Mail Order Bride: Love On The Line: A Mail Order Brides Western Romance

by Harper, Catherine

  "I won't tell him if you don't."

  Feeling her face blush once more, she quickly took her cup and sipped from it. Looking for anything as a distraction, she found the passing landscape less interesting. Looking at his reflection and hoping he didn't notice her watching him, she knew she'd have to try her best to keep them apart. It was only three day's after all. What could go wrong in that length of time?

  Chapter 9

  "Read that one, it's not that great."

  Putting down her book, Elizabet looked to see Tom standing in the aisle beside her.

  "You can read?"

  "Why, don't I look civilized?" Tom asked, pointing to himself and sitting beside her.

  "Will I did watch you eat. It looked like you'd never held a knife and fork before," Elizabet smiled.

  "That hurt."

  "Good. So you'll leave me alone now?" Elizabet said, looking down to her book once more. Feeling him still stare at her she put it down and groaned. "Are you sure there are no other women on this train you can practice your charm on?"

  "Only one. But she's about eighty-"

  "Bit too experienced for you?"

  "Funny. Are you busy this evening?"

  Elizabet said nothing, fearing that she was leading him on.

  "I take it that's a no."

  Elizabet closed her book and put in on her lap. "And even if I said yes, you'd still invite yourself."

  "Good, that's a date then-"

  "You haven't forgotten that I'm promised to some else."

  "And you haven't forgotten that he didn't even bother to come and get you. If it was me I'd-"

  "Well, it's not, so you can put that idea out of your head."

  "Here, give me your hand."

  Instinctively Elizabet pulled her hands to her chest. "For what?"

  Reaching for one hand, Tom peeled it away and held it on her knee, palm up. "I'm going to read your future."

  "You, think you can predict my future?"

  "Shush, I'm concentrating-" Tom said, taking a finger and running it along one of the lines on her hand.

  "Well, that shouldn't take too long."

  Tom ignored the comment, "Well, well, well. I was right about you."

  "What?"

  "Maybe I shouldn't tell you—give me your other hand."

  Feeling Tom take her other hand, Elizabet looked at how small they looked in his. Watching him stroke his finger across her palm delicately, she felt her body tingle and respond to his touch. Feeling herself lost in the moment, his joke broke the spell. "Yep, I was right."

  "About what?"

  "I'll tell you what, we can talk about it over dinner tonight."

  Pulling her hands away, she said. "You liar, you didn't see a thing."

  Smiling at her and getting to his feet, he nodded and replied, "We'll see, we'll see."

  *****

  Elizabet watched Tom get up off his seat as she got near.

  "You look beautiful, you know that?" he said.

  Feeling herself blush, she quickly tried her best to move the conversation on. "I bet you say that to all the girls."

  "Funny, it didn't work on the eighty year old. She kept saying, 'what was that you said sonny?' kinda killed the moment."

  Elizabet smiled. "So I'm second choice?"

  "Disappointed?"

  Elizabet pointed at herself, "Me?"

  "Jealous, then," Tom smiled.

  "What, of being compared to an eighty year old woman? I think maybe it's time we get some food in that mouth of yours, Tom," Elizabet patted him on the arm. "Now lead the way."

  Guided to their table by their waitress, Elizabet found Tom wait patiently and help her to get seated. Taking her own across from him, she remarked. "Quite the gentlemen."

  "Thank you and you are quite the lady." Tom said, looking her over.

  "Will you stop that, you're embarrassing me. Don't forget this is just a meal, not a date."

  "And you're not a married woman." Tom said and called the waiter over. Asking for the wine menu he asked, "You like wine?"

  "Well, I've been known to drink the odd glass-"

  "Good, that's settled.” Pointing to the menu, he got a smile and a nod from the waiter before leaving.

  Curious of the exchange between them, she asked, "What was that about? The smile."

  "I ordered the most expensive bottle on the menu. Well, it's not often I get to drink with such attractive company."

  Elizabet shook her head, "You're not going to listen to any argument's I make, are you?"

