Taking the Plunge

by Angela Breidenbach

  "Wait, let me explain—"

  Delphina stopped and glared over her shoulder, "If you were a gentleman, it would be an apology." As she raised her skirt, and turned to leave, she glanced back at the sound of footsteps behind her. She picked up her pace and faced forward too late. The next moment she staggered backward from the impact between the door and her head. The room spun as black spots widened and engulfed Delphina in the sensation of rushing to the floor.

  Watching her eyelids flutter, Hugh released the breath he held. She had to be the most accident-prone woman he'd ever met. Catching her in his arms broke her fall. But the egg on her forehead would give her a headache the size of nearby Mount Helena. Still, he wanted to see the fire in Delphina's eyes again. They sparked a simmer in his veins. He carried her to the horsehair sofa near the wall opposite the large wall in the salon.

  Her eyes blinked up into his.

  "Hi, how are you feeling?" He kept his volume low in case loud noises hurt.

  She flinched anyway and lifted a hand to touch the knot. "What happened?"

  "Uh, we were displaying less than courteous behavior." He cleared his throat and raised a brow. "Evidently there were guests in the lobby."

  "I ran into a guest?" Her smooth forehead crinkled.

  He laughed. "Oh, sorry." Hugh offered at her wince. "No, the door."

  "The door?" She craned her neck to see around Hugh. "That's a three hundred pound slab of wood!"

  "It's a bit tougher than you, I'd say. You didn't even leave a dent." He hovered a finger above her brow. "Except there." He caught her confused gaze.

  "But it was open." Delphina raised a hand to touch the growing egg. "Ooh, ow!"

  "The desk clerk slid it closed to keep our conversation quiet. I tried to catch you, but—" he shrugged. With a tinge of humor he said, "I guess there's no limit on how many times a fellow can be a hero around you."

  She grimaced.

  "Holding you in my arms three times in the space of a few days, I may get lonesome if you—" Hugh caught himself. For some reason he didn't want to introduce the idea of another man in Delphina's life. Not with the vast opportunity in Helena.

  "Am I going to fall?"

  "What?"

  "Fall. Am I in jeopardy of falling?"

  "No, of course not."

  "Then why haven't you released me?" She pushed against his bicep. "This is most unbecoming. What if someone saw me in this…this predicament?"

  Hugh didn't want to, but he gently slid his arm out from under her back and lowered her head to the curved arm, then slid his hand out from behind her soft hair and the warm, velvety skin at the nape of her neck. "Someone already has."

  Delphina struggled to her elbow and pressed the other hand to her stomach as she waited out a wave of nausea. She still managed to grit out, "You can't be serious. Why would you put me in such a situation?"

  That sparkling spirit in her eyes hit Hugh hard in the gut. To have an intelligent, exciting woman like this fall for him would be much preferable to societies vision of womanhood. Of course, she held the trump card in that deck statistically. Was she aware she could snap her fingers and men a hundred deep would line up for the chance at a wife where there were so few? He wanted to stoke the sparks he felt building between them as much as he wanted her to trust him. Which she didn't—yet.

  "My first impression of you is accurate. You are not a gentleman."

  "I promise you, Delphina, I am. I merely sent Frankie for some ice."

  "The fact that you goaded me into danger doesn't factor in for you, does it?"

  Hugh backed away from the sofa. Better to give a wide berth than take on the whole hive. The queen bee did have several reasons to sting right now even though he'd meant well. As the natatorium manager, and the head swimming instructor, he hadn't given her his trust either. But then being surprised with a new employee in the middle of a double drowning wasn't the way he normally did business. The colonel seemed to be slipping after his bout with influenza a few weeks ago. Since Hugh hadn't known, did Delphina realize who her supervisor was?

  "I think due to our unusual introduction we might be better served to start again."

  She lay back on the curved velvet sofa arm. Dropping a hand over her eyes, she waved a hand. "How about we try that tomorrow? I think I've had about as much of you as I can take today."

  No, she couldn't have a clue. "Tomorrow it is."

