Whistlin' Dixie (Tempered Steel Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

her purse around her like a shield as she finished her tirade. There, that should put the chauvinistic pig in his place. Just because his picture was in the dictionary under tall, dark and handsome was no reason for his insulting behavior. Feeling rather smug, she was surprised to notice that Mac Coalson’s broad shoulders were shaking and his head was in his hands. Was he crying? Good grief! What next?
    “Look,” she sighed, “I didn’t mean to upset you …”
    Dixie’s apology was abruptly cut of as booming laughter echoed off the walls and Mac raised his head. He was laughing at her!
    Mac hadn’t understood half of what she had been saying, she was talking too fast, sometimes mumbling under her breath, but he loved the sound of her voice. That soft southern drawl of hers had quite a twang when she got going, and he thought it was charming. Hell, he thought she was charming as she tried to dust him off, pick up his papers, and reprimand him on his lack of manners all at the same time. But the coup de grace was that she sincerely believed he had been wounded by her little feminist speech. Miss Harris was turning out to be quite a surprise.
    Whack! “How dare you laugh at me!” Her voice sounded hoarse but the stinging in his cheek was what left him speechless. The little hellcat had hit him!
    Dixie felt like a fool. Her and her damn temper. She had actually hit the man; hauled off and smacked him in the face. And now she didn’t know what to do. She knew she was staring, but she couldn’t stop. He was looking at her with those fabulous eyes widened in shock. They suddenly narrowed, and he reminded her of a panther at watch over its prey, content that there would be no escape.
    Her common sense - or maybe her instinct for survival - kicked in and told her to get out while the getting was good. The door was still open. She took a step toward it. Even as that thought occurred, he slammed it shut, cutting off her only escape. She continued to stare at him, frantically thinking of something to calm him down.
    Mac took a step toward her and she backed away. She hated that she showed her fear, but retreat was best, her mind told her. “I’m sorry,” she stammered as she continued to walk backwards, and he continued to match her step for step. “But you shouldn’t be lookin’ where you ain’t got any business lookin’. And I was trying to be nice, and then you laughed at me. And I only did what any self respecting woman would do, and …WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP?” she shouted as she backed up to a chair and tried to ward him off with her hands. He was within inches of her and coming closer. She knew he wasn’t stopping. “Okay, fine! I’m not sorry, so there!” she shouted defiantly, crossing her arms like a ten year old in a fit.
    Mac threw back his head and laughed, the sound once again booming off the walls. “You remind me of a kitten I once had. Always spitting fire and clawing at me when I tried to pick her up, but after a few soft strokes, she began to purr.”
    Was that a sexual innuendo? Dixie wasn’t sure. She’d had limited, as in no experience with men. He rattled her brain that was for sure. He started walking around the desk, still chuckling, motioning for her to sit in the chair with one hand while he wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes with the other. This man confused the living daylights out of her. He laughed when he should be angry and growled when offered compassion.
    “Now, Dixie, perhaps we can start over. I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you, but I’m extremely busy and I assumed you were just going to try to get the charges against your brother dropped. It’s not happening.”
    Dixie heard his harsh words but refused to be intimidated. She had seen him laugh just a second ago. Granted, he was laughing at her, but she knew the hard man before her had some redeeming qualities. He was trying to save his town, after all. She took a deep breath. “If you will just listen to me,