Dust And Dreams (The Rivers Brothers Book 1)

by Lynn Landes

  Two more men follow with the second crate, and the third is being unloaded when Aiden smiles. “Time’s up boys,” he whispers and pulls the trigger. The bullet leaves the barrel with the roar of gunpowder and flash of ignition. The officers turn at the yellow flash, eyes widening in horror, for they know what that means. It pierces the first wooden crate and sinks deep into the glass and ignites.

  No one has time to move, and Jeb thinks, “Shit,” before death claims them. The resulting explosion detonates the other crates, and the pressure of the blast explodes up and rolls outward into the bank and surrounding buildings, flattening and throwing debris for blocks.

  Aiden feels the shockwave rock the building he is standing on, and the glass windows shatter on every building that is left standing. He picks up his rifle and climbs down the back of the building. “Time to catch a train.”

  Solomon is finished unlocking the steel door and walking towards his office behind the vault when the first shock wave rolls through the bank above and throws him into the back of his office. The steel door provides some barrier from the blast, but the building above goes up in an explosion of dust and debris. The streets above are raining glass, wood, and body parts.

  Solomon struggles to breathe from the pressure wave of the explosion. He flies through his office over his desk and into the wall. Stunned, he lies entombed beneath the earth and watches as the dust and debris begin to sift through the cracked ceiling. He knows he only has moments to live. His ears are ringing horribly from the pressure, and when he puts a hand to one side of his face, he feels blood running from a cut in his scalp. He crawls through the debris towards the corner of his office. The vault was built in the basement for just this purpose, to provide protection in case of a robbery or explosion. There's an escape hatch inside that not many people are privy to. Solomon shoves what's left of the wood from his desk over and stops moving when he hears a smaller explosion rock the building again. Secondary explosions probably from the gas lanterns and broken pipes at street level.

  He draws up the rug and lifts the round steel hatch, descending into the darkness beneath. The streets under Wells bank run along Market Street all the way to the corner of The Palace Hotel. It was built for deliveries and other nefarious means that Solomon does not care to know about. Solomon seals the hatch and limps along the corridors. Usually lit with oil lanterns the explosion must have destroyed some of the lines, which from what he can smell is now leaking inside this tunnel. Coughing, he stumbles on the cold, black tunnel, feeling his way. Now five blocks from the Palace hotel he stumbles through the nightmare and all he can think of is surviving to see Faith and Hope again.

  Finally, his eyes begin to adjust to the darkness and ahead he sees a flicker of light. Anticipating an end to this tunnel, he begins to move faster, keeping his hands on the damp brick wall. Solomon wipes at the blood leaking from his nose, and soon he emerges inside a large chamber. Squinting against the brightness, he fights back a wave of dizziness and pushes on.

  When a man comes around the corner, he rushes to the injured man’s side calling out for help, but Solomon hears only the sound of his rage building.

  Chapter 28

  As the train barrels through the night, Cassie sits up in bed and struggles not to scream. Coughing and choking, she claws at her throat, and Dalton is shocked awake. “What is it?”

  “Fire!” she chokes out coughing, and Dalton leans over and grabs a glass of water to offer her.

  “It's just a dream, Cassie. You're safe!” he murmurs, trying to calm his beating heart.

  “Fire, Dalton. Explosions and death! We're not safe here!” she pushes his hand away with the water in it and throws her legs over the side of the bed. Pulling her wrap around her, she cinches the belt and turns to him with terror in her eyes, “They're coming now, Dalton. We have to get off the train!”

  “Who's coming Cassie? You aren't making any sense.” he leaps from the bed and walks towards her. “It was a nightmare…” but she shakes her head, stopping him in mid-sentence.

  “A vision, not a nightmare. I know the difference. If we stay on this train, we will die!” she declares.

  The last five days had been magical. They made love, ordered room service, laughed and spent time getting to know each other. Plans were made and a future spoken of with hope and anticipation. Now Cassie feels all of that slipping through her fingertips, and she rushes into Dalton's arms and whispers, “I'm so sorry.”

