by Danni Roan
Rosa opened the door and stopped staring at the large bed fastened on one side to the wall. There was a small clothing press and a wash stand set in a small stand that was firmly attached to the deck. Someone had delivered their bags and had lit a lamp, from which the flickering flame cast the room into a warm glow.
“You must ask for another room,” Rosa said wheeling to glare at him as if he had made these arrangements himself. “There is only one bed.”
“I can see that,” Dan whispered pulling her into the room and closing the door. “I don’t think we can change rooms now that we’re on the water though.”
Rosa glared at him. “I am not sleeping in that bed with you,” she flared an odd shiver running down her spine. “We agreed that this is a fake marriage, and that once my father was gone, we could end it. I will be shamed if I share a bed with you.”
“Rosa,” Dan reached out trying to take her by the arms, but she jerked back her dark eyes murderous. “Rosa,” Dan repeated lifting his hands in surrender. “No one is going to know if we shared a bed or not.” He felt his face flush red at Rosa’s sharp intake of breath. “No, no! That’s not what I meant. I’m trying to say. I’ll sleep on the floor, and you can have the bed. When we get back to Needful, we’ll just say we had separate beds or something.”
Rosa eyed Dan suspiciously. Would he truly be willing to sleep on the floor of a rolling ship while she took what looked like a very comfortable bed? She closed her eyes trying to keep her thoughts calm. So far he had kept his word on every single thing he had promised. Even if he hadn’t, she only had herself to blame. She had agreed to this mad idea, and now here she was stuck in a room with the one man she had tried to avoid at all costs.
“Very well,” she said “but you must go outside while I change.”
Dan chuckled but didn’t say a word, stepping back out onto the deck and walking to the rail. The night air brushed against his skin and he closed his eyes drinking in the smells of water and green things along the shore. Bright stars sparkled like diamonds in the sky, and he wished he could pull one down and give it to Rosa. He still couldn’t get his head around what had happened, but somewhere between trying to convince her that he owed her a living and the moments his lips had brushed hers in the little church of Needful, he had surrendered to the feelings in his heart.
The door to his room opened a crack and Rosa peeked around the edge. “You can come in now,” she whispered looking both directions then rushing away in a shuffle of bare feet.
Dan grabbed the door as it was swinging wide and caught just a glimpse of Rosa gathering her long nightgown around shapely ankles as she leapt into the double bed. In a moment she had the blankets pulled to her chin, but the sight of those ankles were sure to keep him up half the night.
“Do I at least get a pillow?” Dan grumbled feeling as grouchy as a doused cat.
Rosa pointed a finger toward the far wall and he shook his head at the pillow and blankets laid out for him. He was on his honeymoon and sleeping on the floor. Only he could end up married to the woman he loved, only to find himself sleeping on the cold hard floor on their wedding night.
Kicking off his boots and hanging his coat over a chair he slipped between the blankets with a groan of self loathing.
“Goodnight,” he mumbled reaching up and turning down the wick of the oil lamp.
“Goodnight.” Rosa’s single word hung in the darkness between them a shroud of longing and despair. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter 21
Rosa woke in a strange room the darkness around her pressing on her like a living thing. With a start she sat up in bed her mind frantically trying to determine where she was, as her heart beat out a frantic pace.
A soft snore from one corner of the room made Rosa turn squinting into the darkness as everything came rushing back. She was on a boat with Dan Gaines pretending to be his wife. Settling back into the bed she felt the steady thrum of the paddle wheel engines through the mattress, the slosh of water far below barely audible in the quiet of the night, and Rosa desperately wanted to go home.
A warm tear trickled from her eye as she longed to watch her daughter sleep. A deep loneliness filled her, and once again, she found herself wondering why Raul could not have stayed with her. Why he couldn’t have been content to manage on the little they had. A soft shuffling noise nearby made Rosa turn toward the sound and she could just make out the outline of Mr. Gaines where he curled in the blankets.
Doubts assailed her as she stared at the slightly darker space that marked the rancher’s lithe body. She was surprised he hadn’t put up more of a fight about sleeping on the floor and the memory tugged her lips into a smile. Perhaps the Mayor of Needful really was what he appeared, and he truly wanted nothing from her.
When he had first draped his arm around her, confronting her father with the news that they were engaged, she was sure he was trying once more to get her to agree to be his woman, but he had actually gone through with the wedding, and now here he was sleeping on the floor of their small stateroom.
“What do you want?” Rosa whispered covering her mouth with a hand when the cowboy stirred. Everyone wanted something in this world. Nothing was free. With a heavy sigh she pulled the blankets back over her shoulders, warding off the chill of the night. Tomorrow she would do her best to enjoy the journey. She had never had such an adventure before, and she didn’t want to let it slip through her fingers like sand. When she returned to Needful, life would go back to normal, just the way she liked it.
***
Dan shifted on the hard floor feeling the slight roll of the ship beneath him as the hard boards made his shoulder ache. He had heard Rosa’s gasp and seen her sit up in bed and his whole body had tensed. Had she heard something? Was someone outside their room? Only silence met his ears as he waited and watched.
