Until September

by Brenda Jernigan

  Hell. Billy shook his head. What was done was done.

  “All board,” the conductor called again as the large coal locomotive steamed and hissed as if it were impatient to be on its way. The coal smell from the engine floated in the air along with a few cinders. As Billy looked at the train, he couldn’t help thinking this was the future. One day, the train would replace the stagecoach line.

  When Billy reached the group he said, “Let’s get this trip underway.” He glanced down at the dog. “And that means you’ve got to get on your feet, Floppy.” When the dog did nothing but look at him, Billy looked at Claire and arched a brow. “He does move, doesn’t he?”

  “Of course,” she said but she looked at the dog as if she had doubts. “Floppy is just thinking about what he wants to do. He likes to weigh his options.”

  Willie ran over and grabbed Floppy’s leash and pulled on it. Again, Floppy raised his eyebrows, but nothing else moved. “Come on boy, we’ve got a new home. We’re going to be together forever.”

  Great, Billy thought. I’ve got to ride herd on a finicky woman, and now her pet who doesn’t take instructions any better than she does.

  Evidently, Floppy had finished weighing his options because he finally moved. Or maybe Willie had managed to jerk him up onto his feet.

  “See,” Claire said. “It just takes him a little while.” She stood and followed her pet. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. This was the biggest thing she’d ever done in her life. She was now on her own, and she was going to make the best of it no matter how scared she was. Besides, what did she have to be frightened about? The worst thing that could happen was she’d die a little earlier than expected.

  What little future she had lay ahead of her. She was both happy and sad as she realized she would never see her family again. She shoved those thoughts to the very back of her mind, knowing that she was doing the best thing for all of them. Her family needed to remember her the way she was now: living and breathing. She did not want them hovering over her when she took her last breath.

  Claire felt someone behind her. Then she heard Billy whisper, “Change your mind?”

  She jumped. She hadn’t heard him coming. She took a deep breath to compose herself. Finally, she turned and smiled. “Not on your life, Billy West. You’re stuck with me all the way to Denver.”

  Her remark left Billy speechless.

  “Come, Claire,” Aunt Ute said before disappearing into the train. “I am very ready for this adventure. We will see things we’ve never seen before.”

  “All Aboard,” the conductor called from the bottom of the steps. He was dressed in dark blue with a big bow tie and brass buttons with gold braid to match the buttons, and he looked very official.

  The group started toward the passenger cars, where the conductor had placed a small wooden footstool on the platform.

  Claire stepped up and entered the car. She stopped when she reached the top step and turned back to look at Floppy, who had stopped and was seated on the platform beside Willie. “Come on,” she called to her pet.

  The dog looked up at her as if she were absolutely crazy.

  “It’s a bit high for Floppy,” Claire concluded, and looked hopefully at Billy. “Floppy might need a boost. Maybe I should come back down and help him up.”

  Billy held up his hand. “Never mind,” he said. “I’ll get him.”

  “Need some help? Fredrick asked.”

  “I think I can manage one flea-bitten hound by myself. Go ahead and get our seats,” Billy said then turned his attention back to the furry nuisance. “Come on, Floppy. Put your feet on the step,” he instructed as he patted the stool.

  Floppy raised one brow, but nothing else moved.

  “He must be weighing his options again,” Billy muttered.

  “A little cooperation would be nice,” Billy told the dog, who must have understood him because Floppy finally moved toward the stool, stumbling on his ear when he stepped on it, but instead of stepping up on the stool he bent down and sniffed Billy’s hand.

  “Come on, Floppy, it’s easy,” Willie said as he stepped up on the stool. “See, just like this.” He climbed into the railcar.

  “Jump!” Billy commanded in what he thought was a very firm voice.

  Floppy rolled his eyes up at Billy, but didn’t budge an inch.

  “He doesn’t jump,” Willie explained.

