Love Draws Near Page 17

  ~

  Lance turned from the coffeepot and noticed Cindy had fallen asleep. Her light blond hair fanned across the back of the sofa. Her pale skin was marbled with the blues, yellows, and purples of bruises. He would have done anything to spare her from hurt.

  Instead, he lay her on the sofa and covered her with a crocheted afghan lying across one arm of the furniture. Like it or not, he wasn’t leaving her alone more than a few minutes at a time. Not if her assumptions about Geneva were correct.

  He hadn’t told her, but he’d packed an overnight bag. It waited for him next to the front door. He knew she’d balk at his staying, even if he chose the loft. But…people in small towns talked. It was only a matter of time before someone found out where she was and let it slip to Geneva.

  While Cindy slept, he carried his bag up to the largest loft, grateful that the bed was made with what seemed to be clean blankets. He barely had room to sit up fully, but the king size mattress was comfortable. He lay down, folded his arms behind his head, and slept.

  The sounds of a microwave ding and the following aroma of popcorn woke him. He crawled and peered over the edge of the loft.

  Cindy glanced up, screamed, and tossed the bowl of popcorn into the air. “What in the world! You scared me half to death.”

  “It seems I’ve been doing a lot of that to women lately.” He swung over and jumped nimbly to the floor.

  She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Were you sleeping?”

  “Guilty as charged. I like my new room.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” She shook her head. “You are not staying here. You take up way too much room and I like my privacy.”

  “You’ll have breathing space when I have dinner with your family tomorrow night. Other than that, I plan on breathing down your neck.”

  She pressed her lips together and started scooping popcorn into the bowl.

  “Is there a broom?”

  She glanced up. “How would I know? I got here the same time you did. Since you’ve made yourself at home, you clean up.” She shoved the bowl into his hands and barged out the front door.

  Lance followed just in time to see her marching into the trees. “Where are you going?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You shouldn’t be running off. You’re injured.” He jogged to catch up.

  “When I sat next to you by that creek, I had no idea you were a controlling, suffocating, bully!” She put her hands on her hips.

  “Is that how you see me?”

  “Yes.” She lifted her chin.

  A dull pain rippled through him. “I only wanted to help. To actually be your prince in shining armor.”

  “I’ve had to do for myself since I was twelve-year-old. I can manage at the age of twenty-five.”

  Pain gave way to anger. “You called me, remember? From the hospital?”

  “I shouldn’t have.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “But, I didn’t have anyone else to call.”

  “Fine. I’ve been used. That’s great. You’ve enough food for a week, wood chips for the compost toilet, and propane to cook with. The water tank seems to be full. Enjoy yourself. Call me if you need me.”

  “I won’t,” she said softly.

  He climbed into his truck and roared away without looking back. A man knew when he wasn’t wanted. He wasn’t going to beg.

  He hadn’t gotten half-way home before he wanted to turn around and go back. Cindy was hurting, confused, and on the verge of losing everything. He wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. Instead, he was resigned to helping her from afar.

  He parked behind the barn and spent time with Samson to give himself time to calm down before facing his grandfather. When he felt composed enough, he entered the house through the kitchen, letting Lucille know they’d be having company the next night.

  “I’ll fix my special Cornish hens,” she said with a smile. “That will please any woman.”

  Lance inwardly winced. He wasn’t one to toy with another’s feelings, but if it kept the woman he did care about safe, he would. For a time.

  He found his grandfather in the study watching a game show. “I’ve invited Mrs. Hopkins and her daughters over for dinner tomorrow. I hope that’s all right?”

  Grandpa nodded. “I thought you didn’t like them girls.”

  “The blond is okay.” And not smart enough to know he was playing with her. Lord, forgive him.

  “How’s the other one? Bill’s daughter.”

  “Her name is Cindy. She’s fine.” He plopped in the other recliner and settled in. “Seemed ready to get rid of me.”

  “I tried to warn you. She’s just like her mother. Women like that use a man and toss them away when something better comes along.”

  Lance made a noise in his throat that he hoped would sound like an agreement.

