10
TENNESSEE
“I did it!” I all but shouted as we walked out of the saloon into the bright sunshine.
Jonah took my elbow and escorted me down the boardwalk, tipping his hat at two ladies whose eyebrows were so high they were hidden beneath their hats because I’d come from a saloon… and with such exuberance. Nothing was going to ruffle my feathers at a moment such as this. Besides, they should be pleased a woman had entered, played cards and won from a bunch of men.
Ha! I was so pleased I could burst; the heavy weight of the money I’d won in my pocket. For the first time, I was thankful for something my father taught me. I could understand how he had become addicted to the practice, for winning felt… incredible. Unlike him, though, I had no intention of playing in a saloon again and woul
