
"I stayed on the train. This was the first time I stepped off the train since I boarded."
"Really?" Amelia said. "Then we were lucky that you did. Otherwise, that awful man would have gotten clean away with our valuables."
"It happens all the time. Especially the further out West you come. I'm guessing you ladies aren't from Montana."
"How can you tell."
"You've got Eastern accents."
"Is it that obvious?" Amelia asked with a raise of her brows.
"It is kinda," Wilder replied. I think you're both from around the Boston area. Am I right?"
"Yes. That's right," Amelia replied. "You have quite an ear for accents."
Wilder smiled. "Comes from meeting lots of different folks. My line of work means I get to know a variety of people."
"What exactly is your line of work? If I may be so bold as to ask," Amelia enquired.
Wilder tried not to make his sudden unease too obvious. He drew in a deep breath and glanced out the window. The flat plains were drifting by the window. He wondered just how much he should tell them and decided to err on the side of caution. Same as he always did.
"I'm a kind of traveling lawman."
"A lawman!" Bethany exclaimed. "How exciting."
"It's not really. I'm not like a circuit judge or anything like that. Nothing so grand."
"A lawman sounds quite grand, as it is, Mr. Armstrong," Amelia said.
Why did Amelia insist on calling him by his surname? Wilder figured that at least they could dispense with the formalities, now that they would be passing the next few hours in such close proximity.
"What kind of lawman are you?" Bethany asked.
Wilder smiled. "I can't rightly say, Bethany."
"It's like that is it?" Amelia asked.
"Like what?"
"Very secret."
"Not at all," Wilder said fixing his gaze on Amelia's searching scrutiny.
"Why are you going to Montana Falls?" Bethany asked.
"I was about to ask you both the same question", Wilder replied, aware that he was sounding evasive. But that evasiveness was necessary. It wouldn't do any good to be talking to such sweet women about the real reason he had to go to Montana Falls.
He smiled at them. "Why are two such lovely ladies giving up all the delights the East coast can offer for some little town in the middle of Montana?"
"Who said we are giving up life in Boston?" Amelia asked.
"It's a long way to come for a casual visit."
"Well, it's more than a casual visit," Amelia said firmly.
Bethany looked at Amelia and seemed to give a subtle signal that suggested it would be acceptable to provide their new acquaintance with more details.
"If you really must know, we are traveling to Montana Falls so that Bethany can find a husband."
Wilder tried and failed miserably to contain his surprise. Amelia's brows lifted in disapproval on seeing Wilder's immediate reaction. "It's not so unusual. I gather it is quite commonplace for young ladies to come to Montana for marriages of convenience."
"I have heard of such things. There is a shortage of women in Montana," Wilder said. He suddenly regretted his forthrightness, especially when he saw Amelia's disapproval intensify even more.
"That's a rather crude way of putting things, Mr. Armstrong." Still, she wouldn't she call him Wilder, he thought.
"I didn't mean for it to sound crude, Amelia." Wilder looked at Bethany and saw that she was nowhere near as annoyed about his use of language as her friend.
"There may be a shortage of women, as you say," Amelia said. "However, my dear friend Bethany is no ordinary woman."
He smiled at Bethany. "I'm sure of that," Wilder said quickly, suddenly aware that social graces still weren't his strong suit.
"It's a bit more complicated than me just traveling to Montana Falls looking for a husband. We have a very dear friend who is living in Montana Falls. Haven't we, Amelia."
Amelia nodded.
"Who would that be?" Wilder asked.
Ignoring his question, Amelia asked: "Do you know Montana Falls, Mr. Armstrong?"
"I have to admit I do not, Amelia. This will be my first visit."
Wilder saw Amelia react to his stubborn refusal to use her surname.
"And you're visiting in the capacity of a lawman. Am I right?"
"Kind of. As I say, I can't talk much about it."
"You have us both intrigued. Isn't that right Bethany?" Amelia said turning to her friend.
Wilder took a deep breath. Time to change the subject.
"Are you ladies hungry at all?"
Amelia looked at Bethany with a frown. "I don't know. What do you think Bethany? Are we hungry?"
Bethany looked like she was thinking about anything else except eating. In fact Wilder thought that the way she was looking at him, Wilder himself was on the menu. What was it with these girls? It seemed like they'd come all the way out to one of the most dangerous parts of the country just for one of them to find a husband. Wilder had taken note that the only mention of matrimony had been for Bethany.
"What about you, Miss Crawford? Are you planning on staying long in Montana Falls?" Wilder asked.
Amelia looked suddenly uncomfortable at being the focus of attention. She shifted a little on the chair and a hand went to the collar of her dress. "I shall be going back to Boston once Bethany has succeeded in finding a suitable young gentleman to become her husband."
"So you're not intending to do the same thing?" Wilder asked bluntly.
Amelia's face flushed and Wilder felt a surprising rush of pleasure at seeing the reaction to his question.
"I'm here to help Bethany. We've been friends a long time." Amelia looked at Bethany and smiled. "We always promised to look after each other, didn't we Beth?"
Bethany nodded. Wilder could tell that the two women had a close friendship.
"How long have you known each other?" he asked.
Amelia's brows furrowed and her lips pursed. Wilder felt a sudden tingle in his gut at the sight of the woman's lips pursing like that. He shifted in his seat and tried to adopt a casual posture.
"We were students together at Miss Hardie's finishing school."
"Who's Miss Hardie?" Wilder asked.
"She's the reason we're heading out to Montana Falls in the first place. She's the m
ost wonderful woman in the world," Bethany said enthusiastically.
"Really?" Wilder said trying to suppress the urge to smile. "The most wonderful woman?"
"She was our mentor. Isn't that right, Bethany?"
Bethany nodded. "She literally taught us how to be the ladies."
"You certainly are ladies," Wilder said. "There's no denying that."
Amelia's eyes narrowed and she looked like she was wondering if he were being serious
"Of course, Miss Hardie was anxious that once we finished our education at her establishment we would make the best choices we could," Amelia explained. "But then, she closed the school and decided to move West."
"It was most surprising," Bethany agreed. "But then, Miss Hardie has always been an unorthodox woman. She has a mind of her own. That's for sure."
Wilder looked at Amelia. "This Miss Hardie. She was your mentor? What do you mean by that?"
Amelia sighed as if there really was no need for an explanation but Wilder knew she was about to provide him with one anyway.
"Miss Hardie has...or had," Amelia said correcting herself, "a finishing school for young ladies..."
Wilder held out a hand. "What's a finishing school? Forgive my ignorance."
Amelia glanced at Bethany. Wilder thought there was a hint of victory in that look.
"A finishing school is a place where young ladies go to complete their education, to prepare for entry into Boston society. It's where we got our fine manners."
Wilder smiled. "Your manners? Really?"
"I fail to see what's funny about manners, Mr. Armstrong," Amelia said with another one of her cute pouting expressions.
Wilder rolled his eyes. "It's just that, out here, sometimes manners don't exactly come in handy. Other things are more useful."
"Like what?" Amelia demanded, still obviously irritated by Wilder's teasing tone.
"I dunno," he said. "Practical skills. Riding a horse, shooting, working for a living."
"We know all about working for a living, Mr Armstrong," Amelia said.
"Really?"
Bethany chimed in. "We both have had to stand on our own two feet Mr Armstrong. We're not the spoiled little Easterners you seem to think we are."
Amelia's Montana Wedding (Love In Montana Falls Book 1) Page 2