Texas Rich

by Fern Michaels

  Billie stood on the balcony, wrapped in a pale blue towel, her body still flushed and tingling from Moss’s lovemaking. She shaded her eyes from the early-morning sun on the horizon. The military Jeep was a dot on the winding mountain road when she crept back into bed. Delicious memories of their total communion brought a smile to her lips as she drifted into a deep sleep.

  Billie was walking along the private beach when she heard the Jeep coming up the road. She slipped into her beach sandals and raced around to the front of the house. “Thad!” she called in disappointment.

  “Hey, I’m sorry I’m not the man, but he did send me. I can go back. I come bearing gifts, however, so think hard before you make any rash decisions.” Thad grinned.

  “Gifts! What kind of gifts? Why did Moss send you? Why didn’t he wait till this evening to bring it? Not that I don’t want to see you. I crave company that speaks the king’s English. Tell me quick, before I explode.”

  Thad reached behind him in the Jeep and withdrew two cans filled with gasoline. “Moss said there was a Ford in the garage with no gas. Now you have gas. When you have gas you can drive. Drive, as in sightsee. Diamond Head. Waikiki. All kinds of great places.”

  “How wonderful of Moss. How did he get the gasoline?”

  “You don’t want to know,” Thad said, reaching down to take his shoes off.” I brought my bathing trunks for a quick swim before I head back. How much trouble would it be for you to get me a nice cold beer? Is it okay if I change in the cabana out back?”

  “Of course. Go along and I’ll fetch the beer. The water is crystal clear today. Hardly any whitecaps at all. I swear, Thad, I have never seen bluer water or bluer sky. It’s as though they’re married to each other. I’ll never forget this vacation. Everything is so marvelous. I’m so glad Mr. Coleman knew Miss Kamali and arranged this for Moss and me. I don’t know how I can ever hope to repay him.”

  “I don’t think he wants payment of any kind. He wants both of you to be happy. Accept it, Billie, and enjoy the time you have,” Thad said gently.

  “Of course, you’re right. Don’t just stand there—move, sailor. This is the navy, and navy men do not stand around in their bare feet.”

  “Aye-aye, ma’am.”

  Billie uncapped a frosty bottle of beer from the icebox and placed it on a tray with some crackers and two wedges of cheese. Something was wrong. Thad was too up. His grin a little too wide. He was a shade too nervous. It had to do with Moss; of that she was sure.

  “What do you think, Billie, could I pass for King Neptune?” Thad asked as he walked from the ocean brandishing a piece of driftwood.

  Billie pretended to ponder the question. She took in his tall, lanky form and his dripping hair. He was thin, but not skinny. Muscular in the right places, denoting a whipcord strength. A honey-colored tan made him appear heavier than he really was. She liked the leanness of him. But more than anything she liked his dry, droll sense of humor and his ready smile.

  “Okay, don’t answer that. Ummm, this beer is good. You sure know how to treat a guest, Mrs. Coleman. Cheese and crackers, too.”

  “What’s wrong?” Billie asked bluntly, the concern in her hazel eyes letting Thad know she was asking about Moss.

  “Moss showed up late for training class this morning. He’s been restricted to base for three days after this weekend,” Thad replied just as bluntly.

  “Oh, no!”

  “Oh, yes. That’s why I brought the gas. You’re going to be pretty much on. your own. I can come for you or meet you in Waikiki after hours and show you around a little if you want. It’s the best we can do, Billie.”

  We. He had said “we.” That meant Moss approved. Damn navy. Didn’t they care that she was here and her husband couldn’t see her? Then she remembered the early-morning hour in the hot, steamy shower. It would be a long time before she forgot this morning. A warm flush crept up her neck and settled on her cheeks. Thad pretended not to see and slugged away at his beer.

  “Three days in addition to his weekend duty is a long time. He’ll be here only one day and then he has to report back for the next weekend. It’s awful, Thad.”

  “It’s better than nothing. Learn to enjoy what you have, and you’ll do fine.”

  “I never thought of it like that. Thank you, Thad. Of course you’re right.”

