Texas Heat

by Fern Michaels

  “If you’re as ill as you say, then you shouldn’t be continuing this tour, either. I have a baby to think of. I’m sorry now I let you talk me into leaving Sunbridge.”

  Jerome wept, but Susan ignored him as she placed her call to England. The moment Rand’s voice came over the wire, she felt better. “I need your help, Rand. Jerome and I are in Germany at the moment.... Yes, but I want to go home, back to Texas. . . . Yes, now. Will you call Maggie and ask her if I can stay at Sunbridge? I haven’t heard from her or Amelia for so long I don’t think they remember who I am. Will you do that for me, Rand?” Susan listened to Rand for a few moments. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at her husband. “I really don’t know if I can make it to the airport.... Well, I suppose it wouldn’t matter if I left my luggage. . . . Right. I’ll wait for your call.”

  Jerome stared at his wife. For the first time in his life he was afraid.

  “You bastard,” she hissed. “You black-hearted bastard. Why didn’t you tell me my sister and Aunt Amelia called me? I didn’t believe Amelia that one time when she tried to explain—I couldn’t believe it of you! Where are my letters? Rand called, too. He wrote three letters. I want them. They’re from my family. You had no right to keep them from me! It would have made all the difference in the world. I needed their support. You took that away from me and didn’t give anything back. Don’t come near me, Jerome, because I’ll smash this phone in your face. How could you! How dare you! You would have worked me to death just to finish this tour so you would look good. You don’t care about me or the baby. You know what, Jerome? We don’t care about you, either.”

  Jerome’s helplessness exploded in rage. He slammed about the tiny hotel efficiency suite, sending hairbrushes, perfume bottles, and sheet music crashing into furniture and walls. He cursed in every language he knew, and still she sat passively on the edge of the bed, the hard, black telephone receiver clenched in her fist.

  His fists clenched, he stared at her, eyes brimming with fury. She was ruining him, this bitch. Ruining his career, ruining his future. And for what? A squalling brat that would interfere in their lives, suck the energy out of their work. He hovered over her, arm raised. He wanted to hit her, destroy her the way she was destroying him.

  “Don’t do it, Jerome,” she warned in an icy tone. “If there’s breath left in my body, I’ll see to it you enjoy the comforts of a German jail. And how will that look in the press releases?”

  Jerome’s fist fell to his side.

  “On second thought, Jerome,” Susan was saying, no hint of remorse or even of pity in her eyes, “I’ll help you pack.” Jerome stormed out of the suite, the door shuddering on its hinges behind him.

  The transatlantic calls came in one after the other. First Billie, then Maggie and Amelia. Of course she could come to Sunbridge, Maggie cried happily. The nursery was there and waiting. She could stay as long as she liked, forever if she wanted.

  “Are you sure you’re well enough to make the trip?”

  “Rand is going to meet me in England and bring me home. He’s got it all planned. I’ll stay on a few days and get a good checkup and then we’ll head for Sunbridge. Maggie, I am so grateful, I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then don’t say anything,” Maggie said in a choked voice. “This place needs a baby. This place needs you, Susan. You’ve been gone too long. Everything will be ready. I’ll make an appointment with a good g-y-n man for you the day after you get here. I can’t wait to see you!”

  “Sure you don’t mind that Rand is coming along?”

  “Of course not. He was coming for Christmas anyway. The more the merrier. I’m worried, though. Is Jerome going to cause you any trouble? He’ll let you go, won’t he?”

  “I’d like to see him try and stop me. I’m not bothering with luggage. Rand said something about a wing and a prayer.”

  “I can shop for you. I know your size. That’s the least of your problems. You’re sure you’re okay?”

  “Now I am. I may have regrets later, but I have to think about the baby. Today I just blew up.”

  “Take care of yourself, Suse. We’ll be waiting. We love you.”

  “I know, and I love all of you,” Susan said softly. “I’ll see you in a few days. Thanks, Maggie.”

  She was just checking her purse to be sure she had her passport when the phone rang. It was Rand.

  “If you get to the airport in the next forty-five minutes, there’s a reservation in your name.”

