“I don’t believe you! I’ll ask Lynx when he comes home.”
Salina laughed maliciously. “I would not corner a fierce wolf. Lynx is sly, ruthless, and deadly. Do you honestly think he will confess such things to you? You play the fool! He will lie to you or attack. Will you risk either reaction?”
“If such things are true, how did you learn them?” Calinda questioned, her sarcastic tone voicing her doubts of Salina’s honesty.
“I saw Lynx searching your room, and I heard him tell his father many things. That is how I know you will not last long. If I am right, Lynx married you to trap you here while he investigates you. It is strange they do not want you seeking your own father…I wonder what they hide from you…” she mumbled thoughtfully.
“At least you’re being open with your resentment and hatred. If I ever catch you spying on any of us, I’ll force a choice between us. No matter who wins or loses,” she told Salina, then went to Lynx’s room to do some heavy thinking.
Calinda paced the floor as distressing questions stormed her mind. Lynx hadn’t left a note this morning. Did he feel he owned her now, that it wasn’t necessary? Perhaps he had given Rankin a message to pass along to her. But why had he confessed the truth to Rankin, then sworn him to secrecy? If such was true, it was painful.
Why was she allowing that vicious girl’s statements to haunt her, to inspire mistrust? Why had the men drawn Salina into their schemes and confidence? If Salina had repeated Rankin’s words accurately, they didn’t want or plan for Calinda to take over anything. But she was Lynx’s wife, the new mistress of this house! How could they allow a mere servant to have more authority and power?
Had Salina lied to her? Had Salina deviously misled the two men? Had that tempestuous Mexican girl told Lynx everything? If so, no wonder Lynx didn’t trust his wife. Cal didn’t like him searching her room, but she couldn’t blame him for his mistrust back then. But now? Investigate his own wife? Was there a vital reason for marrying her quickly and holding her here on the ranch? Yet, she begrudgingly agreed with Salina; they were withholding facts.
Calinda knew she had trusted that sly vixen too easily. Perhaps Salina knew more than she was telling; she was behaving awfully smugly and brazenly. If there was future trouble between them, Salina would try her best to make certain Calinda was blamed for it. Calinda scolded herself for being so trusting, naive, and gullible. She should have known that little witch wouldn’t take their marriage calmly. As surely as the sun was up, Salina was plotting and practicing more mischief. It would be wise to keep a close eye on that devilish girl.
Calinda was distressed and alarmed by their deceptions and her husband’s sneaky departure. So much for his statement of discussing it this morning. He had avoided a scene by slipping out early. She vowed to clear the air with everyone the moment Lynx came home.
Rankin returned shortly after five. He was in a cheerful mood, smiling and chatting with the subdued Calinda. He grinned and teased her about missing Lynx already. He told her he had gone into town to send telegrams to their distant friends, to reveal Lynx’s marriage. He didn’t tell Calinda he had sent the announcement to newspapers over the state, nor that he had done so to take a last stab at luring Brax out of hiding. If anything would draw Brax out of concealment, his daughter’s marital entanglement with a Cardone should do it…
Calinda asked Rankin where Lynx had gone and when he was expected to be home again. Rankin sighed and told her, “He was heading back to Junction, if it isn’t too late to carry out his…business there. What do you say to some cards and sherry?” he tried to distract her, but they both caught his slip.
Calinda pretended not to notice it. She smiled and nodded. As they played cards and sipped sherry, she asked Rankin what kind of work Lynx did. Her head was lowered to prevent Rankin from noticing her close observation. “He used to take odd jobs for excitement and a good reason for staying away from home. Now, he’s trying to locate two bulls for breeding. In cattle country, it’s important to keep good blood in the breeding line. He’ll be traveling around to several ranches to check out their stock. Plus, he’s setting up the plans for the next cattle drive to market.”
“How long will he be away?” she continued, knowing Rankin was deceiving her.
“I would venture a guess at three or four weeks. Are you mad at him, Cal?” Rankin asked anxiously.
