“Nothing you can do. Stand still,” he whispered out of the side of his mouth.
Katie did as she was told.
The train robber who had shot the conductor kicked the body before heading over to where the passengers stood. He helped to relieve some of the men of their wallets.
“Got anything in there, pretty lady?” he sneered as he came closer. She recoiled, the stink from his rotten teeth causing her stomach to lurch.
“No, but you are welcome to check.” She threw her reticule at his feet, ignoring Ellen’s intake of breath.
“You’re a feisty filly. Maybe I should take you with me and show you some manners.” He leered at her.
Katie shivered with revulsion, trying to resist the urge to smack his face. Her gaze held his. She knew he was taunting her, as if he knew how hard it was for her not to retaliate. It was the day with the soldiers all over again. Having to stand by, helpless, powerless to prevent something awful from happening.
“Billy, come on. We got to get out of here. That conductor is dead. We will swing for this. You were only supposed to grab the gold.”
Billy turned to the man who had shouted, and at the same time, the young man from her carriage pushed Katie and Ellen behind him. Another robber moved to where Billy had been standing and bent to pick up the sack. Katie saw his jacket sleeve rise up, revealing a distinctive birthmark. He pulled it down hastily, looking up to see if anyone had noticed. Katie cast her eyes to the ground, not wanting to meet his gaze. She continued to stare at the dusty ground until the robbers had mounted their horses and started to ride off. As soon as she heard the canter of the hooves, she ran toward the conductor.
He wasn’t dead.
She pulled her jacket off and made it into a pillow for his head. She could see the blood spreading through his shirt.
“Thank ye kindly, Miss,” the injured man whispered.
“Hush up, now. You need to preserve your strength.” Katie watched as one of the male passengers checked the wound. He stood up, shaking his head. Her heart sank.
“Miss, could you do something for me?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Please write my Annie and tell her I didn’t suffer. She was all in a tither about me taking this trip. She thought I was too old. Happens she was right.”
“I promise, but you can tell her yourself when you get better.”
The old man smiled sadly before closing his eyes. Katie sat there for a while, holding his hand, the tears streaming down her face. She could hear Ellen sobbing behind her. Why was the world so cruel?
Chapter 16
Daniel had never felt so helpless in his life. Without his gun, he couldn’t do anything, but that didn’t make standing there watching thieves shoot an innocent man any easier. He had felt the girl move and instinctively grabbed her arm. She wasn’t from ‘round here. She didn’t know the types of men who held up trains.
Her outburst at the robber earned his admiration and annoyance in equal measure. How could she be so stupid and so brave? She, a mere girl of about twenty, had stood up to an armed raider. He shook his head. She probably had no idea how lucky she was the other robber had shouted at Billy. Train robbers were not known for treating womenfolk with respect.
As soon as the men had gone, he had moved to the front of the train to see how fast they could get underway. The man who had been shot needed medical attention if he wasn’t already dead. Daniel itched to get to Clover Springs. He intended to ride with the sheriff to track down these outlaws.
Thankfully, the robbers hadn’t damaged the water tank too severely, so the train could limp to Clover Springs where it would have to be repaired. He helped some of the men move the rocks and timber blocking the tracks. Thank God the driver had seen the blockade in time to stop; otherwise, the train could have derailed, injuring more people.
Daniel walked to where a crowd of passengers had gathered. He saw the sisters at the center of the crowd, the older one holding the hand of the slain man. Tears ran down her cheeks, her lips moving in prayer. His fist clenched as he wished again he had kept his gun and could have put a bullet in Billy.
Gently, he tapped her on the shoulder.
“Please, Miss, stand up and take your sister back into the train car. There is nothing more you can do here.”
She looked up at him, her violet eyes swimming with tears. “The poor man didn’t have a chance, did he?”
Daniel shook his head before removing his jacket and laying it over the conductor’s face. They would need to move the body into the train, but he didn’t want her to witness that. She had seen enough.
