Sarah's Playmates Read Online Free

pretty hats and the men in ascot ties and bowlers. We had
left the station in Ohio ten minutes ago, and new passengers had
joined us.
    “You’re lovely this morning, Sarah.”
    I sipped tea. “Thank you, Millie. So are
you.”
    “You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve
ever seen.”
    This declaration was a surprise. “My
goodness.”
    “Your mother is beautiful, but you…you’ve
surpassed her.”
    “It must be my Texas ancestry. Everyone says
the Tennent bloodline is polluted.” This thought brought a smile to
my face. My mother had married a rough and tumble Texan, and
society had been scandalized. I was daddy’s girl and had always
been. He was the most important man in my life, until the day I
married.
    “None of that matters. Your mother’s a
wealthy woman. Society forgave her. They’re just jealous that she’s
sown her oats in greener pastures.”
    “It was a dream for her to come to
America.”
    “That it was, my gir—”
    There seemed to be a commotion in the next
car. Something loud popped, which sounded like a firecracker. Heads
turned around, alarmed. I glanced at Millie. “What’s
happening?”
    A porter dashed into the car, his face was as
white as parchment. “Robbers! We’re being robbed! Hide your
valuables!”
     
     

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    Pandemonium erupted after this shocking
announcement. Plates and glasses fell, smashing to the wooden
floor, as passengers scurried to the other end of the car and
through the connecting portion of the train to the next
compartment. Millie was caught up in the rush, and we were
separated.
    “Millie!”
    “Follow me, child! Sarah!”
    I stumbled over my own feet, landing on my
tummy. The constriction of the corset forced the air out of my
lungs, and I struggled to breathe. My hat had fallen off, and
several pins came loose, releasing a portion of perfectly coiffed
hair. Struggling to sit, I turned and gasped. A revolver was aimed
at my face.
    “Put that down, Buck! You don’t point a gun
at a lady, you numbskull. Go on, and get the others.” Paralyzed by
fear, I could only stare at the man before me, who stood with his
feet apart. The ruffian who held the gun dashed to the other car.
“Well, ain’t you pretty.” He knelt before me. “What’s your name,
honey?”
    “S-Sarah.”
    He wore scuffed boots, wrinkled trousers, and
an ill-fitting jacket. His tawny hair needed trimming, and several
days’ worth of stubble graced a distractingly handsome countenance.
His eyes blazed with interest. The irises were a warm chocolate
color with flecks of gray.
    “Are you injured?”
    “No.” My voice sounded tiny.
    “Let me help you up.” Before I could object,
he wrapped his hands around my arms and hauled me to my feet. I
stood entirely too close to him.
    “Oh!”
    “This could go either of two ways, Miss. You
can hand over your cash and jewelry without a fuss, or I can take
it from your person. The choice is yours.” My mouth formed a
circle, but no words came out. He shook me. “Are we understandin’
one another?”
    “Ouf!” I smacked him in the face, surprising
us both. “Don’t touch me!”
    He laughed; the timber in his voice was
surprisingly pleasant. “That’s the fighting spirit. I was startin’
to worry you might be a simpleton.” His grin produced small lines
around his eyes. “This looks interesting.” He held my gold
locket.
    “You can’t have that. It’s a family
heirloom.”
    “Is that so?” He weighed the heavy pendant in
his hand. “Looks expensive.”
    I pushed him. “Stop that!”
    “This ain’t no negotiation, darlin’. I’m here
to rob you. Take it off.”
    Tears were in my eyes. “The only pictures of
my parents I have are in there. You can’t take my locket.”
    His gaze followed the single tear that slid
down my cheek. He swallowed visibly. “What else you got?”
    “I-I have my engagement ring.”
    “Let’s see it.”
    I pulled off the glove and held up my hand.
He whistled through