“Oh, how lovely! I loved his show when it was on TV and that gal has a wonderful voice. Thank you!” Tilly showed Cedric a couple of the autographs. He gave her a smile and watched her put them on a table by the back door.
When he turned back to look at Jade he shrugged. “You’re right. I’m just another peasant. Tilly’s the sophisticate around here.”
“Oh, don’t be silly!” She nudged him but she looked extremely pleased.
They spent a lazy Sunday sleeping in and laughing over breakfast when Cedric told them about an old chicken farmer breaking down near the farm while they were in Missouri. “Of course, the old guy didn’t bother to fix his cages and when we tried to move a few of them to get at his spare tires, the chickens got out. By the time we got done replacing those worn out tires and got the chickens back in the cages and wired up, it was lunch time. I could see he was angling toward having some of Tilly’s pie and lunch with us and I told him we didn’t have any pie but we had a lot of boiled chicken and cabbage. He gave me this look like I’d declared war on him and huffed into his truck and roared down the road.”
Tilly laughed so hard she had tears running down her face. “You’re so mean, Cedric. I had a rhubarb pie in the oven. But he was right about the chicken. I’d fixed boiled chicken and noodles. And I’d had that old buzzard drop in before. He’s always greasy and he doesn’t wash his hands very good so I’m glad Cedric scared him off.”
The next two weeks were mild and full of smells of sweet peas, petunias, and strawberries. Matt was completely focused on his new design project and Jade studied for two classes which were supposed to prepare her for a certificate as a registered security agent. The last Saturday in June she bought breakfast at Juani’s for the locksmith who served Mishap. His name was Jim Rathbone and he lived in Cottage Grove.
“This is great, Jade. I get a free breakfast at my favorite place and the company of a pretty lady who thinks locks are interesting.”
Jade laughed and shook her head. “You’re as charming as ever, Jim. Why hasn’t some clever little widow won your heart?”
“Oh, she has but she likes her independence and so do I. Sure like her cakes though, as you can see.” He patted his paunch and winked at her.
“So, what do you think? Do you want to give me some lessons on the different types of locks and where they should be used?”
“Why this sudden interest? You having problems with burglars or are you planning on a little second story work yourself?”
“Now, Jim, you know I’m smarter than that. I’m simply going into the security business and the more I know about each part of it the better.”
“What about Favorite Specialties? You aren’t closing that down, are you? I’d miss my Hush Puppies.”
“No. You’ll just have to buy them from Velma. I promoted her to manager of loyal customers. The guys call her the LC manager.”
“For Heaven’s sake! What makes you think people around here are going to hire security people?”
“I only need the business my brilliant husband turns up. Now, do you have time to tutor me today or did I pick a bad time?”
“Today’s great. I only have two jobs and you can help me with both of them while I answer your questions. However, you will get your hands dirty.”
“They’ll wash.”
The rest of the day flew by while Jim talked and Jade greased old locks, unpacked new ones, and read specifications over his shoulder. They ate the lunch she had packed and finished up at five o’clock.
She hurried home and was cleaning the grease from under her nails when Matt found her in the master bathroom.
“So, how did it go with Mr. Locks? Did he answer all your questions?”
Jade kissed him and was rewarded with two more. “Yes, he did. But my notes are a mess and I have to add things he said while my hands were full. I’ll probably be a little late for our walk.”
“That’s fine. I’ve got to call Montebella after dinner. Some of the restrictions he sent me, yesterday, aren’t going to work with what he ordered last week. And, oh yeah, Tilly said dinner’s ready. I almost forgot to tell you. What I want to know is, are you still excited about being a security consultant?”
“Absolutely. Have I been complaining or something?”
“No. You’ve been looking far away and I was hoping you were just lost in your new adventure and that I hadn’t been neglecting you.”
“Relax. I won’t let you neglect me. I’m too crazy about you. I may become a pest but I’ll never be the sad little wife sniffling in the corner.”
“Good. You can pester me all you want.”
