Reckless & Wild

By Nadlee Thims

RECKLESS AND WILD – NEW ORLEANS 1895

After Maudi's father passed from the fever in 1895, her older brother, Thomas, became the man of the house. Between his work on the docks, his burning passion for wild women, and his lucrative hobby of "scrapping," Thomas has built quite a reputation for himself. Having a protective brother with such a rowdy lifestyle, Maudi is fearful that Thomas will scare away any possible suitors and she will spend her life as a lonely old maid. Protective and stubborn, Thomas sees nothing wrong with keeping men away from his sister. In fact, he prides himself on his deviant reputation, and usually, his reputation serves as a deterrent. Maudi feels her life will never be on track.

However, when a stranger named Pete rides up at the Fallyn home, looking for Thomas, it turns out everyone's lives are about to change. Pete knows all about Thomas and his reputation. Pete is not concerned about Thomas' reputation, seeing as how he has his own bone to pick with Thomas. Unfortunately, when one of the worst storms in New Orleans' history leaves Pete stranded at the Fallyn's home, Maudi sets her sights on capturing Pete's attention.

Maybe Pete is a good guy.
Maybe he's not.
One thing is certain. Once the storm clears and Pete is able to leave the Fallyn farm, Thomas becomes enraged upon discovering Maudi is missing.

Think you know how this story goes? Think again! This story is wild, fun, and incredibly unpredictable!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiery Vision Publishing
• Release date: Jan 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215352922

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A picture containing text, book Description automatically generated

RECKLESS AND WILD – NEW ORLEANS 1895

After Maudi’s father passed from the fever in 1895, her older brother, Thomas, became the man of the house. Between his work on the docks, his burning passion for wild women, and his lucrative hobby of scrapping, Thomas has built quite a reputation for himself. Having a protective brother with such a rowdy lifestyle, Maudi is fearful that Thomas will scare away any possible suitors and she will spend her life as a lonely old maid. Protective and stubborn, Thomas sees nothing wrong with keeping men away from his sister. In fact, he prides himself on his deviant reputation, and usually, his reputation serves as a deterrent. Maudi feels her life will never be on track.

However, when a stranger named Pete rides up at the Fallyn home, looking for Thomas, it turns out everyone’s lives are about to change. Pete knows all about Thomas and his reputation. Pete is not concerned about Thomas’ reputation, seeing as how he has his own bone to pick with Thomas. Unfortunately, when one of the worst storms in New Orleans’ history leaves Pete stranded at the Fallyn’s home, Maudi sets her sights on capturing Pete’s attention.

Maybe Pete is a good guy.

Maybe he’s not.

One thing is certain. Once the storm clears and Pete is able to leave the Fallyn farm, Thomas becomes enraged upon discovering Maudi is missing.

Think you know how this story goes? Think again! This story is wild, fun, and incredibly unpredictable!

Reckless & Wild

Nadlee Thims

Fiery Vision Publishing

Text, logo Description automatically generated

Copyright © 2022 Fiery Vision Publishing

Nadlee Thims

Cover Design: Whiskers & Whimsy

Photo: Pixby Megapixel

Editor: CM Peters

Formatting: Fiery Vision Publishing

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information and retrieval system without express written permission from the Author/Publisher.

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales

ONE

It was the summer of 1895 in New Orleans. It seemed the whole world was uneasy and at war. No matter which direction I looked, I had reason to be unsettled. Between the dockworkers raging amongst each other over the color of a man’s skin and the union employees against the non-union employees, things were chaotic. I was especially concerned, given that my brother, Thomas, was a dockworker.

Thomas was everything to me. He’d stepped in when our ailing father succumbed to the battle raging within his own body. Thomas kept me close and I was never far beyond his short-sighted visibility. There wasn’t a man on either side of the Mighty Mississippi that was man enough to take down my brother. I see that, now. At the time, however, I almost hated Thomas for confining me as he did. Thomas was only four years my senior, though he was wise beyond his years. He knew every move I was going to make before I made it. More importantly, he knew the moves men were going to make with me, before they made them. I was the protected, coveted sister and it didn’t take long for word to get out; do not mess with Thomas Fallyn’s sister unless you wish to meet your maker.

We were of Irish descent. Thomas was what they called a scrapper. When he wasn’t on the docks, he earned money fighting; bare-fisted, brutal, drunken brawls. In fact, he had a T-shaped scar under his left eye from a ring Duke Kerrigan wore at the time he decked Thomas. That was the first time my brother spilled blood. I was sure that would wake him up and be cause for pause, in terms of scrapping. Instead, that blood became a substance Thomas craved. He loved fighting. He loved winning. He loved building a reputation – for Momma and me – that he was not a bastard one wanted to mess with. For whatever reason, Thomas thrived on pain. He preferred to suffer, in a physical sense. When he suffered injuries from fighting, he became short and irritable with Momma and me when we tried to dress his wounds. For some reason, he preferred to let the world see his pain – raw as it was, at times.

