Trail to Shasta (9781101622049) Read Online Free

closed his eyes as the train jerked to a start, dozing very lightly while the train moved out of the station and began its journey . . .
    * * * 
    Ahern and Kemper got seats in a passenger car.
    â€œWe gotta find out where they are,” Ahern said. “But we can’t let the cowboy see us.”
    â€œLook,” Kemper said, “we’re from the city, and he’s from the country. If we were on his trail, maybe he’d spot us, but this is our turf.”
    â€œYou got that right,” Ahern said, “but we’ll have to act separately. You take a walk, see what you can find out. I’ll wait here.”
    â€œI’m hungry.”
    â€œWe’ll get somethin’ to eat when you get back.”
    Kemper nodded and left his seat.
    * * * 
    After a couple of hours Clint stood up, cleaned himself up a bit, and put on some fresh clothes. Considering himself decent enough to be in the company of two lovely Irish lasses, he left his compartment to escort them to the dining car.
    * * * 
    Bridget finished tying the knot at the back of Bride’s dress when there was a knock on the door.
    â€œWho could that be?” Bride asked.
    â€œRelax,” Bridget said. “It can only be Mr. Adams.”
    Bride’s dress covered her from head to toe, but Bridget’s showed a good portion of her freckled chest.
    â€œAren’t you going to cover up?” Bride asked.
    â€œRelax, dear sister,” Bridget said. “Everything will be fine.”
    She went to answer the door.
    * * * 
    As the door opened, Clint’s eye fell right where Bridget wanted it to fall, on her chest.
    â€œMr. Adams,” she said, giving him a smile. “Right on time.”
    â€œAm I?”
    â€œYes, indeed,” she said. “We are very hungry.”
    He looked past her at her sister, who appeared more frightened than tired.
    â€œI’m here to take you to the dining car,” Clint said.
    â€œIndeed,” Bridget said. “Are you coming, Bride?”
    â€œYes,” her sister said.
    In the hall outside, there was no room for them to walk abreast, so rather than give each girl one of his arms, Clint indicated that they should walk ahead of him. He followed them to the dining car, where they were seated at a table.
    Outside the window, the city had fallen away and countryside was whizzing by.
    â€œWe’re going very fast,” Bride said.
    â€œYes, we are,” Clint said, “but don’t worry, it’s very safe.”
    A white-coated, white-gloved, bow-tied black waiter came over and asked, “Somethin’ fo’ the ladies and the gentleman?”
    â€œDo you have steak?” Bridget asked.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” the man said, “we’s got mighty good steaks.”
    â€œOh, Bridget,” Bride said, “steak.”
    â€œAnd potatoes,” the man said.
    â€œOh,” Bride said, “no potatoes, please.”
    â€œBut lots of other vegetables,” Bridget said. “Onions? Carrots?”
    â€œAnd peas?” the waiter asked.
    â€œOh yes, please,” Bride said. “Sweet peas.”
    â€œAnd you, suh?”
    â€œA steak,” Clint said, “and I’ll take all the potatoes the ladies aren’t having.”
    â€œYes, suh.”
    â€œAnd all the rest.”
    â€œSuh,” the waiter said, “and to drink?”
    â€œTea,” Bride said.
    â€œTea,” Bridget said.
    â€œCoffee,” Clint said.
    â€œComin’ up, folks,” the waiter said.
    â€œSo,” Clint asked, “are you both relaxed?”
    It was obvious that Bride was going to leave most of the talking to Bridget, who said, “Yes, we’re fine. It was an arduous trip on the ship and, at times, quite frightening.”
    â€œWere you . . . accosted at all on the ship?” he asked.
    â€œNo, no,” she said, “the crew stayed away from us for