by Bobbi Smith
“That will be fine,” she said coolly.
“I’ll see you then.”
“He’s a very nice man,” Miss Hammond said sweetly as she watched Jack stride away. She was quite smitten with him. She knew a gentleman when she saw one, and Jack Logan was as fine as they came. “How is it that you find him so overbearing?”
“It’s a long story.”
“We have all day. Shall we go to the ladies’ salon? We’ll have a change of scenery there, and then you can tell me how you met.”
Amanda and Eileen made their way to the spacious, plushly furnished room and sat together on a comfortable sofa.
“So tell me all about Jack Logan. I think it fascinating that we’re having such different reactions to him.”
“You really are that fond of him?” Amanda looked at her curiously.
“I think he’s very handsome, don’t you?” Eileen asked.
“I try not to think about him at all, if I can help it. I can’t wait to get back home to my father so Jack can go on his merry way.”
“Why? It seems he’s been nothing but courteous to you.”
“But you weren’t there that first night—” Amanda stopped, wondering if she should tell Miss Hammond everything.
“What happened that first night?”
“I may as well tell you the truth, since I doubt you can get word back to my grandmother any time soon.”
“Amanda, if you tell me something in confidence, I will hold it in confidence. I would never betray you that way.”
“Thank you. You see, that first night when Jack came to my grandmother’s to get me, I was spending the night at a friend’s house.”
“Yes—” Eileen prodded when Amanda hesitated.
“Well, I suppose I should rephrase that. I had intended to eventually spend the night at my friend’s house, but before that Bethany and I were involved in a protest of sorts.”
“A protest?” Eileen was puzzled.
“You see, the whole reason my father wants me to come home to Texas is because I got involved in the women’s movement and I was expelled from school. The night that Jack found me, Bethany and I had joined four other women who were temperance marchers, and we were smashing up a bar.”
“You were what?”
“We took axes and went into a bar called The Palace and smashed up all the whiskey we could find.”
Eileen laughed in pure delight. “I can’t believe you did that! You say your grandmother doesn’t know?”
“No. I didn’t lie to her. I just didn’t tell her the whole truth.”
“I see. And our Jack? How did he get involved in all this?”
“My father hired him to escort me home. He went first to my grandmother’s. When she told him I was spending the night with a friend, he went to her house to find me. A servant there told him we were at The Palace and he followed me there.”
“Mr. Logan is a determined young man,” Eileen said with approval.
Amanda grimaced at her observation. “He caught up with us just as we were attacking the place. What’s so maddening is that I wanted to stay with my friends, and he just walked right in the bar, took my axe away from me and hauled me out of there. It was so humiliating! He threw me over his shoulder. At the time, I didn’t have any idea who he was. I thought he was some kind of kidnapper. I fought him and tried to escape from him until he showed me my father’s letter. Then I told him that I wouldn’t go back to Texas with him, and he kindly reminded me that I was an unmarried female and I had to do as I was told.”
“And that didn’t sit well with your desire to be your own woman, I take it.”
“Exactly.” Amanda looked at her companion with renewed respect. “Do you know a lot about the suffragist movement?”
She nodded. “I’ve been following it for some time. A few years ago, I attended a speech given by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She is a wonderful speaker, a very intelligent woman. I agree with their ultimate goal of equality, but I don’t know that I’ll see it in my lifetime. Society is a difficult thing to change, and there is a lot of resistance to our having the right to vote.”
“I know,” Amanda admitted tiredly. “We’ve been marching and lecturing and trying to get the word out so other women will join in and help us. Sometimes, though, other women are our biggest problem.”
“I understand completely,” Eileen said. “But whatever you do, don’t give up. I may never have the right to vote, but I bet you will.”
“I hope so. I certainly am as good as any man. I was thinking about that just the other day. When I was young, I could ride as fast and shoot as straight as the boys I played with. I made excellent grades in mathematics and science at school, so I know I’m as smart as any man. The only way a man is superior to a woman is in brute strength,” she concluded.
“That’s very true, my dear, and usually that’s a wonderful thing, for a man will protect what’s his with his power. But then there are men like that Micah. Just look at how he uses his strength. Instead of protecting his wife with his might, he batters her with it. It’s men like him who remind us of the need for our own independence.”
“If only we could convince his wife to save herself. You know, I didn’t tell you this earlier, but the reason we went to The Palace in the first place was because one of the regular patrons of the bar had gotten drunk and had beaten his wife to death a short time before.” The thought quieted them both as they shared a look of mutual understanding. Then Eileen spoke up to lighten their somber mood.
“So Jack carried you out of the bar and took you home to your grandmother, but he didn’t say a word to her about your activities?”
“No, and I was glad for that, but by then, it really didn’t matter, for I was already going home. What more could my grandmother have said?”
“What happened to the ladies who stayed behind at the bar?”
“As it turned out, the police came just as Jack was taking me away, and all my friends were arrested.”
“Thank heaven Jack showed up when he did!”
“I would have preferred to go with my friends,” Amanda said with loyal dignity.
