Texas Heat (22 page)

Maggie felt as though a stone had lodged in her throat. She shook her head. Rand managed to mutter something about sending his regards, and Susan said to send her love. Amelia smiled at everyone and bustled out.

For a few moments, all was silence. Damn you, Mother, Rand seethed, seeing the stricken look on Maggie's face.

Susan, who was oblivious of the drama being played out before her, spoke first. “If you don't mind,” she said, sighing wearily, “I think I'll turn in.”

Rand held out a stiff arm. “Grab hold.”

Susan bounced to her feet and laughed. “This baby has had one tough life so far. A jolt or two now isn't going to matter. Good night to both of you.” She kissed Maggie soundly and held on to her a moment longer than necessary. “Thanks for having me, Maggie. I don't know what I would have done without you. And Rand, thanks again. I know I'm repeating myself, but I am so grateful. I actually feel safe. Now isn't that a sad state of affairs?”

“Sleep well, Susan. I'm going to be right behind you. I have some letters to get out. Rand, why don't you lock up and turn off the lights?” Maggie said, averting her eyes as she hurried to follow Susan up the stairs.

Rand sat downstairs for a long time. Amelia's words echoed in his brain . . . and he knew he could never find it in himself to forgive her.

 

The ritual Amelia went through after her bath was long and tedious. First, she applied scented lotion to her entire body, then she powdered it with the same feathery scent. She creamed her face, oiled her eyelids and earlobes, and waited ten minutes. She applied light makeup, knowing the peach-colored light bulbs she'd placed in all the lamps would make her look dewy and fresh. She blow-dried her hair, gave it a few twirls with the curling iron, and then fluffed it out with her fingers. She added tiny gold-and-diamond earrings to her ears, a gift from Cary on her last birthday. The turquoise silk nightgown slithered over her body, making light swishing sounds. The side slit in the gown showed off a generous expanse of satiny leg as she fished around in the closet for matching high-heeled mules.

The bedside clock read 9:45; time to call Billie.

“Is anything wrong?” were Billie's first words.

“Wrong? At Sunbridge? Surely you jest! I just thought I'd call and see how the sap is running in Vermont.”

“Thad says it's fine. How are you? How's the house going? You said you were going to write and tell me all the things you did. I've been waiting for a letter.”

“You shouldn't believe a promise like that. It's so much easier to pick up the phone and call. I think I'll be done by spring. I want your promise that you and Thad will come to my housewarming.”

“Complete with gift.” Billie laughed.

“How's Thad? Any more news on whether he's going to run for office?”

“The committee is doing its best to talk him into it. I don't say anything. It has to be Thad's decision.”

“Susan is here, you know. She looks ghastly, Billie.”

“I spoke to her today. She sounded tired. Maggie said she thought rest and fresh air would do it. We'll see what the doctor says. I feel better about her being in the States, but I am sorry about Jerome. Coleman marriages certainly seem volatile. I'm so glad you're staying at Sunbridge.”

“I'm not here much of the time, but I'll do what I can. I tend to think Susan and Maggie will draw closer now.”

Billie listened to her old friend. There was something different about Amelia's voice. It sounded strained, and the vibrancy she'd always associated with Amelia was missing. Her heart fluttered wildly. Something had happened and no one was telling her. “How's Cary doing with his project?”

“Wonderfully. I hardly ever see him, but then, I'm busy myself. We seem to meet up in the bedroom, which is all right with me. He's working seven days a week, poor darling.”

“I'm eager to see it. Thad was asking me about it just the other day. He's very interested. Men love that sort of thing.”

“
It
, as you put it, isn't much to see at this stage. The land's been cleared and there's a bunch of trailers used as on-site offices. Some slabs and foundations have been installed. And oh, yes, I mustn't forget about sewer and water, gas and electricity lines. Everything is underground, you know. There are even provisions for a cable TV system. It's all very exciting,” Amelia said listlessly. “We're just praying the weather holds.”

“Amelia, is anything wrong? You sound funny.”

Amelia closed her eyes, clutching the receiver. How could she admit, even to Billie, that she was afraid her young husband was losing interest? Suddenly she blurted, “I think something's going on between Rand and Maggie. He's here now; he brought Susan home. I'm beginning to understand why Sawyer left the way she did after the breakup, poor dear.”

Billie settled back in her chair, concerned. She'd never heard this vein of bitterness in Amelia's voice before, and certainly not in connection with Rand.

“Billie? Are you there?” Amelia asked shrilly. “Didn't you hear what I said? I think there's something going on between Maggie and Rand!”

“I heard you, Amelia. Perhaps there is something between Rand and Maggie; perhaps it goes even deeper than friendship. Now I'll tell you what I said to Sawyer when she confided her suspicions. Knowing Rand, I'm pretty sure his relationship with Sawyer was already over before the Fourth of July. Second, she has nothing to base those suspicions on except seeing Rand and Maggie talking on the lawn after the party. And finally,” Billie said sternly, “I think her bitterness toward Maggie is childish and unfounded.”

Amelia bristled. “Perhaps you approve, but I don't. Something like this could tear the family apart, and we've had enough of that already. I more or less let Rand know how I feel. If he wants to end his relationship with Sawyer, that's certainly his prerogative. But he doesn't have to throw Maggie in her face.” She sighed. “Oh, I don't know what to think, Billie. I don't know how far it's gone or if it's just getting off the ground. I am staying here in Maggie's house, so unless I'm prepared to leave, I have to be careful what I say.”

