Betting on Hope

Chapter 23



Hope sat at the poker table, perfectly still. Her new hat and sunglasses covered her eyes and most of her face. She’d been playing for an hour, and already she was in deep. The minimum bet was eight hundred dollars. She had one hundred ten thousand dollars of chips in front of her, but she’d started the game with the hundred thousand, so she was ten thousand ahead. She needed to make twenty thousand more today before she faced Big Julie’s game tonight.

She could do it, if her luck and her nerve held. And good cards wouldn’t hurt, either.

Only one player was still in the game. They were in a faceoff, waiting for the other to fold first. It was noon Saturday. If she were Gary Cooper, it would be high noon, and she would be the lawman facing the gunslinger out in the dusty street, each waiting for the other to shoot first.

Tanner had picked the table, and he’d made a good choice. The other players had lost their chips quickly and dropped out. The last player was a soft guy with a moustache. Moustache Man was good, but not as good as he thought he was. He had about two hundred thousand in chips, but he’d had most of those when Hope joined the game.

Hope felt the familiar hum in her head and the tingle in her fingers as her nerves tightened. She was hyperaware of Moustache Man’s every movement, his every tick and tell. After an hour playing with him, she knew this guy. Knew what moves he’d make, how he’d bet, when he’d fold. And if she stayed steady and had a little luck, she could win everything right now.

They both had a good chip stack. They both had depth and could play for a while. But Hope felt the killer instinct. She could take Moustache Man. She was sure of it.

Her hole cards weren’t much, but Hope was in the big blind and Moustache Man called. Hope watched the dealer burn one card, then turn the three cards for the flop. No help there for her: Ace of clubs, four of clubs, ten of hearts.

Hope felt her breath come and go out of her lungs, nice and easy. She kept her face relaxed. She didn’t move a muscle, didn’t move her head, her hands, her feet. To her left she felt the tension scream from Moustache Man. She sensed him twitching without even looking at him.

Moustache Man checked. Hope checked.

The dealer burned a card and turned over the fourth card. The nine of diamonds. Moustache Man leaned in and bet twenty thousand dollars.

So Moustache Man was holding something good. What? Two pair? A pair of nines and what else?

Hope thought, letting chips flow through her fingers. She thought about what the uncles and Tanner had talked about all week. She could call, or she could raise. Be aggressive. Play hard. Play to win.

She raised forty thousand dollars.

Moustache Man’s eyes flashed across the table at Hope. He called. So he was prepared to go that far. He thought his cards were good enough to beat whatever she had. Well, time would tell.

The river card was a jack.

Hope watched while Moustache Man jammed his thumbs into his waistband.

Yes, Hope thought, focusing on Moustache Man. There it was. The low-confidence tell.

Moustache Man checked.

Yes.

Hope bet everything she had left, pushing all her chips into the center of the table. She heard a gasp from the spectators. She felt the adrenaline rush, a sweet, hot flood of confidence.

And waited to meet her fate.

Moustache Man’s eyes widened in shock for an instant. And then he slumped, resigned, as he tossed his cards back to the dealer. He didn’t want to risk sixty or seventy thousand dollars more to see what cards Hope held.

The pot was Hope’s. And she was up eighty thousand dollars.

She felt a deep, peaceful satisfaction, knowing she’d played well.

She glanced to where Tanner was watching. He shook his head, grinning at her, and gestured to see her cards. She held them up so he could see.

King, seven.

Hope watched as Tanner’s jaw dropped. She smiled, tossing the cards back to the dealer. She’d had a nothing hand. A hand most people would never have bet into the flop. But Hope had read her opponent correctly and knew that her bluff—her huge, over-the-top, game-ending, all-in bluff—would scare off his winning hand. And it had.

And now she was done. She’d made the two hundred thousand dollars she needed to play Big Julie, with fifty thousand to spare. It was Saturday noon on a dusty street, and she, Gary Cooper, had won.

The dealer scooped the chips over to Hope, and she picked them up, shaking hands with Moustache Man.

“Thanks for the game,” she said. “I enjoyed it.”

“You had amazing cards,” he said.

“I was lucky,” she said, although of course neither amazing cards nor luck had had anything to do with her win.



Marty picked up his coffee cup and held it aloft. “To Hope.”

“To Hope!” Tanner lifted his glass of orange juice, and the uncles lifted their cups or glasses of coffee, juice, water, or in Jim Thickpenny’s case, champagne. A large and festive lunch covered the big, round table at the Golden Palace all-you-can-eat four-ninety-five dim sum buffet.

“You should have seen her play that last hand,” Tanner told the uncles. “You would not have believed it. She didn’t turn a hair. She went all-in on the worst cards I’ve ever seen. Unbelievably gutsy.”

