I do, I do, I do by Maggie Osborne

arm-wrestling contest.
    After thinking another minute, she stood and stared at Bear Barrett until he felt her concentration and turned in her direction. Then she mouthed the words, "Can I ask a question?"
    "All you cheechakos shut up. The little lady wants to say something."
    Little lady. Clara loved it.
    Judging by the frowns and mutters wafting her way, interruptions were not appreciated. But Bear Barrett didn't seem to mind. Those brown-bear eyes narrowed and traveled to the open strip between the edges of her cape, then touched at her hips before rising back to her face. He was a bold one all right.
    Clara took a good look at him, too. He wore denim trousers held up by red suspenders that crossed the shoulders of a white shirt made from enough material to upholster a wing chair. He was a big, big man, but she could see that most of him was muscle. She could have bounced a cannon ball off his chest.
    When the mutual inspection had continued a beat too long, she asked, "Can anyone on board enter this match?"
    A grin spread his lips, revealing big strong teeth. "You have someone you want to sponsor?"
    "
Ja
. Me."
    Laughter erupted, then abruptly ceased when the men realized she was serious. Then two dozen heads swiveled toward Bear.
    "She's a woman!"
    "It wouldn't be fair! It would be like handing her opponent a free pass to the next level."
    "I ain't gonna arm-wrestle no woman."
    Bear's gaze locked to hers during the torrent of objections, and she watched him thinking about it. When she saw a twinkle appear, she knew she was in.
    "There's a five-dollar entry fee," he said finally, watching to see if the hugely expensive entry fee would discourage her.
    The objections erupted into a firestorm of protest while Clara counted the names on the chalkboard and realized Mr. Barrett could offer the hundred-dollar prize and still make money on the tournament. She wished she had thought of this before he did.
    Bear shoved a mass of shaggy gold curls back from his face and lifted his lip in a sneer. "Are you sissy boys afraid of going one-on-one with that itty-bitty woman over there?"
    Itty-bitty
. Clara almost swooned.
    At the end of a heated discussion, the men fell silent and glared at her. She'd heard enough to know they resented her for interjecting herself into their contest. Either they figured her for a pushover or feared being beat by her. Neither outcome mattered since none of them would agree to be her opponent.
    "Guess that leaves me, Miss Klaus." Bear gave her a confident grin. "With apologies in advance for taking your money and whupping you."
    "You weren't going to enter," someone groused, spitting on the floor in disgust.
    Another voice agreed. "You can't enter your own tournament!"
    "Well, I'm going to." He raised huge hands to calm the protests. "After I beat her, I'll withdraw."
    She'd hoped for one of the little skinny ones. But all right. She could deal with drawing the strongest opponent.
    Tilting her head, she squeezed down her eyes and studied him. Strength was part of it, but so was strategy. He was big and powerful and confident, but he was a man. He could be had.
    "When's the match?" she asked. It was flattering to notice that he continued to size her up, too.
    "The first round starts tomorrow morning after breakfast."
    Excellent. She'd have the time she needed.
    The cubicle looked and smelled as hideous as it had when she left it. Zoe sprawled on the bottom bunk, moaning, gagging, and looking like death. Tuckered out, Juliette half dozed on the cot.
    "I need your help," Clara announced, dropping to her knees to pull out her bag. She told them about the tournament and that her first match was in the morning.
    "You did
what
?"
    Even Zoe sat up to stare. "You're crazy," Zoe muttered before she flopped down again.
    Clara found her extra dress and shook out the wrinkles, holding it to the sputtering lamp. It would do nicely.
    "Whatever you have in mind, Zoe can't help. She's still dying," Juliette said in tones of