How did he get into this mess? He had been sort of keeping himself busy with nothing. He wasn't selling his mixtures any longer, and he had had some money saved up. But he took almost none of it with him when he ended up in this place. He had done well enough but now, he'd put almost everything he'd taken on the table to lure in the winnings from the others.

His hand was unbeatable. It was so good, he was proud of himself. Instead of getting giddy, he'd covered his mouth and eyed it as one would look at an unsolvable problem. Just stare and tilt the head as if seeing it at a new angle would bring a solution. Pony's eyes avoided the other men except in small glances.

Then after this long, almost suffocating wait, this baker spoke. He was betting everything while trying to guilt Pony into folding so he could help his wife. Too bad for this stranger.

The red haired man couldn't give a damn about his problems or his wife. He smiled almost splitting his face. "Alright, you're on. I bet my horse and cart. Now show your cards."

He tossed down the hand, beautiful cards in descending order with matching suits.