Texas Stranger (10 page)

“Hi girly, I’m glad I caught you before you went to bed. We’ve set the date for the wedding, and we are going to have it out at the ranch. Mrs. Richards wants the wedding party to stay at the ranch that week-end. What do you think can you make arrangements?”

“Make arrangements for what?” January laughed.

“To stay out at the ranch?”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Because silly, you’re going to be my maid of honor! OMG! Did I not ask you?”

“Mary you have got to be the most confusing person I know at this time.”

“January, please oh please be my maid of honor. BJ and I are getting married on October the twenty-fifth, that is two weeks after the aerobic competition.”

“Well I guess since you asked me so nicely, how could I refuse.” January laughed.

“So when is Carl and Kathy getting married?” January asked and then wished she hadn’t.

“What? What are you talking about? Their not getting married. I can’t imagine them ever getting married.” Mary laughed. “Where did you hear that?”

“Kathy herself, I guess she was talking about them, she was making me think it was them anyway.” January sat down on the sofa.

“That is news to me, but I’ll find out, because it better not upstage my wedding or we will have words. Anyway take the day off tomorrow, I know you worked really hard today, Tonya called and told me about the mess. Anyway relax tomorrow.”

“Great, to be able to sleep in is going to be just what I need.” January agreed.

“Well, there is a method to my madness, I want to take a few day’s off and get the wedding together. And then of course the honeymoon,” She quietly replied.

“Wonderful, I guess you’ll need some time, yea, okay, go for it.” January teased her.

January went into the bed room and was getting ready for bed when she realized what she had just agreed to. There was no possible way she was going to spend the entire week-end at the Richards. She wouldn’t be able to avoid Carl, no matter how hard she tried. She had to think of something fast to get out of it.

It was late before she finally climbed under the covers. But she fell fast asleep. Or at least she thought so, but the ringing of the phone woke her up again.

“Are you awake?” Carl’s voice vibrated the phone.

“No, I’m not, why are you calling me at this hour?”

“Well, wake up and get dressed, I’ll be over to pick you up in about fifteen minutes.”

“What on earth for? I was having such a nice sleep for a change.”

“Just do as I say, fifteen minutes.” He repeated hanging up the phone.

“What is the matter with that man? Why can’t he ever do anything normal? What does he have to come over here for to see me that he couldn’t say over the phone?”

January got up and dressed in a pull over white sweater and a pair of jeans. She certainly didn’t want him to see her dressed in her night gown. She also applied a small amount of blush and combed her hair.

Fifteen minutes to the second, he was ringing the door bell. She opened the door, and he stood looking at her up and down as though he was expecting to see more. He on the other hand looked as though he had been up for days. The growth on his chin stated that fact loud and clear.

“What is this all about?” She asked as he entered her apartment.

“Sit down, and I’ll tell you,” he ordered her.

“Carl, for crying out loud just tell me what this is all about.”

He gently took her hand and lead her to the chair, putting his hands on her shoulders, and pushing her softly into the cushion. He turned and walked a few feet away, as she waited for him to speak, which seemed like forever.

“Kevin has been in a car accident.”

“Oh my gosh!” January jumped from her chair. “Is he...” She couldn’t say the words.

“No, but he is very badly hurt, they need to run more test to see if he’ll ever walk again. If you want to go to the hospital I’ll drive you?”

Not knowing what else to do, she moved across the room and gathered her purse. As he leads her to the door, he stopped. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, of course, Is he conscious?”

“He wasn’t when I left the hospital, I am not sure about now. But he has been heavily sedated.”

They arrived at the hospital and Carl lead the way to the room that was holding Kevin. He was heavily sedated, and there were tubs and machines everywhere. It was awful seeing Kevin lay there so helpless. January stared at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I’m sure every thing will be okay once Kevin regains consciousness.” She heard Carl say as he leads her out into the hall. “In the mean time, I want you to encourage him in any way you can. If he doesn’t come through his I’ll hold you personally responsible.”

