Dorothy Garlock by A Place Called Rainwater Read Free Book Online

afraid of dirtying her hands. She works hard here.”
    “I don't doubt that. All the Joneses are hard workers. Julie Jones was in school when their mother died. She quit and took over the raising of the younger kids. Jill had a good teacher.”
    “I'm glad there's something about me that you approve of.” Jill leaned against the doorjamb, a rebellious look on her face.
    Thad looked at her with an unabashed grin. “Have you still got your tail over the line, kitten? ”
    “You didn't waste any time getting in good with Aunt Justine, did you? Now you're working on Radna.”
    “I'd forgotten how bullheaded you are, little sis. I thought you'd be glad to see someone from home. Aunt Justine was.” His green eyes gleamed with amusement.
    “I'm not your sister, Mr. Taylor. Justine Byers is not your aunt. It was low of you to go in there and butter her up in order to get yourself a cheap place to stay.”
    Across the green eyes that had been liquid and warm with amusement spread a steely, cold glaze. For moments that pulsated with tension, they stared at each other. Jill remained perfectly motionless.
    “She set the price for the room, ”Thad said, with only a touch of anger in his voice. “If she'd said five dollars I would have taken it. Someone's got to keep an eye on you. Joe asked me to do it, and I intend to do just that, whether you like it or not.”
    “I don't like it.”
    “That's too bad. Mrs. Byers said I was welcome.”
    “Of course she would. You got to her before I did.”
    “Radna says the only man around here is that old man out at the desk.”
    “That
old man
at the desk lost his leg in the war. I doubt that he's ten years older than you are. If you'd been through what he has, you'd look old, too. Aunt Justine said that he can work here as long as he wants, and I agree.”
    “I wasn't suggesting that you fire him. But he's limited as to what he can do.”
    “Amazingly smart of you to realize that. Mr. Evans is at the desk all night and if he needs help he rings for me or Radna.”
    “Pull in your horns, Jilly Justine. I'm here to make things easier for you. He can ring for me now.”
    “Bull-foot, and don't call me that silly name! ”Jill looked away from Thad's smiling face, opened a cupboard door and spoke to Radna. “Laura and her mother will be here tomorrow to do washing. Do we have enough soap? ”
    “Tomorrow's Sunday, ”Radna replied.
    “Oh, gosh. I've got my days mixed up.”
    “Have I upset you …Jilly Justine? ”
    Jill spun around. Thad was smiling, his white teeth cutting a gash in his sun-browned face. His hair, full and thick and black as midnight, framed an intriguingly handsome face. Tanned skin stretched over high cheekbones. But his eyes irritated her, clear green knowing eyes, laughing eyes, secret eyes.
    “You flatter yourself, Mr. Taylor.”
    “My brother Roy had a terrific crush on you, did you know that? ”
    “Another one of your made-up stories. Roy and I were friends. He liked Ruby Mae from the time we started school.”
    “Ruby Mae had eyes for Jack. Roy liked you more. Thank goodness he got over it. He's over in St. Joe now. He met a nice
quiet
girl, and before long I'll be an uncle.”
    “Give him my congratulations when you see him, which I hope will be soon.”
    Thad's laugh rang out. “Don't get your hopes up, honey. I'm staying here.”
    “Only until Joe gets here, then you're
out! ”
    Without waiting for him to retort, Jill left the kitchen and went back into the lobby, where she stopped to speak to Mr. Evans.
    “Have you had to turn many away tonight? ”
    “Only one so far. He was with the sheriff and I took him to be a lawman. I sent him down to Mrs. Jenson's rooming house.”
    “I wonder what he's doing in town.”
    “They come through here every once in a while on their way to Tulsa.”
    “How is Mrs. Evans? ”
    “Fine. She wanted to come sit with me awhile, but I don't like for her to go back alone late at night.”
    “There's a small