Tempting Prudence: The Bride Train Read online

  “I don’t recall this bridge,” she observed.

  “You were shut up in a coffin.”

  “True.”

  Trying to converse didn’t help. He kept his answer short and his attention on the road. The brim of the straw hat cast a shadow over his face, but she could see the fine lines beside his eyes where the skin crinkled when he smiled. He wasn’t smiling now. The frown made him look fierce, the way he’d looked the first time she’d seen him and had nearly expired from fear. That was before she’d gotten to know the caring, gentle man.

  Before they’d left, he had strapped on his back a sheath holding a knife that had to be close to two feet long. The wooden handle protruded over his shoulder. That wicked weapon gave her the shivers. Was he expecting violence? She knew nothing about illegal whiskey operations, but his profession had to be dangerous and might account for the scars he bore.

  She grew more anxious, dwelling on the possibility of him getting hurt, and needed focus on something else. “How long does it take to get to town?”

  “An hour or so, depending on the weather.”

  An hour away from town all this time. Had she been more diligent, she might’ve made it back on her own. But then she wouldn’t have known the thrill of a real kiss. Her lips tingled as she thought about pressing them to his mouth one last time.

  She hugged the shawl and redirected her eyes to the road. No more kissing. No more thinking about kissing, either. “The trip seemed much longer on the way out.”

  “Time passes slower when you’re scared.”

  “I’ve never thought about it, but you’re right.”

  “About some things I am.”

  Was that bitterness in his voice? Maybe what he meant was that he had been wrong when it came to her. Perhaps he’d finally opened his eyes and seen the drab old maid everyone else saw. He didn’t expound and his staid expression gave her no clue, so she was left to draw her own depressing conclusion.

  Looking down at her lap, she examined her work-roughened hands. She had gloves, but rarely wore them except to go out, and hadn’t been wearing them when she was abducted. One didn’t wear gloves while cooking, or milking cows, or tending to countless other tasks.

  Her skin wasn’t smooth or ivory white. The sun tanned her before she could finish tying on her bonnet. Brown hair. Brown eyes. What was special about that? Nothing about her inspired men to turn their heads. That’s why she hadn’t asked for too much—an appreciative husband, hardworking, honest and temperate. Not a man whose kiss made her heart pound and whose touch tempted her to be wanton and heedless…certainly, not a bootlegger. Arch expected too much. He wanted more than she could give.

  Tears stung behind her eyelids. She prayed they would soon reach their destination. Before she broke down.

  A forlorn whistle sounded from a distance.

  At last, Arch guided Sophie onto a wider road where the tracks ran perpendicular. She recognized their location. They were close to town.

  She had to gather her belongings and let her friends know she was all right before she bid them adieu, which depressed her almost as much as the thought of never seeing Arch again. “Will you take me to the hotel?”

  “Whatever you want.” His indifferent response rasped on her nerves.

  After she’d rebuffed him last night, he had quit pestering her about marriage, and he hadn’t touched her, except to help her into the wagon. He’d been polite and obliging…and she hated it. She missed the rakish rascal.

  The hotel came into sight, the first building on the south side of town. As they approached, two soldiers on horseback rode by. The men’s eyes followed her with interest.

  She tensed. What if they recognized her? She would gain unwanted notoriety sooner than expected. Everyone would be asking her where she’d been and why, and what would she say? That she’d been living with Arch for two weeks? She would be in a worse situation than she’d been after Peter had abandoned her. Alone, unmarried, reviled as a fallen woman.

  “Whoa…” Arch pulled the reins. The wagon rolled to a stop next to the plank walkway in front of the two-story farmhouse-turned-hotel.

  The skies remained threatening, but thus far no rain, only the incessant wind.

  Prudence’s heart fluttered like the flag hanging from a pole mounted to the porch support. Breathing became increasingly difficult, as though her windpipe had shrunk. She had an urge to run, but couldn’t make her legs move.

  She gripped Arch’s arm before he could hop out. “Wait…”

  “What’s wrong?” He studied her face. “You look peaked. Are you ill?”

