Finders Keepers (34 page)
Authors: Fern Michaels
Tanner pushed his Stetson farther back on his head. “Now that's the Jessie I know and understand,” he drawled. “Divorces are not acceptable in the Kingsley family. My mother was trying to help you since you were in no condition to deal with attorneys. That first month you couldn't even dress yourself. All she did was try to take the pressure off your shoulders. Yes, she told a lie. Yes, I knew about it. Obviously, you have talked to him and set him straight, so what's the big deal?”
“Really,” Jessie drawled in return. “What do you call the document your father got in order to marry your mother? I hate liars more than anything in the world.”
There was no time to move, no time to dodge the blow she saw coming. Caught off-balance, her head reeled sickeningly. Stunned at what her husband had done to her, Jessie could only shrink deeper into the cushions.
“It's called an annulment,” Tanner said harshly as he strode from the room.
Jessie sat for a long time staring at the sketch in her hand. As hard as she tried, she couldn't stop the flow of tears. In her wildest dreams she never thought the man she married would strike her. All she'd done was ask questions of her husband, something she had every right to do. For every action there was a reaction. Tanner himself had told her Irene divorced his father. Resa had told her the same thing. No self-respecting man struck a woman, no matter what transpired between them.
Hurt, angry, and humiliated, Jessie went upstairs to her room to change her clothes. Later she could carry everything back to Resa's old room. Now she was going to go riding. She needed to feel the wind on her face, needed to feel
free
.
free
.
In the stable she walked down the row of stalls, trying to decide which horse to choose. With the groom's help she finally chose a spirited mare named Sunny.
“Just give her her head and let her go. She might be a little frisky at first since she hasn't been ridden in a few days. She likes it when you sing to her. Take along these sugar cubes and an apple, and she'll do anything you want. The only thing that will spook Sunny is a dog, and since there aren't any dogs around, you shouldn't have a bit of trouble.”
Sunny cantered out of the stable, her nostrils flaring at the prospect of a run. “Easy, girl, easy. I haven't ridden you for a while, so take it easy with me. I know I'm going to regret this, but Tulip is just too placid for me today. Tomorrow I probably won't be able to walk, much less sit down, so let's start out easy.”
Nothing
, Jessie thought,
has felt this good in a long time.
Her hair billowing out behind her, her face flushed, she started to sing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” because it was the only song she could think of at the moment. Sunny slowed her wild stride until she was stepping daintily across the field. Twice Jessie leaned forward to offer the sugar cube. They rode until dusk settled and it was hard to see.
, Jessie thought,
has felt this good in a long time.
Her hair billowing out behind her, her face flushed, she started to sing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” because it was the only song she could think of at the moment. Sunny slowed her wild stride until she was stepping daintily across the field. Twice Jessie leaned forward to offer the sugar cube. They rode until dusk settled and it was hard to see.
Jessie heard the low, menacing growl just as a yellow blur streaked past her. Sunny reared back on her hind legs. Startled and confused, Jessie fell to the ground. She heard rather than saw Sunny thunder away across the field. Did she have any broken bones? She winced as she maneuvered her body this way and that way. Suddenly she felt something warm on her cheek. “Oh, and who are you? God, you're beautiful,” Jessie said, as she struggled to a sitting position. The yellow dog allowed her to fondle his ears and rub his belly. She whirled around when she heard a sound to see a shotgun pointed directly at her heart. She looked upward to see the tallest, the meanest, the angriest man she'd ever seen.
“Can't you read? Didn't you see the posted signs? This is private property, and you're trespassing.”
“You don't have to yell. There's nothing wrong with my hearing. Your damn dog spooked my horse. Do you see a horse around here? No, you do not. So how do you suggest I get home? Or do you think I can flap my wings and fly? Put that gun away. You should never point a gun at someone unless you're prepared to use it. That was the first thing I learned when I took a firearms class. I came out first in my class in case you're interested.”
“I'm not. Pack up and get out!”
“It's getting dark. I've been riding for two hours. For all you know I could have broken some bones. I could sue you. Your dog scared my horse. I like your dog, mister. He has better manners than you do. Are you going to help me up or not?”
