Aiden was exhausted. He could only imagine how tired Angus must be.  He’d caught a few hours of sleep on the train to Lafayette, but that was almost twenty hours ago. He was too wound up to follow Angus’ example and get a little sleep on the train, although he tried.  His mind wouldn’t stop going over scenarios of what could have happened to Pauline.  He’d hoped she was safely tucked away in Mary Anne’s family’s home, but something in his gut told him that she wasn’t.When they finally found Mary Anne’s family and asked to speak to Mary Anne alone, she confessed that she and Pauline were separated at the way station between Lafayette and St. Martin Parish.  She claimed the station master was in on the ruse that separated vulnerable, pretty girls from their companions so that they could be taken and sold to brothels out west.Mary Anne claimed she wanted to return to New Orleans and warn the O’Mal

Ed Stark leaned back in the chair and put his feet on the top of Sheriff Thompkins desk. The white-haired sheriff scowled, but said nothing.  Ed owned most of Brightonville and was working on obtaining the little he didn’t own.  Ed was also responsible for his salary. He was far too old to go looking for a new job.  If it meant overlooking disrespectful habits such as the arrogant ass putting his filthy boots on his desk to keep his job then, so be it.“We haven’t seen you over at Julie’s lately,” Ed said as he picked at his fingernails with a pocket knife.“You need to send doc over there to check out Savannah,” the sheriff grumbled. “I think she gave me the clap.”“My girls are clean,” Ed snarled.“I got puss coming out of me and it hurts when I piss,” the sheriff complained.“Did you see the doc?” Ed asked.“He’s treating m

Angus sat in his favorite rocker on the porch and sipped the freshly made lemonade Mrs. Peterson provided.  He’d returned, empty handed, the night before from his search for Pauline. He expected Aiden to be back from his own quest to find his fiancé any time now. He hoped he’d had better luck.Sheriff Thompkins lazily climbed the steps of the boarding house porch and greeted Angus with a friendly smile. The jail was next to the telegraph office so when he learned that Angus received a telegraph he offered to deliver it.Angus thanked the sheriff for his kindness as he accepted the message.  It was from Maggie. He was eager to read it, but didn’t want to be rude while the sheriff was still there sharing pleasantries.“Tell you what,” Sheriff Thompkins said with a knowing tone.  “I’ll go see if I can convince Mrs. Peterson to spare another glass of lemonade while you read your wired message.”

“What did you do with the gunslinger?” Aiden asked as he seated himself at the dinner table next to Pauline.“As much as I hate to say this,” Eliza said as she set a bowl of boiled potatoes on the table and then gently laid her hand on Angus’ shoulder. “You three better leave tonight.  Ed Stark laid claim on Pauline.  I heard him arguing with Mr. Smith about it.  He won’t take kindly to losing her.  She’s worth a lot of money to him.”Angus smiled and patted her small hand with his large, calloused one. “I hate that we’re leaving you behind to deal with this scum.  Come with us.”A slight gasp left both Eliza’s and Pauline’s lips upon hearing Angus’ invitation.  Aiden looked at his friend with surprise and then at the pretty boarding house proprietress. Had he been so wrapped up in his own troubles that he didn’t notice a budding romance

The train was crowded.  Aiden managed to arrange for a private car after they reached Houston.  Until then, he did his best to make sure that Pauline was as comfortable as possible in the overpacked public car.They reached Houston late in the afternoon and eagerly de-boarded.  They had a two-hour layover, so Aiden suggested they find a restaurant that wasn’t too far from the station and have a decent meal. No one objected.They didn’t have to go too far before they came across a small steak house that offered indoor and outdoor seating.  They opted for the outdoor seating so that they could enjoy the fresh air just a little longer. Once they boarded the train, the windows would need to be shut in order to prevent the smoke from the engine from entering.Dinner consisted of prime rib, corn-on-the-cob, roasted pumpkin, and bread pudding.  Pauline was so starved for decent food that she ate in a manner that her mother would hav