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PROLOGUE – FOUR MONTHS EARLIER

JOANNA

I hurried across the concrete toward the train, dragging my suitcase behind me. The cold air stung my cheeks and burned in my lungs as I gasped for breath.

I was running late.

I was never late.

But then, I wasn’t usually blocked by a truck parked across the road or stopped by security either.

I glanced at the electronic clock above the screen of departure times, and within the two seconds I was distracted, somebody stepped into my path. I bowled into the man head-on. He stumbled backward, his arms windmilling as he tried to catch himself.

My palms landed on his firm, muscular chest, which I might have enjoyed if not for the fact my suitcase hit my calves and I tripped, nearly taking him down with me.

With difficulty, we righted ourselves. I sprang away from him, my cheeks hot.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, meeting his sparkling green eyes. “Are you okay? ”

One side of his mouth hitched up—and oh, was that a dimple?

“It’s all right.” His voice was deep but gentle, well-suited to a teacher or a doctor, and his accent gave away the fact he was American like me, rather than Canadian. Another tourist, perhaps. “No harm done.”

“Are you sure?” I’d hit him with a lot of force.

His smile widened. “Completely certain.”

I released a sigh of relief. “Thank God. Everything is going wrong this morning. I swear I’m not usually such a disaster.”

“I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having bad luck, but my day has definitely taken a turn for the better.” He reached behind himself and grabbed the handle of his suitcase. “Are you on the trip through the Rockies?”

“I am.” My heart fluttered. Was he flirting with me? It happened so rarely that I couldn’t be sure. As a female detective, I was used to most men outside of the police force being intimidated by me, and my colleagues were firmly off-limits.

“Excellent. Me too.” He offered his hand. “I’m Westley Gallo, but you can call me West. Can I help you with your things?”

“I’m Joanna.” I glanced down at my suitcase. “I’m fine with it.”

He winked. “I know you don’t need the help. I can tell you’re the type of person who’s always on top of everything, but maybe, let me pretend for my ego’s sake?”

I arched an eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling your ego is perfectly fine?”

“Because you’re an insightful woman.”

“Okay, then.” I passed him my suitcase. Yes, perhaps chivalry was old-fashioned, and maybe he was laying the charm on a bit thick, but the closet romantic hiding deep inside me thought it might be nice to have someone take care of me for once, even if only for a few minutes.

Side by side, we strode toward the waiting train. Somehow, West’s mere presence made me forget why I’d been in such a panic. This train was a luxury experience, one I hadn’t paid for since I’d won the trip in a giveaway, but nonetheless, I doubted they’d leave without all their passengers on board.

We reached the door and showed the attendant our tickets. He scanned them, handed them back, and gestured for us to enter. West hefted my suitcase up alongside his without even mentioning the weight. I wasn’t a light packer; I liked to be prepared for all situations.

Inside, we were greeted by another attendant in a stylish maroon and gold uniform. They escorted me down the corridor to a room on the left.

“This is where you will sleep, Madam,” the attendant said.

My mouth fell open. The cabin was even more gorgeous than I’d imagined, with a bed along the wall nearest to me, a comfortable padded bench seat along the opposite wall beneath the window, and a small, dark wooden desk with an antique chair at the far end.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.

The decor was upscale but not ultramodern and made me feel like I could curl up in the corner with a book and a glass of tea and be right at home.

“I’m glad you like it.” The attendant stepped sideways. “Sir, you are in this cabin.”

I glanced back to find them gesturing at the room beside mine.

West grinned. “What a happy coincidence.” He nodded to the attendant. “Thank you for your assistance.”

The attendant bowed and excused themself. West vanished into his cabin, leaving my suitcase in the corridor outside mine. I pulled it inside and tucked it away beneath the desk.

I released a breath. Finally. I was here, I had everything I could possibly need in my suitcase, and there was no reason to worry. I could let everything go.

“Would you like to get a drink?”

I flinched and spun around. West stood in the doorway, resting one of his hands against the frame. For a big guy, he moved quietly.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” He flashed that dimple again. “So, a drink?”

I considered his offer. I’d planned to stay in my cabin for a while, but then I hadn’t expected to meet a handsome stranger, and my māma had made me promise to relax and go with the flow. She may have also dropped a few hints about finding a nice, rich husband, but that was hardly a surprise. She wanted me settled.

“I’d love to. Hold on a second.” The key was on the desk, so I grabbed it and my purse and used the key to lock the cabin behind me. I may be on vacation, but I was still a cop and wary of leaving my things unattended. “Do you know where the bar is?”

“I looked at a map of the train online before we boarded. It’s this way.” He gestured farther along the corridor.

Be still my heart. Good-looking, polite, and organized. Māma would be beside herself.

“Lead the way.” I followed him through two doors, past another series of private cabins, through another two doors, to an elegantly appointed space with half a dozen sofas, several bar tables, and a bar tucked into the corner. Classical music played softly over the speakers.

We approached the bar, and the woman behind it smiled.

“What can I get for you?” she asked.

I bit my lip. Usually, I’d drink something nonalcoholic at this time of day, but I was on vacation. I could afford to be a little naughty. “I’ll have a sauvignon blanc, please.”

She turned to West. “And you, sir?”

“The same.”

“What cabin should I charge them to?”

I started to give my cabin number, but West beat me to it.

“My treat,” he murmured as she poured the drinks. “I invited you, after all.”

My stomach flipped over. When he looked at me like that, it was easy to forget we weren’t alone, and that I hardly knew this man.

He took our drinks. “Would you prefer a sofa or a table?”

“Table.” That way, I could gaze into his eyes.

We chose a table beside the window, halfway along the carriage. He set my drink in front of me and raised his glass. I chinked mine against it in a toast, then sipped. I couldn’t help but notice the way his lean throat bobbled as he swallowed.

“This may sound silly,” he began, placing the glass down and leaning on his forearms, “but I’m really glad you ran into me.”

My heart slammed against my ribcage. “Me too.” So, my attraction to him might not be one-sided. Aware I knew nothing about him other than his name, I added, “Tell me about yourself.”

As we talked, I found myself shifting closer to him, erasing the distance between us until my side was pressed against his. My heart was light, my head somewhere in the clouds.

West told me he was from Chicago, like me, and had recently changed jobs. He worked as a bartender, and he’d also won this trip in a contest. Perhaps that’s why our carriages were beside each other.

My insides fluttered with the excitement of a new infatuation; I couldn’t stop smiling.

He seemed so perfect. Too good to be true.

As it turned out, that assessment was more accurate than I ever could have imagined.