“I’m just disappointed that breeding bulls are more important than a new bride,” she said, letting him know she was indeed rankled. Evidently her new father-in-law had forgotten that both men had vowed the honorable and reliable Lynx was heading south to keep a promise which his pride demanded he fulfill. Now, Ranking was telling her Lynx was merely checking out bulls and round-ups! Didn’t he realize such lies didn’t excuse Lynx’s hasty flight and absence at this special time?
“Is something bothering you, Cal?” he asked in panic.
She glanced up, her expression innocent. “No, I was just studying my hand. Someday I’ll have this cunning game under control. I’m never sure when to bluff or fold. It’s difficult to tell which hand is better.” Rankin didn’t realize that Calinda wasn’t referring to their card game, but he did note the odd inflection in her voice.
“Maybe your concentration is bad tonight,” he teased.
“I think you’re right. Yesterday was a busy day and late night. I think I’ll turn in, Rankin. See you tomorrow.” As she stood up, she halted to ask, “What about my new duties around the house?”
“New duties?” he queried confusedly.
She laughed brightly. “I am Lynx’s wife now, the new mistress of the Cardone Ranch. Surely I will assume part of running the house?”
“That isn’t necessary, Cal; Salina can handle everything. You don’t need to slave here when we have an excellent housekeeper and cook. Why don’t you spend your time re-doing the bedrooms? You could also use some new clothes. It’s the custom to visit the neighbors and get better acquainted, to invite them over occasionally for dinner.”
“You make it sound as if I’m to be a hostess and decoration around here,” she jested cunningly. “I should learn how to run the house, Rankin. What if Salina got sick or left? I would be lost; I hardly know where to find anything,” she reasoned logically for his reaction. She waited for Rankin to think up a good excuse.
“We could make do for a few days if she took ill. But why would Salina leave? She loves it here.”
“She’s a young and pretty woman, Rankin. She might find someone to marry. If so, she would want her own home and family.”
“Salina marry?” he mocked playfully. “That girl’s too wild; she likes too many men to settle for one. She doesn’t strike me as the wifey, motherly type. Is there some problem between you two? Do you want her to leave?” A look of concern washed over his face.
“That isn’t what I meant, Rankin. I don’t want to take her place; I doubt I could run this house alone. I haven’t had any experience. I just wanted to help out and learn everything. That is the custom for a wife, isn’t it?” She laughed softly to disarm him.
“Only if she isn’t lucky and wealthy enough to have a servant. Salina’s a feisty girl, Cal. She doesn’t like anyone in her way. Could you wait a while before making your new role known to her? Let her get used to having you here. If she starts to feel unwanted or in your way, she might take offense and leave. As you said, you can’t run this big house alone. Just give it some time,” he coaxed.
“But she won’t even let me help with little things, Rankin,” she softly argued, her fears and doubts concealed from him. Besides Salina had been given plenty of time to get adjusted to her presence.
“She’s just insecure right now, Cal. Your arrival and marriage have been shocks for her, big changes. She’ll settle down. Just relax and be patient. Besides, you’ll need your energy and rest if a baby comes along,” he hinted, grinning wistfully.
A baby, Calinda mentally sneered. How can I get with child when my husband isn’t around enough to
make love to me! “If it will cause dissension, I’ll do as you say. But I’ll need something to occupy my time and hands.”
“There’ll be plenty of work when Lynx comes home.”
Calinda want to scoff, but what about until then? She didn’t. “I suppose so. Goodnight, Rankin,” she said in a muffled voice.
Leaning against the wall outside the open doubledoors, Salina smiled to herself. She stealthily made her way to her room, concluding Rankin had played right into her devious scheme and put Calinda in a wary and uncomfortable position. That should teach Cal a thing or two!
When Calinda got to her room, she sat in the middle of her bed, ensnared by depression and worry. Evidently Salina had spoken accurately; that deduction infuriated and troubled her. Something was terribly wrong in this house and with the two men. Perhaps she shouldn’t have married Lynx so hurriedly, so impulsively. It almost appeared they had more confidence in Salina, more affection for her, more fear of offending her than Calinda. She needed to unravel this mystery confronting her, but first she needed more evidence or clues. She fretted over this new situation. Just as she was solving one puzzle, a new one appeared; or was it merely unexpected pieces to the old one? It saddened and alarmed her to suspect she couldn’t trust her new family.