  “Sorry for what? Saving our lives.” He pushes her back away from his chest and looks into her eyes. “Cassandra you have to start trusting in your gift. This time instead of running scared, use it!”

  “Use it?” she whispers, looking up at him. “Use it. Of course, Dalton you're a genius.” She kisses him and laughs when he clutches her and tries to pull her back to bed. “Not now, Dalton.” She sits on the edge of the bed and looks at him. “I saw fire, explosions, and….” Squeezing her eyes shut tightly she tries to relax and focus on the image of “Fire.”

  Instantly, she is transported to the sky above the train, like a bird soaring through the night sky, she follows playing in the updraft from the train pushing through the night. Something glints on the track ahead and catches her eye, so she speeds up. Groups of Indians are digging frantically at the dirt under the track and driving logs under the metal rail, using it as a lever to pry it up. They take turns pulling at different parts of the rails until they are satisfied that it will work, and they fall back to the cover of the trees.

  “Oh my God!” she whispers.

  The train barrels along unaware of the danger waiting for them and the people sleeping inside the train have no clue what fate has in store for them. Cassie looks around desperately trying to find some kind of clue where this attack will take place, but all she sees is darkness. The train hits the destroyed track, and the cars begin to crash into each other, and the fires and screaming begins.

  The bird turns to follow the track backward. If she follows it back, she can find out where it came from. Cassie glides at speed backward until she comes to a large body of water.

  Dalton calls her name over and over, “Come back, Cassie!” he says shaking her. She startles, and her eyes fly open.

  He sits heavily beside her on the bed. “Lord, you scared ten years off my life. You're not doing that again!”

  “Dalton, we have to get off this train! You won't believe what I just saw!” She fills him in and waits in silence for him to process this new set of information. “Why would Indians do that?”

  “Retaliation, darlin,” he responds darkly. “Indians don't care for gold, Cassie. They want our weapons and our scalps. Anything else they will use for trade. This land is rough, only outlaws, bandits and hunters cross it. Those that survive the elements, have to survive each other. Damnit! I didn’t want to cross over land until we were further along,” he says pacing back and forth.

  “Dalton I can't be sure when this attack will happen. There were no identifying markers, but I followed the train tracks backward until I came to a large body of water. Is there a lake close, Dalton?”

  He stops pacing, “Yes. We will travel around the Great Salt Lake this morning before reaching the depot. From there we will have to cross through some pretty rough territory, Cassie.” He looks at her and his worry increases. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he sees a beautiful, fragile, creature…

  Her laughter jars him from his thoughts, “Dalton, I am hardly fragile. Although I am younger than you, I have survived the slaughter of my entire family and the loss of a child. It will take more than this land has to throw at me to destroy Cassandra Wolfe.” She stands and walks to him with a determined look in her eye.

  “I want a future with you, Dalton and nothing, not a train explosion, nor Indians, will take that future from me!” As his mouth descends on hers Cassie hears in her heart, “It’s about time!”

  A few minutes later, Cassie pulls away and looks up at him, “Dalton we have to stop this train.”
>
  He nods his agreement, “They will think we're crazy, Cassie. It will take more than our words to convince them of the danger.” They talk and plan until sunrise.

  When the porter brings breakfast, Cassie greets him with a smile. “Good morning, is it possible to get a tour of the main locomotive and meet the conductor this morning?”

  “Of course, Mrs. Rivers. I will see to the arrangements, but I warn you it is a hot and dirty business,” he says with a glance at Dalton.

  “That will be just fine, I assure you, I can handle it.” She smiles at him again, smoothing the green velvet of her travel dress.

  Dalton follows him to the door, “Can you tell me the name of the train depot we will be visiting today?”

  “Yes, sir, it is in Promontory, just this side of Salt Lake City. We will actually be stopping at both today. There will be a layover for any who wish to get off the train, and we will continue on tonight, to Salt Lake City.”

  “Excellent, we will be departing in Promontory. We will need all of our baggage pulled and ready to go.” Dalton follows the porter into the hallway to continue the discussion while Cassie packs the baggage inside the cabin.

