35. Ambrose #2
“No.” I rushed between them and put up my hands before either of them could move toward the other. The last thing I wanted was Zeth getting hurt. His cap was already missing, and one of his cheeks looked scuffed. This was my fight. I would have to end it.
“Consider this your final warning,” I told him, my nostrils flaring, “Leave, or I won’t hold back.”
“Ah, Amby, you’re gonna make me hit your pretty face.” Damien struck me so hard across my cheek that I stumbled into the tree.
“Bastard,” I heard Zeth swear, followed by a swift hit, and Damien’s grunt of pain.
When I glanced up, the man was still standing with his hand to his jaw while Zeth shook out his fist with a hiss.
Damien’s friends came at Zeth and kicked the backs of his legs.
His knees gave out, and Zeth grunted as they shoved him to the ground and held him there.
Then Damien approached him with his fist curled.
White-hot rage flowed through me. I set my sight on Damien and steadied myself.
Then I barreled forward and tackled him.
Damien landed in the dirt with a wheeze, and I bent over him with my fists flying.
Just like my school fighting days, my blood rushed, making me full of fire and brimstone.
I dealt two blows to his face before he struck his fist into my ribs.
The air tensed in my lungs and pain radiated through me, but I was determined to keep him down, so I dealt another punch to his nose.
Damien gasped and put up his hands in surrender.
I staggered back while my fists clenched and unclenched.
Panting, I glared at Damien as he slowly got to his knees.
His blond braid was falling apart, and his fancy tan jacket was stained from our scuffle in the grass.
He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, smearing blood, as he stared at me in disbelief.
I seethed, pointing at him. “Stay away from Zeth Washer.”
Damien narrowed his eyes before he searched for his friends nearby, no doubt ready to crack skulls for him if need be. Thunder rumbled in the distance as I braced my feet, ready to take them all on.
Then several hoots and claps went up, and I looked over to see that a crowd had formed nearby. I eyed Zeth, glad to see him okay as he nodded up at me from the dirt.
“Ambrose.”
Glancing over, I found my father standing a few feet away, and all the fire in me drained.
“Mr. Somerset,” Damien started, spitting blood to the ground. That hardened expression he usually wore reappeared. “I do say, your son has some problems that need addressing.”
My father took in a sharp breath before narrowing his eyes on Damien. “The only problem I see here, Mr. Cooligan, is you. It would be best if you left now.”
Someone shouted for Damien to take his punishment and leave, while others laughed.
Damien inclined his head, shooting me one last glare before he and his friends pushed their way through the small crowd.
As soon as he was gone, the gathering dispersed, some of them thanking us as they left.
This fight would be the latest gossip in town.
The Daring Duo took on Damien and his thuggish friends.
Zeth joined my side with concern etched on his face as he looked me over. He straightened my hair and clothes, and once he was satisfied I wouldn’t die, he asked, “You alright, hero?”
I made a face at that. I was no hero, but the rush of adrenaline still flowed through me. I nodded as I put a hand over my ribs. “I don’t think I broke anything. What about you? You got kicked.”
“My knuckles are worse off. I haven’t fought since the school yard.” Zeth chuckled and flexed his abused fingers.
I took his hand in mine and gently rubbed over the sore spots. When I realized my father still stood near us with an indiscernible expression on his face, I frowned. I wasn’t sure what to say to him, as I had expected him to leave without a word.
Zeth retrieved my cap and handed it over. After placing it on my head, I nodded for us to leave.
But my father put up his hand, stopping us. “Ambrose, I’d like to talk with you.”
Tensing, I glanced at Zeth, wondering what he was thinking. His handsome face was serious, his piercing eyes aimed at my father as if ready to defend me if need be. But my father wanted to speak with me, and I was eager to hear what he had to say. Daring to look him in the eye, I nodded.
My father smoothed his mustache with his fingers.
