Ana Leigh by The Mackenzies Page A

disturbance in here?”
    “Oh, don’t tell him, girlie. He’ll spank me,” Tait whined mockingly. That provoked laughter from his three companions, and an actual giggle from Joe at the counter.
    “Well, I intend to inform your boss as soon as he returns.”
    She knew she was getting nowhere with the man, but it distracted Tait’s attention long enough for the couple and their children to leave.
    “We have orders from Mr. Harvey not to serve you or your gang unless you pay for your meal in advance. I’ll be glad to take your orders as soon as I see your money.”
    “Ain’t you heard, sister? That fella over there said he’d pay for my dinner.” He walked over to a nearby table and pounded it with a balled fist. “Ain’t that right, mister?”
    “Oh, yes. Yes, of course,” the hapless man said. Quaking, he put the money on the table and then hurried out.
    “You know, Tait, someday there’s going to be a man who’ll stand up to your bullying. I hope I’m around to see it.”
    Tait snorted in amusement. “You ain’t gonna be around for nothin’ if I don’t get some food real quick, bitch.”
    “You’ll just have to wait until we finish with our other customers. They have a train to catch.”
    “I’m tired of waitin’.” Tait kicked a chair and it skimmed across the floor and crashed into the wall.
    It was enough to start a mass exodus out the door until only Tait and his gang remained.
    Tait’s lips curled in a taunting smirk. “Looks like you gals got plenty of time to serve us now.”
    She trembled with rage but cloaked it with indifference. “Thanks to you, Mr. Tait, there’s plenty of food left on the plates. That ought to be ample for swine like you.” She pivoted and walked away, pausing only long enough to glare at Zach. “All of you.”
    The girls went into the kitchen and listened to the string of threats and expletives coming from the dining room until the gang finally stormed out. Surprisingly, they didn’t break any of the dishes.
    Billings locked the front door, and within the hour the dishes had been washed and everyone was ready to leave for the night.
    Zach was waiting outside the restaurant.
    “This is getting to be a habit, MacKenzie. What do you want now?”
    “I need to talk to you, Rose.”
    “I don’t think we have anything to say to each other.”
    “Please, Rose. There’s something I’d like to tell you.”
    “All right.” She nodded to Kate. “You girls go on.”
    “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Kate asked, with a derogatory glance at Zach.
    “I have no intention of hurting her, Miss McDermott,” Zach said. “And I’ll have her home by ten o’clock.” He gave Kate one of his “melting on the spot” grins, which produced a round of giggles from everyone but Rose and Kate.
    “See that you do, sir,” Kate declared. “Come on, girls.”
    “Where are your cohorts in crime?” Rose asked when the girls walked away.
    “Down at the Long Horn.”
    When he led her over to a buggy, she stopped short. “What’s this? I have no intention of riding anywhere.”
    “It’s such a hot night; I thought you might enjoy a ride before going back to your room.”
    “Whatever you have to say, I can listen to right here.”
    “Come on, Rose. It will cool you off.”
    Against her better judgment, she let him help her into the buggy. “The last time you took me for a ride, I wound up getting shot at.” She removed her apron and released a couple of the dress’s top buttons to try and cool off.
    Flicking the reins, he turned his head and glanced at her. “I’m sure whoever took those shots at us isn’t still hanging around.”
    “I’m not so sure. Whoever it was is probably watching us right now.” She glanced back. The other girls had reached the rooming house, and the sound of the door slamming as they entered it carried to her ears in the still night.
    Zach was right about the heat. It lay heavily on the night air, extinguishing any hope of a breeze.