Saving Dallas

by Jones, Kim

  Luke spoke before I could continue and I knew that he was trying to control his anger. “What did he say to you, Dallas?’

  I swallowed noisily and spoke so softly he asked me to repeat it. “He said, ‘Hey there sleeping beauty’.”

  “That mother fucker! Where are you staying?” Luke screamed.

  “The Abbey.” Why was he asking? Was he coming to stay with me? I was suddenly excited. Why had I not asked him to come in the first place? “I am sending someone up there.” My heart fell. Once again he would send someone instead of coming himself.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine. Stacy will be there. I will be sure to let him know.” I said defeated.

  “Who in the hell is Stacy?” Luke asked confused.

  “He is a friend of the family. He has a black belt in karate and is trained in martial arts. I promise I will be fine.” I knew Stacy would be more than a little excited at the thought of hurting someone.

  “Dallas, I can send someone it’s not a problem,” Luke stated. No shit it wasn’t a problem. There were people lined up to be at his beck and call. Too bad it wasn’t him who wanted to be here to ensure my safety.

  “No I will be fine, really.” Why did I let this bother me so much? He had enough shit to deal with. He couldn’t drop everything just to drive two hundred and fifty miles to be with me. I got it, but it still hurt. “I better go. I’ll call you tonight,” I said and abruptly ended the call. I didn’t want any more apologies, excuses or possible solutions. I only wanted to get through the next few days and then back home. Maybe then Luke would take me to the beach and fuck me senseless. That would surely fix this melancholy mood I had slipped into.

  Chapter 17

  I pulled up to The Abbey and it was even more beautiful than I remembered. The large, three story Victorian house had served as a bed and breakfast for over one hundred years and was located just off of the Natchez Trace. The home was sentimental to me. It was the first property I purchased when I decided to expand my business north. The old cobblestone driveway was worn and the familiar rumble of the stones beneath my tires made me feel like I had stepped into another century. The large white porch wrapped all the way around the house and opened into a garden at the back. White wicker rockers littered the front porch. Ferns and flower baskets hung from the ceiling along with a large wooden swing that looked as if it could seat at least five people. I climbed out of my car and was met by Stacy at the end of the stairs.

  “My favorite girl!” he exclaimed smiling at me. I walked into his arms allowing him to engulf me into a hug. “You look more and more like your mama every day,” he said, holding me at arm’s length and looking me over.

  It had been a long time since I had a conversation with someone that knew my parents. My dad had taken Stacy under his wing when he was younger and he had been like an uncle to me for years. Stacy moved to Mississippi shortly after I did and he had been the only one to attend my college graduation and my Masters Award ceremony. I had not seen him in over a year, but he still looked exactly the same. His salt and pepper hair was unruly on his head and his age was apparent around his eyes and mouth, but he was still very attractive. He was only a few inches taller than me and his lean muscular figure could still be recognized under his jeans and t-shirt. At forty-two years old, Stacy was still smoking hot.

  He was the reason I came to Tupelo. When I found this place it was him I hired to do the renovations. He now lived here and kept the maintenance up to date on the house. “Well, let’s get you settled and then we can catch up.” I nodded in agreement, knowing that Stacy was going to be mighty surprised with everything I had to tell him.

  When I walked into the house I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face. This place was amazing. The large wooden door opened into a sitting room that was covered in antiques. The aged furniture along with the huge stair case made you feel as if you had just stepped into a plantation home from the eighteen hundreds. To the left, a swinging door led into a massive kitchen and on the other side of that was a dining room that had enough private tables to accommodate everyone in the house. To the right of the sitting room was a smoking parlor and a library. I was hoping to spend a little time in there before I left.

  I climbed the long staircase to the second floor, and then a narrower one to the third floor and walked into what would be my home for the next few days. I sat my things down on the settee, exhausted and very glad I had an elevator installed after I purchased this place. I knew if I had a tough time climbing all those stairs, it would be impossible for someone in their sixties or seventies to do it, and considering they were my best customers, it was the best money I had put into this house.

