The Sunstone Brooch : Time Travel Romance Katherine Logan (no david read aloud TXT) 📖

He tried to redirect his man-brain to focus on protecting her, not on screwing her. But watching her ass move in the saddle just fed his fantasies further. His uncles often said he learned his raunchy, free-wheeling attitudes about women and sex from Uncle Rick, and maybe he did, or at least the way Rick was before he settled down with Penny. Austin never thought Rick would ever be satisfied with just one woman, but man, he was head over heels in love and about to have two more kids.

“Hey, asshole!” Remy shouted, pointing at his own eyes with two fingers, telling Austin to look at him, not at her ass. “We should go to the depot first and check the train schedule.”

Austin studied the three hundred feet of the trestle that crossed the river into town. “Is that the only way across?”

“Yeah, it’s safe enough…as long as a train doesn’t come along,” Ensley said.

Remy pulled up his horse and shaded his eyes with his hand. “It could get tight up there if one comes barreling along, but it’s easy to see a quarter-mile in both directions, so we’d have enough time to get the hell out of there.”

“And let’s remember to ask about your packages from JC when we get to the depot,” Austin said.

“Good idea. I want a bath, a hot meal not cooked over a campfire, and a clean bed,” Ensley replied. “Clean clothes would be a cherry on top.”

Austin winked. “If I can make it happen, baby doll, I will.”

She rolled her eyes. “What have I told you about calling me that?”

He led the way onto the bridge, and they trooped across in single file. “That it offends you.”

“Then why do it?”

“Because you’re so cute when you get pissed.”

“So, if I make ugly faces and growl at you, you’ll stop?”

He looked over his shoulder, grinning. “Probably not, but you could try.”

“What happened to the grouch I met a few days ago? You weren’t just mean. You were a bastard. Now you’re just irritating.”

Remy chuckled. “Watch out, Ensley. He’s trying to impress you.”

“Well,” she grumbled, “it’s not working.”

They reached the other side of the bridge and rode into town. Ensley yawned, pointing to a rough-board shanty next to the railroad track. “That’s the depot. The first time I saw the agent, I thought his red nose made him look like he spent more time at Big-Mouthed Bob’s Bug-Juice Dispensary than working here.”

Remy laughed. “Bob’s Bug-Juice?”

“Big-Mouthed Bob…the town saloon. And the hotel is over there. Food’s decent, but I can’t say much for the cleanliness.”

“What? That would bother you after washing up in the river every day?”

“Not days, weeks. I know what to expect on the trail, but a railroad town is different. I expect an upgrade from sleeping outside on the ground.”

Austin pulled up in front of the depot, dismounted, and stepped up on the platform.

A man with a mustache and a red nose opened a dirty window. “Can I help ya?”

“When’s the next train coming through heading east?” Austin asked.

“Should arrive ’bout nine, but could be later.” He shrugged. “Ya never know. All three of ya want tickets?”

“Yeah,” Austin said.

Ensley dismounted and stepped up on the platform. “Are you holding packages for Ensley Wi…Fraser? If so, I’ll take them off your hands.”

The agent scratched his head. “I put ’em on the private car like I was told.”

Austin tensed, and for the first time, the possibility of danger smacked him in the face. How could anyone know they were coming? He was steps away from his gun, not close enough. He glanced over his shoulder at Remy, and Remy immediately reached for his rifle.

“Private car? I think you’re mistaken,” Austin said.

“That Stuart fella chartered the private car and said to put the packages on it when the car arrived. That’s what I did.”

Austin shook off the tension and gave the agent a lopsided grin. “You’re a good man. So where’s this car?”

He pointed toward the siding yard. “Right there.”

“Tavis leased a private car?” Ensley asked. “How thoughtful.”

“He didn’t do it for Austin or me,” Remy said. “If you weren’t with us, we’d be lucky to have a stall in a cattle car.”

She swung around. “Did you know?”

Remy shook his head. “Fuck, no. It wasn’t like he had time to give me an itinerary.”

“What about our horses?” she asked.

“The train from Billings is bringin’ the stock car. The carriage came in from Chicago this morning,” the agent said. “The cook and steward are at the hotel. I’ll go tell ’em you arrived.”

“A cook?” Ensley asked. “Seriously?”

“Yes, ma’am. See? This here advertisement said the leased car ‘comes with iceboxes containing comestibles for the most exacting palate for a full week.’ Not sure exactly what it means, but sure sounds fancy.”

“Shit! Tavis must have the hots for you, Ensley.” Remy shot an eyebrow up at Austin.

Austin wanted to knock Remy off his horse. Besides, he doubted it was true. Tavis left shortly after meeting her and only returned in time to take the Viking home. He hadn’t spent any time with Ensley, and Austin had never seen Tavis hit on a woman before. He spent time with Emily, but they seemed more like friends than lovers.

Remy dismounted and joined them on the platform. “Do we have the carriage all the way to Kentucky or do we get off in Chicago?”

“I believe it goes through to Kentucky, but lemme check. I wasn’t the agent who leased the car.” He went inside, and after a few minutes returned with an open journal. “Says here, Mr. Stuart leased the car to your final destination. No return trip. Just one-way.”

Ensley grinned. “Sounds like a great way to travel. So can I get on the carriage now to get some clean clothes?”

The agent shrugged. “Don’t matter to me when ya board. Suit yourself. I’ll go tell your staff.”

“What about a key?” Austin asked.

“Ain’t locked. Jes’ open the door. But I tell ya, it’s pretty fancy. Ya might wanna wash off the trail dust