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She took hold of him, carefully lifting her skirts to keep them from the ground. They reached the car, where a porter already waited with a small step to aid Isabella and Lupe in climbing onto the stairs of the train car. It was awkward, but there seemed to be no other choice.
Isabella mounted the stairs and made her way inside the private car. It was impressive, to say the least. Highly polished paneled wood lined the narrow corridor from the entrance into the grand salon, where expensive mahogany furnishings reflected the glow of lamplight. The shades and velvet draperies had been pulled to allow for absolute privacy—something Isabella appreciated greatly.
“There’s a pitcher of iced lemonade on the table,” the conductor declared. “A porter will look after you. He’ll check in with you every hour on the hour.”
“It’s all very lovely. I believe we shall be quite comfortable.”
The door behind her opened, but Isabella ignored it. No doubt it was the porter, just as the conductor had said.
But in a moment, everything changed. A scent filled the air. She knew that scent. Musky and sweet. It seemed to come with less-than-happy memories, but she couldn’t place it. At least not until the man behind her spoke.
“Miss Garcia, it has been a long time.”
She turned to find Aaron Bailey smiling at her. He was much handsomer than she remembered from their first encounter. His brown hair was parted on the side and slicked back. Had he always worn it thus? She tried to remember that day in the library. He’d seemed like such a boy then.
“Mr. Bailey, I believe.”
“You believe correctly. I am your father’s choice of escort for you.” He gave her a crooked smile as if amused.
She refused to react. “I’m not sure why he felt the need to send you, Mr. Bailey, but since you are here, you might help Lupe with the bags.” She nodded toward her maid.
Aaron didn’t hesitate. “Here, let me take those, Lupe. They’re much too heavy for one so small.” He gave her a broad smile, which irritated Isabella. “Let me show you the bedrooms.” He took the bags and moved across the room to a polished wooden door and opened it. “This is the larger of the two rooms, so I presume it will be taken by your mistress.”
“Sí.” Lupe nodded.
“The other room,” he said, moving to the opposite end of the car, “will be yours. It’s small but very cozy.”
Lupe looked inside and smiled. “It is very nice.”
“Which of the bags belongs to you?” he asked.
She pointed, and he placed the bag inside her room. Without further ado, he walked to the larger bedroom and deposited the other things. He approached Isabella just as the conductor announced they were departing the station.
“I will share your company here during the day and evening hours, but I have a berth in the next car for sleeping. It’s the last berth and gives me the ability to keep others from pestering you.”
“Yes, but who will keepyoufrom pestering me, Mr. Bailey?” Isabella’s tone was sarcastic, but she didn’t care. Aaron Bailey was the last man in the world she wanted hanging around.
Outside, she could hear the conductor calling “all aboard,” and she went to take a seat on the plush throne chair by the window. She felt like a queen taking her place at court as Aaron gazed down at her. She pushed back the draperies and raised the shade.
“Comfortable?” he asked.
“Very.” She pulled off her gloves as the train gave a little jerk and began to move slowly away from the station. She waved to her aunt and Diego as her car passed the platform. If only Diego were the one accompanying her. If only it could be anyone but Aaron Bailey.
Aaron took a seat opposite Isabella while Lupe occupied herself with unpacking. The train picked up speed, and they soon left any hint of the city behind as the train moved out across vast open land of farms, ranches, and empty fields.
The job of escorting Isabella to Silver Veil wasn’t a task he had wanted. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, after all, not Daniel Garcia. But when her father asked him to do it, he’d been with the railroad superintendent, who had replied on Aaron’s behalf that he’d be happy to do the job and the Santa Fe would be happy to give him the loan of a spacious private car in which to afford Isabella the finest of comforts.
Daniel Garcia was important to the railroad. Not only for all the business he gave the railroad in Silver Veil and a dozen other locations, but also for the stock he held in the railroad. Garcia had made a name for himself and was highly esteemed by the men who controlled the Santa Fe. He was esteemed by others as well. Even the soon-to-be governor of the state and other politicians knew Garcia and respected his opinions and generosity to their projects.
Ever since meeting Daniel years ago, Aaron had admired and liked him as well. Daniel Garcia was smart and industrious, but it was more than that. He was a godly man who lived his faith. When someone was down on their luck, Garcia offered them help and employment. Aaron had seen him put former convicts to work and help them turn their lives around until they became respected members of the community. He was willing to take chances on people, even when everyone else had given up. Aaron had never known anyone with such a sense of kindness and encouragement. Many times he’d advised Aaron and helped see him through a difficult decision. It gave Aaron the utmost respect for him.
It seemed a pity his selfish, self-seeking daughter had to return at this time. For the last few years, she’d lived with her aunt, and although Aaron knew Garcia missed his child, at least there had been peace in the household. Now, Aaron could only imagine there would be change.
“I presume you work closely with my father,” she said, breaking the silence, “or he’d never have sent you to protect me on this trip.”
Aaron glanced up to find Isabella watching him intently. “I do. I work for the Santa Fe Railroad on the spur leases, and your father, as you probably know, has several. We’ve become good friends over the years.”
“How nice for you both.” She turned to look out thewindow. “But I hardly need an escort. I’m an adult who is fully capable of seeing to my own safety. I even carry a gun.” She looked back at him with a slight smile. “Does that shock you?”
