Chapter Twelve
Excerpt from Ch 11
… silence fell between them until both of them started yawning. "I think I'll be able to fall asleep for awhile." Chelsie stood up. "What about you?"
"Yeah, think I can catch at least twenty winks." Nick nodded and stood up. It wasn't long before both Nick and Chelsie were in their beds sleeping. Only when the train pulled into the station did they, along with Heath woke up. Within the hour, the three had switched trains and were headed for Stockton.
Nick, Chelsie and Heath stood along the railroad tracks, as did the few other passengers who had boarded the train. None of them were very happy-as the train had broken down. From what they'd been told, help was on the way only they were still looking at a delay of at least two hours.
"I wouldn't mind it so much only," Nick said as he looked around, "I can't shake the feeling something's not right."
"I know." Heath too looked around.
"What if Roger Lane is around, or someone who knows him?" Chelsie ventured to point out that, most likely, Roger Land had learned exactly who Heath and Nick were, and where they came from. "I mean, he's not going to simply go back home. He's too much like his son and, most likely, is in on the deal Thomas and that friend he was with have in mind."
"That would make sense." Heath said-even as he saw a red headed, thin man near the end of the train watching them. The stranger was clean shaven and looked to be around six feet-maybe a bit shorter. Heath stiffened, realizing he'd seen the man before. Discreetly, Heath pointed the man out to Nick and Chelsie. "I saw him minutes before we boarded this train." Heath pointed towards the stalled train.
"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Nick asked, a bit annoyed at being kept in the dark when it came to what Heath had noticed.
"Because he didn't bother us, didn't even seem to be looking at us. In fact, until now, I wasn't aware he had boarded the same train as us." Heath kept an eye on his brother while he kept the other on the stranger.
"He's got to be working for either Thomas Lane or Crown." Chelsie stepped a bit closer to Nick without half realizing it. Nick couldn't help but smile just a little, though he automatically rested his hand on top of his pistol.
"Ease up, Nick." Heath, who quickly noticed Nick's action. "I doubt he wants to kill her. After all, she's no good to the Lanes if she's dead."
"I didn't think he did, only, he's going to try for her. I just know it. You can not stand there and tell me you aren't thinking the same thing." Nick growled low.
Heath and Chelsie couldn't agree more. "The way the few passengers the train has are talking, I don't think any of them are planning on getting back on the train until help arrives." Heath looked at both his brother and Chelsie. "I have an idea that just might get him out of the picture faster than allowing him to follow us to Stockton." Heath quickly explained what he was thinking.
"Dear brother, I think for the first time since you boarded the train in Stockton, I'm glad you didn't stay behind." Nick grinned as Heath walked towards the other end of the train while Nick and Chelsie got back on, grateful that the other passengers were choosing to stay outside.
"Do you think his idea will work?" Chelsie asked once she and Nick were once again sitting on the train only, this time, Nick was in the aisle seat.
"I hope so. It would feel great to roll into Stockton without any sort of tail following us." Nick kept his eyes wide open.
Silence fell between them only Chelsie's mind was anything but quiet. Memories rolled in front of her eyes once more. She couldn't help but start laughing as one particular memory played itself in front of her eyes. Naturally, the laughter confused Nick. "What's so funny about waiting for that fellow to do something? At least, he hoped Heath was right-that thinking it was just Nick and Chelsie back on the train, that the red-headed man who had been watching them would make a move.
"N..nothing… I was just r-r-remembering the first time we e-ever met-when I had to h-hide you in my grandfather's b-arn." Chelsie's eyes were also dancing with laughter as she managed to answer his question in spite of her continuing laughter.
Now it was Nick who was laughing hard, and having a hard time talking. "Well, it was dark... and if your father's pig had been where he was supposed to be... I never would have … fallen over." Nick got control of himself, though he was still grinning from ear to ear. "And, how was I to know your grandfather's barn roof had a hole just big enough to allow the rain from the night before to form a puddle of water on the barn floor! You could have told me."
Chelsie, who had also managed to get her laughter under control, shook her head and took a deep breath before asking, "When I thought grandpa had repaired the roof, how was I suppose to do that?"
"That's beside the point." Nick replied only to find any laughter between them coming to an abrupt halt. The sound of approaching footsteps could be heard. Automatically, he turned sideways-making sure that; one, he was facing anyone coming through the door and; two, there was no way for any man to get to Chelsie without going through him. They only hoped it was indeed the red-headed man that was coming, that Heath would be right behind him, and the other passengers would remain blissfully unaware of what was going on until it all over.
Nick's hand automatically went to the top of his pistol only to find himself horrified. For the first time in years, Nick realized he might have actually forgotten to double check the weapon to ensure it had been fully reloaded. Inwardly, he growled only – if it was indeed their 'friend' coming- the best he could do was to act as if the gun was for sure fully filled with bullets.
