Zephaniah and Charlotte scarcely knew each other and never spent any time together. He just admired her from afar. Both had their ranches to maintain in Montana. Both were busy from long before dawn to long after the sun set. Both only had a hat tip or head nod or a "good day" for each other if they crossed paths in Virginia City.

Suddenly, one morning, everything changes. A murderous gang slaughters a group of settlers. Two children witness the massacre. The outlaws find out and come to silence them. The marshal gets Zeph and Charlotte to take the boy and girl under wing, pretend they are a family and board the next train east to Pennsylvania, the children's first home. Eager to save the children, but not so eager to play husband and wife, Zeph and Char agree to work together.

But the train trip is more than they bargain for. It's hard for Zeph and Char to get along. They don't see eye to eye, the journey is too long, arguments erupt, and worst of all, Charlotte is afraid she is beginning to have feelings for her brave and handsome companion. She fights her heart with all her might.

And following their trail east, night and day, without pausing or relenting, is the shadow of the gun.

Previously published as

A Bride's Flight from Virginia City, Montana