“Come on, Miss. The sooner you and the other passengers get into the cars, the quicker we will reach help.”
He offered her his hand and helped her to her feet. She wobbled and instinctively he tightened his grip, pulling her slightly closer. She smelled faintly of roses. He quashed the urge to pull her tight against him. This was neither the time nor the place.
Katie tried hard to get a grip on her emotions. The smell of gunshots and blood had taken her back to the day the soldiers came. Her body shook so badly as she relieved the terror. She forced her eyes open. Breathe slowly. Ellen trembled beside her.
“Katie, that was horrible. I want to go back to Boston. I can’t stay here. I am too…” Ellen stopped talking. She turned ghostly white before passing out.
“Ellen.”
At Katie’s cry of distress, Daniel whirled around, catching the younger girl before she fell. He carried her into the train car, laying her gently on one of the seats.
“Poor kid. She’s terrified. I’ll go get her a drink.”
Katie rushed to Ellen’s side. Gradually the young girl came round but lay crying quietly. Daniel returned, holding Katie’s reticule and some water.
“Found it on the ground. I think they forgot to open it. Sorry but I couldn’t find any brandy.”
“Water’s perfect. She’s come around now but thank you, Mr…” Katie stammered realizing she didn’t know his name.
“Daniel Sullivan.” Daniel tipped his hat smiling but his eyes were troubled. Katie found herself rubbing his arm.
“She will be fine. Ellen’s tougher than she looks. We both are. My name is Kathleen O’Callaghan but most call me Katie. Thank you, Mr. Sullivan, for protecting me earlier as well as looking after Ellen.”
“Pleasure, Miss O’Callaghan, although remind me never to annoy you. That’s some temper you have.”
Katie opened her mouth to give him a smart reply but at his look, realized he was teasing her. She smiled despite wishing his name had been Mr. Cassidy.
Daniel’s arm tingled from her touch. She was obviously as terrified as her younger sister but far too brave to admit it. He had an overwhelming urge to put his arms around her. He wanted to remove the terror from her eyes and kiss her senseless. The last few hours had shown how unpredictable life could be. It would be dangerous for them to continue their journey. Far safer to stay in the town where he could protect them both.
Chapter 17
When they finally reached Clover Springs, Daniel seemed reluctant to leave them alone, but she had assured him they would be fine. He had to go to the sheriff’s office to volunteer for the posse who would ride out and try to catch the raiders.
“What will we do if the train can’t be fixed?” Ellen asked.
Katie didn’t answer. She needed to think. She wondered how much it would cost to send Mr. Cassidy a telegram.
“Mr. Sullivan is coming back,” Ellen whispered.
Katie’s stomach twisted at the sight of the man walking toward them. If only he was her intended. Stop thinking like that. It won’t help anyone.
“Ladies, why are you still standing here? You should be resting,” he asked.
Ellen shrugged her shoulders in a very unladylike fashion before announcing, “Katie isn’t sure we have sufficient money to stay anywhere in town.”
“Ellen,” Katie hissed. She could strangle her siste
r sometimes. Their mother used to say Ellen only opened her mouth to change her feet. This was just typical. Katie saw Mr. Sullivan looking at her and she imagined his gaze was full of pity. She didn’t need that from anyone, especially him.
“Please forgive my sister. We have sufficient funds, thanks to you returning my reticule.”
Daniel nodded but stayed silent.
He is probably wondering why we’re still standing there. Katie wasn’t going to admit she had wanted to talk to him again.
“If the train has to be repaired, how long do you think it will be before we can continue our travels? We are supposed to get the stage from Whitewater to Clear Creek.”
“I don’t know, Miss O’Callaghan. A couple of days, I guess. Do you have family meeting you there?”
“Sort of. I am supposed to get married there on Friday.”
Daniel reacted as if he had been stung. Married. Just his luck. To find a woman who made his senses beat faster than a rattlesnake bite, only for her to be promised to another.