  “I can make it. I’m dressed. I’m not sure if I have enough money on me, though. Enough for taxi fare, but that’s about it. Jerome handles the money.”

  “Just get to the damn airport. The ticket is prepaid. Once you get here, everything’ll be fine. Hurry now.”

  “I will. Thanks, Rand. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  Suddenly Susan felt guilty. It didn’t seem right to just walk out on Jerome like this. Everything had happened so quickly. She laid his passport and the tour schedule on the dresser next to his keys. Quickly she penned off a small note.

  Jerome,

  I’m sorry it’s ending this way, but I must think of the life we both created. I’ll be at Sunbridge if you want to get in touch. Take care of yourself and don’t lose your passport.

  Susan.

  Ninety minutes later Susan was airborne. When she landed in England hours later, Rand’s was the first face she saw. She literally fell into his arms.

  Rand sat with his arm around Susan’s shoulders on the ride to his house. He had to do something for her before he took her to Sunbridge. Amelia and Maggie would worry themselves sick over her. It was all he could do to keep the shock from his own face. Rest, some good food, some fresh air, and maybe, just maybe, she’d be ready to travel in ten days or so.

  Then it would be back to Sunbridge. Back to Maggie. And Amelia and Cary and the boys. His heart soared.

  Cole stood beside the empty bleachers watching the Crystal City High School in practice, their short skirts swinging about their slim thighs, their sweaters bouncing with each leap and jump. Kelly Jensen was one classy chick. Captain of the freshman squad, she was one of the most popular girls in school. All the boys had the hots for her, including him. Even Riley lost his cool when Kelly was around.

  Watching Kelly was only a side benefit. Cole’s real purpose in coming to the athletic field was to watch Riley being put through his paces as right guard for the junior varsity team. He squinted into the sun, looking for the familiar number sixty-four, bold green numbers on a white jersey. Even from here Riley looked intimidating: tall, broad, long powerful legs pumping him across the distance as he took down the opposing tackle to enable the quarterback to get off a clean pass. The coach blew his whistle; the play was ended. Saturday was a big game for Crystal City and excitement was running high.

  “Good play, Coleman!” Some of the other boys jostled Riley’s shoulder pads. Ass slapping was for the pro teams.

  “All right! Hit the showers! Practice tomorrow after school, films tomorrow night! Show you guys what you’ll be up against when you play Edison. Who’s number one?” the coach shouted.

  “Mustangs! Mustangs!” came the hoarse, masculine cries of the team.

  “Who’s number one?”

  “Mustangs!”

  Cole’s eyes narrowed as he watched Riley walk off the field, Coach Hamrah’s arm on his shoulder, heads close together. Then he returned his attention to Kelly, who was waiting near the gate for Riley. Cole spat the bitter taste from his mouth. If Riley’s last name weren’t Coleman and if he weren’t a part of Sunbridge, no girl would even give him a second look. Especially not Kelly, a bluenose who probably didn’t even know the last name of her family’s Mexican housekeeper. Cole spat again; still the bitter taste lingered. Just went to show what the right name and the right contacts could do for a guy, he thought contemptuously.

  That Cole had recourse to the same name and contacts was a reality he ignored.

  At the gate leading onto the f
ield, just within earshot, Kelly was playing up to Riley. “A bunch of kids are going over to Patti’s house tonight. Her father got a copy of E. T. from the film studio. Did you ever see it?”

  Riley shook his head, a faint blush staining his cheeks.

  “Want to come with me? They’re going to show it right after dinner; it’ll be an early night, I promise.”

  “I don’t know, Kelly. I’ve got that English paper to do by next Tuesday and I’m behind.”

  “What if I said I’d help you with it on Sunday?” Kelly coaxed. “Mine’s done; I’ve got plenty of time. I could even go to the library for you while you’re at films tomorrow. That would save some time, wouldn’t it?”

  “Yeah”—Riley grinned—“it would. But I can’t ask you to do that for me.”

  “You’re not asking; I’m offering. My mom and I can come by Sunbridge right after dinner, say about six-thirty? You’ll be home before ten. I promise. Say you’ll come, Riley, please?”