A long arm reached for her arm. Jessie's feet left the ground for moments before she was standing next to the man with the gun. “Obviously you live around here. Will you lend me a horse? I'll return him in the morning. Or if you don't have a horse to spare, will you point me to the road?”
Jessie's feet left the ground for the second time in as many minutes. In the blink of an eye she was on the man's horse and he was in front of her. “Hang on,” he said.
“Are you always this mean, or do you just hate women?” She didn't expect a response and wasn't surprised when she didn't get one.
Fifteen minutes later, the tallest, meanest, angriest man she'd ever seen reined in his horse and slid to the ground. He offered her his hand. She felt like a midget standing next to him. The dog whined at her feet. “Don't you ever pet this dog? He looks like he's starved for attention.”
“My dog is none of your business. Tell me who to call so they can come fetch you.”
Come fetch you. It must be Texas talk.
“There's no one to call. I have to get home on my own. What happened to that Texas hospitality I'm always hearing about?”
“There's no one to call. I have to get home on my own. What happened to that Texas hospitality I'm always hearing about?”
“It's a myth,” the man said gruffly. “I'll back out the truck and drive you home.”
“Are you crazy? I'm not getting in any truck with you. I don't even know you. For all I know you could be some kind of pervert that preys on women who
you say
trespass on your land. I didn't see one sign posted. Where's the road?”
you say
trespass on your land. I didn't see one sign posted. Where's the road?”
“Don't you ever shut up?”
Jessie clamped her lips shut. She stomped off, not knowing if she was going in the direction of the road or not.
“Get your ass back here and in this truck.”
“Don't tell me what to do. I'm sick and tired of people telling me what to do. First they dope me up for months at a time, then they tell my lawyer lies, and then I find out my husband has been unfaithful. I've been through a lot today, mister. The only person who has been decent to me is your dog. I love that dog. Why don't you pet him? Or is it a her? You're too arrogant for a female dog.” Her knees gave out then, and she dropped to the ground. A moment later hard, driving sobs shook her entire body. Within seconds the dog was all over her, licking her face, pawing at her arms. She hugged him so hard he yelped.
In the dim yellowish light over the stable door, Lucas Holt watched in horror as Jessie's eyes rolled back in her head as she screamed, “Jelly! Jelly! Jelly!” before she blacked out, her grip a stranglehold on the dog.
It took all Luke's strength to pry open Jessie's arms to free the dog. “I don't know what we have here, Buzz, but it's something. It's okay, boy. Calm down.”
The yellow dog sat on his haunches as Luke picked Jessie up to carry her into the house. “It's okay, boy. We're going to give her a good stiff drink and take her home. I think I know where she belongs.”
“Think again. You aren't plying me with liquor. What happened? Why are you carrying me? Put me down. I said, put me down.”
Luke dumped her on the sofa. Buzz whined, then growled. “You blacked out. You almost strangled my dog. You scared the hell out of both of us. Do you want some jelly bread?”
Jessie struggled to sit up. “Why would I want jelly bread?”
“Because you were yelling your damn head off that's why. You kept yelling jelly, jelly, jelly, and then you blacked out. I thought you were a diabetic of something.”
Jessie rubbed at her temples. “That's strange. Usually it just happens in the dreams. I'm sorry. I really am. I truly did not see your posted signs. I think I got off on the wrong foot with you. I'm sorry about that, too.” She held out her hand. “I'm Jessie Kingsley.”
“You're Tanner's wife! Well, I'll be damned. I heard he got married and the next thing I heard was the bride had a nervous breakdown.” He clucked his tongue and shook his head to show what he thought of that information.
“You heard wrong,” Jessie snapped irritably. “I didn't have a nervous breakdown. If that's what people are saying, it's a lie. Furthermore, I don't expect to be Jessie Kingsley much longer. I'd really like to go home. Such as it is.”
“If you aren't in a hurry, why don't you stay for dinner. You look like you could do with some good, nourishing food. A stiff drink might also be in order.”
