Texas Rich

by Fern Michaels

  Thad’s next words caught Billie off guard. “The mother in you should recognize that that’s all they have left of their father. They’re both hurt, sore and bruised. It’s the last thing they can do to get even—not with you, Billie, but with Moss—for all those hurts, all those slights, the lack of the love they both wanted. Maggie especially. I think Susan is just going along with Maggie because she thinks it’s the thing to do. Greed is a powerful motivator. To destroy or prevent Moss’s dream is all they really want. At least that’s my opinion.”

  “I never wanted it to end like this. I tried to talk to the girls, but it did no good. Maggie was so cruel. Susan was . . . she just looked at me with a blank stare and didn’t say anything. She was actually mute. Without Maggie behind her she’s lost. I didn’t want to divide us. Maggie was unbelievably cruel to Sawyer when the girl stood up for me.”

  “How are things going?”

  “Sawyer has taken to the road to see if she can get financial help. The men helped her, the crew Moss hand-picked to work on this project. Right now morale is low. Wages haven’t been paid. I’ve gone through all the cash I could get my hands on before the court freeze. I’ve even used up Mother’s inheritance. Amelia has helped out, but that’s a drop in the bucket. We’re talking dollars when we need millions. It doesn’t look as though the courts are going to be in any hurry to speed things up, either. Maggie managed to get herself one terrific lawyer. He can make his reputation on this case. The longer it’s dragged out, the more publicity he gets.”

  “There’s no deadline, is there?”

  “Not a date with a red circle on a calendar, if that’s what you mean. But how long will those men continue to work without pay? Costs are mounting every day. Coleman credit is topnotch, but Moss was Coleman Aviation; I’m unproven, and investors and banks have little faith in me. I don’t know where to turn.”

  “I have some money. It will just be another drop in the bucket, but if we keep filling that bucket with drops, sooner or later it will fill up.”

  “Thad, I can’t let you do that. The money goes out faster than it comes in. And if the courts decide in favor of Maggie and Susan, this will all have been for nothing. . . . I’ll never be able to complete Moss’s dream. Never.”

  “Do you have a dollar-and-cents figure of what it will take to get this project into the air?”

  Billie laughed bitterly. “I have it in every language and in every color. It’s all back at the house. Will seeing it make a difference?”

  “It might. Drink up and let’s get out of here.” There had to be a way. Thad’s mind clicked away as he paid the check and guided Billie to the baggage area.

  His luggage in tow, Thad and Billie left the airport and returned to Sunbridge. Within an hour Thad was settled in Moss’s workroom, poring over ledgers and specifications. When he was finished he put on his cap and jacket. “Let’s go out to the hangar and have a look-see.” Billie obliged. Thad would know what to do.

  It was a little after six in the evening when Billie and Thad returned once again to Sunbridge. She fixed them both some scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee, then sat down at the kitchen table to talk.

  “Well, what do you think?” she asked anxiously.

  Thad’s brow was furrowed. “There might be a way. I’m just not sure.” With long, thin fingers he raked through his sparse hair, seemingly lost in thought.

  Billie sensed some inner conflict, something tearing at Thad. Unsure of what she should do or say, she carried the dishes to the sink and started to wash them. When she’d finished, Thad was still sitting hunched over the table, wearing the same intense look on his face.

  “Thad? Is something wrong? You don’t look right. Please tell me what it is.”

  Thad’s tormented eyes lifted to meet Billie’s worried gaze. He didn’t know what to do, what to say. By tomorrow, he could be in Japan talking to Otami’s father. Shadaharu Hasegawa had the money to help Billie. If Thad presented the case properly, there was every possibility that Moss’s dream could come true. But in order to do that, he would have to break his promise and tell Billie about Riley’s marriage... and his son. All the years of silence . . . what would Billie say when she found out she had a grandson? How would she feel? Thad groaned aloud.

  “Thad, what is it? Are you ill?” Billie asked in concern.

  “Make us some more coffee, Billie. Then I want you to sit down. I have something to tell you.”