  Tom smiled back, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

  "You know Shakespeare? I'm surprised."

  "You thought I grew up in a cave? My father made sure we had a good education starting out. I think he assumed that I'd follow him in the family business like the rest."

  "Wow, I'm floored."

  "About what?"

  "That you can actually have a normal conversation with you."

  Seeing their waiter reappear with their wine, they both stopped talking until he'd gone through the process of uncorking it and pouring them a glass each. Waiting until he'd gone, Tom toasted his glass, "To your good health."

  "And yours," Elizabet replied. "So this thing with your father—the family business, what do they do?"

  Tom shook his head. "I don't want to waste time talking about it. I'd rather know more about you."

  "Man of mystery, huh?"

  "Nothing as exciting as a woman who signs up as a mail order bride. So, what's your story? Why become one?"

  "I'll tell you what. How about we get to ask each other one question. But you have to tell the truth." Seeing Tom smile back at this, she instantly regretted her words. "And no, you can't ask me something like, do you find me attractive?"

  "I don't have to, I already know the answer to that question."

  Elizabet took a sip from her wine and couldn't help herself smiling at his cockiness. "OK, me first. Why are you riding this train to San Francisco, Tom?"

  "I'm going home."

  "A three word answer. Come on, you have to do better than that."

  "Alright then," Tom said and took a deep drink from his glass. "I have to go back home, I'm broke. I left two years ago with grand ideas of making it outside the family business and it didn't work out."

  "So the palm reading-"

  "Not as much money in it as I thought," Tom laughed. "Now my turn. What would make a very attractive lady like you want to become a mail order bride?"

  "Will you drop this 'attractive lady thing'?"

  "Can I help it if you're the most beautiful thing on this train-"

  "Apart from the eighty year old."

  "Hmmm, close call, but yes. Now stop avoiding the question. What's your story?"

  Elizabet took a sip from her glass before continuing. "Well, I had to get out of New York in a hurry—there was someone who wanted me to marry him, but I didn't want to."

  "So you're a runaway bride," Tom nodded his head as he was digesting the news. "The plot thickens. So who is he?"

  "That's two questions. Now my turn. If you said you're broke, how come you can afford to travel first class?"

  Tom leaned forward and whispered, "Who said I have a ticket?"

  "A stowaway. OK. So if I wanted to get rid of you and your pestering, all I have to do is tell someone. Something to keep in mind this evening."

  Reaching across the table he put a hand on hers. Looking at her with his best puppy dog eyes, he said, "You wouldn't do that to me, would you?"

  Laughing at his impersonation, she replied, "We'll see. But I still think that last response was a lie."

  Picking up his glass, he toasted her once more and downed the rest of it. "Go on, report me then."

  Elizabet looked at the smug look on his face and tried to read it.

  "But I know you won't."

  "Why's that?" Elizabet asked.

  Tom nodded to the table. "Because you're still holding my hand."

  Surprised
that she hadn't noticed, Elizabet looked at her hand and found it was true. Feeling like the most natural place to be, she found Tom take hold of it. Looking at him and see him smile back, she felt a sudden rush of fear run through her. Not because she was scared of him, but rather that she falling for him and didn't know how to fight it.

  Chapter 10

  Hanging up her dress and getting ready for bed, Elizabet played over the events of the evening. Still giddy and knowing she'd have trouble sleeping tonight, she knew it had little to do with the wine she'd drank. Thinking back to the wonderful meal and surprising conversation they'd both enjoyed, she found Tom the perfect gentleman. Walking her back to her room, he'd lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. Now feeling the spot on her hand, she thought over how close she'd come to inviting him in. Feeling a shiver of excitement run through her at that thought, she caught her reflection in her wash up mirror and stopped. What was she thinking? There was only one reason she was on this train, and that was to become a mail order bride. Thinking of John and what she was doing to him, Elizabet felt a sudden wave of guilt wash over her. How could she do this to him? He was waiting for her in San Francisco and here she was falling in love with a complete stranger.

