Anyplace But Here (Oklahoma Lovers 4)

He blew out a deep breath. “I filed a report, but from the way the officer smirked at me I’m sure he thought we had some type of a falling out and she left town.”

“But you don’t think so.”

“No,” he snapped. “And what I do think has me scared to death.”

Jesse put the newspaper aside and glanced at Tori. “Care to explain that to us, son?”

Emily opened her eyes and blinked as sunlight streamed through the small window, unsure for the moment where she was. She was lying in a narrow bed that was moving.

Moving?

She groaned as her memory returned, along with an overwhelming sense of dread. Louis had found her. Not only had he found her, but had promised to make a scene if she didn’t turn around from the table where he sat and immediately leave the restaurant through the back door where he would meet her.

Defying him would have not only resulted in an embarrassing scene, but useless since no one was likely to help when they learned he was her husband. Wives had no rights.

She shuddered as her mind drifted back to the scene the night before.

With her heart pounding so hard it had almost made her sick, she had turned and left the restaurant building. She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when Louis yanked her arm from behind and whispered to her. “I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry you will be for this.”

Her knees buckled and he all but dragged her to a waiting taxi, one of the new vehicles recently seen on Guthrie streets. He shoved her into the automobile and instructed the driver to take them to Oklahoma City.

“I have my things at the boardinghouse.” A truly foolish thing to say, but maybe if she was able to return there she could leave a note for Hunter.

“Your things can just stay at the boardinghouse.” Louis turned and looked out the window, his elbow resting on the hand rest, two fingers cupping his chin. He remained in that position for the two hour drive from Guthrie to Oklahoma City. The fare must have cost him a fortune.

When they reached the train platform, he instructed her to sit while he picked up the tickets he had ordered through the mail. Feeling rather conspicuous in her Harvey House uniform, she remained in the spot he’d left her, knowing trying to escape was pointless. She had no money and knew no one in Oklahoma City.

He’d returned and sat tapping his foot until the train chugged into the station. By this time she’d been covered with a fine sheen of sweat and her churning stomach threatened to relieve itself of her last meal. The numbness she’d felt since she saw Louis sitting there in the restaurant, smiling at her as if he were just another customer, had begun to wear off.

As if her situation could get any worse, thoughts of Hunter, and what he would think when she disappeared, had her gripping her stomach.

“All aboard!” the conductor had called, walking up and down the platform. Louis had grabbed her elbow none too gently and hustled her up the stairs, down an aisle, and to the sleeping car area. He’d unlocked a door, shoved her in, and left.

She hadn’t seen him since.

Her heart jumped as a key rattled in the door. The portal opened and Louis stumbled in. His eyes were bloodshot, his impeccable suit a wrinkled mess. He reeked of alcohol and tobacco. “Well, well, w

ell. If it isn’t my devoted wife, lying right here waiting for me. Anxious for my return, I’m sure.”

He tossed a small key onto the counter and looked at her from the mirror over the tiny sink. “Have I told you how delighted I am to have found you?” When she didn’t answer, he continued, “Surely you must know how much your loving husband missed you?”

“Louis, why did you come after me? You don’t love me, in fact you probably despise me.”

He made a tsking sound. “Of course I love you, Emily, dear. I love to watch you cower and whine when I discipline you. I love to hear your voice shake when you talk to me. I love how you spy on your friends and give me information so I can keep stealing from them.” He suddenly spun and grabbed her by her chin, yanking her off the bed. “But most of all I love how you belong to me. Me. Just me.”

He released her, shoving her backward until she fell on the bed, striking the wall behind her. “Take that ridiculous uniform off.”

“I don’t have anything else to wear.”

“What a pity. You’ll just have to stay in this lovely room wrapped in a sheet then, won’t you?”

“How will I leave the train? In my underclothes?”

She jerked her head back as he raised his arm to strike her, but at the last moment he lowered his hand. “No, Emily, dear. I won’t discipline you now. I want you to walk off the train in one piece, smiling, laughing, and for all the world to see, enjoying a stroll from the train to our driver with your devoted husband at your side.

“Now remove that damn uniform before I rip it off. You can lie around in your underclothes for all I care, but I don’t want to see that piece of garbage until we must leave the train. When we get home, you will burn it.”

Emily removed the uniform and placed it on the bed. After shrugging out of his jacket, Louis removed his shirt and pants, and climbed onto the top bunk in the room.