Texas Tiger

chapter 20





Fearing the excess of blood raging through his brain would make him incoherent, Daniel dashed to the railroad station, again cursing his parsimony in not buying a horse. He had to have been mad to come north to the civilized environs that used carriages on city streets. He had no use for carriages, but his leg had little use for walking. He needed a horse.

Pain shot through his cramped leg muscles as he reached the ticket office and leaned against the counter. "When did the train to Chicago leave?" he demanded of the startled clerk.

The man checked the big clock on the wall. "Twenty minutes ago. There's not another out until tomorrow morning."

This couldn't be happening. Daniel shut his eyes and tried to think clearly. He opened them again an instant later when another thought occurred to him. "Were the Hanovers on it? I was supposed to meet them here."

The clerk pulled a long face. "They certainly were. Mr. Mulloney gave them his private car. Sad story, isn't is? Poor Miss Georgina, she was always a smiling mite. Darned pity she had to inherit that condition from her mother. Goes to show that money can't buy everything, don't it?"

Money could buy a damned lot. Grinding his teeth, Daniel tried to think what to do next. The livery. He had to find a horse. He swung back to the ticket clerk. "What route does that train take? It's not direct, is it?"

The clerk checked his schedule. "That one goes back to Cincinnati tonight. Then it changes and heads north again toward Indianapolis. If you were to take a buggy straight across from here, you could probably catch up to it around Brookville or somewheres, if that's what you've a mind to do."

That's what he had a mind to do. Before he could put his plan into action, however, he heard his name called from the other end of the platform. Annoyed at the interruption, prepared to ignore it and go on, he started away from the office in the opposite direction.

"Damn you, Daniel, if you leave us stranded here at this hour, I'll come after you with a whip!"

With a sudden impossible flare of hope, Daniel swung around to watch the elegantly attired couple hurrying toward him. One sailed along in a skirt that swept the dusty platform in ruffles and a hat that skimmed the air with a bushel of roses and feathers. The one carrying an enormous satchel wore a fawn suit tailored to fit broad shoulders and narrow hips to perfection and guaranteed to attract the notice of all eyes in the sea of dark suits surrounding him. Tyler and Evie.

"Oh lord, you're a sight for sore eyes." Forgetting the state of his bruised face, Daniel hurried to pump Tyler's free hand and grab Evie in a hug that left her breathless and wide-eyed. "But I don't have time to greet you proper. My wife's been kidnapped and I'm about to go after her. You'll have to put up at the hotel until I can get back."

He was already hurrying in the direction of the livery, trailing his adopted family behind him as he spoke, ignoring the curious looks they exchanged.

"I thought you'd outgrown those damned fairy stories, Mulloney," Tyler growled as he caught his wife's waist and hurried her after him, swinging the enormous satchel jauntily. "People don't get kidnapped in broad daylight in a respectable town like this one. And even if they did, you're supposed to wait around for the ransom note."

"It's Georgina's father. I don't have time to explain. I've got to cut off the train before Brookville."

"It's a little difficult to stop a train by yourself, Danny," Evie informed him as she escaped her husband's hold and hurried to walk beside him.

"I'll blow the damned thing up, if that's what it takes." Daniel kept walking. The livery was now in sight.

Tyler and Evie exchanged glances with a soft "uh-oh." Well, he had been known to blow things up before.

"I doubt that Evie's carrying dynamite in this thing"—Tyler glanced at the satchel he carried—"but we'll come along for the ride. We traveled all the way up here to meet your bride. Seems a shame to miss the chance. It's been boring sitting around the house anyway."

Daniel threw Tyler a look over his shoulder. Nothing was ever boring around Tyler Monteigne. The man drew trouble like a magnet, just like Evie. The two of them had probably been drawn here right now because of that unerring instinct for making a nuisance of themselves. But it was the kind of nuisance he appreciated having around.

He threw Evie's fancy gown a knowing look. 'This won't be any fashion parade. I'm riding like hell."

Arriving at the livery, Evie looked the stable up and down and gestured for the satchel in her husband's hand. "I'm sure there's something I can change into." She nodded at the stable hand coming forward to check their business. "While these gentlemen choose our horses, might I borrow an empty stall for a few minutes?"

