Ride the Tiger (23 page)

She turned slowly around in his arms and looked up into his pained features. “My father remained neutral with the French and the Vietminh when they were at war. We, of all the plantations, did not treat our people as the other colonists did.” She threaded her fingers through his hair. “The bond we have with the Vietnamese is unique, Gib. We respect their ways. We've never tried to change them. That's why we've been able to keep our neutrality.”

“But that doesn't matter to the politicians in Saigon,” he reminded her. The urge to kiss her again, to drown in the sweet delicacy of her mouth, nearly unstrung him. But it wasn't the right time or place to pursue his selfish needs with Dany, no matter how much he'd missed her. Now she needed his support, his ideas and any help he could give her.

“I know,” she whispered. “If I make a stand, perhaps that will help change your government's decision.”

Gib knew in his gut that it wouldn't. “Listen, I'll send Tess over here just as soon as she's got a plan worked out for the families.”

With a nod, Dany leaned upward and pressed a warm kiss to the tight line of Gib's mouth. The words
I love you
nearly escaped her. Despite their closeness, Gib had never said he loved her, and it hurt not to be able to share how she really felt. But she'd been kicked around enough by life already to know that it doled out only partial gifts to a person, never a whole gift. All she could do was savor what she shared with Gib right now.

“I've got to get going,” Gib rasped.

Dany eased out of his arms. “I understand.”

Helplessly, he looked down at her, taking in the stubborn set of her chin and mouth. Her eyes were narrowed with intensity and a look of resolve he'd never seen before. Unequivocally, she would make a stand here at the plantation and defy, if necessary, even God himself.

“Tess will be dropping by soon,” Gib said softly.

* * *

Dany tried to curb her impatience while Tess laid out the plan to take the plantation families to the three villages she worked with. It had been two days since Gib's visit, and she knew the clock was ticking on her two weeks. Dany sat tensely on the silk couch in the drawing room, legs crossed, hands folded in her lap as Gib's sister painstakingly outlined the details. On any other occasion, Dany would love to spend time with Tess. But not now.

“So that's it in a nutshell, Dany,” Tess concluded. “Your families will be safe, because there are at least twenty marines in those villages at all times. A navy corpsman at the village makes sure everyone receives proper medical attention. Each of the village chieftains I spoke with will welcome them. They're already building new huts to accommodate your people. A friend of mine is scrounging up enough plywood and nails to make a nice place for them to live.” Tess forced a slight smile. “I know how hard this must be on you, but it's the only way.”

Dany nodded. “I have so much to thank you for, Tess. Without you, I'm afraid the Vietnam government would have sent them to a resettlement camp where they'd be little more than prisoners in their own country.” Almost as soon as Gib had left, word had spread like wildfire across the plantation that she was selling out to the Americans. Where that erroneous piece of information had come from, Dany didn't know. Worried that Binh Duc might get his hands on the gossip, she'd tried to rectify the situation by telling her people the truth. When her families had found out they were moving, it had been as if a bomb had struck them. Since then the atmosphere had been gloomy.

Tess shrugged. “How about I drop by in a couple of days? Gib is arranging to have trucks come and transport your people to these various villages. I'll help coordinate the moving.”

Rising, Dany reached out and touched Tess's shoulder. “You're just like your brother, kind and caring.”

“Well,” Tess growled, “not all Americans are into destroying this country part and parcel.”

Ma Ling appeared at the doorway.

“There is a phone call for you from the doctor, daughter.”

Dany said goodbye to Tess and took the call. In two days, her people would be gone, and she'd be here alone, defending her home—her life.

* * *

“Major Ramsey, we've got a real build-up of VC to the south of us,” Sergeant Masters said, placing a “top secret” report on Gib's desk.

Scowling, Gib studied the report as the sergeant remained nearby. Intelligence had issued a warning of VC gathering just south of Highway 14, near the Villard plantation. His gaze moved to the projection by Intelligence: attack eminent. His heart starting a slow pound, Gib glanced up at his sergeant.

“Thanks, Smitty.”

