The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection Read Free Page B

a Boston-bound train, and Chandler Dodd stoodbeside the porter with his money clip in hand. She pushed her way inside the train station. Fewer people populated the building than the platforms, and they moved about in a more orderly fashion. Still, the sounds and smells competed with the occasional roar of a train whistle to make Gennie feel genuinely less than well.
    And then there was the kiss. She touched her lips with her gloved hand and closed her eyes. Chandler Dodd had certainly given her something to think about on her trip west. He’d also given her a good reason to come home once her adventure ended.
    “Take care of her,” she heard the banker say. He was moving her direction.
    Gennie opened her eyes. Fiona cowered at her side, her face a mask of fear. “It’s going to be fine,” Gennie whispered. “Do you see your sister?”
    The maid nodded. “Over there, miss.” She pointed through the crowd. Any of several women could have been Fiona’s sister. Under the circumstances, Gennie decided not to ask which one.
    She leaned toward the maid. “Go tell her what is about to happen, then wait for my signal. I’ll handle Mr. Dodd.”
    Fiona’s eyes went wide. “Are you certain?”
    “Go.”
    Gennie watched the maid weave through the crowd and embrace a slender woman, then point in her direction. She forced her attention back on Chandler and the trunks she must retrieve once he left. He stopped by her side, the porter on his heels.
    “Oh, yes sir.” The porter folded a thick wad of cash and stuffed it into his vest pocket. “Glad to do it, sir. I’d best get her seated before the train leaves without us both.”
    “I’ve paid you enough to see that I get a few moments alone with Miss Cooper.” Chandler reached for Gennie’s elbow but did not quite meet her gaze. “If you’ll excuse us.”
    The porter grinned and nodded as he headed for her trunks.
    “Wait,” Gennie called. “Don’t take them yet.”
    “But…” He looked at Chandler, who nodded. “Yes ma’am.”
    Gennie allowed the banker to lead her to a quiet corner, if anything in that madhouse could be called quiet. When she saw Chandler’s face, Gennie’s fear at the possibility he might kiss her again was quickly replaced by the thought he might not.
    “Something wrong?” she asked. “You’re wearing a frightful expression.”
    “Am I?” He shook his head, concern etching his brow, then began to pace, a difficult prospect considering the people streaming past. Finally, he stopped and stood before her. “I’ve let your father down.”
    The statement stunned her, but the emotion Chandler showed surprised her more. “Whatever are you talking about, Mr. Dodd?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Fiona and her sister watching them. “You’ve seen me safely to the train station. I understand completely that you must leave. You’re a busy—”
    “No, you don’t understand.” Chandler grasped her shoulders and turned her toward him. “I failed to keep you safe…from myself. My behavior in the carriage was reprehensible.” He hung his head. “I don’t know what happens when I’m near you, Miss Cooper. It’s as if I take leave of my senses.”
    She might have laughed had the banker not looked so distraught. Instead, she offered a genuine smile. “I assure you I have never felt as safe as I do at this moment. And if it is the kiss to which you are referring, I must warn you that offering your regrets would offend me. You’re not about to do that, are you?”
    Chandler’s worried look quickly shifted to a smile as he leaned closer. “I would rather die than offend a beautiful woman such as yourself.In fact, were we not in such a public forum, I might risk stealing another.”
    Gennie touched a hand to her throat while warmth crept into her cheeks. Where had this side of the staid banker been hiding? “Why, Mr. Dodd, this is all quite unexpected.”
    A train whistle blew, and the porter called for stragglers to board.