Gamble in Time: Loves In Time, #6

By Jewel Adams

The renovated riverboat appears to be the perfect solution for her aunt's annual fundraiser. Angela La Cross's busy agenda didn't include falling into the boat's hold. When she comes to and finds she is the only woman on a boat full of men, she begins to think this wasn't such a good idea.
    James McFarlain wanted his last trip up the Mississippi to be uneventful. The last thing he expected to see on the Silver Queen was a woman. Telling himself she was nothing but a mess of trouble didn't stop him from looking into her emerald eyes. When she silently sought his help, James knew he was done for.
    Her trip back in time to 1875 became only a minor setback for Angie when compared to a good-looking cowboy, cattle rustlers, and one very determined Sioux warrior.

    Angela might survive her tumble through time, but can her heart decide between the love of two men? Can she find the answers before time runs out? Her journey is not an easy one when love keeps changing the rules. Join Angie in the adventure of a lifetime, one that will capture your heart!

• Language: English
• Publisher: JA Creations
• Release date: Feb 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201781460

Jewel Adams

The last few years have certainly seen changes for Jewel. An outstanding author of over 15 novels and novellas, she will be the first to tell you that the Romance genre is thriving on the internet. As an author, Jewel found the freedom to take her love of Romance beyond the established barriers. Danger, love, tears, and romance; Jewel’s Erotic and sensual romance Time Travels, Gothic, Paranormal, Fantasy, Westerns, and Contemporary Romances will take you on thrilling journeys sparked with adventure, and fill your life with the love that can cross centuries and worlds. Be sure to look for her new releases and news at the following sites: https://authorjeweladams.godaddysites.com/ https://author-jeweladams-lilysimmons.com/ http://www.facebook.com/jeweladams http://twitter.com/JewelAdams Email her at: [e-mail]

Book preview

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT

Gamble In Time

Previously released as Riverboats and Rainbows

Revised and Reedited as Gamble In Time

5Hearts – The Romance Studio - Gamble In Time/Riverboats and Rainbows is a wonderful book. The triangle between the hearts adds quite a twist to the plot that skillfully takes you through passion, love and anguish.

Reviewer: Angie

5! Love Romances- Even for those who are not fans of time travels and westerns, Gamble In Time/Riverboats and Rainbows is a do not miss story. The complexities of the characters as they grow and move through the story will stay with the reader long after the story ends.

Reviewer: Gina

Prologue

A ngie, what about a carnival, we could sell tickets and...

We’d never break even. Besides, Clayton already has a carnival in the fall. No, it has to be something different...unique.

Shuffling through the fliers and brochures on her desk, she felt like pitching them in the trash. Why in heaven’s name did she agree to run this year’s Charity Drive? Because Auntie Belle wanted it, that’s why!

Isabelle La Cross was the most infuriating lady in town. She may be her only living relative, but Angie could scream over the woman’s manipulation, especially when she used it against her own niece. If she weren’t so darn lovable, Angie would tell the lady exactly what she could do with her good neighbor crusades.

Look Sally, I’ve got an appointment at two, why don’t you take these and see what you can find. How about dinner at Rico’s, say at six? We can discuss it then. Maybe something will come to me by then.

And what should I tell, you know who, when she calls?

Tell my dear aunt I am working on it. Under her breath, If she gripes, she can have the whole works back!

Now I could never say that to her, she’s too sweet.

Sweet? Angie just glared at her friend as she sashayed out of Angie’s office. Sally knew exactly how to get to her. Falling back into the chair, the pencil started an impatient rhythm against the desk.

Come on Angie think of something.

As much as she was furious with her Aunt Belle for volunteering her, Angie acknowledged she wanted to do the best possible job. She just has to rearrange her schedule. La Cross Decorating took off this last year, what with the influx of new office buildings. At first, listening to Aunt Belle and locating the decorating firm in Clayton over New Orleans appeared to have been a terrible decision. Now, she employed staff besides her childhood friend, Sally.

