Read Online Relentless by Bobbi Smith - Free Book Online Page B

wouldn’t have been much help to Francie. But feeling helpless didn’t sit well with her, and she hoped Mr. Reynolds could break up the brawl.
    It was as she’d stood back with Mrs. Reynolds that she’d caught sight of the tall, handsome, mysterious man who had seemed to come out of nowhere to help Francie and Rick. She didn’t have any idea who he was, but he had certainly been a godsend, showing up to chase off the two drunks.
    When Mrs. Reynolds finally released her, Dusty hurried over with Mrs. Reynolds to check on Francie.
    Grant stepped back as those who had been watching came rushing over. He looked off in the direction the two drunken cowboys had gone and was glad to see no sign of them lurking nearby in the shadows. Even so, he wasn’t sure they were done causing trouble for the night. He’d dealt with their kind many times in the past, and he wanted to make certain they really had heeded his advice and left the area.
    It was just as Grant was turning to follow them that he caught sight of the young woman who came rushing over to Francie’s side. Tall and slender, she was wearing a fashionable gown with her dark hair styled up and held in place by a fancy bow, and he didn’t think he’d ever seen such a pretty girl.
    It wasn’t often Grant allowed himself to be distracted. He’d learned early on that distractions could be dangerous in his line of work, and this female was definitely a distraction. For just one moment, though, he allowed himself to enjoy the sight of her before forcing himself back to reality.
    He had to go to check on the troublemakers—and keep a look out for Jackson and his men.
    Grant moved quietly away and disappeared down the street.
    The moment of terror past, Francie looked up at Rick as she touched his arm. “Are you all right?”
    “I’ll live,” Rick said in disgust as he wiped some blood off his mouth. He looked around, wanting to thank the man who’d helped him, only to discover that he was gone. “Where did he go?”
    “He was right here a minute ago—” Francie said.
    Fred joined them along with his wife and Dusty.
    “Who was that man?” Fred asked.
    “I don’t know, but I sure am glad he showed up when he did,” Francie said.
    “So am I,” Rick agreed, disappointed at not getting the chance to speak with him.
    “I appreciate your defending my daughter, Rick,” Fred said gruffly.
    Rick nodded. Normally, he tried to avoid brawling, but he was glad he’d followed Francie outside. There was no telling what Paul might have tried to do to her if he hadn’t been there.
    “Looks like the excitement’s over out here folks,” one of the men standing near the door announced. “Let’s get some dancing going again.”
    Those who’d come out to see what all the excitement was about went on back inside to enjoy the rest of the evening.
    Mrs. Randolph was still worried as she hovered around her daughter. “Are you sure you weren’t hurt, darling?”
    “I’m all right, but I would like to freshen up a bit—”
    “I’ll go with her,” Dusty offered.
    The two girls started back to the hall, still a little shaken by what had transpired.
    Battered though he was, Rick called out to Francie, “Your next dance is mine.”
    She looked back at him and smiled. “Yes, it is.”
    Francie and Dusty went in and made their wayto the small, private sitting room that had been put aside for the ladies. They were glad to find there was no one else there when they went in. Francie needed a little privacy to collect herself and to calm down.
    “You told me we were going to have an exciting evening, but this wasn’t what I thought you had in mind,” Dusty told her friend.
    “I know—” Francie agreed, starting to tremble a bit as she sat down on the small sofa to compose herself. “I don’t even want to think about what might have happened if Rick hadn’t come outside when he did—or if that other man hadn’t shown up just in time—Do you know him?”
    “No.