  Sitting on her bed, Elizabet stared at the opposite wall and wondered what she'd do. She'd given her word to John that she was going to become his wife. How could she go back on that? And what would her father think of how she was carrying on. There was only one thing she could do. She'd have to tell Tom that he'd have to keep his distance. That was it. Whatever flirtations that were going on between them would have to stop. From this point on she was committed to John. All she had to do was stay away from him for the rest of the trip and then she'd never see him again. Happy that she'd made the right decision for everyone involved, she was also relieved that no one had seen how she'd been carrying on. Imagining how John would feel if he found out about his new bride seen holding hands with a complete stranger, or even worse sleeping with him, she let out a sigh of relief. Going back to the mirror to throw some water on her face, Elizabet found herself able to look at her reflection without a sense of guilt. Feeling like she'd dodged a bullet, she quickly put Tom out of her mind and got ready for bed.

  *****

  Elizabet heard the first gun shot and sat up in her bed. Wondering if she was dreaming she listened as the brakes of her carriage screeched and it began to slow. Pulling off her bed-covers she climbed out of her bed and walked to the window. Lifting the blind to see better, she found the world outside still pitch black. Thinking that it was a late stop to supply the engine with water, she watched as three men rode by her window. Confused and thinking that it was a passenger trying to catch the train, her mouth went slack at their appearance. Lit up by the torches they held above their heads, the bandannas on their faces gave away their purpose. The were here to rob the train.

  Closing her blind as quickly as she could, Elizabet stood frozen in the middle of her room. Looking to the small wooden door she raced to it and checked that the bolt was still closed. Feeling a little relief at this, she quickly realized that it would be no protection against a man who was intent on getting in. Not knowing what was about to happen or how the men would react to seeing a woman in her bed clothes she dressed herself as quickly as she could. Pausing at hearing another gunshot going off, she quickly tied back her hair and grabbed her shoes. Wondering if it would be better to use them as a weapon or put them on, she jumped on hearing her door being knocked.

  "Elizabet!"

  "Tom?"

  Whispering loudly, he asked. "Quick open up."

  Running to the door and pulling it open, she found him look over his shoulder one last time before coming in and slamming shut the door. Checking that it was secure, he turned around and threw his arms around her.

  "Are you OK?"

  Elizabet nodded. "We're being robbed? Three men rode past my window. I-"

  Tom smothered her in another embrace. Holding her at arm's length, he smiled. "I promise I'll keep you safe."

  "But what do they want, us?"

  "No, I think it's the strong box up near the engine. Anything they can get out of that will be a lot more that we'd be carrying."

  "EVERYONE OUT!"

  Hearing another gunshot go off and a woman scream, Elizabet held on to Tom and asked. "Oh Tom, what should we do?"

  On the verge of answering he was interrupted. “THE NEXT ONE WON'T BE GOING IN THE CEILING!"

  Elizabet watched as Tom looked to the window. "You think you could climb down if I broke it?"

  "I don't know…"

  Looking around the room, he muttered to himself. "Maybe not a good idea-"

  Hearing a loud thump on the door, the both turned to it on hearing a voice on the other side say. "I'M NOT GOING TO ASK AGAIN."

  "Could you hide this?"

  Elizabet looked down at the small pistol that was placed in her hand.

  "Quickly," Tom pleaded.

  Elizabet shrugged her shoulders. Whispering loudly, she asked, "Where?"

  "I don't know, garter?"

  "Seriously?"

  Hearing the door being tested, she quickly pulled her dress up and fixed the gun there. Shaking her dress out to cover herself again she found Tom grinning.

  "Nice legs." Not giving her a chance to respond, he quickly went to the door and called out. "ALRIGHT WE'RE COMING OUT!" Waving her to him, he took hold of her hand and slowly opened the door. "We're unarmed."

  Now in the narrow corridor of their carriage and staying in Tom's shadow, Elizabet looked at the man with the gun. Looking far from what she expected, she looked at the young eyes that stared over the top of his bandanna. Shaking his head to the side and directing them with the end of his pistol, he said. "Move it. Get to the back of the train."