“Good thinking, Amelia.”

Amelia gasped. “You seem quite approving.”

“I really don't know what to think. I'm terribly confused, and my better sense tells me to keep out of it. I don't know the reasons Rand and Sawyer ended their relationship. I thought they would marry. It must have been more one-sided than we thought. But I do know Maggie well enough to say she wouldn't deliberately set out to hurt Sawyer. I can't believe that.”

“Rand is my son, but he's a man and he goes after what he wants. And I can't hold my feelings in; I'd hate it if it was done to me. I can feel Sawyer's pain. I can feel it!”

“I know,” Billie whispered. “I was in that same place once myself.”

“What should we do?”

“Nothing. They have to work it out for themselves. I've had a few letters from Sawyer since July. None of them really said anything, but I can read between the lines. I'm worried sick. She's such a child, really. Her life has been . . . well, charmed, one might say.”

“
Charmed?
How could you say that?” Amelia asked hotly. “She was a child born of a child and rejected by her child-mother. It would have been better if she'd never been born. You never should have insisted Maggie go through with that pregnancy. Why did you?”

“Why? Because of you, Amelia. Because of that terrible botched-up abortion that left you unable to have another child. I believed abortion was wrong then and I still do. And if Maggie had had an abortion, we wouldn't have Sawyer today, would we? And perhaps we wouldn't have Cole, either.” Silence on the other end of the line. Suddenly Billie was ashamed of herself. “Amelia, forgive me. I had no right. What's wrong? It isn't just Sawyer and Rand. I don't believe I've ever known you to be bitter, and yet that's what I'm hearing in your voice. What is it?”

“Nothing. I'm just edgy these days. And there's nothing to forgive, really. I shouldn't have said what I did.” Amelia swallowed against the tears that always seemed so close to the surface these days. “Isn't there something we can do for Sawyer?”

“Thad suggested I go to New York on one pretense or another. But Sawyer would see right through my motives. She knows I'm here for her if she needs me. I have to think of Maggie, too. What do you suppose she's feeling?”

“Maggie's fighting it. I know she is,” Amelia said. “But she isn't strong, Billie. She's looking for something in her life. For a while there, I thought she and Cranston were going to patch things up, but I guess it didn't work out. . . .” She sighed. “You're right, Billie. Let's leave it alone for now. Besides, Rand will be gone in a few days. I know he has to get back to England. He's selling out the estate, or most of it. Did you know that? He leaves day after tomorrow.”

Days, Billie was thinking. So much could happen in three days. She reflected on her time in Hong Kong with Thad years ago. You could fall in love in minutes; you could commit your entire life to that love in days. Other people could be destroyed by that love and commitment in an instant. Where had she and Thad found the strength to deny themselves? Tears glistened in Billie's eyes at the knowledge of all the time wasted, time they could have had loving each other, being there for each other. Was that really what she wanted for Maggie? And in the end, would it really make any difference to Sawyer? It wouldn't make Rand love her again.

“Billie? . . . Billie, are you there? Can you hear me?”

“I hear you, dear. Keep an eye on Susan for me. You're so good at that. I'll never forget the way you took care of me when I was pregnant with Suse. If it weren't for you, Susan might never have been born. Thad and I want to know when you and Cary are going to come visit us here in Vermont.”

“One of these days. Probably when I'm old and gray. It's so cold in Vermont, and it's all I can do to anticipate a Texas winter. I'm not looking forward to it.”

Billie laughed. “Our winters are bitter, but then it's a matter of who you spend them with. Thad's back is a wonderful place to warm cold feet.”

“Bless you, Billie, for even admitting your feet get cold. I thought I was the only one.”

 

It was eleven-ten when Cary walked into the bedroom. He grinned at Amelia and then groaned. “You're the best thing I've seen all day. And you smell good, too.”

Amelia's heart soared. “Are you hungry? Can I get you a drink?”

Cary leered at her, his dark, expressive brows lowering over that hawklike gaze. “What I want from you doesn't come from the kitchen or the bar. This is going to be the shortest shower on record. Strip down, baby. I'll be right back.”

Amelia found herself laughing happily. “That's the best offer you've made since yesterday.” She did as he'd told her. The silky sheets felt cool against her naked skin. But that was only temporary.

 

Amelia rolled over onto her side, her face buried in her pillow, Cary sleeping soundly beside her. She didn't care that the pillowcase was making creases in her face or that if she didn't make herself sleep she'd be a wreck in the morning. All she cared about at the moment was that Cary had fallen asleep almost in the middle of their lovemaking. Her brain told her how exhausted he was; demon Vanity was telling her that she wasn't exciting enough to keep him awake.

 

Before anyone had come down to the breakfast table, Maggie sat there in her usual place addressing an envelope. She hummed as she picked up her engagement book and leafed through it. Lord, she was spreading herself thin. An accident about to happen, Riley liked to tease. She was keeping the three weekdays before Thanksgiving free in order to oversee preparations for the big day. The football game, the family dinner, the homecoming dance for the boys the following night. The expected letdown when it was all over. Then the official beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

A thrill ran through her at just the thought of Christmas. Presents, family, belonging. She wanted this year to be the most festive ever, even outdoing Billie's efforts when she'd lived here.

Her eyes dropped to the envelope she was addressing to Sawyer. She'd tried several times to call Sawyer at her office. Each time she'd been put on hold, then was told Sawyer was out of the office and wouldn't return until late: was there a message? Well, Sawyer couldn't ignore a letter.