Chapter Five
Milo watched from the back of the train car as the young woman from the inn boarded. She was tiny, though, to him most people were. He’d be surprised if she even stood five feet tall. Still, who was she and where was she going? He knew he’d been staring at her in the dining room, but he couldn’t help it. Her eyes had sparkling flecks of gold in them, and he was having a hard time deciphering their actual color. And her hair. He’d never seen the likes of it. The coppery red strands mixed with dirty brown, and straw-colored hair stood out against her soft porcelain skin as if asking him to run his fingers through it. Never had he been more drawn to a woman than he was in that moment.
She was the loveliest creature he’d ever seen. He knew he’d made her uncomfortable and he should apologize for his rudeness, but he feared she wouldn’t accept it. She might quite possibly ignore him all together. His job required him to be fairly good at reading people and the young bella signorina seemed to be frightened of something or someone. After setting eyes on her the first time, a wave of fierce protectiveness rose up with an intensity that shocked him out of his stupor, propelling him to the door. He’d left the inn without telling Mrs. Dolly or little Bobby goodbye. He’d have to try to come back through Sweetwater during his travels.
He pulled his black hat down low and sank back into the seat as she neared, taking the seat a few rows ahead of him. He smiled. From here, he could observe her without offending her, and, perhaps, learn more about her and who she was running from. She looked small and fragile as she sat there alone, clutching her paper bag of previsions while watching the other passengers board. He wondered if she were looking for him. The surge of protectiveness rose again—what was it about her? He could tell she wasn’t used to traveling. She didn’t pull out a book or a knitting project like most women did. No, she was fidgety, as if she were nearing her destination and couldn’t wait to get off the train, instead of just beginning her journey. It was probably her first time on a train, alone, since the lady she’d arrived with had stayed behind.
The whistle blew, and the train lurched forward, heading out of Sweetwater and north toward Ohio. Passengers waved at those still standing on the platform and others had already settled in. The crinkle of newspapers unfolding and pages turning filled the air. The soft click of knitting needles were nearly drowned out by the loud clanking of the train. Others chatted and yet, she sat, stiff backed and still clutching her bag.
Milo watched as the young woman fought the sleep that had been trying to claim her for the last hour. Something was bothering her and keeping her awake. She hadn’t seen him, and he’d hoped that would ease her mind, but apparently, he was not the demon that kept sleeping beauty awake.
He longed to reach out to her and to offer his assistance, but the last time he’d tried to protect someone he’d failed. That failure cost him the only family he had left; his baby sister Alessa. He couldn’t risk that type of failure again, but he could keep an eye on the little lady.
He watched as her head jerked from the window yet again. If only he hadn’t scared her earlier, perhaps she would have felt safe with him. Safe enough to sleep and put an end to her struggle. The train conductor called out the next stop, where most passengers had either reached their final destination or would be changing trains. Milo stood and gathered his meager belongings, making his way forward. The young lady had finally fallen asleep and as he approached he could hear the faint little snores coming from her.
He’d never seen an angel, but if he had, he’d imagine it’d look just like the young woman as she slept. Her coppery golden hair glistening like a halo above her soft porcelain skin, and her sweet strawberry pink lips were open on feathery breaths. He didn’t want to frighten her, but he knew he had to wake her. He had to know where she was going and secretly hoped it was the same direction he was going.
He stepped forward. “Miss,” he said gently. When she didn’t stir, he reached out and touched her shoulder. “Miss,” he said again. This time she sat straight up and stared at him in disbelief.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Ma’am, but this is where the trains change. Unless this is your final destination,” Milo said.
“Oh!” she yelped, clutching her chest. “Umm, thank you.”
“I’m sorry to have startled you,” Milo said before making his way off the train. He tucked himself between the train cars and watched the young miss as she proceeded to the next train. He smiled in spite of himself, pleased to know that for now, she was at least traveling west.
Chapter Six
Kitty walked along the platform, looking for her next train, her heart still racing. She was certainly alert now. Since the man disembarked the previous train before her, she hadn’t seen which direction he’d gone and that left her with an uneasy feeling she couldn’t shake. If only she knew the man’s name.
As she neared her next train, she noticed an older woman guiding a younger woman toward the train. Kitty could feel the fear radiating off the younger lady in heavy waves. Her face was badly bruised, and she was trying to hide it from prying eyes with the shawl she wore over her head. She walked slowly as if every step she took required great effort, while holding tightly to the tiny bundle in her arms.
“You’re almost there, Shannon. Once you get on that train, you can rest,” Kitty overheard the older woman say as she stepped forward to offer her assistance.
“Excuse me, I’m boarding the same train, would you like some help?”
The young woman’s eyes darted upward and then bounced between the lady she was with and Kitty. She was visibly shaking and the small bundle in her arms let out a little whimper.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’d be glad to help,” Kitty said.
“That would be most kind of you, dear. I’m not boarding the train with Shannon, it would be good for her to have a friend along the way. Where are you traveling to?” asked the older woman.
“Oregon, my sister lives out there and was recently married,” Kitty said.
“Oh, how lovely. Shannon is going to Oregon, too.”
