Taking her hand, he remarked, "There's a lot of things I'd like to show you."
Elizabet elbowed him in the ribs and whispered, "Do you mind, there's a child in our company."
"What? I don't know what you were thinking about—but I was on about showing you where I grew up. Why, what did you think I was talking about?"
Looking to his face and flustered for an answer, she felt her face blush wildly.
Tom smiled and remarked, "I think you're the dark horse here, Elizabet."
Looking to his face and hearing him say her name, she fought against the urge to kiss him. Lost in his eyes, she jumped as an explosion rocked the train. Looking for the source of the noise, Elizabet followed Tom to the opposite window. Seeing the train stopped on a curve, they had a better view of what lay ahead. Watching a plume of smoke and flame emerge from a forward carriage, Elizabet asked, "What was that?"
Straining to see better, Tom remarked. "Looks like they couldn't find the combination of the safe and put some dynamite to it." Looking back to the boy and seeing his tense again in fear, he tried his best to put him and his mother at ease. "It's OK, they'll be going soon."
Seeing him turn back to her, Elizabet asked. "You think that?"
Tom shook his head. "I don't know, but I hope so. Let's hope they didn't use too much or that money's blown to pieces. If that's what's happened, they won't want to leave with empty hands." Looking into the dark once more, they watched as a lone man with a torch came running in their direction. Grabbing the hand rail of their carriage he climbed aboard and joined the pair at the door. Elizabet watched as the three bandits looked through the glass for a moment and then got into a heated debate. Not knowing what was being said she could tell from their body language that everything wasn't going to plan. Watching the three argue, she saw the man with the broken teeth pull his gun. Firing off two shots at close range she watched as his two accomplices fell to the floor. Standing over them he fired another two shots floor-ward. Happy that he'd done enough, Elizabet watched him look through the window. Catching her in his stare, he grinned and pulled open the door.
Closing the door behind him, Frank held his pistol where they all could see it. "ALRIGHT. I WANT YOUR VALUABLES, CASH, JEWELERY, EVERYTHING UP HERE." Elizabet watched as he dropped a bed sheet on the floor. "ANYONE WHO TRIES ANYTHING OR DOESN'T COME UP HERE WILL GET A BULLET. NOW MOVE IT!"
Chapter 12
Elizabet looked to Tom for an answer to their predicament. Whispering loudly she asked, "Well?"
"I don't know about you, but I don't think this guy has worked out his plan very well. I mean look at us, it's not like we all got an invitation and told to dress in our best clothes and jewelery." Opening out a pocket, he held out a few dollar notes and coins. "You?"
Looking over herself and how hastily she'd dressed, Elizabet realized she only had a simple ring her father had given her and her ear rings. Looking to Tom she said, “Not much.”
"You think he's going to be happy with that?"
"But what about the rest of the gang, surely they must have gotten the safe open."
"The way old gummy shot those two, either the safe was empty or they couldn't get it open. Whatever happened, he didn't seem happy." Hearing a woman scream out they both looked to each other.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING?"
Looking out of their seat to see a woman fall back and hit the floor. Standing over her, they watched as Frank pulled back on the hammer of his gun and aimed it at her.
"I'LL GIVE YOU UNTIL THE COUNT OF TEN."
Elizabet watched as the woman squirmed backwards away from him and cried. "But I don't have any cash on me, it's back in my carriage."
"Give me the gun." Looking back to Tom she found him with his hand held out. "Now."
"Are you sure?"
"You trust him that he won't follow through on that threat?"
Hearing Tom's argument, Elizabet knew he was right. Frank had already killed two of his own gang, adding a few passengers to that didn't seem like a stretch too far. Pulling back her dress as quickly as she could, Elizabet grabbed the pistol and handed it over. Seeing Tom get slowly to his feet she held a hand on his shoulder. "No, not yet. Let me distract him first."
Tom shook his head, "I'm sorry there's no way I'm letting you anywhere near him."
"Three—two—one-"
"WAIT!"
