Ruth Hanson

America, 1887. In a country healing from the horrors of the Civil War, the American West has never been more treacherous. Evil men do as they please, and the often faulty and corrupt justice system does little to nothing to help their victims. Enter the Railwalkers. Bandits whose only goal is to punish those whom the law has allowed to walk free. Some think they're an 28 legend, meant to scare would-be criminals into submission. Some see them as no different than the murderers they kill, while to others, they are angels of mercy. To Violet Donovan, they are family. Growing up as the sole heiress to the sizable Donovan estate, Violet's place of privilege allowed her wild spirit to flourish. Despite the pressures of her sex -- find a husband, stay pretty, have children, be subservient, don't speak out of line -- Violet is passionate, loud, stubborn, and untamed. However, at the ripe, marriageable age of twenty, Violet faces the fact that she may have to give in to her mother's wishes and marry mean, ugly Eustace Carpenter, the only other family name in their little town with comparable worth. But Violet's life changes forever when she is saved from an attacker by a strange woman. A woman who, like Violet, doesn't exactly fit the mold. Unfortunately Violet gets mixed up in a murder charge and has to leave everything she knows for a life on the run from the law. Through divine intervention, she and the woman cross paths again, and Violet comes to know her and her comrades. They are Mei Wong, Linus Cooper, Sitting Bear, and Rory McNab. The infamous Railwalker gang.

The Railwalkers

She was Violet’s height, perhaps her age or slightly older. A silk slip slid from her creamy shoulder, dotted with freckles. From her head spilled beautiful, auburn red curls. They reminded Violet of the dirt they passed outside. The fabric barely clung to her body, which clearly had nothing underneath it. Her eyes were a swirl of green and brown, glinting in the sunlight from the window behind her. Violet turned her eyes away.


How could anyone be so indecent—?!she thought.


“Well now,” said Jim. “You have a good night, Miss Ruby?”


“Mm.” Her smudged, red lips dripped into a smile. She leaned on the edge of the door frame, her back flattening against the wood. She reminded Violet of the old paintings in some of her books. “I’d say so,” she sighed. “What’s life worth living if you can’t enjoy your work, hm?” Her eyes flickered to Violet. “New client?”


“Just taking her to the bath. No need to get excited.”


Chapter 44