Chapter 10
Hyacinth rested on the bench inside the Canon City train depot, sore in places she hadn’t known she had.
Nearby, Beckett was arguing with the man behind the counter. “I want a private car.”
The fellow wore a flat cap and a crisp navy-blue uniform with a silver badge that contained his title as a station agent.
He peered at Beckett through his spectacles, taking in the weathered coat and clothing that held the grime of traveling for the past two and a half days.
Even though Beckett was as ruggedly handsome as always, he didn’t look like a gentleman who could afford a luxury car.
“I’m sorry,” the station agent said as he had before, “but we don’t have any available.”
“That’s a load of horse manure,” Beckett growled.
“We have a seat in the sleeper car.”
Beckett glanced around the busy depot with passengers milling about and getting ready to board the train that was scheduled to leave within the hour. “Get me your boss.”
“He’s not available.”
Beckett’s glower only deepened. “Find a way to get me a private car.”
The station agent frowned back. “The cars are very expensive.”
“You don’t think I can pay?” Beckett’s voice rose. “Is that it?”
After spending the first night in Fairplay and the second at an old stagecoach house, they’d arrived in Canon City by midday.
They’d already taken the horses to a livery stable that would board them until they returned in a month or so.
The walk to the depot from there hadn’t taken long, and Hyacinth had been glad to stretch her legs.
Beckett hadn’t said anything about getting a private car. She’d heard of such luxury cars that were designed with couches and chairs and even a real bed. But she didn’t need to ride in one and certainly didn’t want Beckett to get into a fight over one.
“Telegram my solicitor,” Beckett demanded. “I’m buying this blasted railroad.”
She pushed up from the bench. “It’s all right, Beckett. We’ll be fine.”
“Nope.” Beckett nodded at the fellow and then toward the telegram machine behind the counter. “Do it. Now.”
The agent’s eyes had rounded behind his spectacles. He clearly didn’t know what to make of the situation.
Hyacinth crossed to Beckett and placed a hand on his arm.
His muscles were taut, and frustration radiated from him.
“I don’t mind a regular seat,” she said.
The agent’s gaze dropped to her hand and her wedding ring, which was sparkling in all of its beauty. He studied it for a moment, probably recognizing the value of the ring and realizing that an ordinary man wouldn’t be able to afford it.
He cleared his throat. “Let me speak with one of the other station agents and see if we can make one of the private cars available to you.”
Beckett glared at the man for another moment. “It better be available.”
The agent opened a door behind him and then disappeared into a small room. Once he was out of sight, she frowned up at Beckett. “Really? Was that necessary?”
His jaw flexed. “Yep.”
“Wrong answer.”
“He judged me the second he saw me coming.”
“But we can ride in regular seats.”
“Wrong answer.” He echoed her, sliding a glance at her. “After the past few days of difficult traveling, I want you to ride in comfort.”
“I’ll be comfortable enough without a private car. Besides, those kinds of cars are expensive.”
“If I can afford to buy the railroad, I can afford to pay for the private car.”
She quirked a brow at him. “Would you really buy the railroad?”
He quirked a brow back. “Yep. And I still might do it just to spite the fella.” He nodded toward the office.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I’m doing this for you, darlin’. You can’t get me to change my mind.”
Before she could argue with him further, an older man exited the room and hurriedly approached Beckett.
He was wearing the same navy-blue uniform and matching hat with a name plate that identified him as another station agent.
“Mr. Thorpe, my apologies for the mix-up. Brownley didn’t know who you are. ”
Know who he was? Were the Thorpes wealthy enough that they were known throughout the West? At the very least, this new agent was familiar with the name and willing to help Beckett.
Why hadn’t Beckett ever brought up his family or his past before? Why was he so closed about it?
They’d had a little more time to talk yesterday and this morning during their traveling.
He’d told her some details about his family’s ranch: that it was located in the southeastern part of Texas, had more cattle than the entire state of Colorado, was home to hundreds of horses, contained more acres than the state of Rhode Island, and was developing new oil wells every day.
With a ranch as massive as he’d described, the Thorpe name was probably well known in Texas and among the ranching communities of the Southwest. She still wasn’t sure why Beckett didn’t want to move back, but he’d made it clear that he had no desire to live on the ranch ever again.
