Dakota Cowboy. Linda Ford

words effectively reminded her he had only one reason to care about her safety—his own feelings for a man she didn’t want to see. His concern wasn’t personal at all, much as her fickle brain hoped for just a fraction of a second it was. Which was stupid. She’d long ago learned not to pin her hopes and heart on expecting anything from a man.

      And now she had to face the reality of seeing the one person she’d vowed to never speak to again—her father. She looked at Roy, now alert and peering toward the approaching town. She hadn’t been able to see an alternative in the predawn hours. After a moment’s thought she could still find none.

      Somehow she’d survive the visit and return to her familiar world and her own plans. She only hoped it would be with her emotions unscathed. But as she allowed herself a fleeting glance at Wade who continued to study the horizon with a mixture of relief and concern, Lucy knew walking away with her heart intact may well be impossible. Not only would her father shred it yet again, she feared Wade would, as well.

      It took them another hour to reach the town. They went directly to the low building that served as the train station and learned the next train would arrive in half an hour. That gave them enough time to hustle up some food and drink.

      Half an hour later, their thirst quenched and hunger demands met, she and Roy stepped into the puffing, smoke-belching train.

      Lucy heaved a sigh of relief as she sank down on a stiff green leather seat. Roy guarded the sack of sandwiches wrapped in brown paper Wade had ordered for the trip. He didn’t intend to let anything happen to their food supply. She glanced out the window and allowed a bit of tension to ease from her muscles. So far there’d been no sign of Smitty. He didn’t appear to have followed them on horseback or he would have overtaken them.

      Not that she was foolish enough to expect he’d forget she and Roy were witnesses to his murderous act.

      Wade had been seeing to the horses and now joined them.

      She spread her dusty skirts and hugged the middle of the bench. As if reading her reluctance and finding it amusing, Wade grinned, pushed aside her skirts and planted himself beside her. She shifted over and pressed against the window trying to convince herself she had no reason to be annoyed at him. After all, he had readily agreed to protect them. Of course, she knew it was only because he had gotten what he came for.