  “Apparently, Floppy doesn’t do much of anything,” Billy grumbled. He’d had enough. He reached down, wrapped both arms around the fifty-pound hound and lifted him into the car. “You could have done this yourself,” he told the ball of fur who gave Billy a big lick across his cheek.

  “Basset hounds are a bit different from other dogs,” Claire said as they moved down the aisle.

  “How so?”

  “They have to weigh their options.”

  “What in the hell is that supposed to mean?” Billy asked.

  “Your language could improve,” Aunt Ute reprimanded from her seat

  Claire turned around and looked at him before she took her seat. “They don’t get in a hurry, they don’t fetch, and they don’t jump. And they are very adept at playing dumb,” she said.

  “So what good are they?”

  Claire sat down and smoothed out her skirts. “They are bred for hunting rabbits as long as you’re not in too big of a hurry. But they are lovable. Just look at those big, brown eyes.” She rubbed Floppy’s head as he settled by her feet. He did look up at Billy, and gave him a ‘don’t-you- love-me?’ look. “You’ll see, once you and Floppy become friends.”

  Billy arched an eyebrow. “I don’t think so. But I can see how he got his name.”

  Willie sat on die floor next to the dog. Billy and Fredrick took their seats facing Aunt Ute and Claire.

  The car filled fast as the rest of the passengers came on board and found their seats. There were hushed voices all around them. A woman with four children was sitting on the other side.

  “Tickets,” the conductor called as he strolled the isle taking up tickets.

  Aunt Ute handed him the tickets for everyone. “I believe you’ll find the correct number, sir.”

  “Yup, everyone except the dog.” The conductor chuckled. He’s so cute we’ll let him ride free. Where are you folks headed?”

  “Missouri,” Claire said, and then threw a question back at the conductor. “Have you been working for the railroad a long time?”

  “ ’Bout ten year,” he said. “Why do you ask?” Claire straightened in her seat, trying to look professional. “I’m a reporter for Harper’s Weekly. I’m going to write a few columns for the paper about traveling West. I’d love to ask you some questions later when you have the time.”

  “Sure thing. Name’s Randall Carlson.” He lifted his hat, then added, That is R-a-n-d-a-1-1,” he spelled out the name. “We’ll talk more later. You know it won’t be long before you can ride the train clear to California. Now that will be one whale of a story.”

  “I agree,” Claire said with a smile. Now she had her first article. Her editor would be pleased.

  “Better get the rest of these tickets collected,” Mr. Carlson said before he moved on.

  Claire noticed that Billy was staring at her in a peculiar way. “What?” she asked.

  “You knew all along your aunt was traveling with us, yet you never bothered to mention the fact to me,” he stated, his tone challenging.

  “You work for my uncle. I really didn’t see the need for you to be informed about it. I am paying her way and she is a grown woman.”

  “Next time, let me be the judge of what I should or shouldn’t know,” Billy told her.

  “Entschuldigung sir mir. Don’t go getting excited, junger Mann, "Aunt Ute said, calmly. “I’ve traveled more than you ever will. You might even come to like me just a little.”

  “I don’t dislike you—ah, Miss—”

  “Just call me Aunt Ute like everybody else. Ja?”

  “Thanks, ma’am. I do
n’t dislike you, Aunt Ute. I don’t even know you. It’s just that I don’t care for surprises. Surprises can get a man killed out there.” He jerked his head in the direction of the head of the train.

  Aunt Ute had taken out a handkerchief and was wiping the soot off the window. When she finished, she looked at Billy, and said, “Since we are traveling companions, tell me a little about yourself.”

  The last thing that Billy wanted was to talk about himself. He didn’t much feel like talking at all, but every eye of the small group seemed to look intently at him, waiting for his reply. And since this was going to be a long trip, he’d best be cordial. What was done—was done. And it still stung that Claire had made a point of reminding him that he was an employee. That was a point that he shouldn’t forget.

  Not much to tell. When I’m in Denver, I pretty much work all the time, riding shotgun on the Holladay stages. How about yourself, have you been in this country long?