  Billie sat silently at the table, listening intently, not touching her coffee. When Thad finished she had to wet her lips twice and force the words from her throat. “A grandson? Riley had a son and Moss didn’t tell me? Oh, Thad, why didn’t you tell me? What must that girl think of me? Of Moss? Riley . . . poor Riley.”

  “He loved Otami very much, Billie. And she loved him. It was what he wanted. He made me swear that I wouldn’t confide in either of you. I had to do it, Billie. For Riley. Please, tell me you understand.”

  Billie’s gazed eyes stared at Thad. “It seems so unreal. How could Moss not have told me? A grandson . . . Riley’s son. So many years lost to all of us. Do you think Riley’s wife will see me? The boy, too?”

  “Of course. Billie, you have to understand that Otami would have made some overture to you sooner or later, or convinced Riley to do so. Unfortunately, the boy was killed before he could release her from her promise to keep the marriage secret. The Japanese are a very honorable people, and Otami was duty-bound to honor her husband’s wishes. She’s a wonderful girl, Billie. You’ll love her.”

  “I’m sure I will. It’s Moss’s not telling me that I’m having trouble with,” Billie said wretchedly. “How could he keep that from me, Thad? Even when he was dying he didn’t tell me. We’d come to terms with so many things in our lives. That was the time for him to tell me, for him to be honest. I don’t understand. I’ll never to able to forgive him if I don’t understand.”

  “I can tell you Otami’s side of it. Moss never chose to tell me about his visit to Japan. Otami’s father wanted me to know, in case questions ever came up later.”

  “Tell me what happened, Thad.”

  Thad squirmed in his chair, dreading what he was going to have to say. “Moss went to Japan believing Otami was some sort of tart who’d gotten her hooks into Riley. I think he had a vision of her living in a rice paddy with the baby strapped to her back. When he arrived, he must have been shocked. The family home is equal, if not superior, to Sunbridge. Well, anyway, Moss made a mistake of demanding the child—he made all manner of threats.”

  “Oh, my God!” cried Billie.

  “I understand from several letters I received from Otami that her father was frightened for his family. He hired guards to protect her and the boy. He wasn’t sure what Moss would do.”

  “Thad, I have to go to Japan. Should we call first? Will they welcome us?”

  “With open arms, Billie.”

  “Make arrangements, please, Thad. I’ll go upstairs and pack. And Thad, we can’t ask them for financing for this plane. It wouldn’t be right. They might think that was the only reason we’re making the trip, and it isn’t. We’ll find our financing some other way.”

  Thad poured himself a drink and picked up the phone. Inside of thirty minutes he had confirmed reservations to Tokyo via San Francisco, Hawaii, and Guam. He leaned back in the swivel chair, debating whether or not to call Otami. Would a surprise be best, or should he do the decent thing and call? The decent thing, of course.

  Otami’s voice was just as sweet as ever. “Uncle Thad, how nice of you to call. Are you planning on coming for a visit? My family would be honored. My father constantly asks about you.”

  “Yes, Otami, I am coming for a visit. I want to bring Riley’s mother with me. It was necessary to tell her about you and your son. I will explain later, but I had no other choice. I hope you will forgive me.”

  “There is nothing to forgive. I’m sure you did what you believed was right. We will understand.”

  “We’l
l be there in less than twenty-four hours. Otami, Ri- , ley’s mother needs you.”

  “Uncle Thad, I, too, need Riley’s mother. More than you know. My son will be told and I will arrange for him to take time off from school. Is it not strange that Riley loves airplanes?”

  “Not so strange, Otami. Preordained, I should think.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Billie and Thad walked through Guam’s new airport. Thad looked around, hardly believing his eyes. “This rivals anything we have in the States. You should have seen it in the old days.”

  “So much marble,” Billie said, looking around.

  “Come along, Billie. The commander at the Naval Air Station has arranged for a car. I’m going to take you around Guam and show you where your son lived and was happy. I owe that to you. We only have a few hours, but the island is small. Can you handle it?”

  “I can handle it.”

