The Iron Horseman by Kelli Ann Morgan

and
turned about on the floor, apparently trying to find a comfortable position to
sleep. She quickly set the gun on the table.
    “What
on earth are you doing?” she asked with wonder. How a man his size could fit in
a hall that small was something to consider.
    Levi
glanced up at her, still holding the pillow at his ear.
    Cadence
couldn’t help the giggle that spilled out into the air.
    “I’m
sorry, Mr. Redbourne. I seem to have taken your bed.” The words sounded more
brazen than she’d intended. “I mean, I hate for you to sleep on the ground. In
the hall. Isn’t there somewhere else you’d rather be?”
    Levi
raised an eyebrow.
    Shut
up, Cadence Walker! she commanded. Maybe she could start over. She slammed the door shut, took
another deep breath, and counted to three.
    His
deep, rich laugh penetrated the door and she could feel the heat stain her ears
and face. When she mustered the courage to peek out again, Levi sat with his
back against the wall, knees bent, and he leaned against the doorframe with his
pillow.
    “Go
to sleep,” Levi said huskily, without looking up.
    She
waited a moment. “Goodnight,” she said as she quietly closed the door behind
her.
    How
am I supposed to get any sleep now?
     

     
    Levi awoke with a jolt as the locomotive’s
wheels squealed against the tracks.
    “Not
again,” he muttered under his breath, scrunching his eyes as if he could will
them to stay closed and force sleep. His back hurt, his legs cramped, and he’d
scarce slept a wink, but he could not make himself wake fully to the day. Even through
closed lids, the light of morning penetrated the darkness through the window in
the door at the far end of the compartment.
    The
train shook, a soft rumble in the background of his restless sleep.
    Thwak!
    Levi’s
body slammed against the opposite wall of the hallway. His eyes flew open.
Metal bars, knobs, or other objects jarred into his ribs and his bad knee
knocked against something hard, causing a shock of pain to shoot through his
entire leg. His blanket and pillow danced midair as he tumbled with the
contents of the car. The assault lasted no more than a few seconds, but
finally, he gained enough wits about him to thrust his hands forward in an
attempt to brace himself between the walls. The moment he felt like he’d gained
enough of a footing to avoid further injury, the force of another impact threw
him again, this time into the door handle of his sleeping compartment, which
jammed mightily into his ribcage and sucked his breath from his lungs.
    It
stopped with a final lurch and he dropped to the ground. Everything around him
was filled with absolute silence lasting mere moments before distant calls of
alarm sounded outside. Levi gingerly pried himself from the wall, which in all
the mayhem had become the floor.
    Cadence.
    His
thoughts immediately turned to the woman on the other side of the door. There
was no telling how much damage had been done or what dangers still remained for
them if they remained inside. He cautiously eased his way up onto his knees,
though one still smarted from a blow, and managed to crawl back to the door of
the sleeping compartment. He twisted the handle and it fell open with ease.
    “Miss
Walker?” he called inside as he peered down into the small room. The mattresses
from the bunks lay askew. Blankets and bedding had been tossed everywhere in
disarray, but he couldn’t see her. “Cadence!” he boomed loudly this time.
    “I’m
here,” a muffled call penetrated the chaos of the layers of pillows and
bedcovers. Her head appeared from somewhere inside the mess.
    Levi
turned onto his back and placed his hand over his chest. Pain emanated from his
legs and side. He’d been lucky he hadn’t hit his head. He tried to sit, but the
pain in his side made it hurt to breathe.
    “Are
you all right?” he asked through forced breaths as he pushed himself over and
up onto his aching knees.
    “I’d
be better if someone would lend me a