Sally was everything to La Cross, without her Angie wouldn’t have been able to hold it together. If she landed this account, she would give her friend a well-deserved bonus. Time is running out.

Spying the wall clock so was the day; if she didn’t hurry, she would miss her luncheon appointment. Gathering her portfolio, she rushed out of the office. As she passed Sally’s desk, I’m late, if Mr. Greeley calls tell him I am on my way. I’ll see you at Rico’s.

Right, six o’clock. Motioning to the phone receiver she held. Yes, Miss La Cross, I’ll tell her. Holding it out so the woman could hear, Your aunt will be there as well.

Groaning, Angie pushed through the glass door. Great!

The evening would be a disaster there was no way around it. Reaching the elevator she mentally clicked off the list of possibilities for the fundraiser. Maybe she should just do the same old routine, dinner, and Ball, sell the outrageously priced tickets, and be done with it.

Tossing her purse on the counter, Angie collapsed onto the couch. What a day!

Tired, but in high spirits over landing Greeley’s account, there was still enough time to change and make it to New Orleans and back before dinner. The idea came to her after leaving the restaurant. A riverboat would be the perfect place to hold the fundraiser!

An old-time paddle wheel floating down the Mississippi; they could have a casino and everything, right on the water. The patrons would love it. Somewhere she remembered reading about one, the Silver Queen. Yes, that was the name. An old water wheel renovated for parties and tours up and down the river.

Grabbing a change of jeans, one of her oversized sweaters, and a tank top, she quickly headed for the shower.

It felt nice to be out of the strict business attire. Slipping on her fringed, soft leather boots, she pulled them up to her knees before running a brush through the thick, waist-length waves of her hair. She clipped the long bangs back from her face, letting the mass hang freely down her back.

The breeze was brisk as she drove the little MG down the ramp and onto the river expressway. Hitting the scan button on the radio it stopped on a Cajun station. The haunting music soon eased the day’s strain. It was only three o’clock and wonderful to be away from the office. Missing the rush traffic added to her pleasure, but she would have a heck of a time getting back to Rico’s on time.

Pulling into a parking spot on the crowded dock, Angie wasn’t sure where to go. She held her hand up to shade her eyes as she located the riverboat that seemed dwarfed by the larger barges and freight vessels dominating the waterways. Angie decided the walk up the wharf area would be invigorating, she left her car and headed out. More than one wolf whistle came from the decks above her, but she went on, ignoring the crude calls.

She stood before the wooden gangplank of the relic and took in the fresh coat of white paint on the spiraled rails. Gold accents flourished over the intricate moldings. In bright red letters, Silver Queen raced across the bow. It was beautiful. Angie felt her enthusiasm mounting.

Holding the soft roped rail, she ascended onto the boat. No one greeted her arrival making her wonder if the boat was deserted. It seemed unlikely anyone would just go off and leave her unattended. Hello! Is anyone on board?

When no answer came she ventured further, curious about the accommodations. Sliding open the etched glass door, she entered what looked like an old gambling casino, complete with a long, highly polished, wooden bar. Crystal glassware hung from racks across the full mirror-backed wall. Liquor bottles lined the shelves, casting their rich hues into rainbows of dancing colors.

The weirdest sensation washed over her, forcing her eyes shut. Sounds of tinkling music and laughter floated around her. The smell of heavy cigar smoke filled her nostrils. Blinking against her sudden nervousness, the sounds and blurred images faded as quickly as they appeared.

She told herself, that atmosphere is everything! Angela shook off the lingering sensations. The boat reeked of the Old South. The guests would certainly feel its history, adding to the entertainment.

Without some information to take back to her Aunt, all her plans would be much of nothing. Moving through the glittering room, past the felt tables and red velvet chairs, she decided to take her explorations further. Somewhere, someone must be around that could help her.