  “I’m always right,” Thad muttered under his breath. “What say, Mrs. Coleman, that I race you out to the first coral reef? First one back with a one-pound chunk wins.”

  “Wins what?” Billie laughed.

  “Another beer, what else?”

  The swim to the coral reef was effortless, with neither finding a pound chunk of coral. Then the lanky New Englander and the girl from Philadelphia frolicked like playful porpoises in the sparkling Pacific. There was no one to notice the darkening of Thad’s eyes when he looked at Billie. And of course, the slight trembling of his hands could be blamed on the cool water. When he touched Billie’s shoulder to tell her it was time to swim back he couldn’t understand how his hand could feel so scorched. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and lashed out against the water. When he reached the shore he was gasping for breath. Billie was still some distance away, swimming slowly toward shore. He dried off with a thick towel. Anything to keep moving. A glass of lemonade and another beer for himself were held aloft as Billie swished into shore on a mini-wave. He had to get out of there.

  “Billie, I’m going to dress. I have to get back. Think about what you want to do.”

  “All right. But first I have to dry off. I can’t think when I’m wet.”

  He would have cut off his right arm at the elbow, he thought, to be able to touch her. “The sun will dry you,” he said gruffly.

  Thad returned fully dressed. “I’m going to pour this gas in the tank of the Ford and start up the engine to make sure it’s okay. What did you decide?”

  Billie trotted after Thad. “I’d like to do some sight-seeing, if you have the time. Thad, really, I don’t want you to give up any plans for me. I can just as easily settle in here with a good book. Miss Kamali has a fully stocked library. But if you can really manage it, I’d like a firsthand view of Diamond Head and perhaps make a trip to Hana Drive.”

  “Hana Drive is in Maui. I don’t know if I can get you there or not. I’ll have to work on that one and check it out with Moss. You can’t do it in one day. We would have to stay overnight. Diamond Head and Waikiki will be more than enough for one day. I’ll draw you a little map and show you where to meet me. I can get off duty tomorrow at three.”

  “I appreciate it, Thad. Tell Moss . . . tell him . . . tell him I said it was worth it. He’ll understand.”

  “I’ll tell him. You’d better put something on over your suit or you’re going to get a sunburn. This sun is different from Texas and Philadelphia sun.”

  “I will. Thanks for driving out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Thad didn’t look back, nor did he glance in his rearview mirror. There was no point.

  Moss caught up to Thad in the dining hall. “How did Billie take the news?”

  “Like a trouper. She sent a message. Said to tell you it was worth it. She said you would understand.”

  A devilish grin split Moss’s features. “At the time I thought so myself. Now, with three days’ restriction, I’m not so sure. What did she say about the gas?”

  “She’s driving down tomorrow. I said I would meet her and show her around. I think you’ll agree that you want her to start back before dark on that road.”

  “Absolutely. Thanks, Thad. Listen, I have an idea. I want to see if I can get a message to my old man. I want him to ship me two longhorn steers. I’m going to throw a Texas barbecue that will make a Hawaiian luau look like a grade school picnic. The Kamali pit is big enough. We might have to extend it a little or do up the second one on the beach, but it will be worth it. What do you think?”

  Thad’s mouth dropped open. Just like that he was going to have his father ship two ste
ers for a barbecue. The damn fool would pull it off, too. “Listen, Coleman, if you can pull this one off, I’m right there with you. I could sink my teeth into some good Texas beef. How you going to explain it all to the captain? Two Texas longhorns turning on a spit aren’t going to go unnoticed and they sure as hell can’t pass for the traditional pig.”

  “Once it’s a fact, who’s going to say anything? If Pap can swing it, they’ll be coming in from on high. So high, Captain Davis is only going to congratulate me. Talk to Billie about it tomorrow and if you have any spare time, work on the guest list. Hell, invite everyone. Tell Billie to buy herself something real colorful so she makes a big splash. I want Davis to eat his heart out.”

  He won’t be the only one, Thad thought glumly. “I’ll work on it. When are you planning this event?”

