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as Michael Harrington approached.
    He executed a half bow. “Please excuse the interruption, but I wanted to wish you a safe journey.” He nodded at Joel and Virginia, then turned his gaze to Angeline. “I see you’ve found your escort.”
    Angeline let her pleasure at seeing Michael show on her face. “Yes, I have.”
    Joel came to his feet and extended his hand. “I’m Joel Donnelly, Captain, and this is my wife, Virginia. We thank you for the company you provided, especially as she was not met in London as expected.” Joel gestured to the one remaining chair. “We were about to have dessert. Would you care to join us?”
    “Some coffee, please.” Michael accepted the seat next to Angeline.
    “I wanted to thank you for your company,” Angeline told him. “You made the trip most pleasant.”
    “It was truly my pleasure.” Michael responded with a grin.
    Much later, and after the dessert plates had been cleared, Michael addressed Joel. “We’re headed north in the morning. If that is your direction, my men and I would be happy to accompany you.”
    Joel responded with a grateful nod. “It is indeed, and we gladly accept your offer.”
    Virginia laid her napkin on the table. “I could use an early night. It’s been a pleasure, Captain.”
    Joel came to his feet and pulled out her chair.
    “I’ll join you.” As Angeline rose, Michael reached to help her. Her gaze met his. “Good night.”
    After the women left the room, Joel and Michael faced one another.
    “What in the hell happened?” Joel asked.
    “Adrian was right in his concern for Angeline. Three men followed her on board. Although I was able to apprehend one of them, we could not find the others.”
    “I take it she doesn’t know?” Joel leaned back in his chair, plucked a cigarillo from a case, and lit it.
    “No, she doesn’t.”
    Joel drew on the miniature cigar. “Why did you conceal your real purpose from her?”
    Michael grimaced. “Suffice to say, I wish I hadn’t. When the subterfuge first began, it seemed harmless enough. And then, after a while, I didn’t know how to tell her.”
    “I don’t imagine she’ll take well to the deception.”
    “I think that’s putting it mildly.”

Chapter 6
    Angeline was surprised by the large number of people gathered outside the hotel the next morning. Their luggage had been secured atop a traveling coach. Nearby, Captain Harrington and his men were mounted and waiting.
    Two men sat on the bench of a buckboard, the back piled high with supplies for the ranch and a few remaining pieces of their luggage. Dressed in rugged denim trousers and plain cotton shirts, both with guns at their hips, they might have stepped from a magazine depicting life in the Wild West. They touched the brim of their hats in polite acknowledgement.
    A quick breakfast of bacon, fresh baked bread, butter and jam had been provided and served with hot coffee, tea, and cream. As there were no inns between Houston and the ranch, baskets of food had been prepared and stored in the buckboard to be eaten along the way.
    One of the ranch hands helped Shirley into the coach, a broad smile crossing his face as he did. It delighted Angeline to see Shirley’s flushed cheeks.
    After Joel handed Angeline and Jimmy into the coach, he signaled the coachman to begin. With a crack of a whip, the team settled into the harness and the large conveyance moved forward.
    “How long will it take to get there?” Jimmy asked, as he peeked out the window.
    “Moving at this pace, it will take us most of the day. We’ll cross onto Spencer land when we stop for luncheon.” Joel caught Jimmy’s gaze. “There’s someone waiting to meet you.”
    “Who is it?” Jimmy bounced with excitement. “I hope it’s someone to play with.”
    “As a matter of fact, it is.” Virginia chimed in. “Her name is Clairece and she is also six years old. She’s our daughter, and like you, hopes for someone to play with.”
    “A girl?” Jimmy