Tracie Peterson (3 page)

Chapter 3

A
ll ’board!” the conductor called as a stern-faced Garrett approached, pulling a willful Maggie behind him.

“Afternoon to you, Mister,” the conductor said without breaking his concentration on the pocket watch he held tightly in his hand. “Missus,” he added, touching the brim of his blue cap. Maggie stiffened at the comment, causing a smile to play at the corners of Garrett’s mouth.

Maggie tried to pull away, but it was no use. Garrett only smiled broad
ly, and raised a questioning eye from beneath his black Stetson.

“Tickets, please,” the conductor requested.

Garrett pulled two tickets from his vest pocket and handed them to the older man.

“Um, I see here you’re in number fourteen. That’d be the second car down,” the conductor said, motioning to a porter.

“Y’sir,” the porter said with a nodding bow of his head.

“These passengers have seats in number fourteen. See to it,” the conductor instructed. “And be quick about it. I’m about to call final ’board.”

“Y’sir,” the porter smiled and offered his assistance. “Do you have bags, Sir?” he questioned Garrett.

“I’ve already checked them,” Garrett answered. “Except for this one. We’ll take it with us.” Garrett motioned to the carpetbag Sophia had packed. Maggie clutched the bag as if it were all she owned.

“Very good, Sir. Right this way.”

Maggie felt herself being pulled along at such a pace that when Garrett stopped, she nearly fell headlong onto the tracks. Garrett steadied her and gently handed her up the steps of the train. Maggie was amazed at how light his touch could be when he wasn’t bullying her along.

The porter led them down the narrow train aisle. “Seats twenty-three and twenty-four, right here, Sir,” the porter said. “I’ll show you to your sleeping compartments this evening.”

“Thank you,” Garrett replied, handing the man a coin. The porter smiled broadly and nodded his head to the couple.

“Take the window seat, Miss Intissar,” Garrett stated matter-of-factly. “I believe the train is about to pull out, and it would do little good to have you sprawled in the aisle.”

Maggie stepped meekly to her seat. Garrett, although surprised, said nothing. Instead, he took off his hat and coat and, before sitting, removed his vest as well. Maggie’s discomfort became evident as Garrett pulled his necktie off and unbuttoned his shirt collar.

Garrett noticed Maggie’s flushed face. She quickly turned away, and he couldn’t help but grin. “I’m finished, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he teased. “It’d do you some good to get out of that jacket and open up a button or two yourself.”

“I’m fine for the time being,” she lied, wishing she could do just as Garrett had suggested. The worst heat of the day was only heightened by the closed, cramped quarters of the train.

“As you wish, but remember we’re traveling south. The heat will only get worse once we leave Topeka,” Garrett said with a shrug of his shoulders.

His words only reminded Maggie that they were leaving her home. A further reminder sounded loud and clear as the train whistle gave two long blasts. Maggie felt the color drain from her face. It was all she could do to keep from fighting Garrett in an attempt to get off.

The train gave a bit of a jerk, as if it needed help to start moving down the tracks. Finally, it started pulling slowly out of Topeka’s Santa Fe Station. Maggie watched as people on the platform waved. One older woman, sending a kiss with her gloved hand, reminded Maggie of her grandmother. Maggie bit her lip to keep from crying, but her eyes held betraying tears.

Long after there was nothing but outlying farms and scenery to look at, Maggie continued to stare out the window. She remembered several years earlier when she had gone with Lillie to see the circus. The two girls had watched the animals get loaded on the train after the final performance. Maggie had felt sorry for the animals in their barred cages. Now, she felt caged.

After nearly fifteen minutes of strained silence, Garrett spoke. “We should talk before this situation gets worse,” he began. He leaned back against the padded leather of the seat and crossed his arms behind his head.

Maggie stiffened and moved closer to the window. She was hot and sticky, and the humidity made it nearly impossible to breathe. She wanted to lower the window, but the smoke and cinders from the train’s smokestack would only worsen things. Either way, Garrett Lucas was too close, and she wished desperately to put some kind of distance between them. She sighed deeply.

“Did you hear what I said?” Garrett questioned.

“I heard you,” Maggie barely whispered the words. “I simply chose not to argue with you.”

