Chapter Three. I got out the back door in time to see my insane dog run away with something in her mouth

I got out the back door in time to see my insane dog run away with something in her mouth. It looked like a bag or something...like maybe one of those burlap bags new trees come in. Like a fool, I chased her into the woods. She, of course, thought I was playing and did that dodge thing dogs do. She darted back and forth then stopped and waited for me to move.

"Chance, get over here, now!" I said, doing my best imitation of an owner in control.

Because she listens so well, she charged off into the woods. As I lost sight of her I yelled, "Good, run all the way back home you stupid cur!"

I truly loved my dog but wondered what she had dug up. As I walked back to the house, Maggie and Hannah were watching me from the deck. Maggie was smiling and Hannah looked at me as if I were an escapee from Happy Dale.

"I'm sorry, she dug something up in your yard," I said, feeling like an idiot.

"It's all right, Aunt Hannah's dog used to dig all the time," Maggie said. Her smile was genuine.

"Hey, where is your dog? Chance could have a playmate." I smiled, but it faded when I saw their faces.

"The poor thing died. He was..." Hannah began.

Maggie interrupted quickly. "Aunt Hannah, don't. It's all over."

I looked at Maggie and tried to figure out why she would cut her aunt off like that. "I'm sorry," I said, not knowing quite what to say. After a few moments of awkward silence, I tried to change the topic. "Shouldn't you be off that foot?" Nice segue, Kate.

"Yes, she certainly should. Let's all go in. What time is it?" Hannah looked at her watch. "Good heavens it's after noon, time for a cocktail! It's getting cloudy and it'll take the chill out of our bones."

It was getting rather cool. I turned and looked for my crazed canine but she was still nowhere in sight. She'd be back in an hour or so, after she finished snooping and burying whatever she'd found.

Maggie limped into the den and I followed.

"Have a seat, anywhere," she offered, plopping on the couch while I looked around the massive den.

"Your aunt's house is huge."

"This house belongs to me. Aunt Hannah has lived with us since my mother died. Both of my parents are gone now, so it's just the two of us."

"I'm very sorry about your parents...your aunt told me about them earlier."

"I had a feeling she was going to do that. She likes you. You have an honest face. Aunt Hannah is very impressionable."

"We had a very interesting talk, nice but interesting."

Hannah came in with a tray full of glasses and a decanter. "Pour if you will, Kate," she said.

"My pleasure, Hannah."

"You have an engaging personality, Kate. And beautiful green eyes. Doesn't she Margaret?"

"Of sorts."

"Now," said Hannah sitting down with her drink. "Tell us about yourself, Kate. How long have you been a photographer? Are you originally from Illinois?"

As soon as I opened my mouth to speak, the doorbell rang. I wonder if I can do that again? I opened my mouth again, and by golly, it worked.

"Hello, is anybody home?" A woman's voice came from the foyer.

I watched Hannah and Maggie stare at each other...neither moved.

"Ladies, someone's at the door." I looked first at Maggie, then at Hannah, watching for any reaction.

Hannah took a long, long sip of her sherry. You could almost call it a swig. Maggie drained the contents of her glass, laid her head back on the arm of the couch, and closed her eyes. Well, when in Rome. I drained my glass as well.

"Helloo!"

"We're in here, dear," Hannah called politely.

Maggie lifted her head and glared at her aunt. I remembered that look from earlier that morning. I was grateful I was not the recipient. Hannah rolled her eyes.

In walked the most strikingly beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was 5'9" and all legs. She looked like Ava Gardner and had legs like Cyd Charisse. Okay, I'm a sucker for Hollywood. Her hair was jet black, short and wavy. Her eyes were green and somewhat almond shaped. She had high cheekbones, full red lips and long shapely legs that went "all the way to the floor" as my father used to say. She was wearing a plaid skirt and with those legs who wouldn't and a V-neck sweater with a blazer: very classy.

All at once, I felt like a frumpy bumpkin in my jeans, flannel and loafers. I thought for sure she was going to take out a cigarette and wait for someone to light it. I might have, if I smoked, and if I had a lighter.

