[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
myself. Tactics brought us all back alive. His way would have wiped us out to the last man. The brass
didn t approve of my methods, so I had the choice of being honorably discharged or court-martialed.
It was a close decision, he added with cold humor.
She just stared at him. How could they do that? Send you into battle without proper
equipment...That s outrageous!
Talk to Congress, he said coolly. But don t expect them to do anything, unless it s an election
year. Improvements cost money. We don t have enough.
She stared out over the distant pasture. What happened to your commanding officer?
Oh, they promoted him, he said. Called his tactics brilliant, in fact.
But he didn t go, and they were your tactics! she exclaimed.
He raised an eyebrow. That s not what he told the brass.
She glowered. Somebody should have told them!
In fact, just last week one of his execs got drunk enough to spill the beans to a reporter for one of
the larger newspaper chains. A court-martial board is convening in the near future, or so I hear.
Will they call you to testify? she wondered.
He smiled. God, I hope so, he replied.
She laughed at his expression. Revenge is sweet?
So they tell me. Being of a naturally sweet and retiring disposition, I rarely ever cause
problems...why are you laughing?
She was almost doubled over. He was the last man she could picture that way.
Maybe I caused a little trouble, once in a while, he had to admit. He glanced at his watch. Lunch
break s over. Better get back to work, so that Justin doesn t start looking for replacements.
It was a nice lunch break, even if we didn t eat anything.
I wasn t hungry. Sorry, I didn t think about food.
She smiled up at him. Neither did I. We had a big breakfast this morning, and I was stuffed.
Wouldn t you like to come over for pizza tonight?
He hesitated. I would, but I m not going to.
Why?
I m not going to provide any more reasons for Hammock to take out old injuries on you.
I m not afraid of J.B.
Neither am I, he agreed. But let s give him time to calm down before we start any more trouble.
I suppose we could, she agreed, but reluctantly. She didn t want J.B. to think she was bowing down
to him.
The weekend went smoothly. J.B. and his blond appendage were nowhere in sight, and neither was
Grange. Tellie played Monopoly with Marge and the girls on Saturday night, and went to church with
them on Sunday morning.
Monday morning, Marge didn t get up for breakfast. Tellie took her a tray, worried because she
seemed unusually pale and languorous.
Just a little dizziness and nausea, Tellie, Marge protested with a wan smile. I ll stay in bed and
feel better. Really. The girls are here if I need help.
You d better call me if you do, she said firmly.
Marge smiled and nodded. Tellie noticed an odd rhythm in her heartbeat it was so strong that it was
shaking her nightgown. Nausea and an erratic heartbeat were worrisome symptoms. Tellie s
grandfather had died of heart trouble, and she remembered the same symptoms in him.
She didn t make a big deal out of it, but she did put aside her hurt pride long enough to drive by J.B. s
office on the way to the feedlot.
He was talking to a visiting cattleman, but when he saw Tellie, he broke off the conversation politely
and joined her in the outer office. He looked good in jeans and a chambray shirt and chaps, she
thought, even if they were designer clothing. He was working today, not squiring around women.
Couldn t stand it anymore, I gather? he asked curtly. You just had to come and see me and
apologize?
She frowned. Excuse me?
It s about time, he told her. But I m busy today. You should have picked a better time.
J.B., I need to talk to you, she began.
He gave her slender figure in the green pantsuit a curiously intent scrutiny, winding his way back up
the modest neckline to her face, with only the lightest touch of makeup, and her wavy hair like a dark
cap around her head. On your way to work?
Yes, she said. J.B., I have to tell you something...
He took her arm and led her back outside to her car. Later. I ve got a full day. Besides,
he added as he opened her car door, you know I don t like to be chased. I like to do the chasing.
She let out an exasperated breath. J.B., I m not chasing you! If you d just give me a chance to
speak...!
His eyes narrowed. I don t like treating you like the enemy, but I also don t like the way you spoke
to Bella. When you apologize, to her, we ll go from there.
Apologize?
His face hardened. You took too much for granted. You aren t part of my family, and you aren t a
lover. You can t treat my women like trespassers in my own sister s house. Maybe we were close,
when you were younger, but that s over.
She started it, she began, riled.
She belongs with me. You don t. His eyes were hard. I need more from a woman than a
handshake at the end of the evening. That s as much as you re able to give, Tellie. You re completely
unawakened.
She wondered what he was talking about. But she didn t have time to ponder enigmas.
Listen, Bella s not what I came here to talk about!
I m not giving up Bella, he continued, as if she hadn t spoken. And chasing after me like this
isn t going to get you anything except the wrong side of my temper. Don t do it again.
J.B.!
He closed the door. Go to work, he said shortly, and turned away.
Of all the arrogant, assuming, overbearing conceited jackasses, she thought as she reversed out of the
parking space and took off toward town, he took the cake. She wasn t chasing him, she was trying to
tell him about Marge! Well, she could try again later. Next time, she promised herself, she d make
him listen.
She walked in the front door after work, tired and dispirited. Maybe Marge was better, she hoped.
Tellie, is that you? Dawn exclaimed from the top of the staircase. Come on up. Hurry, please!
Tellie took the steps two at a time. Marge was lying on her back, gasping for breath, wincing with
pain. Her face was a grayish tone, her skin cold and clammy.
Heart attack, Tellie said at once. She d seen this all before, with her grandfather. She grabbed the
phone and dialed 911.
She tried to call J.B., but she couldn t get an answer on his cell phone, or on the phone at the office or
his house. She waited until the ambulance loaded up Marge, and the girls went with her, to get into her
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]