Disclaimer: I own . . . nothing.
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Dawn was nearing, bringing light to the world once again. My horse, Lily, steadily cantered along the deserted road. I was wearing mens clothes, on the pretense of being a groom bringing a horse to her new owner. My hair was bound up under a cap, and thankfully I'd always been small chested.
I felt rather proud of myself, after all, Ryan would be looking for a young woman, not a boy. Three full days of traveling and I was almost to Philadelphia, where I would catch a train west. It sure was a long way . . . 321 miles. But it was a pretty way, the ocean on my left, green, rolling forests on my right.
Cresting a hill, I looked down over the sleeping city. The train station was in the western part of town, and I made my way there. Turns out the only train that day was going to Independence, Missouri. Perfect. . . and expensive. 1,119 miles, a ticket cost $12. I don't know what I would have done with out the money Rachel gave me, $500 dollars would not only get me west, I'd probably be able to make the trip 5 or 6 times.
Sadly, I was going to have to sell Lily, but she was getting old, I'd had since I was old enough to ride a horse. Besides she'd be to easy to follow, selling her would help through any followers off my trail.
I slipped into an empty barn to change my clothes again, this time I wore a gentleman's suit. I needed to go up a few classes. Otherwise I could be accused of stealing Lily. Poor young boys don't own Thoroughbreds.
There was a livery in town and I went there next. "Hello, young man, what can I do for you?" asked the owner coming outside. "Well, I need to sell my horse, I'm going down south to help with the Reconstruction efforts, and she's too old to go."
"How old is she?" asked the man looking her over. I dismounted and took my bags off her. "She'll be 14 this fall." I told him
"She's got beautiful conformation, make a nice horse for a woman . . . I'll buy her from you for $30." he offered "$50 and you can keep the tack." I countered
"Sold." He said nodding "by the way, I'm Ross." He said offering his hand. I shook his hand saying "Nice to meet you, Ross. My name is Ryan." I inwardly laughed, Ryan would love that I "borrowed" his name.
"Well, I've got to be going. It was nice doing business with you Ross." I said turning away "Same here." he replied
I walked down the street, heading toward a rooming house, I'd seen riding through town earlier. Not that I was going there, but it's important to keep up appearances when in the lying game.
I checked my watch, 7:23, a good three-quarters of an hour before my train left. So I stopped in a bakery and bought half-a-dozen buns for the trip.
At 7:45 I was buying a one-way ticket to Independence, rather ironic isn't it? I boarded the train and made myself comfortable, it'd be about fourteen hours to get there.
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A/N: please review.