Savage Land

by Janet Dailey

  An hour later she wandered out into the shaded backyard where her aunt was busily at work among her roses. Coley watched indifferently the sure clipping of the scissors in the gloved hands. The floppy straw hat picturesquely framed the silver-white hair while protecting the face from the steady rays of the sun. Coley approached her aunt slowly, trying to phrase the words that would explain her unsuccessful meeting with Uncle Ben.

  'Colleen dear, I wondered where you were,’ her aunt's voice sang out. ‘I was dusting my roses. Don't you just love roses? They have such a classical but intricate design to them that they never cease to delight me. The buds are so fragile and delicate, and the full blooms are so rich and velvety. But the fragrance is like a heady wine, sweet and tantalizing.’ Fervidly she turned, expecting Coley's affirmation. But Coley hadn't been following her aunt's words. She was wrapped up in her worries about Ben Savage. ‘What's the matter, dear? Didn't your talk with Benjamin go well?'

  Coley shook her head glumly.

  'Let's go over here and sit down,’ Aunt Wilhelmina said, pulling off a glove and placing the varnished-nailed hand on Coley's shoulder. She guided her towards a group of lawn furniture under a spreading oak. ‘You can tell me all about it.'

  Slowly Coley began her story, stuttering for the words, then rushing incoherently when she couldn't find them. She ended in a burst of tears.

  'There, there’ comforted her aunt. ‘I probably should have mentioned to you how touchy he is about his paralysis. He didn't mean anything by it. I'm sure he was sorry for his temper afterwards. He likes to think of himself as so independent of anyone else that the least reference to the fact that there's something he can't do for himself sends him into a rage. He knows you aren't the kind of person to mean anything by it.'

  'I hope so, Aunt Willy,’ sobbed Coley, twisting her hands nervously in her lap. She looked earnestly in her aunt's face. ‘I tried to tell him I was sorry.'

  'It's best not to say anything. Pretend that everything went well and forget that burst of temper of his.'

  'But it happened!'

  'Of course, but bringing it up won't make you or Benjamin feel any better about it, now will it?’ reasoned Aunt Willy.

  'No,’ Coley agreed, wiping the tears from her cheeks and smiling into the jewelled eyeglasses.

  'I have an idea. Benjamin always likes some tea before dinner. Why don't you go to the kitchen and have Maggie fix a pot? Then you can take it to him as a sort of peace-offering.'

  'All right.'

  'Put a cold cloth on those eyes of yours first,’ instructed Aunt Willy, rising as Coley did. ‘Otherwise he'll recognize those red eyes and swollen lids as the result of a good bout of tears and will feel twice as guilty.'

  'Yes, Aunt Willy,’ Coley called back, already hurrying back towards the white house.

  Entering the back door into the kitchen, she spied the housekeeper cleaning some vegetables over the sink. Quickly she walked over to stand beside the thin, middle-aged woman.

  'Aunt Willy suggested I see if you could fix a pot of tea for Uncle Ben.'

  'I've already got it brewin’ on the stove and the tray is sittin’ on the table,’ the woman answered tersely, the rhythmic strokes of the brush unbroken by the conversation. ‘T'will be ready in a jiffy.'

  'I'll take it in to him as soon as I clean up,’ Coley replied, a little awed by the businesslike housekeeper.

  The cold of the washcloth felt good against her face. After a few applications, the redness left and the swelling was down. Coley's cheeks looked quite pale, so she pinched them tightly to bring the blood to the surface. She really felt much better. Quickly she hung the towel and washcloth on the rack and hurried back to the kitchen. The flowered teapot was now sitting on the tray with the cup and saucer.

  'If you'd like me to come back and help you, I will,’ she offered as she picked up the tray.

  'I've been doin’ everything by myself for eight years, I guess I can do it for eight more,’ Maggie retorted, her back to Coley.

  Feeling she had already put her foot in her mouth once today, Coley left without saying anything else. She hummed happily as she walked down the hallway towards her uncle's study. At least she could let Ben know that she held no hard feelings towards him. A few steps from the open door she heard someone talking.

  'We only lost four head to the flood.’ It was Jase with Ben.

  'You could have sent out one of the hands to find that out,’ Ben said irritably.

  'I needed the air.'

  Coley stopped short of the doorway, sensing a hostility in the conversation.

