A Family for Christmas - Winnie Griggs Mills & Boon Love Inspired Historical

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raised a brow. “The young lady who stuck up for him earlier didn’t seem to think he was a threat to anyone.” In fact, she’d seemed ready to defend him against all comers.

      The conductor tugged on his vest. “You know how young ladies are, too tenderhearted for their own good most times, especially when it comes to young’uns.”

      Tenderhearted? Maybe. But there seemed to be more backbone to the woman than that.

      The conductor had apparently tired of the subject. He turned away, flipped open his pocket watch and informed the waiting passengers it was time to board.

      Chance’s thoughts were still on the stowaway’s protectoress. He liked to puzzle out what made people act the way they did—and she offered an intriguing challenge. Too bad the woman wasn’t sticking around.

      He’d kept an eye on her peripherally through the depot window and had felt a small stab of disappointment when he saw her say goodbye to the boy and head back toward the train. He wasn’t sure why, but a part of him had actually expected her to stay with the kid.

      He supposed he shouldn’t judge her, though—it would be foolhardy for her to strand herself overnight in a strange town, especially since she seemed to be traveling alone. And he had no idea if she was on a strict schedule of some sort—after all, Thanksgiving was just two days away.

      Besides, he found it was always good practice to give a pretty girl the benefit of the doubt.

      Chance glanced over as the conductor left the building, followed by the few last-minute passengers who hadn’t yet boarded.

      To his surprise the door had barely closed behind them when it was pushed open again and the woman and her young companion walked in.

      Well, well, perhaps he’d have the opportunity to get to know her better after all.

      Chapter Two

      Eve ushered Leo into the depot and out of the blustery wind, still feeling as out of place as a turtle up a tree. She had no idea how to go about making certain Leo was taken care of. She didn’t even know where the two of them would bed down tonight. But she knew she was doing the right thing and, for now, that was enough.

      Of course, before she could figure out her next move, she really needed to get more information from Leo about his situation.

      “Come on,” she said with a nod toward the benches. “Let’s sit down and talk.”

      Leo’s expression turned wary, but he nodded.

      Before crossing the room, Eve took quick stock of the other folks inside. The stationmaster, his scraggly mustache quivering as he scribbled in a ledger, stood behind the counter. A strapping adolescent was sorting through packages, stacking some against a wall and carrying others to another room.

      The other two people present were a man and woman. The woman appeared to be about her grandmother’s age, though she’d obviously not lived as harsh a life. Rather than hardness and a guarded demeanor, this woman had a kind face, graced with laugh lines and a soft smile.

      But she took all of that in almost subconsciously. It was the gentleman who caught and held her attention. As soon as she realized that he was the same man she’d noticed watching her outside, her senses seemed to heighten in awareness.

      There was something about him that both attracted her and put her on guard. With his light brown hair, boyish smile, and those blue eyes, he was handsome. And there seemed to be what she could only describe as a likeableness about him.

      But it was coupled with an impish, amused air that gave her pause. All her instincts told her this was the sort of man her grandmother was forever warning her about—a man who dabbled in flirtations and enjoyed partaking in the occasional bit of mischief. The sort of man who’d led to her mother’s downfall.

      What was most strange about this whole situation was that she was getting all of these strong impressions of the man without ever having exchanged a word with him. Further proof, she supposed, that her grandmother was correct about her getting lost in her own flights of fancy.

      “Can I help you with something, miss?”

      The stationmaster’s question brought Eve’s attention back to herself and she reddened slightly as she realized the stranger had seen her staring at him. She quickly turned to the official with a smile. “No, thank you. We just wanted to get away from the wind for a few moments.”

      He gave a friendly wave toward the benches. “Make yourselves at home.”

      She nodded and continued on her way, but remained very aware of the blue-eyed stranger behind her.

      The conductor’s “All aboard” call came in from outside. There was no turning back now—she was well and truly committed to staying here for the time being. And she didn’t regret that decision for a moment.

      Eve sent up a silent prayer for help in finding just the right words, then took a deep breath. “Now we talk.”

      Leo perched on the very edge of the bench with his hands tightly gripping the seat on either side of him, as if ready to run any moment. “What about?”

      Trying to put him more at ease, she infused as much warmth and encouragement in her smile as she could summon. “Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me how you came to be on that train?”

      “I snuck on board when the train stopped at Texarkana.” His tone indicated he wasn’t going to volunteer any more information than he had to.

      So, he really was a stowaway. She’d had some vague notion that he might have been abandoned by his guardian once he boarded. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried that this was not the case, that he’d taken this step all on his own. But at least now she had a general idea of where he’d come from. “Why did you do such a thing? Don’t you think your parents will be worried about you?”

      His shoulders slumped. “My parents are dead. They passed on near about two years ago I think.” His tone was flat, matter-of-fact. “No one else is gonna care one speck about what happens to me.”

      The idea that he could feel so very alone made her want to cry. She lightly touched his hand. “I’m so sorry.” But surely he hadn’t been on his own for two years. “Who’s been looking out for you since then?”

      He shifted evasively. “After my folks passed on, one of the neighbors took me in.”

      So he did have someone. That was a relief. Now, if she could just find out who that was and why he’d run away.

      “Pardon me.”

      Eve gave a little start and jerked around to find the gentleman and lady she’d noticed earlier had approached. Both wore friendly smiles.

      Her heartbeat slowed and she forced herself to return those smiles even though she was anxious to get back to her conversation with Leo. “Can I do something for you?”

      “Actually, that was my question.” The handsome stranger gave her a self-effacing smile. “I couldn’t help but notice your little altercation with the conductor earlier. I get the impression Turnabout wasn’t really your planned destination.” He motioned to indicate he was including the woman standing beside him. “We just wanted to make certain you two were okay before we left the building.”

      So he had been watching her earlier. “That’s very kind of you, Mr....”

      “Dawson.” He gave a short bow. “Chance Dawson, at your service. And this is Mrs. Epps.”

      “Well, Mr. Dawson, Mrs. Epps, I thank you kindly for your concern but we’re fine.” Truth to tell, she wasn’t sure exactly what kind of help to ask for at this point. And she wouldn’t know until she finished her conversation with Leo.

      “No need to be bashful,” Mrs. Epps said. “And please, call me Dotty. You’ll find Turnabout is a friendly place where folks

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