Free Pistons and Pistols by Tonia Brown Page A

little woman. She’ll be steamed as beans, but we have plenty put up, so no worry there.”
    His words made no sense to Rose. “What little woman?”
    “I’m surprised you didn’t notice sooner.” Jebediah held his left hand between them, palm to his face, knuckles to her. A thick band of gold hugged his ring finger.
    Rose’s eyes went wide as she squealed in excitement. “Jebediah Wilkes!” She threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. “You old dog. When did you get married?”
    “About two years ago. It’s a long story. I’d love to share it with you, but…”
    “Yeah…but…” Rose looked around the store. “So where is she?”
    Scratching his beard, Jeb said, “Martha’s gone to visit her parents. You’re lucky I had to stay behind. I sure as heck didn’t want to. After all, it’s not every day you get to introduce the old folks to their grandson.” His face lit up with the words, his eyes almost as bright as his grin.
    Rose swallowed the dry lump in her throat as the reality of his new life hit her hard. “A son? Jeb, wow. You have a child?”
    “Yes. And another on the way.”
    “Times are a-changing.” Rose laughed to herself at the idea of the former sailor surrounded by kids.
    “They sure are.” Jebediah walked her to the door, flipping the sign again as Rose walked out. “Don’t worry about the dock hands. They don’t pay a damned bit of attention to what comes off the wire. Half of them can’t even read, and the other half don’t care what they think of things back east.”
    “Thanks again, Jeb. I can’t tell you how much your help means to me.”
    “Don’t mention it. Especially if you do come see us, don’t mention it to Martha.”
    They laughed for a moment.
    “Seriously though,” Jeb said. “You guys come see us after whatever this is settles down. I want you to meet Martha and Joey. And the new little one too. We think this one’s a girl.” As he pulled her into his arms he whispered in her ear, “My own little Rose.”
    Rose squeezed him tight, honored by his dedication.
    “You be careful at Ironstation,” Jeb said as he released her. “The miners there are as gruff as any group comes. And I’m afraid you’ll have a hard time getting what you need from the owner. The professor is pretty well-known around these parts for harboring a peculiar hang-up.”
    “What’s that?” Rose asked. “He hates airships?”
    “No,” Jeb said, grin returning. “He hates women.”
     

 
    Chapter 7
    Northward Bound
    In which we seek higher ground from our flood of worries
     
    It was late afternoon before they reached the town. Rose demanded they keep cover, so the ship had to weave back and forth, hopping from cloud to cloud and traveling in a roundabout way. With their fuel stores so low, Jayne pushed the engines in spurts, riding the ensuing burst for as far as they could before stoking the fires again. The trip took much longer than it should have, but because they were able to remain in the precious cloud cover all the while, it was worth it.
    During Rose’s debriefing, she offered to let any crew member out of her contract, dropping those who opted out anywhere they liked along the route. The entire crew turned down her offer in one unanimous ‘thanks, but no thanks.’ Their solidarity was a far cry from the morning’s angst. It never ceased to amaze her how her crew, while at each other’s throats in the off hours, always pulled together in times of danger. It was as though they were spurred by the very idea of the trouble Atom had brought upon them. In truth she knew each of them preferred to court danger, which was why they were part of her crew to begin with and not back home living normal lives.
    When they landed, about half a mile from the town, Rose announced that only Jax and Dot were to accompany her this time. She hoped Dot would induce a familial sympathy from the professor, while Jax was along for protection. Just in case.
    Jebediah was right