  As Thad drove the car along Marine Drive he and Billie oohed and aahed. “Ten years makes one hell of a difference. I understand that Guam is now the Japanese honeymoon resort. There’s a shopping center in Agana now. When Riley was here there were tiny little stores and I assume he did most of his shopping at the commissary. Things are so different.”

  “It rather looks like Hawaii. Where are we going first, Thad?”

  “I want to show you the church where Riley was married and the little house he lived in with Otami.”

  As the navy car ate up the miles Billie craned her neck, not wanting to miss seeing anything her son might have lived with. After a short while, Thad slowed the car and turned. “The church on the right is where Riley was married. It’s open, if you’d like to go in. They had it decorated that day with plumeria and orchids. It was beautiful. Otami has pictures of the wedding. I’m sure she’ll share them with you.”

  “No, Thad, I don’t want to go in. It’s enough that I see it. San Juan deBautiste Church,” Billie said softly. “What a lovely name.”

  “Start counting now. The little house where Riley and Otami lived can be seen from the road. Eight buildings including the dental clinic.”

  Billie drew in her breath. Why this was so important, she didn’t know. A piece of her son’s life. The last piece. “There it is!” Tears misted Billie’s eyes as she stared at the small stucco house that was painted white with what looked like burgundy trim. A spanking new yellow Suzuki pickup truck stood in the driveway. “I wonder who lives here now,” Billie whispered hoarsely.

  “The sign on the tree says Deo. Riley and Otami had a sign, too. It said Riley and Otami Coleman. Rather like the plaque at Sunbridge. I know one thing, though.”

  “What’s that?” Billie asked, dabbing at her eyes.

  “If the people living here now are one-tenth as happy as Riley and Otami were, they’ve got all there is to have in life. Have you seen enough?”

  “It’s all so beautiful.” Billie’s eyes misted over again. “I’m so glad you brought me here, Thad. Thank you.”

  “I have to be honest. I did it as much for myself as for you.”

  Billie’s smile was wan. “I know.”

  “Back to the airport. If we burn rubber, we’ll just make it.”

  It was cold and blustery when Thad and Billie descended the portable stairway on the Continental jet. The minute Billie’s feet touched solid ground, her shoulders slumped. Jet lag had finally caught up with her. Try as she would, she could barely keep her eyes open. Customs and baggage, and then she could check into the hotel and take a shower. She’d need some good strong coffee before she could even think about going to see her daughter-in-law. Her heart was pumping furiously. She couldn’t help but wonder whether it was from bone weariness or wild anticipation.

  Thad’s face showed his concern as he ushered Billie through customs. “If you’re half as tired as you look, you have to feel the way I do. I think we should go to the hotel and get some sleep. It’s early and we have plenty of time. Otami will certainly understand. You look done in, Billie.”

  “I am. I agree. We both need sleep. A few hours, anyway. I can’t believe I’m really here and that I’m going to see my daughter-in-law and grandson in a short while. It’s so overwhelming, I don’t think I’m over the shock. Do you think they’ll like me, Thad?” Billie asked anxiously. “I’m not like Moss. I don’t ever want them to think I am. But I have to try to explain to them why he acted the way he did. It’s all right to do that, isn’t it?”

  “Of course it is. Otami and her family are wonderful people. They’ll understand. They bear no malice toward you and I’m sure there was none for Moss. Be yourself, Billie. That’s the best advice I can give you.”

  “I brought Riley’s baby pictures,” Billie blurted. “As a matter of fact I brought all his pictures for Otami to see. And I . . . I brought his baseball mitt and his ball that Hank Aaron autographed. The Japanese have a great love of baseball. As a matter of fact I just recently read an article about the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants. They’re known for their hitting and fielding. I read the article, I don’t know why. At least I’ll have something to talk about with my grandson.”

  Thad raised startled eyes to meet Billie’s tired gaze. “I’m sure you will. Most Japanese boys grow up playing baseball.”

  “Hopefully I’m going to be able to show you Mount Fuji before we leave. In all my visits to this wonderful city I’ve only seen it twice myself. It’s quite awesome. The clouds are usually too low to see the snow peak. For you, Billie, I have a feeling the cloud cover will lift.”