  "I chipped some fresh ice from the pond, Mr. Thomas." Frankie held out a tea towel wrapped in a knotted packet. "Good thing it's been cold still in the mornings."

  "Well done." He took it and transferred it to Delphina's head taking care not to cause undue pain. Then placing her hand over the ice as her mouth pursed, he let go and said, "Keep this over that knot, and please don't go swimming for a day or two, especially not the deep end."

  She attempted to swing her legs to the floor. Then her face scrunched into a wince. "I will swim when I’m ready to swim and if I want to swim in the deep end, I will."

  He sighed, his next words were about to loose the hive. "No, you won't. As your supervisor, I need you to see the physician this afternoon and wait for his clearance before resuming your duties or going in the plunge at all. Then we'll—"

  "My what?" Delphina's eyes grew as big as the formal dining room's china platters as she dropped the ice. Slapping it back on her bump a bit too fast, she grunted out, "Ow!"

  He shook his head. "Until tomorrow."

  Chapter 3

  The natatorium's walls rang with the laughter of the boys' swim team. Hugh paced the deck, no jacket or tie, sleeves rolled up, watching as more boys slapped the wall finishing laps. "Ten minutes, then off with you all home."

  Delphina stood at the side rail. A few minutes splashing about anywhere in the pool they chose, completely free. How could she gain the same freedoms for the girls she would train if they couldn't have simple swim garb? Waiting on the final decision gave her as much of a headache as the purple lump on her head.

  One of the boys swam near the plunge railing and waved. "How are you feeling, Miss O'Connor?"

  "Frankie, right?"

  "Right-o."

  "I didn't have the chance to thank you yesterday for bringing me the packet of ice."

  Frankie caught the edge of the pool and swung himself up in a lithe leap. "Just hopin' you're gettin' well." He swiped a soggy lock out of his eyes. "Looked like you got a good whollup. Mighta been worse if Mr. Thomas hadn't caught ya'."

  "Mr. Thomas caught me?"

  "Yeah, sure he did. I done heard a big thump then Mr. Thomas yelled for help." He grabbed the towel draped nearby. "Don't mean no disrespect, but he had hold of you pretty good."

  "Oh." That would explain why she didn't have a matching set of lumps. Delphina raised fingertips and touched the back of her head, grateful for its normalcy. The possibility hadn't occurred to her. "No offense taken. In fact, I need to thank Mr. Thomas for his quick reflexes then, don't I? But first, thank you for yours."

  "I was just comin' in to tell him we have another fella gonna take lifesaving class." Frankie looked at his feet. "Not meanin' to bring up yer bad luck, ma'am, but savin' two lives the other day is kind of gittin' around."

  Delphina cringed. "Yes, I'm quite sure it's big news around town already."

  Frankie didn't say anything. His discomfort said it all.

  "It's all right, Frankie. I'll live through a little gossip" She pushed through her misgivings. Gossip. The reason her parents allowed their youngest child to venture to Montana to let it all die down. Even with her education degree, folks didn't consider it proper behavior to swim competitively at the age a woman should be married and having babies. It didn't help that she'd borrowed her brother's swim team uniform and raced against one of the leading male swimmers. She had not been indecent. The dark cotton blouse tucked under it kept her modesty. Unfortunately, the dean did not agree. If only she'd won! Although a second from winning proved she swam faster than most of the young men on the
team. The challenge hadn't been a sanctioned activity. Though the college awarded her diploma, banning her from walking in the commencement exercise still stuck under Delphina's ribs—shaming the O'Connor family. The women's uniforms were progressive, but the skirts and slippers still held her back in the water. All she wanted to do was prove women could swim fast and have fun competing. Wearing the shorter skirts in practice seemed to add strength and speed when unfettered by them during the race. The even longer skirts still worn by women, with twelve yards of merino wool down to her ankles, blousy sleeves, and laced-up slippers—how could any intelligent human being wrap women in these death traps?

  "Frankie, may I buy you and your friends some treats? I would like to offer a more tangible form of appreciation than mere words."

  "Nah, we're just glad you and Miss Wilder are both doing so good."

  Delphina smiled. "I saw her a few moments ago, and yes, she's also recovered nicely."

  Frankie ducked his head, but his grin couldn't be wider.

  Did he have a crush on the budding Miss Wilder Broadwater?

  "Off to the shower, Frankie. Your folks expect you and your brothers home in time for dinner. I hear you have company tonight." Hugh joined them.

  "Yes, sir!" He walked quickly to change.

  "Delphina, good to see you up and about."

  "Thank you." She gestured at the disappearing boy. "He's sure a nice young man. His parents have raised him well."

  "He's only had parents for about two years. Evan and Mirielle Rutherford adopted Frankie when he and his crew found Mr. Rutherford's missing son. Now they provide a home to the rest of the newsies when the boarding school closes during the holidays and summer."

  "The newsies?"

  "Eleven boys who sold papers for the Helena Independent in the streets." He shrugged. "To be fair, I think our whole town has adopted them."

  "You're telling me Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford now have eleven sons?"

  "And a new little daughter."

  She swallowed. "A dozen children?" She squeaked out. Then shook her head. "I don't know if I ever want even one."

  Shock registered on his handsome features. "You don't want children? Who ever heard of a woman that didn't want—"

  "I told you once, I am not a horse. Women do not have to bear children to be worthy." Then she closed her eyes. Why couldn't she keep her own counsel? Especially when the reason she came to see Hugh wasn't to argue women's rights or place in society. She'd meant to convey deep gratitude, not level him with personal choices he had nothing to do with. She opened her eyes. His mouth pressed into a tight silent line. "I am so sorry. That's not at all what I wanted to say to you today."

  "By all means, enlighten me." He folded his arms. "What more do I need to learn about you, Miss O'Connor?"

  Her temper only barely controlled, Delphina shook her head. "I said I'm sorry."

  "Apology accepted." His monotone voice and shuttered expression said otherwise.

  What had he said yesterday? Start over? All right, she'd take his advice. Taking a deep breath, she stuck out a hand. "Hello, I'm Delphina O'Connor. I'm the new women's swimming instructor."

  Hugh's arms dropped as his eyes opened wider.

  "And you would be?" For one long moment, Delphina worried he wouldn't meet her halfway.

  Then a large hand engulfed her smaller one. "Hello, I'm Hugh Thomas, the natatorium manager and men's swimming instructor." His bemused expression deepened into a full on grin.

  Delphina had no idea how long they studied one another. Time seemed to stand still. Then a trickle of sound broke the moment.

  "I said, I'm pleased to meet you."

  Did his voice sound a bit on the husky side? "Uh, yes, uh…it's a pleasure." What was that? When did she ever have a problem with confidence? Delphina slid her hand away.

  But he caught her fingertips. "May I show you around?" Hugh tucked her hand on the crook of his elbow on warm, masculine muscles.

  Delphina's glance down turned into a stare at the physical contact. She'd walked with her hand on a man's arm before, but never a bare arm. Never so personal. She lifted her gaze and collided with his. The flash deep in those blue eyes stopped Delphina's heart for a split-second. "I…" What was she going to say? Certainly not that embarrassing squeak. "You don't dress to swim with the boys?"

  "Not today." He kept the intimacy of a face-to-face conversation. "I have meetings so I had them swim laps for endurance."

  "Oh." He did look quite approachable without a jacket and just his tie.

  "Don't get me wrong. If I saw a problem, I could dive in right away." He drew her attention downward to his bare feet and wiggled his toes. "But Frankie is my strongest swimmer. He'd likely get to a boy before I did, like the other day with Wilder."

  "Frankie pulled Wilder out?"

  "He's the one who heard you scream for help. I had just walked onto the deck when I saw him dive in."

  "I am so glad he did."

  Hugh stared into Delphina's eyes. "Me too," he said as a slow smile spread across his lips.

  "Excellent. I see you're getting along well."

  Hugh answered Mr. Broadwater for the both of them, "I do believe we are, sir." Then he broke eye contact. "I was about to show Miss O'Connor around our facility. Would you care to join us?"