“I’d have believed it,” Marty said, nodding. “She could play the pants off just about anybody when she was twelve.”

“I was channeling Gary Cooper,” Hope said. She looked, Tanner thought, adorably pink and pleased with herself. “You know, in High Noon. Facing the gunman at the end of the street. Although Gary Cooper was facing a whole gang in that one, and all I had was Mr. Moustache.”

“You like old movies?” Tanner asked. That was another thing they had in common.

Hope nodded, helping herself to pot stickers. “Late night TV, my secret vice,” she said.

Tanner could think of other late-night vices he’d like to tempt her with.

“She’s a natural card player,” Pete Wysniewski said. “You see them every so often. Stu Ungar. Like that.”

Weary nodded. “You played some remarkable poker this week,” he said to Hope. “Truly remarkable.”

“Bing, bing, bing!” Sharp Eddie said, finishing up the Mongolian beef.

“Unbelievable streak,” Isaiah Rush said. “You were fantastic all week.”

Hope blushed furiously.

“Thanks to you all,” she said. She took a deep breath. “I’ll never be able to repay you guys for coming out here and getting me this far.”

“Hey,” Marty said. “Stop. No more of that. We always felt we shoulda done more for you back then. What we did this week is nothing. We’re square.”

“And we had fun,” Sharp Eddie said, laying aside his napkin and sitting back with a sigh of satisfaction.

Jim Thickpenny nodded. “We were delighted to accommodate your unexpected and fascinating request for assistance.”

“We’re just glad to see you again, Hope,” Weary said.

Tanner watched Hope smile with her lips pursed together. She was trying not to cry. What had these people—such unlikely friends—meant to each other years ago? He’d give a lot to know. Someday, he hoped—and if he had anything to say about it—she’d trust him enough to tell him.



As they started to file out of the restaurant, Marty held Hope back.

“Got something for you here,” he said. He pulled some sheets of paper from inside his coat pocket. “Did some research. Thought you might need it.”

Hope took the papers and looked at them. “What’s this?”

“These are most of the players you’ll likely meet tonight at Big Julie’s,” Marty said. “Big Julie tends to play with a bunch of guys regular, and another two or three that rotate, depending on who’s flush or who’s in town. Like that.”

Hope nodded, reading more carefully. “This is fantastic, Marty! This will really help. How did you get this?”

“I asked around. The six regulars is there, plus Big Julie. Then you, that’s eight. Maybe one other. Last week one guy went to the hospital with a peanut allergy, might be him. If not—sorry, kiddo. It was the best I could do on such short notice.”

Hope looked at him with shining eyes. “You’ve got everything here! Names, style of play, tells, winnings, even photos! Everything!”

“Everything I could find, anyways. You can’t have us spotting tables for you up there. You’ll be on your own, and you’re coming in cold. They know each other, and how everybody plays, so you got it tougher than the other players. I thought this could even your odds a little bit.”

“Marty, I love you. You think of everything.” Hope put her arms around him and held him close.

“Jeez, Hope, stop that. It’s nothing,” Marty blustered, and Hope took pity and let him go.

“It’s everything, Marty. I won’t forget what you did for me this week. Let me know if I can repay the favor. I mean it.”

Marty patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. “You’re a good kid,” he said. “If I had a kid, I wouldn’t mind if she turned out like you.”

Hope felt herself beaming at Marty.

“I’d have been proud to be your kid,” she said.



Tanner watched Hope and Marty from a distance and wondered what the Jersey card player was saying that made her smile at him like that and wondered what Marty had given her. His last will and testament? A treasure map? It wasn’t any of his business. But whatever it was, it had sure made Hope happy.

Well, he had an afternoon to make Hope happy, too. He was free until this evening, when he had to play in Big Julie Saladino’s weekly card game. And he’d make sure that Big Julie won, too, whatever it took, because otherwise he’d be violating the terms of his probation. He had a lot of reasons to stay out of jail now, starting with the one that was standing over there talking to Marty the Sneak.

Hope waved goodbye to Marty, and then, there she was. Coming toward him, a big smile on her face.



“You picked a good table for me this morning,” Hope said, as she joined Tanner, beaming. “Thank you.” He looked lazy, strong but relaxed, where he leaned against the wall waiting for her. He had that quirky smile on his lips and a glint in his eye, and although she knew that he was a card shark and could pounce at a moment’s notice, she had to admit that he’d really come through for her when the chips were down. She’d made her stake. Tonight she’d play Big Julie! She felt as light as meringue.

“All part of the service,” Tanner said. “Do you have plans for the afternoon? It’s a nice day to go to Mount Charleston for a walk.”

Hope glanced at him, surprised. Was he asking her on a date?