When he wasn’t fighting or working, my brother was a charmer. His voice was low and smooth. His build was stocky, but lean. He had strawberry blonde hair and clover green eyes. His dimples burrowed in his cheeks when he smiled and his high forehead creased when his eyebrows raised in amusement. He had a face that women seemed to appreciate. Thomas appreciated the women who appreciated his physical attributes. At least he sure seemed to enjoy them, given how many nights he spent away from our family home. In fact, I was certain every female in town knew his name and quite possibly more than his name. He never confided in me, those details. The only thing he wanted me to know about any of that is that men were after one thing and one thing, only. He didn’t want them taking that one thing from me, so he pledged he’d draw death if any man decided to make an attempt at me.

I believed him!

Somehow, it seemed all the men in the world believed him, as well.

No one attempted to court me, as they did with other girls my age. The other girls were getting married off and I wasn’t getting a second glance. Yes. Sixteen was a tough time for me. Daddy had passed away. Thomas seemed to be out of his mind – constantly driven by some passion or the other. Momma was in a constant state of mourning over Daddy’s passing. And there I was, untouchable, lonely, longing, but neglected.

Then, one night, I’d had enough. I don’t know what struck in me, but I took a notion to wait for Thomas. I’d decided I was going to break free of the chains that imprisoned me. I decided I was ready to fight my brother for my freedom, if it came down to it...and it did.

Initially, I tried reasoning with my over-protective brother. That was a fruitless effort, seeing as how he was already fueled by the whiskey coursing through is veins. He’d been scrapping, half the night. His adrenaline was already accelerated and, for once, he didn’t have anyone to help him release that energy. Instead of wandering to some woman’s bed, he’d wandered home.

Tommy, you have to stop chasing away suitors or I’ll be an old maid, I playfully said in a conversation as I attempted to set up my argument.

What’s wrong with that?  he asked, before he stared at me over the rim of his whiskey glass – throwing back a hearty swig of the liquor.

I sweetly smiled and tilted my head. I should be a wife. Momma has taught me to be a wife. I can’t do that if you’re standing in the way.

Maudi, when you find someone who can get past me to get to you, I’ll step out of the way and give my blessing. Until then, you just keep your knickers fastened. He shook his head as he stared at me from beneath his brow ridge. You’re not goin’ anywhere, little girl.

I’m not a little girl, Thomas, I snapped.

Watch your tone. You heard what I said.

I want to get married...start a family. Thomas, please. If I don’t find a husband, soon, I’ll be passed over. Do you want that for me? Daddy would’ve never stood in my way.

He cut his eyes at me and a second later, the backside of his hand landed across my cheek. Don’t you talk to me about what Daddy would do. He made it very clear what he would do when he left you in my charge. He told me, Maudi. He told me what he wanted me to do about you. You hush your mouth and be thankful I’ve not tossed you out. You are a burden. You don’t contribute to this household. Do you understand me? It is by patience and grace that you have a roof over your head. He glared at me. I say when. Do you understand me? I say when!

I don’t know what compelled me, but I lunged at him, slinging my arms and clawing at whatever flesh I could connect with. I slapped. I punched. I kicked. I clawed. I did whatever I could do to register on his radar. He liked fighting and I think I assumed that was what I had to do to reach him. He permitted it for a bit. He did not react as I would have expected. He did not hit back. He did not slap, punch, or kick. He stood there, stone-faced, taking whatever assault I dished out. When I cracked him in the side of the head with one of Momma’s irons, that was when he’d had enough.

Thomas reached out, wrapping his big hands around my delicate neck. He lifted me off the floor and slammed me against the wall. His fingers sank into my flesh as I fought for breath. He stared into my eyes as he spat at me before clenching his teeth.

You’re pushing me. Understand? Keep it up, Maudi, he challenged. I’ll marry you off to a pauper and you’ll never know a moment of contentedness. You’ll spend the rest of your days, begging and scrounging for morsels of food. You’ll be a ragged tramp, raising your babies in the fields and ditches. Is that what you want? Huh? he asked before his tongue slid across his lower lip and a wicked grin moved across his face as his eyes locked on mine. Don’t you ever raise your pretty little hand to me again, or I’ll break it off. You hear me? Now, go fix your face...and thank Grace that I’m still willing to provide for you. The next time you think you’re ready to tangle with me, you’d do well to remember how it went for you this time. Next time, I promise you, I’ll be thankful to have one less mouth to worry about feeding. He smirked as he leaned in and kissed my cheek, whispering in my ear. Don’t push me, little sister. I’m far too drunk and way too tired to dig your grave tonight. He released his hold on me as he stared into my eyes, flashing a victorious grin. I covered my neck with my hands as I glared at him, sobbing and pouting. Run along, Sissy. It’s late. You should be sleeping, by now, don’t you think?

Sometimes, I hate you, I spouted through my tears.

He smiled as his face softened. And, sometimes, I understand why you do. You may hate me, but you’re gonna respect me. One day, you’ll understand that you hated me for loving you. He stubbornly shook his head. I will not discount that I am the only thing that stands between you and one very wicked world. You’re so naïve, little sister. I am the only one who will protect you from what is waiting beyond that door. If you must hate me for that, then I welcome your hatred. Now, go to bed before the dawn comes tearing through and a new day is born. Let us hope that a good night’s rest will soothe your mood. Good night, he said as he dipped his chin and offered a smile before he raised his arm and