Gaining the outer walkway around the boat Angie looked back towards the monstrous wooden paddle wheel, she decided to try up towards the wheelhouse. The river always fascinated her and right now it was a marvelous sight, seeing the dark muddy water racing past the low hull. Climbing the slanted rungs to the glassed-in command center, she could see that no one was inside. The huge varnished wheel stood alone like a guard over the open decks below. The place glowed under pieces of brass equipment she couldn’t begin to name, all polished to a high sheen. Knowing it would be rude to enter, she only looked on with envy at the antiques. Brightly colored benches lined the lower deck. Large spyglasses were mounted on the rails for sightseeing.

Glancing at her watch she moaned over the time. Angie decided she better find someone in the next half-hour or be late. Aunt Belle would be in a state if she failed to be on time.

Making her way back down the ladder, she spotted an open door at the front of the wheelhouse on the main deck. Looking into the darkness, the steep ladder went down into what seemed like a bottomless hole. Hugging herself over the sudden chill that seized her she called out. Hey, is anyone down there?

A noise she couldn’t identify came in answer to her question.

Damn. Coming back any time soon, with everything going on, would be out of the question. She set her purse down on the wooden lid of the hatch. Angie needed both hands to maneuver on the ladder. Turning backward, she gingerly felt with her foot until she located a rung. Holding the door molding Angie carefully started down the ladder.

It took a few minutes before her eyes adjusted to the darkness. She certainly hoped someone was down here, and she wasn’t going into the damp recesses of this boat for nothing. Everywhere she touched felt clammy, making her shudder as she gripped another rung. She wished she could see the bottom.

It happened so fast, her foot lost its hold on the slippery wood! Groping out she failed to regain her hold. The dark void swallowed her scream as she fell back into nothingness. Landing hard against the bottom, Angie let the blessed blackness take away the sharp cutting pain in her head.

CHAPTER 1

The Ante

R aise you a hundred Jamey. The man’s enthusiasm flowed over the table to the unaffected player.

The strong, tanned fingers slowly unfolded the cards, fanning them out for his private scrutiny. A full house, which meant Duncan was probably acting. James played him many times on the circuit. Duncan could never hide his eagerness when he thought he had James beat. Tonight certainly wasn’t going James’ way. A full two rounds of the deal, and he’d only taken one small hand.

Looking around at the other two players, he figured this pot was too rich for their blood. They’d fold on the raise leaving only Duncan and himself to bluff it out. Maybe he should call it a night? Damn, it was too early for that, but James knew when the luck wasn’t with him. I’ll see your hundred Duncan, and raise you fifty.

He watched Duncan’s face blotch in anger. As he expected the others threw their hands down in disgust. James waited for Duncan to get over what his cards told his tight-eyed stare.

You’re a lucky ass hole, Jamey. Duncan tossed the cards into the pot.

James pulled the money and cards over to him, showing little over the defamation thrown his way. Separating the cards, he gathered the small winnings and pushed away from the table. It’s been nice.

You calling it a night?

James didn’t bother to answer. Duncan would relish starting a fight. Going over to the bar, James angled himself so he could see the entire room.

What will it be Mr. McFarlain?

Scotch, Willie.

Yes sir.

James saw the captain in the bar mirror as he entered the casino. Captain Welsh wasn’t to be taken lightly. The river was his domain and heaven help the bastard stupid enough to cross him. Welsh looked more disagreeable than usual. James cursed the fact this boat had been the only one available for the ride upriver. If he wasn’t in such a hurry, he would never have stepped foot on the Silver Queen.

You still work’n the river, McFarlain?

Now where else would I be, Captain?

Thought you might have smartened up and gotten off by now.

Off the river James’ business was his own. Gambling wouldn’t have entered his past life. But that was before the war and everything he’d known had been destroyed or taken away. The river feels slow tonight.

You should be captaining the Silver Queen, you always did know more than most men working the tables. Heard once you had a big plantation, down by New Orleans.

Times change. Sipping his drink, he didn’t mind the man’s probing. It was common knowledge who he used to be. What he would be was no one’s concern but his own.