  “Ja. About two years.”

  “What is Germany like?” Fredrick asked.

  “There are many mountains where I come from. That is probably what I miss the most about my country.”

  Billy smiled. “Then you’re going to like Denver. It’s in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.”

  “Ja. So I’ve heard.”

  “I’m so glad that you came with me,” Claire said as she put her hand on Ute’s arm.

  Ute glanced at her niece with affection in her eyes. “You needed me, so I came.”

  “Needed you?” Billy questioned.

  Claire realized that her aunt had slipped. “It’s improper for a lady to travel alone.”

  Billy stared for a moment before he said, “There isn’t much propriety out where we’re going.”

  A few cinders flew in the window accompanied by the strong smell of smoke. Claire started to answer, but began to cough instead. Drawing out a dainty white handkerchief, she held it to her mouth as the bout of coughing continued.

  Efficiently, Aunt Ute drew out a brown bottle of medicine and gave it to Claire who promptly took a swig then crinkled her nose. She coughed a few more times then said, “Water.”

  Billy reached down and retrieved a canteen from beneath his seat, thankful that he’d filled the thing before the trip began. “Here’s some water,” he said as he handed her the canteen.

  “Thank you.”

  When she had finished drinking and her coughing had stopped, Billy said. “Your cough doesn’t seem to be getting better.”

  “Actually it is,” Claire lied. “The doctor said it would take some time for the cough to go away completely. And the ash from the steam engine tickled my throat.”

  “I see,” Billy said.

  The way Billy was staring at her, Claire didn’t think he believed a word she had said, but he’d have to accept what she said until—or if—she was willing to tell him the truth.

  Everyone grew quiet as the train got under way and the countryside rolled by the window, giving Claire her last glimpse of New York. She hadn’t allowed herself to think about what had happened between her and Billy last night. She was so confused it gave her a headache. Why couldn’t she have met Billy as a normal person? Someone with a future.

  She wouldn’t allow herself to fall in love with him, but she was going to experiment with her feelings. As Ann had pointed out, she needed to experience life and not have any regrets. Claire didn’t think that she’d ever regret kissing Billy.

  And she most certainly didn’t want to die a virgin after saving herself all this time for a future husband... that she knew now she’d never have. She wanted to experience the physical side of love, if only for a little while.

  “Fredrick, where is Claire?” Billy asked as he watched Fredrick splash water on his face, a ritual usually done in the morning. However, it was way past noon.

  “I’m not sure,” he said as he reached for a hand towel. “I’ve been playing cards in the smoking car.”

  “I can tell you’ve been doing something,” Billy said sarcastically. “You’re supposed to help me keep an eye on Claire.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Fredrick finished drying his hands. “But what can happen to her on a train? She’s a grown woman. And I know for a fact that she hates having people watch over her all the time.”

  “I don’t care what she hates. I was hired to bring her back to Denver safely. Once she gets to Denver then she can do whatever she wants, but until that time, I need to know where she is.”

  “Do you want me to look for her?’ Fredrick asked.

  “No. I’ll find her. Go back to your cards or, better yet, get some sleep. You look like hell.”

  Fredrick started to go, then turned and said, “She’s probably interviewing someone.”

  “No doubt,” Billy snapped as he started through the passenger cars. It seemed as though Claire had interviewed every damned person on the train.

  It was dusk when Billy left the second car and was headed for the third when he came face to face with Claire. She paused on the small platform that linked the swaying cars.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “If I had been going someplace, I would have let you know where I was going,” Billy snapped, then added. “If I could have found you, that is.”

  Claire could see that Billy was angry. She also realized this was the first time they had been alone since they’d boarded the train three days ago. She looked at him and tried to read his thoughts, but she could see nothing. “I think you are trying to make a point here,” she said with a smile.

  “Damned right! What have I told you about letting me know where you are going?”