As with the other times they’d talked, she’d enjoyed their conversation and had been surprised at how easy it was to discuss things normally.
The older station agent had picked up a clipboard and started flipping through the stack of papers it held. “We can make a private car available to you and your new wife. That is no trouble at all.”
“Good.” Beckett finally spoke more calmly. “Thank you.”
The older man seemed to breathe a little easier. “Of course, Mr. Thorpe. While you wait, is there anything we can get for you?”
“I’d like to take my wife shopping, and I need someone to direct me to the right stores.”
“Certainly.” The new fellow spoke pleasantly. “I have just the person for you. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go let her know to come right away.” The agent wasted no time in rushing off.
“Shopping?” she hissed when the station agent was out of earshot.
Beckett reached up and covered her hand with his. Only then did she realize she was still holding his arm. “Yep. I’m gonna buy you everything I can in the next hour before the train leaves.”
“Everything?”
“Clothes, shoes, jewelry, hats. Anything you want, darlin’.”
“What if I don’t want anything?”
“Too bad.” He started toward the door of the depot, tugging her along. “I’m getting you lots of stuff.”
For a moment she was too speechless to respond.
And judging by the smug smile that curved up his lips, he knew it.
There were times when he irritated her to no end, like that first night at the hotel in Fairplay when he’d been so arrogant and told her she’d be begging him for kisses. She’d wanted to throw her pillow at him.
In the next breath, he’d been sweet and told her that she was a desirable woman. After that, she’d wanted to throw herself at him, but she’d used restraint. It had been difficult to fall asleep with him only a few feet away. But she’d been tired enough that she’d eventually slept.
She’d fallen asleep right away last night, tired from another day of traveling. And she supposed she was also getting used to Beckett’s constant presence, because he was never far away.
But taking her shopping? Buying her lots of stuff? The gesture was completely unexpected. She knew she ought to turn him down and insist that she had enough. But she hadn’t been able to bring much, and would it really hurt to let him buy her a few more things?
With an attendant sent by the station agent, they visited several shops. Beckett purchased every ready-made gown that seemed to be her size, along with matching hats, several more pairs of shoes, and more necklaces and bracelets than she needed, in spite of her protesting that it was too much.
He stepped out of the store for a little while to allow her the privacy of picking out undergarments and any other toiletries she needed. When he returned, he was carrying a trunk that he’d purchased for all her new items.
By the time they finished shopping, the train was blowing its whistle in readiness for departure. The porter directed them to one of the last train cars, assisted them up the steps, and ushered them into the car.
With Beckett leading the way inside, she stopped short at the sight that met her.
Thick blue carpet covered the floor. Plush upholstered chairs and a settee were positioned on one end of the car, along with a two-person table and chairs that were set with a teapot and two cups with saucers.
A large bed with mahogany bedposts took up the other end of the train car, along with a dressing table and full-length mirror.
The ceiling was painted with elegant designs that matched the carpet. The walls of blue printed wallpaper contained plenty of windows surrounded by lacy curtains. Globe lanterns were attached to the walls throughout, and an ornate chandelier-like lantern hung at the center.
The private car was fancier than any home she’d ever been in. It was actually fancier than anything she’d ever seen, fit for royalty, not a simple woman like her. No wonder the train staff had questioned the appropriateness of giving them the luxury car.
Beckett didn’t seem to notice the luxury. Or perhaps this was the kind of opulence he’d grown up with, and it didn’t affect him.
Only after the porter left and shut the door did Beckett turn to her. “What do you think?”
“I don’t think I hate you anymore.” The words poured out as bluntly as always, but once they did, she wanted to take them back. Her words were shallow, and she could have been nicer.
“So you’re falling in love with me?” He spoke with a smirk.
Maybe she didn’t want to take back her words after all. “You wish, Cowboy.”
“Course I’m wishing for that.” He lifted his hat and raked his fingers through his hair. His arms and his shoulders flexed, showing off his muscles. Without his hat, his face was visible in all its scruffy handsomeness.
His eyes held a glimmer. Was he serious? Was he hoping she’d fall in love with him?