Out of luck tonight or are the tables too cheap for your liking?

As I said, Captain, the river is slow.

Duncan seems to be having a good night.

James’ blue eyes watched the players’ reflections in the mirror. He didn’t like the way Duncan’s group looked but kept it to himself. It was his last trip upriver, and he didn’t need any trouble.

One of the crew called the Captain away. James motioned Willie to set up another drink. Anxious to be off the river James thought about the future, something he hadn’t done for some time.

Mike would be waiting for him in St. Louis. They would start the drive from there to take the cattle to Montana. His crystal blue eyes went deep in concentration over the ranch, Twin Creeks. He didn’t like admitting how much he counted on that unknown place.

When he won it off that man last year, he’d been madder than a rattler and ready to throw the deed away in the next hand just to be free of it. Why he’d pocketed the deed he couldn’t recall.

That night in his cabin, it fell out of his coat. Picking it up James took his first look at the document. It was all there, all legally his, because of one man’s foolish pride in a card game. James thought long and hard over the land he now held title to. Remorse or conscience made him seek out the man that next morning. Mr. Burr must have been on a road of self-destruction. He learned the man got into another card game after James left. In the process, Burr picked a fight with the wrong man and got himself killed over a five-dollar pot.

Finding he couldn’t give the land back, James decided to investigate what he owned. Wiring a banker associate of his, he learned just about all he could without actually seeing the property. The reports said everything was in order with the deed and that Mr. Burr had no living relatives. The land and ranch were said to be in good shape, though neglected.

Locating his brother Michael proved more of an effort than finding out about Twin Creeks. Mike, like James, left New Orleans after the war and discovering their uncle sold their home to carpetbaggers. It was a blow neither brother took lightly. James turned to gambling because it was there, and he proved to be good at it. Being cautious over his playing partners kept him alive. He hated his present life and Twin Creeks looked like the answer he’d been searching for. There were enough funds from his gambling takes to buy a large herd of cattle and the stores needed to start the ranch. Hopefully, what was left would keep them going until she started holding her own.

He learned all he could about the territory and James decided to take one last gamble. The cattle would be their staple stock, but there were herds of wild horses free for the taking. He planned to do just that. The government was hungry for horses, good riding stock, and James intended on getting in on the contracts they were issuing. Purchasing the stallion cost a large chunk of their funds, but he needed a good bloodline to start the horse ranch Twin Creeks would someday become.

Mike hadn’t been idle since he’d seen him two years ago. Working as trail boss for various outfits he willingly joined James in the venture. Between them, they would rebuild what took their family generations to accomplish and lose overnight.

Another, Mr. McFarlain?

One more, Willie.

Home? It felt strange to call it that. Neither of them had seen it yet, but James felt anxious to get there.

In the thick darkness , she wasn’t sure if her eyes were open. But when she moved, the pain in her head sent them squeezing shut.

Holding the back of her head she gingerly made it to her feet. Finding the wall as she reached out in the darkness, Angie bumped into the ladder. Leaning against it, she waited until the throbbing ebbed before trying to climb the slippery rungs.

Angie feared falling again and stopped repeatedly to fight off the dizziness. It felt like it took forever to reach the doorway. After several tries to open the hatch, Angie put her full weight against it before finally dislodging the hatch door. She collapsed on the deck, exhausted by the effort.

Moaning, she struggled to sit up and face the night. A cool breeze came off the river helping to clear away the fog inside her head. Angela cringed over the mishap of falling, deciding she more than missed her dinner appointment.

She managed to stand up, leaning against the boat for support, a strange steady vibration moved up her legs. For a second it confused her, but then she realized it was coming from the riverboat. Listening, she heard the swishing sound of the large wheel turning through the water. The movement of the boat was slight and sluggish, but unmistakable. We’re moving! Oh no...

How long had she been out?