This strange, elegant woman looked at Maggie. "God, Mags. Are you all right?"

I'd stood when she entered the room, but she breezed right past me to sit on the edge of the couch. See if I light your cigarette.

"I saw Doc, he told me what happened," she said and touched Maggie's forehead. "Are you all right?"

"Allison, there was no need to come over. I'm fine. Really," Maggie said.

My eyes widened as I realized who this woman was. I gave a questioning look to Hannah who had a mischievous smirk on her face.

Allison glanced at Hannah. "I'm sorry, Hannah, I didn't mean to be rude and ignore you."

"That's all right, my dear, you were only rude to our guest. This is Kate Ryan," Hannah said, pointing toward me. "Kate this is Allison Carson, a friend of the family."

I stood and extended my hand. "Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Allison said insincerely, taking my hand. I noticed the realization flash across her face.

"Yes," I said, answering her unasked question. "I'm the one who knocked her off her horse."

"Really? And you're sitting here drinking sherry? How nice."

She was beginning to annoy me. "Nothing like a glass of fine sherry after knocking someone on their ass and..."

"Allison, would you like a glass of sherry, dear?" Hannah chimed in, saving the day.

Allison smiled sweetly at Hannah. "No thank you, it's a little early in the day for me." She looked at me. "But you enjoy yourself."

She so didn't mean that and I was now truly annoyed.

Allison turned back to Maggie. "You take care, and give me a call if you need anything. Anything at all." She kissed her on the forehead.

She said good-bye to Hannah and came over to me. "It was nice to meet you Miss Ryan. Will you be leaving soon?" She purposefully stood too close to my chair so it would be very awkward if I tried to stand.

I picked up my glass of sherry and crossed my legs. "I couldn't say. But it was a pleasure meeting you. Any friend of the family..."

Hannah shot out of her chair and took Allison by the arm. "Thank you for coming over, dear. Give us a call later, won't you?"

Allison looked over her shoulder as Hannah ushered her out. "I'll call you later, Mags."

"That would be great, Allison," Maggie called into the hallway then glared at me and started to say something.

"You've got lipstick on your forehead Miss Winfield," I said with a smug grin. I leaned over and presented a napkin.

She wrenched the napkin out of my hand.

I heard Hannah saying her good-byes before rejoining us. "Goodness, it is getting dark," Hannah said, sitting back with her sherry. "I think we may have a good storm. Now, where were we?"

"You were asking if Miss Ryan is from Illinois," Maggie said, with her eyes closed.

"Ah, yes." Hannah sat down and picked up her sherry. "Well?"

"Ladies, I have no idea where I'm from or where I'm going, but could someone get the knife out of my back?" I turned to expose my back. At least Hannah and I had a laugh.

"I think I could use a small refill," Maggie said. She struggled to sit up and retrieve her glass.

"I got it," I said absently, rising to get her glass.

"I can get it," she insisted as she struggled.

She couldn't reach it and she knew it. So, I shrugged and watched her flounder for a moment. It was too much; she nearly fell off the couch.

"Man, you're stubborn," I said impatiently and grabbed her glass from her.

"Thank you," she said too sweetly as I handed her the refilled glass.

We sat for a moment in silence. After telling Hannah the truth, I knew I had to tell Maggie as well. I figured now was as good a time as any.

"Maggie, I'm afraid I haven't been telling you the whole truth," I blurted. All at once, I felt a little foolish.

"Really?" Maggie asked. "What do you mean the whole truth?"

She stared at me, bewildered while I told them about Jan and Barb, and the whole nine yards. When I finished, I looked at Maggie. "Believe me, I did not know who you were until we were introduced. And even then I wasn't sure if I should stay or go."

"It's Kismet!" Hannah said with great enthusiasm until she looked at her niece. Her smile faded quickly.

"It's rot!" Maggie said, in an irritated voice. "So, you thought you'd get the scoop and leave, is that it? Have my aunt tell you personal family matters, then what? Give it to your magazine for a nice little cover story about the sad lives of the rich? Tell me why I should believe you?"