  She pulls the jeans out of her trunk, with the shirt, hat, and necessaries that she will take with her after they depart the train. Next, Cassie packs her saddlebags with the one change of clothes and cash that she will need for the immediate departure. Her pistols are placed on the bed with her gun belt. Satisfied with her bag, she packs a change of clothes for Dalton.

  “Cassie, we need to talk,” Dalton calls to her from the sitting area below.

  She joins him, climbing down the steps and taking a seat at the small table. She pours tea and waits for him to explain.

  “Promontory Point is a city in decline. Last year, I was here for the celebration of the two railroads being united, and the city had thousands of visitors. It was a tent town, bustling with commerce and business. This last time I passed through, it was… well for lack of a better word, a wasteland. It had only forty people living there. The railroad depot is the post office, bank, and telegraph all in one.”

  Sipping on her tea, Cassie thinks about what he is describing. “Okay, what are you trying to tell me?”

  “We will need to move fast. I don’t want to stay too long, in fact, I would prefer it if you stayed on the train until I can get two horses and we leave at night.” Dalton waits and drinks his coffee.

  “Okay, Dalton. I will do whatever you think is best.” At his raised eyebrow she smiles. “Yes, I can be reasonable.”

  “I don't want to leave a memorable impression with anyone, and you definitely are not easily forgotten, darlin,” he drawls out in his best country twang.

  Cassie laughs out loud, “Dalton you are a contradiction. When I first met you, I saw only a huge, sexy cowboy. Then, I got to know you as the savvy businessman. Who are you really?”

  “I am whoever you need me to be, Cassie,” he responds with a shrug of his shoulders.

  ‘I just need you to be mine,' she thinks, and her smile fades a little. “How long till we get to the depot?” she asks changing the subject.

  “We have a few more hours…” a knock on the cabin door has Dalton going to answer it. He returns with a smile, “The Captain will have lunch with us.”

  Dalton and Cassie follow the porter into the private dining cabin of the Captain and conductor. Each train has an engineer who is responsible for driving the train, he chooses the speed and signals used during travel. It is the Conductor or “Captain” of the train who maintains the safety of everyone aboard as well as collecting tickets and fares.

  Cassie is greeted by the Captain who looks every bit the title. He is a tall man of about six feet, wearing a smart black cap that all the conductors wear. He is dressed in a dark double-breasted suit with a gold watch chain hanging from his front pocket. Long black sideburns and perfectly groomed mustache continues the look, and Cassie is enchanted. His eyes crinkle with delight at the beautiful young woman before him.

  “It is lovely to meet you, Mrs. Rivers,” he exclaims, bending over her hand and pressing a firm kiss to it. “Mr. Rivers, I am looking forward to the pleasure of your company. I hope you are enjoying our train. Mr. Wells speaks highly of you.”

  Dalton greets the captain with a firm handshake. “That's very kind of him. I hope you feel the same way after our lunch together.”

  “Come sit and tell me your concerns.” He leads them to a beautifully set table with flowers. He removes his black conductor cap and sits with the couple. Wine is served with lunch, and the first course is brought out.

  “Tell me, Mr. Frank Zimmerman, what do you know of mystics?” Cassie asks softly sipping her soup.

  His look of surprise is quickly masked, and he leans forward. “What an odd question. Honestly, I think it’s a bunch of nonsense Mrs. Rivers, don’t tell me you believe in it?”

  Dalton smiles and waits to see what Cassie does. When she holds her hand out the Captain does not hesitate to take her small hand, and smiles thinking this a game. She looks into the dark brown eyes of the older gentlemen in front of her, and she sees.

  “Your wife is lovely, Mr. Zimmerman, her name is Dorian. Her love for you is deep. You have twin sons, my age. I see a lovely young woman, holding a newborn baby. She is holding in her arms a baby boy, named Frank after his grandfather.”

  Frank stares at her in amazement and then his laugh booms out startling Dalton and Cassie. “Who put you up to this? One of the crew?”