To prove her new position, Calinda dressed for bed and went into Lynx’s room. She would show that little witch! Let her do all the plotting and grinning she wished, but it wouldn’t change things. After all, it was a natural arrangement, one which might irritate Salina. Hopefully that vixen would squirm in her bed downstairs, knowing Calinda was occupying Lynx’s room and bed right above her. That should teach her a much needed lesson! Calinda wasn’t normally a spiteful person; but something was troubling her deeply, something which she didn’t quite recognize or comprehend.
Calinda spent a restless night in her love’s room. His manly odor still lingered on the wrinkled sheets. The masculine decor loudly announced its intoxicating owner. She was haunted by his past presence and his tormenting absence. She fretted over the facts which she had discovered today. Her body hungered for his touch; her heart cried at his actions; her mind spun with the plaguing riddle.
Cal awoke early, the bed rumpled from her tossings Having slept little, she was jittery and fatigued. After pulling on her clothes and brushing her hair, she closed the door and reluctantly went downstairs for coffee, relieved Salina wasn’t around. When she returned to Lynx’s room with the cup in hand, the door was standing open. She went inside to find the room empty. She stared at the sheets which showed the signs of their heated night of lovemaking and the vivid evidence of her restive night alone. Besieged with anger, she yanked off the sheets to change them.
“What are you doing now?” Salina shrieked at her from the doorway, startling Calinda. “Get out of here; I have work to do.”
“If you aren’t blind or simple-minded, Salina, it’s obvious I’m changing the sheets,” she quipped bitterly.
“That is my job. This is Lynx’s room; I am responsible for cleaning it. Go back to your room where you belong,” Salina commanded.
“This is my room, too! I’ll take care of it from now on. As Lynx’s wife, here is where I belong and plan to stay. Don’t set foot in here again without my permission!” she shouted at the venomous girl.
“Did Lynx say you could move in here?” Salina brazenly pressed.
“He didn’t have to! I’m his wife!” she stressed to vex Salina.
“He will be angry. He loves privacy.”
“If he didn’t want me around, he wouldn’t have married me, idiot! I’m moving my things in here today,” she sassily informed Salina, outraged and angered by the girl’s audacious behavior.
“I wouldn’t until he agrees,” Salina told her.
“You don’t honestly think we’ll have separate rooms or that he’ll kick me of our bedroom?” Calinda sneered smugly.
“Do not forget I warned you. Even so, I am the housekeeper. You do not fool me, puta. If you are trying to hide the truth, you are tarde. Either you did not sleep with him, or it was not the first time. There is no virgin’s blood staining them,” she vulgarly announced.
Calinda was shocked by Salina’s unforgivable language and actions. “How dare you, you bitch!” Calinda screamed at her.
Suddenly Rankin was standing in the doorway. “What’s going on in here? Cal, I could hear you screaming all the way downstairs.”
“Tell him,” Salina wickedly suggested. “About the sheets,” she maliciously added, her insinuation clear to Calinda.
Calinda mastered her poise and temper, knowing she had rashly stepped into Salina’s trap. “I’m sorry for my outburst, Rankin. I’m just tired and edgy this morning; I didn’t sleep well last night. Something I ate didn’t sit well in my stomach. I suppose I’m still adjusting to Salina’s spicy cooking. I was trying to explain to Salina that I prefer to take care of mine and Lynx’s room, that I would like some privacy in here. I was annoyed when she barged in without knocking, then ordered me to leave and let her do my chores. I’m not accustomed to being waited on like a baby or invalid; I will perform my own personal chores. Salina feels I’m usurping her authority and position by changing the sheets on my own bed. I hardly feel it’s important to quarrel over such a small task. When Salina disagreed, I asked her to stay out of my room, to never enter again without knocking or asking permission.”