  “No.” The answer came out in a whisper. She gasped for air, truly frightened now. “I don’t know…what’s wrong…”

  His brow furrowed with concern. “You were in the sun too long.”

  She could work out in the sun all day. This had nothing to do with the sun.

  “What-what do I say? They’ll want to know…what happened.”

  He glanced over her shoulder at the hotel. She sensed he stalled to consider her question. “Tell them the truth.”

  The truth would put his brothers behind bars, if they weren’t there already. Arch had been willing to marry her to protect them. She couldn’t betray him. Especially after she’d promised him she wouldn’t. “I can’t do that.”

  The strain on his face softened and his gaze filled with such tenderness she nearly burst into tears. “Here now, if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll take you to the train station and get you that ticket to California. We can send somebody around to collect your things. You can give me a message for your friends, so they won’t worry about you.”

  She stared, incredulous. The man she’d rejected and hurt had offered to take care of everything so she could leave quickly and be spared humiliation. The obvious motive would be to protect his brothers, except he’d told her to tell the truth.

  Prudence slid a furtive look in the direction of the hotel. Leaving without any explanation didn’t seem right. However, if she went in there, she had no feasible alibi other than the truth. She could keep her mouth shut and say nothing, put up with the ugly gossip and speculation until her brother arranged for a ticket. Or…

  Her heart trembled. Indeed, Arch hadn’t been right about everything. She wasn’t brave. She was a coward. She’d always known the truth about herself. Now, he would know it, too. “Take me to the station.”

  * * *

  Arch didn’t hesitate. He picked up the reins and started out for the train station. Sophie’s hooves sent dust flying as he guided the horse past wagons lined up for supplies at the mercantile. A few folks stared as they passed. His big horse always attracted attention. He hoped they were looking at the horse, and kept moving.

  By God, he would get Pru that ticket and see her safely off, and nobody would stop him.

  The soldiers who’d passed by hadn’t acted like they recognized her. They’d eyed her like they were imagining her without her clothes on, which had made him madder than a bee-stung bull. He hadn’t reacted, even though his fingers had itched to take hold of the Arkansas Toothpick and carve their eyes out.

  Rage had struck, unexpected. He wasn’t a violent person by nature and rarely needed the knife, although he knew how to use it if necessary. By wearing the weapon, he nurtured a healthy respect, or in his case, a mean reputation. Men gave him a wide berth. Women stayed clear of him. No wonder Pru had rejected him, once she’d learned the truth.

  She huddled next to him, wrapped in his mother’s shawl, like she was trying to make herself as small as possible to avoid being recognized. She’d panicked at the thought of going into the hotel, facing her friends and dealing with their questions. They would be the kindest. People who didn’t know her would spread rumors. She couldn’t go for a walk without being pointed out. For a respectable woman like Pru, all the speculating and gossip would be humiliating. Wasn’t fair or right, but that’s how it was, and she couldn’t avoid it no matter what story she gave.


  If he had brought her back right off, she wouldn’t be ruined. If he hadn’t been so danged stubborn and selfish, she wouldn’t have to run off to California. She could’ve stayed and married a man who met her standards. Not an underhanded no-account bootlegger.

  People crowded the train station, as usual. He guided Sophie to an open spot in front of the land office next to the ticketing agent. Train schedules would be posted inside. Depending on how long she would have to wait, he could take her somewhere, away from curious stares. He’d search for his brothers after he got her safely away.

  “Stay here. Don’t talk to anybody. I’ll be back with a ticket and we’ll find a quiet place to wait.”

  She offered a grateful smile. “Thank you, Arch. I don’t know how I’ll repay you.”

  “Repay me? Pru, you don’t owe me anything. But what I owe you can’t be counted. Getting you to where you want to go is the least I can do.”

  He hopped out of the wagon and hurried into the ticket office, not wanting to leave her alone for long with all the folks around. Someone would recognize her and all hell would break loose.