The stable hand stared at the beautiful lady in fashionable silks as if he didn't understand the question. When he didn't respond, Evie swept past him and disappeared into the dark interior. Tyler and Daniel took no notice and immediately set out to choose the horses they needed.

By the time they had decided on three solid horses, Evie reappeared in an elegant riding outfit with a split skirt of her own design. When the stable hand started to put a sidesaddle on her horse, she stopped him and pointed at the appropriate male saddle. "I mean to keep up with the gentlemen, sir."

Daniel shook his head, but kept his mouth shut. Evie had never ridden a horse in her entire life until Tyler came along. He wasn't exactly certain that Tyler's lessons had been appropriate for a lady, but if they hastened his progress, he wasn't complaining. Evie was certainly old enough to know what she was doing.

Tyler roped Evie's ever-present luggage to his saddle, then assisted his wife in mounting. When all three were seated, he turned to Daniel. "Lead on, Pecos. Where to?"

"Due west, straight as the crow flies. We've got a train to catch."

As they maneuvered city streets, Daniel explained events as hastily as he was able. Evie was furious by the time they reached the edges of town. Tyler was thoughtful.

At thirty-five, Tyler Monteigne had developed into a man of powerful build and some authority. If Tyler suspected there was a small portion of Daniel's story missing, but he didn't question.

"If they're using the same engine that brought us in, we'll catch them in time. It's an old eight-driver, probably built just after the war. If it's heading south while we're riding west, we'll catch it coming north all right."

Since Tyler had spent half his life touring the country on steamboat and train, Daniel took his assurances with relief. He spurred his horse into a gallop at the first stretch of straight road.

Evie had no difficulty keeping up. The trio rode into the night, letting Daniel set the pace.

He knew the horses had to be rested occasionally, but he had difficulty forcing himself to halt even for water. Racing a train was a mad thing to do, but he couldn't live with the image of Georgie trapped on that train, terrified and not knowing what to do. He didn't know how her father had trapped her on that train or how they held her there or if she would try to escape.

He only knew he had to reach her before anything disastrous happened—before they locked her up behind the closed doors of some cold institution where they would permanently douse the shining light that was his Miss Merry.

Daniel wouldn't say he needed Georgina. He had quit needing anybody once he had turned eighteen and learned the ways of the world. He couldn't say he loved her. He didn't know a whole lot about love except to know there wasn't much of it to be found.

But he could say she was his wife and belonged by his side and in his bed, despite whatever crazy promises he may have given. Georgina Meredith Mulloney very definitely belonged in his life. And if her family didn't want her, he most certainly did.

So he drove his horse and himself and the plucky pair behind him until the point of exhaustion. They rode through sleepy little towns that had retired for the night. They rode through vast fields of corn and wheat where only the hoot of an owl gave evidence of any other life besides themselves. They rode past solitary farmhouses, dark with sleep. And at no time was there any evidence of trains or rails or a steam engine chugging down tracks toward Chicago.

Daniel began to fear he had taken the wrong route, chosen the wrong star to follow, and they were riding hellbent for nowhere. He tried to count the miles in his head, figure the speed of his horse, calculate the distance he was cutting off, but he didn't know this territory. He hadn't scouted ahead as Ben had taught him. He hadn't known his enemy was out here, among the corn and wheat fields. He could only keep riding and pray that Someone was watching over him.

The first low moan of the train whistle nearly startled Daniel into stopping. He glanced madly about, searching for the crossing, the station, the reason for the signal echoing across the distance. He saw nothing but waving acres of grain.

It was then that Daniel realized how sound traveled through the night air, covering untold distances. The train was out there. He just had to find it, to stop it, to board it, and to find Georgie.

One thing at a time. Without glancing at Tyler and Evie, Daniel spurred his horse down the road.

Off to the side he could see the headlight appearing out of the darkness as the whistle grew louder. The train had to be approaching the station. There had to be a town somewhere ahead. And he had to get there before the train did.

He felt sorry for his horse. Daniel promised it all the hay it could eat and a lifetime in pasture, but he had to have just a little more speed. He wished he had the thoroughbred he'd left getting fat and sassy at Tyler's plantation. That horse had wings. This one was meant for reliability, not speed. He cursed as the train whistle whined again. It was coming into the station.

At last, Daniel saw the silhouettes of buildings in the open field ahead. He didn't know what town it was, but there had to be a station there. The train was slowing down. He could hear the distinctive clackety-clack of the wheels. They weren't going to make it.

