The Color of Ivy Read Online Free PDF

rush to escape.  It also forced the curve of her little behind to protrude sweetly, and by doing so, revealed the notable limp she fought to hide.
    Sam leaned casually against the wall of the car and watched her disappear into the vestibule.  He waited a few minutes after she’d gone before he pushed himself upright and went to take a seat in one of the many booths flanking the passenger car.  His lunch forgotten.  He was more tired than hungry.  He had been on the road since early morning to arrive before the train’s hour of departure from Union Station.
    Finding a seat, he dropped his tall frame down into it and crossed his legs at the ankles, then gave his Stetson a tug and pulled it low over his eyes.  A couple more hours were left before they stopped at the Sudbury Junction.  There was no need to apprehend her now.  It would only cause commotion and fear in the rest of the passengers.
    Most criminals were fairly harmless if their identity remained concealed.  It was only after the y had blown their cover that the threat of being arrested made them a risk.
    Though he had let Ivy McGregor know he was aware of her identity, he didn’t feel she would be a threat to anyone on board the train.  She was a tall frail looking woman, and hardly the image one associated with such a crime she was suspected of committing.  And though Sam knew better than to judge actions based on appearances, he had no concerns about her fleeing.  She wasn’t going anywhere until they reached the Junction.  He might as well wait it out and catch some much needed rest.
    He grinned suddenly, pulling the brim of his hat low over his brow.  Hell, the woman could barely out walk him, let alone run.  This would be one of his easiest captures.
     
    * * *
     
    She had to get off the train.  Breathing was becoming difficult.  Almost next to impossible.  She paused in the vestibule and flattened herself against the door.  Drawing in a ragged breath, she stared out the window.  Nothing but trees whizzed by.
    Le aning forward, she peered through the glass and down at the earth rushing past.  She would surely break a leg if she jumped now.  Biting her bottom lip, she glanced back through the vestibule and into the car where she left Sam Michalski.  He had settled into a seat and made himself comfortable.
    Anger, swift and heated, filled her chest.  She knew from the moment she laid eyes on him, he was not to be trusted.
    He knew who she was.
    She had to stop him.  She hadn’t come this far only to have some high-handed cowboy ruin it all.  The Radford’s had given her a chance to clean the slate and start over.  If they discovered she had deceived them, she would be back where she started.  On the run.
    Though life with the Radford’s wasn’t grand, at least it resembled an ounce of normalcy.  And all Ivy wanted was to get on with her life.  Leave the past, and Chicago, behind.
    She pressed her back against the steel door and felt the train’s vibrations.  It was moving quickly, delivering her to a new destiny, a new life.  A new beginning.
    Opening her eyes, she stared at the black Stetson tilted low over Sam Michalski’s head.  He represented her old life.  If she had stayed, they would have surely crushed her.  If they caught her, they were certain to kill her.
    Determination flooded her veins.  Survival instincts kicked in.  She would not allow Sam Michalski to cheat her of a future.
    A kerosene lamp swung on a hook inside the vestibule.  She reached for it , then slid the car door open.  The train rattled causing her to lose her balance momentarily.  She managed to right herself and pull the heavy door shut behind her.  Then very quietly, so as not to disturb him, she approached his slumbering form.
    She really hadn’t suspected he was sleeping, but still felt a startled jolt when he said beneath the Stetson, “Wised up and dec ided to turn yourself in, Ms. McGregor?”
    Ivy did not respond.  Instead, she