Dorothy Garlock (9 page)

While in Rainwater, Lloyd had carefully crafted his image as the badly disfigured young man who spent his time and talent bravely fighting the oil companies on behalf of the laborers they employed, the small businessmen in the town and the ranchers whose land they leased.

Only with Justine Byers did he allow the real Lloyd Madison to surface, and he had a good basis for that. She was the reason he had come to this godforsaken place. And as long as she lived, he intended for her to be on tenterhooks wondering what he would do next. He wanted her to know first uneasiness and then outright fear.

He laughed aloud remembering when he had first presented himself to her. He'd been here in Rainwater a few weeks and was already established firmly on the side of the workingman when he finally caught her alone on the porch of the hotel.

“Mrs. Byers? I'm wondering if we have met before.”

She peered up at him, and when he turned his face toward her, she gasped, “Oh, my God! ”

“So you do remember me.” He sat down on the bench, placed his ankle on his knee and stared at her. “People usually do.”

“Lloyd! Oh, my God. Lloyd.”

“I hear that you're ailing. Well, don't kick off too soon. You and I have some settling up to do. Hear? ”

“What do you … mean? ”she stammered.

“You figure it out. Don't worry. I'll be here as long as you are and …longer. I'll be back to see you from time to time so you'll not…forget me.”

He had left her then before the look on her face caused him to burst out laughing. He had managed to get her alone several times since then. Each time he had managed to convey his hatred without speaking of it. He was determined to make her a nervous wreck before she died.

Hunter Westfall, too, had made the big mistake of making an enemy of him. Plans had already been set in motion to ruin the oilman. Lloyd would enjoy every minute of it.

Was there anything in the world as sweet as revenge?

“Yes, ”he said aloud with gusto. “One thing! ”

Utterly relaxed and satisfied with himself, Lloyd leaned his head back against the wall while he considered his next move. He entertained and then discarded several ideas.

Suddenly he smiled and sat up. His feet hit the floor with a loud thump. Why hadn't he thought of it before? It was perfect, absolutely perfect, and would kill two birds with one stone. It would take careful planning; all the elements would have to be in place for it to work the way he wanted.

After filing in his mind the steps he would take to implement his plan, he returned his feet to the desk, leaned back against the wall and was soon asleep. Last night had been a busy night and tonight would be just as busy.

With the help of Mr. Boise, the barber, and another guest who had volunteered his services, Jill had brought the small armless couch downstairs and fit it into the alcove behind the counter. The ornate Chinese folding screen she had found in a storage room stood in front of it, hiding it from view.

“What are you up to now? ”Thad's voice startled her. She hadn't heard him come in. “Why didn't you call me if you wanted to move that thing? Are you one of these women who thinks she can do anything a man can do? You'll be joining the volunteer fire department next or running for sheriff.”

“Questions. Can't you talk without them? ”

“Not if I want to find out something. You didn't move that couch by yourself? ”

“No, I didn't move the couch by myself. Mr. Boise and another man helped me, ”she replied crossly.

“So …you'd ask one of your paying roomers for help before you'd ask me.” His brows were drawn together over piercing eyes in what could only be called a scowl.

“You are so darn nosy. If you must know, they offered to help me, ”she snapped. His scowl disappeared, but his taunting grin was more irritating.

He chuckled when he saw her eyes turn cold.

“What happened to upset your aunt? ”He had the habit of switching subjects without taking an extra breath.

“She's tired. And I don't think she likes that lawyer who came to see her today.”

“What did he say to her? ”

“More questions. I don't know. I don't eavesdrop on my aunt's conversations.” Jill leaned over the counter and saw the black and white dog standing close to Thad. “What's that dog doing in here? ”

“She's with me.” Thad reached down and caressed the dog's head. “What time does your night man get here? ”

“In about an hour.”

“Go spend some time with your aunt. I'll stay here until he comes, then you and I will go for a walk.”

Jill bristled at the orders. “I'm not going off in the dark with a … a polecat like you. You might strangle me … or sic your dog on me.”

“Worse than that, I might kiss you.” He was leaning with his elbow on the counter, his face close to Jill's; alarmingly close.