“I don’t have plans,” she said. I was thinking I’d go home for a horseback ride.”“Isn’t Saturday the traditional day of rest for horses?”

Hope grinned. “Urban myth. Typical. I don’t know how these things get started. You know, if you wanted to learn to ride, you could take Blondie. A blind, one-legged goat could stay on Blondie.”

“Oh, good. I’ve finally been compared to a blind, one-legged goat. Another thing I can cross off my bucket list.”

Hope laughed and glanced up at him. “What else is on your bucket list?” she asked. What was she doing? She was flirting with Tanner. That was bad. Her voice yelled at her. No flirting! No heartbreak!

“I’ll tell you if you take the walk with me.”

Hope ignored the voice. She felt light and carefree, reckless and on top of the world. She could conquer anything. Overcome all obstacles. They would have a good time this afternoon, that was all. Tanner would not break her heart.

She wanted to go on a hike with Tanner. She wanted a date. She wanted him to kiss her again.

“I can’t hike in these clothes,” she said, glancing down at her linen cropped pants and high-heeled sandals.

“We can buy you something,” Tanner said. “You’ve earned it.”

“I sure did.” Hope turned and they started to walk toward the shopping arcade. She felt the bounce in her step as they passed the shops. “I just need shorts. I’ve got boots in my car.”

It didn’t take Hope long to find a pair of poppy-pink nylon hiking shorts. Then she went to meet Tanner, who had bought bottled water for the hike.

“All set,” she said.

Tanner looked at her long legs, tanned under the bright pink shorts. “My day’s already improved,” he said.

Hope laughed. “Wait until you see me in my hiking boots,” she said. “That’ll really float your boat.”

They took Tanner’s truck to Mount Charleston, about thirty-five miles away, which promised good hiking, higher elevations, and cooler temperatures. As Hope climbed out of the truck at the park’s trailhead, Tanner grabbed a knapsack from behind the seat.

“That’s the water?” she asked.

Tanner locked the truck. “Water, snacks, nylon blanket,” he said. “A few basics.”

“Good thinking,” Hope said. “In case we can’t find the restaurant.”

Tanner grinned. “Exactly.”

They struck out on a hard-packed dry trail that led upwards between groves of ponderosa pine and white fir. Hope breathed in the sharp pine scent in the clear, thin air.

“I don’t get out here enough,” she said. “Usually I get home from work and go for a ride. I love that. But—”

“Variety is the spice of life,” Tanner agreed.

They left the pine grove behind, heading steadily uphill, and entered a stand of aspen. In late summer, the trees were just starting to turn color, but wildflowers still bloomed. Hope could see a few butterflies clinging to the purple petals. Overhead the sky was a thin, high blue, sprinkled with white cumulus clouds.

“Let’s stop for a minute,” she said.

Tanner opened the knapsack and handed her a bottle of water. Hope cracked the top and took a swallow, taking in the color and light. She smiled at Tanner.

“This is beautiful,” she said.

Tanner smiled at the happiness in her face. “Yes, it is,” he said. “Never more than now.”

Hope’s smile widened. “It’s a good time of year.”

“It is in my calendar.”

They walked on, meeting no one. About an hour later, Tanner stopped.

“There’s a waterfall just up that branch trail,” he said. “It’s probably mostly dry by now, but it would be cool. Want to check it out or go on to the top?”

“Let’s check it out,” Hope decided. They followed an abandoned road for a few minutes, which narrowed to a path and then barely a track.

“Are you sure this is the right way?” Hope asked, following Tanner through what looked like unmarked trees and scrubby brush.

“Trust me.” They rounded an embankment and Hope gasped.

“Like it?”

“Like it? This is amazing.” The waterfall—probably about eighty feet tall—started more than forty feet above them and disappeared into the rocks below. Now in late summer, the flow had slowed to a thin ribbon, but drops still bounced over the rocks and splashed onto the surrounding ground. The air was much cooler in this area, and grass, jimson weed, and black-eyed susans flourished near the falls. The area was cool and vibrant with color—a magical spot of oasis on the warm, dry trail.

“How did you know this was here?” She mopped her forehead.

“It’s marked on the trail maps. It’s just that not many people come this far. Here, drink some more water. I’ve got another one if we need it.” Tanner handed her a bottle.

“Can we sit here awhile?” she said. “I’m warmer than I thought.”

“Me, too. Wait before you sit,” he said. “I’ll put the blanket down.”

He pulled the groundcloth out of the knapsack and spread it out over the grass near the waterfall.

“This is heaven.” Hope dropped to the ground with her water bottle and gazed at the falls. “I bet this is something in the spring.” She tilted her head back and drank the entire bottle, wiping her mouth when she was finished.

