“Don’t bother.”
She closed her eyes. The annoying stranger’s voice irritated her ears.
“It’s a stupid and crazy idea. Even if you’re able to get a train ticket, it would be far too dangerous for a woman by herself.”
“Will you please leave me alone, and go about your own business?” Tori stood and dusted off her dress. She needed to leave this man’s presence and be rid of him.
With a bright smile, she nodded to the other man. “Thank you so much for the information, sir. I appreciate your help.”
She turned to glare at the exasperating man, who stood off to the side, grinning. With white-knuckled fingers, she hiked her skirt to reveal dirt-trodden boots. Tori tossed him a raised brow and stalked back to the wagon.
Thoughts in a whirl, she made plans. If she took the train, it would be safer than racing on a horse alongside a bunch of men like a wild woman. With a determined nod, she rummaged through the wagon to find a set of Michael's clothes. As soon as Rachel appeared, she could get herself bound and ready for a train ride. Her heart pumped with excitement. Going by train would be so much easier!
Chapter 2
“Once the race has started, it will be easier and cheaper to get the wagon wheel fixed.” Tori spoke over her shoulder to Michael as she continued to pack her bag.
“Will you come back then? After the race, I mean.” He stepped closer, and she wanted to hug him. Would he allow that indulgence?
“No. You and the others will make the trip to Guthrie with the wagon. I’ve talked to a few people, and that’s one of the places expected to be a main town. A railroad station’s been there for a while.” She spotted a jacket, grabbed it, and shoved it into the bag.
“How are you going to survive until we get there?”
Now where did she put her extra pair of spectacles? She glanced at Michael. “I’m taking a small tent, bedroll, and food and water for a couple days. I have to stay on the lot we claim to make sure no one else takes it. Once you all arrive, I can go to the Land Office and register it in my name.”
“This gets worse all the time. Out in the open by yourself in a tent? I don’t like it.” Michael’s face flushed.
She patted his arm. “I’ll be fine. You’ll be fine. I’m leaving the rifle here with you, just in case.”
“Just in case.” He frowned. “And what ‘just in case’ weapon will you have?”
Tori waved a small pistol before shoving it into the belt holding up her pants, wincing when the cold metal hit her warm skin. “Michael, we’ve been over this. I have no choice. The wagon’s still crippled, and we’ve come too far to give up now. Please don’t worry. I’ll look like another one of the men.”
He widened his stance, hands resting on his hips. “I still think I should make the run and you go with the others.”
How she loved this boy. “We can’t do it that way. The age requirement is twenty-one, and you’ll never pass. I want everything to be legal, so there’s no question. We can’t afford to take a chance. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hugged him fiercely, and grabbed her bag.
“Ouch!” Tori held onto her hat with both hands and snarled at the man who’d crashed into her. The wagon area had been crowded, but nothing compared to the mob pushing and shoving at the train station. From the throng of people packed together, it appeared thousands were taking the train.
She’d stood for over an hour to get a ticket. Her breasts were so tightly bound, black dots flashed in her eyes, and she had long since given up on taking a deep breath. The bright sun beat down on her unmercifully, and sweat ran down her spine, gathering under her arms. She repeatedly wiped her forehead.
With the swarm of people crammed together, the resulting stench made her eyes water and her stomach roll. But she didn’t intend to give up her place on the platform. She needed to get on that train for her family.
The scream of the train whistle finally sounded. Tension filled the air as it got close to boarding time. The restless crowd moved forward. Large doors slid open, and a swell of bodies pushed forward. She was carried along by the crowd. Not one other woman came into view, but there was always the chance other women dressed as men, too.
After being pushed, shoved, stepped on, and elbowed in the ribs, she finally made it on the train, and once again the crowd carried her forward. She ended up pressed against a window. Unable to take a full breath, the black dots flashed before her eyes again. A sweaty man who reeked of stale tobacco reached over her head and pushed up the window. Fresh air rushed in, cooling her skin and settling her stomach. Still squashed, at least she could breathe; as much as her bindings would allow, anyway. It would be a long trip.
Men had been leaping off the train ever since they’d crossed into Indian Territory. The train made several stops, but those anxious to get off beforehand simply jumped from their place on the roof.
The ticket seller in Arkansas City said the train would be going fifteen miles an hour, so as not to give passengers an advantage over the horses and wagons. Even with the low speed, several jumpers were so stunned after landing, they didn’t get up right away. She craned her neck to see if they were okay, but the train continued on before most of them recovered.
If she had no desire to get close to a man before, this trip convinced her what vile creatures they were. If one more man scratched his privates or lifted his noxious arm in the air, she would scream. No point in fainting, she’d end up slumped against another smelly man. The one towering over her and breathing down her neck reeked of liquor. She kept sticking her head out the window, but soon pulled it back when smoke from the engine made her eyes water.
From the sun’s position, she assumed it to be about one o’clock in the afternoon when the train reached Guthrie. The mad rush to get off commenced. Shoved backward, Tori’s head smacked the window. Pain shot through her. She shook her head to clear it. Passengers squeezed through the windows and fell to the ground. Still pressed against the glass, she made a quick decision as she glanced around at all the large men. Being smaller, the window might be her best mode of exit.
She managed to maneuver herself so she faced the opening. One knee up, she twisted her body and inched her other knee to the ledge, swinging both legs over. The drop down was perilous. Not a good idea. Her stomach clenched and she attempted to get back through, but the crush of bodies prevented her. A surge of panic filled her. She couldn’t just sit perched on ledge until the train emptied.
“Just go, buddy,” someone behind her grumbled, then large palms flattened between her shoulder blades, and pushed. She hurled through the air, arms flaying. She hit the ground with a grunt, breathless. The gun in her belt went off, but the shot missed her leg, and the bullet exited her pants at her bent knee, leaving a smoky hole