Getting to her feet, Elizabet felt Tom grab her arm and try to pull her back down.
"WELL, WELL, IT'S THE PRETTY LADY."
Pulling her hand free, Elizabet nodded her head in the little boy's direction and whispered. "We can't risk a shootout in here. Please, let me go—and don't you dare miss."
Now free of Tom's grip, Elizabet walked slowly forward with her hands held high. Reaching the woman on the floor, she bent down and lifted her to her feet. Helping her to a nearby seat, Elizabet turned to the gun man. "Frank, isn't it?"
"Say my name again," he grinned. "Sounds nice coming out of your mouth."
Pointing to the handful of items of jewelery on the bed sheet, she said, "She's right, Frank. There's nothing of value in this carriage."
"Not where I'm looking," he grinned.
Seeing him stare at her chest, Elizabet fought back a feeling of revulsion. Taking a deep breath and keeping the image of the scared little boy in mind, she found it helped to overcome her fear. "You think maybe you and I could come to an agreement? That would be worth a lot more than a few pieces of jewelery." Watching the broken tooth smile grow larger, she got an answer to her question. "How about it, Frank? Want to know what's under my skirt?"
Frank nodded and lowered his pistol.
Leaning in a little closer, Elizabet whispered, "You know I've got nothing on under this dress. You want to see?"
Seeing the lust grow in his eyes, she bent down and took hold of the hem of her dress. Looking up to see that he was still paying her his full attention, she pretended to lift it and screamed, "NOW!"
Feeling a warm splatter on her face and arms and wet thud, Elizabet opened her eyes and stared at the dead body that was slumped against the door. Still holding somewhat of a smile on his face, Frank's missing eye was proof of Tom's sharp shooting. Turning away from the horrible sight and seeing her arms covered in blood, she lost control of her stomach. Throwing up everything that was inside of her, she found Tom race to her side and wrap her in his jacket.
"You OK?"
"He's dead, isn't he?"
"Yes."
"And the others, the rest of the gang?"
Tom lifted her off the floor and held her in his arms. "Looks like they've already gone. I guess Frank here wasn't going home without something to show for it."
Looking up into his eyes, Elizabet said. "Thanks, Tom."
"For what? It was you that distracted him. I only pulled the trigger. Come on, let's get you back to your room," Tom said and kissed her on the forehead. "My little hero."
Smiling weakly, Elizabet felt a sudden wave of tiredness come over her. Held in Tom's strong grip, she wondered if it was some form of shock she was suffering from. Looking to his face and not hearing his words anymore, she knew there no place she ever wanted to be. Putting her head close to his chest, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Chapter 13
Elizabet opened her eyes and looked to the window of her room. Feeling the motion of the train below her, she dreamily stared at the blind that was losing its battle against the daylight outside.
"Morning beautiful."
Blinking her eyes and pulling her bedclothes to her, she sat up and found Tom in the corner on a stool. "What time is it?"
Smiling back at her he answered. "Almost noon."
"Really? How did I..?"
Lifting his stool and putting it by her bed, Tom sat down and took hold her hand. "I put you to bed and cleaned you up a little. I didn't think you needed to see that stuff on waking up."
"But how come I, I don't remember anything after-"
; "It's called shock. Understandable after what you went through. So how are you?"
"And the passengers, the little boy?"
"All fine. I think they're planning on giving you a medal after what you did."
"Me?"
Tom nodded his head and smiled. "Now can get you something to eat, cup of tea maybe?"
Elizabet thought of how dry her mouth and throat felt. "Tea would be great, thanks."
Leaning in he kissed her on the forehead. "Tea it is then. You want it here, or in the dining car?"
"Dining car. I think I've spent long enough in bed. Plus I could do with some fresh air."
Getting to his feet, Tom said. "Dining car it is then. I'll wait outside until you fix yourself up."
"Thanks. You won't go far, will you?"
Giving her one of best his smiles, he remarked, "I'll be right outside."