  Cole thought he was going to throw up. Kelly Jensen begging up to nobody Riley Coleman. Couldn’t she see that he wasn’t one of them? Cole didn’t even want to wait around to hear Riley agree to go to the film. Patti hadn’t asked him to come, and she was supposed to be his friend.

  Walking beneath the bleachers so Riley wouldn’t see him, Cole went back to his moped. His mother had bought one for each of the boys, since taking the school bus wasn’t always practical when there were after-school activities. He was astride and backing up when Gina Higgins hopped on behind him. “Take me home, Cole. I’ve got a date tonight.”

  “I’ve got better things to do than drive you around. Where’s your bike?”

  “Got a flat and it’ll be dark soon. C’mon, Cole, don’t be a pain.”

  “Get off, Gina. I’m not taking you anywhere.” He knew where Gina would be tonight—at Patti’s, probably with Dan Carroll, another hotshot football player. “I told you I’ve got something to do.”

  Reluctantly Gina climbed off the back of the moped, her pretty face in a pout. “What have you got to do? Watch your soon-to-be all-star cousin? I saw you watching him. He’ll make all-star, you know, just like Danny. Next year, Riley will probably make squad captain. Must make you feel like shit.”

  Cole burned rubber as he throttled down.

  “It shows, you know!” she yelled as he made a U-turn. “Everybody knows you’re jealous, Cole. Why don’t you just cool it and give us all a break?”

  He heard what she said. Everything true. He hated her. He hated all of them!

  Thirty minutes later with still a mile to go, Riley slowed his moped beside Gina. “What are you doing walking this road in the dark?”

  “Your cousin refused to give me a ride. He’s a jerk.”

  “Just like that? For no reason? Put the helmet on or you don’t ride with me,” he ordered.

  Gina snapped the chin strap. “It was my own fault. I told him he was jealous of you and that you were going to be captain of the squad next year. Guess he didn’t want to hear that. I think I may have mentioned you were going to be all-star.”

  Riley groaned. “Please, Gina, I have enough problems with him as it is. I wish you hadn’t said that.”

  “I’m sorry, Riley. He gets my goat, though. He’s always hanging around—sneaking, really. I think he likes Kelly. You know something else? I think Kelly likes you. We were talking at practice yesterday about the homecoming dance. She doesn’t have a date, in case you’re interested. I’m not sure, but I think she’s waiting for you to ask her.”

  “Me! Do you think she would go with me?” Riley asked incredulously.

  “I think so. Why don’t you ask her? Look, I’m sorry about Cole. I was niggling him. I’ll apologize tomorrow. But I still think he’s a smart-ass. How can you stand him?”

  “He’s different; you have to know him,” Riley said defensively as they pulled into Gina’s driveway.

  “Sure, sure.” Gina grinned as she handed back the helmet. “Don’t forget to ask Kelly. Promise?”

  “Okay, I promise, but if she turns me down, it’s your hide I’m coming after.”

  “Danny will protect me.” Gina giggled. “See you, Riley.”

  When Riley entered Sunbridge by the back door, Cole was just finishing his warmed-up dinner. Maggie was perched on a stool trying to make conversation.

  “Sorry I’m late, Aunt Maggie.”

  “I was getting worried. Did you stop off somewhere? Your dinner is in the oven. Martha had prayer meeting this evening, so I’m chief cook and bottle washer.”

  Riley glanced at Cole. He quickly averted his eyes, but Maggie saw the look. “I had to drop Gina off. She missed the bus and her bike had a flat.” He knew he sounded defensive. He always did when he was around Cole.

  “Gina’s a nice girl. I know her parents well. What in the world happened to her hair?”

  “She was on the summer swim team and the chlorine in the pool turned it all colors,” Riley said as he removed his dinner from the oven. “Boy, am I hungry.

  Maggie didn’t bother pouring Riley a glass of milk. She set the pitcher in front of him and knew he would drink it all. His father always had an enormous appetite. She noticed that Cole stayed on his stool staring at Riley as he wolfed down his chicken and pan-fried potatoes.

  “Is either of you going to the homecoming dance?” Maggie asked lightly, trying to draw her son into the conversation. Cole shrugged. Riley grinned as he attacked his blackberry pie.