Shannon remained quiet, looking at the ground and not speaking for herself. Kitty didn’t know what had happened to the woman, but she was shaking uncontrollably, clinging to the bundle in her arms as if it were her lifeline. She was running from someone or something–and she was so young, too. Probably younger than Abby. Kitty’s heart went out to her.
“Shannon,” she spoke gently. “My name is Kitty. Would you like to be my traveling companion? I could help you with the baby,” she offered.
Shannon looked to her companion and then ever so slightly nodded. It was then that Kitty noticed the bruising along her jawline, the busted-up lip, and the stitches above her eye. The area around her eye was multi-colored and swollen. Her lightly colored hair looked as if it hadn’t been washed in a few days, and Kitty imagined there were more bruises she couldn’t see.
“Would you like me to carry your bag?” Kitty asked and, again, the young woman nodded ever so gently.
Kitty reached down and picked up the bag, then walked with Shannon and her companion. When they reached the train, Kitty noticed Shannon’s shaking increase. The woman assisting Shannon stopped and carefully took her by the shoulders.
“Shannon, you listen to me now. He’s not here, he doesn’t know where you are or where you’re going. You get on that train with this kind lady and don’t you dare come back. You know what he’ll do if he finds out that wee babe is a girl, and you may not survive his next round of punishment.”
Kitty found the woman’s words riveting. What had happened to Shannon? The older woman peeled back the top part of the blanket Shannon was holding and placed a soft kiss on the baby’s head.
“I will miss you both, but I’d rather you be safe than here,” she said and then looked to Kitty. “Thank you for helping.”
“It will be my pleasure.” Kitty grinned and then helped Shannon onto the train.
Milo held back, b
lending into the shadows, but he overheard bits and pieces of the conversation. It looked like they were all headed to Oregon, but what really caught his attention was the name Shannon. He couldn’t tell what she looked like or if she matched the description Detective Gibson had given him a couple years back, but he had to find out.
He waited until both women had boarded the train and gave it a few more minutes to ensure they were seated. This time, he wasn’t hiding in the back. He’d sit as close to the women as he possibly could, hoping to gain information on who this Shannon was. It would be a miracle if she were Detective Gibson’s niece. He just needed her last name for confirmation. Of course, he had the portrait, but even from where he’d been standing he could tell she was badly beaten.
He took his time boarding, the train looking ahead at nowhere in particular until he noticed the women out of the corner of his eye. They’d chosen to sit near the back, and the seat across from them happened to be empty. The sight of Kitty holding a baby in her arms did something funny to his insides, and he knew she’d noticed him as he took his seat. She raised her eyebrow, giving him a suspicious look.
Milo held back the smile that threatened to appear. It seemed Miss Kitty wasn’t as fragile as she’d appeared earlier, but then one never got between a mamma bear and her cub. He knew the baby didn’t belong to Kitty but the passion to protect them rolled off of her in fiery hot blaze. No, Miss Kitty was not one to be trifled with.
Chapter Seven
Kitty glared at the stranger. He made her uncomfortable for some reason. She knew she was being irrational thinking that he was following her, but she couldn’t help it. She knew how to handle anger, but not the feelings he was causing her. If she weren’t holding Shannon’s sweet baby, she’d reach over there and knock that smirk right off the man’s face. That would make him think twice about staring, after all, it was rude. He was bound to make Shannon even more uncomfortable; the poor girl was terror-stricken as it was.
Turning away from the handsome, annoying stranger, Kitty ran her finger along the baby’s soft cheek, thankful for the distraction. She couldn’t imagine riding the train alone with that man. There’s no telling what would happen. He made her feel things that she didn’t understand.
“Shannon,” Kitty looked up from the baby, “what is her name?” she asked.
“Emery Grace,” Shannon whispered.
“That’s a beautiful name,” Kitty said.
“I named her after my mother. Her name was Grace. She died some time ago. I’m glad she’s not here to see me now, though,” Shannon said as her eyes filled with unshed tears. Kitty’s heart broke for her a little more.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you…and what happened?” asked Kitty.
“Seventeen. After momma passed on Pa remarried. She was a mean woman. Then my pa died in a strange accident and she sold me. Eugene, the man who came to collect me, was supposed to take me to a saloon, but decided he wanted to keep me as his wife instead. At first, he was sweet to me and made me feel safe, but then he would go out drinking or something would go wrong at work. He turned mean real quick,” Shannon said as she touched her swollen lip.
Kitty gasped. “Was-was the woman’s name Natalie?”
“Yes, h-how did you know that?” asked Shannon.
“She married my papa too, and she tried to sell my sister and me,” Kitty said.
“You got away? D-did your pa die, too?”
“Yes, unfortunately, he did. I buried my papa before leaving Atlanta. He’d been sick before he married Natalie but he got worse soon after. There is suspicion of poisoning. Natalie was arrested. Did you ever meet a man by the name of Bloomberg?” Kitty asked and glanced up at the stranger, giving him a scowl. She’d find out his name and heaven help him if he was Mr. Bloomberg.
