Page 96 of A Forgotten Heart
His breath hitched. He was doing the right thing, but a sudden shot of nerves nipped at his stomach. “Fine. I need to speak with Elsie.”
The corners of her mouth tipped into a knowing smile. “It’s about time. She hopped on the train?—”
The whistle blew again, cutting off her words. His horse pranced beneath him.
If Elsie was on the train, did that mean she’d gotten engaged?
Not in front of the preacher.
Drew’s words ran through his mind. He’d come this far—he wasn’t giving up. He hopped off Surrey and tossed the reins to Merritt. “Can you tie him up?”
He didn’t wait for her answer but took the steps to the platform two at a time.
The train whistle signaled its final shrill.
A few stragglers got on the train, and several folks were headed off away from it. He was striding toward the nearest door to hop on when he caught sight of a familiar shock of blonde hair.
Elsie.
Standing on the platform. Not on the train. Her beau leaned down and kissed her cheek, and Nick’s gut twisted—but the man waved and left her on the platform as the train chugged away.
Determination rose and he took a deep breath.Don’t give up.
He started toward her, but before he could call her name, a shadowy figure looped his arm around Elsie from behind.
Nick stiffened. Who…
Passing light fell from the window of the last car, flashing over the man’s face.
Quade.
Nick’s gut seized.
“Get help!” he shouted to the station attendant.
His legs pumped as he tore across the platform.
Quade dragged Elsie off the platform.
No!
Nick followed close enough to see they’d jumped into an empty freighter wagon.
He stumbled to a stop at the edge of the platform. Inside the wagon, Quade held Elsie in front of him, a revolver against her heart.
Tears sparkled on Elsie’s lashes. She looked like she was holding her breath.
Raw anger twisted inside Nick.
Quade stared at him, silently daring Nick to do something.
He was barely recognizable. His usually impeccable suit was rumpled. His stained hat—askew. His face lined. But it was his eyes that frightened Nick. A look that said only one of them was going to live through this.
Nick quickly vowed that he would do whatever it took to save Elsie.
Quade’s glare skittered toward a noise from nearby?—
Nick surged from the platform toward the wagon. He collided into Quade, and his momentum knocked both of them out of the wagon bed. They landed on the muddy ground with a thud that jarred Nick’s shoulder so painfully he saw stars.
