JACOB

I knew Dad would be settled in his car by now, playing cards with the other owners. He had reason to be, we had had a good turn out today, helping a little with our debt problem. I had helped Paige find a place to stay in one of the cars with the acrobatic women. When they saw little Lizzy, they melted as if they had seen a tiny puppy. Paige left her with the girls so she could go and get her things. Which caused a little tweak of nerves in me. When I had saw her, I had already noticed how they looked, her and Lizzy. I instantly wanted to take her away from all of it, bring her to a better life. Maybe not a fancy home with warm feasts every day. But better than what it looked like she had come from. And so now knowing that she was about to leave, alone, back into the city to find their things...The thought made me nervous.

"Maybe I should go with you," I stood with my arms crossed, watching her watch Lizzy as the acrobats put some makeup on her.

Paige shook her head and stood beside me. "No, it's a bit of a walk, and only I know where it is."

"It's not safe," I said quickly. Maybe too quickly.

She glanced at me, her eyes narrowing a bit. "I can handle myself, thanks." She turned to go out the train car when suddenly, as if I had no control of my own body, my hand reached out and grabbed her upper arm.

"Wait," I looked into her big eyes. My heart melted just as it had when I first laid eyes on her. "What if something happens to you?" I didn't want to even think of the possibilities.

She pulled her arm out of my reach, looking me up and down with worry. "I said, I will be fine." And with that she was gone.

I passed through the thin hallway that was on the side of Dad's train car. His was the only one with red velvet interior with gold trim out of the entire train. I could smell the cigar smoke and alcohol from the door. I coughed lightly and squinted a little. I had never agreed with the whole smoking thing. I came to the end of the hallway to find my father playing poker with three other men.

"Ah! And speaking of our Star Act!" My father said, raising his glass and setting down the cards in his hand. "Wonderful show today, Son." The other men nodded and murmured before taking sips of their drinks.

I ignored his small toast and sighed. I never liked to talk about the show. Let alone, my act specifically. "Dad, can I talk to you?" I motioned to the back of the car. He nodded and followed, setting down his drink, but not before finishing the rest of it. I held the door open for him then walked with him onto the back platform.

"What is it, Jake? Wait, don't tell me, is it about Marlena? Well don't worry, Son, we'll find a new girl to show the horses!" He beamed. I could smell the foul stench of whiskey all around him. It burned my nose and made my eyes water a little.

"It's not that, Dad," I gasped, trying not to breathe.

"Ohh, I see...You had feelings for her, eh? I'm sorry to hear that, but you're just going to have to find another girl to bring back to your room-"

"Dad!" I growled, gritting my teeth. "Shut up!"

He groaned and ran his hand over his face. "What do you want, Jacob?"

"I imprinted," I spat out, watching his reaction closely. At first, it was confusion. Then a hint of realization, then exasperation.

"Jacob, are you sure?"

I nodded, looking him dead in the eye. "Positive."

"It was that girl, wasn't it? That damn hobo girl in the front row." He sneered.

I growled in the back of my throat, using all my strength not to push him over the railing. "Don't you ever say that about her!"

He narrowed his eyes and looked at me, unafraid. "Well it doesn't matter now, we leave tomorrow."

"And she's coming with us." I said promptly, my teeth bared.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"No." He turned to go. "Absolutely not. We aren't some train that picks up homeless mouths!"

"She can work," I argued, pushing the door closed before he could reach it. "She's amazing with the horses. When Marlena's horse got away, she jumped on him mid-canter, mid-canter, and stopped him. I've never seen anything like it. She can take Marlena's place."

Dad sat and pondered this for a minute. He then sighed, shook his head and looked down at his shoes. "Fine, have it your way, Jacob. But I swear, if she causes one single problem-"

"She won't," I interrupted, leading him back through the door and into the smoke and whiskey.

She must not have realized that I was behind her. Lizzy had fallen asleep in the upper bunk, her face covered in glitter and powder. Paige was standing on a bucket tucking her in. "Goodnight," She whispered and kissed her forehead.

Suddenly, my boot hit a bad board, making a loud creaking sound. Paige whipped around, causing the bucket to tip over. Before she could hit the ground I lurched forward and caught her in my arms. She was breathing heavily and looking around, dazed. "Are you ok?" I asked.

Blinking, she nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. You just scared me, that's all." She hopped down out of my arms quickly.

"Was everything fine getting your things?" I wondered aloud, looking around for a suitcase of some sort.

"Hm? Oh, yes. Like I said. I was fine." She pushed a black trash bag behind a corner with her foot.

"I talked with my Father. He said you're more than welcome here."

"Well, if he hadn't, I had already moved in," She smirked and winked, sitting down on the bed. How much I wished she could come with me instead of stay here. Maybe one night. But for now, it was obvious that there had been times I had moved too quickly. After all, how was she supposed to know that I imprinted on her?