  Chapter 11

  Making their way to the back of the train Elizabet found another gun man waiting for them. Looking her over as she came toward him, his broken toothed smile spoke volumes of what was going on in his head. Getting closer to him she found the smell of body odor almost over powering.

  "Well, look what we have her. Pretty little lady, ain't ya? Maybe me and you can get together after all of this is over."

  Looking to the toothpick that rolled around in his mouth as he spoke, she hoped he choked on it. Wondering what was going to happen next, she heard the younger gun man call out. "You know what the boss said, straight in and out, no hanging around." Still looking her over, she watched as he smiled at her once more. "That how you like it Miss, straight in and out, no hanging around?"

  Thinking a reply to his question could aggravate the situation further Elizabet said nothing and avoided his gaze. Hoping she's done enough she found herself pulled back and Tom take her position. "You'll have to go through me first."

  Elizabet watched as the pair squared off. Gripping Tom's arm, she tried her best to pull him backwards, "No Tom, please. Just let it go."

  "Maybe you should do as she says," the gun man said, tilting his pistol towards Tom's chest. "We wouldn't want this going off by accident now, would we?"

  "Enough, Frank! Let them through."

  Watching the pair stare each other down, she let out a sigh of relief as Frank stepped back. Waving them on with the tip of his pistol, Elizabet found him grin at her one more time. "Maybe later on, me and you can get together."

  Shuddering at the thought and wanting to get away from him as quickly as possible, she pushed a reluctant Tom through the door and joined the other hostages in the carriage. Turning back as the door closed after them, she watched as the pair of bandits argued outside.

  "Are you all right?"

  "Huh?" Turning around, she found Tom with a concerned look on his face. "I'm fine, thank you."

  "Come here you're shaking," Tom replied and swallowed her up in an embrace. Held there and smelling the sweet smell of him, she pulled back to look up at him and smiled. "I don't know if it's fear or anger."

  "Come on, let's get you a seat."
Taking her to the first available seat, he made her sit and stood in the aisle. Looking to the doorway, he remarked. "Looks like those two are still at it. Not much of a gang if they all can't work as a team."

  "You sound like this hasn't been your first time."

  "Happened about two years ago. Bank job. I don't know who they were, in and out like clockwork. Got a bump on the head for my troubles." Looking to the door once more he remarked. "Guess banks are getting too tough to rob, just the trains now, I suppose." Hearing a whimper they both looked at a small boy nestled up tight to his mother. Looking at the pair, Tom asked. "Is he OK?"

  Nodding her head, the mother replied. "Just got a shock, that man at the door didn't help things."

  Elizabet watched as Tom reached into his pocket and pulled a small paper bag from it. "Does he like candy?"

  Hearing the word they all smiled on seeing the little boy pull his head up and wipe away a tear. Seeing this as a yes, Tom sat down beside them and held out the bag. "You know I couldn't go anywhere without some candy on me."

  Elizabet watched as a timid hand went out and reached into the bag. Taking out a piece and placing it in his mouth the boy remarked. "We going to die?"

  Tom shook his head.

  "But the man at the door said if we moved, that he'd…"

  "Him," Tom remarked. "Old toothless. You know what his problem is?"

  "What?"

  "He's just grumpy that he hasn't got teeth anymore to eat candy." Hearing the words they all smiled as the boy giggled. "I'll tell you what—how about you mind this bag for me?" Handing it over he patted the boy on the shoulder. "And remember, when all of this is over, you're going to have a helluva story to tell your friends."

  "Yeah, that's right," the boy replied and his face beamed.

  Tom said, "Now you enjoy that candy and take good care of your mom." Leaving the pair he nodded as the woman mouthed a silent thank you. Joining Elizabet he took his seat beside her once more.

  "You're a dark horse."

  Tom said, "You're just jealous that I didn't show you my bag of candy-"

  "It's not for want of trying."