Watching the door close, Elizabet pulled back her bed clothes and looked at what she wore. Feeling embarrassed at how little she'd on, she was relieved to see her body free of blood. Wondering how her face looked, she walked over to her small washing area and stared into her mirror. Looking at the mass of wild hair that crowned her head, she reached for her brush and attempted to tame it. Pulling the brush through it, and remembering the last time she'd stared at her reflection, she found the woman who looked back wasn't the one that had been there twelve hours before. Her brush with death had made sure of that. Thinking on what she'd told herself the day before, she looked to the door and imagined the man that stood on the other side. Life was too short to spend it with the wrong man she realized. But there was also the promise that she'd made to John. Conflicted on which path was the right one for her, she heard a light tap on the door.
"You alright in there?"
"Fine, won't be long," Elizabet called to the door. Looking at the mirror, she made a promise that whatever she chose, between now and San Francisco she was going to have fun with Tom.
*****
"You don't think they're all looking at me, do you?" Elizabet asked, holding her menu high in front of her face.
Puling it down, Tom smiled. "They will if you keep acting like that. And why wouldn't they, a beautiful woman like you, and a hero to boot."
Leaning in close, she whispered. "I'm just embarrassed that someone heard what I'd said to that—Frank guy."
"Yeah, what did you say to him? I mean the way he was staring at you, I thought he was never going to take his eyes off you. I swear I could've walked right up and slugged him and he wouldn't have seen me coming." Tom rested his elbows on the table and leaned in. "So what did you say?"
"No."
"Ah, come on."
Elizabet felt her face flush with embarrassment.
"Well whatever it was, he went out with a smile, albeit a broken one."
"Please, I don't want to talk about it," Elizabet said and was relieved to see their waiter come over. Nodding his head he smiled.
"I heard what you two did last night."
Tom waved the comment away, "It wasn't me, it was her. She's the hero."
"Well whoever it was, I was told that all meals from now on are at the railroad's expense. So what can I get you both?"
"Just tea, please."
"Aw come on, just tea? You need more than that in you," Tom begged. "Listen we'll have the lunch special twice with tea and coffee."
Elizabet closed her menu. "I'm not hungry. It'll just go to waste."
Handing over his menu, Tom said. "She'll have it. And if she doesn't eat it, I will."
Watching the waiter leave, Elizabet looked to the world outside their window. Watching the landscape slowly change, she asked. "You feel guilty at all?"
"Me, about what?"
Elizabet turned to him. "About killing that man."
Leaning across the table Tom took hold of her hands. "No, why do you?"
"I just feel a little guilty that I'm happy he's dead. Is that a bad thing?"
"You think he'd feel guilty about killing you?"
Elizabet looked to their hands. "I guess not."
"Good," Tom said and took hold of her chin in his hand. Lifting her face up, he said, "You're still in shock, it'll pass. Better to focus on the living than the dead. Like me for example." Giving her a cheeky smile, she couldn't help but smile back at him. "See. That was easy, wasn't it?"
Elizabet stared at him and felt her heart swell. Whatever barriers she'd tried to put up where now and truly broken. Lost in his eyes, she knew without words how he felt about her. Taking hold of her hands he squeezed them gently. "I've never met anyone like you before—if anything had happened to you—I, I"
Elizabet smiled as he fought to find his tongue. "You love me?" Now with the words out, Tom nodded.
"I love you."
"Are you getting serious on me?" Elizabet said and smiled as he squirmed in embarrassment. Savoring this moment at seeing him open and without his bravado to hide behind, she smiled and patted his hand. "I think you're OK too."
"You little madam."
"Language dear, our foods arrived." Not taking her eyes off him, Elizabet grinned as the waiter set their meals out. Waiting for him to leave, Tom leaned forward and whispered. "I know you do too."
Elizabet ignored the comment and sniffed her food. Finding an appetite that wasn't there earlier, she lifted her knife and fork and paused. "You're still in shock, it'll pass. I'd give it a day or so." Laughing at the expression on his face she carried on eating while he pushed his plate away.
