her first week of work she had gained the respect of nearly every one of Marty’s customers. During that week she questioned dozens of men, hoping that at least one of them had heard of her father. But she was met with disappointment at every turn. It was as if her father had disappeared into thin air. But Julie refused to give up.
Not only was Julie under Marty’s protective eye while on the job, but that protection extended until she reached the safety of Mae Parker’s boarding house in the form of the funny little Chinese man, Wong Li. At first, when Marty insisted Wong Li accompany her home, Julie was openly skeptical of his ability to defend her should the need arise until she saw the man in action, using what Marty called martial arts, an ancient form of self-defense. After that demonstration she gratefully accepted the man’s company, knowing herself to be safe from unwanted attention.
Julie learned that Marty knew about her and Rod. Mae had told Marty all about their strange relationship that first day. Several of the men also remembered that she and Rod had been married, had in fact witnessed the ceremony, and if they wondered about her status, they said nothing, fearful no doubt of Marty’s wrath. Therewas one of Marty’s customers who Julie came to fear. An ugly giant named Brute Kelly whose beady eyes followed her everywhere. Though he had made no untoward move thus far, Julie steered clear of him. She refrained from telling Marty of her fears, unwilling to cause trouble, especially since Kelly had not so much as spoken to her.
By the end of the second week Julie grew accustomed to the demands of her job. Though she fell into bed exhausted each night, it suited her just fine. It afforded her less time to think about Rod and the way he made her feel when he had kissed her and put his hands upon her body. She remembered distinctly the way her flesh tingled and burned at the touch of his lips and hands which had robbed her of reason and thought. Oh, but it was wicked to feel that way, Julie thought; to be so weak and spineless because of a stranger’s touch.
She had met scores of men since Rod but not one of them could compare to him in stature and looks. He had a certain something that made her blood sing through her veins whenever his dark, brooding eyes fell on her. Would any other man affect her in the same way? Somehow she doubted it. But try as she might she was unable to put Rod from her mind. Not even when she imagined him in the arms of his Spanish fiancée.
Julie laughed to herself. It seemed ludicrous to think of Rod’s bride-to-be when he already had a wife, although one of short duration. So far she had heard nothing from Rod’s lawyer but supposed these matters took time.
One day Brute Kelly broke his silence by speaking to her, his words sending a cold chill down her spine. “Where’s your ‘greaser’ husband, lady? Don’t tell me he tired of you already?”
Julie looked around for help and frowned when she saw that most of the men had already left after the evening meal. Marty was outside dousing the fires and Wong Li was helping her. Julie tried desperately to pushher way around Brute Kelly but he blocked her at every turn.
“What is it you want, Mr. Kelly?” Julie asked, plucking ineffectually at his huge hand as it curled around her upper arm.
“You, honey. I want you. If that damn don wouldn’t have been so damned stubborn you’d be mine right now. I’d keep you too busy to work in this hash house, even if it meant spending most of the time on your back.”
“If you persist in bothering me I’ll make sure my husband learns of it when he returns,” Julie bluffed.
“Who are you trying to fool?” Kelly laughed nastily. “It’s a well known fact that Delgado has a woman stashed away on his ranch. You’re nothing more than a bit of fluff who temporarily caught his eye. He left you, lady. You’re up for grabs and I aim to stake my claim here and now.”
Brute
Not only was Julie under Marty’s protective eye while on the job, but that protection extended until she reached the safety of Mae Parker’s boarding house in the form of the funny little Chinese man, Wong Li. At first, when Marty insisted Wong Li accompany her home, Julie was openly skeptical of his ability to defend her should the need arise until she saw the man in action, using what Marty called martial arts, an ancient form of self-defense. After that demonstration she gratefully accepted the man’s company, knowing herself to be safe from unwanted attention.
Julie learned that Marty knew about her and Rod. Mae had told Marty all about their strange relationship that first day. Several of the men also remembered that she and Rod had been married, had in fact witnessed the ceremony, and if they wondered about her status, they said nothing, fearful no doubt of Marty’s wrath. Therewas one of Marty’s customers who Julie came to fear. An ugly giant named Brute Kelly whose beady eyes followed her everywhere. Though he had made no untoward move thus far, Julie steered clear of him. She refrained from telling Marty of her fears, unwilling to cause trouble, especially since Kelly had not so much as spoken to her.
By the end of the second week Julie grew accustomed to the demands of her job. Though she fell into bed exhausted each night, it suited her just fine. It afforded her less time to think about Rod and the way he made her feel when he had kissed her and put his hands upon her body. She remembered distinctly the way her flesh tingled and burned at the touch of his lips and hands which had robbed her of reason and thought. Oh, but it was wicked to feel that way, Julie thought; to be so weak and spineless because of a stranger’s touch.
She had met scores of men since Rod but not one of them could compare to him in stature and looks. He had a certain something that made her blood sing through her veins whenever his dark, brooding eyes fell on her. Would any other man affect her in the same way? Somehow she doubted it. But try as she might she was unable to put Rod from her mind. Not even when she imagined him in the arms of his Spanish fiancée.
Julie laughed to herself. It seemed ludicrous to think of Rod’s bride-to-be when he already had a wife, although one of short duration. So far she had heard nothing from Rod’s lawyer but supposed these matters took time.
One day Brute Kelly broke his silence by speaking to her, his words sending a cold chill down her spine. “Where’s your ‘greaser’ husband, lady? Don’t tell me he tired of you already?”
Julie looked around for help and frowned when she saw that most of the men had already left after the evening meal. Marty was outside dousing the fires and Wong Li was helping her. Julie tried desperately to pushher way around Brute Kelly but he blocked her at every turn.
“What is it you want, Mr. Kelly?” Julie asked, plucking ineffectually at his huge hand as it curled around her upper arm.
“You, honey. I want you. If that damn don wouldn’t have been so damned stubborn you’d be mine right now. I’d keep you too busy to work in this hash house, even if it meant spending most of the time on your back.”
“If you persist in bothering me I’ll make sure my husband learns of it when he returns,” Julie bluffed.
“Who are you trying to fool?” Kelly laughed nastily. “It’s a well known fact that Delgado has a woman stashed away on his ranch. You’re nothing more than a bit of fluff who temporarily caught his eye. He left you, lady. You’re up for grabs and I aim to stake my claim here and now.”
Brute
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