After several long seconds Rosa flopped back into the bed and he stifled a groan at the thought of the soft mattress. He was sure Rosa must be missing Christina and would be thankful when this trip was over. He didn’t want to see the longing in her eyes each time she thought about her little girl.
A soft whisper drifted toward him as the woman rolled to her side facing him and he bit back his immediate reply to the question that hung in the room. You, his mind screamed as he released his heart completely. He might never have Rosa’s love, but he could be sure to have her wellbeing at heart. No matter what it took he would ensure she never went without as long as she lived in Needful.
***
Morning broke cool and bright and Rosa sat up stretching sleepily. Once her mind had settled, she had slept well, lulled by the gentle cadence of the steamboat.
“You must go,” she said turning to look at Dan who was rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He didn’t look like he had slept well, and the harsh rasp of whiskers under his hand made her smile.
“Go where?” Dan asked a yawn cracking his jaw.
“Out.” Rosa’s word was flat. “I wish to dress.”
Dan nodded pushing himself to his feet with a low groan and rolling his shoulder to try to work out some of the stiffness. A moment later he had stomped into his boots, grabbed his hat and was standing alone by the railing.
“Well good morning,” the older woman from dinner the night before grinned. “Waiting on your wife?” Her bright smile and devilish twinkle made Dan grin.
“Yes,” he admitted. “She’s changing.”
“Still shy in front of you?” Matilda’s question was more a statement and Dan didn’t bother to reply. “She’ll get over that in time,” the woman laughed. “One of these days.” She added patting his arm. “How long have you been married?”
“Since yesterday morning.” Dan’s face fell as he thought about the fact that he would have to let Rosa go when they returned home.
“Don’t look so glum. You’ll adjust.” Matilda grinned. “It can be a little rocky in the beginning as you get to know each other better. No matter how much you think you know
someone before you marry, living with them can be a bit of a revelation. I can see you love her very much.”
Dan turned back to the rail trying to hide the frustration on his face.
“Oh, it’s like that.”
“Like what?” Dan turned half in irritation, half in shock
“There are those that say in a relationship one will always love better than the other but that my dear boy is poppycock. Throughout marriage sometimes one has to love the other a bit more and in turn be loved more when they are not so loveable.” The older woman giggled shaking her head. “I don’t think that made any sense, but it will. If you love that girl, just keep loving her, and in time, she’ll give you her whole heart. In the end it doesn’t really matter anyway because I can see you’re totally smitten no matter what.”
Dan turned studying the woman for a moment then nodded. “Thanks,” he said.
“You’re welcome,” she laughed. “Now I believe it is time for breakfast.” Matilda turned with a titter, gliding away like a ship at sail.
Chapter 22
Dan offered Rosa his arm as he closed the door to their room and headed down the covered deck toward the dining area. She looked lovely in a dark green dress with wide skirts and a heavy ruffle that sloped from the bustle at the back.
“You look nice,” Dan said before his mind could catch up with his mouth.
“Father insisted on several new dresses.” Rosa shook her head in disgust. “I do not know why he spent this money. I will not need a dress like this for cooking at the Hampton House.”
“Enjoy it while you can.” Dan looked down on his diminutive fake wife. “You might as well have fun while you can.” He spoke his words out loud but knew that they were as much for him as they were for Rosa.
Rosa tipped her head toward him a playful smile spring to her lips. “This is good advice,” she laughed. “Today I am playing house like I did as a child only this time I will not have to make mud pies for dinner.”
Dan laughed the sound echoing out across the water and bouncing back at them like a boomerang. “I’m very grateful for that.”
“You never know,” Rosa grinned. “You might like my mud pies. I am told I make very good ones.”
Dan’s laughter ushered them into the long thin dining area, and he dropped his hand to the small of Rosa’s back guiding her to a chair near Harold and Matilda. His eyes fell on one of the hard looking men sitting at the end of the table giving the man a curt nod.
Helping Rosa into her chair Dan greeted their companions then started filling a plate with bacon, eggs, and ham. Within moments Rosa was engaged in conversation with the older woman. This whole thing did feel like pretend as Rosa had said, and Dan grinned, thinking that in a fairytale the hero would not end up sleeping on the floor instead of in a nice soft bed with his beautiful new bride.
The man Dan knew as Harold poured a cup of coffee handing it to Dan with a wink. “You look like you could use it,” he whispered leaning across the table until his broad girth and brocade vest brushed his plate.
Dan blushed taking the coffee, but managed a thank you. He flashed a glance at Rosa who was still chatting with the other man’s wife. “What is there to do onboard today?” the cowboy asked as they both began eating.
“They have a few games on the upper deck,” Harold said. “We like to take a stroll before lunch. Of course you can sit on the deck and read a book if the weather holds.”
Dan nodded thinking of how he might make Rosa’s day brighter by choosing some activities she might enjoy.
A chair scraped at the end of the table and the lean man in the dark suit slipped out the door letting in a soft gust of cool air.
Rosa shivered as the breeze rolled over her. “I forgot my shawl,” she said rising to her feet. “I will fetch it.”
Dan stood trying to stop her but she waggled a finger in his face. “You eat your breakfast. I will only be a minute.”
