Chapter 10
We bump along on the train for a long stretch. I find out from the conductor that it's a sixteen hour ride from St. Louis to Denver, Colorado, where we need to switch trains. I know that we need to switch and that if we don't we'll end up somewhere up north, probably around Washington. But I'm not entirely sure he's going to switch with me.
"When we get to Denver, I have to switch trains," I say out of nowhere when I can't stand my nerves any longer. My eyes are tired from not sleeping nearly enough and my head is spinning with questions.
This man, this one sitting next to me. The very one that declared his intentions towards me just hours ago in a cafe is driving me insane. He has no idea where he's going and that makes me nervous. While he says awfully sweet things about wanting to be together and notions about the future, he hasn't told me where he's headed. I would like him to switch trains with me.
"You do?" he asks with a playful grin on his lips.
I stare up into his mischief filled eyes and smile before shaking my head.
"Why yes," I say getting an idea. "I do. I have to meet a man there," I tell him, waiting to see his reaction.
His eyes darken, though his smile is still there. "A man you say," he murmurs lowly.
I nod firmly.
"What would you need a man for?"
My breath catches in my throat and for the first time I realize that the feeling in the pit of my stomach is because of him. I muster all the confidence I have in my little body. "I just need a man," I tell him. I know very well that this conversation is very much borderline dirty according to the way I was raised. But it's fun, exhilarating and exciting.
He smirks, probably at how red my face has gotten. "Well baby, maybe I'm just the man you need," he whispers, nearly in my ear, sending a distinctive shiver down my spine. One that I've never felt before.
My heart speeds up and my breathing shallows, I don't know what's happening to me. But before I can figure it out the conductor calls for dinner and stops the train.
I let out a whoosh of breath. "Maybe," I tell him before I get up.
I slip off my seat and walk past him with a little spring in my step and a smile plastered on my face.
We eat dinner quietly. Enjoying the food and the atmosphere. My mother always did say that there were times when silence wasn't a bad thing. And I'm convinced that this is one.
Especially since every once in a while Edward will look up and wink at me.
We finish up at dinner and move back to the passenger train. I pull out a book and read for a bit until it gets too dark to see.
And then night is upon us and I attempt to sleep, but I find it difficult. I can't seem to get comfortable whichever way I sit. I squirm in my seat trying to adjust myself so that I can get a bit of sleep.
It must've woken Edward because before I know it, he's wrapping his arm around me and pulling me to his chest. I want to say something, but I can't find the voice. While it's against my better judgement to lay so close to a man I'm not married to, I don't feel like it's wrong.
He pats my shoulder and almost lulls me to sleep with his heartbeat and rhythm of his hand. But just before I'm out cold, I feel him press his lips to my forehead. I break out in a full-body blush, but don't say a word.
I can't deny it wasn't a nice kiss.
And as the heat dissipates from my body, I fall into a warm, comfortable, sleep.
*WLTY*
I awake to find myself in the warm, comfortable embrace of Edward's. And when I shyly peek up at his handsome face, I see that he's awake too. His eyes travel down to mine and a slow smile spreads out across his lips.
He looks like such catch.
"Good Morning," he says lowly, his voice his gruff from sleep and his eyes are still on mine.
My stomach flips again without a thought.
"Morning," I whisper, trying to be conscientious of the other passengers. "Are we stopping soon?"
He shrugs and peers down at his watch. "It's just six now," he tells me.
I look out onto the beautiful scenery. The sun is just breaking over the horizon and the view is stunning. "My goodness," I breathe.
"I know, it's lovely, isn't it?" he asks, rubbing my shoulder and pulling me a little closer.
I nod and we stare out the window together and the mountains and hues pass us by.
"I don't think they'll be stopping until closer to seven, do you need something?" Edward asks after a little while.
I shrug and shake my head. I want to freshen up and get ready for breakfast, but it's nothing that can wait a little longer.
And as I stifle yawn, stretching lightly to get rid of the slight stiffness in my back we snuggle in together watching out the window. It is truly a fantastic way to spend the morning.
We arrive in Colorado just after noontime. The rails had run slow once we got closer to town. I guess there was another train that we were waiting on for them to leave.
I take a deep breath grabbing my bags and heading down the tiny metal steps. It's been a fantastic journey, but it's finally time for the last leg. I need to turn myself towards Los Angeles and I can only hope that Edward decides he wants to head that way too.
I swallow and nudge past him, not saying anything. For whatever reason, my throat dries up and my emotions overtake me and I can't find the words I want to say when I turn back and see Edward brush off his slacks and take his seat again.
I wait until I'm facing forward to frown. Heaven forbid he sees me acting like a naive little girl. There's no need for that.
And as I make my way through the station to the other side, where the train I need to board is, an overwhelming sadness begins to seep in.
I purse my lips and straighten my shoulders as I head over to the ticket counter. My wallet is still, for the most-part, full. Thankfully the hotels and train rides thus far haven't been too expensive. To me, that's a bonus. Having a decent amount in my billfold makes me a little more confident of what's to come.
"How much for the next train from here to...um," I say with a pause, as I try to look at the map behind the woman's head that stands at the desk.
"Las Vegas," I hear behind me and whip my head around to see it's Edward.
Awe! right? What'd ya think?
See you soon! :)