He took a step closer, blood streaming from his nose.
"Stay away or I’ll scream so loud they’ll hear me in Lexington."
"I know what you’re doing," he said furiously, holding a bloody handkerchief to his nose. "You took my wife’s job. Do you know how much we need that job?"
"We’ve been over this. I didn’t take her job. When she’s better she can come back. Garrett said so."
"Don’t play with me. She’s not coming back if you’re there playing up to the boss. I’m not blind, I’ve seen you and him."
A chill crept up her back and she went deadly calm. "What are you talking about?"
Les smirked. "Never mind. If he’s not careful, he’ll lose that farm and his shirt, too."
"What do you think will happen when I tell them you forced me out here?"
"Right now my alibi is I’m at home with my wife and kid, so that makes you a liar. You might better keep your mouth shut."
"You’re not me."
"You’ve got a real smart mouth, but I’ll make it simple. All you have to do is leave. Everything was fine until you showed up."
"Kim broke her ankle before I came here." She narrowed her eyes at him. "By the way, how did she break her ankle, Les?"
"She hurt it out in the yard," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I take good care of her and little Tommy," he snarled. "I want you out of town fast or next time I won’t be so nice."
He moved in closer, but Christie had had enough with his drunken threats. She pushed against him and yanked the door open. She stumbled back inside the hall and frantically searched the room until she saw Buddy and Ally. They must have seen panic in her face, because they both rushed toward her.
Ally reached her first. "Christie, what’s wrong?"
"Les Doyle was here. He dragged me outside."
"Where is he?" Buddy asked, looking behind her. "I’ll straighten him out."
Christie gripped his arm. "Leave him alone, he’s just a troublemaker." She could feel a bad headache coming on. "I’d like to go home." She shivered with reaction.
Ally put an arm around her shoulders. "I’m calling the police to report this. He can’t just drag you somewhere against your will."
"I just want to get out of here," Christie said, rubbing her cold arms. "He went out that door but I’m sure he’s gone by now."
"That goes out back and then opens onto the street." Buddy strode down the corridor.
"Geez, I’m sorry this happened, Christie. All we wanted to show you was a good time."
"You have. It was a great time until he showed up."
"I have Randy’s cell number, he’ll know what to do. This time Les has gone too far. I heard Kim took the baby and left today. Probably best move she’s made all year." Ally pulled a cell phone out of her pocketbook and punched in numbers. "Why don’t you sit down while I call? If I get his answering service, I’ll leave a message."
Christie sat at an empty table behind her, keeping her eyes trained on the corridor from which Les had appeared. In no time Ally rejoined her.
"Do you want a drink or something?" Ally asked, her eyes heavy with concern. She held up her mixed drink. Christie stared at it a moment, then shook her head.
"No, thanks." Christie gripped her fingers together on the tabletop.
"He hurt you!" Ally exclaimed, outraged, as she reached for her hand.
With a frown Christie looked at the red puffiness of her wrist. "It’s okay."
Buddy came back inside. "He’s gone." Disgusted, he looked around the almost empty barroom. "He must have climbed the short fence out back and left that way because the gate is locked. Just in case I’ll ask around to see if anyone’s seen him."
Christie waited around with Ally until Randy arrived. When he first walked in the room, if it wasn’t for his dark blue uniform she would have mistaken him again for Garrett.
He came right over to her. "Christie, I got Ally’s message. Are you okay?"
"I’m okay. I was more scared than anything."
"Look what he did to her wrist, Randy," Ally said with disgust.
Grimly, Randy examined the discolored skin. "I’ll put a call out on the radio. Hopefully we can round Les up by morning." He looked at Ally. "Did you see him hanging around?"
"No, but I heard Kim left, so maybe that’s what set him off."
Christie shuddered. "He’d been drinking. He accused me of stealing his wife’s job. It seems he’s been stuck on that since we first met, even though Garrett told him that’s not so."
