Promise Her (13 page)

“Can’t open it with one hand.”

“I know that.” He gave her two. “More?”

She shook her head. “I think I’ll rest now.”

“You shouldn’t have gotten up. Stay in bed the rest of the day.”

“We’ll see,” she said.

The bluish tint under her eyes and the pain in them made him want to gather her in his arms and try to make it better.

Before he could act on the impulse, her eyes shut.

Whether she was asleep or just wanted him to leave, he didn’t know. At the door, he looked back. Her eyes were still closed which, he hoped, meant she would rest.

He’d seen her scrapes in the ambulance, knew how they must hurt. He winced at the thought. He didn’t want to think about Lisa being in pain.

He tried to busy himself by putting away the food, cleaning up the dishes. Then, he paced. Up and down the hallway, through the living room, into the dining room, back down the hallway.

After the conversation this morning with the family, they’d managed to come up with zero. Nothing made sense. Logic told them it had to be someone from the rodeo. There was no evidence or even a hint the culprit was one of the spectators. It was also logical to assume that the same person who killed Tempest had tried to kill or hurt Lisa.

Lisa’s scenarios sounded like legitimate arguments until you tried to set them up as reality.

Why would anyone go to such lengths to either make her look more guilty or take her out of the guilty column altogether?

Douglas wanted the bastard behind this. “I’ll get you. And when I do, you’re going to wish you’d never put Lisa in pain.”

When the doorbell rang two hours later, he was still angry. But the intrusion brought back Lisa’s vulnerability.

With extreme caution, he went to the door.

She stood there, five-foot tall, brown eyes smeared with darker mascara. The look on her face made his heart clench. “How did you get here, Patty?”

“Mom dropped me off. You’re not going to send me home are you?”

“Who told you Lisa was here?”

At one time or another, everyone in the family had met Lisa’s little sister. To some, she was a pain-in-the-butt, to others a mild nuisance. Everyone tolerated her for Lisa’s sake.

“I called Mike. He gave me his cell number the night he took me home. You know, the night the cops took Lisa away.”

He thought she might burst into tears if he didn’t let her in. He looked for a car. “Where’s your mom?”

“Like I said, she dropped me off on her way to work.”

Which meant he’d have to get her home. Damn! He couldn’t leave Lisa for a minute. What were they thinking? They weren’t. A thirteen-year old couldn’t be expected to. Her mom was another story.

He opened the door to let her in.

She looked around. “You have a nice house.”

“Thank you.” From what Lisa had told them, Patty’s family lived from hand to mouth, could barely pay the rent each month. They were lucky Lisa took such an interest in the kid.

“Where is Lisa? Can I see her?”

Behind the bravado of too much make-up on a too-young face, Patty was scared. For one quick moment, he saw what Lisa saw in the child. She was young and vulnerable and she needed a mentor. He couldn’t think of a better one than Lisa.

“I’ll look. Last time I checked she was asleep.”

She followed him down the hall. Giving her a quick glance before he opened the door, he saw her distress. She was biting her lower lip, probably to keep from crying.

“She’s all right, Patty. Really. Some scrapes and bruises, but she’ll be okay.”

“That’s what Mike told me, but I have to see for myself.”

He opened the door. Before he could say or do anything, Patty slipped past him and went to stand beside Lisa’s bed. She stood there, looking down at Lisa, her shoulders shaking.

Douglas went to her, put an arm around her thin shoulders and squeezed. “She’s fine.”

“She’s not. Look at her,” Patty whispered.

Lisa’s eyes popped open. Seeing Patty and Douglas staring at her, she moved a little, testing to see how bad the pain was. Not as bad as earlier. She forced a smile, held out her good arm. Patty fell onto her, sobbing.

“I’m okay, Patty. Really.”

“When I found out, I…I thought you might die…like that other woman…I couldn’t stand it.”

Patty couldn’t stop crying. Lisa looked over the girl’s heaving shoulders at Douglas. He must have understood the silent message because he took Patty by both shoulders and gently pulled her away.

“I’ll get you something to drink. Would you like a soda?”

Patty nodded, her eyes not leaving Lisa.

Douglas put a chair next to the bed. “Now you two can talk.”

Patty sat down, dried her eyes with the back of her hand. “I was so scared.”

