Chapter Thirteen

"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to make promises you can't keep? You can't possibly know the outcome of whatever is about to take place, nor can you guarantee my safety." Luna strained to see the outlaws in the car ahead of theirs. They motioned for the porter there to join the one from their car and continued marching the railroad men forward. The train was stopped on a curve and she couldn't see the engine, but she wondered if the men with the masks hiding their faces intended to rob the train.

"I can keep the promise that I'll do everything in my power to protect you, Luna. Trust in that and in me." Hunter gave her a long look that made her want to squirm in her seat. She tugged her gaze from his and stared outside, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening in the cars ahead of them.

Up until that moment, she'd been having such an enjoyable, memorable day. Granted, the restaurant food hadn't been nearly as good as Caterina's, but being with Hunter had added a special, wonderful flavor to not only the food but also the whole experience. He'd made everything more fun and exciting just by being there with her.

Luna had felt guilty about Caterina asking him to accompany her but not guilty enough to refuse to go. Hunter had more work to do than he could possibly finish in a given day, yet he'd set aside everything to spend the day with her on an adventure, and now that adventure was about to end with a … well, Luna wasn't exactly sure what was happening in the cars ahead of them, but she had a good idea.

"They are robbing the train, aren't they?" Luna asked quietly.

Hunter nodded. "I believe that is their intent. It's like something from the dime novels Jeff likes to read. I never thought I'd actually be on a train that got held up by a gang of outlaws."

"Did you see them when they boarded? They looked like a rather rough lot, didn't they?"

Hunter nodded in agreement. "They didn't appear to be the type to serve as church deacons, that's for sure."

In spite of the circumstances, Luna grinned. "I bet Pastor Whitting could give them some food for thought, though."

"He likely could." Hunter took Luna's hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Under normal circumstances, she would have pulled her hand away based solely on propriety. At the moment, however, it felt too good and comforting to have Hunter's work-roughened hand encircling hers.

Luna leaned a little closer to Hunter and whispered. "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked, keeping his voice low. The timbre of it made something warm glide through her, like sunlight gliding through a jar of honey.

"For being a good friend."

"That is entirely my pleasure, Luna. I hope you know that I—"

Whatever he might have said was lost when two of the outlaws strolled into the car carrying a sack.

"Empty your pockets, or I'll blow your head off," one of the outlaws shouted to a man seated in the front row ahead of Hunter and Luna.

The man dropped something in their sack, and the two men moved past a middle-aged man who appeared to be sleeping and pointed a gun in the face of a well-dressed woman. Before they said anything, she dropped her reticule into their sack, then slumped against the seat, cowering away from them.

"Thanks, lady," the smaller of the two men said and moved on to the next victim.

Luna's eyes widened as she watched the man who was supposedly asleep rise to his feet, gun drawn, a shiny star pinned to his vest. The sheriff shot twice at the back of the bigger of the two outlaws. The bullets found their mark, evidenced by the blood that suddenly soaked the front of the thief's shirt.

Both outlaws spun around, and Luna heard more gunfire, although she squeezed her eyes and ducked down to block out the gun battle playing out near their seat.

The sheriff's weapon of choice was an old six-shooter with black powder cartridges, and each shot fired added to the smoke filling the car. More shots rang out, followed by a loud thump, a yelp, and the sound of running footsteps, then a door slamming. Luna heard someone calling out to run, then all grew oddly, eerily quiet.

It wasn't until she tried to sit up to get a better look around that she realized Hunter was shielding her with his body positioned over hers.

"I think it's over," she said and gently pushed against Hunter's chest.

He sat up and gave her a concerned once-over, as though he needed to confirm she was whole and unharmed. "I'm fine, Hunter. I'm fine."

Hunter released a long breath, and then joined her in surveying the occupants of the car. In the aisle next to them was the body of the bigger outlaw. Luna blocked out the vision of the deceased outlaw and looked over at the sheriff, his form now visible as the smoke disappeared out the open windows. The man's face was as white as a freshly laundered sheet as he slowly sank onto the nearest seat.

Hunter jumped up, stepping over the dead outlaw to reach the sheriff. He glanced around the car. "Is there a doctor or nurse onboard?" he asked.

When no one responded, Hunter took out his handkerchief and pressed it to a bleeding wound high on the sheriff's chest.

"Reckon my pencil case saved my life," the sheriff said, taking the aforementioned case from his pocket and staring at its newly acquired bullet hole in shocked wonder.

Hunter gave Luna a hopeless look, one that appeared pleading, as he attempted to see to the sheriff's wounds. He had a wound in his chest and one on his hip that had started leaking blood as well.

Part of Luna wanted to crawl under the seats and hide. The shots and the smell of the black powder, along with the terror and fear, all washed over her, threatening to drag her into a dark, raging current from which she wouldn't be able to escape.

Rather than surrender to it, she closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, blew it out slowly, then opened her eyes, aware Hunter could use her assistance. The fact that she was needed helped her to push the blackness away and focus on the moment.

Luna rose to her feet and walked to the small washroom at the back of the car. There, she found a few towels and hurried back to Hunter with them.

"Here. Use these," she said, handing him the towels, observing as he pressed them against the man's bleeding wounds.

"Thank you, miss," the sheriff said as a fine sheen of sweat broke out on his brow.

