‘Skip it,’ he said. ‘I’m get ing soft in the head. The trouble with me is I’m not used to dealing with a girl like you. The women I mix with would take the gold out of my teeth if I give them the chance.
You’re different. I was beginning to get ideas about you. You’re the first woman I’ve ever met who hasn’t been scared of me. Even my old lady was scared of me when I was a kid.’
‘She wasn’t afraid for herself,’ Anita said, looking straight at him. ‘She was afraid for you.’
Baird frowned. He had never thought of it in that way.
‘Maybe you’re right,’ he said uneasily. ‘She was the worrying kind.’
She drew her coat closer about her and moved her bare feet on the threadbare mat.
Watching her, Baird felt a sudden pang of desire shoot through him. He would have given a lot for her to have made a sign of encouragement, but she didn’t. She didn’t seem to realise he could reach out and grab her, and she wouldn’t have the strength to protect herself against him. He felt a sick disgust with himself for even thinking of this.
‘I guess I’l go,’ he said thickly. ‘Want to change your mind about that dough?’
She looked up and saw at once what was going on in his mind. Even then she showed no fear. She stood up and put her hand on his arm.
‘I can’t take it. Thanks for the offer. I’m sorry I’m not like your other women friends, if that’s what you want.’