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

“Um…” Violet shifted. “We’re all settled in the cabin. I tended to the horses, made sure they were in good shape. So…”


“Hm.” Mei cocked a thin brow and smiled against her paper. “Praise the Lord. We’re all settled in.” The comment was less biting, and more of a slap on the wrist for Violet’s silliness. Mei stood from her seat, bending her back in a deep stretch. “Well Henny, I think my crew’s gonna take it easy for the rest of the night. Call us when supper’s on.”


Mei escorted Violet down the hall and out towards their bungalow. Already the sun was starting to crest the dusty horizon. Some of Madam Hen’s men were starting to light oil lamps around the property. Halfway to their cabin, Violet stopped them and addressed Mei directly.


“I didn’t mean to listen in,” she admitted.


“I believe you,” said Mei. There was a curious look in her eye as she finished her cigarette. “I’m not angry, if that’s your next question.”


Chapter 97