11
I took a step down the stairs and swept my eyes over the area, but the old woman was nowhere to be found. While I searched and tucked the flower into my pocket, the men picked up their fallen and injured and the conductor, who sported a cracked lip, stepped up beside Asher. He looked to the handsome stranger with a frown. “Now look what you’ve done. The platform damaged and behind schedule.”
The stranger smiled as he drew out a hefty pocketbook. “I’m willing to pay for both, if all present will accept that.” He opened the pocketbook and displayed bills in large denominations.
The miners’ eyes bulged and the head lifted his bloodied fist in the air. “For half that, we’ll take care of that luggage for ya, sir!”
They didn’t wait for a reply, but those who could still stand stamp
