LATER THAT NIGHT, COLTON leaned his head back against the train seat and turned his attention out the window, trying to clear his head. Try as he might, all he could think of was Ella. He pulled his hat down over his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. He may as well try and get some sleep. After all, it would be a long journey. But try as he might, he couldn’t sleep. Sitting so close to her, smelling her sweet floral scent in confined quarters drove him wild, keeping him from relaxing completely. He had almost said that she could start over with him, but he stopped himself, not sure if she would want to. And was he ready to settle down? Was he ready for her? But he already knew the answer. He had waited a long time for a woman like her. He had nearly given up, but now in his mid-twenties he had finally found her.

Rain fell onto the train, creating a loud patter against the metal roof. He opened his eyes and saw her hands were shaking.

Colton reached over and took her hand in his. She flinched a bit but didn’t pull back when he laced his fingers with hers. “Ssshhhhh,” he whispered in a calm voice. “It’s just a little rain.” Suddenly, the rain beat down harder onto the roof.

Ella gasped as lightning struck in the distance, and her hand tightened around his.

Colton wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. “Ssshhhh,” he cooed into her ear. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I’m here. I’ll protect you.”

She nodded, looking up at him with trust in her eyes. It tugged at his heart. At that moment, he knew it was true: he would do anything in his power to keep her safe... including laying down his own life.

Abruptly, the train came to a stop as rain and lightning sounded all around. Suddenly, the train began to shake. The sounds of women and men gasping came through the walls, but Ella didn’t make a sound. She just tightened her grip on Colton’s hand.

“I’ll be right back,” Colton stated. “Stay here, and I’ll find out what’s going on.”

She nodded as she released her grip on his hand, one finger at a time, and then sat back against the seat as she turned her attention out the window.

Colton hated to leave her side, but he had no choice. If there was trouble ahead, he wanted to know what it was so he could be prepared. Giving her one last look, he closed the door to their car and headed down the aisle toward the engine. As he passed through second class and coach, people were holding on to one another in fear.

“Do you know what’s going on?” a man asked Colton in a low voice, stopping him as he passed.

Colton’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out.”

The man nodded. “I’m coming with you.” He gave the woman with him a gentle squeeze on her shoulder, and she forced a smile.

Colton nodded and headed toward the engine, walking through train cars and jumping over the connections as they went. When they arrived at the engine, the coal furnace blazed red-hot, and the engineer was sitting to the left at the controls, along with two men, dressed in suit coats and the wide-brimmed hats the Pinkertons wore. They were holding rifles, guarding the train.

“Stop right there, mister,” one of the men warned as he cocked the rifle. “Go back to your seat.”

Colton quickly held up his hands. “What seems to be the problem? Just checking to see if we could be of assistance.” Colton nodded toward the rifle. “I’m pretty good with weaponry.” Actually, that was an understatement. If he wanted to, he could have taken away one of their rifles and killed them all in an instant.

One of them shook his head. “No. This storm is blowing up a big one. We had to stop for a while ’til it blows over.” He lowered his rifle to take off his hat and scratched his head. The other men weren’t as careless. “We might have to stop at the next town up ahead until the weather clears.”

Colton nodded. “Well, you can call on us if you need any help.”

The man reached out and shook his hand. “Good to know, mister. Thanks.”

“Do you think it’s anything serious?” the man with Colton asked in a low voice as they headed back to their accommodations.

Colton kept his eyes straight ahead. “Serious enough to stop the train.”

The man nodded. “Let’s not worry the womenfolk.”

“Agreed,” Colton replied. “The best thing to do is to wait.”

The man nodded. “The name’s Dalton.”

Colton shook his hand. “Colton.”

The man nodded and headed back to his seat.

Colton let out a deep breath as he walked back to their private cabin and sat down beside Ella.

“Well? What did they say?” she asked, worried.

“They’re just waiting for the storm to pass.” It was a half-truth. “If the storm doesn’t pass soon, then we may have to stay overnight in the next town.” Colton bit his lower lip to suppress a grin. “So, it looks as if we may have to share a room tonight.”

“Absolutely not! That’s out of the question! It’s one thing to share a train cabin, but quite another to share a hotel room,” Ella replied as she folded her arms across her chest.

Colton laughed. “Don’t worry. If we do, I’ll sleep on the floor. You can have the bed.” Then he raised an eyebrow. “That is, unless you want to share?”

She slapped his arm as they both laughed. “Oh. You’re just teasing me.”

He shrugged. “Unless you’d like to share.”

“Okay. That’s enough.”

“So, you would like to share?” Colton continued, unable to resist. “I’m sure you’d look beautiful in the morning.”

“Keep it up and you’ll be walking to Whiskey River.”

Colton laughed, but then he thought of something, and his expression suddenly turned serious. He reached for his boot and pulled out a derringer and handed it to Ella. “Here. Don’t let anyone know you have it. It’s just a single-shot gun, but it might be enough to save your life.” Then one corner of his mouth curled into a smile. “But don’t shoot me with it.”

She laughed. “It might be too much of a temptation to resist.”

“Here.” Colton reached for the gun. “Let me show you how to shoot it.” After he handed it to her, he pulled her to her feet, stood behind her, and pointed her toward the window. She flinched a bit when he innocently wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” He wrapped his hands over hers, holding the gun, and raised them toward the window. After she relaxed, he proceeded to teach her how to use the gun, enjoying the feel of her in his arms a bit too much.

She leaned back against his chest, causing his heart to pound. Then she turned to face him. He was tempted to kiss her, but then she quickly recovered herself and tucked the derringer away in her reticule. “Just remember I have this if you try any funny business tonight.”

Colton laughed. “Ma’am, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Ella’s face turned serious. “So, is there trouble?” she asked in a low voice.

Colton shook his head as he forced a smile. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

“If there was real trouble,” Ella whispered, “you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?”

Colton smiled. “Of course.” Then he leaned back and pulled his hat down over his eyes, feigning sleep. Suddenly, there was a huge crack of thunder and a shot of lightning. Without thinking about it, Colton automatically wrapped his arm around Ella’s shoulders and pulled her to him, sensing her unease. “Don’t worry. It’ll blow over soon.” He liked the feel of this beautiful woman in his arms. In fact, he could get used to it very easily.