Free The Wild Belle by Lora Thomas Page A

just before sliding off. A triumphant smile flashed across her face.
    “I believe that point makes me the winner,” she said proudly, looking at Higgins.
    “Rematch,” Higgins retorted.
    Andi shook her head. “Oh, no, but I’ll take what you owe me,” she said as she walked over to Higgins and looked up to him.
    “Awww now, Miss Andi. Are ya really holding me up ta that ol’ bet we made last month?”
    “Yes. Now go on. I’m sure the fellas would love ta see it, too.”
    “Ya know I’ll get even with ya fer this, right?”
    “Maybe next time you’ll think twice before you make a bet with me. Now, if you please . . . ,” Andi said as she gestured towards the center of the circle.
    Higgins took a frustrated breath and walked into the tavern. Michael watched with avid curiosity as the scrawny man disappeared into the building, wondering what was going to transpire. A few minutes later, Higgins returned wearing a bright pink dress over top of his dirty clothing. He had his face painted gaudily with makeup, and his long greasy black hair was pulled up with purple ribbons on each side of his head. Glaring at Andi, he walked past her.
    “And, Higgins, make it a happy tune, too,” Andi yelled at the man.
    Whistles could be heard coming from the prostitutes out of the upstairs window. The group of men tossed names at him, some gave catcall whistles, but all were laughing.
    Higgins stood in the center of the group and began singing a song and dancing like a ballerina. He twirled one direction, then the other. His performance lasted several minutes. As soon as it was finished, he tossed the dress off and stormed back into the tavern mumbling under his breath. The group of men followed after him, teasing him about his performance.
    Michael watched the last man enter the tavern and turned to find Andi had not followed the group in.
    “That was quite an interesting wager you had there,” Michael said, approaching her.
    Michael’s comment caused her to jump and drop the sacks she had collected from the ground. “Oh, uh . . . yes, it was,” she replied while she continued to pick up the sacks, attempting to avoid talking with the man.
    “I’m curious. If he had to dress and act like a tavern wench for losing, what would you have had to do?”
    Andi stood up and turned to face the man. His handsomeness caused her to momentarily forget where she was. Never in all her years had she seen a more attractive man. The light from the lanterns set up around the boards caused shadows to dance over his silhouette. A breeze caught a lock of his hair and blew it over his forehead. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
    “The same,” she replied.
    “That’s hardly fair.”
    “No, it would be the same humiliation. These boys know I don’t like dresses and most have never seen me in one,” she said nonchalantly as she walked over to a small wooden box by the door and dropped the corn sacks inside.
    Michael bent over and picked up one of the sacks that she dropped and tossed it her way. “So what type of woman wears trousers, prowls the woods looking for people to view unclothed, and hangs out in taverns?”
    Andi lowered her gaze to a slit and pivoted swiftly around to face him. “Just what are ya insinuatin’, your lordship?” she piqued.
    “I’m not implying anything. Just trying to figure you out. Are you a local tavern wench or just a farmer’s daughter looking for excitement?”
    “Why, you arrogant beast!” she shouted and picked up a corn-filled sack and threw it at him. He ducked and easily missed the projectile. She marched over to him and began poking him in his chest with her long dainty finger. The corner of his mouth curled with humor. She was taller than most women, but she still barely came to the top of his chest. Her demeanor made it clear his height did not intimidate her in the least.
    “I’ll have you know that I am none of those things. But you’ll find out soon enough just who I am.