Brides of War (13 page)

Whilst Valerie Johnson was starting a new way of life, Gracie Rider was trying to cope with hers. The atmosphere at home was increasingly tense. Jeff was moody and drinking heavily when he came home at night and she couldn’t understand why. Eventually she decided it was time to find out. When he arrived home that evening, before he took his first can of beer from the fridge, she faced him.

‘I want to know what’s wrong!’ she demanded. ‘For the past week, you’ve hardly spoken to me, all you’ve done is drink until you go to bed and I want to know what the hell’s going on.’

He glared at her. ‘Well how strange you should use that choice of words because that’s exactly what I’ve been wondering.’

He wasn’t making any sense. ‘I’ve no idea what you mean.’

‘What’s going on between Rick and you is what I mean!’

She looked puzzled. ‘Nothing’s going on, I don’t know what you are driving at.’

He opened his can of beer and looked at her with eyes flashing in anger.

‘Don’t take me for a fool, Gracie. I saw Rick meet you from work the other day, walk you to the bus and kiss you!’ He sat down in the chair and waited for her reply.

There was relief on Gracie’s face. ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake is that all? He came into the shop to see if I was doing all right. Yes, he walked me to the bus, but that was a brotherly kiss on the cheek, nothing more. How could you even think such a thing?’

She then realised her husband must have been watching them, which chilled her bones. Jeff was becoming obsessive to have done such a thing. She turned away to the oven and took out two plates of food and placed them on the table.

‘Come and sit down.’

He ignored her. ‘You don’t expect me to believe that Rick was just checking up on you, do you?’

Gracie was scared of the belligerent tone in his voice and thought she’d try and cajole him out of his mood. She walked over to his chair and knelt down beside him.

‘Jeff why on earth would I be interested in your brother when I have you?’

This took him by surprise. ‘I can’t imagine!’

She took hold of his hand. ‘I know we’ve had our ups and downs lately but I do love you, you should know that. If we really want it, we can still have a happy marriage. Look, why don’t we eat our meal and maybe go for a drive somewhere? It would be lovely to spend an evening out of the house, maybe walk around, stop for a coffee or a drink, spend time together, just the two of us. What do you say?’

His shoulders relaxed, his anger abated and he looked at her. ‘Do you really mean what you said about still loving me?’

She smiled with relief. ‘Of course I do, how could you doubt it?’

He hesitated but only for a moment, then getting to his feet he said, ‘Right, then we’ll do what you said, eat and go for a drive.’ He helped her to her feet and sat at the table.

She watched him eating and wondered what happened to the man she’d fallen in love with? There was not a shred of him in the person sitting opposite her and she knew that now, she was just playing a game. She had to keep things on an even keel until she had enough money for a passage home, then she would be away from this claustrophobic relationship. Apart from his gambling and drinking, Jeff’s jealousy of his brother was the final straw. Gracie was now concerned that in his drunken anger, Jeff might become physical and she was frightened of him.

It was a warm evening and they drove out of the town into the countryside. Gracie could never get over the power that the Rocky Mountains seemed to exude. There was a splendour about them but at the same time they made you very aware of the power of nature. The mountain range always overwhelmed her but at the same time held a deep fascination for her.

They stopped the car beside a small river, sat on an upturned log and lit a cigarette. It was peaceful among the pine trees.

‘This is such a huge but beautiful country,’ she said. ‘So very different in every way to England. It has a wildness, a raw feel to it. I expect renegade Indians to come whooping round the bend, looking for scalps!’

Jeff started laughing. ‘That’s Hollywood movies these days, however many years ago it was different. Life was
tough for the early settlers. They came out looking for gold, living in tents, trying to make a living without any amenities. They had the terrain and the Indians to cope with.’

‘It’s not so easy now when you consider the war, Jeff. Look how that changed so many lives.’

They sat talking for some time then Jeff suggested they look for a place where they could get a drink or a cup of coffee, so they moved on.

When eventually they returned to the apartment, Gracie thought how sad it was that tonight, for a while, she’d been with the old Jeff – the one who had been such a pleasure. But she knew now that such days wouldn’t last.

