Mr. Holt laid out his hand. Three of a kind.
Ringwald slapped his down. A high card, but that was it.
Lark laid out hers. A flush.
“Well, I’ll be.” Holt chuckled. “That’s it for me.”
“Another round.” It was not a question. Ringwald gathered the cards while Lark did the same with the chips she’d just won.
She made sure she didn’t look at Jonah or Bernie. She’d never seen this much money at one time in her life. She straightened her back, wanting nothing more than to go home and crawl into bed. Reaching into her reticule, she withdrew her fan, spread it, and fanned herself gently as if she’d not a care in the world.
This time Ringwald’s hands visibly shook as he dealt the cards for the final round. A vein pulsed in his neck.
Lord, what have I done?
“How many?” Venom laced the words.
Lark studied the cards in her hand. Three of a kind already. How could he have dealt her a hand like this? “One, please.” She laid one card down and slid the new one into her hand. Another six, giving her a pair. Thank you, Lord God. She nodded.
When her turn came again, Lark laid out her cards—a full house—as did Ringwald—two pairs.
Jonah knocked his chair over leaping to his feet, Bernie right along with him.
“Congratulations, Miss Nielsen. I’ve never seen anything quite like this.” Holt stayed in his chair, watching the gambler, whose ears seemed about to emit steam.
“Thank you, Mr. Ringwald. Especially for your encouragement when I was about to stop.” Larkspur waited, sensing his gaze on her, while Bonnie Belle exchanged the chips for cash. The phrase “only by the grace of God” swam through the clamor in Lark’s mind.
“Never seen a lady play like that.” Ringwald bit out the words around the cigar in his mouth. “Might think you knew what you were doing all along.”
“Now, how could I do that?” Lark stood from the table and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “But since I won, I’ll thank you to release the title to the land I hear this young gentleman bet.” She gestured to Bernie. “I’ll pay whatever recompense is needed from these winnings. And the horse and saddle you lifted off some other young player too.”
The gambler lunged to his feet, his chair crashing over.
“Why, you little—” Muttering something vile under his breath, Ringwald snatched the deed from inside his coat and threw it on the table. “Fine. You can have your land back.” He glared at the cowering Bernie. “And that other numskull can have his horse and saddle, for all I care.”
“Please allow me to reimburse you, Mr. Ringwald.” Larkspur held her voice steady.
“I won’t take money from a woman. Even a shameless hussy like you.” The gambler stepped near, so close she could smell his breath and see the glint of his gold tooth. “But don’t think I’ll forget you, Miss Nielsen. You’d do best to steer clear of me, or you’ll have more than your sniveling brother and his friends to worry about.”
3
I think you’d best back up, Mr. Ringwald, if you know what’s good for you.” Mr. Holt stepped between Lark and the gambler.
Bonnie Bell slipped up behind Lark and handed her an envelope of cash. “Be careful, miss,” she whispered.
“I’ll walk you home,” Holt said, taking Lark’s arm with a firm grip. The look he sent Jonah and Bernie made sure they did not argue.
She tucked the envelope in her reticule along with her fan and followed Mr. Holt’s lead, nearly running to keep up with his stride. They’d just stepped down onto the boardwalk, the saloon doors swinging behind them, when she heard something smash inside.
If Holt had not had her hand clenched to his side, she might have turned to see what had happened, but he steered her firmly toward home.
“Go get your brother,” Holt ordered Jonah. “Tell him to get to your house right away.”
Bernie went with Jonah as they ran back to the mercantile, where Anders lived in the quarters above the store.
Her three sisters met Lark and Mr. Holt at the door. “What happened? It’s after midnight. Are you all right?” Their questions peppered them like buckshot.
Lark sucked in a deep breath and huffed it out. “I won.”
Her three sisters sat around the kitchen table. “Are you all right?” Delphinium whispered again.
“She’s in a state of shock. Ladies, your sister is in mighty deep water.” Mr. Holt’s voice softened. “Show them, Lark.”
Sinking down on one of the chairs, she pulled the envelope out of her reticule and laid it on the table. They all stared at the thick tan envelope as if it were about to ignite.
“How much is in there?” Lilac looked to Mr. Holt.
“Somewhere over five hundred dollars.”
“Are you sure?” Forsythia shook her head. “It can’t be.”
“Count it.” Lark sucked in another deep breath and propped her elbows on the table, making it easier to rub her eyes. “Lilac, will you get me a wet cloth, please? The cigar smoke in that place was . . .” She shook her head. “Lord, help us.”
“What are you going to do with all that money?”
“Pay back your loss, Mr. Holt.” She looked at the man leaning against the dry sink. “How much do I owe you?”
“You don’t owe me a cent. I went into that game with my eyes open, and you won fair and square. That’s yours.”
“But—”
“No. I won’t listen to any argument. Right now we have to figure out a way to keep you safe.”
“Infuriating the deacon and gambling all in one night.” Forsythia squeezed Larkspur’s shoulder. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
“Good thing Ma and Pa aren’t here to see this.” Lilac handed her sister the dripping cloth.
Lark buried her face in the cool wet towel.
She lifted her head when they heard boots on the front porch. Holt started forward but stopped when Anders burst through the doorway. Lark