“I can think of nothing worse! ”

His green eyes were alight with laughter and she fleetingly wondered if his lashes had always been so thick and dark. Leaning close to her as he was, he was intimidating. She realized that his strength and purpose were nothing to tangle with. Only a fool would try. She swallowed and suddenly became warm and breathless. She ridiculed herself for acting so juvenile and not telling him to go fly a kite.

“Well? ”

“Well. A deep subject for a shallow mind.”

“Very good, Jill.” His laugh was a deep, pleasant sound; soft and intimate. He reached for her hand, covered it with his and pressed it to the counter. Her heart, some time ago, had leaped from her chest to settle some-where in her throat. Now it began to pound, blocking off her breath. She tugged on her hand.

“Let go of me! ”

“There's never a dull moment around you, Miss Wildcat.”

“Stop …calling me that.”

“Don't like
Miss Wildcat?
Okay, I'll call you
sweetheart
or
darlin'.”
He gently pulled her from behind the counter. “Go on, now. See about your aunt, sweetheart. She needs cheering up. I'll be here until Mr. Evans gets here, then Fertile and I will come for you.”

“Aunt Justine wouldn't like that dog wandering around in the lobby.”

“She won't wander. And Justine likes her. We just came from her room.”

“Before taking her calling, you could have brushed the cockleburs out of her tail.” Because she was nervous, words spilled out of Jill's mouth.

Thad spoke to the dog. “Don't mind her, Fertile. She's a frustrated, grouchy old maid and jealous because you're pregnant and she's not.”

For long moments Jill couldn't speak, couldn't move. She could feel her mouth hanging slack. The
old maid
part hurt to the depths of her being.

“That was a stupid and unkind thing to say, ”she said on an incredulous gasp, then spun on her heels and stormed toward the door leading into the hallway.

“Jill, ”he said, with such authority that she halted in spite of her haste to get away from him. “Look at me, Jill.”

Determined for him not to know of her hurt or think she was intimidated, she turned to stare at him from across the room. Haughty disdain was evident in her expression and her stance.

“I'm sorry. I didn't realize how that would sound until it was out of my mouth.”

Unable to speak, she nodded, turned and left the lobby. Before reaching her aunt's room, she paused in the semidarkness of the hallway and pressed her hand to her chest in the hope of calming her pounding heart. If Thad even considered her anything but his friend's annoying kid sister, he'd never have made such an outrageous personal remark.

Why did knowing that hurt so much?

Chapter 6

W
HEN JILL ENTERED THE ROOM,
Justine was lying on her side facing the window.

“Aunt Justine? Are you all right? ”

“I'm all right, honey. Just tired.”

Jill moved around to the side of the bed. “Want company for a while? ”

“I'm not very good company.”

Jill sat down and took her aunt's limp hand in both of hers, rubbing and massaging it as she had seen Radna do.

“The couch fit perfectly behind the desk. The colors on the screen came out nice and bright after I washed off the dust.”

“Ralph bought the screen the first year we were married. We couldn't afford it, but that never bothered Ralph when he wanted me to have something.”

“It's beautiful.”

“He liked for me to undress behind it and throw my stockings over the top like he'd seen in a picture.”

“Did you? ”

“Of course. I'd have done anything he asked me to do.”

Jill stroked her aunt's hand. After a long silence, Jill asked, “Was Mr. Madison's business with you upsetting, Aunt Justine? ”

“No more than usual.”

“He seems nice. Is he a good lawyer? ”

“As good as they come, I guess.”

“That awful thing on his face doesn't seem to bother him. He must be used to it.”

“Yes, ”Justine said tiredly. “He's had to live with it…and other things.”

“I've never seen a birthmark like that.”

“It doesn't happen very often. They call it the mark of the devil.”

“That's terrible. It must have been hard for him when he was a little boy.”

“He got hardened to it. Don't feel sorry for him, Jill. He would scorn your pity and use it to his advantage.”

“I get the feeling that you don't like him very much.”

“I don't, but…”

Jill waited. Justine didn't say any more. Several minutes went by before she spoke again.

“I shouldn't have brought you here.”

The quiet words cut into the silence. It took several minutes for Jill to digest their meaning. Then she fought the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“I'm sorry if I've disappointed you.”

