Read Online The Wild Belle by Lora Thomas - Free Book Online Page B

what—nineteen? Twenty?”
    “I’ll have you know I’m twenty-two.”
    “Still wet behind the ears,” the Colonel replied. “She’ll have ya henpecked just like Mandy does Ott before ya know it.”
    “I don’t think Ott’s henpecked, I think he’s just smart enough to know better than to cross his wife,” another patron yelled across the tavern.
    “Here now!” Stephen protested, turning to address the room, “I’ll have you know that is my future in-laws you’re insulting and I—”
    “Now, Stephen, you know we’re only pokin’ fun at ya,” the Colonel interjected. “We’d all stop anything we were doin’ to help that entire family and you know it.” Colonel Red smiled and laughed. “Yer jest so easy to get riled up. It’s an opportunity we jest cain’t pass up.”
    Turning to the bar owner, Stephen nodded his head in acceptance of the only type of apology he would ever get from Colonel Red.
    “Now,” the Colonel stated as he looked at Michael. “Where ya hail from?”
    “My family resides in the Caribbean.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Yes. On a little place called Eleuthera.”
    “I’ve heard of that place. Some of those Brits took some of our property and sold it down there. Yer family didn’t have any part in that, did they?”
    Michael could sense the tension in the tavern at the touchy subject that Colonel Red had just broached. “No, we weren’t involved in those illegal transactions. Actually, during the war between England and the Colonies, Emerald Shipping was only a small operation at that time, making runs to South America for spices, although we did occasionally transport indigo from here to New Providence. But that was only a time or two. I believe we had only two ships at that time.” His explanation seemed to appease the men in the tavern.
    “So what do ya ship now?” the Colonel asked.
    “Whatever needs transported, as long as it’s legal. We have twelve vessels in our fleet. Most are large three-mast ships that are able to travel the world.”
    The Colonel made a low whistle. “That takes a lot of blunt to have that many ships. Ya sure ya ain’t transportin’ nothing illegal?”
    Michael lowered his deep voice. “I assure you that no illegal activities have ever transpired within my family’s company.”             
    A twinkle appeared in the Colonel’s eyes. “Yer jest like him,” he said and pointed towards Stephen. “Ya can’t handle a ribbin’.” He poured another glass of whiskey for Michael. “It’s on the house for staying with the Craycrafts, which makes you the bravest son-of-a-bitch I’ve ever known.” The toast was followed by laughter from everyone in the tavern.
    “What’s all this ruckus about?” came a voice from the doorway.
    Michael turned quickly towards the door at the familiar voice. He stared in disbelief as he watched his pixie enter as though she’d done this many times in the past.
    “Andi, what brings you about?” the Colonel asked.
    “Hello, Colonel. I have a score to settle with Higgins,” Andi answered, sashaying towards the table in the corner. She turned the chair around and sat down in the seat backwards. “You cheated. I want a rematch.”
    Higgins smiled. “Now, Andi, you didn’t say I couldn’t throw things at ya while we were playin’.”
    “It was implied,” she said as she smacked the man’s arm. She stood up and walked towards the back of the tavern. “I challenge you to a rematch of cornhole.” She turned then and noticed Michael at the bar. A look of surprise, then haughtiness crossed her face. “Evenin’, Earl.”
    “His names not Earl, it’s—” the Colonel began before Andi interrupted him.
    “I know what his name is! Earl is just his title,” she stated smugly knowing how this group of men disliked the English. Most had either battled, been captured, or lost family members during the War. A supercilious smile crossed her face as she tossed her head and walked out the