The Problem Child (Emerson Pass Historicals 4)

Cymbeline

The morning of the race, I woke before sunrise. I lay in the dark for a few minutes, hoping to fall back to sleep, but it was not to be. Finally, I gave up and tossed back the quilt to face the cold dawn. The moment I got out of my warm bed, I began to shiver. I put on my robe and lit the fire.

I wandered restlessly about the room as my nerves threaten to take hold. No, I wouldn’t allow my anxiousness to ruin my chances of success. This was my day. The time I’d waited for. Still, the athletes that had been there at dinner the night before swam before my eyes. They were impressive. Male specimens of power, speed, and agility. However, there were only three others here for the ski jump. Phillip had told me in confidence that Flynn was very disappointed at the turnout.

Frankly, I was too. I wanted to beat as many of them as I could.

I paced for a few more minutes and then decided to bathe and get ready. My heart beat faster than usual, and my hands were clammy. I bathed and dressed as if I were going to the races as a spectator. Fiona and I had hidden my racing attire in the piano seat at the club.

I’d just put on a wool dress and stockings when Fiona entered the room, flushed.

“I’m a wreck,” Fiona said. “It’s as if I’m racing myself. I couldn’t sleep last night.”

“I slept but woke too early.”

She patted my shoulder. “I know you're going to do your very best. We must remember that winning is not what we're after. Yes, it would be nice for you to score for your own sake. But this is for all women.”

“All of us?” I flopped onto the bed with my legs dangling over the edge and looked up at the ceiling. “That makes me more terrified than ever.”

Fiona laughed, a near-hysterical giggle that reminded me of when we were kids and pretending to be asleep after the lights had been turned out for the night.

“Why are you laughing?” I asked.

She rearranged her face into her usual placid expression. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to make you more nervous. No matter what happens later, you have done the thing no one else has been brave enough to do.” She fell back onto the bed next to me. Her fingers, as they had when we were small and she was afraid in the night, found mine. We stared up at the crack in the ceiling. Years ago, we’d agreed it looked like the face and ears of a jackrabbit.

Fiona bounced from the bed first, dragging me up by the hand.

We embraced, holding on to each other for a little longer than we normally would. I drew strength from that embrace. The love of my sister as strong as anything the world could bring.

For the rest of my days I would be loved. That was all that truly mattered. I knew that now. When this entire ruse started, I’d been desperate to prove that I could compete in a sport I loved so much. However, what it had brought me was so much more. A man who loved me. One to whom I’d given my entire heart without reservation. The support of my family was worth more than any medal could ever be.

Still, I would like to win and aimed to do so.

“I couldn't have done this without you, Fi.”

“I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world.” Fiona gifted me with one of her dazzling smiles and squeezed my hands. “Let's go make history.”

We walked hand in hand down the stairs. Our dining room was aflutter with activity. The little girls were eating and chattering away about the races of the day. Mama and Papa had finished their breakfast and were passing sections of the newspaper back and forth.

“They’re covering the competition in the Chicago and Denver papers,” Papa said. “Flynn and Phillip have pulled off a true feat.”

Mama beamed at me and then at Fiona. “What a day it will be.”

“Fi and I are thinking of getting an early start,” I said. “We want a good spot on the spectator platforms.”

“We can save seats for the rest of you,” Fiona said.

“Don’t forget,” Delphia said.

“We won’t,” Fiona said.

As I walked out to the foyer to gather up my coat and hat, Addie followed me. She whispered in my ear, “Good luck,” then pressed something into my hand. It was a purple rock. “I found it last summer at the creek. It’s good luck. Just in case you need it.”

“Thank you, pet. I’ll see you afterward.”

“I can’t wait to see their faces,” Addie said.

“Me too.”

We walked out to the car in silence. Fiona had offered to drive, but I thought it would be better to have something to do so had taken the wheel instead.

“The sky’s so bright today,” Fiona said. “Will it hurt your eyes? The glare from the snow, I mean.”

“No, the goggles take care of that. And keep my face hidden.”

“Jo said she’d just have to see us afterward,” Fiona said. “She’s going to sit with the family and pretend she doesn’t know anything. I hid your clothes and goggles in the piano seat at the bar as planned. Viktor’s to meet us up at the ramp.”

We’d been over this dozens of times. “Right. I know,” I said. “Anyway, you’ll be with me in case I forget anything.”

“I don’t know which I’m more agitated over. The actual race or the reveal later.”

“I’ll be lucky if I’m not called out right away.” Since the night I shot Rossi, it had spread through town that I’d dressed up as a boy. “I’m pretty sure they’ll know it’s me.”

“As long as you get to jump, we don’t care,” Fiona said.