Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
"Is this thief dangerous?" a passenger called out.
"Extremely," Zac answered, and turned his attention directly on Prudence.
"Apprehend him before he steels from us," yelled a woman.
Zac stopped a few seats in front of Prudence. "You have nothing to fear, ma'am. This thief steals but one thing and only from men."
"What's that?"
Prudence's brow rose considerably upon recognizing her father's voice.
Zac smiled and sent James an appreciative nod. "This thief stole a heart. Left it bruised and broken."
Granger stood up as though to protect Prudence when Zac stopped in front of their seat.
Zac shook his head over his petty demonstration of strength and shoved Granger back down into his seat, dismissing him without a second thought. He addressed Prudence in a voice that all could hear. "You have two choices, Prudence Agatha. You can serve a punishment or make amends."
"See here!" Granger tried again to defend.
"Shut up," Zac warned and poked Granger's chest roughly, pushing him back against the seat. The man stilled instantly.
Prudence's voice was strong, though it took much willpower to control the quiver that hid beneath. "What would be the punishment and what of the amends?"
He held her stare for a minute, and it was clear to Prudence that these terms would offer her only chance.
"Return to Boston alone, or stand up here now and declare your love for me."
Prudence felt the icy shiver down to the tips of her toes. She had placed herself in this position. There was no one to blame. She had forced the issue. He had come after her… had proven his love beyond a doubt. Now it was her turn… and the only one she would get.
She dropped her head a moment, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. It was now or never. She tugged on her gloves, adjusted her bonnet —Zac's favorite one —and stood up prim and proper before him.
Every eye on the train was focused on her. Her father and mother were turned around in their seats with smiles brightening their faces.
This wasn't how she had envisioned it. Zac would state his love for her and then she would do the same. She felt the sob lodge in her throat and cut off her voice. Her eyelids fluttered and tears tickled at her lashes.
"Damn!" Zac said, and his hand was instantly at her face, wiping the watery beads from her cheeks. "I love you, Prudence Agatha."
Prudence's eyes popped open wide, and she half sobbed, half cried out for all to hear, "I love you, Zac Stewart."
The train car burst into a loud and approving round of applause.
Zac grabbed Prudence around the waist and pulled her passed Granger to stand in the aisle before him. He bent down and, with a broad smile, kissed her soundly.
Another loud burst of applause carried throughout the car.
"Let's go home, Pru," Zac said, resting his forehead against hers to catch the breath that her kiss had robbed from him.
"Yes, let's go home," she agreed. Her voice was a shaky whisper.
She gave her mother and father a quick hug and kiss and told them to hurry back home. Zac and she walked toward the door of the train car when she suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Prudence patted his arm. "I forgot something."
Zac looked her up and down appreciatively. "It looks as though you've got everything to me."
She kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be right back."
Granger stood as she approached. "Thank God you've come to your senses. For a moment I actually thought you were stupid enough to go with him."
Prudence smiled kindly and shook her head. "No, Granger. Stupid I'm not." And with that, she pulled her right arm back, made a tight fist, and threw it full force at his nose.
Granger stumbled back. His hand grabbed at his face, catching the blood that poured from his nostrils.
"That's for the pain your father brought my family and for what you tried to do to me." Prudence gave her mother and father another quick kiss and told them to enjoy their second honeymoon.
She ran down the aisle to Zac and threw herself into his outstretched arms. "I love you, Zac Stewart. I love you."
CHAPTER 30
Prudence found herself standing beside the bed in their room at the Hotel Lillian, nervous and apprehensive. After they had exited the train, Zac had insisted that they find a decent preacher and get married all over again.
They had stood before Preacher Handel in the small church of Plattsmouth and had willingly repeated the vows that they had once recited. Granny Hayes had stood beside Prudence as witness and Mr. Lewis of the mercantile had stood beside Zac. Afterward, it seemed as if the whole town had shown up at the local saloon to help celebrate their union. There was singing and dancing and rabble-rousing, in which Granny happily partook.
Now that Prudence stood before her husband in their hotel room she felt the shyness of a newlywed bride. This night would be different from all the others. Today they had declared their love readily before God and friends. And tonight they would share their love with no restraints or bounds, almost as if it were their first time together.