She didn’t see him coming up behind her, and she must not have heard him. He stopped right behind where she was sitting and looked over her shoulder. She was writing intently in one of those bullet journals he’d seen people using lately. He tried to read what she was writing, but couldn’t quite make it out.
She paused to take a bite of the apple she was holding in her left hand, and must have sensed his presence. She slowly turned and looked back, then jumped with a little screech - not quite a scream - when she saw him.
He backed up, holding up his hands. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I kept thinking you’d hear me.”
“Don’t do that!” she said, slamming her journal closed.
“I said I’m sorry,” but he hadn’t intended to frighten her. Her hands were trembling and her pupils were dilated. He sat down on the seat across from her. “Honest, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s a good thing you weren’t trying.”
He laughed.
She shot him a glance. “It’s not funny.”
He bit back a smile. “I know. It won’t happen again.” And he meant it. The girl was jumpy. That told him he was on the right track in thinking that someone was after her. “Are you going to get something to eat?” he asked, thinking to distract her.
“I’m having an apple.”
“An apple? That isn’t lunch. You need your strength.”
“It’s all I ever eat for lunch.”
“No wonder you’re so skinny.”
“I’m healthy, thank you.”
“Come with me. I’ll buy you a hamburger,” he suggested.
She shook her head. “I’ve got money. And I don’t eat burgers.”
“Really?” he asked, puzzled. “How about french fries?”
“I don’t eat french fries, either.”
“Then, what exactly do you eat?”
She smiled and he knew he’d been successful in distracting and calming her. “There are lots of foods out there that don’t involve grease and beef,” she said.
“What’s wrong with beef and grease?”
“Surely you know about eating healthy,” she said. “Or do you really spend all your time on this train?”
“I do spend a lot of time on the train, but, yes, I do stay in touch with the modern world.”
“Well, that’s good to know,” she said, tucking her journal safely into her bag.
“What are you working on?”
“Nothing.”
“Is there anything I should know about you?”
She looked at him as though he had grown horns. “Why would you need to know anything about me?”
“I don’t know,” he said, glancing around. “Maybe there’s an ex-husband you’re hiding from.”
She slowly shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Ex-boyfriend?”
“No,” she said, “not that I know of.”
“Then, why do you want to spend your days riding around on this dirty old train?”
“Why do you?”
“I happen to like it.”
“So do I,” she said.
He studied her for a few minutes. He liked the way her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, but enough of it had come loose to from her face. He liked her delicate features that, again, reminded him of an elfish princess. Maybe he’d spent too much time watching the Lord of the Rings. “Have you ever been to Silverton?” he asked.
“Not that I remember,” she said.
“Then, come on,” he said, standing up and holding out his hand. “Let me show you around.”
She checked her watch.
“Trust me, there’s plenty of time.”
She seemed to think about it, then obviously couldn’t come up with a good reason to turn him down.
“You aren’t doing anything else,” he insisted.
“Oh, all right,” she said. “You’re a very persistent man.”
“You’re the one who said we should get to know each other.”
“I didn’t mean like this,” she said.
“Then how?”
“I don’t know,” she said, but she took his hand and after grabbing her bag, allowed him to help her up.
He found that he was tempted to hold on to her hand as they walked toward the platform, so he did. He held her hand until he had helped her down the steps of the train car, then released her, though he would have preferred not to.
“I usually eat lunch there,” he said, nodding toward the Grill.
“Looks like a healthy place to eat,” she commented, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“They have the best burgers in Silverton.”
“Uh huh,” she answered.
As they went past the Grill, Daniel ignored the questioning stares from Trixie.
He couldn’t help but notice how the two women were as different as night and day. He smiled a little as he thought about the possibility of Madison propositioning him. He knew that would never happen.
“What’s funny?” she asked. “Is that woman a friend of yours? I think she’s trying to get your attention.”
“What?” he asked, a little thrown off at her observation. He gave himself away, though, by glancing over at Trixie who was, indeed watching them. “No.”
“Ok. Anyway, you were smiling.”
Relieved that she wasn’t talking about Trixie anymore, “you don’t want me to smile.”
She studied him with a sideways glance. “I don’t mind.”
“Really?”
She nodded. Was she saying she found him attractive? He found that he wanted to believe this.
Trixie completely forgotten, he began to enjoy himself.
“Tell me something about you, Madison McKivitz.”
A shadow of panic passed over her features. “What do you want to know?” she asked, but she kept her gaze turned away from him.
He really didn’t care what she told him. He wanted to know everything about her. She was fascinating. “What were you writing?” he asked the only thing he could think of that wasn’t too weird or desperate sounding.
She hesitated, perhaps weighing the options - did she want to confide in him?
“I just like to journal my experiences,” she said, finally.
“Any particular reason why?”
