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Evangeline Rook stared out the window clutching her pocket watch in left had as the train rolled on. Ten minutes late. Rook was a woman who attempted to account for all possibilities. She liked to plan things out. She liked knowing all the things that could go wrong so she could be prepared. And while something so simple as being a few minutes late wouldn’t change anything, she knew it was the things you didn’t account for that could get you killed out in the west.
As she watched the trees go by, she heard a gruff, “Stop it!”
Her head jerked up to see the large man on the opposite side of the aisle staring directly at her. She found herself caught in his intense blue gaze.
She tilted her head quizzically at him before glancing down. Her eyes widened as she realized that she had been tapping her nails against the wooden seat.
“My apologies,” she muttered demurely. “I suppose traveling alone has left me quite nervous.”
The man grunted before responding, “And what is a small thing like you traveling this far west unaccompanied? The west isn’t forgiven to the weak and unprepared, especially women traveling alone.”
Rook resisted the urge to scoff. It was a sentiment she knew all too well. She smoothed out her skirt before replying, “I suppose I am out here searching for the same thing as everyone else, a better life.”
The man looked at her and rolled his eyes, “People come out here talking about searching for a better life and opportunities, but most aren’t willing to work for it. They expect opportunities to be handed to them as if they’re owed it for making the journey. The west isn’t for the weak. You have to fight for what you want out here, for survival. If you aren’t willing to do that, you best return now before you get chewed up and spit out.”
She took a moment to really examine him. He was an older man. His body spoke of hard manual labor. Perhaps he was a rancher? His clothes were worn, but not to the point of being tattered. His nose looked like it had been broken before, and he looked as if he had participated in a few brawls in his time. But his bright blue eyes shown as he talked, and he held the look of a man who was confident in his actions and words.
“I will be sure to keep that in mind, Mister-?”
“Jacob. Just call me Jacob.”
“Thank you for your advice, Mr. Jacob. But I assure you that I’m stronger than I look.”
He took a moment to examine her, but whatever opinion he came to he kept to himself.
“And what is it that you do out here?”
“Whatever is needed to survive.”
She frowned “That’s vague.”
He shrugged, “The west is constantly changing. You have to adapt, or you die out here.”
“Well that is the way of life, isn’t it? Human are constantly changing and adapting.”
“Some more than others. Society has gotten soft. The city folk have adapted and gotten used to living in comfort. They have forgotten what it is to be strong. They work for comfort. Out here you work for survival. There's no greater thrill.”
Something about this man intrigued her. He was arrogant, sure. But he was also straightforward in his attitude. She caught herself staring at his strong arms. She allowed herself a moment to fantasize what it would be like to have his large hands wrapped around her waist.
“And where are you headed next?”
“Wherever I can find work.”
Realizing that she would get no more out of the man, she glanced back toward the window before checking her pocket watch.
Just as she did, the train compartment door busted open. A man walked in, gun in hand and a bandana covering his face.
“Nobody move. Stay where you are and no one gets hurt.”
The passengers froze as the man slowly walked down the aisle.
She glanced at Jacob and could see his jaw clench. They made eye contact and she subtlety shook her head no.
Jacob turned his attention back to the man. As the man passed, Jacob tackling him to the ground. The man’s gun flew out of his hand and skidded across the floor.
Before Jacob could pull out his gun from his holster, he heard a gun cocking behind him.
“Honey, I suggest you drop your weapon slowly and head back to your seat before I have to put a bullet in the back of your pretty face. And I promise you, I’m faster than you think.”
Jacob made a show of reaching for his gun slowly and placing it on the floor before standing and turning to face Rook.
She a smile on her face and a Colt 45 pointed straight at him.
“Thank you, honey.” She said as she reached down to pick it up before pointing her gun in the direction of his seat. As Jacob sat down, she turned her attention to the man on the floor. “Peaches, get your ass up.”
The man scrambled to his gun before standing up and grumbling.
Rook turned to the passengers, “Okay, we’re gonna try this again. Peaches here is a sweetie, but I’m a little less forgiving. So, know that I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in to any one of you who want to play hero.”
Rook could feel Jacob’s intense glare on her.
“Peaches is gonna walk down the aisles and relieve you of the burdens of your wealth. Please be so kind as to accommodate as I’d hate to have to clean the blood off your valuables later.”
As Peaches made his way to Jacob, Rook smiled as she called out, “You too, pretty.”
The intensity of his stare didn’t dim. He emptied his pocket of the silver watch and a large purse of coins.
“Oh, it looks like you’ve done pretty well for yourself.” She said as she picked up the watch. She opened it and looked it over.
It was inscribed and looked like a gift from a Joseph and John Seed. Brothers, maybe? How sweet.
“You’re making a hell of a mistake, doll. You just don’t even know it.”
She looked up at him and grinned. “I’m just doing as you suggested. I’m taking charge of my life and creating those opportunities you talked about for myself. After all, I can’t expect things to just fall into place for me out here. So I see what I want, and I’m taking it.”
“Don’t think this is the end.” Jacob growled. “I will find you.”
Rook paused at his intensity for a moment before winking, “Now, Hon. Don’t go making promises you can’t keep.”
“I don’t.”
Peaches coughed and nodded to the compartment exit. “It’s time.”
“Well folks, it looks like our time is up, but it has been a pleasure.” She called out as they retreated to the exit. “Thank you for your cooperation, and you folks have yourselves a good day!”
Jacob watched as they left. They met up with another couple of men in the next compartment and disappeared out the back.
It was a few moments later before Jacob could see her and her accomplices ride off on horseback into the distance.
As he watched her go, he let out a slew of colorful curses.
“Sir,” a smaller man approached, “There are still women and children present.”
Jacob sent him a glare, and the man hurried to return to his wife and family.
That bitch, he thought. She played him for a fool. He was both impressed by her tenacity while also furious he had allowed himself to be taken advantage of and misled by a pretty face.
Jacob had been on his way home to his brothers after collecting on a bounty. The collection he had earned was enough to provide him some time of leisure before having to seek out more work.
Now he would have to track her down. He wouldn’t let himself be taken advantage of. Unlike her accomplices, he had seen her face. A pretty face like that was bound to draw attention.
He would find her. He would take back what was his. He would teach her not to take him as a fool.
She had just robbed the wrong bounty hunter.