  “Yep, Rachel Mae was a real user. I’ve always thought that Bill died from shame when she run off and left him with that child. Lots of people told him he should have given her up. Then, he up and marries Geneva a few years later. To find a mother for his daughter, is my guess.”

  “Now, you’re seeing her in hopes of expanding our land.”

  “Right smart of me, if I say so myself.” Grandpa grinned. “She doesn’t know a thing about taking care of a farm. It’s clear to see every time you look around the place. It’s falling into ruin. I’ll tear all the buildings down and expand our grazing land. Then, we can grow the herd.”

  Lance tuned out his grandfather’s rambling. He stared sightlessly at the television, letting his mind return to where he wanted to be. In that silly tiny house with Cindy.

  9

  “I called the hospital this morning,” Mrs. Hopkins said. She pursed her lips and blew into her soup, peering up at Lance from under lashes thick with mascara. “They said she left yesterday. No one seems to have seen her since.”

  “That’s strange.” Lance concentrated on the squash soup in front of him. Squash soup? Why did Lucille think she needed to make things fancy for Geneva and her daughters? He couldn’t wait for the Cornish hens and new potatoes. He needed something substantial to put up with these three.

  “Did you hear me, Lance?” Grandpa frowned from across the table.

  “Sorry. Concentrating on my food.” He shifted his leg to move it away from Ana’s. She was persistent at pressing her leg against his.

  “You were befriending the girl. Did she tell you where she was going?”

  “No.” He tried to look surprised. It wasn’t a complete lie. She hadn’t given him an address, only said a cabin up the mountain.

  “I’m worried,” Geneva said. “She was terribly injured. I can’t imagine she went far.”

  “Who are her friends?” Grandpa asked, putting a hand over Geneva’s.

  The woman fluttered her eyes as if blinking away tears. “I have no idea. She was such a secretive person. Even my daughters said so. Right, girls?”

  Lance thought he was going to be sick from the woman’s poor display of concern.

  “Yes, mama,” Ana and Natalie said in unison.

  Lance would bet his hat they’d been primed on what to say before arriving. He forcibly removed Ana’s hand from his thigh and placed it roughly in her own lap.

  A pout formed on her plump lips but in no way rivaled the pout on her sister Natalie’s face. Maybe Lance should rethink pretending to be interested. He had a sinking feeling his plan might backfire.

  “She turns twenty-five in less than two weeks,” Geneva said, twirling her water glass. “That’s a momentous birthday. A quarter of a century. I can’t believe she would miss it. I planned on throwing her a huge party.”

  “The first and only party.” Natalie giggled and raised her glass in a toast.

  The look Geneva shot her should have singed the tips of her carrot-orange hair. Instead, Natalie gave a simpering smile in return and cast her eyes back on Lance.

  He squirmed under her hungry look and pushed his bowl aside. Appetite gone. “
Someone in town must know. Cindy wasn’t a hermit.”

  “Sounds to me you were the only one spending time with the girl.” Grandpa raised his brows.

  “How much time?” Geneva set her spoon precisely on the edge of the platter under her soup bowl. “And why have I not heard of this or laid eyes on you until I caught you, suitcases in hand, climbing out her bedroom window?” She rolled her neck.

  The gesture reminded him of a snake testing the air for food.

  “You told me you were taking them to her at the hospital,” she continued. She folded her hands on the top of the table and pierced him with a stare. “Where did you take the suitcases, Mr. Moore?”

  “I gave the suitcases to Cindy. What she did after that has nothing to do with me.”

  Ana walked her fingers up Lance’s arm. “Don’t get angry, darling.”

  He wanted to fling her hand away. Shout that he wasn’t her darling. But, he still had a role to play in tripping up Geneva. He couldn’t blow it. “I’m willing to help you look for her.”

  She straightened as the main course was brought out and set in front of them. “Are you? That’s kind.”

  Grandpa had watched the exchange without speaking. Now, the glint in his eyes told Lance his grandfather knew he was up to something and would want to know what the minute their company left.

