Chapter 5: A Woman’s Value

~She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.~ —Louisa May Alcock

“So tell me, how does it feel being a female Danny?” Jake asked, settling his hat more comfortably on his head.

“Probably the same as it feels being a male Jake.”

“Don’t got much of a sense of humor, do ya, missy?” Jake couldn’t help pointing out.

“Maybe it’s just that your jokes aren’t funny.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Also, I would appreciate it if you would not call me missy,” she added. “It is Miss Preston.”

Jake only rolled his eyes. He had met many a demanding woman in his day, but she had to be the worst. And they had only been traveling for a few hours.

“Have you been living in Arizona long?” Dannie felt it was her turn to ask a question. Pointless conversation was better than awkward silence.

“Long enough,” Jake curtly replied. “I’ll tell you right away, missy...”

“For the last time, sir,” Dannie exploded, cutting him off mid-sentence. “It’s Miss Preston! Miss Preston! Not missy!”

Jake lifted his eyebrows at her outburst. “All right,” he said, “Miss Preston it is. You really ought to learn how to control that temper.”

“Ever grateful for the advice.”

“Miss Preston, honestly, just cool it. You and I are going to be stuck with each other for three days, so we might as well not be all tight and angry. Come on, take a deep breath and relax just a little. That will make the journey more pleasant for the both of us.”

Dannie sighed. Jake certainly knew how to get on her nerves. He had made a good point, though. There was little profit in them fighting the entire trip. She sucked her lips into a thin line.

“Will we pass by any towns along the way?” she asked, changing the subject.

“Nope. We’re not going into any of the towns.”

“So…where will we sleep?”

“Under the stars.”

“Oh.” Dannie wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea.

“Do you know how to cook over an open fire?”

“I don’t know how to cook at all.” Dannie felt a little embarrassed by her answer, but she didn’t let it show.

“Oh right, you’re the fine lady type,” Jake remembered. “So ya can’t cook, and I’m guessing ya can’t wash?”

“I am not a fine lady, but it is true that I can do neither.”

“So is there anything you can do?”

“Certainly.” Now Dannie was on the defensive. “It’s not like cooking and washing clothes are the only things a woman is able to do.”

“Like what?”

“I can speak French and Italian, and read and write in Latin and Greek, for example.”

“Much good that will do you here.”

“Allow me to remind you that my education was what got me a job as a school teacher in the first place.”

She did have a point there, only Jake was too proud to admit it.

“Any practical skills?”

“Yes, I can knit, and I’m very skilled with a needle.”

“Ah.” A hint of approval appeared in Jake’s eyes. “Well, I guess you’re not an entirely useless woman.”

Those words were more than Dannie could take. Reaching over, she pulled on the reins, making the horses slow down abruptly.

“What in hellfire?” Jake brushed her away from him angrily. The horses neighed loudly at the sudden rough treatment and shook their heads. Jake fought to keep control of the situation.

Taking advantage of his distraction, Dannie leaped right off the wagon onto the dry and dusty dirt, praying she wouldn’t catch on a cactus.

The horses hadn’t stopped completely, and Dannie lost her balance as she descended, causing her to tumble into the dust. She hopped to her feet quickly and took off walking at a fast pace.

Jake pulled the horses to a halt, got down from the wagon, and took off after her.

“For the love of God, Miss Preston!” he called.

“Language!” Dannie snapped back at him.

Jake ran to catch up with her and caught her by the arm. Dannie spun around and smacked him in the face so hard his whole cheek stung and turned red. Jake’s hand instinctively covered the wounded area.

How did those tiny little hands have such terrible power in them? What were they composed of, that their slap should sting as bad as a horse whip?

“What was that for?” he asked, rubbing his sore cheek.

“Unhand me at once!” Dannie demanded. “Or I’ll give you another one for good measure.”

“Miss Preston, you have got to settle down!”

“Not until you let go of me!” She raised her hand to strike again.

“All right, all right.” He released his hold on her.

Dannie backed away a little and eyed him warily.

“Now tell me,” it was Jake’s turn to demand, “are you out of yer mind? What in the name of heaven and earth got into ya? Do you or do you not realize this is dangerous territory? Have you no concern or care for your own safety? You can’t just take off like that!”

“And you have no right to be so horribly rude,” Dannie retorted. “Where are your manners? Did it not cross your mind that I have feelings? Did you not think that you are sorely hurting them? I understand you are eager to disapprove of me, but that does not give you the right to insult me.

“A woman’s value does not lie solely in her ability to do housework, any more than a man’s value lies only in the amount of money he brings to the table. There is much I can do for mankind without the knowledge of how to bake bread or starch a shirt.”

Despite himself, Jake figured she did have a point. He was still of the opinion that the smack had been completely uncalled for, but his desire to keep her in his box of Disapproval had caused him to forget his manners.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I spoke out of line, Miss Preston. I wasn’t fair to you at all. Now, will you please get back into the wagon?”

“I will,” Dannie said, giving in, “and I’ll even go so far as to forgive you.”

“Very kind of you, Miss Preston,” Jake said, doing his best to hide the sarcasm.

Having made their peace, the two climbed back into the wagon and resumed their journey.