“No. Any particular reason you want to know?”
He shrugged. “Just curious,” he said. They stopped at a bench beneath an aspen tree.
Madison reached up and touched one of the quaking golden leaves. “I love these aspen trees,” she said.
“They are pretty, especially this time of year.”
“They’re more than pretty. They’re magical. I’ve never seen any other trees shimmer like this.”
“Maybe they are magical,” he said, looking around at the mountains in the distance. The clouds had dissipated and the sun was bright, warming the air. At this moment, he didn’t think there was a more beautiful place in the world to be.... or a more beautiful girl to be with.
“Where are you from?” he asked.
“Here and there.”
“Army brat?”
“No, not really,” she said, leaving his question unanswered which only increased his curiosity. “Where are you from?” She asked.
“Littleton.” When her eyes widened, he continued. “It’s outside of Denver.”
She nodded. “I know. I’m just a little surprised.”
“Why?”
“Why would a city boy like you want to work on a dirty, grimy train?” she asked, tossing his question back at him.
Leaning back on the park bench, he stretched his legs out and gave that some thought. “I get your point,” he said. “It may be a city, but it is Colorado.”
She broke one of the leaves off the tree and sat down, leaving a foot between them, twirling the leaf in her fingers. “Meaning?”
“Meaning, it’s almost expected that we will get out and do outdoorsy things.”
“What makes you th
ink I’m not from Colorado?”
That one was easy. “Your accent is wrong.”
“I could have lived somewhere else for a time.”
“You could have, but I kind of doubt you’re from here.”
“So, you’re an expert on these things?”
“Kind of, yeah. It comes with the territory,” he said.
“Since you’ve got it all figured out, I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“Actually, you’re quite the mystery.”
“Then why don’t we just keep it that way?”
“Whatever you like, Princess,” he said. Then instantly regretted his biting remark. It was just that he had met women before who didn’t want to let anyone get to know them because they were only toying with him anyway. After all, he was just a country boy who rode all day on a train. He was sure some of them got a kick out of messing with him.
He was relieved when she didn’t react. In fact, it was as though she hadn’t heard him.
She didn’t seem to be one of those girls. She seemed to be keeping herself distant, but he sensed it was something more about her and less about him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, unable to resist.
“Don’t be,” she said, looking up at him with those fathomless blue eyes. “I’m just a little jumpy, okay?”
“Okay,” he said, “I understand. I won’t pry.”
She exhaled. “Thank you.”
“Come on,” he said, taking her hand to pull her up. This could easily become a habit, this holding her hand. He released her, of course, though he didn’t want to.
“What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor?”
“Chocolate.”
“Good. Mine too. I’m buying.”
She started to resist. He could tell. And was rather impressed when she didn’t. He was making progress.
They stepped into Smedley’s ice cream parlor. “Do you want a cup or a cone?” he asked.
“Cup.”
He ordered two cups of chocolate ice cream, paid the clerk, and handed Madison hers.
They found a table in the back and settled in to eat their ice cream.
“What do you think about Silverton so far?”
“It’s nice. Quaint.”
“You won’t want to be here at night by yourself - it gets a little rowdy. But during the day when the tourists are here, it is nice.”
“Good to know,” she said, closing her eyes as she took a bite of chocolate. “I don’t plan to be.”
“How long? Nevermind. I said I wouldn’t pry.”
She looked at him through those lashes and smiled. “Tell me about you,” she said.
This was beginning to feel like a date, he thought. But surprisingly, he didn’t mind. It was surprising because he hadn’t dated in two years. Not since the last time.
“What do you want to know?” he asked, winking at her, when she looked at him with surprise.
“If we keep doing this to each other, we’ll just go in circles,” she said.
“I kind of doubt that,” he said.
‘How long have you been a conductor?”
“Eight years,” he said. “I started out as a concession worker.”
“Ah ha,” she said.
“Ah ha what?”
“Ah ha, since you started out as a concession worker, I should.”
“No, I just see the benefits of it.”
She chuckled.
He liked it that she laughed, but he refrained from mentioning it, afraid she would be self-conscious and not do it anymore.
“And I’m willing to be,” she said, “that females who start out as concession workers typically don’t get promoted to brakemen.”
“Good point,” he said, taking her empty ice cream cup and, along with his, put them in the trash. “Shall we go?”
“I think we should,” she said, glancing at her watch.
Halfway back to the train area, Daniel stopped in front of one of the shops. “Wait here,” he said, and disappeared inside for a few minutes.
Madison busied herself looking around the town. There were two rows of shops and cafes separated by one two lane road. It really was kind of old-fashioned - except for the cars and pick-up trucks crowding the area. She was more of a city girl herself, but this was okay for a job. Besides, she thought, looking past the town to the scenery. It really was breathtaking here.