January couldn’t believe her ears. Through tear strained eyes, she looked at Carl in shock.

“What are you talking about, why should I be held responsible?”

“Did you turn him down on his proposal tonight?”

“Carl, I really don’t know what you’re talking about, what do you mean proposal? Kevin didn’t propose to me. I didn’t even see him.”

“I heard him talking to you on the phone tonight. I heard him asking you to dinner. After he hung up, he told me you were some special girl, and he was going to ask you to marry him.” Grabbing her shoulders tightly, he dug his long fingers into her flesh. “You will not hurt him again, even if he never walks do you understand me?” With fire deep in his eyes, he sharply let her go and turned and left her standing in the hall by herself.

January didn’t remember how long she stood there only the doctor said she should go home.

“Kevin will be asleep for hours, before the sedative wares off, and their able to see how extensive his injuries really are.”

January called a cab and went home. It was six thirty, by the time she usually got up to go to work. There wasn’t any sense trying to sleep, she couldn’t anyway. She might as well go to work. Her life was turning into a confused mess and she didn’t know where to began to fix it.

“What are you doing here, you were supposed to take the day off?” Mary asked following her into the office.

“I know, but Carl phoned me at four thirty this morning and came and got me. Kevin had a car accident, and he thought I would want to know.”

“Oh my gosh! How is he?” Mary grabbed her mouth.

“I really don’t know, they had him all bandaged up and tubs running everywhere. The doctor said they would know more some time today.”

Later that afternoon, January called the hospital. They had taken Kevin off the critical list and he was listed in satisfactory condition. But she couldn’t see him, only the immediate family.

Chapter 13

G
etting prepared for the aerobic competition was getting tougher and tougher. January knew if she could get these girls in shape by next Saturday, there would be every chance of winning. For these girls were her best yet.

She was just finishing class when she noticed Carl entered through the club door.

“You haven’t been to the hospital since I took you there. What are you trying to do, cause him to die? Don’t you care at all?” He raved, causing several people to stare at him.

“As a matter of fact Mr. Richards, I called the hospital and they wouldn’t let me see him. Only the immediate family was allowed in.” January glared at him.

He stood looking at her for several seconds before speaking. “Please accept my apology. I didn’t realize.” He lowered his head.

Just the reaction, caused January’s heart to go out to him. It looked as though he hadn’t slept at all, and the circles under his eyes showed how tired he was. But she also couldn’t let him get away with the way he was treating her.

“Look, why don’t you just leave me alone, I don’t need you coming around here acting like I have no feelings for anyone. I do you know.”

“Look, I said I was sorry,” He caught her arm, turning her toward him.” Really, I’m sorry. Let me make amends, let me buy your supper or a drink or something?” He nearly pleaded to her. “On scout’s honor, I won’t be rude, or beat you or man handle you,” He said quickly letting go of her arm.

“You were never a scout,” she said, a faint smile crossing her face.

“Oh, but I was, and a good one, thank you.” They both started laughing as she turned and headed for her office.

“I’ll take you up on your offer on one condition.” She stated flatly.

“Anything you say,” he bowed to her.

“I’ll drive.”

“You’ll drive? I can drive, I don’t trust women drivers, not to say I don’t trust you, but I don’t think my nerves can take it.” He shuffled his feet.

“I’ll drive.” She stated flatly again, this time merely raising her eyebrows at him.

He stood there stubbornly holding her glare. “Okay, okay, but please be careful with me, I break easy.” He gave in.

“I promise if you break it won’t be my fault.” She motioned for him to sit down while she went to the locker room to change her clothes.

They drove to the little steak house just down the street from the club. After ordering their drinks and looking over the menu, January took the opportunity to watch Carl closely. His hair was thick and seemed to always be in the perfect style, his eyebrows came together in the middle and his jawbone was precise and strong. His features were not hard but not soft. He
was a man of determination. She was sure he was determined to get his way no matter what it took to get it.

“I understand you’re the maid of honor, for Mary’s wedding?” Carl broke the concentration.