  “I’m going to ask someone to the dance tonight,” he said. “Maybe she’ll go and maybe not. I thought I’d try. If she says no, I’ll go stag. This is real good pie, Aunt Maggie.”

  “Martha will be glad to hear that. I think she cooks just for you two boys. Don’t keep us in suspense, Riley. Who are you going to ask?” Maggie asked, leaning over the counter to smile at her nephew.

  Riley wiped his mouth and laid down his fork. “Kelly Jensen,” he said firmly, his eyes on his cousin.

  “Ha!” Cole laughed. “Fat chance.”

  “The way I look at it”—Riley grinned—“is I’ll know firsthand what rejection from a girl feels like. It’ll be an experience for me. I know what rejection is, but this is different. Who are you going to ask, Cole?”

  “I’m not going, and they don’t allow stags at homecoming.”

  For a moment Riley’s face fell. Cole was doing it again. Trying to make him feel unwanted, like an outsider. The boy’s spine straightened. He’d had about enough of Cole Tanner. “I guess going stag is okay if you’re on the football team,” he said firmly. “The only reason you aren’t going is because you can’t get a date. You’ve made an ass of yourself with every girl in school. Tell Aunt Maggie why I was late. Go ahead—tell her!”

  “Shut up!” Cole said, jumping off the chair.

  “I don’t have to shut up. I live here, too.” Riley looked directly at his aunt. “Gina asked Cole for a ride and he refused. I had to take her home.”

  Maggie’s eyes widened. She’d never heard the boys go at it before. Riley was usually quiet, defensive, and, if anything, inclined to stick up for Cole no matter what. She wasn’t sure she liked this openness. Where would it lead—to fights, punching, downright war?

  “How could you do such a thing, Cole?” she asked.

  “Gina’s parents are my friends. What happened to good manners?”

  “You just take his word for it, just like that! You don’t bother to ask me if it’s true or not. Some mother!” Cole slammed from the kitchen, the door banging against his heels.

  Maggie was off the chair in a second. She sprinted through the door and grabbed Cole by the ear, literally dragging him back into the kitchen. “Now, we can settle this one of two ways. Either you tell me the truth—or I will call Gina’s parents and get the truth.”

  Riley wanted to fall through the floor. Cole’s face flushed crimson, but he stood defiantly trying to jerk free of his mother. Maggie waited.

  “I lied, Aunt Maggie. I thought you wou
ld be angry if I was late for dinner again.”

  Maggie’s heart turned over. She knew Riley was lying and she knew Cole expected him to lie. Cole said nothing, just stood there smiling impudently. With a sigh, Maggie let go of him and turned away.

  “Go to your room, Cole.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Cole said with a sneer.

  When the door closed behind him, Maggie placed a gentle hand on Riley’s shoulder. “I wish you hadn’t lied for him. You don’t have to, Riley. He has to make it on his own or he’ll never be a worthwhile human being. You must have been particularly fed up with him this evening to say what you did.”

  “I was and I’m sorry. I’m nervous about asking Kelly. What will I say if she turns me down? I never asked a girl for a date before.”

  “It’s not easy for a girl, either. Most times, girls have to sit and wait for a guy to call. They get all frazzled that the wrong one will call, and then there are excuses to make—and girls do make excuses. Not out of meanness or anything like that. It’s more like trying to save the boy embarrassment. Girls are sensitive, for the most part.”

  “I’m going to see her tonight. We’re going over to Patti’s house to watch a movie.” Riley’s cheeks reddened. “I don’t know if I’ll have the courage.”

  “Then why don’t you call her? It’ll be easier over the phone. Trust me,” Maggie urged.

  “Then I’d better call her now, before she leaves to come pick me up. Jeez, I hope I’m doing the right thing. Kelly’s one of the most popular girls in school. She’s captain of the freshman cheerleaders and she’s on the honor roll. She’ll probably make National Honor Society in her junior year.”

  “I know.” Maggie grinned. “But she’s still a girl. Those are things she does. It’s not who she is, Riley. Go ahead—call her from here. Do you want me to leave?”

  “Heck no. Stay here. I need all the support I can get. If I get tongue-tied, just take the phone from me and tell her it’s a wrong number.”