The Color of Ivy by Peggy Ann Craig Read Free Book Online Page A

immediately.”
    “Sorry, mister, I can’t do that,” he said.  “It is for the safety of yourself and the other passengers that I apprehend Ms. McGregor.”
    He started moving, making his way out of the car and back toward the dining car, dragging her with him.  He came to a stop in one of the enclosed vestibules to notice the change in scenery outside.  They had long left the station and had now entered into the Canadian Shield.  The rugged landscape which now appeared outside the train was harsh and formidable.  Soaring coniferous trees dotted century old granite which covered most of the earth.  Not a sign of life to be found.
    There was no getting off now.
    “You have made a huge mistake, Mr. Michalski,” Harold Radford continued to follow him.  “I’ve already told you, this woman is Moira James and has been under our employ for the past three months since arriving in Canada from Ireland.”
    “I’m afraid I have reason to question that,” he said, still trying to control the struggling woman.
    “Ye got no right to do this.”  Ivy McGregor turned blazing eyes up to him.  It made the blueness in their depths nearly transparent.  As if he were looking at two cubes of ice instead.
    “Actually, ma’am, I do.”  This made her pause.
    “Excuse me, sir.”  A young porter suddenly appeared.  Another damn porter.  His youthful face was a mask of confusion and boyish duty.  Noting the handcuffs on Ivy McGregor, his chin dropped momentarily before he pulled himself together and tried to appear brave. “I demand you explain yourself, sir.”
    “In due time,” he snarled beginning to lose what little patience he had left.  Raising his gun, he pointed it at him and said, “Take us to the closest isolated car you’ve got.”
    The boy blinked , then moved backwards.  Sam was directly on his heel.
    “T-that would be baggage car, sir.”
    “Great, let’s go.”  Keeping the gun on the kid, Sam moved quickly through the dining car into the next one until they eventually reached the last closed door.
    Sam had to literally drag his prisoner.  She may not be the fastest moving hostage he’d endured, but she sure as hell was one spitfire in his hands.  “How does it open?”
    “Y ou have to release the lever.”   He pointed to the handle.  “But it’s only meant for employees,” he said before his eyes grew round as comprehension struck.  “You can’t go in there, sir!”
    Haul ing Ivy McGregor in front of him, he shot an impertinent glance to the boy.  “Try stopping me.”
    The corridor was narrow, hardly wide enough for two people to stand side by side.  Sam had no alternative but to reach around Ivy and pull the lever.  In doing so, his arm accidentally brushed her blouse where her breasts lay just beneath. He fleetingly noticed how surprisingly full they felt.  The baggy blouse she wore was very fooling.  There was more woman beneath the grays and blacks than he would have ever guessed.
    Feeling irritated at this sudden train of thought, he yanked on the baggage car’s door and slid it open, pushing her inside probably a bit too hard.  Her small frame tumbled backwards into the darkness.
    “Now, wait just one second!”  Harold Radford exclaimed, and Sam had to concede the man was certainly relentless.  A quick glance over his shoulder and he noticed he wasn’t alone either.  A few other male passengers had joined him.  Someone shouted for the conductor to be summoned at which point Sam gave a weary sigh before turning back to his prisoner.
    She had spun around and was taking a quick survey of her surroundings.  It was a narrow but long box lined with travelling chests and crates.  But no windows.  Sam reached for the door and began to slide it shut, hardly noticing the look of alarm lighting up her face.
    “Wait please, ” she lunged for the door.  “I beg of ye, don’t leave me in here!”
    But w ith a resounding slam, he shut the door and sealed her