Milo listened as the two women talked, and his interest piqued tenfold when Kitty asked about Bloomberg. Shannon was about the right age to be Detective Gibson’s niece, but he couldn’t remember Gibson’s sister’s name. He needed to send a telegram to Gibson, but the idea of letting these two women out of his sight for even a brief moment held no appeal.
If Shannon was indeed Gibson’s niece and Milo lost her, he’d never forgive himself. The good detective had been searching high and low for her for the past two years. No one knew what happened to her; one day she was there and the next she was gone. Same as Natalie. When the report from Miss Johnson of Colorado circled through, the detective went on high alert.
Milo couldn’t blame him. He knew what it was like to live day in and day out knowing that he had failed to protect those closest to you. Alessa had only been sixteen when she’d disappeared. He’d been out with the Sheriff’s posse, tracking the Miller boys, and when he returned, she was gone. He was supposed to protect her, and he couldn’t even do that as a local deputy. He left his position and became a bounty hunter, leaving no stone unturned in his search for his sister.
He asked about her in every town he visited. Showed her picture to half a million people. He was beginning to think he’d never know what happened to her. Then a young girl from the saloon from where Miss Johnson escaped recognized Alessa from the photo. She had died protecting some of the girls from one of Bloomberg’s rampages—a defender until the very end. Milo couldn’t have been prouder of her, but he blamed himself every day for her death.
Milo turned in his seat to where he could face both women. He might not be able to hear as well this way, but he had learned to read lips some time ago. When he looked up, they were both watching him intently. He didn’t know whether to be alarmed or pleased. Why were they looking at him, he’d done nothing to draw their attention?
He heard Shannon say, “No, that’s not him.” What had Kitty asked? How did he miss it? He watched as Kitty’s ripe strawberry lips parted and she flashed him a wicked grin as if she knew something he didn’t. Milo had a sinking suspicion he was now in trouble. Two women plotting against one man never went well.
Chapter Eight
As the train crossed into Oregon, Kitty realized Shannon and Emery Grace were not going to Silverpines with her. They’d grown close along their journey west, with Kitty treating Shannon’s injuries and helping tend to Emery Grace. She hated to see them go.
“Shannon are you sure you can manage? Perhaps I should get off in Sisters with you and see you safely to—where did you say you were going?” Kitty asked.
“Grace Landing,” Shannon whispered. “You can’t tell anyone. If my husband or Mr. Bloomberg ever found it, a lot of women would be in grave danger. It is a secret that very few are privy to.
“I would feel better if I saw you safely there. It will be difficult for you to travel alone, injured as you are, with Emery,” Kitty said.
“If you insist, but your sister is going to be mighty upset you’re late.” Shannon smiled.
“Abby will understand, and she would expect me to make sure you and little Emery are safe,” Kitty said. “Sisters isn’t all that far from Silverpines, it won’t take me but a day’s train ride once we get you settled in.”
Kitty watched the landscape rise and fall. Each smoky peak reaching higher than the last, as if competing against one another. Together they lay like slumbering giants beneath a blanket of thick pines, dominating a pale blue horizon with their glistening crowns of white, clashing against powdery puffs of cloud. Grassy plains bathed in wildflowers lay at their feet, while sparkling streams wove through, reflecting the jagged peaks within her mirror. It was as if Oregon herself was announcing her wonderous splendor.
In that moment, Kitty found herself thankful for the pioneers that had gone before her, discovering the magnificent beauty. She’d heard the stories of the Oregon Trail, even her papa had told her what a grand adventure it would be, that she would witness landscapes others only dreamed of. She wondered what Abby thought of living in such a luscious land. It was vastly different from Atlanta.
“Shannon, what is your husband’s surname?” Kitty asked and when he
r question went unanswered, she turned to see Shannon had dozed off, the sun bathing her in a warm light.
While Kitty admitted she had a temper, she’d never been prone to violence. However, her thoughts toward the man that had harmed Shannon were none too kind.
“Next stop, Sisters,” The conductor called out. Milo stirred from his position. He’d pretended to be asleep for the last hour or so but the moment he moved he sensed Kitty’s eyes upon him. She was certainly an observant one and he’d have to be careful trailing her now.
He didn’t want to give Detective Gibson false hope, yet his gut said this was the right Shannon. He supposed he could just ask her. However, if she didn’t want her own mother to see her, God rest her soul, she probably didn’t want her uncle to, either. Milo couldn’t risk her denying her identity, there were far too many similarities in her story for Milo to ignore it.
Milo watched the ladies beneath the brim of his hat as Kitty helped Shannon gather her things to disembark. If he were quick he might be able to send his telegram and still trail the women as he had not heard Shannon’s whispered destination.
He stood, brushing against Kitty’s arm in the process. An unexpected jolt of electricity shot through him and he took a quick step back.
“Sorry, Ma’am, didn’t mean to bump you,” he said, the words stuck in his throat as if he’d swallowed a bit of cotton fluff. Why did she extract such a response from him? He’d enjoyed the little look-sees she’d given him and listening to her voice as she conversed with Shannon, but he never expected her to elicit such a reaction. It was further evidence that he needed to steer clear of the young bella signorina, though his gut said she would be the one to lead him to Bloomberg.
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