Texas Stranger (18 page)

So that is why he hadn’t called, it’s because Kathy has been spending a lot of time with him. But she surely wasn’t spending twenty four seven with him, really now. If he calls now there wouldn’t be a chance in hell she would see him again. Sorry Carl you have wasted too much time.

Chapter 23

T
he small white framed house settled back among large pine trees, a smaller white barn set off to the right apparently was used for cattle or farm equipment. The yard was layered with green grass, and the white fence that surrounded the twenty-five acres gave the picture of a smaller version of the Richards large elegant home.

Mary had decorated the inside with fine old refinished furniture, that shimmered like new.

“Hi, am I late?” January asked being lead into the living room by BJ.

“No, not at all,” he kissed her on the cheek, and ushered her inside. The living room looked larger from the inside, then it indicated from the out.

“You have a lovely home Mary,” January said, kissing her on the cheek.

“January, I’m so glad you came, come let me introduce you to some of our friends.” Mary wrapped her arm through January’s and led her across the room. Most of the couples were their age, very nice and friendly. Mary pulled her over to the side of the room and toward the bar.

“Would you like a brandy?” Mary giggled. “BJ is going to be doing the cooking out on the grill, so we’ll move everyone outside in a few minutes, I just want to make sure everyone’s here.”

“Yes, that sounds good.” January smiled at her friend. “Okay Mary what have you got up your sleeve? I know your planning something mischievous. You have that certain giggle.” January frowned taking the drink Mary offered.

“You’ll see,” Mary giggled again.

“I don’t think I like the way you said that.” January set the glass down on the bar.

“Look, BJ and I have a friend coming to my little party tonight. I just want you to meet him, I think you’ve already met him. Besides he’s rich and good looking and...”

“Hold it right there! Mary don’t go match-making again. I’m not interested. And I couldn’t care less if he’s rich.”

“No problem, I promise you’ll like him. I won’t have to do a thing.” She giggled again looking over at BJ standing by the fire place talking to a group of men. He also looked over at her and smiled, shaking his head. There was something going on and January wasn’t sure she wanted to find out what it was.

Several more people arrived and the party seem to get off to a good start. January was surprised to see several people she knew there. January noticed BJ look at his watch and then smile up at Mary. Mary nodded her head and moved in January’s direction. Mary hadn’t made it to her when the door bell rang. But instead of turning in the direction to answer the door Mary continued across the room.

“Come help me answer the door.” Mary smiled at her and took her arm.

They had opened the door and a tall well dressed man stood with his back to the door, but turned around just as Mary got the door open. Steve Carson stood there with a grin on his face. January had for gotten how strikingly handsome he was.

“I am so happy you could make it.” Mary smiled, giving him a slight hug.

January held out her hand and smiled. “Nice seeing you again,” she said as he was lead into the living room to join the rest of the guest. She remembered being introduced to him at the wedding.

January was dressed in a pair of tight jeans and a white blouse with a vest. She knew they were having a cook out and wanted to be comfortable. Steve was dressed in a similar outfit, only with a blue shirt and everyone committed about them dressing the same. Five minutes later the door bell rang again and Carl and Kathy came in.

Carl’s eyes met her’s in a stare. His lips thinning slightly.

“Oh BJ look who’s here, it’s Carl and Kathy.” Mary said, smiling. “Come on in and join the party. I think everyone is here now so why don’t we move this party outside, I’m getting hungry.” She urged BJ on.

For an hour January tried to avoid Carl, keeping her back to him as much as possible. Her glass empty of brandy she returned to the make shift bar on the small patio and filled her glass half full. Kevin was there.

“Hey when did you get here?” January asked, surprised. “Did you bring your nurse?”

“No, she had to work tonight.” Kevin said sadly.

“That’s too bad, I would have liked to meet her. I’m beginning to think she doesn’t exist.” She patted him on the shoulder.

“There will be time we’re getting married.” He announced.

“Oh Kevin! That’s wonderful,” January said, hugging him and laughing in surprise.