  'Oh, you did, did you! Here I thought maybe you'd left for good.’ There was a trace of sarcasm in the invalid's words.

  'You should have learned by now I'll never leave,’ Jase's voice raised to emphasize the last word. ‘As long as there's an inch of land left that's Savage land, I'll be here. You might as well get used to that fact.'

  Curiosity drove Coley to the doorway to view the tail, broad-shouldered man leaning on the desk towards the old man in the wheelchair. The bitterness and hatred etched on their faces stunned her.

  'You should have left! No murderer will ever get one grain of dirt on this ranch!’ Ben cried.

  'Then you'd better throw me off.’ Coley watched horrified as anger twisted Ben's face at Jase's words. ‘But you can't, can you! And furthermore, you wouldn't if you could,’ Jase went on sarcastically. ‘Because you need me. Your precious Tony would destroy everything you've worked for in a week. You need me!'

  In a fit of frustration, Ben wheeled his chair away from Jase to stop with his eyes on Coley. At Ben's startled expression, Jase turned, too. It took but an instant for him to assess the horrified and incredulous expression on her face before he turned away towards the window.

  'I brought your tea, Uncle Ben.’ Coley's small voice was followed by a heavy silence.

  'Bring it in, girl,’ he instructed gruffly.

  She practically ran into the room, the tea cup rattling in its saucer in protest. All the while her mind raced. Was Jase going to speak to her? Would he tell Uncle Ben they'd spent the night together during the storm? What would she say if Uncle Ben introduced them? But Ben had no such intention.

  'Thank you,’ he said as she set the tray down on his desk. ‘You can go now.'

  She nodded and turned towards Jase. He still hadn't shaved, though now the beard almost covered the scar, but nothing covered the ice-blue eyes that challenged her. She hesitated only momentarily in front of him, drawn to him in spite of her fear, just as she had been that night, before she rushed out of the room.

  Chapter Three

  COLEY stared out her bedroom window nibbling unconsciously the nail on her forefinger. She had come upstairs to dress for dinner. Aunt Willy told her it had been the custom for many years to dress for the evening meal. It was exceedingly easy, Aunt Willy said, to sit down in workclothes, bolt your food and finish the evening in a state of apathy, but dressing up made you feel like a new person; a leisurely meal gives an atmosphere of congeniality; and the evening takes on a refreshing air. It all sounded very grand to Coley if she could just shake off the uneasy feeling she had.

  On the surface everything was just the way she had always dreamed a home would be. The house was roomy and comfortable. Aunt Willy was sweet and caring. Even Ben was likeable in spite of his gruffness. But underneath was a foreboding of the hidden things she didn't know; things that could destroy her precarious sense of security. And Jase was the key to it all, the man who had rescued her in the storm, who, even though he frightened her a little, had made her feel safe and protected.

  She stared down at the bold flowers splashed on the synthetic material of her dress. The mud stains were all gone now, thanks to Maggie. It was her best dress, but Coley knew it didn't measure up to Aunt Willy's sophisticated tastes. It was just a cheap dress different from her others only because she bought it and it wasn't someone's hand-me-down. She glanced out the window again. Her morose expression
lifted as she recognized her brother walking through the yard gate. She rushed quickly out of the room and down the stairs to be at the door when her brother entered.

  'Danny!’ she cried gaily. ‘I've been watching for you to come.'

  'Hi!’ He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and continued towards the stairs. ‘What have you been doing all day?'

  'What have you been doing all day?’ Coley countered. ‘You were gone before I got up and I missed you for lunch.'

  'Can't you tell what I've been doing?’ he smiled. ‘Smell.'

  'Whew!’ she exclaimed, inhaling deeply next to his shoulder.

  'I had the glamorous job of cleaning the barns.’ He grimaced playfully at her before scooting her on ahead of him up the last step.

  'Oh, poor Danny,’ Coley laughed. She swung his hand happily as they walked down the hall to his bedroom. ‘Thank heaven, we're supposed to dress for dinner or Aunt Willy would never allow you at the table. Did you know about that—dressing for dinner, I mean?'

  'Yeah, Tony told me about it.’ He unbuttoned his shirt to take it off. ‘Now tell me, what have you been doing.'

  'Nothing.'

