Can't Stop Believing (HARMONY) (30 page)

Beth moved, feeling her way in the darkness. She checked the railing against her horse. She wanted him boxed in if the train came to a quick stop. She’d known even as a child that the horses had to be taken care of first. Her father was a powerful rancher who never raised his voice to his daughters, but one lift of his eyebrow would send all three back into the barn to finish brushing down their mounts or make sure they’d stored everything correctly. Now, his attention to detail might save her life.

The train was traveling slower than usual because of the storm. Even without robbers onboard, they were all in danger. She might be able to jump and roll free from the train at this speed, but she couldn’t risk Brandy Blue and she wouldn’t leave him. Lamont had wanted them to ride back to her ranch together after they’d married and spent a few days in Dallas. As soon as he got to know her family better he’d hinted that they might settle in Austin.

She knew now that he ultimately meant to take her away from Texas. Away from her home. Away from all she’d ever known and loved.

Closing her eyes, Beth fought down fear. Lamont and his men were right. She was an idiot. If the robbers thought she was a man, they’d probably shoot her on sight. If they discovered she was a woman traveling alone or that her last name was McMurray, they might hold her for ransom, or worse.

Slowly, she straightened. Whatever happened, she wouldn’t go down without a fight. Moving to the front of the car, Beth tried to guess how far they were away from town. Halfway. More. It was hard to tell.

Silently, she slipped onto the platform between the cars and struggled to see around the mail car without getting soaked. Knowing the six bandits were somewhere up front, maybe already in the passenger coaches, maybe riding between or above waiting, made Beth’s blood cold.

Carefully, she leaned around the edge one more time, hoping to see the lights of a town. Wind and rain splattered against her face and knocked her hat backward. Beth closed her eyes and smiled remembering something her papa told her about facing trouble head on no matter the storm. He’d said buffalo face the storm, and McMurrays were every bit as stubborn as buffalo.

Just as she pulled back into the blackness, the train seemed to buck in the wind, like a toy being tossed. Brakes squealed in a panicked cry and the cars shook violently.

Beth fought to keep her balance as the train left the tracks. Car after car slammed into one another.

Like the wing of a giant bird, something flew over her, turning the night another layer of midnight as strong arms circled her from behind. A moment later she was airborne as if flying away from danger.

She heard boards splintering like twigs as whoever held her twisted so that his body hit the ground first. The jar of it knocked her against the hard wall of his chest. Her scream blended with Brandy Blue’s cry. Something hit her head as the man holding her rolled across rocky ground with her tucked into his arms.

A moment before she blacked out, Beth realized that she wasn’t facing a train robbery, but a train wreck. The broad-shouldered man she thought she might have to kill may have just saved her life.