Free Daring by Sylvia McDaniel Page A

heard horror tales of women being coerced into prostitution. She’d kill anyone who tried.
    The woman didn’t even try to hide her fascination with Ruby’s figure. Her eyes were taking in Ruby’s measurements as they stood talking. It was the creepiest feeling Ruby had ever experienced. “Oh, honey, you could be making so much more working upstairs.”
    Firmly, Ruby shook her head. “No, I about killed the last man who tried to sleep with me. So, I don’t think I’d be much good.” Maybe telling the woman she would kill any man who tried, she’d understand Ruby would never be a willing participant.
    The lady laughed and held out her hand. “Mrs. Emily Hutchins.”
    “Ruby Callahan.”
    “Nice to meet you, Ruby.” She continued to stare, her eyes traveling the length of Ruby’s body, like she was assessing a piece of meat. “I’ve never hired a woman card dealer before. How do I know you can deal?”
    Now Ruby’s acting ability kicked in, and she thought of the card games she’d once played with her sisters. “I was a dealer at the Elephant saloon in Fort Worth for many years. I also worked in Dodge City for a while.”
    “Great credentials,” she replied, her eyes finally gazing into Ruby’s. “While I would rather hire you upstairs, I think you will certainly draw the men into the saloon. I tell you what. I’ll hire you for one night. Please the clientele, and if I like what I see, we’ll talk about a permanent job.”
    “Thank you, Ma’am.” Ruby said, thinking she didn’t have any quarrel with the woman owner. She didn’t care that she ran a house of prostitution. But she had to find Rivera.
    “Do you have something nice to wear? This is great for the road, but I’d like you to dress in a gown. If you don’t have one, I think I have a dress that will fit you. Chrissy,” she yelled.
    A black servant girl came running.
    “Go upstairs and bring down the gowns for Ruby to consider.”
    The young girl hurried up the stairs into the bordello. A few minutes later, she hauled down three dresses and placed them in front of Ruby. The fabric was the richest silk trimmed with lace and pearls. They were gorgeous, but they either were so low cut Ruby’s breasts would be falling out or they had a slit in the front that went to the top of her thighs, almost to the juncture of her legs. An open invitation to see underneath her skirt.
    Oh no, she wasn’t getting in that dress. That dress would certainly bring trouble.
    “I think this one will do,” Ruby said, picking up the garment that only showed half her breasts. Her sisters would have a fit if they saw her in this outfit. She would never hear the end of it, and if possible, they would chain her at home for the rest of her young life.
    But it would certainly draw a man’s attention away from the cards.
    “Be here at eight o’clock and prepared to work until the men go home.”
    “Yes, Ma’am. See you tonight.” Ruby walked out of the door, knowing she had an in. Now she needed to learn more about where the Rivera family lived. And she hoped her father’s murderer came to the saloon tonight, but she was prepared to stay until he arrived.
    *
    Deke heard the pounding on his hotel door and wondered what was going on. The only person who knew he was here was Ruby.
    He opened the door, and his vision almost exploded before his very eyes. He swallowed hard to keep from choking, feeling his manhood harden and swell.
    She wore a teal colored gown that made her blue eyes shine brighter than the sky. Her blonde hair was piled high on her head with curls spilling down. Curls a man would love to run his fingers through.
    God, he wanted to pull her inside and strip that dress from her body and plunge himself deep within her.
    The dress fit her trim curves in all the right places, with the bodice cut low in the front. If she coughed, he feared she would spill out of the dress, and everyone would see her gorgeous, creamy breasts. Breasts he longed to