Relentless by Bobbi Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

to ride along with them, but she decided against it. The fewer people who knew about the money they were transporting, the better.
    “Well, let’s forget all about you riding shotgun and think about you dancing tonight.”
    “Riding shotgun might be easier.”
    Francie laughed, then paused to study Dusty thoughtfully. “Now, we need to find you a necklace to wear with that gown.”
    “Jewelry?”
    “Of course! We need just the right finishing touch to your outfit.”
    “I guess so,” Dusty agreed. Then she asked a bit self-consciously as she glanced back at her mirror image and grimaced a bit at the sight of her shortcropped tresses, “Do you think any of the ladies will say something about my hair?” She knew how disapproving the town’s matrons could be.
    “Not if we fix it up real pretty—”
    “But how? It’s so short—”
    “I’ve got an idea. Sit down for a minute,” Francie directed, pointing to the chair in front of her small vanity.
    Dusty did as she was told and waited while her friend went to open one of her dresser drawers.
    “This should do it,” Francie said with confidence as she took out a length of white ribbon along with some hairpins. She grabbed her brush and comb and went to work. A few minutes later, she stepped back to critically study her creation. She’d tied a fashionable bow out of the ribbon and had artfully pinned it in the back of Dusty’s hair, so it appeared she had longer hair that she was wearing styled up. “What do you think?”
    “I don’t believe it—” Dusty stared at her own reflection and smiled. “It won’t come loose on me, will it?”
    “I pinned it up as best I could. As long as you don’t do anything too wild tonight, it should stay in.”
    Dusty impulsively got up and gave her friend a big hug. “You’re right. We are going to have a good time! And the ladies are going to think I look most proper, thanks to you.”
    “They’re going to be glad to see you. They often ask me about you and want to make sure you’re all right.”
    Relief swept through Dusty, and she was smiling again. It had been so long since she’d enjoyed any of the social activities in town.
    Francie went on, “Now, let’s get you a necklace and a pair of shoes—”
    Dusty laughed out loud as she lifted up her skirt to reveal her work boots. “You don’t like me wearing these with the gown?”
    “Nobody would see them, but I don’t think you’d be too comfortable trying to dance in them.”
    “I could do it,” she teased.
    “I’m sure you could, but just for tonight, I want you to wear a pair of my shoes and be a lady from head to toe—”
    “Oh, all right,” Dusty agreed.
    They were laughing again as they set about picking out a pair of shoes for her. They could hardly wait for the evening to come.
    A short time later as they both put the finishing touches on their appearances, Dusty went to stand in front of the mirror.
    “Do you think my father will recognize me when he shows up?” She had grown so accustomed to thinking of herself as her father’s “kid,” the girl staring back at her in the mirror amazed her.
    Papa had told her he would meet her at the Randolph house and they would all go over to the social together.
    “I think we’ll find out real soon. He should be showing up anytime now,” Francie said. “This look is definitely a change for you, that’s for sure.” She admired the way the gown fit her friend and the sparkle of the necklace they’d picked out that set off the demure neckline of the dress. “You’re probably going to have all the boys chasing you tonight.”
    “Even the new banker?” Dusty teased. Francie had mentioned that she thought him most handsome, so she knew her friend was interested in the young man.
    “He’d better not!” Francie exclaimed, giving her friend a daring look. “I’d hate to have to fight you over him.”
    “Dressed like this, I’m not sure I could take you on,” Dusty laughed. “What did