by Lynn Landes
Dayton takes his time talking to the Conductor and stops in the men’s room to clean up before heading to the dining car to eat alone. It’s for the best. Savannah can take care of herself, right? She’s told him so multiple times. He glances at his pocket watch, wondering if she’s awake yet. Watching the scenery roll past the window, he grumbles to himself and eats lunch, slowly. Determined to give her some peace and quiet.
Maybe a drink in the parlor would help take the edge off. Dayton passes through the cabin and stops to check on Savannah and make sure she’s eaten. “Empty?” he glances around and doesn’t see her. She’s probably in the ladies’ room. He sits and waits.
After an agitated hour passes, he rings for George.
“Can you tell me where Miss Ward, is?”
“I’m not sure, Sir. She did ask about the library, perhaps you’ll find her there.”
“I see,” he frowns, “and where is that, exactly?”
“In the parlor sir.”
“Parlor!” Dayton jumps to his feet, “And is this the same parlor as the bar?”
“Yes, sir,” George replied with a smile.
“She never stays put,” Dayton stomps away, wondering just what kind of trouble he’s going to find Savannah in.
Savannah smiles at the young man sitting next to her and chews on her bottom lip. “What’ll it be, Miss Savannah? Are you in?” Brett asks.
Smoke, music, and laughter fill the parlor car, and Savannah has to fight back laughter. If her family could see her, they would have a fit. Savannah tosses in her bet, and nods.
“I’m in.” The bet passes around the table as two men fold, leaving one other woman and two men. In the center of the table is thirty dollars in cash and change.
“I’ll see that bet, and raise it two dollars,” Brett has been hanging on her every word until this moment. “I hate to make you cry Mrs. Giles,” he teases.
“No, you don’t,” Mrs. Giles snaps and glances at her who looks at her husband who nods for her to continue. “I’ll see that bet.”
Savannah carefully watches those at the table. Mrs. Giles defers to her husband, Brett teases and talks to everyone, charming and watching, while the two who folded play more cautiously. The final player is waiting, and she notes that he is using his thumb to rub his finger. All signals which are easily read. “I’ll call.”
Everyone turns the last card, and to the surprise of the group, Savannah is holding a straight! “I win!” Savannah shouts with glee and looks to Brett sitting next to her.
His mouth falls open in astonishment as Savannah reaches forward eagerly and gathers her winnings, dragging the money towards her. “Poker is fun!”
“Fun for you,” Mrs. Giles barks, and Mr. Giles jumps and stomps from the parlor with his wife hot on his heels.
“Just where did you learn to play poker?” Mr. Houser asks as Savannah laughs.
“That’s a question I’d love to hear the answer to,” Dayton snaps from behind her. Savannah stiffens for a fraction of a second before grinning at Mr. Aiden Brown, the handsome man sitting next to Mr. Houser wearing a cowboy hat.
“Gentlemen meet my cousin, Dayton Patrick,” Savannah says. “Are we playing another hand?”
“No, Ma’am. Losing to you three times has been the delight of my journey. I’m out,” Mr. Houser sighs and scoots away. “Miss Ward, it was a pleasure, enjoy your journey.”
Savannah nods and chances a glance at Dayton. He’s glaring at her, clearly angry and shocked by finding her in the parlor.
“What’s wrong, Patrick, afraid your cousin will beat you?” Brett snorts out a laugh. All the men at the table laugh and Dayton sizes up Brett.
“Not hardly. I’d rather sit back and watch her chew you up and spit you out,” Dayton snaps and walks away to order a whiskey.
Brett stiffens until Savannah pats his hand, “Ignore him, he’s testy.”
“Ante up,” the dealer calls.
Dayton watches from the bar, eventually gliding closer to watch. Savannah loses graciously for two hands. Brett has gotten cocky, and his attitude mixed with alcohol has started to affect his playing. Mr. Brown wins both rounds and Brett tosses his cards, “I fold,” he stumbles away from the table to Savannah’s relief.
