Page 101 of Native Hawk
All three players were willing to surrender their spot, considering it was the sheriff asking.
But Drew shook his head. “Look, Sheriff, I don’t want any trouble. I don’t want to cross the law. And I don’t want to take any more of your hard-earned money.”
The sheriff snorted at that. “That’s hogslop. You just don’t want me to win my money back…or my Maggie Ellen.”
“Now, Sheriff,” Drew tried to explain, “that ain’t it at all. There’s no one wants your girl to come back to you more than me.”
“But you’re refusin’ to play me.”
Drew grimaced. “It’s just the principle of the—”
“Fine,” the sheriff snapped, jamming his hat down onto his head. “But I’ve got my eyes on you—youandyour twin brother.” Then, making sure it was loud enough for the whole Parlor to hear, he said, “I guess I’ll just be takin’ my business to The Pair-o-Dice Saloon from now on.”
Then he left in a huff, slamming the door of The Parlor behind him.
Though things were far from perfect, most nights, Catalina hummed happily as she carried the tray of whiskey glasses through the salon. She didn’t mind her job, especially since the regulars understood that she belonged to Drew.
Men rarely accosted her as she weaved in and out of the crowd, delivering drinks. When new visitors arrived, Miss Hattie was quick to inform them that unless they wanted to tangle with the hulking half-breed at the poker table, they’d best leave the Italian lady alone.
But even making a dollar and a half a day and sharing a room with Drew, she wasn’t able to put much aside for her sewing machine. And the way they’d been seizing the days this last week, it was inevitable that she would find herself with child soon.
So far, she was safe. She’d just started her monthly courses this morning.
Meanwhile, in every spare moment, Catalina had been sketching out designs for dresses. The English Queen Victoria had made white wedding gowns popular, so that was what she envisioned for herself. She sketched out pearl buttons and lace trim with taffeta bows along the draped overskirt.
For the ladies of The Parlor, she imagined gowns in a rainbow of colors, each dress matched perfectly to the lady who wore it. For Anne, she drew a smart ensemble of vivid green with lighter green inserts and trim. For Emily, she created a stunning design in royal and sky blue stripes. Mary’s dress had pastel pink ruffles and deep rose piping. The other dresses of dove gray, goldenrod, plum, and creamy beige were adorned with unique features like ribbon roses and side-swept swags, lace insets and bell sleeves. For Miss Hattie, Catalina designed a simple but elegant emerald gown with a jacket in dark teal to set off her brilliant red hair.
Catalina’s fingers itched to bring the gowns to life. It was one thing to draw them on paper, quite another to see them realized. But it was anyone’s guess as to when that would be possible.
Fortunately, Drew had been winning at cards. He’d won thirty-seven dollars this week. If Lady Luck stayed with him, they might be able to afford a sewing machine in a few weeks. If he had a few bad games, it might be months.
Then she glanced over at her handsome husband-to-be, who was carefully studying the other three players for what he called their “tells,” the little secret gestures they made when they had good or bad cards. Her heart melted.
She decided that, even if he lost tonight, even if they couldn’t afford a sewing machine for months, even if she had to wear a wedding dress with a gigantic waist to cover her condition, she would be happy. Lady Luck was definitely on her side.
