Just After Midnight: Historical Romance Read Online Free PDF

“Now, I can.” She was surprised to find her headache had disappeared.
    “Well, Mr. McMurphy, I suggest you leave my dance hall before I let Damon finish what he began.”
    Ian warily eyed the dog as he backed toward the door. “I’ll be back when you’re out of business, Miss Daily. I’m sure you’ll be glad to see me then.”
    As soon as McMurphy was out of sight, Megan collapsed into a chair. She patted Damon’s head and the dog stared at her with adoration.
    “Who let him in?”
    “Me.” Zechariah stood behind the bar. “McMurphy’s got quite a temper and it looked like you meant to rile him, so I let Damon on in. He must have decided you’re to be protected.”
    “Lucky for me,” Megan said as she remembered what it felt like to be held captive in McMurphy’s huge hands.
    “What did Ian say to you?” At the sound of Queen’s voice, Damon flattened his ears against his head and he snarled. Queen backed up a few steps, but the dog retreated at a snap of Megan’s fingers.
    Megan ignored Queen’s question, answering instead the question that had haunted her own mind. “I’m not going to let that man have the only gift my father ever gave me. Not without a fight. You said a few changes in my appearance would help with the business.”
    “Well—” Queen looked her up and down doubtfully “—I didn’t say just a few.”
    Megan waved her hand at Queen’s skepticism. Now that she’d decided upon this, nothing would stop her from going forward. “Whatever it takes. Since we’re required to close at midnight to observe the Lord’s Day, do you think you can have me ready by show time Monday?”
    “I can sure try. But you know it’s more than how you dress that needs changin’; there’s your attitude, too. There’s ways of lookin’ at a man, promisin’ without actually followin’ through.” She peered at Megan. “Still, I think with a little practice, we might just bring you up to snuff, Lovey. You’ve got the looks; that helps.” With a sigh she turned to the other dancers. “Come on, girls; we’ve got work to do.”
    Megan snapped her fingers for Damon and followed Queen and the girls upstairs.
     
     
    The evening of July third arrived, sunny and hot. Not unusual for July, except that in Dawson City the sun would continue to shine throughout the night. Since the majority of the population in Dawson City was American, not Canadian, the approaching holiday had brought everyone in the surrounding areas to town. As a result, the saloons and dance halls on Front Street were filled with miners and townsfolk. The Celebration was not excluded from the crush of people eager to commemorate the spirit of American independence. For the first time in a week, the dance hall was packed with men waiting for the show to begin.
    Upstairs, Megan contemplated her reflection in the mirrored wall behind the bath, and her heart moved into her throat. What was she doing? The woman staring back at her bore no resemblance to the Megan Daily she knew so well. This woman was indeed Meggie O’Day, the name Queen had insisted she adopt with her new appearance.
    “Megan is much too stiff,” Queen had told her earlier as she brushed Megan’s waist length hair. “To improve business you have to make the men feel comfortable with you. If you listen to me, Meggie O’Day can be the toast of this bog they call a town.”
    “I hate to pretend I’m someone else,” Megan insisted.
    “Lovey, how can you be someone else? That’s silly. It’s good business to present the merchandise to its best advantage.”
    “I’m not merchandise,” Megan mumbled.
    “I know you’re not, but they don’t know. Remember what I told you about men? They only believe what their eyes tell them is true. Keep ‘em guessing, and we’ll be the most successful dance hall this side of the Yukon River.”
    Megan had relented in the end, and now she stood waiting to descend the stairs, mount the stage, and introduce the girls for