Trail to Shasta (9781101622049) Read Online Free Page B

all.
    When they were done, they sat and watched the countryside go by outside the window. Clint ordered more coffee, decided not to ask the girls any more questions for the time being.
    Instead, the girls began to ask him questions about the United States, which he answered as best he could. They also wanted to know about what they called “the Wild West.” During that conversation, realization dawned on Bridget, and Clint saw it on her face.
    â€œBut wait . . .” she said.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œYou said your name is Clint Adams?”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œWhat is it, sister?” Bride asked.
    Bridget looked back at her sister and said, “Clint Adams, Bride. We have heard stories of him.”
    Then, suddenly, it also dawned on Bride.
    â€œYou mean . . . the Gunsmith?”
    Both girls turned their heads and looked at Clint in awe.
    â€œI hope this won’t change our relationship in any way,” he said to them.
    It was difficult for the girls to talk to him after that, so he paid the bill for the food and escorted them back to their compartment.
    â€œGet a good night’s rest,” he said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
    They both nodded. He closed the door and went to his own compartment. This time when he got inside, he removed his boots and rubbed his feet. He stared out his own window for a time, and then somebody knocked on his door.
    When he slid the door open, Bridget stood there.
    â€œMay I come in?”
    â€œIf it’s all right with you, it’s all right with me,” he said. “I can leave the door open.”
    â€œI believe I can trust you,” she said. “After all, you are a legend.”
    â€œCome in.”
    She entered and he closed the door. He waved her to the seat he had just vacated, by the window. He sat on his berth.
    â€œMy sister and I are sorry we did not recognize you immediately,” she said. “We are sorry we questioned you.”
    â€œIt makes sense to be careful,” he said. “That’s all you were doing.”
    â€œWe’re honored that Mr. O’Neil sent such an important man to escort us to him.”
    â€œLike I said,” he replied, “Ed and I are friends.”
    â€œThen I am more impressed with him than I already was.”
    â€œTell me,” Clint said, “how did Ed and your sister first meet?”
    â€œThrough the mail. Mr. O’Neil still has family in Ireland. When it became known he was looking for a wife, Bridget and I stepped forward. We both exchanged letters with him. He chose her.”
    â€œIs that all right with you?” Clint asked. “That he chose your sister over you?”
    â€œIt didn’t matter which one of us he chose,” she said. “We knew we would both come to this country.”
    â€œSo you’re happy the way it worked out?” Clint asked.
    â€œLet us say we are satisfied.”
    â€œWell,” Clint said, “if you’re satisfied, so am I.”
    She nodded, and stood. She stared at him for a moment, wet her lips. He looked at her freckled skin, saw that her chest was heaving. She was breathing heavily.
    â€œAre you all right?” he asked.
    â€œI am . . . fine,” she said. “I just wanted to apologize to you.”
    â€œAnd you have,” Clint said. “Now why don’t you go and get some rest.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWe have a few more days of rail travel—we’ll switch trains once—before we get to the point where we will switch to wagon travel.”
    â€œIs it still possible to go on horseback? My sister and I are good riders.”
    â€œWe can discuss that when the time comes,” Clint told her.
    â€œVery well. Good night, then.”
    He opened the door for her, watched her walk to her own room and enter. For a moment he thought she might try to seduce him, but maybe she didn’t know how.
    Or