“New player,” Dayton snaps and sits down across from Savannah.
“I’m out,” Savannah starts to gather her money only to hiss in anger when he laughs at her.
“Gotten too rich for you, Cousin?” he growls.
“Not hardly. Mr. Brown, it has been a pleasure,” Savannah stands, and both of the men rise and watch her walk to the front of the car where the library is.
“Gentlemen are you playing?” the dealer calls.
Dayton plays two hands with Brett, both men win one hand, and Brett finally folds. “Can I buy you a drink, Mr. Brown?” Dayton offers.
“I never say no to a drink, call me Aidan.” Together they walk to the bar while Dayton keeps one eye on Savannah. She is sitting with two other ladies and talking.
“You know she threw two hands.” Aidan glances over at Savannah with interest in his eyes.
“Of course, she did,” Dayton hisses in frustration. Does he know anything about her? He wonders.
“Every time her money would get higher than the original amount, she would lose. Why play if you aren’t in it for the money?” Aidan asks.
“Because it wasn’t about the money,” Dayton shoots back his second whiskey and savors the way it burns down his throat. A thought occurs to him, and he runs a hand through his black hair. I’m a fool he thinks. This wasn’t about the money. Savannah was hurt and angry because he called her his cousin and abandoned her. Dayton grins and relief washes through him.
Savannah watches Dayton move to the bar and shame washes over her. I’m acting like a juvenile, she frowns when a parlor girl slides over to him, and he turns laughing at something she says.
Sadness rushes through her, nothing has changed. He’s carrying out his duty, and she’s nothing more than a burden. She rises and hurries out of the parlor and back to her section on the train.
Dayton watches her go and follows swiftly.
Savannah stops a porter on the way to the observation deck.
Dayton watches her speak to the young man, and hand him cash. The man stiffens and then smiles at her. “Yes, Miss. God Bless you.”
He hurries away, and Savannah steps through the door. The fresh air washes over her taking with it the scents from the bar. She sighs. Blessed silence. It’s empty due to the shift in the weather. It’s colder which isn’t a surprise considering they are headed north to Chicago. She shivers and turns to go only to see Dayton watching her.
“Savannah, what would you have me do? Tell me, and I will see it done.” He steps closer to her only to have her back away from him. Surprise flickers through his eyes.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Dayton. We have reservations for dinner in an hour. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get cleaned up.” Savannah turns to go, ignoring his statement.
“That’s right, keep running. That’s what you do best.”
Savannah swirls on him, “Excuse me?” Her palm itches to slap his smug face.
“You heard me. I’m only protecting you,” Dayton starts to say, but she rushes at him, stopping just short of her body touching his.
“While you’re busy protecting me from unseen dangers, who is protecting me from you?” Savannah snaps.
“What does that mean?” Dayton demands.
“Whatever this is that’s between us,” she gestures with her hand, “it can’t go anywhere. You must understand, I don’t know how to play these games, and I have no tolerance for it.” She wraps her arms around herself and lifts her chin in defiance, “I would never fit in your world, Dayton. I’ve seen things, learned things you would never approve of. I’m not what you need, and I won’t need you!” Tears glisten in her eyes, and he smiles.
“You already do, Savannah,” he reaches for her just
as two couples step outside. Savannah siezes the distraction and leaves him standing in the cold. He watches her go and realizes he’s been pushing her hard. Is she right? Would she fit in his world? These past few months, when he plans for the future, he’s been finding her in the images more and more. She’s impulsive, passionate, loyal and perfect for him! They need more time to get to know each other. The trip to Chicago was planned before he knew of Savannah’s troubles, but it fits perfectly into his goals. He needs to trust her with his truth, his past and his future dreams.
Savannah hurries to the lady’s washroom and straightens her hair, clothes and washes her face. When she looks in the mirror her haunted eyes stare back at her. “Oh, what have you done, Savannah?” she gasps. Pacing back and forth she berates herself for falling in love with a man she can’t have.
“When did you become so needy? You don’t need him, Savannah Ward, you don’t need anyone!” she glares in the mirror and points at herself.