"Leave the horses. Get Evie on the train. I'll be right behind you." Tyler came up to Daniel's side, throwing his words over his shoulder as he pressed his horse faster.

Daniel didn't ask what he intended to do. Tyler was capable of anything, but he favored fast-talking his way through most situations. Daniel let him go. Talk wouldn't get him to Georgie.

He brought his horse to a panting halt just outside the low-slung building that had to be the station. The massive shape of the train already hissed and rattled at the platform. Light shone occasionally through curtains not completely closed, but for the most part, the train cars looked as dead as the town. There was no sign of Tyler, and Daniel reached to help Evie down.

She was looking for Tyler, too, but she ran obediently with Daniel, holding up her riding skirt and clicking her heeled boots down the wooden platform. Daniel caught the railed bar of the nearest passenger car and grabbed her hand, hauling her on to the steps without speaking. The train wouldn't idle long in a place like this. They would be filling up with water and fuel and moving on. Even the ticket office would be closed at this hour. They would pay the conductor when they found him.

Daniel gave a sigh of relief as they entered the silent car. A few men in the corner playing cards looked up with interest at Evie's appearance, but they went back to their game when Daniel entered with her. Almost everyone else was asleep. Evie sent him a questioning look.

"She's in a private car. I didn't see it at this end. They probably hooked it on last. We'll wait for Tyler, then the two of you can have a seat while I find it."

She nodded. The engine gave a mighty belch and heaved forward. Evie grabbed the nearest seat and glanced worriedly toward the door.

Tyler sauntered from the next car just as the train rolled from the station. He took Evie's arm and led her down the aisle, not even bothering to glower at the poor benighted souls who could only look at Evie and drool. Even after their mad ride she was a picture of radiant loveliness.

"They're carrying a private car at the rear. It was designed by Pullman, so there's an emergency hatch in the roof. There aren't any more stops between here and Indianapolis. How far do you want to go?"

Tyler's whispered asides to Daniel took them through one car and into the next, steadily progressing toward the rear of the train.

"Not any farther than I have to. We'll need to find out how many people are in the car. Most of them should be sleeping at this hour, though."

Tyler nodded in understanding, found a seat for Evie, and set her in it. Then he took off his dusty coat, folded it over a seat, and started for the nearest card game. "Come on, we'll get what we need and break."

Evie made a vile face at them as they left her, but since Tyler had dumped her satchel on the floor, she began rummaging in it and didn't make any other protest.

There was room for only one more player, and Daniel stayed out of it, standing to the rear and listening as Tyler began his spiel. He had made his fortune at card tables and kept his hand in for practice upon occasion still. But it wasn't his talent with cards that he was employing now. Daniel listened with admiration as Tyler wished aloud that he had thought to bring his own private car as someone else evidently had, complaining the journey was taking much too long for his tastes. Tyler Monteigne dressed with the elegance of the wealthiest robber barons, and spoke with the authority of power. The men around him listened without a trace of doubt to his lies.

It didn't take long or much persuasion to pump them for every bit of information they had. Daniel was edging for the far door before Tyler could unravel himself from the game.

"You're not walking in there and carrying her out, you know," Tyler murmured as he caught up with Daniel. He made no comment on the name of the man who owned the private car they were heading toward. The problem between Daniel and the Mulloneys was an old one.

"I trust you two didn't think you were doing this alone." Evie swished up behind them, carrying her satchel and Tyler's coat. "I might just make this easy for you if you'll tell me what's going on."

Daniel had to smile at that. Evie was his elder by two years and had always been the one to march forward into the fray first in their younger days. Having children of her own now apparently hadn't changed her any. He wondered if Georgie would be like that after they'd been married ten years. Daniel couldn't believe he was thinking like that.

He hugged Evie briefly as they came to the darkened dining car. He had always been taller than she, but now she actually felt small beside him. Not as small as Georgie, but small enough to protect. "I don't know how you'll lie us out of this one, Evie. I just wish I'd brought my guns."

Evie slanted a warning gaze at her husband. Tyler always carried his weapons, but she wouldn't want him using them. Daniel understood it took something from the former soldier every time Tyler had to use violence. Besides, it probably wouldn't do to shoot Daniel's new family.

"Tell me the story, and then I'll decide what we can do," she announced.