  A ticket seemed paltry considering his debt to her. He couldn’t fault Pru for refusing him and he would apologize for sulking about it. She had good reasons for hating whiskey and those who sold it to men like the one who’d hurt her. He wished he’d been able to help her get past her doubts and awaken her passionate nature. Another man would get that privilege.

  Arch squelched the surge of jealousy. He had no right. He’d never had a right to her.

  After he checked the schedule and purchased the ticket, he elbowed his way through the people waiting in line and made it out the door.

  Prudence stood by the wagon talking to a man in a black suit and an Army officer. Even from the back, Arch recognized them right off—the railroad agent, Mr. Hardt, and Lieutenant Goldman.

  Poor Pru. Her complexion had gone pasty except for two bright spots beneath her cheekbones. She hugged the shawl as if it could somehow shield her. Those men would get the truth out of her, if they hadn’t already. Things were about to go from bad to worse.

  Arch pushed past strangers and strode over. She wanted to escape, so he’d see to it that she got away.

  Pru’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.

  She might as well have said she expected him to run. Her low opinion of his integrity withered the remains of his pride. What else would she think, considering how he’d acted thus far? Despite her lack of faith, he’d brazen it out and do his level best to protect her.

  “Here’s your ticket, Miss Walker.”

  The railroad agent regarded him with narrowed eyes. Lieutenant Goldman’s frown didn’t bode well either.

  Arch took Pru’s hand and stuffed the ticket into it, closing her fingers over it. “The train leaves in two hours. If you’d like, I’ll take you back to the hotel to fetch your bags.”

  The lieutenant blocked his way with a set expression that said it would be unwise to try to push him aside. “A moment, Childers. We’d like a word with you.”

  Whatever had ahold of Pru’s tongue let go. “Lieutenant Goldman, I told you I’m leaving town. There’s no need to bother Mr. Childers. He was getting me a train ticket.”

  The ache in Arch’s chest eased somewhat. She hadn’t betrayed him. Maybe she thought it best for her sake to keep quiet. He appreciated her defense, regardless.

  “That’s right. She’s leaving.” He let the lieutenant draw his own conclusions because it didn’t matter what they were. Once Pru left, the scuttlebutt would die down. Some would wonder why she left, and her friends would miss her. They wouldn’t miss her half as much as he would.

  The railroad agent glared like he wanted to wrap his fingers around Arch’s neck, but it was Prudence he addressed in a tight voice. “Miss Walker, we’ve been searching for you over the past two weeks. We demand some answers.”

  Curious onlookers had started to gather. The lieutenant glanced around, finally noticing they were attracting a crowd. He gestured to the building behind them. “Let’s step into Mr. Hardt’s office. We’ll have more privacy.”

  Pru jerked her chin up and straightened her spine. “I have nothing more to say.”

  A smile tugged at Arch’s lips. This was the Pru he knew, full of spunk and not about to take any guff. His heart filled to the brim with equal parts pride and longing. He wished more than anything that he could be worthy of this brave, beautiful woman. But it was too late to change now, and it was pointless to hope for something that could never be.

  The lieutenant eyed Arch with suspicion. “Has this man threatened you?”

  “No, of course not,” Pru scoffed. “What makes you think that?”

  Hardt crossed his arms over his chest. Something about the smug way the railroad agent looked at him set Arch’s nerves on edge.

  “His brothers are locked up,” the lieutenant answered. “They were bragging to some men in the saloon about stealing brides. When we questioned them, they refused to talk. We need for you to tell us what happened.”

  Arch kept his expression neutral, holding his surprise inside. So that’s what had happened to his stupid brothers. Why hadn’t they kept their mouths shut? There would be no talking his way out of this.

  Pru’s face drained of color. Instinctively, he reached out to steady her. With a gasp, she shrank away like his touch burned her. If she’d slapped him, it couldn’t have hurt worse.

  Hardt’s gaze moved between them, speculative. He’d soon be making assumptions, most of which would be wrong. “Miss Walker, we can delay your departure…until you decide you’re ready to talk to us.”