  Cassie shakes her head, “The baby Frank, has a birthmark, like all the men in your family. On his…” she starts to say, but Frank leaps up from his chair.

  “Well, I am sorry, but I needed you to believe me,” Cassie says sipping her tea and blushing.

  Dalton laughs, “Please Mr. Zimmerman, sit and hear us out. We needed you to believe in Cassie’s gift.”

  “Mr. Zimmerman, I'm sorry if I upset you, but I…” she starts to speak, but he quickly sits grasping her hand.

  “We have never spoken of our family birthmark,” he whispers “for obvious reasons. Please, if your gift is real, tell me, Mrs. Rivers, how long will my wife have?” his desperation hits her, and Cassie looks deeper.

  “The sickness is… Typhoid, but she will live to see your grandson grow to be a man. You must follow the directions the doctor gave you, Mr. Zimmerman.” He drops his head to the table and struggles not to weep.

  “Thank you. Call me Frank.”

  Dalton pats the older man’s shoulders and offers Cassie a tissue. She blows her nose and waits for him to sit back composing himself.

  “She made me go back to work, said I was driving her to distraction.” He wipes his brow with a shaky handkerchief.

  “You were. She is resting and enjoying your grandson. You will find her in much better strength when you return.” Cassie looks at Dalton, and he sits heavily beside her.

  “Frank, you have to stop the train from leaving the station at Promontory. Cassie is gifted. She had a vision of this train derailing.”

  “Indians, are working on the tracks, pulling at them and I saw the train derail, Frank. I am not an alarmist. I don't get paid for this, nor do I share my gift with just anyone. In fact, I was taught to hide it, but I fear the death of all of those on board this train.”

  Frank looks startled by this admission. The porter brings in the second part of lunch, and they sit to discuss what can be done. He waits until the waiter leaves and sighs. “I can talk to the engineer, but I am not sure they will listen. What do I tell them, Mrs. Rivers? No offense, but a psychic told me the train will be attacked by Indians won't cut it. In fact, the art of witchcraft is punishable by death in most states.”

  “I am not a witch, just a concerned citizen. Dalton?” she whispers. He takes her hand and replies.

  “With all due respect, sir, that is up to you. We are simply messengers. I am taking my wife and traveling on by horseback. Your job is the safety of those on this train.” Dalton
pulls her up and heads to the door.

  “Wait! Cassie, thank you for everything. I can promise you that I will do my very best to convince them to at least check out the track ahead.”

  “Not good enough, Frank. Promise me that you will not stay on this train. If you want to see your wife again, you will heed my warning.”

  “I promise. I think I will take early retirement. It will be good for my family to have me around full time.” Frank watches them go with a sick feeling in his stomach.

  Three hours later they pull into Promontory station, and Dalton kisses Cassie hard on the mouth. “I will be back as soon as I can. Don’t leave the cabin.”

  “I won't. I promise, now go,” she urges him.

  Cassie straps on her corset with her cash sewn into it and then pulls on a sweater. Layers will be important on the trail. Next, come her jeans. They look like a skirt from the front with full coverage to her ankles. Her cowgirl boots are well worn from years of use on her family ranch. She quickly pulls her hair back and ties it with a small piece of cord and finally she straps on her gun belt and sits at the table to load her pistols.

  Dalton heads into the station. It is a large building, and people are bustling off the train. He looks around and gets directions for the town livery. After purchasing three horses, he makes arrangements for their bags to be taken by stagecoach to Wyoming. He moves on to the telegraph office and sends two messages. One to Mr. Wells informing him of the change of plans and another to his brothers. Time to get some help.

  Next, he moves on to the general store and buys supplies for camping and extra ammunition. They will have to head into the mountains, and he knows getting to the mountains is going to be the hard part. If he were alone, he would ride hard and fast, but with Cassie, at his side, things will be more difficult. He can only pray they make it to the cover of the mountains. Time to get Cassie off the train.

  Dalton ties up the horses just outside of town and returns to the train as the sky turns orange with the glory of the sunset. When he sees the train being loaded with coal and water, he is frustrated. “Damn!”