Chapter Seven

It all happened so fast, leaving our home like thieves in the night. It meant, we couldn't take a lot. I even left our car behind, bequeathing it to Arnold after he drove us to the train station. It wasn't a great vehicle, fine for local transportation, but not so much to cross the country. My friend's suggestion to get as far away as possible was made come true by the fact that Fyn lived in the Pacific Northwest. He'd sent a few pictures of the area where his motel was located, and Thia and I were both very excited to explore our new home.

Once our baggage was loaded in the undercar storage, we boarded and made a new friend in a very friendly conductor who soon was showing us around, making sure Thia knew where the restrooms were, the dining car, the snack bar, the observation dome…everything. It was going to be a long journey for a little girl, especially one whose daddy could not afford a sleeping car. Fortunately, the seats were large enough for a little princess to sleep in, and even I was pretty darn comfortable with the footrests that popped up at the push of a button.

It didn't hurt that the train wasn't too terribly crowded, either. And the conductor kept coming by to make sure Thia was happy and comfortable. He even introduced us to the engineer at one stop, and my daughter had a moment of doubt on whether to be a fairy princess or a "train driver." When the engineer pointed out that his job did not come with a wand, she went back to her original plan. I often wondered what she would be when she grew up. Our stuck-in-the-past fluffle would have had her as much a baby-making machine as an omega. I just hadn't wanted to look at it until now.

Fresh from lunch that included a milkshake, which I might have refused her had I realized how big the sugar bomb was, my princess was twirling around the aisle. With only a few other occupied seats in the car, I wasn't too worried. We were on a particularly smooth section of track at the moment, and she had to let off steam at some point.

Out of nowhere, we hit a curve and Thia lost her balance and her wand went flying. She dove for it, just as it slid under the seat, tangling herself in the legs of the man sitting there. He jumped up with a start and glared down at my princess. She closed her fist around the wand and slithered back, wide, wary eyes turned up to the man.

I was on my feet just in time for another man to enter from the rear of the car. On our tour, the conductor had explained that the next car back was made up of private roomettes and bedrooms, even a suite or two, but he hadn't taken us back there because only those who'd reserved them were allowed.

I was about to push past the new traveler to get to my girl when he fixed himself in between the grouch and my little one. "Whoa, what is going on here?"

"What do you care?" snarled the grouch. "I don't know why people even bring kids on trains. They're nothing but noise and trouble. And she's not yours, anyway, so mind your own business."

Every bit of me was on alert, ready to throw myself over a seat to get to her, but the new traveler was helping her to her feet. "Come right this way, sweetheart. Is this your daddy?"

"Y-yes." She darted past him and flung herself into my arms.

Our hero turned his attention back on the other man who looked like he had more things to say that would either scare Thia or earn him a true tongue-lashing. I was rooting for the second but couldn't chance the first.

"Thank you for your help," I said, lifting my daughter into my arms. "We'll go sit farther away."

"You should do that," growled the grouch. "Before I call the conductor and report you for loud and annoying behavior." He wrinkled his nose and sneered. "You and the little brat."

As much as I wanted to hit him myself, I couldn't let this nice man end up thrown off the train for doing so. As he drew his arm back, I caught it and stopped him. "He's not worth it."

"No," said the man my daughter was watching with adoring eyes. "He isn't." His arm untensed, and I released it. "I don't know why they allow people like him on trains. Just to annoy the general populace, I suppose."

I half expected the grumpy one to lunge at him, but he was only brave enough to pick on small children, and he resumed his seat and stared out the window.

"I can't thank you enough." I held out my hand. "We are both grateful. "Right, princess?"

"T'ank you." Her return to the way she spoke when she was younger told me how the whole encounter had affected her and made me even angrier.

I didn't bring her all this way just to be retraumatized. I snapped my lips closed, not having intended to say anything about our past to this man who was just passing through, probably on his way to the dining car.

But he just shook my hand and then Thia's. "Listen, I was just going to get something to eat, but if you don't mind waiting a minute while I grab a sandwich to go, I have a bedroom suite in the next car, plenty of room for you two to be comfortable. I'll show you in and stay here in grumpy land."

"Oh no, I can't take your suite." This was really going above and beyond.

"Really it's fine. I don't mind at all, and your daughter doesn't need to be exposed to such negativity."

We went back and forth a couple of times before I insisted we all share the room. He disappeared out the front and then returned with his lunch. He'd offered to bring us something, but I told him we'd just eaten. He still carried a bag of warm cookies "to help untraumatize the princess."

As we were leaving the car, he said, "By the way, my name is Ripley."

"I'm Zeus."