  These men were treating her like a criminal. Arch curled his hands into fists, prepared to fight for her honor. “You can’t hold Miss Walker against her will.”

  At Pru’s gasp, he realized how stupid the reproach sounded coming out of his mouth. He was to blame for her misery. He could think of only one way to make amends.

  The lieutenant started to move. Whether he intended to separate them or to take Pru into custody, Arch wouldn’t allow it. He pulled Pru behind him, shielding her with his body.

  “Here’s the truth. My idiot brothers abducted her and brought her to me to be my bride. I kept her with me and tried to talk her into marrying me, but she wouldn’t have it, so I brought her back. Now you know where she’s been. You don’t have to question her or embarrass her any more. It’s me you want. Let her go.”

  Chapter 8

  Prudence watched in shock as the lieutenant led Arch away. Foolish man. He’d lost his mind. She would’ve kept silent. They couldn’t make her talk. He should’ve done the smart thing and slip away while he had the chance, rather than stay and get caught.

  The crowd surrounding them moved down the street, following the officer and his prisoner. All males, jostling and snarling, like a pack of dogs. Growing bolder, they began to shout.

  “Steal our women, will you? You dirty, thievin’ bootlegger…”

  “He ravished her! I heard him say so!”

  “String ’em up! Them Childers are no good!”

  A clod of dirt exploded on the back of Arch’s coat.

  Horrified, Prudence shouted, “Stop!”

  Before she could take a step, the railroad agent restrained her. “Don’t even think about getting in the middle of that crowd. You’ll cause more problems. The soldiers will take care of it.”

  Seemingly out of nowhere, blue coats appeared, the soldiers formed a box around Arch and the lieutenant. Curses heated the air and more dirt clods flew.

  Prudence cupped her hand over her mouth to stifle a sob. If the situation turned violent, would the soldiers protect Arch? He hadn’t hesitated to protect her. He’d come straight over and had remained by her side, even when it became obvious the lieutenant had set a trap for him. He hadn’t even attempted to make excuses. He had sacrificed himself, so she could get away.

  Regret didn’t begin to describe the emotio
ns welling in her chest. Why hadn’t she gotten out of his wagon at the hotel, told him to leave town and not return until she’d gone? She shouldn’t have let him accompany her to the station and take the risk.

  “Miss Walker?” The railroad agent’s concerned frown swam into view. “May I give you a ride to the Lagonda House? The other women would like to see you. They’ve been worried.”

  Mr. Hardt’s voice sounded odd, almost gentle. Compassion wasn’t a trait she associated with him. He put his hand to her elbow.

  Prudence shook off the unwanted touch. “Why, now, do you think you have to be nice?”

  “If I seemed harsh earlier, I beg your pardon.”

  “Seemed harsh?” She was incredulous. “You threatened me. You say you’re concerned with seeing the women in your charge happily wed, but all you’ve done is push us around and bully us. You, Mr. Hardt, are the harshest man I’ve ever met.”

  The railroad agent weathered the gale with a stoic expression. “Your well-being is my utmost concern, Miss Walker. Pardon me if it appeared otherwise. You’ll be free to leave town, if that’s what you want, after you talk to Lieutenant Goldman and provide a sworn statement.

  She couldn’t swear on a Bible and tell a lie, but couldn’t betray Arch, either. “I’m not going anywhere until Arch is freed.”

  “Don’t feel too sorry for those men, Miss Walker. What they did was wrong.”

  What Arch’s brothers did was outright criminal. Arch’s decisions were misguided. She hadn’t suffered during the time she spent with him. For the first time in her life, she’d known desire and true happiness. “Arch protected me.”

  A raised eyebrow communicated the railroad agent’s doubt. “He admitted to holding you against your will. Are you saying he lied?”

  “No, but—”

  “Then he should be jailed along with his brothers.”

  “Arch treated me kindly.”

  “Holding you captive isn’t kind.”

  The truth was more nuanced, although the difference between being captive and captivated would be lost on a hardnosed man like Mr. Hardt.