  The rest of the meal was spent with Lance fighting off Ana, Natalie shooting daggers at the two of them, Geneva studying him with cold eyes, and his grandfather sending a questioning glance his way on occasion. The whole evening gave Lance heartburn.

  When his grandfather mentioned that Lance should take the “girls” to the front porch with their dessert, he seriously thought about hanging himself. His mother had told him when he was a child that a lie would entangle a person in a web they might not get out of. Here he was, ensnared by a chubby blond gal with the arms of an octopus.

  “I’m so glad you decided not to pick Cindy.” Ana fiddled with the buttons on his shirt.

  “Stop acting like a harlot,” Natalie said. “You’re making Lance uncomfortable.”

  “Thank you, Natalie.” He breathed a sigh of relief as Ana sat back.

  “Anytime, handsome.”

  Oh, brother. The sisters were in competition. How were they going to react when he did finally have Cindy openly with him?

  “So,” Natalie set the rocker she was in into motion. “Do you know where my stepsister is? You don’t have to tell me where if you do know. It doesn’t hurt mother to stew a little.”

  “Hush, Nat.” Ana frowned.

  “Why does your sister need to hush?” Lance glanced from one to the other. “What do you know of your mother’s plans?”

  “Nothing,” Ana said, glaring at her sister.

  “Plenty.” Natalie wiggled her eyebrows. “But, I’m sworn to secrecy. See, if we were to tell, we wouldn’t receive our share of what’s coming to her.” She gave a thin-lipped smile. “Now, if you were to put a ring on my finger, I’d tell you everything.”

  “He’s mine,” Ana growled.

  Maybe playing games with the sister he thought the less smart hadn’t been the right choice. Natalie was cunning. She would give if she got. How could he get her alone?

  “Ana, dearest,” he almost choked on the words. “My tea is finished. Would you please get me a refill?”

  “Why don’t you ring for a servant?”

  “This isn’t a medieval castle. Plus, it’ll be sweeter if you get it.” He forced a smile. Then, the moment she entered the house, he turned to Natalie. “I’ll give you ten thousand dollars to sign a paper outlining your mother’s plans.”

  “Twenty-five thousand.” Her eyes glittered.

  “Deal.” Lance offered his hand in a handshake.

  ~

  “Do you trust her?” Cindy fell back onto the sofa which she left out as a bed. Her lawyer had knocked shortly after eight a.m., startling her into throwing a robe over the tee-shirt and shorts she’d slept in.

  Mr. Barnhart nodded. “Lance Moore seemed quite convinced that she would have it to him sometime today. Once he has it in hand, we’ll go to the sheriff. It ought to be enough evidence to start an investigation. You’d have to testify, you know?”

  She’d do so gladly. Anything to get Geneva out of her life. Cindy stood and held out her hand. “Thank you for making the trip up here.”

  He shook her hand. “How are you faring?”

  “I’m good. A bit bored, but I’ll survive. I take a lot of walks and do a lot of reading. I’m hoping to sneak to town and make a visit to the library. Geneva doesn’t read so running into her shouldn’t be a problem. Plus, she won’t recognize the car I’m driving.”

  “Just be careful. We’re almost at the end of this.”

  “I will.” She closed the door after him and chose a knee-length sundress and pink sandals with a leather flower on top. She’d at least feel pretty, even if her face would scare small children because of the cuts and bruises.

  Forty-five minutes later she parked in front of the red-brick library, excited to borrow an armload of books to help pass the time. Inside, she headed straight for the section that held books by her favorite romantic suspense author.

  “Hello, sister.” Natalie stepped around the shelf. “I knew you’d show up sooner or later.”

  Cindy took a step back. “What do you want?”

  “Money.” She stared at her freshly painted nails.

  “I don’t have any.”

  “No, but if mother fails, you’ll have plenty.” Natalie’s gaze hardened. “I’ve already promised to write down her plan and hand it to Lance. But, I want money from you, too.”

  “Okay. I’ll give you the same.”