* * *
Fourth of July weekend arrived long before Jade was ready for it. She and Tilly spent the morning of the Fourth helping the local ladies decorate the patio beside the VFW Hall while Matt and Cedric helped the men set up the portable barbecue pits down one side of the tables and get the fires started. When it came time to set out the food, Jade volunteered to go home to get Tilly’s potato salad and cherry pies while Tilly helped entertain the children in the playground.
She started for the car and then decided to go back to tell Matt where she was going. She was beginning to like this new feeling of belonging to someone.
He almost ran into her when she came around the corner of the hall. “Whoa! Hey, I was just looking for you. Where you going?”
“It’s time to get Tilly’s goodies and she’s having so much fun with the kids I told her I’d go get the stuff. I was coming to let you know.”
“I’ll help you. You can keep an eye on the food while I drive. Maybe that way everything will arrive intact.”
While they were back at the farm and loading up, Matt snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot. Cedric said they need more chairs so I promised to get the ones from the storage area. Take your time.”
Jade had the cooler with the salad belted onto the seat in back and was bent over, arranging the pie boxes on each side, when she was grabbed by the hips. She whirled around to give Matt a silly grin and found herself face to face with Alfred Winks. His face was too close to hers and the sour smell of whiskey made Jade want to vomit. She let out a scream. “Take your hands off me, you pig! Get away from me!” Glory, her collie, appeared out of nowhere and began to bark and snarl at Winks.
“You won’t be so high and mighty when I get done with you, you little bitch! I’ll teach you to turn my neighbors against me.” He began to choke before he could say any more. Matt had his shirt collar wadded up in his fist and that fist was jammed against the back of Winks’ neck. He mashed Winks’ face against the window frame and twisted one arm against his back.
“Police emergency!” Jade screamed into her cell phone and then listened for the dispatcher. “This is Jade Dixon at Agate Farm. We need a unit out here ASAP. A man attacked me while I was setting something into my car. My husband saved me but we want to press charges. This man has tried to harm me before. Yes. Right. We’ll be waiting.”
Jade darted into the house and grabbed her .38 revolver before running back out to the yard to see Winks’ trying to back Matt up to where he could shake him loose. Matt was struggling but he didn’t let go with either hand. “Hold it, Winks or I’ll have Matt throw you away and I’ll blow your head off. Take your choice. Wait for the police alive or move and die. I really don’t care which one you choose.”
“The cops’ll lock you up if you break my arm. Let go of me, you stupid ape! She’s been leading me on for years. You’re an idiot not to—“ Winks screamed in pain.
“That was really stupid, Winks. She’s my wife and I trust her so keep your mouth shut if you want to use this arm again.” Matt slammed him onto the fender of his pickup just as Jade heard a siren in the distance.
When Sam Davis stepped out of his unit he looked thoroughly disgusted. “I thought we had this little problem solved, Al. You said you were going to give Jade a whole lot of room so I didn’t have to throw you in a cell.”
“This guy trie
d to kill me. They lured me over here and ambushed me. They want me to sell them my place or else. I didn’t do nothing.”
“Read him his Mirandas, Epstein, and get him out of my sight. I didn’t know you were with her, Matt. Cedric said you had some chairs we could use in town and I was just coming to get them when Hattie gave me the call. We’ll throw him in the can and then I’ll see you at the party. Make sure you stop at the station before you head home tonight.”
Jade signed the complaint and waved when Epstein pulled out of the yard.
“Now, maybe he’ll take you seriously. I don’t want him to go anywhere near you ever again.”
“That makes two of us.”
Jade fought back tears on the way back to town.
Matt jerked his head toward her and had to bring his attention back to the highway to avoid a truck which was facing them and riding the middle line. “You’re injured, aren’t you? Why didn’t you tell me? I’ll take you to the clinic.”
“No. No, I’m all right, really. I’m so sick of that creep and I was looking forward to enjoying myself with you and our friends. Now he’s spoiled everything!” She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose.
