“She’s leaving for San Francisco on the three o’clock train, tomorrow. Alone. Tucker, she’s never been to a city that size before.”
Tucker sits down and stares at them. “And you thought what? That I’d talk her out of it?”
“No, idiot. I want you to go with her!” Stephanie says and sits down in the chair beside his desk.
Tucker laughs until his sister begins to grow upset.
“Tucker, I’m serious! She’s been through so much. Abbie has a soft heart, she would never think that it might be dangerous for her to travel alone and what of the child?”
“I can’t just leave, Stephanie,” he states flatly.
“Yes, you can. You said so yourself that you had some time off coming. Do it for me. Do it for your Sister, please? I couldn’t bear it if something happens to her.”
“Stephanie.” Oz pulls her aside. “Let the man do his job. Sterling has offered to go with her. I’m sure he could keep her safe,” Ozwald winks at her.
“Oz, he won’t leave her alone. What if he convinces her to marry him?” Stephanie whispers loudly.
“Marry him!” Tucker roars and turns to look at the two deputies who are working in the next room. He rips open the door and points for them to step outside.
“What’s all of this about Sterling?” Tucker demands.
“Tucker, I shouldn’t have bothered you. I don’t know what I was thinking. You’re right, you have a job to do,” Stephanie says patting his arm.
“I can ask one of my guys at the blacksmith shop.” Oz suggests, “They’ve been asking about courting her. I’m sure one of them would be happy to...”
“No! Now wait,” he hisses. “Now that I think about it, perhaps the Mayor would okay the time off. Abbie is planning on rebuilding the Mill. I’ll go talk to him,” Tucker suggests.
“Perfect. Here’s your ticket.” Stephanie grins at his look of surprise.
Oz chuckles and is smart enough to stomp it down when Tucker glares at them.
“You rats.”
“Don’t be like that, Tucker. Should I pack for you?” Stephanie teases, and this time he laughs with them.
“Be nice to her, Tucker. Abbie has been through a lot. I can’t imagine how she’s finding the heart to walk through storms this size.”
“It’s just who she is. Abbie’s heart may be cracked, but from what I’ve seen, she’s stronger than any of us realize,” Tucker comments.
Chapter 16
Abbie isn’t feeling strong as she follows the porter down the aisle on the train.
“Welcome aboard the Central Pacific Train. Follow me to your cabin, Mrs. Gilbert.”
They maneuver through the dining car and into a lushly decorated hallway with rich emerald green carpet and brass lanterns gleaming on the wallpapered walls. He stops and unlocks a door, sliding it inside the wall and steps back.
“This cabin is made for two people. There’s a pull-down bed above, and watering closet attached to the right.”
He opens the curtains over the large window and turns to smile at her. “We will be at your service for the entirety of your trip. Your cabin comes with turndown service. Dinner is served in the dining car between six and eight pm. If you’d like reservations, I can arrange that for you.”
“No, thank you.” I’m too nervous to eat, she thinks.
“We’ll be eating in our cabin,” a deep voice snaps from the hallway.
“Tucker!” Abbie is stunned speechless when he steps inside and introduces himself to the porter.
“I’m Sheriff Tucker Manning. Mrs. Gilbert is under my protection for the duration of her trip.”
“Excellent. I’ll leave a menu for you to choose from. If you need anything else, just pull the cord.” He gestures to the right of the sliding door and leaves quickly.
“Tucker, what’s going on?” she demands.
Tucker smiles, and Abbie jumps when the final whistle sounds out. “Never mind,” she pushes his chest and attempts to shove him through the doorway. “You need to go now!”
A chuckle rumbles from his chest, “As little as you are, you can’t be seriously trying to shove me.” His warm, calloused, hand covers hers, her dark black lashes sweep up, and she blinks in surprise when her heart begins to pound.
Tucker’s gaze dips to her full lips, and he wonders, not for the first time, what she’d taste like. Neither is prepared when the train jerks and he pulls her to his chest to keep her from falling.
“I think we should sit, Abbs,” he laughs.
“First, you’ll need to release me,” she snaps through gritted teeth.
“I don’t know, I kind of like that you have a habit of ending up in my arms.”
She jerks away from him and blushes, “A gentleman would not bring that up.”
“I’m no gentleman, lil’ bit.” He hangs his cowboy hat on the hook and runs a hand through his shaggy blonde hair. Her eyes trail over his body, taking in the vast expanse of his shoulders, the denims, boots, and gun belt.
“I can see that,” she says as she sits down.
Tucker takes the seat next to her, and they watch in silence as the train begins to move. Abbie isn’t sure how to feel. Part of her is relieved to have him at her side, but the other part of her was looking forward to some time to process everything.
“What are you doing here, Tucker?” Milk chocolate eyes turn towards him and he’s struck by the thought that she has flecks of gold circling the pupil. How has he never noticed that before?
“I’m due for some time off work, and Stephanie thought you could use the company.” He flicks an invisible particle of lint from his jeans.
Abbie turns her body to face his. “You can get off at the first stop. I don’t need a bodyguard!”