“Then why the shouting and screaming at her?” he asked, sure Cal wasn’t telling him everything.
“She informed me it was Lynx’s room and I would need his permission to move in here. Is that true, Rankin?” she challenged, her gaze piercing and frosty. Salina had forced this confrontation, so she could face the consequences. If they preferred to side with Salina, it was best to know immediately. Calinda’s nerves were frayed and sensitive. At that moment, she didn’t care what truth spilled forth; she didn’t care what Salina exposed or alleged. Salina was trying to intimidate and torment her, and Calinda was pressed against the wall.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you two women, but this argument is silly. Settle down, Cal. It was a simple mistake. Salina is used to coming and going at will; she probably forgot you would be in here. It sounds awfully unfriendly to order her to never enter this room. You’re just tired. Why don’t you let Salina clean up in here while you rest? If you demand your privacy, she won’t come in here again. Salina knows Lynx’s quirks; she assumed he would like to be asked about the move before it takes place,” he stated diplomatically.
Calinda’s gaze slipped over Rankin’s shoulder to witness the taunting sneer on Salina’s smug face. “I will take care of this room myself; I prefer total privacy in here. Surely with the entire house under her control, she has more than enough to keep her busy?” she stated distinctly, stressing most of her words, refusing to back down or soften her chosen stance. She would discover just how much power that little witch possessed!
Rankin sensed a deeper problem here than either of them revealed. He wondered how he should handle it. Was it simple female rivalry? “Of course you can have full control of your own room, Cal, if that’s what you demand,” he stated finally, using words which nettled Calinda. “But I do wish you would try harder to get along with Salina. She did a marvelous job with the wedding party and decorations yesterday. And she does work hard for us.”
“I offered Salina a truce, Rankin; she doesn’t want one. She seems intent on making me feel a stranger here, an undesirable one at that. She takes offense at everything I say or do; she constantly corrects or scolds me like a bratty child. I don’t plan to spend my days walking on eggshells around her. If she dislikes me and my presence so much, perhaps she would be happier working elsewhere.”
“Senora Cardone, surely you do not ask him to fire me?” Salina carefuly wailed, phony tears coming to her cold eyes. “I was only trying to help you. Why do you despise me? The Cardones are like my family, the ranch like my home. Where would I go?”
“I have nev
er despised you, Salina, but I do resent your hateful attitude and surly manner when no one else is around. I also dislike your phony politeness and friendliness when they’re present. Your two faces are wearing thin. Either accept me here and be friends, or one of us should leave. If we can’t be friends, at least stop being my enemy. I’m not taking any more of your insults and threats. If Rankin and Lynx hold more affection and respect for you than me, then perhaps you were right moments ago when you said I didn’t belong here.” Calinda glowered at Salina; let her get out of those charges, she decided.
Salina realized she had pushed too hard this soon; she slyly relented. “Perdon if I treated you badly. Perhaps I am overly tired and tensed from the extra work from the wedding. It will not happen again. I am a bossy and out-spoken person by nature; I did not mean to anger you. I will try not to be so sensitive to your help. Would you like for me to wash those sheets for you?” she sweetly inquired.
Calinda saw through her ploy to make her the villainess. She smiled and nodded. “If you mean it, Salina, that’s fine with me. I’m even willing to meet you more than half way. I have tried to convince you I have no intentions of taking your place or encouraging you to leave. When Lynx comes home and we start a family, we’ll all need your loyalty and help. Then, after the baby comes, I’ll need to spend most of my time with our son, or daughter.”
“Bueno, that’s a start,” Rankin complimented both women, sighing in relief, ignoring the seriousness of their conflict. “I’ll see you two later; I have some work to finish.”
After he left, Calinda reached over and gathered the sheets. Tossing them to Salina, she smiled confidently and stated, “Thanks for the help, Salina. Where are the clean lines kept?”
“I will bring them,” the girl replied, observing the dauntless Calinda with new vision. It was clear this cerdo would get in the mud to battle if pressed. Salina knew she had underestimated Calinda’s determination. She must be more careful in the future…
First Love Wild Love Page 24