Wrapping his arms around her Kevin held her close. “She’ll love you I know she will,” Kevin said, as January stood back from him. It was wonderful how his accident had some what changed his life. He seemed ready to settle down, and maybe start a family. She was also happy that his accident didn’t leave him unable to walk. He was really getting around nearly normal.

“Let my buy you a drink,” offered January. “Especially since BJ and Mary are paying for it,” she giggled.

After they finished toasting their glasses. “Are you going to announce the good news to everyone?” January asked.

“No you’re the only one, I want to wait until Cheryl can be with me.”

“I understand,” January said. “Do you feel up to dancing?”

“Yes, I do thank you.” Kevin said taking her arm and leading her out to the make shift dance floor. She was glad it was a slow song, Kevin was still struggling to make his feet move like they use to.

She wanted to get away from Carl’s eagle eyes. The next song was a little fast but Kevin seemed to keep up fairly well.

Then someone put on a soft ballad. She was warm and breathless when she started to fall into Kevin’s arms for the slower dance.

She was surprised to hear a deeper voice say my turn Kevin. That is when Steve Carson took over. He was a really good dancer or at least what little time she had dancing with him for just when she started to enjoy it Carl tapped on Steve’s shoulder and took over.

“Don’t I have a say about who I dance with?” January stated. Holding herself back as Carl slipped his arm around her small waist and took her hand.

“No.” He said, pulling her closer. Picking up the rhythm of the music and moving across the area. She was afraid of making a scene or she would have left the floor.

“I like your perfume.”

“How nice.” She answered, stiffly.

“Do you have to be so cold?” He pulled her closer. His hips were touching hers, his thigh’s brushing hers.

“Did you have a nice time in Dallas with
Kathy
?” She asked remembering his trip.

“Yes I did.” Carl moved his hand slowly over her back. His fingers gently massaging her shoulder blades. She stiffened again.

“What is the matter, are you afraid of me? Or is it Kevin?” He glanced toward the bar where Kevin was talking to Mary and BJ. “Your lover doesn’t seem to mind.”

Immediately January pulled back, putting several inches between them. “Kevin is not my lover.”

“Come on January, I’m not blind. Kevin arrives by himself, you rush over to him and embrace. It’s obvious what’s going on.”

“Mr. Richards, do you hear yourself? Do you seriously hear yourself. Isn’t Kevin you brother? Why don’t you ask him what is going on. Have you any thought to me what so ever? I mean every time Kathy whimpers you rush to her. So listen carefully. I don’t want to dance with you any longer, as a matter of fact, if I never see you again it will be too soon.” January quickly walked off the dance floor and seeing a path through the trees she took it. The scent of the freshly cut grass scented the cool night air. Behind her, she could hear the music and laughter of the party. There was a full moon. It’s faint light giving her very little assurance of where she was going.

“It’s dark out here girl.” Carl said, from behind her.

Startled, January turned to face him. She shivered from the cool night air. Her nerves were on edge. Carl Richards had sex appeal she couldn’t ignore. A slight breeze brought the scent of his cologne to her and shyly she glanced up at his face to find him watching her.

“Your beautiful in the moon light.”

“Carl I....”

Lightly he placed a finger on her lips. “Don’t ruin the moment,” he said.

“Carl don’t,” she jerked free of him. He grabbed her arm. “What is the matter with you?”

“What is the matter with me? What are you talking about? What is the matter with me? You said you would call, well you
didn’t. You are spending every moment you can with Kathy, Why do you give me the impression I am something you own. Well, for your information I’m not. I am so surprised Kathy is not running out here making sure you are not talking to me too long. Don’t you get it?”

“Carl is that you?” Kathy came down the path way with Steve.

“I rest my case.” January jerked away from him and headed for the house.

Now she needed a drink a strong one. Heading for the bar she fixed herself a shot and downed it. The heat of the liquid burned a path down her throat to her stomach. Her eyes stung with tears.

“Are you alright?” Kevin asked as he walked up beside her.

“I’ll be fine in a minute,” she coughs taking a deep breath. Why should it matter what Carl thought about Kevin and her being lovers, wasn’t that what he and Kathy were?

