Baby Love by Catherine Anderson (1999, Paperback, Reissue)

Maggie is running scared with her newborn infant and without thinking, jumps on a freight train to get away quickly. She believes this will be a way out for her and the child. What she doesn't expect is to find the boxcar already inhabited by several drunken transients. Two of the men try to attack Maggie but she is saved by the third man, Rafe Kendrick. Rafe is also running. He lost his wife and children in an accident in which he blames himself. Since those few years, he has left his home and taken to drink.

Maggie is secretive about her personal life and not willing to divulge much to Rafe at first. She won't even tell him about how she sustained the bruises on her body. Rafe accompanies her to a motel in a town in Idaho where he pawns his precious wedding ring to buy food and clothing for Maggie and the baby. When Maggie becomes ill and can't care for the baby or herself, Rafe makes the decision to stay sober and care for them both. As Maggie gets sicker, Rafe has to take her to a hospital, which puts her life and that of the baby's in great danger. Rafe has secrets of his own, but he steps in to protect Maggie from the danger that is pursuing her and the child.

Ms. Anderson takes the lives of two desperate people who need understanding and love and brings them together to find happiness that neither expected. This is a 'tugs on your heartstrings' book that is very well written from the first page to the last.