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

With no other choice, Violet finished her bath and called for Maisey and Anna May to return


“This will be your room. Not the best, but you can work up to better.” Anna May opened the door, and Violet took a look inside. Her room was a 6x6 box with an old wood frame bed, broken down dresser, and a washbowl. There was a single window, but the hinges looked too rusty to use. Violet noticed a small cluster of flies gathering at the window’s small crack.


“Right, that’s about everything.” Anna May observed the room and straightened her skirts. “Now if there’s anything you need, don’t bother Miss Bethany. You call for me or Maisey and we’ll help you with anything. Are you hungry?” Violet shook her head. “Well then, I guess we get to it.” She nodded to the wardrobe. “Should be something suitable for you in there. Whenever you’re ready, come on down and pick out a client. Or you can just wait for one here. Your choice.” With one last smile, Anna May left Violet to her devices.


Chapter 116