Read Online Linda Ford by Dreams Of Hannah Williams - Free Book Online Page B

“Aren’t you going to toss me some more coins?” She breathed hard.
    “Why would I do that?”
    “You did last night.”
    He tried to remember. Riggs and Martin had stormed in, ready to do business. He’d gone with them to meet the train, expecting the buyers. Had he unthinkingly dropped some money on the table as he normally would when eating out?
    He had. “I wasn’t thinking.”
    “I suggest you do so in the future.”
    “I apologize.”
    She considered him for a moment then nodded.
    He thought she meant to say something more, but a bell clattered somewhere in the distance.
    Hannah bolted from her chair. “Someone’s in the lobby. Can’t anyone read the closed sign?” She pushed the doors open and headed across the dining room.
    Jake quickly stood. “Watch the hole in the floor.” Someone was going to get hurt. He followed her, skirting the hole.
    The lobby, lit only by the light from the kitchen, lay in shadows. A cowboy clung to the desk, swaying as he leered at Hannah crossing the room. “I’s here for room,” he slurred.
    Hannah took her place behind the desk. “I’m sorry. We’re closed.”
    The cowboy swung his head around to stare at Jake, the movement almost tipping him over. He grabbed the desk, pulled himself upright, and turned back to Hannah. “Aw, lady. Bet ya can find me a room somewhere.” He leaned over the desk, leering again.
    Hannah stepped back. “No sir, I can’t. But I’m sure the Regal will have a room for you.”
    “Wizened-up old guy runs the place. Not like here.” He grabbed for Hannah, but she ducked out of his reach.
    Jake had seen enough. He crossed the room in three strides. “Cowboy, you’re done here.” He kept his voice low, but the young man jerked up, not missing the sound of an order. Jake squeezed the man’s elbow and accompanied him to the door. He fought the temptation to shove him into the street.
    Even so, the cowboy stumbled and almost fell.
    Jake watched, knowing his wish to see the boy flat on his face in muck was not very Christian. He slammed the door and turned the lock. He faced Hannah.
    She hugged her arms around herself, her eyes wide and dark.
    “Did he scare you?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “Not at all.”
    His insides burned at her denial. “He was drunk. He might have hurt you.”
    “I don’t think so. I’m not completely helpless.”
    “You’re alone here. How did you think you’d stop him?”
    “Just because I’m not a man doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself.”
    This helpless feeling when he thought about her situation—wanting to protect her, knowing she resented his suggestion that she needed it—had been simmering since he’d seen her on the ladder and caught her as she fell. It reached the boiling point as the drunk threatened her. It now seared through his insides and spilled over. “He’s bigger, stronger than you.”
    She reached under the desk and pulled out a bat, brandishing it like a sword. “I’m not entirely unprepared.”
    He pulled up straight and stared at her. His hot, humorless surprise made him laugh. “A bat? Do you think he was going to throw a ball?”
    “I’d pretend his head was a ball.”
    With two steps, he quickly closed the distance between them.
    She must have seen the anger in his eyes or guessed at it. She started to back away.
    He shot his arm out and snatched the bat from her hand. “Now how would you stop him?”
    Even in the poor light he could see he’d made her angry. “I wouldn’t try. I wouldn’t have to. Because”—she stalked to the desk and leaned over, pushing her face so close he eased back six inches before he could stop himself—“I wouldn’t be here. If I was open—and I’m not—Mort would be at the night desk.”
    “Your fine-sounding argument didn’t keep that cowboy out.”
    “I normally keep the door locked after dark.” She leaned forward another inch. “It’s only unlocked tonight because I had to wait for you to come