The screech of brakes stopped their conversation. The aging conductor dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and thin black tie hurried into the car and announced, “Debris on the tracks. Might be from a storm. No need to worry. Everyone, please stay seated, and we’ll be on our way shortly.”
West looked at Julia and slowly shook his head. “We haven’t had a storm recently. I think something else is going on. Stay in your seat no matter what happens. This might be a holdup. I’m going to look around.”
Before Julia could answer, West stood and strode toward the door at the far end of the car. Julia mumbled, “This isn’t fair. West goes to investigate, and I sit here like a frightened female. I’m an agent, too.”
Julia lifted her skirt and pulled the Pepperbox revolver from the holster strapped to her thigh. If there were bandits aboard the train, she would need more than the two-shot Derringer in her reticule. When she stepped out from her seat, the gasps from the other female travelers were audible in the train car.
Julia held up her free hand, “No need to worry, folks,” she explained. “I’m a trained agent. Just relax.”
As Julia headed for the front of the train car, she observed the leering smiles on some men’s faces and less fear on the females. Is this what it’s like to be a female agent? She wondered as she made her way to the door at the far end of the car.
Four gunshots echoed through the train car just as Julia reached the door. She pulled the door open to see West in the next car with his arm around the neck of a man wearing a kerchief over the lower half of his face. Julia looked down at the tracks visible between the cars, thankful that the train wasn’t moving as she made her way to the other car.
When Julia entered the second train car, she saw West struggling with the masked man. She called out loudly, “Stop and put your hands up before I shoot you.”
West and the man stopped momentarily to stare at the gun-wielding Julia as she stood just feet away from them. The distraction was enough for West to overpower the man and tackle him to the floor. With the bandit’s hands restrained adequately behind his back, West pulled him to his feet and looked at Julia.
“Thanks,” West said, and Julia smiled.
The conductor thanked West for his help as one of the train guards led the restrained man toward the baggage car.
West told Julia, motioning to the door, “Let’s get back to our car before the train starts moving again.”
When West and Julia entered their car, the travelers burst out in applause.
West smiled, nodded his head, and mumbled his thanks.
An elderly woman raised her hand and pointed at West. “Young man, don’t let our excitement go to your head. We’re grateful to this lovely young woman who was brave, strong and saved our lives. Where were you when she met the danger head-on with a gun in her hand? She’s an amazing agent.”
West merely nodded, allowing Julia to receive the praise from their fellow passengers. When he dropped back into his seat, his smile broke into a chuckle.
“Are you laughing at me?” Julia asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
West did his best to hide his grin and shook his head. “No, I’m enjoying the passenger’s response to you storming the other car gun in hand. She called you an agent. Did you tell them you were one?”
Julia nodded, “They were concerned when I stood with a gun in my hand. I wanted to assure them I wasn’t part of the robbery attempt and told them I was a trained agent.”
West couldn’t seem to control his amusement. “Did you flash them your badge, too.”
Julia didn’t answer, her facial expression told West she wasn’t pleased with his teasing, but he couldn’t contain himself.
“No, I suppose not,” he continued. “You do have that honest nun-like look about you.”
Anger flashed in Julia’s brown eyes as she leaned across the space between them and said through gritted teeth. “I’m going to tell you one last time; I was never a nun. Never was studying to be one. I was grieving and in pain.”
West raised his hands in submission and leaned back in his seat. “I’m sorry. I just see you as a nun.”
Julia gripped her hands tightly together and leaned closer again. “Stop thinking of me as a nun or potential nun. I am a Pinkerton agent and, unfortunately, your wife. Either should afford me your respect and stop your criticism.”
Duly chastised, West nodded. “I apologize. You did assist me when I needed it while apprehending that would-be robber. He was stronger than he looked.”
“You’re welcome. It’s what I do,” Julia responded before turning to look out the window and ignore West.
West leaned back and watched Julia doing her best to ignore him. In her burgundy traveling suit and the small hat with carefully placed small pink and white flowers, she looked like the perfect example of a dainty lady. She could walk down the streets of New York or St. Louis and draw attention. In a western saloon, she could start a brawl. She was beautiful and entertaining, but she was also right. She was an agent and his wife. He had to begin treating her as both.
West blew out a breath. He saw Julia glance at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled at her. “I truly am sorry,” he whispered.
Julia turned to look at him and said, “You are?”
“Yes, I know you were well trained. You don’t have field training, but you came to my aid and did what