“I took time to think about what you told me. About your future. Sometimes… it takes me a while to understand that I was in the wrong. And after seeing you both fight for one another, I realize just how wrong I’ve been.
” He fixed me with his eyes as I blinked at him, baffled by his words.
“I haven’t exactly been the best father to you lately,” he tried to explain.
“I let my own dreams carry me away, but I should have never put such dreams on your shoulders.” He paused for a moment and beheld me fondly, as if he were seeing me for the first time.
“My silence isn’t rejection, Ambrose. I’ve heard you, and I want you to know that whatever you choose for your future, I will support it. ”
The tension I’d carried for years eased from me as I suddenly saw my father in a new light. My vision blurred as I choked out, “Thank you.”
When Father’s mouth tightened with emotion and he held his arm out, I moved into his embrace. It was quick, his hand patting my back briefly before he pulled away and turned his head. But I swore I heard him sniffle.
“I visited your tent,” Father went on. “And just acquired my first piece from your collection. Consider it the first of many investments.”
“What—you mean… you bought something from our booth?” I asked in surprise.
“I did. A nice rocking chair for the porch.”
“About fucking time,” Zeth muttered under his breath, and I nudged his arm with a smirk.
Father only chuckled and nodded at Zeth. “I’ll need two more for when you both come to visit and talk about your business.”
My eyes widened. “Does that mean…”
“Yes, Ambrose, you both have my blessing to court. I decided that upon waking and stopped at the bank before the festival to take care of the Washer property’s remaining dues. This way, you two can have a fresh start.”
Zeth perked up in surprise. “You paid off my property tax?”
When Father nodded, Zeth wrapped an arm over my shoulder to tug me closer, and I embraced him with a joyful laugh.
Zeth pulled away but still held my hand. “Thank you, sir. Walter. Your support means a lot to us. Family means a lot to us too.”
A big boom of thunder suddenly rumbled, making us flinch. Then a sprinkle of rain landed on my nose, and I observed the remaining, colorful ribbons waving wildly in the wind.
“Amby, Zeth!” Emiline yelled from nearby. She and Hattie rushed up to us with excitement, as if they’d just witnessed mine and Father’s reconciliation. “All your furniture sold, Arthur is holding the tent down. We should get going before this storm starts.”
Father nodded, but Hattie stepped forward. “Oh, wait, I haven’t given a ribbon yet! I know just the man I want to tie one to.”
When she gazed up at Father, he held out his arm for her. “I’d be delighted, my dear.”
Zeth and I watched as my sisters walked around the enormous tree with my father. Several others ran to snag off last-minute ribbons to give to each other as well, including Richard and Ben, and other familiar faces. A storm wouldn’t stop any of them from proclaiming their truths to one another.
“Our booth isn’t far,” Zeth pointed out. “Let’s join Arthur and hide from this awful weather.”
“Actually…” I smiled at him as the rain picked up. “I enjoy the rain. It’s calming after what happened today.”
Zeth chuckled and tugged me against him by my belt loops and nuzzled my cheek. “You know I hate storms.”
I beheld Zeth’s handsome face as the rain dampened his dark hair, messing it up just how I liked it. Moving my hands beneath his warm jacket, I said, “But you love me.”
“That I do,” he exhaled, his focus shifting from the storm to me. I felt like Zeth’s everything as his golden, sunset eyes melted me from the inside. His lips tilted in a wicked little grin. Even his voice sounded sultry as he tapped his lips and said, “I dare you to kiss me, Rosie.”
My fingers curled in his shirt, and I leaned up to capture those sweet lips. When Zeth wrapped his arms around my waist to hold me closer, I cupped his face.
The rain pelted us harder as we indulged in our public courting kiss, and my mind filled with bliss.
I caught words of encouragement from my sisters, and the hoots and claps from some of our friends as they witnessed our love.
This man smiling against me was who I wanted more than anything else in the world.
Someone who set my heart racing like a river in spring, someone who dared me to follow my own dreams.
And finally, I felt free.
the end