by Angie Fox
“It’s a full train,” he explained. “I’m sure it will be fine,” Ellis said, taking my arm and escorting me away. “Any other couple wouldn’t even know if the conductor was in bed with them,” he murmured into my ear.
“True,” I said. It made sense.
Yet I couldn’t escape the notion that I’d put an innocent couple in grave danger.
Chapter 5
Minutes later, we stood in front of the new Sugarland Express. The shiny black metal sides gleamed, and an elegant gold stripe raced just under the windows. On each car, flowing gold script framed by magnolia branches proclaimed the Augusta Belle Rail Lines to be the height of luxury and sophistication.
Steam billowed from the engine.
I spotted Dave and Mary Jo Abel farther up the platform. She waved at us while he directed the two porters loading a rather large trunk into the front of the train.
“Ready to go?” Ellis asked.
I tried to steady my heart when the old engine bell rang three times, like a summons. Or a warning.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Just because that bell had been resurrected from the wreck of the Sugarland Express didn’t make it a bad omen. At least that was what I tried to tell myself.
Frankie waved at me from inside the dining car, a drink in hand. He and Molly didn’t have to worry about pesky things like boarding times and lines. Once I’d carried his urn onto the station property, he had free rein.
Knowing Frankie, he’d taken full advantage.
While the train had a ghostly conductor, it seemed many of the porters and ticket takers had gone to the light.
That had to be a good sign, at least.
Now that I knew where the gangster was, I motioned for him to cut off his power. If this was going to be a real vacation, I needed to leave the spirit world behind before I even set foot on that train.
At first, Frankie squinted at the slashing motion I made with my hand over my neck. Then he got it. I saw him grin and felt his power lift.
Thank heaven and hallelujah. Ellis and I would at last know what it was like to be a normal couple.
I’d barely breathed a sigh of relief when an unseen force jerked Frankie from the window.
Goodness. I hoped he was all right. We knew of at least one active ghost on the train. There could be more.
He couldn’t have offended anyone so quickly, could he?
A gray-haired porter leaned out of the train about six cars up. “All aboard the Sugarland Express!”
He put down a shiny silver step, and we all lined up to be among the first passengers to board the newly restored train.
“Thank you!” I said. “You know, I may just check out the dining car,” I said, pivoting to the right. Not that I wanted to spend my trip chasing after Frankie, but the ghost drew trouble like a duck on a june bug.
A second porter blocked my way. I recognized him as the one who had carried our bags inside. “I’m sorry. You can explore the train after we secure your compartment.” He couldn’t have been more than twenty-five, and so near to skin and bones I swore he’d have to run around in the shower to get wet. I could easily slip past him and be on my way.
Ellis was the one who stopped me. “I’m sure Frankie is fine,” he said, guessing the source of my agitation as he handed our tickets to the lead porter. “Let him go.”
“I’m not used to doing that,” I admitted. I’d allowed Frankie to come along on the condition that he keep to himself, and I had to abide by that as well. It wasn’t like I could solve every problem for him, in this world or the next.
The ghostly realm had become too much of a distraction, and part of that was my fault. But today, we could start fresh. I could relax more and worry less. I could ignore the way a sudden gust of cold air whisked past my shoulder.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
They really needed to stop ringing that bell.
The older porter nodded to Ellis. “Number 10. A lovely choice. Come this way,” he said, his back stooped as he led us down a narrow hall.
The new Sugarland Express boasted two long sleeper cars at the back. Windows lined the left side as we made our way toward our compartment. Sleek cabin doors punctuated the polished wood to the right, their gold-leaf numbers guiding us. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the second porter following with our luggage.
“There are five compartments per sleeper car,” the older porter said, leading us past compartments 1 to 5. He pushed open a polished wood door with an oval window and led us through a small transition area and into the next car. “All rather elegant.”
We followed him past compartments 6, 7, and 8. I hesitated at compartment 9 before moving along to the door at the very end.
Compartment 10 opened on a compact, luxurious room with a plush red velvet couch on the right, next to a table with a lamp and a silver bowl filled with oranges. My thoughts trailed back to my little skunk, Lucy. She loved oranges—all fruit, really. And from what it sounded like, she was getting plenty at Lauralee’s house.
The young porter stowed our luggage in a discreet cabinet next to the couch while his superior showed us how the little table under the double windows pulled out into a place to stash books and magazines, or to enjoy a drink.
I admired the rich paneling on the walls and the white spa slippers with the Sugarland Express logo lined up in front of a small door. “Is that the bathroom?”
“It’s really quite remarkable,” the porter said, as if he were experiencing it for the first time as well. “This section holds your entire vanity area.” He slid open the door to a sink and a shaving mirror as well as shelves for our toiletries. “And a small shower back here,” he said, showing us a compact, but gorgeous shower area. “A luxury they didn’t have in 1929.”
“I’ll take it,” I told him.
“The beds unfold from above the couch,” the porter continued. “I’ll be back tonight to turn the room.” He gave a nod and left, sliding the door closed quietly behind him. The other porter had already gone.
