by Sable Hunter
King snarled and scoffed. “Just so long as I get out of this house and away from you, I don’t care where I end up.”
Fancy let his insults roll off her like water off a duck’s back. In her time, she’d heard it all. Going to the kitchen, she found a bowl to mix up the plaster powder with water. She was just about to carry it back to King’s bedroom when Boone came through.
“Do you need help with that?”
“Not unless you’ll tie him up for me.” Fancy shrugged, then smiled. “I think we’ll be fine. Thank you for bringing these things. I know King appreciates them very much.”
“All right. I’m going to head out and see what work needs to be done. If he gets to be too much, come get me.”
“Oh, we’ll be fine. His bark is worse than his bite.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Boone tipped his hat and left Fancy to her task. “All right, ready or not here I come.”
King lay there waiting, knowing what was to come. He knew he ought to be grateful. The woman was going out of her way to take care of him, receiving no reward other than a temporary roof over her head and a little food. What rankled him most, was the fact that his friends tried to force this issue with him. Still, that decision certainly wasn’t Fancy’s fault either. If he was a victim in this situation, so was she.
“All right, here we go. One plaster cast, coming up.”
Going to the side of the bed, she sat the bowl on the floor, then moved the table close enough that she could work easily. “We’ll have to remove the splits, then wrap your leg with a piece of linen to keep the plaster off your skin. Then, I’ll dip the other pieces of linen in the plaster and layer them on your leg until we have a nice, thick, durable cast.” She didn’t wait for him to give her permission, Fancy just set to work. Over the last forty-eight hours, she’d touched him numerous times. Although, the pleasure and delight she took in the contact hadn’t lessened, Fancy had managed to curb her visible response. Hopefully, King had no clue how he affected her.
“How did you learn to do this?”
Fancy pulled back the sheet, then placed her hand under his thigh. “As I told the others, I used to live near a bonesetter. She had a bad case of rheumatism and I helped her when her joints became too painful to use.”
“You’re just a helpful sort, aren’t you?”
Fancy knew he didn’t really mean any harm, so she proceeded with the task. Removing the splint, she peered at his leg, running her hand over the muscles. “There’s still some swelling, but I think it’s gone down some.” Taking a clean wet rag, she tenderly washed his leg, then patted it dry, very careful not to cause him pain. “Next, we’ll wrap your leg in this cloth, then I’ll start building the cast.”
As Fancy worked, he didn’t really have anywhere to look but at her. Her face wasn’t ugly, it was just narrow, and she didn’t look very healthy. Her skin was pallid and there were dark circles under her eyes. As his eyes roved down her body, he could see her breasts were small and her waist narrow enough he could span it with his hands. He also noted her dress, the same one she’d been wearing since she arrived. “Why don’t you ever change clothes? You do own another dress, don’t you?”
Fancy dipped another strip of linen in the plaster, then carefully aligned it on the side of his leg. “No, actually, I don’t. This dress is all I own.”
King was taken aback. He didn’t know what to say.
“I was an indentured servant. When I earned wages, I used them for food.” She gave him a small smile. “I was saving up for a dress, but now…” Now, she wasn’t sure what would happen. “It’s clean though, I wash it every night and put it back on the next day.”
King laid his head back. The woman had a damn way of taking the wind out of his sails. “I can’t wait to get out of this bed, I’m so bored I’m about to go crazy.”
“It won’t be long.” She continued with her ministrations, keeping her concentration on making the layers smooth and keeping the plaster off his skin. “While I was cleaning, I saw you have a world of books in the library. I’d give my eyeteeth to get my hands on some of those. Do you feel like reading?”
“Not really, that blow to the head has left me with a dull headache.”
“Would you like for me to read to you a bit when you feel restless?”
“You want to read to me?” He sounded a little amused.
“Yes, I saw several of my favorites, but it would be your choice, of course.” She put the last strip on, then wrapped the whole cast with one solid piece of linen to give it a smooth finish. “I saw that you have a chess set also. I could beat you a time or two, that would be fun.”