  I was glad only a few people were staying here this week. It wasn’t often that this room was available and by far, it was the best in the house. The room was large and spacious with twelve foot ceilings, plush burgundy carpet and a king sized canopy bed that was raised off the floor and had steps surrounding it. An old vanity table, complete with a wash bowl and water pitcher, sat on one side of the double doors that led to the bathroom, and a dark wooden chifferobe sat on the other. The bathroom housed an oversized claw foot tub and a double sink with lights that looked like old lanterns. But, the best part of the room was the balcony that overlooked the garden below. I could spend hours out here and do nothing more than look out over the garden and day dream.

  I grabbed my cell and called Scott to let him know I made it and would come by this office sometime around four and to not leave until I got there. I sent a quick text to Luke letting him know I made it and was sorry for being a bitch and hanging up, and then unpacked my clothes before heading downstairs to the kitchen to meet up with Stacy.

  In the kitchen, I could smell corn and crab bisque simmering on the stove. The smell made my mouth water and I wondered over to get a bowl. Unlike other bed and breakfasts, this one was a full service. We had a cook on call twenty-four seven who would cook anything your heart desired, within reason. Mrs. Pearl, Mrs. Jackie and Mrs. Gladene had been cooking here since long before I was born. They were sweet and wonderful and full of life, but they would snap on your ass if you even breathed wrong in their kitchen.

  “Jackie told me to make sure you got a big bowl of that,” Stacy said, entering the kitchen. “She always said you were too skinny.”

  It surprised me that Jackie would even consider cooking something for me. Last time we spoke, she called me a spoiled bitch and I was quick to tell her she could find another job. She just laughed which made me madder. She knew she was irreplaceable and so did I. If I fired Jackie, I might as well say goodbye to Pearl and Gladene too, and if I did that, I would lose all of my business. People drove from miles around just to eat Mrs. Pearl’s cornbread dressing.

  “The old bitch probably poisoned it,” I muttered.

  “So, what brings you up here?” Stacy asked jumping right to the point.

  “Well, I am having some problems with some renters and I came to straighten a few things out,” I answered fixing myself a large bowl of bisque and joining him at a table.

  “Sounds fun, but enough about work. How has life been treating you?”

  I smiled up at him. “Good. Really good. I met someone,” I confessed trying to gauge his reaction.

  “Dallas, that’s great! I am so happy for you. Tell me about him.” This was going to be the hard part. I was hoping Stacy would keep an open mind and not be too judgmental, but I was afraid he would jump the gun on this one.

  “Well… His name is Lucas Carmical. He is from Hattiesburg and we met a few weeks ago.” I knew I was being short with him, but I didn’t want to confess all of his underlying secrets. Hell, I didn’t even know all there was to know about him.

  “What does he do? How did you meet him?” Leave it to Stacy to cut straight through the bullshit. I didn’t want the remainder of my time spent on answering questions, so I figured I might as well go ahead and get it all out there.

  “I met him at
a bar. He actually saved me from being molested by this guy and we have been seeing one another ever since. He is in the timber business, is extremely good looking, and takes care of me. Oh and he is the President of a Motorcycle Club.” I said the last part rather fast, hoping he didn’t hear me, but of course I didn’t get that lucky.

  “A motorcycle club huh? Which one?”

  “The Devil’s Renegades,” I said not making eye contact.

  “Hmm. That’s cool,” was that all he was going to say? “I am glad you met someone. I am even gladder that this someone is more down to Earth and not some spoiled rich kid that you usually go for. I would really like to meet him.”

  I was shocked at what he said, but I tried to conceal it. “Of course. I was hoping he could come with me, but he had some prior obligations.”

  “I see. Well, I look forward to meeting him one day.” Stacy patted my hand then got up to help himself to some bisque. I started to tell him about the other group of bikers, but no need to go stirring up anything right now. If they came, and I highly doubted they would, we would deal with it then.

