Bewitched by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online

forcing her to accept his benevolence. He was wet also, yet he’d offered her his coat, which would leave him with only his dress shirt and undershirt. Contrary to popular female opinion, men were not impervious to the cold. She should be thanking him, not cursing his ancestors. Why were women always so stubborn?
    And then he felt the gun press into his ribs. He almost laughed. She’d done nothing but surprise him since he’d first spotted her. It was entertaining when it wasn’t so annoying.
    â€œAh, you’re fast. Don’t tell me. You were a pickpocket once, weren’t you, as well as a saloon girl? No, don’t lie to me.”
    â€œI wasn’t going to lie! I’m not a saloon girl, I’m the owner,and no, I was never a pickpocket. It’s just that you weren’t paying attention.” She pressed the gun harder against him. “And you’re slow. ”
    In the next instant he jerked up her wrist and snatched the gun from her hand. In the process, it fired, the sound loud and obscene, sending particles of ceiling plaster to rain down on their heads. They both heard a flurry of scurrying from around them.
    The shock left them still as statues. “Good grief, what was that?”
    Harry was aware of her uneasiness, even her breath held. “Rats. And at the moment, they’re the least of your worries.” This time he stuck the gun a good distance inside his pants, then dared her with a look to try retrieving it. “Now.”
    She quickly regained her aplomb. “You’re lucky you didn’t shoot me!”
    â€œI’d say you were luckier, being that you would have been the one shot.” He took a firm step toward her.
    â€œAll right.” She held up her hands. “Give me your coat, then turn your back and close your eyes.”
    â€œNo.” The silly woman persisted in her belief that he was an idiot.
    â€œYou’re not going to watch, Harry.”
    â€œIn case it’s escaped your notice, it’s exceedingly dim in here. What miserly moonlight there is can hardly penetrate the rain and the dust on the broken windows. I can’t see my own hand in front of my face.” That was an exaggeration; he could see just fine, but she didn’t need to know that.
    â€œI’ll give you the coat, and if you’ll promise not to do anything else foolish, I’ll try to find a propitious spot for us to nest in until this storm completely blows over.”
    She curled her lip at him. “Your diction is astounding.”
    â€œThank you.” He handed her the coat and turned away, kicking debris with his feet as he carefully walked.
    â€œIt wasn’t a compliment!” she called out, her voice heavywith sarcasm. “You’re what the regulars at my bar would call a fancy-pants. ”
    â€œI’m wounded to my soul by their censure.” The station stunk, literally. He could smell oil and rotting vegetation and heaven only knew what else. He preferred not to ponder the possibilities. He retrieved his tiny flashlight, flicked the light around in a wide arc, avoiding Charlie’s dark corner, then settled on an area that would have to do.
    â€œI’ve found a spot that’s fairly dry and empty, and there’s an old car bench seat. I suppose it’ll support us and keep us off the cold cement floor.”
    He heard a “plop” and knew she’d dropped part of her disguise. He smiled in the darkness. “What exactly did you have on under your shirt?”
    â€œSome old linen, pinned in place.” Another plop. “Why don’t you sit on the bench just to make sure nothing else is nesting there. I’m not keen on sharing with rats.”
    â€œI’m sure they feel the same about you.” He kicked the seat with his foot. Nothing happened. Holding the flashlight in his teeth, he lifted one end and dropped it. And then did it again. “Nothing but an abundance of