King snorted. “There’s not a chance in hell you’d beat me.”
“Oh, really?” Fancy stood and wiped her hands. “Would you care to back up your over-confident claim with a small bet?”
King let his eyes rove over the unimpressive female standing so defiantly before him. “Do you have anything of value to wager?”
His question gave her pause. She had no money. A kiss would not be welcome. Her lucky piece was strictly off limits. “Well, I could make you a dessert or a dish of your choice. Would that be acceptable?”
“Hmmm, I have some coconut. Do you know how to make a coconut layer cake?” His mouth was watering already.
“I do. And what will I get when I win?”
King snorted. “Well, there’s no chance of that, so name it. What would you like if you win?”
Fancy studied his face. He was so cocky. There was no doubt in his mind that he would win. “Anything?”
“Sure. Money. A whole silver dollar. Or…” He pondered, thinking of something else she might want.
Fancy clutched her hands into fists. Did she dare tell him what she wanted? Oh, heck, why not. She would only live once, and so far, life hadn’t been kind. Perhaps, her luck was about to change. Who was she kidding? Luck wouldn’t have anything to do with this, she had skills.
“So, do you know what you want?” He spread his hands. “A moot point, actually, considering you’re not going to win.”
“Yea, I know what I want.” Fancy looked him straight in the eye. “If I beat you in a game of chess, I want a kiss.”
“A kiss?” He snorted, then choked a little, so he coughed.
“Yes.” Fancy stated in her newfound confidence. “If I beat you at chess, I want you to kiss me.”
“Well, what kind of wager is that?”
Fancy smirked. “Scared I’ll win?”
Yes. “No. Of course not.”
“All right.” She picked up the remnants of linen and the bowl of plaster. “Just rest and let the plaster harden. I’ll go put the pork shoulder and sweet potatoes in the stove. While it cooks, I can read to you, or we can play chess.”
“Read.” He said quickly. “Anything you choose.”
Fancy got tickled. He was scared. Of her beating him or him having to kiss her. One or the other. Maybe both. “Coward,” she whispered under her breath as she did her best to sashay out of the room.
* * *
As directed, King kept still. He wanted this cast to work, so he could get up out of this bed and out of this house before that woman drove him around the bend.
He couldn’t believe she’d challenged him to a game of chess. Him. He’d attended the University of Virginia. He’d been a chess champion! Well, he’d show her.
Or - - maybe she’d just forget about it.
In a little while, Fancy came breezing in with two books in hand. “I’m back! Your library is amazing. You are so fortunate! I was privileged to visit the subscription library in St. Louis and one of my employers loved books, so I’ve seen many.” She lowered her voice, like she was telling a secret. “I haven’t read nearly as much as I’d like. Although, I would love the chance to read as much as possible. I saw so many great books in your library, everything from The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper to The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn.” She held up two leather
bound volumes. “I brought two for you to choose from…” Fancy read the titles, “David Copperfield by Charles Dickens or Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.”
King was fascinated by how happy she looked. She settled in the chair, then wiggled like a hen making a nest. “I know something of David Copperfield, it’s about an orphan, so there’s lots of poverty and abuse in the story.” She gave him a pointed look. “In other words, pretty much like my life story. Do you love to read stories that tug at your heart?”
He shrugged and said, “I don’t know.”
“I do, but it’s not so easy when you’re as woeful as the characters in the book.”
“Did anyone ever tell you that you talk too much?”
“All the time.” Fancy grinned at him. “So, have you read Frankenstein yet?”
“No, I haven’t.” He shifted trying to prop up on his pillow.
“Here, let me help.” She jumped up to assist him. “How does your leg feel? I didn’t get the cast too high in the bend of your leg, did I?”
“No, I think it’s fine. Thanks.” He didn’t say anything more as she went about adjusting his covers. The last time he’d had anyone so attentive to his needs was when Mattie took care of him as a boy.