“No chance of that happening today, Miss O’Callaghan.” Surprise flared in her eyes at his gruff tone. He tried to temper it but the anger remained. “Just spoke to the train’s fireman. The damage is worse than it seemed. It will take a couple of days at least. They also need to replace poor Mr. Smithson.”
“Oh, I see. Yes, of course, that poor man. I must write the note to his wife like I promised.”
She sounded panicky, but Daniel held back. She wasn’t his problem. Not if she was going to married to someone else.
What got into him? Why is he so angry? Katie bit her lip. Maybe he feels responsible for us after what happened. Well, she was a big girl and could take care of herself. But she was in a strange town. She risked a glance at him, hoping he would smile or say something, but he stayed silent. She hated to ask for more from him but she didn’t have a choice. She took a deep breath and prayed her voice would be steady.
“Perhaps you could direct us to a boarding house where we may rest and change after the journey?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Mr. Sullivan took his hat off and bowed. Katie bit back a retort. She supposed she deserved his rebuke for using a superior tone. Directness may be Ellen’s failing, but being ornery was one Katie had in buckets.
“I do hope we are not putting you at an inconvenience, Mr. Sullivan.”
“Not at all, Miss O’Callaghan. My mother will be delighted to meet you.”
“Your mother? Perhaps you misunderstood. We didn’t invite ourselves to your home. Despite what my sister said earlier, we do have funds. We are looking for a house open to paying guests.”
Mr. Sullivan laughed but it wasn’t a happy sound. Irritated beyond belief, she was tempted to tell him to take a hike. But she couldn’t. She had to think of Ellen.
“My mother runs a boarding house. She opened it after my father died. She didn’t fancy staying on the ranch outside of town, so she gave that to my older brother. She guessed the railroad would bring travelers needing suitable accommodation. I assure you it is respectable and somewhere your mother, if she were traveling with you, would feel comfortable staying.
“Our mother is —” Ellen snapped her mouth shut in response to Katie’s pinch. She rubbed her arm, glaring at her older sister.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Sullivan. We are much obliged. Come on, Ellen.” Katie took Ellen’s arm, forcibly dragging her down the street. She didn’t want to spend any more time with Mr. Sullivan than absolutely necessary.
Mr. Sullivan picked up their bags with ease and walked down the steps of the station onto the street. Katie and Ellen followed, looking at the town Mr. Smithson had spoken so highly of. Thankfully, it was a dry day so the street was only dusty. It must get real muddy when it’s raining, Katie thought as she picked up her skirt to avoid walking into fresh horse dung.
She hoped the boarding house would have a bath. She was desperate to be clean again after the long journey. Mr. Sullivan pointed out a couple of buildings to them. They passed a large mercantile, the goods on display in the window causing Ellen to stop and stare. A restaurant and small hotel was situated on the corner. She thought it might be the boarding house, but Mr. Sullivan kept walking. He didn’t make conversation. Katie was glad, as it gave her time to get her thoughts in order. Would Mr. Cassidy be concerned when they didn’t arrive on schedule? Would he think to check for a telegram? Maybe the stage driver would have heard about the train robbery and tell him? Or would that be old news around here in a few days? Nellie’s voice popped into her head, saying it depends on how many murders they have this far west.
As they walked further away from the station, they passed a saloon, thankfully on the other side of the street. Some cowboys exiting the doors stopped and stared at them. A couple of the men made a few undesirable comments, causing the rest to laugh coarsely. Katie stiffened and walked straighter, taking Ellen’s hand in the process. “Look straight in front of you. Pretend they aren’t there,” she hissed to her sister. Mr. Sullivan stopped, letting them walk slightly ahead of him. Katie saw him give the saloon guests a look, which thankfully silenced them. She was sure the men would have approached them had they been unaccompanied. “Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.”
“You are very welcome, Ma’am,” he replied, continuing to walk.