  “Shindig. We call it a shindig in Texas. Just as soon as I get through to Pap. Hell, he might as well send all the fixings, too, as long a he’s going to all this trouble. It will give him something to do. The man does like a challenge.”

  “Chip off the old block, or is it a nick in the old leather?” Moss shrugged and grinned as he left the dining hall. He’d invite the brass, of course. Some of the enlisted men. Music and local girls doing the hula. Christ, Pap was going to go up in smoke. He told himself he was doing it for Billie so that she would have a wonderful memory of her visit to the island. Billie would love it. The perfect little hostess, and she’d sure impress the brass.

  When the call came, Agnes picked up the phone. She quickly roused Seth from his desk. “It’s Moss. Good Lord, you don’t suppose something went wrong, do you?”

  “Of course not. My son does not screw up. Moss? How are you, boy?” Seth said with forced heartiness. He listened for a moment and then laughed. “For a minute I thought you were going to ask for the impossible. Cleaned and dressed. I understand. Fixings? I’ll take care of it. Three days, four at the most. You’re right, boy. Billie won’t ever forget this. Imagine, a Texas barbecue in Hawaii! Don’t worry, boy. I’ll take care of you. That’s what fathers are for. I’ll tell your mother. Leave it to me. Take care of yourself, son.” He hung up and turned to Agnes.

  “Now if that don’t beat all. The boy wants two longhorns.” There was pride in his voice. Agnes wrinkled her nose. Barbecues were so messy. Everyone ate with their fingers and wore checkered bibs and drank beer. “Fixings. He wants the works. Aggie, get out your pencil and let’s get to work. We want to do the boy up proud.”

  “Seth, how are you going to get all . . . get it over there?”

  “Don’t you go worrying your head about things like that, Aggie. I got my ways. Moss must want it for a special reason and that’s good enough for me. Hell, woman, I’d try moving the earth if the boy wanted it. Start writing.”

  “Seth, what is this going to cost?” Agnes gasped.

  “Cost? You mean money? Not a cent. It’s our beef. All the fixings come from the ranch. I might have to plunk out a little for the kegs.” Seth favored Agnes with a heavy-lidded look. “I’ll call in a few favors. You wash my hand and I wash yours, that kind of thing. Does your silence mean you don’t approve?” For some reason Agnes’s reply was important to Seth.

  “On the contrary. I know you have friends in high places.” Her voice was a shade short of being apologetic. She was going to have to get used to Seth and the way he did things.

  Seth fiddled with a long fragrant cigar, rolling it back and forth between his fingers. “Aggie, who do you thinks supplies all the grade-A choice beef to the military? Not just here in the States, but all over the world?”

  “I never thought much about it. Coleman beef, is that what you’re saying?”

  Seth nodded and clamped his teeth down hard on his cigar. “Now, if I was to get myself into a flap over something and shipped late or not at all, some five-star is going to get upset. You don’t mess with the brass’s dinner parties. You get my point?”

  “Perfectly. I’ll get on this right away. You said three days, possibly four. Which is it?”

  “Make it four. We don’t want to appear too eager. Coleman beef ships out on the first. That will give me three days of palavering.”

  Palavering. These Texans had a language all their own, just as they had a style all their own. More and more, she decided, she liked their flamboyance. She couldn’t help wondering at what point she would consider herself a hundred percent Texan. Soon, she thought. Just as soon as Billie produced a male heir to the Coleman fortune.

  The vintage Ford had its assorted shimmies and shakes. Billie drove carefully. Every so often she was forced to pull over to the side of the road till the engine quieted down. She would have to mention it to Thad.

  The day was exquisitely beautiful, the sky so blue it made Billie gasp and long for at least one little cottonball cloud. The scarlet hibiscus along both sides of the road was so vibrant and colorful it made her eyes water. She wished she were an artist so she could capture the rich colors of the foliage and the cerulean ocean.

  With several quick looks at the map Thad had made for her, Billie managed to arrive at their appointed meeting place without getting lost. She drove down Kalakau, the main street in Waikiki. She was conscious immediately of the smell of plumeria that scented the warm trade winds. Cottage after cottage was almost obscured by thick, lush foliage and red hibiscus. Billie parked the car and stepped outside to wait for Thad.