“Okay.” She returned to her chair and repeated the motion with her hips, nestling down in the chair to get comfortable. “All right. Here we go. This is supposed to be scary now, so if you get afraid, tell me.”
To his amazement, she winked at him, then began to read.
Despite his restlessness, King hadn’t expected to enjoy this time. He’d agreed only because he was bored to death. Imagine his surprise when he found himself hanging on her every word. She read well, putting just enough of her own emotions into the story to make it come alive. Pausing only to periodically check her cooking, Fancy continued to read. They were both swept into the story of the intelligent and articulate creature who finds that people are afraid of him because of his appearance. When they came to the part where he saw his reflection in a pool and realized he was hideous, Fancy began to cry.
King chuckled. “You’re not feeling sorry for the monster, are you?”
Fancy ran a finger over her cheek, catching the tear that slipped from her eye. “A little. I know what it feels like to be ostracized because of my appearance.” She lifted her eyes to his. “I’m ugly, you know,” she informed him as if he hadn’t noticed or commented on the fact himself not too long ago.
“Nonsense.” King found himself coming to her defense without thought. “You’ve just had a hard time.”
His kind words washed over her spirit like a gentle spring rain. “I have,” she admitted, “but this atrocious red hair hasn’t helped.” After a quick grin, she continued to read until they heard the front door open. “Oh, they’re here! I’d better finish supper.” She stood and hugged the book to her. “Thanks for letting me read to you, I enjoyed it.” He’d done nothing more than nod before she placed the book on her chair and took off. Her parting words rang out. “I’ll bring your food as soon as it’s ready and we’ll play chess after supper.”
King frowned, started to say something, but the next thing he heard was her voice, still talking to him as she headed to the kitchen. “Unless you’re chicken!”
…Much to King’s satisfaction, he had lots of visitors that evening. His men came to sit in his room, some of them even bringing their plates of food to eat on the floor.
“It was one of those days, Cap,” Jericho muttered between bites of pork and sweet potatoes.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, full of concern. Lying in this bed and not being in the thick of things frustrated the hell of out of him.
“Clay’s horse threw a shoe, but I got that fixed right away.” One of the few good things that had come from the war was Jericho learning to be a blacksmith. He’d learned on the fly, from a man who’d been plying the trade for decades. “No, we got some bad news.”
“Bad news?” King’s fork paused halfway to his mouth.
“A rider came through, said hoof and mouth disease is spreading like wildfire through the territory.”
“Damn.” King considered the problem. “At least our herd is on the way and out of danger.”
“Yea, but what about our breeding stock?” Reno asked. “That’s what I’m worried about.”
King took a sip of water. “Hoof and mouth isn’t spread like other diseases. They can’t pick it up from the soil, it’s passed from another infected animal. We need to make damn sure our cattle don’t meet up with any others. Round up what’s left of the herd and bring them in to the corrals and holding pens until the danger passes.”
He was so caught up in the thoughts, he didn’t notice Fancy coming to collect their dishes until she spoke. “Anyone want seconds? There’s plenty.”
Clay and Gentry rose to refill their plates. Jericho and Boone begged off, having eaten a bigger noon meal than the others.
“How about you, King?” Fancy reached for his plate.
“No, I’m good.” His inactivity had cut his appetite way down. “I’m going to get fat if I’m not careful.”
“Miss Fancy’s cooking may make us all fat,” Gentry said. “I had to punch another hole in Ace’s belt this morning.”
“Well, don’t get used to it, I’m on the mend and she’ll be heading back to Waco before you know it.” King didn’t know why he felt the need to reiterate their agreement, he just felt like they were all getting a little too comfortable with the situation.
Instead of arguing, Fancy agreed with him. “That’s right, so take advantage of me while you can.” She penned King with a stare. “Are you ready for our match-up?”
“A match-up? What kind?” Jericho asked, seeing the odd look on King’s face.
“Nothing,” he began, but Fancy stopped him, holding up her hand.
