Texas Rich

by Fern Michaels

“Are you going to be an admiral someday, Moss?” Billie teased, enjoying the few moments of intimacy.

  “Not me, but Thad is. I’d bet Sunbridge on it.”

  Billie giggled. “Do you think he’ll have a wife like one of these women?”

  “God, I hope not. Thad’s pretty selective. What kind of shoes is the general’s wife wearing?” Moss asked curiously.

  Billie peered straight ahead in the yellow lantern light. She giggled again. “Serviceable. Maybe she has a foot problem. But we’re being unkind.”

  “The hell you say, Mrs. Coleman. That lady is a living, breathing bitch. She controls the officers’ wives with an iron hand. The general doesn’t make a move until he checks with her. It’s common knowledge on the base. I’m glad you aren’t staying there, Billie.” Moss’s arms tightened protectively around his wife’s shoulders. This time, Billie leaned against him and whispered. He bent down to hear and grinned. “I’ll take you up on. that later. We better start to circulate, honey. Phillip is going to start carving soon and we have to head the line. I’ll meet you on the lanai in, say, twenty minutes.”

  Billie maneuvered through the milling crowds, stopping to speak to one person and then another. The party was a success.

  The moment Phillip’s relatives struck the first chord of “Deep in the Heart of Texas” on their ukuleles, Billie made her way to the lanai to meet Moss.

  Moss held up both hands as a signal for quiet. “Hele mai ai!” he shouted. “Come and eat!”

  The small orchestra split up, half going to the area beneath the monkeypod tree and the other half to the beach. They strummed softly while native girls in their grass skirts swayed to the music. More than one man’s, eyes was on the girls instead of his beef. Billie felt smug. Moss had eyes for no one save herself.

  “We’ll have to do this again sometime, old buddy,” Thad said with a slight slur to his words.

  “The next time you can do it.” Moss grinned. “What do you New Englanders do for a bash?”

  “We have fish fries. And chowders. Stick-to-your-ribs chowder. Did I tell you you are the most beautiful woman here?” Thad said gallantly to Billie as he tried for a low, sweeping bow.

  “Three times,” Moss said, grinning. “You’re getting crocked, Thad.”

  “Yeaaahhh. Billie, would you play the piano for me? That tinny music is getting to me. I have a yen for some good old U.S. of A. music. Old man, can your wife play me a couple of tunes?” Thad asked Moss.

  “I don’t see why not. It’s up to Billie. Billie?”

  “Of course. What would you like to hear?”

  “Something with some beat. Something with heart. A little honky-tonk, maybe some boogie-woogie. Is that a tall order?”

  “Not too tall. I think I can manage. Come along, Lieutenant.”

  Billie settled herself at the keyboard. She flexed her fingers and tested out the keys. The baby grand was a magnificent instrument.

  Billie was lost in the music, unaware of Thad’s intent gaze as he leaned over the piano. She finished the last chord of “When the Lights Come On Again All Over the World” and swung into “The White Cliffs of Dover.” “Harbor Lights” followed and then “Always.”

  “Slide over, Billie,” Thad ordered. Billie obeyed and was stunned when Thad ran his long fingers the length of the keyboard. “Let’s have a duet. Name your choice.”

  “I didn’t know you played, Thad.”

  “There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me. Come on, let’s tickle these ivories.”

  Billie laughed. “Name it, Lieutenant, and I’ll keep up with you.”

  When the last guest had left, Moss took stock. “It was a roaring success, honey. We really did ourselves up proud. Mac took some great pictures. I’m not even going to try to get them developed over here. I’ll send them straight on to Pap. Listen, honey, Thad, Mac, and Jack have to get back. If they take the Jeep, I won’t have any way to get to the base in the morning, so I’m going along with them. I’ll be back Monday night.”

  “Moss, it’s only three A.M. You cold get a few hours’ sleep and drive the Ford in the morning.” If he left now, she wouldn’t see him for another three days. “Moss, please.”

  “It’s best this way, honey. By the time I get back, I can shower and change and write to Pap. He’s going to want to know how things went. I’ll see you Monday night. By the way, Mrs. Coleman, did I tell you how beautiful you looked this evening? Hey, are those tears? Billie, Coleman women don’t cry over something as silly as this. Come on now, give me a smile.” Billie’s effort was hardly more than a grimace, but it seemed to satisfy Moss.

  “Come on, you flight jockeys, move it! Who’s almost sober?”

  “I am,” Thad said quietly. “Haven’t had a drink in hours. I’ll drive. Moss, if you don’t want to drive the Ford down in the morning, I’ll take it now and you can take the Jeep. You look done in. Why don’t you catch a few hours’ sleep?”

  Moss shook his head. “We’ll do it my way.”

  Billie’s eyes thanked Thad for what he was trying to do for her. “Good night, gentlemen,” she said quietly. “Thad, drive carefully. Moss, I’ll see you on Monday.” Without another word, she turned and headed for the bedroom, tears spilling down her cheeks. She’d been so sure Moss would stay.

