Dorothy Garlock Read Online Free PDF Page B

whispered the last two words.
    It was almost dark. The streets were even more crowded than they had been before. Flora said her goodbyes and turned toward her home behind the bakery. Jill and Martha proceeded down the walk past the stores. Men loitered on the street, leaned against the parked cars or sat on the edge of the plank walk. Music came from the recreational parlors and loud voices from the pool hall.
    Beneath a streetlight at a crossing, two brawny men were leaning over the hood of a car engaged in a contest of arm wrestling. The men who gathered around them were shouting encouragement and making bets. Before Martha and Jill realized it, they were hemmed in by the crowd.
    “Here's the wildcat.” The voice was loud and close to Jill. “How about a kiss for the winner, wildcat? ”
    Jill shoved at the body of a half-drunk, whiskered man. “Get out of my way.”
    “Fun is fun, but that's enough, ”Martha said crossly when another man threw out the suggestion of a kiss.
    “Ah, come on, wildcat. You'll not miss one little kiss and old Sully'll strain his guts out to win.”
    The crowd was pushing Jill and Martha closer and closer to where the two straining men were bent over the hood of the mud-splattered, topless car, and anger began to replace Jill's panic. She turned and lashed out at the man behind her.
    “Stop pushing me, you mangy polecat! ”Anger made her voice loud and shrill.
    “Whoa! ”The grinning man threw up his hands in surrender but didn't budge an inch. “Simmer down, little sweetheart. No one will lay a hand on you. Promise Sully a kiss and I'll split my winnings with you if he wins.”
    “I'd sooner kiss a warthog! Get out of my way, or I'll slap your jaws! ”
    Hoots of laughter from the men followed her words. She looked around for Martha and realized they had been separated and that she was as much of the show as the contestants.
    “Slap my jaws, honey. I ain't had 'em slapped since I left home.”
    “Say you'll kiss old Sully if he wins, wildcat, ”a man yelled, then he bellowed gleefully. “She nodded, Sully. She'll kiss ya! ”
    “I did no such thing. I will not! ”Jill shouted, then balled her fist and hit the man nearest to her on the jaw.
    “Wow! The wildcat's got a temper! Hey— ”His words were cut off when Jill's other fist landed on his nose. Her foot lashed out and struck another man on the shin. Having been raised on a Missouri farm with three brothers, Jill knew how to use her fists and her feet.
    “Filthy hogs! Low-down, pig-ugly varmints! Get away from me.”
    Jill was too busy yelling and lashing out to see that roughneck after roughneck was being shoved aside by a tall, dark-haired, sun-browned man with long arms and a fierce scowl on his face.
    “Jill.” The voice reached her at the same time the man did. “What the hell are you doing out here on the street brawling like a common slut? ”
    “Now, wait, mister. She's not — ”When the man she had just hit opened his mouth to defend her, the front of his shirt was grabbed in a huge fist and he was pushed so hard that he staggered into the group behind him.
    “Stay out of this! ”
    Angry eyes moved back to Jill. The hand that had gripped the shirt came out to latch on to her arm.
    Jill was unable to believe who was standing over her with rage radiating from him. Dark brows were drawn together above green eyes. As she watched, his frown deepened and the muscle in one lean cheek jumped in response to his clenched teeth. Further thought was snatched from her as suddenly she was sandwiched between two tall men.
    “Get your hand off her! ”Hunter Westfall's voice was not loud.
    “Or what, dude? ”
    “One word from me and these men will break both your arms and your legs, ”Hunter answered quietly.
    “No! ”Jill suddenly came to life. “He's a friend from home.” Pride forced her to add, “Sort of.”
    “Jill, ”Hunter said patiently, “a gentleman doesn't call his friends sluts.”
    “He didn't