Will of Steel Read Online Free PDF Page A

left you.”
    Jillian started to deny it, but she gave up. Sassy was too sweet to lie to. “Yes,” she confessed. “I was working for old Mrs. Rogers at the florist shop. Then she died and the shop closed.” She sighed. “Not many jobs going in a town this small. You’d know all about that,” she added, because Sassy had worked for a feed store and was assaulted by her boss. Fortunately she was rescued by her soon-to-be husband and the perpetrator had been sent to jail. But it was the only job Sassy could get. Hollister was very small.
    Sassy nodded. “I wouldn’t want to live anyplace else, though. Even if I had to commute back and forth to Billings to get a job.” She laughed. “I considered that, but I didn’t think my old truck would get me that far.” Her eyes twinkled. “Chief Graves said that if he owned a piece of junk like I was driving, he’d be the first toagree to marry a man who could afford to replace it for me.”
    Jillian burst out laughing. “I can imagine what you said to that.”
    She laughed, too. “I just expressed the thought that he wouldn’t marry John Callister for a truck.” She cocked her head. “He really is a catch, you know. Theodore Graves is the stuff of legends around here. He’s honest and kindhearted and a very mean man to make an enemy of. He’d take care of you.”
    â€œWell, he needs more taking care of than I do,” came the droll reply. “At least I can cook.”
    â€œDidn’t you apply for the cook’s job at the restaurant?”
    â€œI did. I got it, too, but you can’t tell Theodore.”
    â€œI won’t. But why can’t I?”
    Jillian sighed. “In case things don’t work out, I want to have a means of supporting myself. He’ll take it personally if he thinks I got a job before he even proposed.”
    â€œHe’s old-fashioned.”
    â€œNothing wrong with that,” Jillian replied with a smile.
    â€œOf course not. It’s just that some men have to be hit over the head so they’ll accept that modern women can have outside interests without giving up family. Come over here.”
    She took Jillian’s arm and pulled her to one side. “Everything in here is a three-hundred-percent markup,” she said under her breath. “I love Jessie, but she’s over-priced. You’re coming home with me. We’re the same size and I’ve got a closet full of stuff you can wear. You can borrow anything you like. Heck, you can have what you like. I’ll never wear all of it anyway.”
    Jillian flushed red and stammered, “No, I couldn’t…!”
    â€œYou could and you’re going to. Now come on!”
    Â 
    Jillian was transported to the Callister ranch in a Jaguar. She was so fascinated with it that she didn’t hear half of what her friend was saying.
    â€œLook at all these gadgets!” she exclaimed. “And this is real wood on the dash!”
    â€œYes,” Sassy laughed. “I acted the same as you, the first time I rode in it. My old battered truck seemed so pitiful afterward.”
    â€œI like my old car. But this is amazing,” she replied, touching the silky wood.
    â€œI know.”
    â€œIt’s so nice of you to do this,” Jillian replied. “Theo dore wanted me to wear a skirt. I don’t even own one.”
    Sassy looked at her briefly. “You should tell him, Jilly.”
    She flushed and averted her eyes. “Nobody knows but you and your mother. And I know you won’t say anything.”
    â€œNot unless you said I could,” Sassy replied. “But it could cause you some problems later on. Especially after you’re married.”
    Jillian clenched her teeth. “I’ll cross that bridge if I come to it. I may not marry Theodore. We may be able to find a way to break the will.”
    â€œOne, maybe. Two,