“Yes, I guess I am.”

“Are you going to be staying out at the ranch with the rest of the wedding party?”

“Yes,” she answered again, thinking about staying with him for three days.

“We all hope Kevin will be there too,” Carl said, watching her reaction.

“I hope so too,” she lowered her head. “Will Kathy be there?” she asked.

“I really don’t know, I assume so.”

January wished he would quit watching her so intently, she couldn’t ever tell what he was thinking.

January almost laughed out loud at the face Carl made in the car as they pulled out of the parking lot from the restaurant. Carl made a point to put the seat belt on and held both sides of the seat for dear life. As she pulled the car up beside his in the Health Club parking lot she thought she heard a sigh of relief.

“Thanks for getting me back safely,” he said leaning over towards her.

“It was my pleasure, although I was sure you were going to rip the seat up with your hands.” she laughed.

“I’m just not use to women drivers. Although I must admit you didn’t even comb your hair or fix your make up once.” He laughed as he reached over to place a tender kiss on her cheek.

She wanted to kiss him back but thought better of it, knowing how he felt about Kevin. And the strange remake he made the night before. Getting out of her car, he waved bye.

The sound of the telephone startled her the next morning. She looked at the clock next to her bed and realized she had over slept. She picked up the receiver on the third ring when she heard Mary’s voice on the other end.

“Hi sleepy head, are you coming in today or are you going to sleep in?”

“I’m sorry, I guess I forgot to set my alarm last night, and I was having a dream.”

“It must have been some dream, you never over sleep.” Mary laughed.

January would have liked to tell her the dream was of Carl and yes it was a good dream, but Mary would want to hear all about it and January didn’t want to repeat any of it out loud. “I’ll be in as soon as I can get there.” she said putting the phone on the hook.

Mary followed her into the office when she arrived. “You look terrible, are you sure you’re not coming down with something?”

“Thanks I really needed that,” January said, with a sigh. “I guess I just had a restless night, and then over sleeping on top of that, what can I say?”

“I hate to give you more bad news on such a lousy day, but the comptrollers’ office called and wants you to call them back ASAP.” Mary said, handing her the message. “I’ll get back to work, yell if you need me.”

January sat, staring at the message. She knew what he was going to say. Taxes needed to be paid on the club, or employment taxes were not right. Whatever it was she had no desire to talk to him. She put her elbow’s on the desk, and her head in her hands. What she really needed was a vacation from it all. Maybe she could get Mary to take over managing the club again for a while She could go somewhere and rest. Maybe a few months, the club could almost run itself.

After a few minutes she put the call through to the comptrollers’ office. There was a click and a strange high pitched voice came on the line.

“Miss Manson, I’m sure you’re wondering why I wanted to talk to you?” Not waiting for her answer, he continued. “I’m sure you realize the taxes on your health club are grossly over due. You simply must comply with the regulations to continue to operate.”

“Mr. Sims, I’m very much aware of the regulations, I’m in the process of having my accountant contact you on this matter. The last letter you sent me only stated you wanted a list of employees and payroll. I sent you that list, along with a letter, did you not receive it?”

“Apparently not or I wouldn’t be calling. I’ll check with my secretary, I’m not a hard man Miss Manson, I only comply with the rules, and my job is to see that everyone is doing the same.”

“I understand Mr. Sims,” bidding him a good bye. January got out of her chair and walked up to the big map of Houston city limits that hung on the wall behind her desk.

“Are you looking for a way out of Texas, Miss Manson?”

Startled, she spun around only to see Carl filling the door way. His broad shoulders almost touching the sides of the frame.

“Do you always barge into someone’s office or just mine?” she snapped. Not really meaning to be rude, but Carl caught her off guard and she quickly apologized.

“Well, I really didn’t barge in, Mary wasn’t around and I did knock before I entered. You must have been in deep concentration?” He said closing the door firmly behind him. January took a deep breath before she trusted herself to speak. Just way the room seemed to fill with his presents was over powering.