"Maggie, Jan and Barb told me you declined to meet with me, but I came up..."

"You came up to see if you could find me anyway, is that it? Even though I said I didn't want anyone here?"

I was getting tired of being cut off. "No, you self-absorbed little..." An appropriate word failed me. "First of all, I take wildlife photos. Unless a loon is in your lineage, which is a distinct possibility, I can't sell any photos or stories. I came up here because you have two friends who care a great deal about you who were worried sick. They honestly think something is wrong. Probably because of something you told them.

"I'm sure they could have easily told me, but because they respect your privacy, they did not say a word...only that you were a friend and in trouble. And since I am their friend and care about them, I thought maybe, just maybe, I might be able to help. However, I can see now that you don't want any help." My heart was pounding. Christ she got me angry. "I think I'd better go." I stood. "I'm sorry I disrupted your lives today. Really, it was never my intention and I apologize for losing my temper."

"Nonsense, we have a great deal to discuss and you aren't going anywhere," Hannah said. "What we need is food. We need lunch! I'll be right back, and you," she said to me, "Stay put. I mean it!"

I stared in disbelief as she left the room.

Without looking at me, Maggie started. "I might have been a little out of line a moment ago. I don't know you and I thought the worst. I apologize. Jan and Barb are good friends and I know they care. When they told me about you, initially I thought of meeting with you, but I didn't want anyone involved in this. I'd like you to stay. I haven't talked to anyone about this. Maybe you can help. I don't know. There is so much going on and I don't quite know what to do." She stopped and looked at me.

"I don't think your aunt will let me leave, anyway."

"You may be right. Thank you," she said gratefully. "So, what else did Aunt Hannah tell you?"

I proceeded to tell her the whole conversation from beginning to end.

She sat quietly and listened. She interrupted only once when I related what Hannah had said about our lifestyles. She actually blushed. "You'll have to forgive Aunt Hannah, she means well. She's a very direct person."

"Yes, she is. She cares very much."

"So, do you still want to help, or do you want to eat and run? I wouldn't blame you if you did."

"Well, I can't leave without my dog, and since I have no idea where she is, I guess I'll have to stay for a while."

Hannah came back in the room, pushing another tray. This time it was filled with sandwiches and potato salad. All at once, I was famished.

"No more discussions until you've both eaten," Hannah ordered.

We sat in silence for a few minutes eating our lunch. I didn't say anything. I couldn't. I was stuffing my face with a wonderful roast beef sandwich. It appeared we all had ravenous appetites.

As I ate my lunch, I thought of my car. Don't ask me why. "When we're finished perhaps Bedford can take me back to the scene of the crime, and I can get my car."

Hannah looked down and said nothing.

"Hannah?" I asked, slowly.

"Your car's not there," she mumbled into her plate.

"Beg pardon? It sounded very much like you said my car's not there."

She looked up at both of us. "Well, it's been damaged and I thought Stan could fix it," she said. I heard the innocence in her voice and then realized there was nothing innocent about Hannah.

I gave her a confused look. "Who's Stan?"

"Our mechanic! He's very good and I'm sure..."

"You called a tow truck to come and take away my car? Hannah, I need my car! How else am I going to get home?"

"Aunt Hannah, Kate and I discussed it. She said she would stay."

"Oh," Hannah said. She looked down at her plate.

"No!" I said in disbelief as it dawned on me. "Tell me you didn't have that guy tow my car just to keep me here all day. Tell me you didn't do that, Hannah."

Maggie hid her face behind both hands; her shoulders were shaking as she laughed.

I looked at Hannah. "Hannah?"

"Well, you were going to leave and I didn't know what to do! So, I called Stan and had him tow your car." She looked at me with a sheepish grin. "So you might as well finish your lunch. I told Stan to call us later."

I stood dumbfounded. I had no idea what to say. I finally shook my head, sighed, sat down and did what I was told. I finished my lunch.

Поиск по сайту: