Prologue

Alison Madison, widowed at twenty-three, held the hand of her five year old son, Jack, as his other hand held that of his three year old sister's, Emilia. Her swelled stomach told of the child that had been growing there for about four months now. She smiled at the man behind the counter as she sadly said, "I am suppose to have three tickets waiting for me. The name is Madison." She waited while the man hunted for the tickets and then returned with a note in hand. "I didn't find any tickets, ma'am," he said pleasantly, "but this note here says that you are to be the personal guest of Mr. Goodman. You and your children are to ride as his personal guests." He smiled up at her. "Let me get a porter for your luggage," he said as he rounded his counter and came out the locked door. "Mr. Goodman has also left instructions that you and your children are to be taken to your car upon your arrival. There will be a slight delay on his part, but as the owner of the railroad, he's allowed to delay the train as long as he likes."

Alison turned around to follow the man when she bumped into another. "I'm sorry," she said. But after a better look, her tone changed dramatically as she said, "Excuse me, Mr. Clarke." She took a step around the man, but he stepped back in front of her. She noted the four other men standing behind him. "Now, now, Alison," he said smiling, "that's Sheriff Clarke now. Or better yet, call me James. "And that's Mrs. Madison to you," she said through clinched teeth. "If you hadn't murdered my husband, you coward, you wouldn’t be Sheriff now." "Murdered, coward," Sheriff Clarke said, making a tisking sound. "Those are some harsh words, Alison, and all untrue."

Alison pushed her way past the sheriff and headed for the train. She was nearly jerked back when he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. "And where are you going, Alison," he growled. "You never did give me an answer to my proposal." She tried to jerked her arm free, but to no avail. "Let me go, Mr. Clarke." His face took on a menacing look. "What is the answer," he demanded. Again she tried to jerk her arm free from his grasp. "I believe my leaving is the answer," she said through clenched teeth. "That's too bad," he said smiling, "because I don't take 'no' for an answer. You see, now as the sheriff, I'm in the need of a wife and a family. And what better ones to have than the late sheriff's." "I'm not going to marry you," she said loudly, finally jerking her arm loose as she did.

Touching her hand to her chest she said, "You murdered my husband." Alison pointed at her children. "their father. So why in the hell would I want to marry you? I am going back East to live with my parents, Mr. Clarke. Now excuse. Mr. Goodman is waiting for us." "Mr. Goodman," he said wearily, "you're riding with Eli Goodman." "Yes," she said in an exhausted tone. "Our parents are old friends. My father is his father's, as well as his, attorney." It was all she could do to keep from laughing out loud. The paling look on his face at hearing that was priceless. She did have to stifle a laugh when he nearly stumbled backwards into his men.

Alison heard the voice of another man asking, "What is going on here? Why are you harassing this woman?" She drew in a deep breathe as she stared at this man. He wasn't just tall... he was VERY TALL!!! His short brown hair was combed neatly. The tailored suit he wore fit snuggly to him; defining his muscles in several areas. His eyes were light green with golden flecks in them. His demeanor was very commanding. Even Sheriff Clarke and his men snapped to attention in front of this man.

Eli Goodman turned his attention to the young woman before him. She was shorter than him by at least a half a foot. Her sandy blonde hair was braided and then twirled into a tight bun at the back. Her eyes were sky blue with darker flecks of blue scattered through them. Her dress revealed small breasts, yet he gathered that they had gotten somewhat bigger due to birthing two children. It was then that he noticed the bump of her stomach, indicating that she was again with child. The little boy held his mother's hand and stared at him. Even with the pregnancy, he could tell that she, at least at some point in her life, had been or still was, a lady of good breeding. The little girl peeked out from around her older brother, revealing the same hair and eye color. He assumed that the boy must favor is father.

"Is this man bothering you, Miss," Eli asked. "Yes," she said. "I am looking for Mr. Goodman and this man here is holding me up with a very absurd proposal, hoping that I will not leave town." Feeling safer with the stranger, she asked, "Do you know where I might find him?" But before he could answer, his conductor stepped forward and said, "Mr. Goodman, sir, your personal car has been added to the line, as well as the one that will accommodate your guests. The engineer is ready to leave any time." "Thank you," he said before turning his attention back to the young woman. "If you are ready," he said, "I will be happy to escort you and your family to your personal car."

Eli held his hand out for Alison and her children. He gave the "Sheriff" and his men a glaring look that made two of them turn away and the other two walking away completely, as he walked past them. He then followed behind this very attractive woman as his conductor showed them to their car. He smiled as the little girl squealed with delight upon seeing it. "It's all for us momma," the boy asked. "Yes," he said; knowing that Alison was afraid to answer. "This is too much, Mr. Goodman," she said. "Really. We would be just fine in the passenger car."

"Nonsense," Eli said; the word coming out gruffer than he had wanted. "Our fathers are good friends," he said a little softer. He looked at the boy and girl and smiled. He then turned back to Alison and said, "Besides, the children will get bored in a passenger car. Here they can play and get as loud as they like." He nodded towards her stomach. "And besides, you would be more comfortable on these couches and your own bed in your condition." He watched her rub her stomach. "How far along are you," he asked. "About four months," she said sadly. "My father's wire said that your husband was killed recently, but did not say how," he said.

Eli saw the tear slide down Alison's cheek and could tell that it was still too upsetting to talk about. He left the subject alone for now. It would take approximately two weeks for the train to go from California to New York. And in those two weeks, he felt himself starting to have feelings for this young woman. She had finally told him what had happened to her husband. He tried to bare in mind that she was still grieving the lost of her husband, and that she had two children, and one on the way, to think of. He knew that once she reached her parents home in Devonshire, New York, she would be doing better. In the mean time, he fell in love with not only her, but her children as well. He might be thirty-eight years old, fifteen years her senior, but he still planned to court her in the proper fashion once they reached home.

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It's only funny until someone gets hurt, then it's hilarious!