  'Nothing? Did you go in and talk to the old man?’ His brown eyes watched her reaction carefully.

  'Yes, I did,’ Coley answered, seating herself on his bed. But her thoughts weren't on her meeting with him, but on the conversation she had overheard between Ben and Jase.

  'How did it go?'

  'All right, except he doesn't know what to do with me.'

  She plucked nervously at the chenille bedspread.

  'Don't worry about it. I told him I'd take care of paying for your keep.’ He rolled his shirt into a ball and tossed it in the hamper. He smiled over at her. ‘Of course, he assured me that I would.'

  Coley smiled in understanding. ‘What did you think of him, Danny?'

  He paused before answering. ‘I like him. I mean, he's rough and says what he thinks, but I like him.'

  'So do I.'

  'When I was out there cleaning the barn, I thought about how he can't even get out there to see if I'm doing my job. He's got to be hard or everything he's worked for will crumble away. Do you know what I mean, Coley?’ She nodded. ‘I don't feel sorry for him. You can't pity a man like that even if he is an invalid. I said as much to Tony, but he just laughed. I don't think he understood what I meant.'

  Jase's words rushed back to Coley. ‘Your precious Tony would destroy everything you've worked for in a week.’ She sat silently on the bed, debating whether she should tell Danny the things she had overheard.

  'Come on,’ her brother said, taking hold of her hand and pulling her off the bed. ‘You'd better clear out. I've got to shower and change yet and your jabbering is holding me up. I'll meet you downstairs.'

  'Okay.’ She left the room meekly, not yet willing to put her thoughts into words.

  'Colleen! Oh, there you are,’ said her aunt, standing at the bottom of the stairs. ‘Would you help Maggie set the table? I haven't got the flowers done yet or I'd give her a hand. I didn't realize it was so close to dinner time.'

  'I don't mind,’ Coley answered, skipping on down the steps.

  'Is your brother ready yet?’ At Coley's negative shake, Aunt Willy pursed her lips nervously. ‘Well, it never takes men long to get ready,’ she mused, and bustled Coley into the dining room. ‘The silverware is in the china cabinet over there. The rest of the things Maggie has in the kitchen.'

  Coley glanced around at the six plates resting on the white tablecloth. ‘Is Maggie eating with us tonight?'

  'Oh, no, dear. She says that hopping up and down is bad for her digestion, so she eats later.'

  'Who's the extra plate for?’ Coley asked.

  'Oh, didn't I tell you? Benjamin's grandson will be here for dinner this evening. Now really you must hurry. The men will be coming in shortly and the table won't be ready.'

  Coley placed the silver around the table, filled the glasses with iced water, and brought in the necessary salt, pepper, butter, sugar and cream containers from the kitchen. Danny entered the room as Aunt Wilhelmina was putting the finishing touches on the centre-piece and Coley was ticking off on her fingers the various items on the table.

  'Is dinner ready?’ Danny asked, stretching and patting his stomach hungrily.

  'Mmm,’ Aunt Willy answered absently, stepping back to admire her handiwork. ‘We'll be sitting down presently. My, but you look nice, Daniel.'

  Coley glowed at the praise for her brother. His crisply starched white shirt and brown trousers did make him look rather attractive, especially with his fresh scrubbed face, and the water still clinging brightly to his immaculately combed hair. A murmur of voices sounded from the hallway.

  'That will be the men coming.’ Aunt Willy adjusted the strand of pearls around her neck and patted the silver waves that wouldn't think of being out of place.

  Coley and Danny turned to the arched doorway expectantly. Ben wheeled in first, his grizzled hair still bushily denying any efforts from the brush.

  'I certainly hope dinner is ready by now, Willy,’ he grunted.

  'Of course it is, Benjamin. We always eat at this time,’ Aunt Willy admonished, accompanying her brother-in-law to his place at the head of the table.

  Tony followed his uncle into the room, smiling at Danny and slapping him on the back.

  'How are you feeling? The old muscles tightening up yet?'

  'Some,’ Danny smiled, his head cocking inquiringly at the man now standing in the doorway. He glanced at Tony and added, ‘I guess I'm not used to it yet.'

  'You will be,’ Tony nodded with a mock grimace. Turning towards the doorway, he said, ‘I don't think you've met our new guests, Jase.'

