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you care to tell me what prompted that little drama you acted out for us?”
    â€œI was on my way to get my fish when I heard them talking. They don’t believe that we’re really married. They thought you’d lied to them.”
    He gritted his teeth. The men had been on their way to accuse him of being a liar. He kept a tight grip on his anger. “And you were tryin’ to prevent an ugly disagreement.”
    She nodded, not denying it for a moment. “Did it work?”
    He ignored her question and struggled to keep his voice even. “You should have let me handle it, Addie. This is my train. I’m the law here. I can’t allow them to question my word.”
    â€œDid they?” she asked anxiously. “Question your word, I mean.”
    He shook his head. “Not directly to me. But if they had, I could have made certain it didn’t happen again.”
    She sighed, her relief visible in her features. “Reynolds, I don’t want to cause problems. I just want to get to Baker City, to my father. If they had confronted you—accused you of lying—you would have set them straight. I have no doubt of that. But there would still have been distrust and animosity.” She held her arms before her, palms up, her face contrite. “They already treat me like a leper. An argument between you and the others would only make things worse. Don’t you understand?”
    He mulled over her words. It was true that the train hadn’t accepted her as he’d hoped. The fact that he claimed her as his wife hadn’t swayed them. But then, he hadn’t treated her like a wife. In truth, while he hadn’t purposely avoided her, he hadn’t been overly friendly either. Was it his fault the train scorned her? “I know it’s been hard for you. I apologize if I’ve done anythin’ to make it worse.”
    She offered him a sad smile. “It’s not your fault, Reynolds. I’m an independent, outspoken woman. That alone is enough to alienate me. Worse, I’m a doctor. Women aren’t supposed to be doctors. We are supposed to be wives and mothers, submissive to their men. And do you know what my greatest sin is?”
    He smiled. “You’re stubborn?”
    Addie shook her head. “I’m rich. I have money. Therefore I must be immoral, without principles, compassion, or shame.”
    Josh chuckled. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize what a wicked person you are.”
    She smiled. “Terrible. A veritable social pariah.”
    â€œSociety’s loss.” He couldn’t stop himself. He reached up to push that stray lock of hair behind her ear. “The world needs more women like you.”
    Her eyes widened in feigned shock. “Heaven forbid!”
    A mesmerizing twinkle flashed in her gaze. He couldn’t look away. Thick lashes lined big, blue pools that hid nothing. In Addie’s case, her eyes really were the windows to her soul. The last rays of the setting sun lit her oval face, revealing freckles sprinkled across her button nose. It also set her hair afire, bringing out the gold and red in the shiny tresses she kept pulled back in a sensible braid.
    Josh gave himself a mental shake. He couldn’t have this woman. Though she’d offered complete surrender in that kiss last night, her innocence had been unmistakable. Addie deserved a husband. He’d already failed miserably in that job and he wasn’t about to make that mistake again. Searching for a way to change the subject, he found the answer in his left hand. “This is for you.”
    â€œWhat is it?” She stared at the package suspiciously.
    â€œI brought in a deer today. It’s steak. I thought I’d pay you back for the fish.”
    â€œOh, there’s no need.” She tried to give it back to him. “Really, I gave Mr. Johnson the fish in return for cleaning mine.” She changed her mind.