  Natalie shook her head. “No, I think I’d like a hundred thousand from you. You’ll easily be able to afford it. I’ve seen the bank account waiting for you to turn twenty-five.”

  “Pa had money?”

  “Lot’s of it. Which, he set aside for you.” Natalie tapped her nose. “I want some.”

  “Okay, just don’t tell Geneva you saw me.” She really hoped she could count on her stepsister’s greed to keep her honest in this case.

  “Mum’s the word.” Natalie held a finger to her lips and stepped back around the shelf.

  Cindy grabbed several books and rushed to the checkout kiosk. She did trust Natalie to be there when and if Cindy inherited, but she didn’t trust her to keep her mouth shut if she thought she could get more out of Geneva than she could from Cindy and Lance.

  Books in hand, she deposited them in her trunk and ducked into the drugstore. She darted to the toiletries, filled a basket and quick-stepped to the counter. She almost made it.

  “Cindy Hopkins. Why, you don’t look well enough to be out roaming the town.” Mrs. Pinkney stepped in line behind her. “Geneva is looking everywhere for you. She’s quite worried.”

  “I just needed some time to rest. I’ll call her this afternoon. Thank you for your concern.” Cindy plunked the basket on the conveyor belt.

  “Tsk tsk. I never knew you to be lazy, taking a break when there’s so much work to be done on the farm.” The woman scowled. “Your mother is breaking her back getting it all done herself.”

  So she says. “I’ll call her.” Cindy quickly paid and practically ran to her car. Running into the town’s gossip was almost the worst thing that could have happened during her trip to town. She froze and hid behind a streetlight as Lance’s truck cruised down the street. If he saw her, he’d stop and talk. It was best if they remained apart.

  He’d probably be called into testify about what she’d told him if things went to court, but he couldn’t talk about personal things in a courtroom. Over time, he’d forget about her and find someone more suitable.

  Once he was out of sight, she tossed her purchases into the car and headed back up the mountain, checking her rearview mirror every few minutes. No one seemed to be following her. She heaved a sigh. Maybe she should have stayed in a different t
own. But, the cottage was free and until her birthday, funds were very sparse.

  By the time she returned to her temporary home, her nerves were stretched thin and she realized she’d forgotten a few essential groceries. She’d be having dry cereal for breakfast in the morning. Maybe, she could get Mr. Barnhart to bring her some things. She couldn’t risk going into town again so soon.

  She caught sight of her cell phone where she’d forgotten it on the counter. Lance would come at a moment’s notice. She gave herself a mental shake. No. She had to do this on her own. It wouldn’t be long now.

  She put away her things and sat on her bed. Loneliness fell over her like a heavy blanket. The feeling wasn’t new to her, but it wasn’t until that moment that she realized how much she had looked forward to seeing Lance down by the creek.

  Maybe she was wrong. Maybe was suitable for him. Pa had always told her she was a princess of the King. That would make her good enough for anyone.

  If only she felt that special. Except for her father and Lance, she rarely heard a kind word expressed to her. She rarely went to town, unless it was to make Geneva’s purchases. A social life had never been in the cards for her. Even through high school.

  She stared down at toe nails that badly needed painting. This was her life for now. Finding menial tasks until time for bed. Again, she thought of calling Lance…just to talk.

  No. She wasn’t going to give him false hope. Being strong hurt more then she’d thought it would.

  10

  She missed Lance. There was no sense in lying to herself any longer. She missed their teasing and laughter. After living more than a week in the tiny house, she felt claustrophobic and irritable. Not that Cindy didn’t love the little house, she did, but she didn’t realize until then that she wasn’t as much of a hermit as she’d thought.

  Geneva or one of her daughters was always around. Or Cindy was sent to town where most people actually spoke to her. Why had she spent so much of her growing up years listening to Geneva’s lies? It wasn’t until Cindy was surrounded by silence, with no one but herself and God, that she realized Lance was right. No one cared about Cindy’s mother or how she was conceived. Come to think of it…most of the people Cindy knew actually liked her and never referred to her mother.