She danced with Kevin, then with Steve, who seemed to dominate her the rest of the evening. And as the evening wore on Carl’s attention toward Kathy infuriated her more and more. Suddenly the party seemed boring. She said good night to Mary and BJ. Kissing Kevin on the cheek whispering congratulations in his ear. She did that more for meanness than really wanting to kiss Kevin at all. Steve walked her to the car.

“I’ve known beautiful women in my lifetime, but I assure you never one who had a personally to go with the looks. I assure you I mean every word. You are surely something
special, please let us get together soon. I would love to get to know you better. Mary and BJ talk highly of you.”

“Thank you so much. It’s been a pleasure meeting you as well. I am sure we will meet again soon.” January said, getting in her car and heading home by herself.

After leaving the party, she tried not to let the fact that Carl and Kathy would be leaving the party together. She tried to figure out her feelings toward any of them at this point. She was going to take a serious look at who she spends her free time with. She loved Mary, but if she had to deal with Carl and Kathy every time, she was going to have to get a different best friend.

Chapter 24

M
onday was a perfect day, a and anything that could go wrong did. Two machines broke down, the sauna was to hot. The air conditioning wasn’t working, and she had received the bill for the Richards Construction Company.

Gasping at the amount, she sat heavily in the chair. Well the only thing she could do was pay the bill. Although I’d like to stuff it down his throat.” she said out loud.

“Tell me, what did you think of Steve Carson?” Mary asked, sitting down at the table with her lunch.

“He’s very impressive,” January stated.

“Kathy thinks so too, she tried to get his attention all night, did you notice how she was acting?” Mary smiled.

“No, I’m afraid, I didn’t notice Kathy,” January glared at her thinking of how Carl must feel.

“Well when you and Carl went for that walk, she hung onto Steve’s arm like glue. He didn’t even ask her to dance all night. It was funny.”

So they noticed, Mary must think shes awful. “Mary, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t want to draw attention.”

“Hey don’t worry about it, no one noticed but me and BJ. Are you still leaving for the cabin Friday?” Mary asked. “I’m
not sure it’s such a good idea for you to be in those mountains alone,” Mary frowned.

“I’ll be fine, there’s a two way radio up there, and besides I have neighbors down the road.”

“Still it’s a little scary. So what are you doing for Thanksgiving this Thursday?”

“I will probably have a small hen or something.” January was thoughtful for a few seconds. She had completely for gotten about all the holidays coming up. Her mother expects her home for Christmas but she had forgotten all about Thanksgiving.

“You can’t have Thanksgiving by your self, why don’t you join us. We’re having Thanksgiving at the Richards, I’m sure they would love to have you.”

“No way, but thanks anyway. I’m not interested.” January cleaned up her mess from the table. “Besides I think I may write another book while I’m up in the mountains. “There is no one to bother me up there.”

“That’s for sure, it’s isolated. There’s no civilization around anywhere.” Mary argued.

“Oh, Mary, for heaven’s sake.” January replied. “Would you stop making it sound as though I’m crazy.”

“I’m sorry, just concerned.” Mary sighed.

Returning to the club, there was a message on her desk to call Mrs. Richards.

“Mary did you call the Richards, because there is a message for me to call them.,” she gave her a warning look.

“No, January I swear I didn’t.”

“I wonder what it’s all about? Maybe I forgot something from the wedding. She thought as she dialed the number.

“The Richards resident,” Marie answered the phone.

January had a hard time telling her who was calling and decided she had no choice.

“Marie, this is January Manson, returning Mrs. Richards call. Is she in?”

“One moment please,” Marie said. Only a few seconds had passed when Mrs. Richards picked up the receiver.

“January my dear, how are you?” The cheerful voice said.

“I’m fine and you?” January asked trying to sound casual.

“Oh, bustling around getting ready for the holiday’s. That’s the reason I called my dear. I would love you to come share a small Thanksgiving dinner with us Thursday. I know its short notice but Mary said that she was off because you were going to close your business on Thursday, and Carl Jr. told me your family was all in Indiana. I certainly would hate to have you spend the holiday alone. BJ and Mary are also coming, now I won’t take no for an answer, so I’ll see you Thursday and come early so we can talk.”