She turned her attention to the shop where Daniel had gone. He was talking with a woman behind the counter. As she watched, he smiled at the woman. Now he would get whatever he wanted, she thought. For whatever reason, he had turned on the charm for the woman. He looked up toward her and seeing her watching him, winked at her with that same charm.
Her knees felt a little weak. That wasn’t good. The last thing she needed was to fall prey to the man’s charm. It would be trouble to get attached to the man – to anyone.
She looked away. And it was only a few minutes later that he came outside with a satisfied expression on his face.
“That must have gone well,” she said.
“It did,” he said, smugly. “I got you something.”
“What? Why?”
“The usual response is ‘thank you.’”
“Shouldn’t I see it first?”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a little square box. She took a step back. And there was a sudden ringing in her ears. She couldn’t pull her eyes from the box. Dizzy, she needed to sit down. He must have sensed that she was about to fall, because he reached out and grabbed her arms. The little box tumbled to the ground. Gently, he eased her to the sidewalk and held her against him.
An elderly couple who were walking by stopped, “Can we help you?” the older man asked. “Is she okay?”
“I think it’s just the elevation,” Daniel said, “We’ll be ok, but thank you.”
“You dropped this,” the woman said, handing the fallen box to him.
Daniel thanked them again and stroked the back of her head, running his fingers soothingly through her hair.
Slowly, she began to feel some semblance of balance returning. The dizziness subsided and she pulled back a little.
“Are you better?” Daniel asked.
She nodded, but kept her grip on his shirt.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know.”
“Has this happened to you before?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I think you would know,” he said.
“I’m sure it’s just the elevation,” she said, borrowing his idea.
“It must have been,” he agreed. “Can you stand?’
With his help, she stood up. Her legs were a little weak, but after a few minutes, she felt more like herself. “I think I can walk now.”
The train’s whistle went off in the background - four long toots. “They’re calling us back,” she said.
“Indeed, they are, but they’ll wait.”
She glanced at her watch. “We have to go.”
“I think you’re going to be okay,” he said.
With Daniel holding on to her arm, they made their way down the boardwalk to the train. Most of the tourists had found their way back, many of them already on the train.
“I’m okay now,” she said, “It won’t inspire much confidence if you have to carry me to the train.”
“You’re right,” he said, releasing her. “But if you need to sit quietly for the ride back, it’s okay.”
“Not a chance. It’s only my first day on the job. I have to do better than that.”
“All right,” he said, with skepticism. “But if you’re coming back for a second day, you have to get through the first.”
“Excuse us,” two young, enthusiastic college girls asked of Madison. “Will you take our picture with him?”
Madison tried not to roll her eyes. “Sure,” she said, taking the camera.
She waited while they leaned against him, clutching his arms, and smiled broadly. As she snapped
the picture, she allowed herself to roll her eyes. Daniel was smiling as big as they were.
“You must be used to that,” she said when they were out of earshot.
“It comes with the territory,” he said. “I’m just a character to them.”
“A character they’d like to devour,” she said, and wondered if he really was that oblivious.
He laughed. And she felt much better. He may have smiled in their picture. But she had made him laugh.
“Hey,” he said. “I almost forgot to give you what I bought for you.”
Her eyes widened. Please don’t let it happen again. That strange Déjà vu feeling that left her faint. He pulled his hand out of his pocket and taking her hand in his left one, placed something cool in her hand.
She opened her palm to find a silver chain with a silver and gold aspen leaf attached.
Looking up at him, her eyes felt a little moist. “You got me an aspen leaf,” was all she could manage to say.
He shrugged. “You said you liked them.”
Her voice came out as barely a whisper, “thank you.”
The next hour and a half passed before she saw Daniel again. She was standing in the back of the open gondola car wondering who was going to need stitches for bloody knuckles from grabbing tree limbs out the window.
Her heart did a little leap when she saw him coming toward her. He stopped a few inches in front of her and it was at that point that she realized just how tall he was. She had walked beside him and he had held her close, but only now, with him standing in front of her, did she fully realize that her head would fit against his broad chest. She lifted her eyes to meet his.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I feel fine,” she answered. Actually, her heart rate was a little accelerated at the moment as she suspected was her blood pressure.
“I was worried about you.”
The cabin swayed, and before she could grab for the metal pole beside her, she actually bumped into that chest she had just been contemplating. His hand shot out to steady her and, unlike earlier when she was dazed and faint, she felt his hand through her shirt and jacket.
“Careful,” he said.
“I’m sorry. I don’t quite have my train legs yet.”
He chuckled.
Her eyes caught sight of a building behind him off to the right, nestled almost out of sight in the trees. “What’s that?” she asked.
Pretend You'll Stay (Winter Kisses Book 2) Page 3
