“You needed a tow truck.I’m not Superman—I can’t lift cars out of ditches.”
“But...But you told the driver you thought I was dressed funny and he should be careful.”
“From what I’ve witnessed tonight, who could argue?”
“You’re the most despicable, selfish and hurtful man I’ve ever known.If I never saw you again I’d—”
“And you’ve got to be the most unreasonable, childish—”
“I don’t have to stand here and listen to this garbage,” Lesley shouted and whirled around.She stormed up the steps to her front door and turned the knob.Nothing.She tried again, pushing it in with her shoulder, forgetting she had locked it.
“Don’t tell me I have to come over and hold your hand while you open the door?”
Lesley tossed him a look that left little doubt of what she was thinking.Her hand shook as she inserted the key into the lock.Cole Daniels had to be the most irritating man she had ever encountered.This little incident was the crack that brokethe dam.She’d move.Tomorrow first thing she’d start looking for another apartment.
Still keyed up, Lesley jerked the cone from the top of her head and paced the living room floor like a wild, caged animal.The impatient tap that sounded from his side of the wall only fueled her anger.With purpose-filled steps she strode over and pounded right back.Take that, she fumed.
She changed out of her costume and climbed into a full-length purple velvet robe.Never had she reacted like this to any man, any situation.Not only did her personality grate against Cole’s, he had the ability to make her say and do things that were normally foreign to her gentle nature.
The muted tapping sounds of the typewriter came through the walls.Did Cole feel the same way about her?
Lesley brought her knees up, hugging them against her stomach as she rested her chin on top.
Did she resent him because he’d taken her sister’s place?The thought was too ridiculous to even consider.
The irritating blast of a car horn came from outside.Lesley stood and pulled back the center of the closed drapes to see what was happening.
A sinking sensation attacked the pit of her stomach and shut her eyes as frustration burned its way through her.This evening was going from bad to worse.
The car horn blared again impatiently as Dale and Frank drove onto the lawn, their tires digging deep into the damp grass.
Behind the small crack separating the drapes, Lesley watched as Dale climbed out of the passenger side of the car.He staggered a little, paused and took a long swig from the beer bottle he was carrying.
The doorbell buzzed and Lesley stared at the wooden door with terrified eyes.She wouldn’t answer it.
“Come on, baby,” Dale cooed.“I know you’re inside.We’ve got a party to go to.”
Frozen in a standing position by the window, Lesley could hear her heart pounding in a wild beat.Nothing had ever sounded so loud.Dale was sure to hear it.Should she phone the police?Would Frank and Dale hear her movements inside the apartment and break down the door if she did?What did she have handy that she could defend herself with?
“Don’t let her get away with this,” Lesley heard Frank shout out the car window.“Put your foot down, man,” he added.
Dale jabbed the doorbell a second time, then started pounding furiously against the front door.
In desperation, Lesley hurried into the kitchen and phoned the police station.She couldn’t deal with two drunks, and there was no telling what could happen.
The officer who answered kept Lesley on the line for several minutes, taking down the necessary information.He assured her a patrol car was on the way.
When Lesley returned to the living room, she could hear angry shouts.Another glance out the window confirmed her suspicions.Cole was on the front lawn demanding that Frank and Dale leave.Frank had climbed out of the car and appeared to be the more sober of the two as he approached Cole, his look dark and angry.
The argument was fast becoming heated, the language more abusive.When Dale took a wild swing at Cole, Lesley gave a small cry of alarm.Cole ducked but took a punch in the stomach from Frank.Dumbfounded, Lesley stared as Cole stumbled a few steps before recovering enough to fight off Dale, who was attempting to hold him down so Frank could punch him.
More outraged than she could remember being in her life, Lesley grabbed the broom from the kitchen and stalked outside.
“Get out of here,” she shouted at Dale and brushing him across the chest with the straw part of the broom.She repeated the action again and again, her revulsion fueling the attack.
Dale brought up his hands to defend himself, then tried to grab the broom out of her hand.He caught the bristly part and was pulling her to him when Cole laid him flat with one well-delivered blow.Frank was already on the grass, apparently knocked out.
“Are you all right?”Cole asked her breathlessly, his shoulders heaving.An ugly bruise was forming along the side of his face, and the knuckles on one hand were beginning to swell.