“Really? Jack probably thought he was doing you a favor. I believe he wanted to get you out of there to save you, your grandmother and your father from embarrassment. He was, after all, hired to bring you home and he was just doing his job.”
“You’re making him out to be a hero when he was high-handed and very arrogant.”
“He’s a man,” Eileen responded.
“I don’t like him. He’s too domineering.”
“Your father told him to bring you home safe and sound. He’s just trying to do his job, and so far you’ve led him a merry dance. Think about it.”
Amanda did, remembering the bar scene, the ride home and her attempted escape from the carriage, and her run-in with the couple in the cabin next to theirs. She tried not to smile, but couldn’t hold it back. “I have, haven’t I?”
“Yes, dear, you have.” Eileen patted her hand as she smiled, too. “But I suppose he’s man enough to keep up with you.”
Amanda didn’t respond, but she knew Eileen was right. Of all the men she’d known, Jack was the only one she hadn’t been able to outsmart or outmaneuver. She found nothing endearing in that, though, and still couldn’t wait to get home and be free of him.
Jack made his way to the crowded saloon that was the men’s haven on the ship. Those gathered there were smoking and drinking and generally having a good time. Jack would have greatly enjoyed a whiskey right then, but he joined in a poker game instead. As he played, he discovered that he was a bit sharper at keeping track of his cards playing sober, and he was pleased.
As the hours passed, Jack found himself glancing toward the door every time he heard a woman’s voice as she passed by the entrance to this male haven. He didn’t know why he thought it might be Amanda or why he was so interested in seeing her. It was his job to make sure she was safe, and she was. He didn’t have to do anoth
er thing except deliver her to her father in San Rafael. And he would do that soon. Thank heaven.
Jack had been playing cards for some time when he caught sight of the man named Micah as he entered the saloon. Jack had no use for him, and he was irritated when the bully joined in the poker game.
“Afternoon, gentlemen,” Micah said as he sat down, a smug, confident look on his face. “We playing for high stakes?”
“As high as you want them,” another player said, although up until that time it had been a comfortable game with no great losses among the players.
Micah began to drink and play with a vengeance. He bet large amounts that drove several of the other men from the game. He eyed Jack across the green-topped poker table as if he planned to teach him a lesson. Jack had interfered in his business and had insulted him publicly, and Micah likely wasn’t a man who forgave insults. He’d already punished his wife for trying to stand up to him.
“You ready to play some serious poker?” Micah asked, his beady, black-eyed gaze riveted on Jack.
Jack looked up at him, his expression passive. He understood men like Micah, and he didn’t like or respect them. He thought about leaving right then, but decided it would feel good to best him at least once at the tables. Micah was drinking heavily and would grow careless over time. When he did, Jack would make his move and see that he paid for his weakness. “I always take poker games seriously.”
They began to play in earnest then, the stakes running high. Jack won one, then lost one. The other men at the table were enjoying the added excitement, and several men gathered around just to watch.
Betting ran hot and heavy and two men dropped out, but Jack, Micah and one other stayed.
Micah ordered another drink and downed it without pause. He forced the pot higher, apparently wanting to prove that he was the best man at the table. When the third player matched his wager and called, he was ready.
“A pair of aces,” the man said, laying down his hand.
“I’ve got two pair,” Micah announced with a triumphant smile as he, too, showed his hand. He started to rake in the pot. His gaze locked on Jack, wanting to see defeat in his expression and misery at the knowledge that he’d lost so much. Micah was startled when Jack just smiled.
“The pot’s mine,” Jack announced. “I’ve got a full house.” He spread his cards out for all to see—three sevens and a pair of fours.
Micah was furious, but he couldn’t show it there. Outwardly, he had to be a good loser. “Nice hand.”
“Thanks,” Jack replied with an easy smile. He pocketed his winnings. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I’ve played enough poker for today.”
“But I want a chance to win my money back—” Micah sputtered as Jack stood to leave the table.
“Maybe later. I hate to tempt fate, and my luck’s played out quite profitably this afternoon. Gentlemen.” He walked away from them to stand at the bar.
Micah continued to play and to drink. Jack knew the other man was angry, and he didn’t care. It gave him a certain satisfaction to have taken his money. He couldn’t do anything else to him, but he could do that. His smile was one of grim satisfaction.
It was late afternoon when Micah made his way unsteadily from the saloon. His mood had only grown uglier as the day progressed—not that he’d lost any more, but just the thought of having lost to Jack gnawed at him. He headed back to his cabin expecting to find Becky there. He’d told her to stay in their stateroom, and she’d damned well better be there. There would be hell to pay if she wasn’t, and maybe even if she was. He smiled drunkenly as he started down the companionway. When he reached their door, he had trouble fitting the key into the lock, so he knocked and waited for Becky to answer and let him in.
“Becky, open the door,” he demanded gruffly when she didn’t respond right away.