The trip out that evening seemed to have settled Jeff’s suspicions and his manner was different towards Gracie. There had been no poker for a couple of weeks as two of the men were away and another taken poorly, therefore no money was lost and harmony reigned within the household, so much so, that Gracie wondered if it was all going to work out after all. Then, she had a call from Valerie telling her that she would be in the area and wanted to see her – she was delirious with happiness.

Valerie and Max had flown to Denver, hired a camper van and driven into the mountains where they spent many happy days, painting, trying to immortalise the beautiful scenery on canvas. The roads here were quiet, so unlike New York, and there was a calm about the place, a wilderness where wild life abounded, unfettered by human habitation.

Away from the bustle of the city, they both found inspiration for their work, often without conversation. Yet
there was a closeness between them that made chatting irrelevant as they lost themselves in their own worlds. At night they would park beneath the trees, light a fire and cook over the flames, then they would talk and later make love. It was a time without worry and they savoured every moment, knowing that when they did return, there would be situations to be faced that neither of them were looking forward to.

Valerie had contacted Gracie and arranged to meet her in Barton where she now lived. Both the women were looking forward to the meeting; both grasping what to them would be a touch of home. There was a camping site on the edge of town that Gracie had advised them of, so they could park the camper van and she and Jeff would drive out and meet them.

The day arrived and Gracie had been given a day off work by Milly, who was delighted for her, and Jeff had taken a day’s vacation so he too could be free. They drove out in the morning so they could have a whole day together.

Gracie could hardly contain her excitement as they neared the site and as they drove in, she spotted the camper van and Valerie standing beside it with a man.

‘There, there she is!’ she told her husband.

‘Fine, honey, I can see,’ he replied smiling at her enthusiasm. ‘Calm down or you’ll explode!’ He pulled the car in beside the visitors.

Gracie got out of the car and the two women rushed into each other’s arms.

‘Oh Gracie, I never thought we’d see each other ever again!’ Valerie exclaimed. ‘Look at you, you look so well!’

‘You too!’ said Gracie and turned to introduce her husband. ‘Jeff, this is my friend Valerie.’

He shook her hand. ‘Howdy, good to meet you. Gracie has been like a scalded cat ever since she got your call.’

Laughing Valerie said, ‘I know, I’ve been just the same. This is Max, my friend, agent and my mentor.’

Max stepped forward.

Both Jeff and Gracie looked surprised, they had imagined Valerie was with her husband.

‘We’ve come out here to find other vistas to paint,’ she explained. ‘We thought the Rockies was just what we needed.’ She gazed at Gracie. ‘To be honest it was knowing you were here that decided where we’d come. We thought we could see you and paint as well.’

‘We thought you’d be with your husband,’ said Jeff.

‘No, he’s back in New York and is far too busy to take time off,’ Valerie explained, but there was something in her voice that made Gracie wonder.

There was a small table and chairs set out in readiness and Max said, ‘I’ll go and make some coffee whilst you two catch up.’ He looked at Jeff. ‘Would you like to see inside the camper? I think we both might be in the way out here?’ he said laughing.

Jeff agreed and stepped inside. He was surprised at how roomy was the interior and said so.

Max filled a kettle from the tap in the small but compact kitchen area. ‘Yes, it’s really well designed.’

There was a settee in the window with a table, a small toilet with a shower and at the back another settee, both which could be turned into beds. Jeff looked around with interest.

‘Is it easy to drive?’

‘No problem at all. The only problem is finding enough space to park,’ Max told him, ‘but we can park on the street if we like. But out here in the mountains, space isn’t a problem.’

‘You an artist too?’ Jeff asked.

‘Yes, it’s my life really. But I work from home in New York in advertising too.’

Whilst the men were getting to know one another, outside the girls were catching up. At Gracie’s insistence, Valerie was telling her how she started painting again after meeting Max, about her exhibition and about her cover in
Vogue,
which Gracie had asked about.

‘When I saw you on the cover I couldn’t believe my eyes!’ Gracie exclaimed.

‘I couldn’t believe it when they asked me to do it,’ Valerie confessed. ‘Now tell me, are you happy. Did it all turn out well for you?’