“No, he hasn’t. I promise I won’t give him another thought. I’m going to take your mind off him if I have to do handstands naked. We’re going to have a great time. Okay?”
“Okay. Thank you. I should be thankful you didn’t get hurt wrestling with that disgusting animal.”
“He was hard to handle because he was almost falling down drunk more than anything else. I hope he has the granddaddy of all hangovers.”
After the barbecue ended the usual speeches were endured before the kids tore off to sack races and tugs of war through the sprinkler system. The men assembled for the usual half-baked baseball game and the women cheered everyone on. Cedric even played his harmonica with the local country band and everyone joined in singing old songs.
By the time the fireworks went off in the inky sky over the high school football field, Jade really was enjoying herself. Matt held her tight the entire time they watched the show and then kissed her like a mad man when the crowd gave a roar of applause at the end of the performance.
During the next week Jade balanced helping the crew out at the company and studying for her classes while Matt spent long days on his latest design project. By Friday she had the problems solved at Favorite Specialties and could spend the day at home. It was a gorgeous weekend while they helped Sari, Matt’s mother, move into her new husband’s house. She and Dr. David Shipley had slipped away, over the Fourth, and gotten married in a little chapel along Big Sur. The happiness in their eyes made Jade feel that things were almost perfect.
On Sunday, while she and Matt got ready to have dinner with Delta and Henry, she tried to figure out what to do about Alfred Winks. Henry had promised he would not be anywhere on the ranch. By the time she and Matt got to Henry’s little house she had put the problem out of her mind. “I had no idea you could cook like this, Delta.” Jade enjoyed the last bite of her helping of zucchini parmesan and marveled at how light it was.
“You’re being kind. I’m using recipes out of this Light and Healthy cookbook I bought. Most people would complain about the bacon and cheese missing from this dish.”
“Not me. I can have seconds because you didn’t use that stuff. What I want to know is how you can make a berry cobbler which is healthy for the waistline.”
Delta handed her a three by five card with the recipe printed on it. “It’s just wheat bran and tapioca pearls soaked in grape juice, for the batter, instead of flour and butter and sugar.” She grinned and shrugged.
Matt glanced at Henry and cleared his throat. “I hate to bring this up but I was wondering if your boss went back to Texas.”
Henry scowled at him and then snorted. “He didn’t dare. That would’ve been jumping his bail.”
“Judge Adams actually required bail?” Jade felt like singing and dancing.
Henry grinned and nodded. “It wasn’t anything he couldn’t afford but it meant he had to stick around until tomorrow. I invited you guys over because he’s been staying at his girlfriend’s house since he got out of jail. He doesn’t trust me anymore. Said he thought I was spying on him for you. I figure he’s going to fire me as soon as the hearing is over, tomorrow.”
Jade nearly choked. “Like I would want to know what he’s doing when he isn’t bothering me. What I can’t understand is how any woman can stand him.”
“Maybe Cedric can help you find another job. He seems to know everybody between here and Eugene.” Matt shook his head when Delta offered more iced tea.
“No problem. Delta says Rafael wants me to stay on when he takes over the ranch. I’m all set.”
Jade could feel her nerves jump with joy. “Has he made an offer to Al yet?”
Delta’s eyes sparkled. “I laid it on Al’s desk but he hasn’t been home to see it. I don’t want him to know that I set it up or that Henry’s going to work for Rafael because I’m afraid he’ll turn him down just to be ornery. I wish I could think of a way to get the offer to him where he is.”
“How about just dropping his mail off at his girlfriend’s house? For all he knows it was the clerk at the post office, doing him a favor,” Jade said.
Henry put the last of the cobbler in his plate and took a big bite. “Good idea. I’ll do that tonight, if I see his truck is at the bar after dinner.”
Delta went back to the house with them, after they helped her clean up Henry’s little kitchen. “I hope I’m not putting Tilly to any trouble by popping in tonight. Henry was afraid Alfred would come back, before the hearing tomorrow, and give me a hard time because I’m your friend. He might even fire Henry then. I guess Henry will stay at his cousin’s house for a while, in that case.”
