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

“Abernathy,” she hissed. “Where is he?”


Richard, sweaty and red faced, spat on Mei’s gun. “Go to hell!”


Richard’s left ear went flying as blood sprayed from the bullet wound. He cried out in pain and covered his soiled head.


“I said.” Mei cocked her gun for another shot and aimed it again. “Where is Abernathy?”


Woozy, Richard’s eyes glazed over as he battled for breath. After a moment of silence, he looked to his right. Mei followed his gaze. Just a mile out of town, a stagecoach frantically kicked up dust as it made a hectic escape.


Mei spared no time. She signaled to Sitting Bear, who held his teeth to his lower lip and whistled, sharp and loud. From the stables, the Railwalkers’ horses came barging out, captained by the massive Huī. Violet was quick to mount Maple as the others jumped onto their respective horses. Keeping one arm tight around Rory’s waist, she followed them as they thundered towards the escaping coach.


Chapter 120