The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection Read Free Page A

Fiona had been loaded as well, most likely up beside the driver.
    This certainly complicated her plan and left her with a difficult choice. Should she make a scene like Mae Winslow would have done, or give up her plan? Gennie decided to try a third option: using her rusty feminine wiles.
    “Really, Mr. Dodd,” she finally managed. “This isn’t necessary. You’re a busy and important man, and the train station will be crawling with persons of unknown ilk. Besides, the driver is here to assist us.” Shestarted to rise, but the carriage bolted forward, sending her tumbling back onto the seat. “Oh my,” she squeaked.
    “I insist.” The banker’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes as he tipped his hat. “I promised your father I would look after you in his absence. In fact, it was for that very reason Simmons suggested I accompany you to the train station.”
    Gennie grasped the seat to keep herself in place when the carriage turned the corner. “Yes, well, honestly, Mr. Dodd, I really don’t mind tending to myself today. I’ve been looking forward to visiting my destination for some time now. In fact—”
    “And speaking of absences,” Chandler said as if he hadn’t heard a word except his own, “you were missed this morning at the Vanowen party.” His dark brows gathered above his nose. “Are you unwell? Your note was a bit vague.”
    “Vague.” She stared out at the passing scenery until her stomach complained. “I didn’t want to burden you with a woman’s silliness.”
    “Nonsense. I adore you, Eugenia. You know your father and I have spoken on more than one occasion of the great possibility that I might—”
    Gennie lurched forward and began to cough, hoping to distract him. When she felt she’d accomplished her goal, she leaned back and covered the lower half of her face with her cloak.
    “Forgive me,” she said through the muffling layers. “I’m so looking forward to fresh air and open spaces.”
    He arched a dark brow. “In Boston?”
    She was saved by a commotion outside the carriage, which temporarily directed his attention away from her. When he looked back at her, she lowered her lashes. “Forgive me,” she said again, “but would you mind terribly if I rested my eyes a moment? I’m awfully tired.”
    “Of course.” He shifted positions to face her. “Rest while you can. The trip ahead is a long one.”
    He had no idea.
    The carriage soon arrived at the edge of what could only be called a mob scene. While the mass of people seemed intimidating, Gennie felt her courage soar. The train for Denver awaited.
    “That settles it,” Chandler said. “A lady of your caliber has no place among this. There’s nothing to be done about it. You’ll just have to postpone the trip until Father can make arrangements for his rail car to be brought up.”
    “No!” The force with which she made the statement stunned them both. She offered a smile and lowered her lashes again. “That is, I couldn’t bear to think of departing at a later date. That would mean our reunion would take place later rather than sooner.” She lifted her gaze and one corner of her mouth, hoping for a shy, demure expression. “And I couldn’t bear that either, Mr. Dodd.”
    “Do you mean it?”
    The look in Chandler’s eyes took her off guard. Had her ruse worked too well? Perhaps a bit of backtracking was in order. “I…well, that is—”
    “Say no more, Miss Cooper.” He leaned forward to envelop her in an embrace and then, to her astonishment, kissed her.
    Gennie blinked hard as the world tilted, then righted itself once more. “Oh my,” she managed through greatly shortened breath. “That was unexpected.”
    She spoke to an empty carriage, however, for Chandler had already jumped out and busied himself with her trunks. Gennie suspected the flush in his cheeks was not from the exertion of hauling her luggage.
    By the time she climbed out of the carriage, her trunk sat atop a pile of luggage beside