Free Relentless by Bobbi Smith Page B

luck, they will,” he agreed with her.
    “Well, in case no one’s told you—you’re quite a fine dancer, young man.”
    “Why, thank you.”
    “No need to thank me. I only tell the truth.” Miss Gertrude smiled up at him. “I’m Gertrude Stevens, by the way. What’s your name?”
    “I’m Grant Spencer.”
    “I am pleased to meet you, Grant Spencer.”
    “I’m pleased to meet you, too, Miss Stevens.”
    “Everybody calls me Miss Gertrude. I expect you to do the same,” she stated in her usual manner.
    “Yes, ma’am, Miss Gertrude,” he quickly complied.
    “I haven’t seen you around here before, have I?”
    “No, ma’am. I just rode into town tonight.”
    “Are you planning on staying for a while?” she asked hopefully.
    “No, I’m just passing through.”
    “That’s too bad. I could get used to dancing with you at all the socials,” she teased, and her flirtatious remark got a smile out of him. She’d known he was handsome before, but when he smiled down at her, her heart actually skipped a beat. Miss Gertrude found herself wishing she was twenty again. If she had been, he would have been in trouble.
    “And I could get used to dancing with you,” he returned.
    Miss Gertrude laughed good-naturedly. “You’re a charmer, that’s for sure. Welcome to Canyon Springs, Grant. I hope you have a good time while you are here.”
    “I already am,” he said, enjoying her company. Ithad been a long time since he’d been with anyone like Miss Gertrude. He knew ladies like her were rare. “I’m with you.”
    “Ladies! It’s that time! Are you ready? Change partners!”
    Gertrude had known the announcement would be coming, and she was sorry to hear it. There was something about this young man that intrigued her. She wanted to find out more about him, but as much as she would have liked to hang on to him, she knew she had to give him up. Luckily, she glanced around and was glad to see that Dusty was nearby, dancing with one of the local ranch hands.
    “I know just who to give you to,” she said.
    “You do?” He had no idea what Miss Gertrude was up to.
    “That’s right.”
    She took him by the hand and quickly guided him over to Dusty.
    “Here you are, honey. Grant is all yours.”

Chapter Eight
    Gertrude saw the look of surprised delight on Dusty’s face as she turned around to dance with her new partner and came face-to-face with Grant. Gertrude smiled to herself as she snared Dusty’s former partner and allowed herself to be danced away.
    Dusty had been so busy dancing, she hadn’t seen the stranger return to the hall, and she certainly hadn’t seen Miss Gertrude claim him for the ladies’ choice dance. She gazed up at the tall, handsome man, stunned for a moment.
    Grant, too, was amazed by this unexpected turn of events. He’d deliberately put aside all thoughts of this woman when he’d followed the two drunks from the scene of the fight. He’d known she was a beauty, but he’d also known he didn’t have time for a woman in his life. Certainly not now, and there were times when he was beginning to wonder if he ever would. But here he was, staring down at the slender, dark-haired beauty as she came oh-sowillingly into his arms.
    “Shall we?” he invited.
    “Let’s—” she answered a bit breathlessly as he began to guide her gracefully about the dance floor.
    “I’m Grant, by the way,” he told her.
    “And I’m—” For just an instant, she paused and then said, “Justine.”
    For this one dance—
    For this one moment in time—
    She wanted to live the fantasy and be the girl she appeared to be tonight—
    “It’s nice to meet you, Justine.” He’d noticed her momentary hesitation introducing herself, but thought she was just shy.
    “It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m sure Miss Gertrude already thanked you for your help, but I want to thank you, too, for stopping the fight. It seemed no one else cared—they were all just standing around watching.”
    “I was