“I don’t need him,” she whispers, “but, oh, how I want him.” Defeated she wonders back to her cabin and sits quietly staring out the window.
Dayton returns and quietly sits across from her. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence he quips, “So, poker?”
Savannah whips her head to him and starts to laugh. Dayton laughs with her, and she grins, “Yes, poker.”
“I learned to play during the war,” Dayton says. “I saw a few battles, and it was enough. Unlike Glenn and Eli, I chose to fight differently.” He glances out the window watching the scenery pass by.
She stares at his profile and wishes she had the right to trace his face with her fingers and rub the worry from his forehead.
“The war wasn’t just fought in fields, Savannah. Oliver knew this, and he used his skill to help in his own way.”
“What was your skill?” Savannah wonders.
“Charm,” he grins at her exasperated look. “Charm combined with the family name, money, and business. Horses, Savannah. I had something the government needed, and that put me in a unique situation to watch and report back anything I could learn. I would take a shipment of horses to the enemy camps, take the sick or dying ones with me and heal the ones I could. In the midst of that, I listened. I took inventory, and I shared this information with others.”
“Why are you telling me this, Dayton?” she asks.
“Because I need you to know that I’m not perfect. I’ve lied, stolen, and betrayed people who trusted me for the cause I believed in. I’m not ashamed of it. I believed what I was doing was right, but I also won’t be ruled by the past. I want to live for the future.”
Dayton moves to the seat next to hers, “Savannah, I want you to think about the future with hope. Can you do that?”
Savannah touches his hand, and he flips his over linking their fingers together in a perfect fit. “I haven’t thought about the future, Dayton. I wasn’t sure for the longest time that I’d have one.”
Dayton flinches, and his hand grips her tighter. “And now?” he demands.
“Now, being near you, makes me dream for things I’ve long since forgotten.”
“Then dream, Savannah, and never stop!” he leans forward and presses a kiss on her forehead before standing up and moving away from her.
She huffs in frustration, and he smothers a smile. “Cousins,” she mutters under her breath.
Chapter 38
“This is beautiful!” Savannah gasps and smiles over at Dayton.
The dining car mirrors the other car with similar wood panels and lush carpet. Each four-person table is set with white linens, crystal glasses, and beautiful fresh flowers. The white cloth offsets the darkness of the walls and crystal chandeliers dance, reflecting light all around the cabin.
Dinner is a four-course meal, eaten slowly over time, and they are able to sit and enjoy each other’s company. He sits back, sipping on French champagne and smiles at her.
“You know, gambling is a sin,” his dark eyes tease.
“True,” Savannah smothers a smile, “but I try really hard to lose.” She blushes when he laughs out loud.
“What do you do if you win?”
“I don’t keep anything I win. Typically, I donate it.”
“Is that what you were doing with the Porter earlier?” he asks.
“You don’t miss much do you, Dayton?”
“It’s one of my many amazing qualities,” he quips.
Her lips curve despite her irritation at his cockiness. “Yes, that’s what I was doing. The immigrants on board need food. I paid for lunch with my winnings.”
Pride ripples through him at her thoughtfulness. “How did you learn to play?”
“The soldiers.” She shrugs and sips her champagne. “Boredom can set in quickly when one is recovering. They taught me five hand draw and other… games.”
“You are a woman of many hidden skills. Tell me more,” he leans forward to listen. He knows the games of war; he’d played many of them. His time wasn’t always spent charming people, but he wants her to share it with him.
“Would it shock you to find out that I can play dice games, checkers, and chess? Once they tried to teach me to box, I was surprisingly effective.” Dayton’s eyes grow wide, and he pauses mid-sip to stare at her over his glass when she says, “I drew the line at wrestling.”
“I should hope so!” Dayton retorts.
Savannah laughs, “It passed the time, and some even had foot races and horse races…” her voice fades for a second as she remembers the past. “Oh, how I love the speed! You know what I mean of racing across an open field. It feels like flying.” She sighs and stars at him. “Enough about me, I can’t give away all my secrets.”