I turned to Ellis, smiling. This was it. “You did it.”
“We did it,” he said, taking me into his arms. I was just about to kiss him when we heard muffled voices next door.
“The people in compartment 9,” I said, trying to make out what they were saying.
It sounded like a woman and a man.
“Try to let it go,” Ellis said, glancing in that direction. “They should be safe if they can’t see ghosts.”
I hoped that was true. Yet the conductor had seemed so frightened. “I’ve just seen so much tragedy in the last year. If I can prevent something more from happening, I will.”
“And?” Ellis prompted. He knew me too well.
“We can at least talk to them about trading back,” I said in a rush.
His eyes twinkled as he drew me close. “I understand the need to make a difference,” he said, resting his forehead on mine. “It’s one of the reasons I joined the police force.” He laced his hands behind my back, holding me securely. “Still, I can tell you now that those people aren’t going to want to switch back. They were upgraded to our luxury car for free.”
He was right. They’d probably think we were making it up. Most people didn’t want to hear about ghostly conductors or murders or trains that went bump in the night.
So I put my mind to enjoying my time with Ellis, to unpacking, to the little things I enjoyed so much, like organizing my toiletries just so on the vanity area behind the sink.
But as we dressed for the formal welcome dinner and I heard the woman’s giggle, I couldn’t keep those people off my mind. I would take the opportunity to meet them tonight, perhaps gain the woman’s confidence so that she’d feel comfortable turning to me for help if she needed it.
We might not encounter them at dinner. Our table had already been assigned. But there was a champagne toast in the lounge car to celebrate our departure, and a social
hour in the bar car after.
I adjusted the straps on Melody’s yellow silk cocktail dress. It would be more than suitable for both occasions. And while it was a bit tight in the hips and the bust, I didn’t think Ellis would mind. From the look he gave me while I lifted my hair for him to fasten my necklace, I’d say the dress was a hit.
“You don’t have to wear your skunk necklace all the time,” he said, brushing a kiss along my ear.
“I like it,” I said, lowering my hair. It reminded me of Lucy and of him. So what if it wasn’t cocktail-party chic? It was mine and I loved it.
Somehow, Ellis’s dress shirt had wrinkled in the time it had taken for me to dress, but that was all right. He slid on a dinner jacket that mostly covered it. Put him in a parka and he’d still be the most handsome man on the train.
“We have five minutes before the champagne toast,” Ellis said, opening the door for me.
From the window, I could see well-wishers on the platform, waving to the passengers already at the farewell gathering in the lounge. And as Ellis closed our door and straightened his tie, I couldn’t help but pause in front of the closed door to compartment 9.
Yes, I could seek them out in the bar later, but we were neighbors. There was no harm in introducing myself.
Perhaps I could slip a warning in with a hello, or at least mention that Ellis was an officer of the law, just in case they needed assistance sooner rather than later.
Okay, it sounded strange even in my head. But I had to do this, even if it might be a little awkward.
Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.
At the sound of my knock, the door to compartment 9 opened and I stood face-to-face with Beau Wydell.
Chapter 6
I stared.
Ellis cursed.
Beau simply smiled. “Hi, Verity.”
“How did you get here?” I choked out, my throat tight, my head buzzing. The train was booked full. We’d bought the last tickets. We’d barely even gotten tickets, but Ellis knew a guy.
My date stood fuming behind me. “Beau is an investor in the train,” he said tightly.
And there was the guy.
“When I found out you were coming on our maiden voyage, I decided I couldn’t miss it,” Beau added. His tone was light, but when I turned, his eyes were on me, his expression fierce. “It was my pleasure to book the last two cabins. One for you and one for me.”
Nothing like a power struggle between two brothers, with me in the middle.
“When were you going to tell me Beau was involved?” I asked Ellis. No wonder he’d been cagey about how he’d gotten us last-minute tickets. Silly me, I figured he’d had some innocent contact in town and was enjoying the surprise.
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “It shouldn’t have mattered. I thought my brother was doing me a favor,” Ellis gritted out. “I had no idea Beau would have the bad taste to tag along.”
Beau planted an arm on the doorjamb. “It’s my train,” my ex said simply.
“You did this on purpose.” Ellis glared at him, drawing me away from his brother. I was glad to go. “This is out of line, even for you.”
“Oh, relax,” Beau said, as if we were the ones causing the problem. “Mom always says a good businessman manages the details of his ventures personally, so here I am. I have to make sure everything runs smoothly this first time out. And I’m going to be busy enough with my own date.” He turned to me. “She’s hot. And smart. I think she might be the one.”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I hadn’t heard of him dating anyone in town. And I’d know since the Sugarland grapevine had us as an item again.
“Don’t get all jealous and possessive,” Beau warned me. Me! “You had your chance.”
“And I ran,” I said, a little more forcefully than I should.
That was the problem with Beau. He could be charming when he wanted. He could even be kind. But then he’d turn around and pull a stunt like this and act like it was normal. Well, it wasn’t. This was wrong on about a hundred different levels.
Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do about it now. We were stuck with Beau, on a train. For the next seventy-two hours at least.
“Goodbye, little brother,” Ellis said, placing a hand on my shoulder to escort me to the lounge car.
I’d never been one to crave a stiff drink, but at the moment, I certainly wouldn’t turn one down.
Beau walked along behind us. “Stephanie is already at the launch celebration. I think you’ll like her.”
Perhaps. But I didn’t exactly plan on getting to know her.
I glanced behind me and caught Beau’s wolfish grin. He was having fun, the jerk. As if I cared one way or another whom he was dating. I just didn’t want him along on my romantic getaway.
I opened my mouth to tell him as much when the door to the lounge car slid open and Ellis came to an abrupt halt.
A piano played “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” for the dozen or so patrons that I could see talking and laughing in the long, perfectly appointed car. White velvet curtains framed the windows above plush couches set into the walls on both sides. A woman in a pink dress leaned over to speak to a fellow passenger, and I couldn’t help but recognize the rigid set of her back and the elegant lines of her shoulders.
Please, no. It couldn’t be.
She straightened in the cold, regal manner that could only belong to Virginia Wydell.
“Surprise,” Beau said with relish.
“Mother?” Ellis choked out.
Virginia froze for a second, a gasp escaping her thin lips.
“Meet my investment partner,” Beau said, an unmistakable twinkle in his eye.
Virginia appeared blindsided as well.
“I had to get the money from somewhere,” Beau said, a touch defensive, but nowhere near as ashamed as he should be.
Virginia’s stunned gaze darted from Beau to Ellis to me. “How?” she stammered.
“It’s…good to see you, Mother.” Ellis stepped stiffly into the bar car. “Let’s talk.” I let the door slide closed after him.
That left me trapped between cars with the rat. I turned to my ex. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing,” I said under my breath, “but it’s not going to get us back together, and it’s certainly not going to make this an easy trip for any of us.”
Beau lost the grin. “That’s the kicker, Verity. As soon as you decided to date my brother, you made this harder than it ever had to be.”
I ground my jaw, but didn’t deny it. Of all the men in Sugarland, I’d chosen to date the brother of my ex. That was one of the reasons I was having trouble moving forward with Ellis. It was never going to be an easy road. “I didn’t fall for your brother on purpose,” I said, as if that made it better.
Beau gave a mocking chuckle. “Well, sweetheart, I didn’t do this on purpose, either. I saw an opportunity and I took it. Just like you.” He glanced through the round window at his mother and brother deep in talk, then back to me. “You could have walked away and left Ellis alone, but you didn’t. Now you’re sharing a bed with my brother. You’re taking a vacation with him. Hell, you might pop up at family Christmas this year. I’m just showing you the mess you’ve created.”
The door slid open, and Ellis and Virginia stood on the other side. “Come and join us, Verity,” Ellis said, holding a hand out to me as he glared at his brother. “Beau will find a way to get along without you.”
I stepped into the bar car. “Hello, Virginia,” I said as politely as I could. She hadn’t chosen this any more than I had.
“Verity.” She tried for warmth and failed as we both selected a glass of champagne from a waiter with a tray. Virginia took a hasty drink.
Ellis dragged Beau farther into the car for a tense brotherly chat, and I left them to it.
“Imagine,” Virginia said, steeling herself with a second, even bigger swig of her champagne. “First Beau shows up with a gold digger clinging to his arm wh
en he should be focused on the launch of the train, and now…you.” She gestured vaguely at me. “I’m going to have to spend the whole trip making sure my sons don’t do anything ridiculous.”
“I think that already happened,” I said, downing a rather large sip of bubbly.
Virginia barked out a laugh, to my surprise and hers as well.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve this,” she said, holding up her glass with mocking familiarity.
“Want to brainstorm?” I asked, only half-joking. I had no answers.
At least we weren’t even pretending this was anything but a giant mistake.
Ellis and I couldn’t get away even when we were getting away.
The crowd had filled out in the few minutes since I’d arrived. A handsome man with a dark beard and an air of command stood at the head of the car and clinked a fork against a glass. He wore a uniform exactly like the old conductor’s, right down to the Sugarland Express emblazoned across his cap. “Let us all make a toast,” he announced. The train whistle sounded, and well-wishers began waving from the platform outside. “To the Sugarland Express.”
“To the Sugarland Express,” we repeated, holding up our glasses.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Went the cursed engine bell.
The train lurched and pulled away from the station.
“Lord save us,” Virginia murmured.
He just might have to.
Chapter 7
I’d like to say things improved over dinner, but I’d be lying.
As the train sped into the wilds of South Carolina, we made our way one section up to the dining car. True to his plan to humiliate me, Beau had placed Ellis and me at his table. All of the other tables were full. I knew because I checked.
“We can eat in our room,” Ellis suggested against my ear.
We could. But I wasn’t going to give Beau the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten under my skin. Again.
“It’s fine,” I said, locating the name card at my place. I’d have to face his family sooner or later. I kept my expression pleasant and serene as Ellis assisted me with my chair.