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only a couple months old.”
    “We’re going west, correct?” he shouted. “They’ll check the nearest stations. We’ll make for one a little farther away.”
    “All right,” she said. “There’s an old farm road we can take toward Dumfries.”
    “On the other hand, if we go east, we could reach my family home by morning. You’d be safe there. And the sheriff is in Dumfries. I don’t think we want to head right toward him.”
    “Against the full force of the law? I don’t think so,” she shouted back, warmed by his offer, even if she couldn’t accept.
    “My father and grandfather are both Home Office as well and both outrank me considerably. They’ll be able to get this all sorted out. Trust me, you’ll be fine. My word as a gentleman.” Even over the engine’s din, she could hear the certainty in his strong voice.
    “We only have enough coal for about twenty or thirty miles.” It was tempting to believe there was somewhere she could safely relax. She had stayed in Shadwick for so long—which had proven in the end to be a mistake.
    “Most inns offer coal for sale,” he yelled. “I can afford to pay for fueling. Do your villagers know to look for a circus wagon?”
    “I don’t think so.” It was a valid question, so she stopped to think before responding. “They know I was a gypsy, but not any more than that. My grandfather left it to me, but I never thought I’d use it so I certainly didn’t tell anyone about it.”
    “Then we should be safe, once we’re on the main road. Keep a watch in the mirror. If anyone is following, we’ll trade places and I’ll speak to them.” For just a moment, his voice lost all trace of youthful frivolity and he sounded positively dangerous. At that moment, she noted again just how large a man he really was, despite the cheerful and irreverent demeanor which made him seem less imposing. Had she traded the frying pan for the fire? A shiver ran down Belinda’s spine, this time one not based on the proximity of an attractive young male.
    You keep telling yourself that , lassie . Then mayhap you won’t embarrass yourself .
    Odd how it sounded like Micah’s voice in her head, teasing her for being attracted to another man.
    Well , do you think I’d want you to grieve forever ? Hearing his voice in her head again startled her into releasing the throttle, and the powerful engine stuttered.
    “Everything all right?” her rescuer called through the dividing wall.
    “Fine. My hand slipped.” More like her mind had slipped. Why, after all these years, would she be hearing Micah’s voice in her head?
    Blast if I know . Must have something to do with the wagon . Your abilities could be strengthened by the connection to your ancestors .
    That was definitely Micah’s voice. And his words made sense. She did feel an increase in her minimal powers here inside the caravan.
    I’ve been around , lass , but not for much longer now . You’ll be on your own soon .
    “I thought I was for years,” she muttered. It didn’t seem fair that he’d finally spoken to her right as he was leaving.
    “What was that?” her companion yelled.
    “Just talking to myself,” she shouted back. “Nothing to worry you.”
    “As long as you don’t answer yourself back.” Despite the danger of their situation, he laughed.
    “I make no promises.” For a moment, Belinda almost laughed too. A strange giddiness filled her at the thought. Certainly, she’d laughed with one of the other village women from time to time, but with a man? No, none under seventy or over seven, not since Micah’s death.
    “Have you family to go to? Your uncle’s circus perhaps?”
    That question sobered her right up. “No.” The circus had stopped being her home ten years earlier, and once her grandfather had passed, any appeal to going back had ended. “I’d rather not.”
    They chugged along steadily with no further conversation until she made out the crossroad rapidly approaching. “East or