Roane Wellman only intends to work one summer on railroad maintenance to pay for his next semester of college after his party-guy ways made his grandfather to stop supporting his schooling. In a summer of hard work, adventure, and danger, he matures and finds a new course for his life. Before the season ends, he knows he’s meant to be workin’ on the railroad as he fights to build a career and a partnership that just might last for the rest of his life.<br><br>Alden Prescott is a loner, content to operate his big crane and shrug off the added responsibilities of being a gang foreman. His current foreman, however, is a drunkard and so close to worthless that Alden ends up doing a lot of the functions he has tried to avoid. Although Alden’s strongly drawn to the handsome new summer hire, memories of a past tragedy make him afraid to pursue the relationship.<br><br>What will it take to convince Alden that Roane is not going to let him repeat past mistakes? Is their budding relationship heading for a train wreck, or is it the perfect connection to take them down life’s track together?

Workin' on the Railroad

None of the gang had much to say for the rest of the shift, even though they all had to be thinking about what they’d witnessed. A few of the guys made hushed comments to a friend or partner, but that was all. Still, a tangible sense of relief sank in: Flannery was probably gone for good and nobody would have to endure his shit any longer. Roane knew he stepped a bit lighter, and even the spike maul did not feel quite as cumbersome. Maybe there really issomeone upstairs watching over us, and sometimes the good guys actually win.


Alden had shown no jubilation, simply watching the events unfold, then calmly urging the men back to their tasks for the rest of the day. He’d been taking charge for long enough that no one questioned his right or need to do it now. Every job had to have a boss, and he was a better one than many the crew had known.


Chapter 19