Looking around her she failed to locate her purse, positive she left it beside the hatch. She tried to catch some light to see the time at her wrist, but strangely there wasn’t any light coming from the shoreline. Stumbling to the rail she scanned the dark line of trees along the riverbank. Wherever they were on the river was certainly a ways from New Orleans. Stars, she hoped this wasn’t an all-night cruise.

She was dirty and bruised all over. The knot on the back of her head felt so tender it hurt when she walked. Looking around the deck she couldn’t think past the throbbing to figure out what bothered her about it.

She tried to push her hair back, she realized she’d lost the clip holding her bangs. She’d be damned if she would go back down there and look for it. One fall a night is enough, thank you.

With the rail’s support, Angela decided she better find the captain or manager, someone that could help her. She didn’t think they would turn back just for her, but maybe they could radio shore so her Aunt Belle and Sally wouldn’t worry. Damn! I didn’t even tell them where I was going.

She could see it all now. Auntie would call the police within an hour of her missed dinner appointment. They would find her car on the docks, of all places. Auntie would go into vapors. Well, she couldn’t do anything about it until she found someone.

The music and muffled voices drew her forward. It sounded familiar; she remembered feeling this way when she entered the room this afternoon. It seemed the Silver Queen was all she’d imagined it would be.

His blue eyes seemed to find her of their own accord. Framed in the doorway was something he never saw aboard Captain Welsh’s boat. Funny, but even after his initial shock over seeing the woman’s reflection in the mirror, he couldn’t stop looking at her.

Wild dark locks of ebony hair floated around the woman like a protective cloak. They did little to hide the lovely creature behind the veil. Looking closer, James also saw the dirt smudged across her cheek and forehead. Sucking in his breath over what his scrutiny uncovered, anger and concern flared in unwanted quantities for the pain and confusion marring her lovely face. James tried to pull his eyes away, but she seemed to hold him in the most peculiar way.

Maybe it was the outlandish attire she wore? It wasn’t every day you saw a woman dressed like a man; an Indian one at that if those boots were any indication. Eyes the color of emeralds, they weren’t Indian and neither was that ivory complexion.

James felt the strangest chill move over him. She was undoubtedly beautiful, statuesque, and yet too vulnerable as her brilliant eyes searched the room. For just a second they seemed to latch onto his, making him feel like she physically touched him or something more. But they pulled away too quickly to discover the answer.

Angie wondered what it was about the room that made her uneasy. Things came too slowly past the pain assaulting her head. Just as lethargic were the eyes turning in her direction. Even the murmurs ended as an uncomfortable silence fell over everyone. No, that wasn’t right...every man, there were no women, anywhere!

Angie swallowed hard over the ill feeling this gave her as she unconsciously raised her chin against their probing gazes. She tried to think past the foreboding she felt, but it became increasingly difficult. She wanted to tell them how rude their observations were, yet thought better of it.

Seeing no one standing about that looked in charge, her gaze finally went to the bar. Having so many men in one room must have confused her because she could swear the room looked different. Taking a deep breath she forced her unsteady legs to walk towards the bar. She could feel their eyes following her. It took all her control not to turn and glare back at them.

She came hard against the bar and held it to fight the dizziness plaguing her. Afraid to look at any of the men leaning there, she tried to concentrate on only the young bartender and forming her words. Excuse me? I need to see the captain or manager, please.

What was wrong with them? The buzz immediately following her announcement made her knuckles whiten in apprehension.

Can I help you?

The effort to turn and see the man who owned the deep decisive voice nearly defeated her. When she faced him, his eyes stole the last of her breath.

How long she looked at him she didn’t know or care. Shaking away the volatile feelings she brought her thoughts back to the here and now. But stars how he seemed to fill her mind.

He was so...devastatingly handsome!

Stars, but that hit on her head must have rattled her common sense. What was the matter with her? She never let any man affect her like this and certainly not a stranger. Are you the captain?

His smile could melt ice, but it was the questioning in his cool gaze that captured her attention, making it hard to concentrate on his answer.

No, but are you sure it is the captain you want to see?

"Well yes, I think so, unless there is a manager