“I have no intention of arguing with you, Miss Intissar, and begging your pardon, but I believe I will call you by your first name.” Garrett’s voice told Maggie he’d settle for nothing less.

“Whatever you feel is necessary, Mr. Lucas,” Maggie replied with a coolness to her voice that surprised even her. “It is of little consequence what name you call me by.”

“Dare I believe you are offering to cooperate with me?” Garrett questioned sarcastically. He turned his body slightly toward Maggie, which only made her more uncomfortable.

A woman with two children occupied the seats across the aisle, and she leaned toward Garrett and Maggie to catch pieces of their conversation. Maggie detested the woman’s prying attitude and lowered her voice even more.

“I’ve already agreed to go with you to wherever it is my father calls home. I don’t care what you call me, and I don’t care where you take me. Now, what more is there to discuss?” Maggie felt rather proud of her little speech.

“I see. What, may I ask, brought about this change in the wild-eyed child that I had words with earlier?” Garrett questioned, intently studying Maggie for some clue as to what she was planning.

Maggie bit hard on her lower lip, and Garrett smiled, letting Maggie know he was aware he’d hit a nerve.

“You have your father’s temper. Are you aware of that?” Garrett asked. Maggie said nothing, but she noticed over Garrett’s shoulder that the woman had leaned even farther into the aisle. Garrett turned to see what Maggie was looking at.

“Have you lost something, Ma’am?” Garrett asked the embarrassed woman. The woman shook her head and quickly turned her attention back to her children. Garrett chuckled and continued his analysis of Maggie.

“You have his eyes too.” Garrett’s voice sounded low and melodic. Maggie felt herself relaxing against her will.

“I suppose one would have to share certain characteristics with one’s parent. It isn’t necessary to live with a parent to look like one. I also look a great deal like my mother, and she died nine years ago,” Maggie said rather stiffly, refusing to fall under Garrett’s spell.

“Yes, I know. Your father showed me her picture. She was a beautiful woman, and you are the very image of her.”

“Am I mistaken, or have you just complimented me?” Maggie questioned curiously.

“And the lady is intelligent too!” Garrett drawled sardonically.

Maggie could no longer play her part. “You’re insufferable!” she huffed and turned back to the window.

“Ah ha! I knew the temper was still there. Don’t think that you can set my mind at ease by playing the prim and proper lady. I will not trust you on this trip, and you might as well know my terms right up front,” Garrett said firmly.

Maggie stared incredulously as Garrett sat up and reached over to pull her to the edge of her seat.

“Now, off with the jacket before you pass out. And take off that collar,” he ordered. He reached out as if to undo the buttons himself.

Maggie noticed the widening eyes of the woman across the aisle. Garrett turned to the woman briefly. “I can’t believe you women actually travel comfortably in these getups you call traveling clothes.” The woman turned crimson, but Maggie noticed she didn’t pull back like before.

“Take it off,” Garrett commanded a stunned Maggie.

“I’ve never been so insulted!” Maggie tried to jerk away, only to find Garrett’s firm hands holding her upper arms.

“I’m sure no one has ever dared to cross you, Maggie. But this time, you’ve met your match. Your father didn’t send me without considering the type of person this job required. Now do as I say.” Garrett loosened his grip as Maggie obediently began to unbutton her jacket.

“This is totally inappropriate,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m a lady, and I demand that you treat me as such.”

“Perhaps when you start acting like one, I’ll be more inclined to treat you differently. Fashion or no, I can’t see having you passed out from heat. I’m truly thinking only of your comfort. Now let me help.” Garrett’s words were so precise they sounded rehearsed.

Maggie allowed him to help her out of the traveling jacket. She had to admit, at least to herself, it was an immediate improvement. She leaned back and sighed. Why was this happening? Did God hate her so much? Why couldn’t she live with her grandmother? Was it because she refused to hear God’s calling?

“Now, as I said before, we really should talk.” Garrett’s voice intruded into Maggie’s thoughts. “I know you’re feeling badly. I know you don’t want to go, and I know that you’re afraid.”

“I’m not afraid of anything!” Maggie exclaimed, raising her voice slight
ly. When several of the train passengers joined the nosy woman in turning to see what the commotion was, Maggie immediately stared out the window.