Ma’am! Just how old does he think I am? Katie glanced in a window as she passed. Sure, she was dirty from the trip, but the experience hadn’t aged her that much, had it?
Chapter 18
They kept walking down, what she assumed, was the main street. A small distance away stood a white church and near it was what she presumed was the schoolhouse, as it wasn’t yet completed. Just past it, she saw a pretty white clapboard building with flowers on either side of the door. The windows sparkled in the sunshine. There was a small sign saying Sullivan’s boarding house. It looked so pretty and inviting, Katie couldn’t help smiling.
Mr. Sullivan stopped, putting their bags on the porch. He opened the door, calling for his mother.
“Daniel. You’re back. Let me look at you.”
A middle-aged woman with dark hair streaked with gray hugged the young man. Only then did she see Ellen and Katie standing there.
“Please excuse my mother. It’s been at least a week since she last saw me.”
Mrs. Sullivan blushed before swatting her son out of her way.
“These ladies have traveled a long way and need somewhere to stay, so I brought them here.”
“Where else would you bring them?” Mrs. Sullivan laughed. “I am so sorry, girls. Daniel’s right. He was only away for a week this time, but before that he was away for years and I am just making up for all the lost hugs.” Mrs. Sullivan came toward them with her arms open. Katie thought she was going to hug them, too, but she didn’t. She shook their hands as Katie introduced herself first and then Ellen. “Please come in. Welcome to our little town. You must be exhausted.”
Mrs. Sullivan and her boarding house were just as nice as Daniel had said. She showed both of them up to a large room overlooking the rear of the property.
“I think you will find it quieter. The rooms at the front of the house overlook the street. It can get a little rowdy, especially if the men venture down this direction after the saloon has closed.” Mrs. Sullivan’s disapproval of this behavior was evident from her facial expression.
“It is lovely, thank you,” Katie said happily, glancing around the room. Although sparsely furnished, the linen on the large bed was crisp and white.
“I guess you girls will want to wash up for supper. I will send Daniel up with the bath. I put water on to boil earlier for some sheets, but you look like you would benefit from it more. Supper won’t be on the table until six, so you have time for a nap should you wish to rest.”
“That would be lovely. Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan.”
“She’s very nice, isn’t she, Katie? I hope your new home is as nice as this,” said Ellen after Mrs. Sullivan closed the door.
Having rested for a while, they both felt better and soon hunger drove them downstairs. The lovely smells coming from what they presumed was the kitchen made their mouths water. Mrs. Sullivan seated them in the dining room. There weren’t any other guests around. Looking at the clock, Katie realized they must have slept longer than she had thought.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Sullivan. You should have called us when you served the other guests.”
“Don’t you worry about that. You and your sister needed a rest after everything you had been through today. Daniel told me what happened before he rode out with the sheriff. I hope they catch those varmints.” She served them each a roast dinner, the plate piled high with meat, vegetables, potatoes and gravy.
“I am just going to finish tidying up in the kitchen. Elizabeth usually helps when a train comes in, but her young’un is feeling poorly. I will be right back to see if you want anything else.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan,” the girls chorused before starting to eat.
They had just finished when Mrs. Sullivan came back, cleared their dinner dishes, and set two plates of apple pie and cream on the table. She poured three cups of coffee.
“Do you mind if I join you? I am parched, but I hate drinking coffee on my own.”
“Of course, please sit. Thank you for the lovely food. We haven’t eaten so well in a long time,” Katie said while Ellen nodded, her mouth too full of pie to speak.
The girls ate as Mrs. Sullivan told them a little about Clover Springs. “I am so glad you met Daniel on the train. He is my middle son. His older brother David, or Davy as we call him, lives out on the ranch, and my youngest, Brian, is away at school. He’s set on becoming a lawyer. Daniel will take over the mercantile when Mr. Brook goes back East to his daughter.”
Katie: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Book 1 Page 6