“We’re going to play chess.” She glanced at Boone. “Could you bring the board in here for me?”
Boone jumped up, all smiles. “You betcha, be right back.”
“So, you play the game of kings?” Gentry asked her, impressed.
“Pay attention to what you just said,” King stated unequivocally. “This is the sport of kings, and I am King.”
“Ha!” Fancy pulled her chair close to his bed. “Prepare to be dethroned, there’s a queen in town!”
Reno laughed at the formally shy woman’s exuberance. “You sound pretty confident, Fancy.”
“Too confident.” King ran his finger down in the edge of the cast to scratch an itch. “Pride goes before a fall.”
“Well, we’ll see. Won’t we?” Fancy muttered as Boone placed the board on the edge of the bed, then proceeded to set up the chess pieces. “Have a preference of color?”
“Nope.” He glanced around at the others. “I’m not sure about having an audience.”
“Aww,” Jericho teased “Do you two want to be alone?”
Fancy grinned when King’s cheeks brightened. “Don’t tease him, he’s going to be in bad enough shape when I beat the pants off him.”
She smiled, and King grumbled when everyone laughed at her joke.
With confident moves, she placed her pieces on their home squares: rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, and the front row of pawns in front of them. She waited patiently while King did likewise.
“Ladies first,” King waved his hand. “The sooner you play, the sooner I win.”
Fancy didn’t argue, she just moved the white king’s pawn up to the fourth row. The game was on. Over the next hour, the room was silent except for the gentle tap of the pieces on the board and the breathing of their audience. On the twentieth move, King advanced a knight when he shouldn’t have, and Fancy was able to get a pawn to the sixth rank. He brought the knight back, but it was a wasted move and she had to bite her lips from smiling when she saw him do it. She traded her bishop for the knight. Then, on the next move, she pushed the pawn again. It would become a queen on the next move.
“Well, shit.” King gla
red at the ornate piece sitting there and reached out angrily and toppled his king. Neither of them said a thing.
“Did she just beat you, Cap?” Gentry asked in amazement.
“Yes, she did.” His voice was calm, but tight.
“Where did you learn to play like that?” Boone asked Fancy.
She told him about the old schoolmaster she worked for, the one who’d been kind enough to teach her to love books. “I grew up on the streets of New York, my schooling was haphazard at best. He taught me to love reading and to play chess.”
“He did a good job.” Gentry complimented her. “You played well.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t expect King to congratulate her and he didn’t. Rising from her seat, she stood back so Boone could move the board to the bedside table. Fancy didn’t entertain any hope he’d want to play again, but she wouldn’t bring up the topic to embarrass them both. The men bade their Captain goodnight and Fancy returned to the kitchen to clean up the dinner dishes. She’d heard no word from her patient. Once she was through, she went to check on him before retiring herself, making sure he had no need for anything.
“Are you cold? Do you need more cover?” Since he was improved, he’d been bathing himself, using the water basin that she would fill and bring to him.
“No, I’m fine.”
She found his bedpan needed emptying, so she took off with it. When she returned, she noticed the wrapping on his chest had come loose. “Let me fix that.” She came close and leaned forward to secure the binding. “Do you hurt anywhere?”
“Just my pride.”
“Sorry about…” Fancy was about to apologize when she was thrown off balance. King had lifted a hand to clasp the nape of her neck and brought her face to his. Before she knew what was happening, his mouth claimed hers in a long kiss that in Fancy’s mind held passion, promise, and warmth. Absolute joy and wonder flooded her whole body and all she wanted was more. More. More! She braced her hands on his chest when her knees grew weak as King deepened the kiss, their breaths mingling in a heated flurry while her heartbeat pounded in her chest. From a seeming distance, she heard a low moan and realized it was coming from her own lips. Tingles raced all over her body and there were enough butterflies in her stomach to darken the sky. She’d never known such pleasure, such need. Before she was ready, the kiss ended, and King’s hand on her shoulder changed from pulling her forward to pushing her away.