Chapter 14
"PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS ONLY A WATER STOP. THE TRAIN WILL ONLY BE STOPPING FOR HALF AN HOUR. THIS IS THE LAST STOP BEFORE SAN FRANCISCO."
Watching the conductor walk away, Elizabet stood. "I wouldn't mind getting off to stretch my legs. Want to join me?" Holding her hand out, Tom took it. "Suppose someone has to watch that behind of yours. We wouldn't want a rattle snake to get you."
"Think you're the best man for the job?"
Falling in behind her, and joining the queue for the exit door, Tom said, "When it comes to your behind, I think I'm the only man for the job."
Elizabet smiled. "You never stop, do you?"
Leaning in close, she found him whisper in her ear, "Which one of my lovers were you talking to-?"
"I think it was the eighty year old," Elizabet added and laughed.
"You can laugh. But before we made sweet love, she was only twenty. She was never the same since."
Elizabet looked at him and found him grinning. "You said before. So what happened—she aged when she saw you naked?"
"Very funny. Maybe I'll stay put and let you fend for yourself then."
Elizabet took hold of his face in her hands and held it. "Aw come on, what happened to my big brave man?"
"You're still not funny."
Seeing him fight back a smile, she decided to tease him more. Taking a length of hair in her fingers Elizabet toyed with it and put on an innocent face. "I think my, Tom, doesn't love me anymore." Hearing him stifle a snicker, she put on a pout and watched as his composure crumbled and he broke out laughing.
"I swear you're going to pay for that."
"So you still want to watch my behind?"
Tom said nothing. Looking at his eyes and mischievous grin, she knew his mind was busy conjuring up some type of revenge.
Waiting her turn, Elizabet watched Tom jump off the last step of the train and turn for her. Holding out his hands to lift her down, she noticed a glint in his eye. "And you better not say that I've put on weight."
Tom grinned. "As if I would." Taking her easily in his arms he swung her safely down and held her a few inches off the ground.
Looking to the ground, Elizabet said, "You can put me down now."
"Make me."
Elizabet knew by the strong hands that held her there was no chance of escape. "Is this it then? This is how you're going to get back at me?"
Holding her in place, Tom pulled her closer to him. "Say it."
"Say what?"
/>
"You know what, that you're madly in love with me."
Hearing the words and watching him grin. "OK I—I—I…"
"You're hoping that my arms are going to give out before you say it, don't you?"
Elizabet smiled, "That's a no?"
"That's a no. I could hold you like this all day."
"Darn, there goes that plan. So how do I get out of this?"
Pausing for a moment as if he was thinking, Tom said, "Alright then, a kiss."
Elizabet looked around her. "I could scream for help." Pretending to be a damsel in distress she called out softly. "Help, help me-"
Pulling her closer to him he remarked. "You'll have to do better than that-"
"Oh kiss her, will you? You know she wants to be kissed."
Elizabet turned to see an elderly gentleman standing beside them. "Life's too short to miss these moments." Walking away, he left the two of them staring at each other in silence.
Wondering what to say next, Tom broke the silence. "He's right. I'm not going to look back and regret not taking this moment, are you?"
Elizabet looked into his eyes and shook her head slowly. Feeling her feet finally touch the ground, he pulled her close to him. Holding her chin softly in one hand, he bent down and brushed his lips softly against hers. Feeling him press closer, Elizabet met him and kissed back as hard as he did. Closing her eyes, she found herself lost in the moment. Gone to a place where only they existed, she felt the world around her disappear. Wondering how long she could keep up with him, she found him break free and look into her eyes. "See—I knew you did."
Elizabet gripped onto him and pushed her face deep into his chest. Holding it there, she listened to his heart and said the words she couldn't hold back anymore. "I love you, Tom."
Chapter 15
Back on the train and on the final leg of their trip to San Francisco, Elizabet thought of what would happen when they got there. Looking at the small champagne glass in her hand, she watched the bubbles inside it and was lost deep in thought. Reaching across the table Tom touched her hand and brought her back to the present.
Mail Order Bride: Love On The Line: A Mail Order Brides Western Romance Page 5