  Chapter 18

  My Tupelo office was located downtown in a shopping center. It was small, but with no more business than I had up here, it worked. Scott greeted me as I walked in the door.

  “Hey, Dallas!” he said a little too cheerfully. I noted that the office was clean and everyone was superbly dressed. There was no doubt in my mind that this was a result from me coming.

  “Give me the files on both of those properties,” I said. I was back to being a shrewd bitch and could tell the effect it had on everyone. Scott ran to his desk to grab the files and I felt a pang of guilt when I noticed how he acted around me. His brow had beads of sweat on it and it was apparent that he was a nervous wreck.

  Had I always been this intimidating? I wondered what made me realize this now even though I knew in the back of my mind what had caused this. Luke. He was making me weak. I didn’t like it, but I had to admit that the high I got from being nice to people was much different than the one I got when I was a being a complete bitch.

  “Oh Scott, calm down,” I said exasperated. I don’t know who I was more aggravated with, me for trying to change who I was or him for being such a pussy. “I’m not gonna bite you, relax.” I took a seat at the chair in front of his desk. He paused, looking at me curiously.

  “Yes ma’am,” he said with one quick nod of his head. I could tell my words had done absolutely nothing to relax him. Hopefully he would lighten up by the end of the week.

  “Have you heard from them today?” I asked looking over the file in front of me.

  “No. I have tried to call them every day, but I haven’t received an answer.”

  “Ok, well I am having dinner with Tammy tonight. Maybe she can give me some insight. I’ll call you in the morning.” I left the office in no better mood than I had arrived in. Maybe a few drinks with Tammy would loosen me up and help me keep my mind from Luke. He had not responded to my message and I hated when we didn’t communicate. It seemed that every time we took one step forward, we took two back.

  I confirmed my dinner with Tammy, and then tried Luke once more. I called and after the phone rang for what seemed like forever I got his voicemail. I slung the phone in the passenger seat hoping to break something in the process. I hated being ignored. I bet if sweet Maddie would have called he would have picked up. Ugh! I had to stop doing this to myself. Luke was probably just busy. I would try him again after dinner and if he didn’t answer, then I would worry.

  Dinner with Tammy was a flop. I had learned absolutely nothing about the tenants and after the first fifteen minutes we had moved on to another subject. She didn’t seem to mind that our meeting was cut short. Two drinks and one appetizer later I was out the door.

  Stacy sat on the swing with a beer in hand and I gladly accepted when he pulled one from the ice chest between his feet and offered one to me.

  “Long day?” he asked giving me a crooked grin.

  “Shitty day is more like it. How was yours?”

  “The same.” We sat there in the swing not talking. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the fall air. October had shown its face and I had welcomed it with open arms.

  “The club is having some issues with some people and I have gotten involved.” I was not sure where that had come from. I was not even thinking of the club, yet here I was telling Stacy. It must have been the idea of danger that lurked in the back of my sub-conscious.

  Involved how?” Stacy asked turning to look at me. I told him the story of the break-in and the fight at the bar and the red and gray vests that seemed to show up wherever I was. “That sounds pretty serious, Dallas,” he said concerned. I gave him a tight smile and shrugged my shoulders. “Well, don’t worry honey. Nothing will bother you here. Not as long as I am around.”

  I knew Stacy meant what he said. He would have no problem stopping anyone who tried to get through that door. I wasn’t worried in the least, but I didn’t want to steal his glory so I just patted him on the leg and walked inside. This day had been enough. I was ready to go to bed and hopefully figure some of this shit out.

  I climbed the stairs figuring I needed the exercise after the fried cheese and two mixed drinks I had, and walked into my room totally exhausted. I was winded just from the two flights and that was highly unusual for someone as fit as myself. I passed it off as stress then climbed into bed and prayed for a better tomorrow.