Gracie hesitated. She hadn’t anyone to share her worries and now Valerie was here it was as if one of her own was asking the question.

‘Not really,’ she said quietly, ‘but I can’t say any more just now.’

As she spoke the two men emerged with the coffee.

The next few hours passed in easy conversation until lunchtime when Valerie said she’d prepared a cold lunch and they sat outside and ate that. Afterwards, Valerie said she’d leave the men to clear away as she and Gracie would take a walk.

Once they were clear of the men, she and Valerie found a wooden bench and table in a picnic area and sat down. ‘Now Gracie, tell me what’s wrong.’

It was like offloading a huge weight as she explained to her friend what had befallen her since her arrival and how she was determined to save enough money to go home.

Valerie was full of sympathy and told Gracie about
her
situation. ‘Fortunately I’m making money from my paintings and now I have Max.’

She saw the bewilderment on her friend’s face.

‘We are in love, Gracie. I’ve left Ross and am living with Max. Ross is going to file for divorce, which will be unpleasant. But I have found real happiness, just sadly not with the man I married!’

‘Will you stay out in the States?’ Gracie asked.

‘Oh yes. I love New York, I’m happy there and at the moment my work has met with success, so I’d be foolish to move away. Are you certain you want to go home Gracie?’

She nodded. ‘Jeff will always be a gambler and when he’s been drinking, he scares me if he’s been losing. Today he’s like the old Jeff, but it won’t last once he starts playing poker again.’ She then told Valerie about the bad feeling between the brothers and how Rick had helped her find a job – and the consequences.

‘Oh, Gracie I am so sorry. We and the other GI brides came out here with such high hopes. I wonder how many made it work?’

With a sigh, Gracie said, ‘It couldn’t go wrong for everybody I’m sure, but who knows?’ The two walked back together.

During the afternoon, Max and Valerie showed their visitors the work they had done during their time in the mountains. Both were very impressed.

‘These are beautiful,’ said Gracie as she looked at the canvases, filled with awe at the artistry.

‘Valerie has a great talent,’ Max stated. ‘I see her becoming a major name in today’s art world.’

‘How does your husband feel about that?’ asked Jeff, staring across at Valerie. ‘Does he mind?’

Gracie looked appalled. ‘Jeff! What a question!’

‘That’s all right,’ Valerie assured her, ‘it’s a valid question, but answer me this first Jeff. Why would he mind?’

‘Well, after all, he’s the man of the house, doesn’t he object to your certain notoriety?’

She started to laugh. ‘I’d never thought of it as notoriety, Jeff. That sounds a bit naughty. Wouldn’t you be pleased if this was Gracie, making a success of her life?’

He looked scornful. ‘Gracie’s success is she’s married to me!’

Max intervened. ‘There you go! What greater vocation could there be?’

Jeff missed the mild sarcasm of the remark. ‘Got it in one!’

Gracie just looked at her friend with an expression of resignation on her face. She looked at her watch. ‘I think we should make tracks,’ she said reluctantly. ‘We both have to be up early in the morning.’

Jeff was ready to leave. It had been a pleasant change but he’d had enough. He shook hands with Max, thanked Valerie for the food and walked towards the car. Valerie slipped a card into Gracie’s hand.

‘This is my address at Max’s. I’ll let you know when I’m back. If you need a bolthole, Gracie, we have a spare bed any time. You can call me for a chat whenever too.’ She hugged her friend and walked with her to the car and waited until they drove away.

Max came and put his arm round her shoulders. ‘Lovely lady your friend, but unless I’m very much mistaken, she’s in a mess of trouble with her man.’

Gracie blinked away her tears as they drove away from the camping site. It had been wonderful to meet up again with her friend and to be able to share her troubles, but even after a lovely day, Jeff had spoilt it with his male domination theory. She was sorry Valerie’s marriage had broken down but Max seemed a lovely man and she was happy, she was glad of that. It made her all the more determined to go home and lead her own life.

Jeff’s voice interrupted her thoughts. ‘Sorry, what did you say, I was miles away?’