"Let’s get you home, Christie," Randy said. "You look pretty shaken up."
"I’ll take her," Ally said.
"We’ll do the best we can to bring him in," Randy said. "I promise you that."
Christie stopped in her tracks and turned back to Randy. "Wait, there is one more thing that struck me. He made a remark that if Garrett wasn’t careful, he’d see he lost the farm, and his shirt too. I know the fire is still under investigation. You don’t think Les could be involved, do you?"
Grimly, Randy said, "I’ve already brought that up to Garrett. We’re checking out any lead we can. The best thing for you to do is get back home." He looked at Ally. "You take Christie and I’ll follow in my car."
There was nothing more Christie could say. The night had turned sour and she just wanted to get back to the ranch. Right now it seemed the only safe haven.
Chapter Sixteen
Garrett tipped his chair back. Dusk settled around him on the small porch, the night painting the hills in an eerie half-light. Even the night creatures were quiet tonight, as if a storm brewed somewhere.
Hannah had finally fallen asleep and Sam had taken Ruth out to a movie, so he had the house to himself. Garrett had had plenty of time to go over the angry words he’d spoken to Christie. He was honest enough to admit he was missing her like hell. Garrett closed his eyes. What had happened to him? Had he become so afraid of being hurt that his only recourse was to push her away? She’d been honest with him. She could have kept it a secret, the money she’d sent Judith, but she’d elected to tell him the truth. And to hell with the money anyway. Judith would have found another way to leave even if Christie hadn't sent her the money.
What man in his right mind would push a woman like Christie away? Soft, warm, kind, sexy as hell. When they’d danced under the stars to the sad, soulful croon of Patsy Cline she’d felt like she belonged in his arms. It had almost felt like forever, a notion he hadn’t entertained in a long time.
As he wrestled with the idea of trying to mend the hurts he had inflicted, Garrett heard the sound of a car in the driveway. He rose quickly and walked across the terrace, then loped around the corner of the house, his heart racing like a teenager’s in anticipation of seeing his favorite girl.
A dark car sat idling in his driveway, the headlights cutting a path across the yard. A tall stranger stood on his back step at the screen door.
Garrett halted. "Can I help you?" he called out.
The man turned and walked back down the steps toward him. Garrett sized him up. Early twenties, long black hair on his shoulders, lean face, slim build.
"I thought I’d have to drive back to that last town I went through." Relief showed on the man’s face. "I’m Darrell Anderson. I’m looking for Christine Jenkins."
Garrett’s head reared back. "Christie?"
The man nodded. "Yeah. I had a hell of a time tracking her down. All she mentioned was Winding Creek and Kentucky. Luckily, your place is well known."
"Are you Darrell, her brother in law?" he asked crisply.
"Yeah -- so she’s mentioned me. My son’s been missing her. I had time off so I decided to drive down."
Garrett could now see Darrell was sizing him up.
"Who are you?" Darrell asked.
"Garrett McIntyre. I own this ranch. Christie works for me."
Darrell looked startled. "What ... she’s working down here? She didn’t mention that."
Just then the back door of the car o
pened and a small figure climbed out. A child walked over to the man and clung to his side. Garrett swore his heart stopped. The boy’s face was framed by hair as dark as the man’s but the eyes, mouth and brows were a miniature replica of Christie’s.
###
Christie called goodnight to Ally as she stood by the barn. She'd told them she would tell Garrett what happened. She didn't want a lot of trouble started over this. After Ally drove off, followed by Randy in his cruiser, she studied the moon a moment, enjoying the quiet wash of the night air against her face. Christie pushed her fingers through her hair, rubbing her temples in an effort to dispel the headache that had started earlier. She was glad she’d moved her belongings back into the barn. The smoke odor had dissipated in a surprisingly short amount of time so she had decided to get out from under Garrett’s feet.
Surprisingly, the house was still well lit. Usually Garrett only had his office light or the living room light on this late. She held her wrist up to see her watch by the security light overhead. It was almost midnight. Something must be wrong.