Jessie looked at him and then at the friendly dog. What was there to go home to? She did feel wobbly, and suddenly she was ravenous. “I don't want to impose.”
“Like you said, we got off on the wrong foot back there. Shall I tell my cook you're staying for dinner?” he asked gruffly.
“I'll stay if it isn't too much trouble.. What I'd really like is a nice cold, as in very cold, beer right now.”
“I didn't think women drank beer these days. I thought they liked fancy drinks with those little umbrellas.”
“Maybe they do, but I don't. I like to swig it right from the bottle. My friend Sophie taught me to drink it that way. Especially on a hot summer day.” Her eyes filled with tears at the mention of Sophie's name. She couldn't blink them away.
“Let me tell the cook I'll be having a guest for dinner. I'll bring the beer, and we can talk about Sophie. She's the reason for the tears, right?”
Jessie nodded. Why was he being so nice after being so hateful to her earlier? According to Tanner, Luke Holt was the Kingsleys' number one enemy. Was it some kind of trick to get back at the Kingsleys? She didn't care if it was. She needed to talk about Sophie. She swiped at her wet eyes with the sleeve of her shirt. The yellow dog watched her, his tail swishing from side to side. Jessie held out her hand. Buzz rolled over for his belly to be scratched. Jessie smiled. He was a beautiful animal and one she thought she'd seen somewhere before.
Luke returned carrying two beer bottles in one hand and a plate of crackers. “The stuff on top of the crackers will clean out a cavity so take it easy until you can handle the chili peppers. What should we drink to?” he asked, holding his bottle toward her.
“Peace, this beautiful dog, and . . . and Sophie,” Jessie said clinking her bottle against his.
“You got it. To peace, to Buzz, and to Sophie.” Luke watched as Jessie's eyes filled again. She blinked them away. “I'm a good listener.”
“The Kingsleys don't like you,” Jessie blurted. “On my first visit here, Tanner warned me never to set foot on your property. He said you'd shoot and ask questions later.”
“That's half-true,” Luke drawled. “I have no quarrel with you.”
“I like your dog. I sketch a lot. I always seem to draw the same dog. All my sketches look just like Buzz but more detailed. Whoa, you weren't kidding about those peppers.” Jessie finished off her beer in two long gulps, tears rolling down her cheeks. She gasped for air, her hand fanning her mouth.
“Milk! Consuela, bring some milk,” Luke bellowed.
A roly-poly little woman with rosy cheeks and a tremendous braid of gray hair waddled into the room with a glass of cold milk and two bottles of beer. She smiled happily. The wide smile showed two winking gold teeth.
“Swish it around your mouth before you swallow it,” Luke ordered. Jessie did as instructed.
“Don't ever give that to me again. What does it do to your insides?”
Luke laughed.
Jessie reached for the second beer.
“You aren't going to get crocked on me, are you? You still look a little rocky to me. What's your limit?”
“Four. Sophie could . . . Sophie could drink six. Without going to the bathroom!”
“No!”
“Yes.”
Luke leaned back in his comfortable chair, his eyes steady on the young woman across from him. “Tell me about Sophie.”
Jessie looked into Luke Holt's eyes. They were kind, gentle eyes, she decided. Enemy or not, she needed to talk about Sophie. “She died. She didn't just die. She . . . what she did was . . . was . . . she took her own life. Her mother died in a terrible car accident not long before . . . I thought she was over it to some degree. She acted like she was. Mrs. Ashwood was the third richest woman in the world. Sophie inherited everything. She was in love with this man who was some kind of scam artist. Sophie found out he was after her for her money. She hadn't told him who she was, but he found out somehow. She was devastated, so she called off the wedding. They cremated her. I didn't find out till it was done. There's no place . . . you know, to visit, to say a prayer. People need to do that. Mr. Mendenares said her spirit is in the garden in New Orleans. I think I'm going to go there soon to see if he was telling me the truth. Do you believe in spirits?” She wound down then like a broken clock as she waited for her host's comments. God in heaven, did she just spill her guts to a total stranger, a man who supposedly was her husband's family's worst enemy?
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