Luna rushed back to the washroom and dampened a towel with the tepid water. She returned to the sheriff's side and dabbed at his brow. She and Hunter were attending to him as best they could, especially with the dead outlaw's body in the aisle and blood pooling around him. The door to their car opened. Everyone sucked in a gasp until they realized it was the conductor of the train.

"We've got to move before the brakes give out. Everyone out of this car and into whatever seat you can find on one of the others. Move quickly."

People rushed to gather their things and enter the car ahead of them. A porter and Hunter managed to move the sheriff to a Pullman car, where a berth was quickly made ready for him. A nurse was found in one of the other cars, and she came to tend to the sheriff.

The car they'd vacated was closed and locked to keep everyone away from the dead outlaw as the train resumed its journey.

Luna sank into a seat and felt the warmth of Hunter's presence beside her. His clothes and hands were smeared with the sheriff's blood. It wasn't until that moment Luna realized she had blood on her clothes, and her hands were hardly any cleaner than Hunter's.

"We need to wash up," Hunter said, motioning for her to stand. He led the way to the washroom and stood guard while she washed her hands and face, then he washed up as best he could, and they returned to their seats.

"This is not exactly how I envisioned our journey home," he said, giving her a tired grin as his head rested against the back of the seat. He'd lost his hat somewhere in the chaos. It was likely on the floor of the car they'd vacated, probably covered in blood.

"It is not the kind of adventure I was anticipating," she said, boldly taking his hand between hers and giving it a tight squeeze. "Thank you for protecting me, Hunter. I'm grateful and a little … awed by what you did."

He shrugged as though he used his body as a human shield every day. "You're welcome, Luna. I told you I'd do everything in my power to keep you safe, and I meant it."

"I realize that now. Again, my thanks to you."

Hunter shifted so his hand held both of hers. "I'm so proud of you, Luna. You jumped right in and helped make the sheriff more comfortable. I know the situation had to be more than trying for you."

"Thank you. I felt the darkness closing in, as it tends to do sometimes, but knowing the worst was over and there was something I could do to be useful helped."

Hunter nodded, then kissed her fingers. "You are something else, Luna Campanelli. I really am incredibly proud of you and amazed by your strength."

She blushed, embarrassed by his praise when she felt so undeserving of it. "You're the one who stepped in to help the sheriff until a nurse was located. Do you think he'll recover?"

"Absolutely. Angels were keeping close watch over him. If that bullet hadn't hit his pencil case, he'd likely be in the car behind us with the outlaw." Hunter closed his eyes but continued holding Luna's hand. "We might as well try to get some rest. When we get to Pendleton, I have a feeling it will be a long while before we can go home. Kade, Lars, and whoever is available will likely interview all the passengers and take statements. Someone from the newspaper will probably be on hand too."

Luna sighed, not looking forward to what awaited them, but followed Hunter's advice. She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. Before she knew it, the train was braking to a stop at the Pendleton Depot. A crowd waited for them, including Nik Nash with an ambulance for the sheriff.

The conductor stepped into their car long enough to tell them the authorities wanted everyone to remain seated until they'd given their statements to the police.

Kade and Lars entered the car and spoke with the sheriff, then Lars helped Nik move him onto a stretcher and carry him to the ambulance while Kade began interviewing passengers. Luna saw Lars return and step into the car where the dead outlaw's body had traveled the rest of the way to Pendleton.

When Kade reached their seats, he gave Luna a shocked look, as though he hadn't expected to see them there. "Are you two well?"

Hunter glanced at Luna, and she nodded. "We are, Kade."

"Good. That's good." The deputy glanced down and saw the blood on their clothes, and his face paled. His voice held concern as he reached a hand out to Luna. "Are either of you injured? Little Luna, are you hurt?"

"We're fine, Kade. Just exhausted. Hunter helped the sheriff after he was shot. I got towels for him. We were in the car where the shoot-out took place." Luna took his hand and stood, finding her legs felt unsteady.

Kade placed a big, warm hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "I'm glad you both escaped unscathed. Can you tell me exactly what you remember?"

Luna and Hunter relayed all the details they could recall, then Kade told them they were free to go.

Hunter helped Luna down the aisle and off the train. They'd only taken a few steps when Quinn Williams caught them and began asking questions for a newspaper article.

It took another thirty minutes before Quinn thanked them and went in search of more people to interview.

Weary beyond belief, Luna was grateful Hunter had driven to the depot. He helped her into his car, drove her to Tony and Ilsa's home, and walked her to the front door.

"Today has been an unforgettable adventure," he said with a sardonic grin.

"That it has, Hunter. If I had to go through this experience, I'm glad it was with you."

"Me too, Luna Moona." He took both of her hands in his and boldly kissed her cheek.

Before she could rebuke him for using such a silly name, scold him for kissing her, or abandon all propriety and pull his lips to hers, he winked at her, rushed down the steps, and waved. She watched him start his car, then zoom down the street and out of sight.

No one was home, so Luna went upstairs, took a cool, refreshing bath, and let the events of the day play out in her head.

It wasn't until later that evening, when she'd settled into bed, that the full realization of what they'd survived hit her. At any moment, she or Hunter could have been killed, but they hadn't been.

Luna climbed out of bed, fell to her knees, and offered her thanks to God for his care and keeping. When she finished her prayers, she climbed back between the crisp sheets, closed her eyes, and fell asleep thinking not of death and blood, but of Hunter's sweet kiss on her cheek and his teasing grin. She really wouldn't mind if he referred to her as Luna Moona again, either.