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,
