Bart – Falling

Once I got back to my bedroom I did lie down, and my headache did go away. I was hoping that it wouldn't return when Miss Ames did. I didn't have long to wait to find out.

Before now, I hadn't had many occasions to take a good, long look at the girl. All I could tell you was that she was pretty and young. VERY young. Somewhere around twenty or so. She was petite, a real southern belle, with long dark hair that she wore in a thick braid that hung down her back. Her eyes were sky-blue, and she was fair-skinned. Her hands were delicate and petite, just like the rest of her, and she smiled almost constantly. I will say this, she had eyes for no one but Pappy. And she seemed to be fascinated by the man. She practically hung on his every word.

I got to notice all this because I almost ran over her when I charged out into our stateroom, headed for the dining salon. I'd had more than my fair share of nap, and I was late getting cleaned up and changing clothes. I came barreling out of my room, and before I could put on the brakes I'd crashed into her. She just happened to be standing less than a foot outside my door, and she didn't stand a chance. I ran into her, then over her, and finally ended up crashing down on top of her when we both fell. Poor thing, I'm surprised I didn't squash her like a bug.

I scrambled to get up and bent down to help her back to her feet, babbling the entire time. "Miss Ames, I'm so sorry Miss Ames, I had no idea you were right there, I really do apologize, I thought we were meeting you and Pappy at the dining salon, what are you doing here?" While I babbled I got up and got my balance, then reached out with both hands and pulled her up off the floor. As I was helping her I finally noticed Pappy standing less than five feet away.

"Bartley, are you tryin' to kill someone?"

I was a bit chagrinned, to say the least. "No Pappy, I'm really not. I'm sorry, but I was late . . . "

"And so you decided to run over Olivia."

"No, I was just tryin' to get to the dining salon on time, which I see I failed to do."

Miss Ames had taken a seat in the stateroom and was trying to catch her breath. "I'm so sorry, Miss Ames." On that note, Bret's door opened and he made a much more dignified entrance. But then again, he usually does.

"What's all the commotion out here?"

Of course, Pappy was the one who answered him. "Your brother is trying to kill Olivia."

That brought a response from Miss Ames herself. "He really isn't, Bret. He was just in a hurry and . . .

"He ran you over coming out of his bedroom."

She sounded confused. "It's happened before?"

"Many times," Pappy assured her. "Are you alright, my dear? Did he hurt you in any way?" Pappy was now over 'inspecting' Olivia, trying to be sure that I hadn't done any real damage. I was close enough to take her hand in mine and kiss the back of it . . . it was so tiny, it felt like a child's hand. While I was inspecting it, Bret was asking Pappy questions.

"Why did you bring her in here to begin with, Pappy? You know what that can do to a ladies reputation."

"We were only to be in here a minute, Breton. Then your brother decided to come charging out of his bedroom . . . and you know the rest."

"I would never deliberately do anything to sully a ladies reputation," I reminded Pete and Repeat. "We'll just have to sneak her back out."

Miss Ames tittered as she snuggled back up to Pappy. "This is exciting! I'm so glad you rescued me from Martin!"

Wonderful. The southern belle was fascinated by a man old enough to be her fath . . . grandfather. Time for both of them to leave the stateroom. I hurried to the door and opened it ever so slightly, just enough to see if they could make a hasty exit. There was no one in the hallways and I waved them over to the door. The girl was still tittering as they scurried out and headed towards the dining salon.

I closed the door behind them and watched Bret. He looked like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. How could my brother remain so calm and collected looking when I could see Pappy's life fallin' apart right before my very eyes?

"What?" was all he said as he looked at me.

"Do you realize – if we don't do something that's liable to end up as our step-mother? That little girl?"

"Pappy would never marry her," Bret insisted.

"Pappy would never play Faro, either. I'm tellin' you, she has him bewitched. You have to go break it up. Do somethin'. Do anything. Flash those dimples at her. Stop her before it's too late!"

My brother was staring at a crazy man, and he knew it. "Alright," he sighed. "I'll stop them for now. But you better think up some way to stop them permanently."

That's just what I was tryin' to do. But I needed time to think. And I needed Brother Bret gone so I could think. "Go on then . . . go get 'em. I'll be along in just a few minutes. Just don't let 'em get any closer than they already are. Cause if she says 'let's get married' he's liable to say 'Sure.'"

I had no idea the trouble Bret would find on his way to supper.