Dan opened his mouth to protest, but her hard glare snapped it shut once more. A light chuckle met his ears, and he turned to see Harold grinning at him with delight.
“I can see you have your hands full with that one,” the older man said. “I’m sure she will be fine. What can happen in the time it takes to return to your room? Enjoy your breakfast.”
Dan turned toward the door again his mind full of doubts, but he let himself slip back into his chair. If she wasn’t back in a minute or two he would go after her. He had promised to keep her safe and not only for her father’s sake.
Dan chatted politely with his dining companions, but grew steadily uncomfortable as the minutes dragged and Rosa still didn’t return. Finally giving into his nerves, he stood excusing himself and headed for the door.
***
Rosa wrapped her arms around herself as the wind quickened bringing with it a decided chill. If she hadn’t been so stubborn she would have let Dan go for her wrap instead of stepping outside into the cold. She had almost made it to her room when a dark shadow slipped from a door tucking a string of bright pearls in a coat pocket as he stepped to the next room.
Rosa scowled as she watched the man slip into her own room and her temper rose chasing away the misty chill of the morning.
“What are you doing?” she barked stepping through the still open door. “This isn’t your room.”
Like lightning the man struck grabbing Rosa’s arm and twisting her toward him wrapping a hand over her mouth.
“You should not have returned, little bird,” the man hissed in her ear, his voice sending a shiver down Rosa’s spine. “Now your husband will be alone again.”
Rosa kicked her feet trying to fight the man off but he hefted her from the floor by the waist while another man slipped through the door.
“What happened?” The second man spoke peering out the door. “How could you be so careless?”
“I didn’t see her. One second she was at the table, the next she was here.”
“She’ll ruin everything.”
“Not if we get rid of her,” the sound of the man’s voice made Rosa freeze with fear.
She shook her head her eyes going wide with fright, but she couldn’t speak past her captor’s hand.
“What do you mean?” the second man’s eyes sparked like flint.
“An accident. It will be a shame that such a pretty woman fell over the rail.” He leaned in brushing her cheek with his lips as a vulpine grin full of teeth overcame his face.
The second man grinned leaning out the door to be sure that they were alone. “Coast is clear,” he snarled opening the door and grabbing Rosa’s kicking feet, crushing her ankles in strong hands.
Rosa couldn’t breathe. Visions of her life, her daughter, her hopes flashed through her mind as the two men hauled her toward the railing. They were on the second floor deck and the black water gleamed wickedly far below. If they tossed her over she would never survive. At best she would break her neck on impact, at worst she would drown, pulled to the murky depths of the great river.
A door down the hall slammed open and Rosa saw Dan racing toward her a murderous look on his face. Her eyes widened, heart soaring with hope as the hard metal railing bit into her hip. “Dan!” She screamed as her captor’s grip loosened, but the word changed to a scream as she sailed overboard plunging toward the water below.
Chapter 23
Dan saw everything happen as he barreled down the deck at top speed, realizing with a sickening dread that he wouldn’t be there fast enough. His heart stuttered as the two men he had watched suspiciously, lifted a struggling Rosa over the rail, releasing her and wheeled toward him.
As Rosa’s scream split the air a glint of silver appeared in the taller man’s hand and they both turned to face a charging Dan.
The world went red as Dan’s bare fist connected with the smaller man’s jaw and the deviant dropped to the deck, a burning pain ripped across Dan’s ribs as he twisted away from the dazzling blade and rammed his elbow into the other man’s outstretched arm.
The knife rattled to the deck and Dan spun the man around grasping the back of his neck and bouncing his head off the railing.
The tall man in the dark coat slumped to the floor, half sprawled across his unconscious partner and Dan didn’t even blink as he hurtled the railing and dropped, boots first, toward the churning water below.
***
The dark waters closed over Rosa’s head as she plunged into the river the churning water from the forward momentum of the boat swirling her dangerously near the hull. She struggled, clawing for the surface as her heavy skirts, and thick crinolines pulled at her, dragging her toward the depths like some dark mythical creature of old.
Panic clutched her throat and Rosa kicked spinning once more as she pushed painfully toward fresh air. Something solid collided with her head and her mind went black like the waters around her and she knew no more.
Her life drifted before her like a slowly moving stream washing away the shame and regret of days gone by. She had found love and lost it. She had given life to a precious child who would grow up forgetting her as the years wore on. In that moment Rosa gave up. She released all the hurt, anger, and fear she had been holding in her heart and prayed that somehow she would make it home to see her baby just one more time. A vision of Dan flickered then faded into black.
***
Dan splashed into the water startled by the chill that engulfed him, then gave a mighty kick and stroked toward the light above him. He had to find Rosa. Gasping he sucked in a breath of air gazing around him for a glimmer of green, any indication of where Rosa was. The eddy along the edge of the boat swirled lifting something from the current and he plunged beneath the waves once more, searching, seeking, grasping.
God help me! He screamed silently as he searched the murky waters until his lungs burned and black spots danced before his eyes. Shooting to the surface, he gasped for breath turning as he tread water looking for Rosa.