  I could hear the motorcycles in the distance. I knew he was coming for me. Luke would save me. I was hanging over a ledge with nothing to hold onto but a tree root. The raging water below me was littered with sharp rocks and I knew that even if I managed to dodge the rocks I would still drown in the swift current. The noise became louder and my heart sped. He would be here soon. I wiped my forehead and found it soaking wet. I wondered how the sea spray managed to reach me all the way up here. My hair was wet too. I must have fallen in and then climbed out. I was confused and scared and panting. I had never been scared of anything. What had scared me?

  The motorcycles pulled up to the edge of the cliff and I tried to scream for Luke, but no matter how loud I screamed he couldn’t hear me. He walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. He held his hand out to me. I reached for him, but he was too far away. Just a few more inches and I would be safe. I looked up into his eyes, but instead of seeing his blue ones, all I saw was black. This was not Luke. This guy had a large scar on his face and was laughing at me.

  “Good-bye sleeping beauty,” he said to me in a sickening sweet voice. He produced a small hatchet from his back pocket. I thought he was going to kill me, but as he swung it, he connected with the tree root and I was falling.

  I sat straight up in the bed and breathed deep trying to catch my breath. My chest hurt and I could feel the congestion that was building there. My whole body was soaking wet and I was burning up.

  I decided a hot shower would hopefully clear up some of the congestion in my chest. I climbed from the bed and made my way to the bathroom. It seemed like forever before I made it and my limbs felt as if they were made of lead. After showering, I felt a fraction better. I decided the soaked sheets on my bed would not be very comfortable, so I pulled the comforter from the bed and curled up on the settee.

  A loud banging in my head woke me. The light pouring in from the doors leading outside hurt my head. The banging continued and I realized it was coming from the door.

  “Come in,” I said, but it came out as only a whisper. I had not moved from the settee and once again I was covered in sweat.

  “Miss Dallas you got a phone call and if you don’t get outta that bed you gonna be late for work.” I immediately recognized Jackie’s voice. I didn’t care if she hated me or that I despised her, right now I needed some help. Something was wrong with me. I couldn’t move, my breathing was shallow and I felt as if someone was sitting on my chest.

  “Jackie,” I tried to say a little louder, but again I heard n
othing. I could hear people talking in the hallway and then I heard a key in the door unlocking it.

  “Dallas!” I opened my eyes to see Stacy gaping at me. “Oh my God! How long have you been like this?”

  I must have looked pretty bad because everyone just stared at me like I was crazy.

  “Stacy, go downstairs and tell Gladene I need her to come up here. Help Ms. Pearl with the breakfast and Gladene and me can handle Miss Dallas.” Stacy looked torn, but Jackie shooed him away with her hand. “Go on now.”

  Stacy left the room and I watched Jackie through my heavy lids. She looked worried and I didn’t blame her. If I looked half as bad as I felt, I would probably die any minute. She was probably worried about losing her job and for some reason I found that funny.

  I tried to laugh, but I couldn’t get my body to cooperate. Gladene came busting through the door and stopped in her tracks when she saw me. I mean really? I couldn’t look that bad. I felt myself slipping away from consciousness once again. If I could just sleep this off, I would feel better tomorrow.

  “Oh no Miss Dallas,” I heard Jackie protest. “We need you to stay awake for us until we can figure out what’s wrong.”

  “She got the damn flu, that’s what’s wrong,” Gladene chimed in. There was no way to tell how old either of them were, but I guessed mid-fifties. Both had hair that was cut short but stylish and their large robust bodies were equal in size. They could have been twins. Their skin was a dark caramel color and was wrinkle free and flawless. I hated them.

  “Well help me get her up and in the bathroom,” Jackie demanded pulling the covers off of me.

  “She better be glad I got my damn flu shot,” Gladene mumbled. I tried to give her the finger, but I couldn’t lift my arm. Jackie didn’t much like me, but Gladene absolutely despised me. They lifted me with ease and carried me to the bathroom sitting me on the toilet and holding me up while arguing with each other about who got their flu shot first. I told them to shut up and just help me get a bath, but once again nothing came out and this was not the time to be a smart ass. I was at the mercy of these two women, both of which didn’t like me.