He pounded again. When silence was his answer, his temper raged. The woman should be rushing to do as he’d bid! Where the hell was she? In an absolute fury, he managed to unlock the door. He threw it open with such force that it slammed violently back against the wall.
Micah stepped inside and stared at the empty cabin. Becky was not there, and that made him even more furious. She was his wife, and she was supposed to do exactly what he told her to do.
“Where are you, woman?” he bellowed, thinking she might have been in the small water closet, but when he opened that door, he found it empty, too.
It was only then that he noticed some of her things were gone from the room. Frowning, he opened her trunk and discovered that her clothing and jewelry and some of his money were missing.
“What the hell!” he shouted. In a rage, he tore the place apart, then realized that the ship had made a short stop in some port early that afternoon while he’d been up in the saloon. She must have left the ship then. She was gone. She had fled from him.
He left the cabin and sought out one of the stewards. The man informed him that Becky had indeed left the boat when they were in port. Micah demanded that the ship return so he could go after her, but he was humiliated even further when he was summarily and coldly rebuffed. They would not be docking again for another two days. Only then would he be able to leave the ship.
Barely in control, Micah returned to his cabin. He dug through his trunk and took out his silver flask. Sitting down heavily on the edge of his bed, he took a deep drink, his eyes aglow with the power of his anger. He imagined what he would do to Becky when he found her—and he would find her. He had no doubt about that. He would teach her once and for all that she couldn’t defy him.
He heard the sound of muted female voices coming from the cabin next door and remembered how that woman had interfered in his business . . . in his marriage. He took another deep drink and then snarled in rage as he stood up. It was her damned fault that Becky had left the ship. Becky would never have dreamed of leaving him before she’d butted in.
Micah staggered from the cabin. He was going to teach that arrogant bitch a lesson, too. He knew Jack was still in the saloon, so there would be no one to stop him. When he got done with her, she would never stick her nose in somebody else’s affairs again.
Chapter Five
Micah knocked on Amanda’s stateroom door, controlling his fury as he did so, not wanting to give away the power of his anger.
Eileen answered his knock right away, thinking it was Jack coming to take them to dinner.
“Yes, sir? Can I help you?” she asked in her most dignified manner. She was surprised to find herself face-to-face with the evil man from the cabin next door and thought that, perhaps, he was just so drunk that he’d gone to the wrong cabin.
“Damn right you can!” he snarled, pushing his way past her and into their room. It didn’t matter to him that she was old enough to be his mother. He’d hated his mother. “Where is she?”
“She’s not here,” Eileen lied calmly, wanting him out of there. She hoped Amanda had sense enough to overhear what they were saying and stay in her room.
Micah turned on her and slapped her full force. Eileen cried out in pain.
Amanda was dressing for dinner when she heard the commotion. She couldn’t imagine what had happened and rushed out to see what was wrong. The sight that greeted her stopped her cold in her tracks. She found herself staring at the man she despised.
“You!” she said in disgust, her stomach roiling at the sight of him, drunk before her. “Get out of our cabin! You have no business here.” She started to go to Eileen.
He gave a savage laugh and advanced on her. He had only one thing on his mind. “You’re wrong, you bitch! I’ve got business with you. You’re the one who caused it all. It’s your fault.”
“Get out!” Amanda backed away. She could see that he was beyond reason, and she knew what violence he could wreak. She looked around, desperate for something she could use to defend herself. She wished for her axe or for the six-gun she had at home, but there was nothing that would hold him off.
Eileen saw t
hat he had every intention of hurting Amanda and knew she had to do something. She picked up the china bowl that had been on the table. She didn’t know if she could knock him out with it, but she hoped she could slow him down long enough for them to escape.
“I’m not leaving here until I’ve paid you back for all the trouble you’ve caused me!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Becky’s gone, and it’s all because of you!” He lunged at her.
Amanda tried to flee back into her small sleeping room, but his hand closed on her arm with vicious intent. He swung her around toward him and raised his hand to strike her.
It was then that Eileen struck, screaming loudly as she brought the bowl down on the back of his head. To her horror, the force of her blow shattered the bowl, but only stunned him. Blood flowed from a cut on his scalp, and he was cursing vilely as he turned back toward her, still holding tightly onto Amanda.
“I’m going to teach both of you a lesson, and then I’m going to track down Becky—”
Amanda fought with all her might to break free of him. She hit him as hard as she could, but he only gave her a vicious shake as he made a grab for Eileen.
Eileen proved too quick for him, though. She fled out the door, leaving him alone with Amanda. Once in the hall, she was terrified to leave and terrified to stay. She heard Amanda cry out and knew she had to go for help. She couldn’t defeat the man by herself. He was too drunk and too mean.
Jack had lingered in the saloon until it was nearly time to take the women to dinner. He was just starting from the room when he overheard one steward talking to another.
“That Micah Jennings just found out about his wife.” The man chuckled. “He’s not a very happy man.”
Jack interrupted immediately. “What did he find out? What happened?”
“When we docked, his wife took her things and left the ship. When we sailed, she didn’t return. He was a little angry, to say the least.”