“I called Tilly and told her you’d be over, while you were busy in the kitchen. She sounded excited at getting to see you again. I know I’m looking forward to having breakfast with you. You can catch us up on the gossip at Rafael’s.”
“He’s so busy scheming about ways to get Al to sell to him that he’s been thinking about little else. You knew Miss Chin retired. Your friend, Lee, has been looking for some prize stallion the boss wants to buy from this big deal sheik back in Saudi. It’s been keeping Lee out of trouble.”
Jade laughed at the thought of anyone keeping Charles Lee from chasing women and priceless Asian art.
Monday morning at ten o’clock, the hearing convened on Alfred Winks’ attempted assault charge. The judge surprised Jade by talking to her as if he respected her even though she had never met him before he issued the restraining order..
When Winks took the stand he kept his hateful eyes on Jade and answered the judge’s questions with a monotone “yes” or “no” until he was asked if he understood that Jade had the right to have nothing to do with him. At that point he began to swear in a loud voice. “I only went out to her place by her request and she set me up for trouble every time. She’s just a crazy broad.”
Judge Adams told him to stop swearing unless he wanted to serve jail time for contempt of court. Then he said, “It seems irrational on your part for you to keep going out there if she actually made trouble for you the first time. That, in itself, sounds manifestly insane.”
When Adams announced his decision, at eleven-thirty, Winks was charged a stiff fine and put on six months of probation requiring that he stay out of Jade’s eyesight so he did not scare her. He was told he would spend jail time for more than a couple of weeks if he set foot on her property. He was not only allowed to leave the area during his probation. The judge said he would recommend it.
The entire time that the hearing was in session Winks stared at Jade as if he were trying to cast some sort of evil spell on her. She looked straight ahead but his presence rattled her and she ended up with a fierce headache.
Jade did not sleep well that night and the little bit she did get was filled with glimpses of Winks’ glaring eyes an
d clenched jaws. She could swear she looked ten years older when she looked in the mirror the next morning. She wandered about her yard and tried to relax her mind after breakfast and then dressed for her classes and hurried off to the university.
When she returned to her house, before dinner, she answered the phone for Tilly. “Oh, I understood completely, Henry. After all, I didn’t even want to be at the darned thing. He did? Oh, man, that is the best news I’ve had this week. Yes, thank you so much. How would you like some of Tilly’s pie, now that Delta is gone? You’ve got it, kiddo. You’ve made my day.”
When she hung up and turned around she found three pairs of eyes staring into hers. Cedric was out of his chair, a country magazine in his hand, and Matt was drying his hands on a bathroom towel.
“Henry said Winks left him a note saying he and Mamie are off to Canada for a month or so and the calves better be fat and ready to sell by October. Even if he doesn’t sell to Rafael I’ll probably be free of him until next Spring. I should say we’ll be free of him. I’m so relieved!” Jade dabbed her eyes and blew her nose.
Matt pulled her into his arms for a deep kiss and a warm embrace. “Now, let’s enjoy the rest of the year.”
Cedric swung Tilly around and kissed her before she blushed and giggled, patting her apron back in place. “Now we men can relax and enjoy our ladies.”
They celebrated that night with Tilly’s West Coast trout and homemade biscuits. The men enjoyed Tilly’s lemon pie and took the remainder over to Henry as a thank you gift. Life was good again!
For two weeks Jade focused her mind on her studies and used a walk after breakfast and wood carving after dinner for her recreation. She and Matt usually met for a moonlit walk before they got ready for bed or making love.
During the last week in July Matt received a fax from Rafael stating that Winks had put him off, saying he wasn’t sure he wanted to sell. Winks had named a laughable price that no one would pay for his ranch and said he would talk to him when he got back from Canada. Rafael assured Matt that this was all part of the usual game that rich people played with each other and that Winks would come to terms, sooner or later.
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