  “If I had been leaving the train, I would have. But how far can I go on a train?” Claire laughed. The man got upset over the least little thing! “I finally got a chance to interview the conductor,” she said, hoping Billy would understand.

  His expression didn’t change one bit.

  “I have a job to do,” she said, “and I’m going to tell you that I’m through having people telling me what to do every minute of the day. I am an independent woman, and I can look after myself. And that includes you!” She poked him in the chest.

  Billy grabbed her wrist. “You can be as independent as you’d like, Miss Holladay, once I deliver you safely to Denver,” he growled. “But until that time, do not push me, or I’ll—”

  “You will what?” Claire asked, glaring up at him.

  Billy heard her challenge but somehow his eyes were focused on her lips . .. those soft, pouty lips that he remembered all too well. “Or I’ll—,” he started his sentence again, but never finished it because the train lurched and Claire tumbled into his arms.

  If he were anything close to a gentleman, he’d set her up straight, and get the hell out of there. Instead, he pulled her closer.

  Claire did nothing to stop him.

  Damn it all, she could, at least, slap his face or something.

  But she didn’t.

  And he seemed powerless to resist as he lowered his mouth to temptation.

  Just as his mouth closed over hers, he heard a small sigh from Claire as if she’d been waiting for him to kiss her all along. Her arms went around his neck. The fact that she’d wanted this kiss just as much as he did should have sent alarms off in his head.

  But Billy West wasn’t thinking with his head.

  Hot pleasure coursed through him. He parted Claire’s lips, sliding his tongue inside to explore her sweet mouth. Passion radiated from the core of her body. The thought barely crossed his mind before an unwanted picture of Claire in David’s arms entered his mind. He didn’t like that picture. Had she been passionate with that stiff-shirt? How could she have been?

  Billy’s mouth plundered hers causing her to shiver as she collapsed against him. He wanted to wipe out all thoughts of another holding her. Damn the others. His was the only kiss she should ever remember.

  Claire felt weak all over as she experienced the most wonderful sensations, much like she had
the first time Billy had kissed her. Billy shifted. His mouth moved in a different direction as he began to kiss her neck, slowly, and softly. His tongue moved slowly up her neck to flick at her ear lobe before he kissed her ear, softly.

  Claire felt as if she’d just melted into a puddle of water and if Billy hadn’t been holding her, she’d surely have fallen off the platform and onto the tracks. She was a little shocked at her own eager response.

  “Oh, Billy,” she said in a breathless whisper. “You don’t know what you do to me.”

  “I can imagine,” he murmured in her ear making her shiver again.

  His hand moved up to Claire’s breast where he began to rub his hand gently, back and forth across the soft mound. A spurt of hungry desire spilled through her. She jerked at first, but then settled down when Billy started to murmur words in her ear.

  The door opened behind Billy, jerking him to his senses. He pulled away from Claire with a curse.

  “Oops,” Fredrick said from behind Billy. “I see you found my cousin.” Fredrick smiled like a child who’d been given a stick of candy.

  Billy turned slowly keeping Claire behind him. He felt like punching Fredrick in the nose. “Yes, I found her,” Billy snapped. “Is there something else you wanted?”

  “No—No. I’ll go back to the smoking car.” Fredrick held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “They are probably getting ready to start another poker game. Since I’ve rested, I’m ready to go again. Care to join me?”

  “Fredrick! ” Billy warned.

  “I’m going,” Fredrick said with a smile. “I can see you have things well in hand.” He turned to leave, but not before Billy heard him chuckle.

  Fredrick couldn’t have said anything farther from the truth. Billy didn’t have anything in hand. As a matter of fact he felt as if his entire world were spinning out of control.

  He should be pushing Claire away from him, not pulling her closer. Yet, as he gazed down at her, all he could think of was finding some private place so that they could continue what they had started.

  “Billy,” Claire said, making his name sound like a caress. “I want to apologize for using you at my party the other night. You were right I was wrong.”