Highland Defiance - By Sky Purington Page 0,3

you add to it.”

Jonathan winked over his shoulder from the front seat, took a bite of muffin and said around a mouthful, “See, I’m eating.”

Mildred tore off a piece and shoved it in her mouth, eyes narrowed.

The car bounced down the dirt road and Jonathan chuckled.

But she didn’t miss the way his eyes skirted between his sisters or the way his expression grew serious when he thought he was off the hook. Jonathan was about to join a terrible war, one that had been festering for far too long. Adolf Hitler was a tyrant and soon her baby brother was about to take up with the ranks of his enemy.

Blink away the tears, Mildred. Stay strong. But it was so darn hard. Their lives were quickly spiraling in a direction that would split apart the family. It had been the four of them for so long. Now she knew Irene was considering entering nursing and the war. Jonathan would be leaving too. It would just be her and Mama. If Da returned, that’d be something but it’d been so long since his last message.

“Oh, stop brooding back there.” Jonathan nodded outside of the car. “Your fan club is waiting for you.”

As usual, she’d got lost in thought. They’d just arrived at the steel mill in Manchester. Her ‘fan club’ consisted of two men, both dear friends. She, Jim and David had been childhood friends and remained close.

The minute she stepped out of the car, they were shaking their heads.

“Upset with Jonathan again?” Jim asked.

“Irene’s got her going this time,” Jonathan provided as he hopped out.

Or maybe it’s me.

Mildred stopped short. It was the man from her dreams again! Spinning, she searched. Nobody was there but her friends.

“You’re nothing but a ghost,” she whispered.

“What’s that?” Jim asked.

With a sharp shake of her head, she responded, “Nothing. Just talking to myself.”

Irene shot her a sharp look and started to walk toward the factory with her brother. Doing her best to paste a bright smile on her face, she locked arms with Jim and David and they started toward the factory.

Both were of similar height at about six feet tall. Jim was the more handsome of the two with enigmatic eyes and a strong build. Or at least he’d always seemed more attractive, most likely because his personality was outgoing, his mere presence so consuming. He had a way of owning a room when he walked in. Nothing seemed to scare Jim and she’d always found that attractive. She supposed David was good looking too with sandy blond hair and soft green eyes. But David was quiet and reflective. While she loved him for those qualities they didn’t particularly draw her.

“So I suppose he’s entering the military,” David said softly.

It didn’t surprise her at all that David had figured that out even though he’d been told she was mad at Irene. With a heavy sigh, she responded. “Yes.”

“It’s admirable. I might do the same!” Jim declared.

David frowned and shook his head. “Not what she needs to hear right now, Jim.”

“It’s fine.” She cocked a brow at Jim. “What, you’ll really leave your horses to fight a war?”

He appeared properly wounded. “If need be. Of course I would.”

“It’s hard to imagine you going to war,” she murmured. The truth of it was the idea had made her chest tighten a little. He possessed so much life. The thought of him dying seemed such a waste.

“He won’t go,” David said.

Jim narrowed his eyes. “I just might.”

Mildred rolled her eyes. “Don’t you two start. This morning’s been ripe with enough drama already.” She eyed her brother and sister and said louder, “Besides, my gripes with them.”

“They’re purposefully ignoring you.” Jim grinned. “But I’m not. Will you be going to the fair tonight, Mildred?”

She cast a sly grin his way. “Only if Bess is. I love to watch her chase you.”

“I bet you do.” Jim pulled her a little closer. “But she never quite catches me, does she?”

Mildred winked. “Keep on like you have been, Jim Seavey, and she will.”

There was no mistaking the attraction between Bess and Jim, even if it was more on her side. He liked her. Mildred knew it. And that was just fine. They’d make a good couple.

“Did you notice that there are more and more women employees and fewer men,” David mentioned. “The war’s heating up.”

Mildred eyed the brick mill they walked toward. David was right. She’d noticed. They’d all noticed it. Could it be that a year from now she’d