  He arrived five minutes later, followed by a horde of children all demanding pennies. Dutifully he emptied his pockets. Billie combed through her change purse. How beautiful they were, these children of another culture. She thought of her little Maggie back home, who was so pale compared with these children. Their warm, molasses-colored skin enhanced pearly white teeth that shone in perpetual smiles.

  Thad signaled the oldest and tallest boy. He brandished a silver quarter and told him to watch missy’s car till they got back. He handed over the quarter and promised another on their return.

  “I think it will be better if we go in the Jeep. How are you today, Billie?”

  “I’m fine. How’s Moss?” Surely he had sent a message. Thad was probably embarrassed to deliver it. Men!

  “Cranky,” Thad replied shortly. Billie waited. Thad steered the Jeep away from the curb and concentrated on retracing his route. “I’m taking you to Diamond Head first. Actually, you would have seen it if you were sitting on the right side of the plane when you came into Hawaii. But seeing it from the air and in person are two different things. Get prepared.”

  There was a pause and then he went on. “Moss asked me to talk to you about something.” Quickly he explained about the Texas barbecue and the call to Seth. “It’s all arranged. Moss picked the date and I’m to make up the guest list. He wants you to buy some colorful island wear to dazzle everyone with.”

  She couldn’t help herself. “Was that all he said?”

  Thad bit his tongue. “Yep.”

  “Did you give him my message?”

  “Yep.”

  “Well, what did he say?”

  “Nothing. He grinned.” Billie smiled. Thad grimaced as he swung the Jeep onto Diamond Head Road. “Get ready now. I boned up on this last night just for your benefit. Diamond Head is seven hundred and sixty feet tall. The natives call it Leahi, because it looks like the sloping face and brow of an ahi, which is a yellowfin tuna. We’re going to go inside the crater. I hope you’re impressed, Billie.”

  “I am, I am. Tell me more.” Billie giggled at the serious look on Thad’s face. Imagine studying up so he could be sure she got all the facts!

  “We could actually drive inside, but I think we’ll leave the Jeep and walk. Supposedly we’re going to get all kinds of breathtaking views once we climb to the top. I understand they have picnics and luaus on special occasions.”

  “Why do they call it Diamond Head?”

  “I know the answer. Just let me think a minute. . . . Because,” he drawled, “nineteenth-century sailors found crystals that resembled di
amonds. They were actually calcite. But the nickname ‘Diamond Head’ stuck. Now that’s all I know.”

  “I’m so impressed that you would do this for me, Thad. Truly, I appreciate it. I know Moss is grateful to you, too. If we’re going to hike it, let’s go before I change my mind. I am not at my best in high places.” Billie looked at him and grinned. “Swear to me that I won’t have to go near the edge of anything and that you’ll protect me,” she said teasingly.

  With my life, Thad thought, but he merely nodded and cupped her elbow. He didn’t like what he was feeling. Why in the hell had he agreed to Moss’s request to show Billie around? Christ, what kind of man was he to lust—and by God, he was lusting—after his best friend’s wife? There were plenty of women in his life. Why did this particular one have such a hold on him?

  The view of Honolulu from the awesome crater was beautiful. She would treasure this sight forever. If only Moss were at her side drinking in the splendrous beauty, she thought, instead of Thad. Then, when they were old, sitting in their respective rocking chairs, they could reminisce about this moment. . . .

  “I think I’ve had enough,” she said. “Thank you for bringing me. I can’t wait to tell the others back at the ranch how beautiful this is. Thad, you’re awfully quiet. Is something wrong?”

  Wrong? What could be wrong? I want to kiss you. I want to hold you. I want to share this moment with you. “I was thinking,” he said, “about how much easier it’s going to be going down than it was coming up. Would you like to take in the sights at Waikiki? I boned up on that, too. There isn’t too much to see except for two big hotels, Quite grand, I understand. Or maybe you just want to go back to the house.” He had to get away from her before he made a damn fool of himself. He could plead a headache, a stomachache. Anything. The only problem was, she would never believe it.