  Delphina pulled her hand back. "I'm sure I'll enjoy learning where everything is and how it all works, but I would first like to hear the answer about our women's swimming costumes." Would she stay if the answer wasn't to her liking? "Will we be able to replace them?"

  "Well, my dear, we have a dilemma to solve."

  "A dilemma?"

  "The funds are rather tight at the moment. As much as I would like to update our selection, I'm concerned the cost would cause a problem for the resort."

  "But sir, the safety issues must far outweigh the financial risk." Delphina pressed the issue. "Surely we can begin stocking a few at a time at least?"

  "Hence the reason I suggested we solve the dilemma. Because something is difficult doesn't mean it's impossible."

  Huge nodded with great seriousness. "Shall we tour first? You never know when an idea will strike."

  Tour? He made it sound more like a Sunday stroll. If she didn't show simple camaraderie, Mr. Broadwater wouldn't want to keep her in this new position. How long could it take? "Lead the way."

  Thirty minutes later, Delphina could find every lifesaving device, changing room upper and lower levels, and where all the wooden pipes ran through the massive building.

  The domed ceiling reminded her of a ship, more so the ark, with the rectangular central windows lacing the length of the building, above the pool. The boulders stacked in the deep end lavished the pool with a waterfall. Peaceful trickling over the rocks from both hot and cold springs relaxed all who swam in the warm waters. The electric lighting behind the main waterfall gave a stunning effect. The stained glass washed colorful designs reflecting on and in the water like the aurora borealis when it baptized Helena on rare occasions.

  As the trio ended their explorations, Mr. Broadwater brought up the swimming dresses. "Until we have a better solution—"

  No, don't say it, Delphina squeezed her hands together.

  "It appears we must set the issue aside."

  Delphina stopped walking as they passed the rental desk. "What if we could redesign those that we already have?"

  Mr. Broadwater stopped and walked back over to Delphina, who sat in the sales chair. "Go ahead, tell me more."

  "We have all this excess yardage of thin, black material at our fingertips. Per outfit." She pulled out a skirt. "That's enough to make two outfits without skirting."

  "We must be sure women will wear them. In the meantime, we have to offer something."

  "Do we rent out all the outfits every day?"

  "No, of course not, but how would we provide anything if we're cutting up all the attire?"

  "Let's start with ten swim dresses. If we're careful, and make at least two
swimming costumes out of each one, very shortly we've caught up to the regular rental rate. We rotate the outfits back into availability. Each time we only take ten. The ladies will have time to get familiar with the new style."

  The dawning on Mr. Broadwater's face melded into an approving respect. "That, Miss O'Connor, is brilliant."

  "You think so?" She pinked at his compliment.

  Hugh added, "That would double the costume rental if we could gain more bathers." Then he doused the idea in ice water. "But the problem we have is getting enough bathers to come as it is."

  "If women felt they had more opportunity, more of their rights recognized, they'd come." Delphina suggested. "I could put an announcement out that we're updating the design."

  "Delphina," Hugh held up a hand. "This is about building a swimming business not the suffrage movement."

  "No, you're missing the point, Mr. Thomas. Women want opportunity, the opportunity to enjoy physical fitness, competition, and making choices that benefit not only our families, yes also our country." Her words sped as passion fueled them. "Being forced to wear death traps because that's all we have to offer takes away the opportunity to make smart choices. Choices you men can make every day!"

  "You think a swimming get-up will change the world?" Hugh's disbelief dulled the timbre of his deep voice. "Women have worn what women want to wear for centuries, and that includes what they wear to swim."

  "Oh you think so, do you?" She yanked the dress off the peg. "Men have forced women to cover up for centuries. It's not about fashion. It's about keeping a woman in her place, milk toast and controlled!"

  Mr. Broadwater started coughing. He dug a hanky out and covered his mouth with the other hand held up for quiet.

  All of a sudden, Delphina realized she'd gone too far. Why did she have such an intense desire to win an argument with this man? So much for starting over. But Mr. Broadwater's coughing escalated. It didn't appear to be a guise to halt her faux pas.