“Oh, child. It isn't that. You've done far better than I expected you to do. There are things here that you'd be better off not knowing.”

“Things that worry you? I wish I could help.”

“You can't turn back the clock. No one can.” Justine turned her hand over and tried to grip Jill's. “Thad promised me that he and Joe would stay here with you until it's …over and things are settled. That eases my mind a lot.”

“I wish you wouldn't worry so. Would you feel better if someone else was managing the hotel? ”

“No, honey. No, no, no. You've done just fine. Tomorrow I want you to call Bernie Shepard and tell him that I want to see him.”

“He's the lawyer who came to see you right after I got here.”

“Yes, he's old and doddering, but I trust his judgment. He came to Rainwater right after Ralph and I did.”

Jill heard the thump of Mr. Evans's crutches coming down the hall. She turned to the open doorway of her aunt's room to see him and his wife standing there.

“Hello, Mrs. Evans, Mr. Evans.” Jill got to her feet.

“Is Mrs. Byers awake? ”Mrs. Evans was a short, plump woman who wore her hair in a knot at the back of her neck. The Evanses were a closely knit couple who were often seen holding hands and smiling at each other.

Justine turned her head to face the doorway. Jill adjusted the sheet covering her.

“Hello, Rose.” Justine's voice was quavery.

“Elmer and I just wanted to say hello.” Rose Evans came into the room to stand by the bed. Elmer stayed in the doorway.

“How are you, Rose? Are you working in your garden? ”Not waiting for an answer, Justine said to Jill, “Rose and Elmer have a beautiful garden every year.”

“Flowers? ”Jill asked.

“Flowers and vegetables. Elmer and I put up enough vegetables each year to see us through the winter.”

“We did that in Missouri, too. My sister used to crack the whip over us kids to make us help.” Jill smiled, remembering. “I bet I've picked, washed and snapped enough green beans to fill a boxcar.”

“Elmer has an uncanny way of making things grow. I swear he gets more beans per bush than anyone I ever knew. It's the same with okra and tomatoes.”

“How is your rose garden doing? ”Justine asked.

“Our roses have started to bloom. As soon as there are enough buds to make a decent bouquet, you'll have one.”

“That would be nice, ”Justine said with a tired smile.

“We put the couch behind the counter, Mr. Evans. Now Mrs. Evans can stay with you, if she wants.”

“That will be grand, miss, ”Mrs. Evans exclaimed excitedly. “I don't like to be home alone. I'd much rather be here with Elmer.”

After the couple had left, Jill went back to her aunt's bedside.

“Have you known them long? ”

“Since the end of the war. They were married just before he went over. When he came back, he was in terrible shape. Rose was waiting to take care of him. They've been together every day, almost every hour since. He gets a little pension from the government and they make do.”

“Do they have children? ”

“No. It's just the two of them.” Justine sighed. “They'd be lost without each other. It was that way with Ralph and me. I hope that someday you'll find a love like that.”

“It's the same with Julie and Evan. He looks at her first when he comes into a room, touches her every chance he gets. Before their baby was born, he practically carried her around on a pillow. I never saw a man as frantic as he was when it came time for her to give birth.”

“But it turned out all right? ”

“Oh, yes. And she's expecting again.”

The shaggy dog came into the room, followed by Thad. Jill's heart jumped, but it was a momentary reaction. Then her chin went up defiantly.

The dog walked right up to the bed and nuzzled Justine's limp hand.

“I'd like to pet you, girl, but it's too much of an effort to lift my useless hand.”

Jill lifted her aunt's hand and placed it on the dog's head. After a minute, the dog moved out from under it and went back to Thad.

“I'm taking your girl for a while, ”Thad said to Justine.

Jill refused to look at him.

“Go ahead. Turn off the light and close the door, please.”

“Is there anything I can get for you, Aunt? ”

“No, dear. Go and enjoy yourself with your young man.”

“He's not my young man, Aunt, ”Jill said firmly. Her cheeks flamed when she heard Thad chuckle.

“Well, whatever he is. Enjoy being with him. And count your blessings that you're young and have your life ahead of you. Good night.”