Chapter 9
Dougie played aft on the deck. “Mama, look!” He spun the small carved wooden top on the planks of the deck.
“Be careful, don’t get in anyone’s way.” Amelia smiled fondly at her son. He doesn’t seem to be marred by our years in Galveston. I’m glad he’s too young to remember how hard it was.
She sat with him on the broad apron of the deck near the paddle wheel.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Wilcox and Dougie.” Joshua walked around the curving deck to stand beside her chair. “Do you like the top, Dougie?”
“Yeah, it’s fun.” The little boy laboriously wrapped the top’s neck with string and then jerked the string which set the top spinning. His giggles accompanied the sounds of the gurgling water coming off the paddle wheel.
“You caught on to that very quickly.”
Dougie nodded as he watched the top slow its whirling movement.
Joshua moved to the deck chair opposite Amelia, keeping Dougie between them. “How are you today, Mrs. Wilcox?”
She smiled at him. “I am well, thank you.” I shouldn’t even be talking to you after that trick you pulled last night. I’ll not be that gullible again. You made me think you wanted to kiss me. I’ll be civil to you, but only for my son’s sake. “Dougie is very happy with the top. Thank you for giving it to him.”
“A little boy needs his toys. I am glad to help out.”
She watched her son. Boys need toys, indeed. I’m not going to be your toy, Joshua. No matter what you may think.
They passed the afternoon on the deck keeping watchful eyes on the rambunctious tot. Soon the sun started its downward trip dropping toward the horizon.
Amelia shaded her eyes and looked to the western bank. “We’d better go in soon, it’s grown chilly.”
“No, Mama! I want to stay here!”
“Don’t take that tone with me, young man.” Amelia stood and held out her hand to her son.
Dougie ignored her and spun the top once again.
“Dougie, stop that this minute and come to Mama.”
“No!” he bellowed with the force of an intractable toddler. When she reached for him, he ran in the opposite direction, toward the railing.
Joshua jumped up from the deck chair, and grabbed the boy, swinging him up on his shoulder. “Let me give you a ride.”
“Thank you.” Amelia bent to retrieve the forgotten top. Perhaps he’s not so bad after all. At least he’s good with children.
“Well now,” a snide voice intruded. “Isn’t this a cozy little scene.” Logan Matthews stood with a wily grin as he looked from Joshua to Amelia. “I had no idea the two of you were such close friends, spending the day together in domestic tasks such as tending to the little tyke.” He puffed on his ever present cheroot. “Is the boy yours, Major? He’s got the look of you.”
Amelia could feel her face heat. “Douglas is the son of my late husband.”
“How long as the poor unfortunate man been gone?”
“That’s none of your affair.” Amelia was barely able to keep the annoyance out of her voice. He couldn’t possibly know I loved Joshua even as I was married to Clayton. Just calm down, such rude behavior does not deserve answers.
“It looks to me like it’s the major’s affair, hey Hawthorne?”
Joshua carefully handed Dougie to his mother. “I didn’t realize you started drinking so early in the day, Matthews. It explains your boorish behavior. I suggest you apologize to Mrs. Wilcox and be on your way.”
Matthews looked Joshua up and down as if calculating his chances against the taller man. “I am sorry, if I have given offense, Mrs. Wilcox.” He lifted his hat in salute. “Have a pleasant evening, Ma’am.” With a final glare at Joshua, he turned and walked into the inner corridor.
“Are you all right?” Joshua glanced at Amelia.
She blew out a breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever met such a rude man. Even the blockade runners were usually polite, especially if you had something good to trade.”
Joshua took Dougie into his arms. “I’ll take him back to your stateroom. He must be getting heavy for you to carry.” He offered his free arm to her.
Amelia took it gladly. She could carry her son without difficulty, but it was pleasant to allow Joshua to help this time.
“Matthews won’t have much luck at the card tables this evening if he doesn’t sober up before nightfall.”
“I thought they played all day on these boats.”
“They do. He’s probably losing, that’s why he came out on the deck.”
“I hope he has good luck tonight, so we won’t have to see him. Here we are.” Amelia took the key out of her reticule and unlocked the door.
Dougie drooped, asleep on Joshua’s shoulder.
She reached for her son. “I’ll put him to bed for a while. He missed his nap today.”
“Will I see you later for dinner?”
She tucked her son into his cot. “I think I’ll eat in here with Dougie tonight. I’ve given Mariah some free time. She’s always such a help. I like to ease her responsibilities from time to time.”
“I understand.” Joshua took her hand. “Be very careful if you go out. If you need me, send for me.”
“I will thank you.” She closed the door after him. When he’s kind like this, I wish we could be together. He reminds me of the night we met…But he’d turn on me like they all do. I can’t trust men. I’m better off on my own. Amelia sighed. Part of me will always want Joshua.
Amelia looked at her sleeping child. At last, she could get out of the cabin. “Mariah,” she whispered, “I’m going out on deck for a few minutes. I hate to be cramped in here. I need some fresh air.”
“Do you want me to fetch Major Hawthorne for you?”
“No, that’s not necessary. I’ll only be gone a few minutes. There’s no need to bother the major.”
“Miz Wilcox, be careful. There’re some bad men on this boat. It doesn’t take long to get into trouble.”
“I’ll be careful. If I see anybody out there, I’ll come right back. Don’t worry about me.” Amelia wrapped her woolen shawl around her shoulders and slipped out the door.