The sergeant nodded. “That little lady better read the handwriting on the wall. If she don't vacate
now,
she's liable to get blown out of there by VC rocket launchers, mortars and bullets—or get caught in the middle of a good old-fashioned shoot-out between us and the bad guys.”

Fear struck deeply through Gib as he rose to his feet. “I'm going over to the Villard plantation right now. I'll be back in about two hours.”

“Yes, sir. Good luck on persuadin' that lady to get the hell out while she's got the chance!”

Pulling his utility cap onto his head with a jerk and tugging the bill down to shade his eyes from the blinding sunlight, Gib left Operations. Dany's workers were safe. They'd been trucked to their new homes yesterday under Tess's supervision. As he requisitioned a jeep from the motor pool and climbed in, Gib wondered if this new and dangerous information would change Dany's mind.
It had to.

* * *

Gib found Dany among the rubber trees, working hard, her dark blue work clothes damp with sweat. Ma Ling followed him at a wary distance, scowling heavily. She hadn't liked him showing up in a military vehicle, much less in his marine utilities suit.

Dany was on her hands and knees, repairing a dike around one of the rubber trees to keep the irrigation water from leaking out. She looked up suddenly, and her heart skipped a beat.
Gib.
As she stood, she tried to dust off her hands. Gib looked every inch the warrior, the bill of his cap shading his face and darkening his tense features. There was a nervous energy around him that Dany had never seen before. He walked as if he were tightly wound, like a grenade ready to explode. His countenance frightened her, and the fact he'd showed up in uniform again worried her even more.

Taking several steps toward him, she said, “Gib, what's wrong?”

Gib halted inches from Dany, taking advantage of the tree branches overhead to get out of the blistering rays of the sun. All around them the fragrance of orchids filled the air, birds sang and the sky was a clear, turquoise blue. Everything looked peaceful and stunningly beautiful, but Gib knew otherwise. He pushed the bill of his cap up and turned to include Ma Ling, who was coming up behind him as rapidly as her short legs would carry her.

“I've just received an Intelligence report.” He pointed toward the south. “There's a VC build-up five miles away on the border of your land. Intelligence says there's going to be an attack, Dany.” His gaze shifted down to her. “The VC will be crossing your border to attack Marble Mountain. Do you understand what that means?”

Shocked, Dany tried to assimilate the information. Her mind spun.
Binh Duc.
She glanced over at Ma Ling's set, inscrutable features. In Vietnamese, she asked, “Do you think this is Binh Duc's doing?”

“I do, my daughter,” Ma Ling replied. “He had spies even among our people. Word surely would have gotten back to him.”

“He may believe I've sold out to the Americans,” Dany said.

Ma Ling nodded. “There is no doubt.”

Gib saw the worry on Dany's perspiring features. She took off the bamboo hat and set it against the trunk of a tree, wiping her brow with the back of her sleeve.

“Dany—”

“I know, Gib. You're telling me the VC will go through my land to attack you.”

“Yes, and they're massing on your property line right now.” He gripped her arm. “Dany, they aren't going to go around your farm this time. They'll come straight through it.”

“I can't believe it.” She pulled from his grip. Pushing strands of damp hair away from her temples, Dany added, “The marines have to do what they must to protect themselves at the base, Gib, but the VC will honor our neutrality. They'll go around our property.”

Damn it, what was the matter with her? Gib almost said it aloud, but bit the sentence back, swallowing hard. “Look,” he rasped, “the games are over, Dany. Intelligence has been watching this VC build-up for the last week! Do you realize that the day we stood talking in your drawing room there was a man listening by the other entrance? He ran down the hall after he heard you had to sell your property.”

“What are you talking about? Why didn't you tell me this before?” Dany's voice rose a notch and she trembled inwardly. One of Duc's spies? Had this man, whoever he was, gone directly to Duc and told him what he'd heard? Frustration curdled within her as she glared up at Gib.

“Because I didn't think it was important,” Gib said tightly. “I was more worried about you at the time. I thought he was one of your workers who had come to talk to you about something, that's all.”