Douglas handed her a box of tissues.

“Me, too,” Lisa said. But she didn’t want Patty to know how really frightened she’d been then or how frightened she still was.

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I have a few scrapes. In a couple of days I’ll be good as new.”

“You’re going to miss the rodeo.”

Lisa sat up straighter. Patty jumped up and put a pillow behind her head.

“I didn’t think of that. Maybe I’ll make the last few days anyway.”

Patty’s brown eyes widened. “You think you can?”

“Of course I can.”

“What are you two cooking up?” Douglas asked, bringing in a tray and setting it on the bedside table.

Lisa smiled. “You don’t want to know.”

“Probably not.”

He handed Patty a glass of soda, Lisa a cup of tea. “Can I get you anything else?

“Nothing.” Lisa smiled. “You’re pampering me. If I want to eat, I’ll come to the kitchen. If I want anything else I’ll give a yell.”

“You’re the boss,” he said.

When he left the room, Patty looked at Lisa. “He’s really nice.”

“Yeah. He is, isn’t he?”

“You like him a lot, don’t you?”

Jeez! Was it a woman thing? Could only females see what men never did? “I do. But,” she whispered, “don’t tell him.”

Patty giggled. The sound made Lisa feel better.

“I missed you,” Patty said. “I tried calling your cell phone and the apartment. Then I called Mike. I was worried.”

It was true; they talked almost every night, at least for a few minutes, sometimes longer. “I’m laid up for now, but we can still talk on the phone.”

“For sure?”

“For sure. Now. Do you have anything to tell me? Any problems?” There were always problems at home, but to Patty’s credit, she didn’t dwell on them. “How about Alex? Is he still tormenting you?”

“He is.”

“It’s because he likes you. Remember when we talked about this before?”

Listening to Patty discuss Alex, schoolwork, and her other problems, Lisa realized how glad she was she had entered the Big Sister/Little Sister program. It hadn’t been easy. They did a criminal background check, asked for her driving record, demanded three references and took their time in giving her an all clear.

She thanked God every day they had partnered her with Patty.

Patty needed her and she needed Patty. The girl reminded her of herself after her parents passed away. Though Lisa had been older, she remembered the lost feeling, like she was alone, realizing even now, how lucky she was to have the Callahans fill that void. Though Patty’s parents were still here, they had problems. As a Big Sister, Lisa was able to fill that empty space brought on by illness on her dad’s part and neglect on her mom’s. Lisa hoped mentoring the child so early in her life would make a difference.

Douglas once told her she was the game changer; that because of her, Patty’s life would be a better one. She hoped he was right. Patty meant a lot to her.

Patty’s parents and the executives on the board of the Big/Little Sister program wouldn’t allow Lisa to see Patty again if she was indicted for murder.

The thought chilled her.

When Patty wound down about her own problems, she asked a couple of questions about Tempest’s death. “Do they know who did it?”

Lisa shook her head. She didn’t want to worry Patty. And quite frankly, after her accident, didn’t know what HPD thought. “The police are investigating.”

Patty bit her lip again. “Someone cut your cinch and wanted to hurt you. What if they try again?”

“Hey! You don’t have to worry. I’ve got a half-dozen guys trying to find the truth and a lot of people looking out for me. It won’t be long until this is over.”

“You sure?”

It was one of Patty’s favorite questions.

Lisa couldn’t count the number of times she’d reassured and comforted the girl. She would for quite a while longer if the cops would stop looking at her for a murder. Patty’s self-confidence needed bolstering. It was one thing that was sorely lacking in the Wells’ household.

“I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Can I help?” Patty asked.

Lisa chuckled. “You bet.”

Though Lisa could have made it on her own, Patty’s smile made her realize how important it was for the girl to have a task.

After Lisa was safely in the bathroom, she said, “Thanks. Now, if you want to help some more, why don’t you see if Douglas can use a hand? Having to wait on me hand and foot has probably put a kink in his life.” Understatement. Just then the phone rang. No doubt the call was from one of his lady friends.

“He seems okay with it.”

“He thinks of me as his sister. What else can he do?”

