“Two pairs. Eights and fours,” Anthony said with a groan.
She laughed. “Two pairs. Kings and queens. Remove your shirt and tell me something else I don’t know about your life.”
Anthony frowned. “My parents were some of the people who resisted the war. They tried to remain neutral and the raiders burned their farmhouse down. Probably would have killed all of us if they could have found us.”
Shaking her head, she sighed. “That’s awful.”
“Yes, it was pretty scary,” he said.
“Wesley, your turn. Why don’t you want to return to Helena?” she asked.
A frown appeared and he shook his head. “I don’t think I like this game any longer. You’re still fully clothed.”
She didn’t respond but stared at him.
“My father is or was the sheriff. We had a small ranch right outside of town that we worked during the summer, but the boys had to take care of it.” He sighed. “He beat my mother frequently. She was sickly and frail, and one blow too many killed her.”
Pearl reached out and grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
“Because he was the sheriff, no one did anything. He got away with it. After that, he was harder on us kids than ever before. I miss hearing my mother’s voice, seeing her smile.”
Pearl pulled him to her and held him. “That’s awful.”
“Yes,” he said. “But that’s not the worst. That’s not the reason I don’t want to return to Helena.”
Leaning back, she gazed into his eyes.
“Let’s play,” he said. “You’re still dressed.”
As she returned to her seat, he removed his shirt, revealing his thick chest and arms. Staring at him, she smiled. He was her husband and she loved the feel of all those finely toned muscles.
Anthony took the cards. “I’m going to deal her a losing hand.” He shook the cards up and then passed them each five.
Wesley picked up his cards. “I’m betting my pants and Pearl’s dress.”
“I’m betting my socks and Pearl’s dress and Wesley’s pants,” Anthony said.
Pearl grinned. “I’m betting the same, plus, Wesley’s socks.”
“Why don’t we just get naked,” Wesley said. “We’re all betting each other’s clothes.”
“Because then I couldn’t get answers from both of you. Look at what I’ve learned tonight and I know there’s more.”
“But you haven’t told us anything,” Anthony said.
“That’s because I haven’t lost,” she said, knowing eventually she would have to tell them about how she learned to play cards. “I need three cards.”
“Two,” Wesley said.
“And I’ll take two,” Anthony said as he gave each person the number of cards they requested.
From her days of gambling, she watched each man’s face and knew they had good hands. Her own hand was not great. Even with the draw, she was looking at a measly small pair that would easily be beaten.
“I call,” Anthony said. “I have a full house.”
“Beats me,” Pearl said, standing as she began to remove her dress. After she removed it, she laid the garment on the horsehair couch, then returned to the table in only her shift.
“What about Wesley?”