Rubbing her temples, which were beginning to pound with pain, Dany glanced over at Ma Ling. “Who could it have been?” she asked in Vietnamese.

“Any one of our people, daughter.” Ma Ling shrugged. “It matters not. What will you do?”

“I could go to Binh Duc and talk to him.”

Ma Ling's eyes widened. “No! You dare not go! I believe the major. I believe Duc is going to attack not the base, but
you.
”

Dany stared at her nanny for long seconds, stunned. Ma Ling had always supported her, always been there whenever she needed her. Now she was siding with Gib.

“Dany, you've got to leave and that's all there is to it,” Gib pleaded. “No more waiting. No more talk about defending your property. When the VC attack, they'll kill you, whether you're French, American or anything else.” His throat ached with tension. Would she listen to reason?

Dany whirled angrily on Gib. “I don't believe the VC will attack me. They may be massing to attack Marble Mountain or the marines, but not me! We have a thirty-year truce. Word has gone out that I
have
to sell, even though I don't want to. That's the difference, don't you see? The marines have to do what they must to stop them, but not on my property. I won't allow the war to take place on this land, do you understand?”

Gib could barely control his own temper. There was such desperation in Dany's eyes and in her voice. It was as if she truly couldn't believe that either side in this damned war would involve her or her property.

Ma Ling came forward and looked up at him with her dark eyes. “Major, you will bring a truck tomorrow?”

“For you?” he asked, not quite understanding Ma Ling's sudden leadership role. Dany was staring at the nanny with an open mouth.

“Yes, you bring truck tomorrow, Major. I will help my daughter pack. You take her to a safe place. I join my family at Cam Na.”

Relief shattered through Gib. At least Ma Ling saw the danger, even if Dany didn't. “I'll have a truck here at 0800 tomorrow morning. That's a promise.”

“But—” Dany began.

Ma Ling drew her tiny five-foot frame together, looking not only taller, but actually threatening. She wagged her finger in Dany's distraught face. “Listen to me, daughter of my heart, you have become blind due to love of house and land. Binh Duc will attack you. He no longer believe you to be neutral.”

“How can you know that?” Dany cried.

“My senses tell me the truth! And you will come with me. As soon as we pack, we leave.”

Gib saw the tragic look of betrayal written all over Dany's face. His heart bled for her. Silently, he cheered the stern Ma Ling, who had suddenly assumed command and seemed to be the only one able to make Dany come to her senses.

“I can bring in a marine detachment tomorrow morning,” he told them, “to protect you while you pack.”

“No!” Dany cried.

Ma Ling agreed. “No military men. If the VC see too many soldiers, they attack sooner. I want my daughter safe.”

Grudgingly, Gib agreed. “Okay, but let me get a hold of my sister, Tess. She'll help Dany pack.” Tess would be a big help, speeding up the process to get them off the plantation.

Ma Ling nodded. “I will welcome your sister.”

Dany glared at both of them, her emotions at war within her. How could Ma Ling suddenly betray the plantation? And yet a small part of her was truly frightened that her foster mother felt it was time to leave. Ma Ling didn't scare easily, but the look on the old woman's lined features told her she was frightened. Dany rubbed her temples, silent for a good minute before she spoke.

“All right,” she whispered finally, looking over at Gib's troubled features, “we'll leave.”

Gib felt his remaining tension ease. “Good, I'll arrange some quarters for you in Da Nang until you decide what you want to do,” he told Dany. He wanted to embrace Ma Ling, but the stern look on her face was forbidding.

“You think we safe until tomorrow, Major?” Ma Ling demanded testily.

“According to the report, I think so. But look,” he pleaded, “why don't both of you come with me this evening? Spend the night at the base and come back here to pack tomorrow. That would be a hell of a lot safer.”

“No,” Dany whispered rawly. “If we do that, the VC will
know
we're on your side.” And to Ma Ling, she added, “Nothing will change. I'll work out here and you pack inside. If Binh Duc sees me suddenly disappear inside when he knows I work outside from dawn to dusk, he may get suspicious and attack much sooner.”