Chapter 14

Cheyenne, Wyoming 1867

The warm summer breeze wafted through the open window. Róisín sat on her bed her fingers mending a pair of worn trousers. She hummed a soft, idle tune as the afternoon light filtered in, affording her an optimal view of the small town and beyond, the railroad camp.

Her reverie was interrupted by the distant wail of a train's whistle, prompting her to glance toward the clock on the wall. A flutter of nervousness stirred in her. She knew Carson would be aboard. Carefully setting aside her mending, she rose and crossed to the window, peering out over the dusty main street in hopes of catching his approaching figure.

For almost a week, Róisín had managed to avoid Carson entirely. However, to placate her brother's, she had feigned a lingering cold - but she knew this delaying tactic could only postpone the inevitable for so long. Carson deserved to know that she harbored no romantic inclinations towards him.

Róisín had never before entertained a serious suitor and she found herself wading into uncharted territory, awash with unsettling emotions. An unshakable sense of self-doubt clouded her thoughts as she grappled with how to properly rebuff Carson's affections without wounding his pride. Yet an even more unsettling prospect was disappointing her beloved brother.

The heavy footfalls in the outer hallway heralded Carson's arrival, the measured tread growing louder with each passing second until it reached her bedroom door. Róisín's took a long steady breath as she smoothed the wrinkles from her frock. With a steady hand, she reached for the doorknob and pulled the door open.

"Good afternoon, Róisín," Carson greeted, removing his flat-brimmed hat as he sauntered forward.

"Hello, Carson," she replied with a demure smile, leaning against the doorframe in an unconscious gesture of self-reassurance.

"Your brother said you weren't feelin' well," he continued as his eyes lingered admiringly over her figure.

Róisín felt her cheeks warm beneath his scrutinizing gaze. "Much improved, thank you."

"Will you walk with me?" Carson's features visibly brightened as he extended his arm in an unmistakable invitation. "The fresh air would do you good."

Momentarily stunned into silence by his forwardness, Róisín could only offer a reflexive murmur of agreement as she retrieved her shawl from the nearby cedar chest. As they descended the stairs and sauntered along the boardwalk, Carson launched into an energetic speech about the arrival of boxcars to assist the railroad's western expansion. Though Róisín nodded at the appropriate intervals, her mind was preoccupied with finding her courage.

She was so distracted by her thoughts that she very nearly collided with Carson when he halted abruptly in the middle of the quiet street. Jolted back to the present moment, Róisín blinked up at him. Carson furrowed his brow in concern as he reached out to take her hands in his. She could feel the rough calluses of his fingers against her palms.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, his gaze searching hers for any sign of distress.

Róisín let out a shaky breath and looked away, unable to meet his intense stare. "I'm just a bit distracted," she murmured.

The silence between them grew heavy until Carson cleared his throat and spoke again. "I may not have much at the moment, but I can offer you a comfortable life," he said earnestly, releasing one of her hands to gently tilt her chin upwards until their eyes met. "After we've completed the railroads to Utah, I want you to be my wife - if you'll have me."

As much as she had rehearsed her response in her head, Róisín found herself struggling to find the words. Before she could speak, Carson's expression shifted and she knew that her answer was not what he had hoped for. He grunted with frustration and clenched his jaw tightly, a muscle twitching in his cheek.

"Is there someone else?" He asked, furrowing his brow.

Róisín shook her head, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "Douglas," she replied quietly. "I just don't have those feelings for you."

Carson took a step forward and grabbed her face with both hands, pressing his lips forcefully against hers. Róisín stumbled backward as he pushed himself closer to her, trapping her against the door. She could taste the bitterness of disappointment on his lips as he kissed her aggressively, his tongue invading her mouth without permission. Her body trembled as one of his hands slid down her arm and came to rest on her breast, his fingers digging into the delicate flesh.

"Stop!" Róisín gasped, pushing against his unyielding frame.

With a growl of frustration, Carson released her and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Róisín leaned against the door, tears streaming down her cheeks as she latched the lock tightly. Her body shook with sobs as she slid down to the floor, wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to find comfort.