Christie moved across the moon-washed yard, glancing quickly to the right and the left, suddenly leery of the shadows near the buildings. She realized she must be more shook up by Les’s attack than she’d earlier realized. Could Les have been out there in the shadows watching her at other times?
Her legs felt shaky as she walked up the steps and into the house through the kitchen door. She would check to make sure everything was okay and then go back to her apartment. As she crossed the kitchen she could hear voices. She walked down the hallway and stopped at the living room entrance.
Stunned, she looked at her brother-in-law, Darrell, in Garrett’s living room. Darrell and Garrett were both inspecting an old rifle lying across the oak coffee table. A part of Christie’s brain noticed the glass door was open to the gun rack behind Garrett’s chair.
"Darrell!"
Both men stopped talking. She gripped the door handle, staring at Darrell, then darted a glance at Garrett but his face wavered before her. She could see his mouth forming words but she couldn’t hear them.
Garrett came over and gripped her cold hands. "Your hands are so warm," she murmured, allowing him to draw her into the room.
"Christie, sit down. You look like you’ve seen a ghost."
She found herself on the couch. When Garrett moved back she noticed Eric in Garrett’s large chair. She gave a small squeal of excitement, then clapped her hand over her mouth. His body was curled into a tight ball and he was sound asleep.
Hurriedly, Christie looked up at Darrell. "Why are you here?" she demanded.
"I was worried about you."
She gave him a searing glance, unable to contain the anger that always seemed to flare. "Why would you worry about my leaving?"
"Jesus, Christie." He pushed his hands through his hair and the gesture seemed one of impatience. Darrell had never been one for patience. "How long do I have to pay for leaving Ellen?"
Christie felt like she’d been dashed with cold water, suddenly mortified by what she’d said. Why was she being hateful? She tried to pull the emotion back inside but it was growing. So much anger, so much anguish. She felt incredibly unsettled and looked at Garrett helplessly. "My family seems determined to intrude on your life here."
"It’s not an intrusion," he said quietly, his eyes watchful. "I’ve invited Darrell and Eric to stay at the farm while they’re in Kentucky."
"What?" She glared at Darrell.
Darrell looked away from her. "I had planned to find a motel," he said. "Garrett thought maybe you’d like to see Eric and if he was here close by it would be easier ..." he let his voice trail off.
"Also, Hannah and Eric could meet," Garrett said.
Christie felt frozen and confused. Was Darrell being considerate of her feelings? She stood up. "I’m sorry, Darrell," she said stiffly. "It’s just been a shock. I didn’t expect to walk in and find you." She turned to look at Eric, loving the angelic face, his features relaxed in sleep. Gently, she touched his arm and then looked up at Darrell, fighting back the tears and emotion; the memories. "I’m so glad you brought Eric. I have missed him."
"Well, we’ll be here in the morning and then he’ll be able to talk your ear off."
Christie didn’t miss the relief in Darrell’s voice. What kind of person was she that she had such a blind spot where he was concerned? At least he had come back in the end and taken care of his son. It’s more than her father had ever done for any of them.
"It’s late," Garrett said. He lifted the rifle from the coffee table and placed it back in the gun cabinet. Closing the door, he locked it and pocketed the key. "The rest of this can wait until tomorrow. Let’s get you two settled in the bunkhouse."
Christie looked at Garrett in surprise. "They’re staying in the bunkhouse?"
Garrett nodded. "Sure. There’s enough room with only Emmet and Joey there now. It’s rough but it’s clean."
"And I really appreciate it, Garrett," Darrell said. "It’s been a long drive and I’ll admit I’m bushed."
Christie clenched her hands. She had to make up for her earlier attitude. Was she some kind of monster? Why couldn’t she just believe Darrell when he said he had been worried about her?
"Darrell, I’ll see you get settled in," she said firmly, looking at Garrett to see if it was okay with him. He nodded.