“That hit the spot,” she said, putting the empty back in the knapsack. “I didn’t know I was so thirsty.”



Tanner watched Hope drink her water, drink it so fast that some of it escaped the edges of the bottle and trickled down the sides of her mouth and dripped onto her tee-shirt. He watched her throat move as she swallowed the water, at her flushed and moist face, at her tee-shirt as it absorbed the spilled water. He watched her soft mouth as she wiped it afterwards.

He felt an irresistible urge to lay Hope back and to kiss her senseless. Heaven help me, he thought, knowing that heaven didn’t have anything to do with what he was thinking.

“I’m glad we did this,” Hope said. She unlaced her boots, kicking them off, and lay back on the blanket, closing her eyes and stretching. “I feel great. I won today, I had lunch with the uncles, I’m in a beautiful place in the mountains, what more could anybody want?”

I know what more I want, Tanner thought, as he gave in to his impulses. He leaned over and kissed her.



Hope’s eyes flew open in shock. She’d been taken completely unawares by Tanner’s kiss. Not unwelcome unawares. But a person might want to be ready.

“Whapf?” she asked, her lips compressed by Tanner’s.

Tanner raised his head an inch. “Shhh,” he said. “I’m kissing you. Show the respect that deserves.”

Hope grinned, her nose so close to his they almost touched. “You surprised me,” she said. “What was I supposed to do?”

Tanner rolled his eyes. “Pucker up. Say, ‘oh, Tanner.’ You can say that a couple of times, as needed. Kiss me back. Sheesh. Even a junior high school student knows the basic routines.”

Hope laughed. “You know, if I’d been standing up and holding, oh, say, a Ming vase, and you came up behind and surprised me like that, I’d have dropped it, and then the world would have lost a priceless artifact. Just think how sorry you’d be.”

Tanner twisted his head around, checking out the small clearing. His face was so close to hers that his hair brushed her cheek. “Yeah, Ming vase. I’m seeing that.”

“I’m just saying. So, okay, I fluffed it. Should we try again?” I want to try again.

“You want to try again?”

Hope felt a second of insecurity, wondering if she truly had fluffed her romantic moment, and then she saw the devil dancing in his chocolate-brown eyes. She felt herself grin.

“Well, we could go look at Ming vases instead. There’s an exhibit—”

She didn’t finish the sentence before Tanner leaned over and kissed her again. This time Hope was more prepared, and she still felt shocked. Tanner’s lips were soft but demanding and electric and molten, and Hope felt herself fall into kiss. Then Tanner raised himself until his face was a few inches from hers and looked into her eyes with such intensity that Hope felt the earth slip away and the stars rush forward. And then he kissed her again, with such heat that Hope thought her blood was on fire. After a few minutes, Tanner stopped again and smiled at her.

“Exhibit?” he asked. His voice held laughter, but his eyes held only heat.

“Shhh,” Hope said, feeling a little dazed. “Show some respect.” She put her arms around his shoulders, felt the warmth of his body through his clothes.

“I can do that.” Tanner kissed her again, settling down next to her, sliding his arm under her neck, cradling her. The breeze, cooled by the waterfall, tickled her bare skin, and Tanner let his mouth trail over her cheek, his fingers tracing her ear, his lips and tongue tasting her skin. Hope felt a languid heat build in her core and head south.

“You look good enough to eat,” he said. “Like an ice cream cone. Lickable.”

Go ahead. Lick me. “What’s with the food all the time?” she asked. “First it’s pumpkin. Then it’s potato salad. Now it’s ice cream. What’s with that?”

Tanner leaned down and kissed her mouth. “I guess since I met you, I’ve been hungry all the time,” he said, kissing her neck. “And all I can do is think about eating.” He kissed her collarbone. “You.”

Hope caught her breath. Excellent idea!

Tanner grinned. “What a good idea,” he said. He kissed her mouth again, then lifted her tee-shirt a few inches and reached down and kissed her bare stomach.

The languid heat stoked into a raging fire. He had to stop now, or stopping would become impossible. But she didn’t want him to stop, now or ever. They were outside. People could see. But she didn’t care who saw.

“Hope,” he said, licking into her belly button, nudging the waistband of her shorts.

Hope felt her hands go to his hair.

“Stop it,” she said, even as her hands ran through his hair. Her voice sounded desperate in her own ears. “People will come. Rangers.”

“We haven’t seen anyone all day.” Tanner’s fingers were tracing lazy patterns on her stomach, pushing her tee-shirt higher, as he kissed his way up her rib cage. Hope wanted more, a lot more. Except he had to stop. Before the Rangers came with the Ming vase.

“We’re outside.” Hope moaned, felt her breathing quicken.

“We’re in heaven,” Tanner said. “Or about to be.”