“You were saying,” Garrett whispered pressing close to her ear.

“Get away from me,” Maggie hissed. “I may have to suffer through your deplorable presence, but I will not have you accosting me.”

Garrett laughed loudly, causing people to stare at them once again. The woman across the aisle was thoroughly enjoying the scene.

“Will you be quiet?” Maggie whispered angrily. “I won’t have the entire train watching me. One nanny is entirely too many, but now you’d saddle me with a dozen more,” she said, waving her arm at the people who stared. Everyone, with the exception of the nosy woman, turned away quickly.

“Look, little girl,” Garrett said in the authoritative tone Maggie had grown to hate. “You’re spoiled and selfish, and a woman, you’re not!”

Maggie felt her face grow red with embarrassment. Garrett Lucas was impossible. It made thoughts of escape seem that much sweeter. She struggled to regain her composure.

“Mr. Lucas,” Maggie began when she could trust her voice. “I am tired of your insults and tired of trying to make sense out of this situation. I don’t suppose it’s possible for you to understand what I’m going through, therefore I don’t see any reason to continue this conversation.”

“Maybe I understand more than you give me credit for,” Garrett answered gently.

“I suppose anything is possible,” Maggie said wearily. “But I don’t believe you appreciate my position. I am seventeen years old. I’ve lived all my life in Topeka. What few friends I have are ones I’ve spent a lifetime making.

“Why, Lillie Johnston from next door has been my companion since I was a very small child. Her father and mine invested in the railroad together. Her parents and mine were good friends. When Lillie’s parents decided to build a house in Potwin Place, my grandmother arranged to build there so we could remain close. I was to be in Lillie’s wedding later this month. So you see how little you or my father know about me.”

“I’ve learned a great deal about you through your grandmother’s letters to your father,” Garrett said noting the surprise on Maggie’s face.

“I see,” Maggie replied, knowing that her grandmother had written long, detailed accounts of their life in Topeka. Maggie decided that by sharing those letters with a stranger, her father had betrayed the family once again.

“I know that, except for times when Lillie prodded you to attend social events, you’ve lived a cloistered life,” Garrett continued, much to Maggie’s dismay. “I know that you’ve refused gentleman callers, telling your grandmother that men were more trouble to deal with than they were worth.”

Maggie blushed a deep crimson. “My father had no right to share that with you. In fact, my grandmother had no right to share it with my father. But,” she paused, gaining a bit of composure, “I suppose that is all in the past.”

“Your father has every right to know about you. He’s tried for years to get you down to New Mexico with him. Seems to me that it’s you, not him, who refuses to put the past aside. I can’t imagine a living soul disliking Jason Intissar, much less hating him the way you do.” Garrett’s words were like a spike driven into Maggie’s heart.

“You have no right to talk to me like that! I demand that you have the porter show me to my sleeping compartment so I might retire for the evening.”

“I see. And if I refuse?” Garrett questioned in a cautious tone.

“I can’t very well force you, now can I? I am, after all, just a spoiled little girl. But, I am not feeling well, and I am asking you,” Maggie continued at nearly a whisper, “to let me go.”

Maggie hoped her case sounded believable, but just in case, she quietly held her breath, a trick she and Lillie had learned as young girls. If she held her breath long enough, she’d grow faint. She and Lillie had done this on more than one occasion to get out of school. If Garrett expected childish behavior, then that’s what she’d give him.

Garrett eyed her suspiciously. She was incredibly beautiful and looked nothing like the child he’d accused her of being. He liked her spirit, but he had to admit that she didn’t look well.

“Alright, Maggie.” Garrett agreed and signaled for the porter.

“Sir?” It was the same porter who’d shown them to their seats.

“Please show Miss Intissar to her sleeping compartment. I’m afraid the heat’s been difficult for her,” Garrett said as he stood and helped Maggie to her feet.

Maggie slowly exhaled but found herself dizzy from her antics. She fell against Garrett’s arm. The woman across the aisle gasped loudly, but Garrett ignored her.

“Maggie?” he questioned, quite concerned. Maggie kept her face down and smiled to herself.
Good,
she thought.
Let him worry.