Darrell watched her with wary surprise. "Okay. I’ll get Eric and I’ll follow you."
The intensity of Garrett’s light colored eyes seemed to bore into her. He probably thought her attitude was horrible; harboring resentment against her sister’s husband. Christie wished she knew how to get rid of those feelings but each time she saw Darrell she was reminded of the way he’d abandoned her sister. How could she ever forgive that? Was it even up to her to forgive him?
###
Christie led the way on the short walk to the bunkhouse, her mind going in all directions. On the one hand she was glad to see Eric, but on the other hand, Darrell’s presence made her tense, wary. She rubbed the back of her neck and shook her head. Darrell was Darrell. He was Eric’s father and she had to make the best of the situation.
Christie opened the bunkhouse’s wooden door. She had been in here once with Ally, so she knew the basic layout. She flipped the switch and indicated Darrell should precede her into the room.
"Emmet and Joey won’t be back until Sunday night, but I’ll leave a note on the door letting them know you’re here. They’re nice kids, you won’t have a problem with them."
Christie opened a side door off the main kitchen/living room combination. "The bathroom is through here and the extra bedroom has two beds."
Christie stood in the bedroom doorway as Darrell carefully laid his sleeping son on the mattress. Eric stirred and opened his eyes. He let out a small cry when he saw Christie, one that went straight to her heart. "Aunt Christie!"
She moved to kneel by his side and gently pushed the hair off his forehead. "Hello, Eric." Tears started to her eyes. "I’m so glad to see you, Kiddo."
"I missed you," he murmured, putting his arms tightly around her neck. Christie met Darrell’s eyes over Eric’s shoulder. They seemed to say, ‘I told you so.’
"But now we’re together," she said brightly, pulling back. "And you’ve gotten even more handsome."
Eric gave her his sweet smile and he yawned.
"You need to go back to sleep," Christie said. She stood, intending to pull the blanket back over Eric, but Darrell’s hand was there first. Eric closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
Christie backed up against the door, surprised by Darrell’s care as he covered Eric. When he left the bedroom she stepped back into the main room and pulled the door to the room closed.
"Garrett seems like a real nice guy," Darrell said. "He was kind of protective at first and wouldn’t let out much information. Almost made me a little suspicious, wondering what your relationship is with him."
"My relationships ar
en’t your concern," she said sharply. "Why are you here?"
"I told you why." He let out a deep breath and sank into one of the armchairs beside a small fireplace. Pushing a pair of cowboy boots to one side he stretched his legs out. "I know I’ve given you reason to doubt me in the past," he looked at her with one eye open, "okay, plenty of reason," he amended. "But I’m on the up-and-up. I want what’s best for my son." He gave a big sigh. "Christie, let’s have this out, we can’t avoid it any more. I loved Ellen, but I left, plain and simple. I was scared, I didn’t want to deal with her illness, the responsibility of it. I knew you’d be there for her," he ended bitterly.
Christie felt the hair rise on the back of her neck. "Of course I was there. What does that mean?"
"You were always there to pick up the pieces," he said. "If Ellen needed someone, she’d run to you. Hell, she was so dependent on you she sometimes forgot I was her husband. Do you know what that’s like? You knew every minute detail of our lives. There was no privacy."
Feeling the couch at the back of her knees Christie sank down onto the cushion. "But I was her sister. We took care of each other. You know our parents weren’t there."
"I know. I understand. But I never liked it. Call me shallow, but she needed you more than she ever needed me." He tipped his head back and looked up at the ceiling, then looked sideways at her. "In the beginning it caused a lot of fighting. After a while I accepted it. Do you know why?"
Wordlessly, Christie shook her head.
"Because I loved her. Ellen was a wonderful, vibrant woman, I don’t have to tell you. I loved her and I knew she loved you. I knew when I got scared and left you would stay. She wouldn’t be alone."
Now Christie looked away, memories slamming her. "I could never leave her."
Echoes From The Past (Women of Character) Page 21