Page 45 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
“The train runs on a useful bit of touristy magic we might want to consider for Ever, if the monorail idea becomes a reality. This same train travels all over the Gulch, to literally every corner and every town. The ride takes about six hours altogether, but it sits in its own time warp. So, if you’re not actually on the train, it appears to show up at the station every quarter hour. It’s perfect for when you’re not in a hurry and just want to enjoy the ride”
Catherine’s mouth drops open. “So you never wait longer than fifteen minutes?”
I nod. “That’s right. Off the train. On the train it takes much longer, but it’s a lovely journey.” I point to a small parking lot beside the train station. “You can always rent a truck as needed if you don’t want to wait around for Mabel.”
The train’s also an impeccable hostess, but I think I’ll let Cath experience that for herself.
A door swings open in front of us, the train welcoming us into one of the passenger cabins. Catherine goes in first but stops dead in her tracks once inside.
“Another bit of magic,” I whisper in her ear, pressing my body to hers.
The interior of the train’s a bit larger than the exterior appears. A half dozen seating areas with big plush sofas and coffee tables sit on either side of the long train car. The aisle down the middle’s wide enough for any species of monster, the roof tall enough to accommodate horns like mine, or wings, or whatever.
A train attendant pops round the corner with a welcoming smile. “Welcome to Pine Gulch, where the land kisses the sky! May I offer you a map of the train? Each car is a little different. It’s almost like visiting a haven inside a haven when you ride us.”
I hold back a chuckle at the innuendo in the pixie’s welcome speech. It’s another part of what I love about the Gulch. Everyone here has a sense of humor.
Well, everyone but our sheriff, Bishop Rygold.
Catherine takes the proffered map and thanks the pixie, who pops into small form and zips away. In front of us, the floor beams begin to flip and turn red like a carpet.
I laugh, pointing. “Mabel, the train, will give you the red-carpet treatment all the way until you reach your seat. I picked a spot for us ahead of time, thinking to give you the best view, so follow the red carpet, Sunshine.”
She smiles up at me, eyes full of wonder. Mabel flipflops a couple more pieces of wooden flooring, catching her attention. With a laugh, Catherine follows the red flooring down to the far end of the train and a neat little walled booth at the back. It’s got space for eight or so monsters, but when she takes a seat on the plush velvet bench, I slide in next to her.
When she looks up with a grin, I wink back. “We’ve got an hour to kill before we get to downtown, Sunshine. I’ve got a few ideas how we might do that.”
Pink flushes her cheeks, and she looks around.
I chuckle and bend down, nuzzling at the side of her neck. “I can be very discreet, Catherine. Just don’t scream. That would draw attention.”
She opens her mouth to respond, but the wooden table in front of us begins to morph. The side closest to us flips over, revealing a hand-painted menu.
I pat the table lovingly. “Thank you, Mabel darling. Give us a moment for Catherine’s order; she’s a train newbie. I’d like my usual.”
A tiny purple flag flips up, sticking a little way into the aisle, indicating we’ve submitted a partial order. If it takes Cath more than a couple minutes to figure out her order, the flag’ll turn black and call an attendant to offer suggestions.
Catherine marvels at it all. “This is absolutely marvelous, Manorin!”
I point to the menu. “I’ve never had anything bad on the train. You can’t go wrong, no matter what you pick.”
It takes Catherine another five minutes to decide on a summer sangria. As always, the drinks arrive quickly, delivered by the pixie attendant.
While the train chugs through beautiful Montana countryside, I point out some of the bigger ranches we drive through to get to downtown. We won’t pass through any other towns until we get to downtown Pine Gulch.
Catherine sips her sangria as I debate whether or not to turn and slide my hand up her skirt. Just as I’m about to do it, the table jostles the train overview packet toward Catherine. When it lands in her lap, she picks it up in one hand and pats the table lovingly with the other. “Thank you, darling Mabel.”
The table vibrates with excitement.
“Do that vibration on the bench seat, though,” I encourage.
Catherine playfully swats me with the brochure, then snuggles against me and opens it. The very first flap has a stunning picture of the library car, toward the back of the train. “Oh gods, that looks incredible.”
I bend down and nuzzle the top of her head. “It’s stunning, glass walls and glass roof and nearly sixty thousand books on the shelves, something for everyone no matter what you’re interested in. It’s also spelled so it looks like you’re at the front of the train. You can grab a book and drink, sit at the front of the library car, and simply stare out at the Gulch as you go by. Heaven… I used to do thinking loops around the whole haven whenever I needed to sort out a problem.”
Catherine rests her head against my chest and looks up at me. “It’s been so long since I’ve traveled, and this trip is already magnificent. Thank you. I can see why you’d have no desire to ever leave this place.”
I wrap an arm around her middle, holding her tightly to me. “Well, you haven’t seen the best parts of the Gulch yet. I haven’t even taken you dancing. You may remember I’m a better-than-average dancer.”
