Dorothy Garlock Read Online Free Page B

looking for work and gamblers looking for a card game where they hoped to fleece a greenhorn out of his week's pay. Welders, riggers and drillers, in overalls made stiff by wet clay and oil, mingled with men in broadcloth suits who had angle-parked their cars along the street.
    Jill was careful not to make eye contact with any of the men she and Martha passed on the street. For the most part the men were hardworking and missed the families they had left back home. But there were some rowdies in the crowd who roamed the street. A man leaning against a porch post called out as the two women passed.
    “Hey, Skeeter. Isn't that the little wildcat who chased you off the hotel porch? ”
    Jill gave the man a scornful glance, then recognized him as one of the roustabouts who had witnessed her temper tantrum that morning. She couldn't hold back a grin. The man laughed and tipped his hat in a respectful manner.
    “This li'l wild … cat can ch … hase me off her porch any day.” The man who spoke fell in step with Jill.
    “You're drunk, Bert. Beat it, ”Martha ordered sharply. She was a robust woman with a don't-fool-with-me attitude.
    “Shome on, Marthy. I ain't sheen a woman this purty since I come to Texas.”
    “This isn't Texas, Bert. It's Oklahoma. Now skedaddle or I'll lay a fist alongside your head.”
    “Be nice, Marthy, I ain't goin 'to hurt 'er. Jist wanta look at 'er.”
    “Are you ladies going to the meeting at the school-house? ”A tall man wedged himself between Jill and the drunk. “May I walk along with you? ”
    Jill thought he was another masher and jerked her elbow from his grasp. When she looked up, he had put his fingers to the brim of his hat.
    “You need a little help getting through that crowd, ma'am. Hunter Westfall at your service. Will you allow me the pleasure of escorting you? ”
    “Thank you, ”Jill murmured, then turned her eyes away from the narrow, clean-shaven face and light tawny gold eyes. He was a handsome man and prosperous, judging by the cut of his black suit and tan felt hat.
    “We need more places where the men can go to get off the streets. Don't you agree? ”
    “I guess so. Why don't they go home? ”
    “You haven't been here long, have you? Home might be a tent out at the rigging or a tarpaper shack thrown up as a bunkhouse.” He chuckled. “They need to come to town once in a while and let off steam.”
    “Most of them are decent hardworking men, lonesome for their families.” Jill was surprised to hear a belligerent tone in Martha's voice.
    “You are right there, ma'am. There are a few, however, who spoil it for the others.”
    “Do you know the reason for the meeting? ”Jill asked.
    “I think the mayor has some grandiose ideas for turning Rainwater into a thriving metropolis.” Hunter smiled down at Jill. His eyes stayed on her profile long after she had looked away.
    The two-story frame school building was newer than Jill had expected. A dozen men sat on folding chairs when they entered the room where the meeting was to be held, and Jill, glad that she had made an extra effort to look nice, became the focus of their attention.
    “Gentlemen, you know Mrs. Caine. This is Miss Jones.” Hunter took Jill's elbow and steered her forward. “She is taking over the management of the Byers Hotel for her aunt. As you know, Mrs. Byers is not well.”
    Jill tried to keep her mouth from dropping open in surprise as the man whom she had met a mere five minutes ago explained her presence.
    “Miss Jones, this is our mayor, Orvis Henshaw,” Hunter said smoothly. “He is the owner of one of our dry goods and grocery stores.”
    “How do you do? ”The man stood and Jill offered her hand.
    Hunter continued with the introductions. “Mr. Langley from the barbershop; Mr. Stevens, the owner of another one of the grocery stores; and Mr. Burns, here, is the druggist. Mr. Fields and Mr. Grover are the proprietors of the recreation parlors, and Mr. Holder and Mr. Parson, along