Dayton shakes his head and stares at her in wonder. “You are a remarkable woman, Savannah Ward. How is it that some man hasn’t snapped you up yet?”
“I was engaged once.” Tears threaten, but she pushes it back and rips her eyes from his.
Dayton jerks in shock and stares as she struggles to compose herself. “What happened?”
“He promised to take me away from blood and war, but he wasn’t true to his word. His family didn’t approve of a woman who would tarnish her family name by traveling as a nurse. Only certain types of women were allowed to travel with the Sisters. I wasn’t… typical.”
“He was a fool to let you go, you know that, right?” Dayton asks.
“Thank you for saying so.”
“That isn’t a yes, Savannah.” His intense stare seems to peer into her soul, and she isn’t sure what to make of it. They sit quietly for a few minutes listening to the diners, the crystal, and forks on plates.
“Tell me why we’re going to Chicago. Who are these investors?”
“Alright.” We will return to this discussion later, he thinks. “Before the war I traveled to England, to attend the Derby. It’s a horse race that has run for the past one hundred years. It was amazing, Savannah. From there I traveled to Paris, to attend the Grand Prix at Longchamp.”
“Paris! I’d love to visit France, someday. Was it amazing?” she asks excitedly. A blush of excitement fills her cheeks, and the golden kiss of candlelight dances in her eyes.
“It was the single, greatest, horserace that I’ve ever seen. I wish you could’ve seen it, Savannah!”
She smiles softly at him. “It inspired you?”
His eyes light up when he’s excited, she thinks and sits back to allow the waiter to clear the table. “Dessert?”
“Of course,” Dayton replies, “Coffee please, Savannah?” he asks.
“Yes, please.”
The waiter carries over a dessert tray filled with six different desserts. Savannah’s mouth waters when she spies a chocolate layered trifle, and she points.
“That one,” she orders.
Dayton laughs, “We could share it,” he suggests, but she shakes her head immediately.
“Get your own, Cousin,” she quips.
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll have the Boston cream pi
e,” Dayton groans when it is served.
“I’ll be back with fresh coffee,” the waiter hurries away, and Savannah is enthralled with the way Dayton stares at his pie. He uses a spoon to scoop a decadent bite, and when it touches his mouth, he groans in ecstasy.
“Dayton, you’re causing people to stare,” she whispers.
His eyes fly open, and the chocolate is replaced by large black pupils. Desire. Goosebumps explode all over her body as he stares at her. “I don’t care what people think. I believe in savoring each second. Try yours,” he orders.
The dining room is starting to thin out, and she is grateful for it. Savannah takes a spoonful of her trifle and smells the chocolate before wrapping her lips around the rich dark chocolate.
Dayton’s eyes fly open wide when she mirrors his moan of delight. “So good, Dayton. I take it back, you should try this,” she opens her eyes and almost laughs. He licks his lips and nods his head, not trusting himself to speak.
“I’ll never eat dessert the same way again,” he murmurs soft enough for her to hear and no one else. Savannah blushes and glances away.
“Paris, tell me about Paris,” she nudges gently.
“I came home and formed the Paris Jockey club. My parents gifted me the land in Paris Kentucky, to build a new quality racing facility. They offered to fund it, but this is my dream, not theirs.”
“It sounds exciting, Dayton. How do you envision it?” she asks, taking a second bite of her dessert. Her lips drag over the spoon, and he glances away unable to watch her eat anymore. “I’m sorry, if I’m too pushy, you don’t have to tell me.”
Dayton glances at her and wonders, does he dare trust her with his dream? He hasn’t shared the full details when anyone. Not even his sister or brothers. Pushing away his dessert he leans in and nods.
“I’m going to build the biggest flat-track in the world. It will draw millions of people from all over to attend and race in a spectacular international event.”
Savannah can see it in her mind. His determination is reflected in his eyes, and his excitement is contagious. “Tell me more,” she demands.