  Billie forced a smile. She had never in her life been so exhausted. “How long are we going to be here? I never thought to ask.”

  “Five days. It was the best I could do. Enough time for you to get acquainted with Riley’s family. I’m sure that Otami will want to show you her beloved city. It’s a far cry from Texas. Ten million people live in Tokyo.”

  One eye was drooping sleepily. Thad smiled at the valiant effort Billie was putting forth. “I would like to shop on the Ginza,” she said, yawning. “Sawyer will be so impressed with me.”

  “I think Sawyer will be more impressed if you tell her you got up the nerve to take a ride on the Shinkansen Super Express. It is called the bullet train and supposedly it’s the speediest in the world, traveling one hundred thirty miles per hour. Her technical mind will want to know everything, so it might be wise if we got some brochures for her.”

  “That sounds good to me, Thad.” An instant later Billie was asleep.

  Thad shifted his weight slightly so that Billie’s nodding head would rest comfortably against his shoulder. He spent the remainder of the long ride from Narita to Tokyo rehearsing what he was going to say to Otami’s father. Billie was caught up in emotionalism and rightly so. It would rest with him to bring up the matter of the plane and what had to be done. A pity Sawyer wasn’t here. The fact that he had a good rapport with the Japanese would certainly help. He didn’t think he would have to talk too long or too loud to get his point across. Riley’s grandfather would understand what was happening. The man would listen, tilt his head to the side, and then say, How can I help? How much do you need? And that would be the end of it.

  Thad shook Billie’s shoulder gently. “Wake up, Billie, we’re at the hotel.”

  Billie was too groggy to appreciate the beauty of the Asian hotel as she followed Thad and the diminutive Oriental carrying their bags. She needed sleep and she wanted to be at her best when she met Otami and her grandson.

  “Here’s your room, Billie. I’m down the hall in fifteen-oh-eight. Sleep now and ring my room when you wake.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek and walked on down the hall, leaving Billie to herself. She immediately took off her coat, drew the draperies, and crawled into bed fully clothed.

  She slept deeply and soundly for twelve hours, hardly disturbing the bright blue covers.

  While Billie slept, Thad headed for the Virgo dining room with its French cuisine and panoramic view of Tokyo. While he ate he rehearsed the talk he was going to
have with Otami’s father, rejected some ideas and expanded on others. Finally satisfied, he gulped his tea, paid the bill, and left the restaurant.

  Once Thad was outside, his step was springy, his bearing more military. When things were going right, it was easier to stand tall. It was easier to do a lot of things. Simple everyday living was a delight; anything beyond that a bonus.

  Mr. Hasegawa welcomed Thad in the Western manner. They shook hands and then bowed to each other.

  “Welcome, Thaddeus. It has been a long time since you honored me with a visit. My daughter and wife are in a state of delirium that Mrs. Coleman is here. After all these years we thought it would never come to pass. My sorrow was yours at the news of Mr. Coleman’s death. On many occasions my family prayed that he would one day return and make my grandson his. We wanted to share our good fortune with him. I know it was your sorrow, also. Tell me, quickly, do you bring news of the film stars for my wife? She has called me twice already today to see if you had been in touch. She is particularly taken with... one moment, I wrote down the name. Aah, here it is: Tom Selleck. Yes, Tom Selleck. Do you know much about this film star?”

  “He’s the eighties heartthrob. I think I can give her a few highlights. How is the boy?”

  “Young Riley makes me more proud each day. I believe he follows in his father’s footsteps. He thinks of nothing but planes and flying. We have our own jet and he is forever begging to go with me. Unfortunately, I like to keep my feet on the ground as much as possible. It is the miracle of progress. Sit down, Thaddeus, and we will have some Scotch and one of those fine Havana cigars you brought on your last visit. Then we will talk. I wish to know how all this came about.”

  Thad waited until the room was blue gray with smoke and the Scotch bottle was nearly empty before he began his speech. It all came out neatly, slow and easy.