She looked up and down the corridor and didn’t see anyone. When she got to the outer doors, she looked out at the deck. No one was in sight. Satisfied, she walked to the deck railing and took a deep breath of the crisp air. All her life she had lived in houses in which she could open her bedroom windows. Even in the coldest weather, she opened the window a bit to enjoy the fresh air. It helped her to sleep.
Amelia stood facing the water, her hands spread wide apart on the deck railing.
As she looked at the stars, big hands suddenly wrapped around her waist and drew her backward against a hard body. A pleasant tingle shot through her until the smell of whiskey assaulted her nose. She struggled against her captor.
“Well, Miz Wilcox,” Logan Matthews slurred the words, clearly the worse for strong drink. “Imagine meetin’ you here. It’s fate, it has to be. The tables have been unlucky for me all day today. I mus’ be lucky in love…”
Amelia twisted in an attempt to break his hold. “What do you think you are doing?” she demanded.
“Gettin’ some of that sweetness of yours. Told myself when I first saw you I’d have you.” He turned her around and kissed her wetly on her cheek.
She turned her head away at the last minute otherwise his disgusting lips would have claimed hers.
She pushed at him and only succeeded in making him hold her tighter.
“No, you ain’t gonna get away. Come on, girlie, you know what’s what. You been married and had a man between your legs a few times, anyway. What’s the harm? Doncha like me as well as that stuffy major?”
Amelia pushed with all her strength but it was not enough. “Let me go! I have a pistol and I will shoot you!”
Matthews guffawed. “Honey, I like ‘em feisty.” He ran his hands over her body as he held her pinned against the rails. “The thing is with a gu
n, you need to have it on you.” His hands rudely cupped her breasts through the black bombazine fabric of her dress. “I can tell you ain’t got a gun, less you got it strapped to your thigh.” He reached down and put his hand under her skirt and petticoats.
She grimaced as his sweaty hand landed on her inner thigh above her stocking and moved upward.
“Where is that gun, baby doll? Is it in here?”
Amelia felt her stomach revolt at his touch. She wanted to faint as his hand moved higher. She shut her eyes tight against the inevitable.
Suddenly and inexplicably, his hands were gone.
His body no longer pressed against hers. She opened her eyes in confusion.
Joshua held Logan Matthews by the scruff of the neck. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t throw you overboard,” the major roared.
Matthews started to giggle. “You ain’t gonna do nothing like that. Know all about you. Saw in the papers you were a hero at Gettysburg, saving your men while you were wounded. You carried that one man off the battlefield even though you were hurt.”
“You ain’t gonna tarnish your record.” He batted ineffectually at Joshua, all the while laughing hysterically. “I know your kind…” He twisted against the major. “She’s your weakness. I can see it. She’s your tell…”
Joshua punched the gambler in the face and let him fall to the deck.
“You broke my nose, you good for nothin’ bastard!” Matthews cupped his hands over his face as the blood poured out through his fingers.
“You’re lucky that’s all I did.” Joshua turned to look at Amelia.
Amelia trembled uncontrollably. She tried to speak but the words wouldn’t form. Tears started down her cheeks. Sobbing, she moved into Joshua’s waiting arms.
He held her safe and secure against his warm chest. “It’s all right, cry as long as you need.”
An officer strode out of the doors, followed by a crewman. “What’s going on here?”
“He broke my nose!” whined Matthews, pointing a shaky finger at Joshua.
“He attacked Mrs. Wilcox. I had to stop him.”
The officer looked at the combatants. He bent and dragged Matthews to his feet.
“You’ve been warned about this before. We’ll see what the Captain has to say.” He handed Matthews off to the burly deckhand. “Mrs. Wilcox, I am truly sorry this happened. Please let me know if you need anything. Goodnight, Ma’am, Major.” With a nod, the officer left the area.
Joshua held Amelia tighter. “Are you all right?”
Her sniffles diminished, she nodded. “I only stepped out for a moment. I looked before I came out here. There was no one in sight.”
She pulled back and looked up at him, backlit by the moon. “Thank you, Joshua. I’m so grateful you found me in time.”
“It’s what any proper escort would do.” He smiled down at her.
Amelia could feel the warmth of his smile coursing through her body. Without a pause, her arms reached up around his neck and pulled his face to hers. She stretched to her full height and kissed him, gently at first.
I’m home, truly . . . why didn’t I do this long ago?
Joshua took command of the kiss and deepened it, pulling her tightly against his hard muscular frame.
Oh yes, yes! Shivers ran up and down her willing body as she pressed as close to him as possible. I belong with him. I always have…oh Joshua, don’t stop, please don’t ever stop…
Amelia was not aware of the passing minutes or the cold. She clung to him matching him kiss for kiss.
Finally, he pulled back. “I’d better get you back inside. You’ll freeze out here.” His voice, rough as gravel moved down her spine and made her shiver.
“I’m not cold, not a bit.” Amelia’s voice was barely a whisper.
He broke away from her to recover her discarded shawl and gently wrapped it around her shoulders. “Better?” he asked.
“No,” She pulled his face down once more and kissed him. “That’s better…”
Joshua grinned at her when their kiss ended. “If I don’t get you back to your cabin soon, we run the risk of being put off the boat, along with Matthews.”
“We can’t have that.” Her tone teased him. “We’ve got to get reacquainted and have only ten more days onboard.”
He laughed aloud, his voice sending pleasant quakes down her body.
Her delighted laughter joined his, surprising them both.