  Coley stood transfixed staring at the man in the doorway. His beard was gone, revealing the strong cheekbones and sharp jawline. The scar wasn't as visible against the tan of his cheeks as it had been. His straight black hair was still too long and his icy blue eyes hadn't lost their brilliance. He looked younger, in his early thirties. His clothes were different. In place of Levis were trimly tailored blue slacks topped with a lighter blue shirt. He looked so distinguished, so commanding and slightly ruthless. He was walking forward. Coley dimly heard Aunt Willy making the introductions, catching the words only half-consciously.

  '—my sister's daughter's children. Colleen, Daniel, this is your Uncle Ben's grandson, Jason Savage.'

  Jase held out his hand to Danny. ‘I understand you had an unfortunate experience with our floods,’ he said.

  Danny cocked his head bewilderedly, then with dawning comprehension, he took Jason's hand and replied, ‘We're lucky we were able to get to the Simpson ranch.'

  Jason turned to Coley. ‘I'm happy to meet you.'

  Coley awkwardly placed her hand in his warm, firm handshake. She couldn't speak. She just swallowed and nodded.

  'Did you want me to start servin’ dinner now, Mr. Savage?’ Maggie asked from the kitchen doorway.

  'Of course,’ Ben scowled. ‘I'm not sitting here for want of a better place. Providing that you're finished with all of your polite amenities, Willy.'

  'I believe we're ready to sit down, Maggie,’ Aunt Wilhelmina agreed with a stately nod. ‘I hope you will remember Benjamin, about quarrelling at the table. It's very bad for the digestion.'

  Jase had pulled out the chair on his grandfather's left for Coley before walking around the table to sit at Wilhelmina's left. Coley glanced hesitantly at her brother beside her, but he frowned at her slightly to signal silence. She clinched her hands tightly in her lap, watching the dishes pass from Uncle Ben to Tony on to Jase and Aunt Willy. She tried to act as nonchalant as everyone else, to assume the indifferent mask that Jase wore, but it was impossible for her. She jumped every time Ben grumbled a sentence, expecting each time that the arguing would start, and a little more tense each time that it didn't.

  'What did you do today, Coley?’ Tony asked, flashing his white teeth at her from across the tabl
e.

  'I helped Aunt Willy in the garden,’ stammered Coley, almost dropping her fork as she spoke. She felt her cheeks flush as Jase glanced at her.

  'What did dear Uncle Ben decide for you to do around here?’ Tony grinned, eyeing his uncle mischievously.

  Coley averted her eyes to her plate and waited breathlessly for him to answer. Not for anything was she going to let Tony know how rotten her interview had turned out.

  'She's worthless for anything but ornamentation,’ replied Ben, scowling at her through his bristly brows. ‘The way she looks sight now she ain't much good for that either. Willy, you're going to have to get something done about her hair. It's always sticking out all over.'

  'Like yours, Uncle?’ Tony teased.

  'Don't be insolent!’ Ben glared at his nephew. Looking back at his sister-in-law, he continued, waving a fork in the air as he did so. ‘Get her some decent clothes, too. Next time she comes to dinner I want her dressed for it and not looking like a ragamuffin.'

  Shame and humiliation welled up inside Coley. She blinked desperately, aware of Jason's stare. Coley glanced quickly at her brother. The back of his neck was turning red, but his mouth had clamped shut on his anger. For Danny, this was their last chance and they must make a home here at any cost, even their pride.

  'Really, Benjamin, must you be so blunt?’ Willy scolded. ‘You are so utterly tactless at times. I had already planned to take Colleen shopping tomorrow. Most of her clothes were damaged in the flood, so of course, her clothes would be in a disgraceful condition.'

  'I'm sure Colleen will enjoy the shopping trip,’ Jase said, sending a small smile of assurance in Coley's direction.

  'Of course she will. All we girls do.’ Aunt Willy stretched her red mouth into a playful, conspiratorial smile.

  'Yes, it will be fun.’ Coley's words trembled only a little, but she knew it was enough to betray her.

  'Nonsense!’ Snorted Ben. ‘You females just like to spend money.’ He reached over and laid a gnarled hand on Coley's arm. ‘But you be sure to pick out something nice for dinner tomorrow. I'll expect to see a pretty little lady sitting next to me.'