Lisa shut the bathroom door and took a good look at herself in the mirror. She looked terrible. Luckily, she hadn’t scraped her face as she had her arm and leg, but there were bruises under her eyes and she was still all humped over. She straightened her shoulders, felt the pain. “Darn.” She had to do better. She tried to put her hands over her head, had to pull the left arm up. Then stretched. Oh, God, that hurt. She relaxed. Stretched again. She managed ten times before quitting. But when she left the bathroom, she walked a little straighter. She simply couldn’t be laid up when she had so much to do.

The aches and pains were only part of it. She wanted more from Douglas than he could give, and being here 24/7 was torture of a different kind.

Right now, she’d have to settle for the sister role and pray it wouldn’t end up a lifetime one.

Hunger sent her to the kitchen.

She found Patty folding clothes and happily chatting with Douglas.

“There you are,” Douglas said coming to help her.

She held up her hand. “I’m good.”

“You do look better. The rest helped.”

The stretches helped. But she wouldn’t tell him that. He would have an objection or two. Lisa was determined to be herself again. Regardless of the law Mom laid down, Lisa had no intention of staying here once she could maneuver on her own.

The doorbell chimed.

Patty jumped.

“Just another visitor, Patty,” Lisa said as she went to sit in the breakfast nook.

“Want me to answer it?” Patty asked.

“No!” both Lisa and Douglas said at once.

Patty frowned, then shrugged. “Whatever.”

“Stay right here. Both of you.”

“Like…where else is there?” Patty asked.

Douglas frowned.

When he hurried from the kitchen, Lisa turned to Patty. “He’s just nervous. Don’t take what he says to heart.”

“He’s kinda bossy, isn’t he?”

“Runs in the family,” Lisa said.

“Can I get you anything?”

Lisa looked at the clock. No wonder she was hungry. Maybe it was a sign she really was getting better. “There’s a container of soup in the fridge. Why don’t you heat us up a couple of bowls? Then we can have some banana pudding for dessert.”

“Yum.”

Patty folded the last towel, put everything neatly in the laundry basket and went to the fridge.

“Found the soup,” she said. “Do you know where the bowls are?”

“No clue,” Lisa said.

“They’re in the right hand cabinet.”

Patty and Lisa turned at the sound of the voice. A tall, slender brunette, who was astonishingly beautiful, walked in. “I’m Anna Langston.” She turned to Lisa. “You must be Doug’s little sister, Lisa.”

Lisa fought the urge to get up and slap Douglas. She wasn’t his little sister. Besides he hated being called Doug. Evidently not by this Anna character though.

Dressed casually in a pair of silk slacks, matching shell and jacket, Anna exuded elegance and self-confidence.

Next to her, Lisa felt grungy, knew she looked worse.

“I’m Patty Wells,” Patty said.

“Sorry,” Douglas said. “Forgot my manners.”

“That isn’t all you forgot,” Anna reminded him sweetly.

Though the woman was smiling, Lisa saw the glint of hostility in her pale blue eyes. Anna wasn’t as sweet as she pretended. Could Douglas see her controlled anger? Or did he just see how beautiful she was?

“Our date! I’m sorry I forgot. Things have been a little out of control the last few days.”

Anna marched to the calendar held by a magnet on the refrigerator door. “You sat right there and watched me write this: Sunday. Brunch with Anna.” She turned, smiled again. “How could you forget?”

He took her arm and led her into the den. “I’ve apologized, Anna. But my family takes precedence.”

Their voices faded as they left the room.

“She’s a bitch,” Patty hissed under her breath.

Lisa almost choked. “Patty! Watch your mouth. You know I won’t allow you to use vulgar language.” Evidently, Patty’s dad didn’t hold back and Patty spit a few curse words out on occasion. Lisa was determined to break the habit.

“Did you see the look in those weird eyes? Douglas better be careful with that one.”

Lisa took a spoonful of the hot soup Patty put in front of her. “Eat. She’s none of our business.”

Patty didn’t have to be told twice. She ate with enthusiasm. When her soup was gone, she dove into the pudding. “This is good.”

It
was
good. But Lisa had lost her appetite.

Chapter Twelve

When Douglas returned to the kitchen, Patty was rinsing dishes and putting them into the dishwasher.

“Where’s Anna?” Lisa asked.

Douglas shrugged. “Sent her home.”

“Go out and enjoy yourself, Douglas. I’m fine. Patty’s here.”