  Thad wanted to push his fist through Moss’s smiling face. The ride back to the base was silent, heavy with emotions and confused loyalties. Moss was his friend, his best friend, Thad reminded himself. He would try never to forget it.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Billie’s Hawaiian honeymoon seemed to have ended. After the barbecue it was only rarely that she and Moss spent an evening alone together. They’d broken the ice; now it was their turn to accept social invitations, and Moss frequently entertained at the Officers’ Club, just outside the base.

  “It’s important to me, Billie,” he’d say when she complained. “It’s not like I’m asking you to do anything but be there. All the arrangements are handled by the club.”

  “But I want to be here, alone with you, not with twenty other people. And I’m so much younger than the other wives, we’ve got very little in common.”

  “I don’t like it when you whine, Billie. I don’t like it at all. Promotions aren’t handed out on merit alone. Not even in wartime. You’re my wife and a Coleman. You’ve lived at Sunbridge long enough to see how things are done and I expect you to do them. Now get dressed.”

  “I could almost understand it if you were planning a career in the service, Moss, but you’re not. Why is it so important to you?”

  “Because I want to go as far as I can. I want to be up there where the decisions are made. There’s no telling how long this war will last and I want to have some say in it. I’ve got some ideas of my own but no one will listen to them if I’m still just a flight jockey. Now do you understand?”

  “Not quite. I really don’t see why it should involve me. Thad doesn’t have a wife to entertain for him and he’s certainly not wanting for promotions.”

  It stuck in Moss’s craw that Thad had been promoted to full lieutenant. His friend seemed to be fulfilling Pap’s prophecy: “Watch out, boy, or that Yankee’ll get ahead of you.”

  Billie was immediately sorry for what she’d said and meekly went to the bedroom to change. At least her expensive wardrobe was being put to good use. There was the Coleman image to preserve. Later, Moss would smooth her ruffled feathers with a gentle kiss and an approving whistle. And if there was one thing Billie desperately needed, it was her husband’s approval.

  Moss wasn’t certain he liked the new assertiveness in his wife. In many ways he wanted her to be more independent, because it would mean greater freedom and fewer responsibilities for him. Yet he never really wanted her to change from that pleasant, acquiescent girl he’d met in Philadelphia. He rather liked being the one in control, and he considered Billie’s occasional balkiness unattractive. Things were so much nicer when he could tell her not to bother her pretty litt
le head about something and she would listen. This new Billie seemed to demand answers, and often he wasn’t prepared to give them.

  What Billie had said concerning Thad’s promotion was niggling at him—perhaps she was closer to the truth of the matter than he was. It was possible that Billie’s arrival in Hawaii had created jealousy among the other officers, reminding everyone he was a Coleman and had received special treatment. Then, too, perhaps the barbecue hadn’t been that great an idea. Billie’s instincts had been correct again. Settling back with his drink, Moss made a decision. Everyone had met the little wife... now it was time for her to go back stateside.

  Billie stood under the shower spray wishing she had time for a bath instead. A nice long bath, fragrant with perfumed salts and a delicate powdering afterward. Then it would be so nice to crawl into bed beside Moss and make love to him. She wrinkled her nose in disappointment. Their social engagements usually ended late and Moss had to leave for the base so early; they had little time alone together. At least not for slow, luxurious arousals and falling asleep in each other’s arms. Their lovemaking had become as hurried and demanding as everything else in their lives.

  She lathered her arms, her neck, and her breasts, which were feeling heavier and more sensitive than usual, a sensation she remembered from her pregnancy with Maggie.

  A little stab of remorse sent her thoughts to the baby she’d left back in Texas. It had been almost two months since she’d seen her daughter. Counting on her fingers, Billie realized that she’d left for Hawaii seven weeks ago. Seven weeks and no menstrual period. The thought was so devastating she felt light-headed, and suddenly Dr. Ward’s warnings flashed through her brain. No, it wasn’t possible. It was all the activity, all the swimming. Gingerly, she pressed her fingers into her breasts, feeling their tenderness. Missing a period didn’t necessarily mean pregnancy and this was the way her breasts usually felt at the onset of her monthlies.

  Hurriedly, she finished washing and rinsed off. Moss was waiting for her and she could practically feel his impatience. She wondered, not for the first time since arriving in Hawaii, if she should tell him what Dr. Ward had said about becoming pregnant again. Yet, as always before, it was something she couldn’t bring herself to share with him. It would cause him worry and he had enough on his mind. Deep inside, she knew the real reason she wouldn’t confide in Moss was that she didn’t want him to think she was lacking in any way. She was ashamed of her inadequacies, even though this one was something over which she had no control. Besides, Agnes was well aware of the doctor’s warnings and if there was anything to really be concerned about, her own mother would have said something. Wouldn’t she?

  By the time Billie stepped out of the bedroom, dressed in a white linen evening suit and high-heeled strapped slippers, Moss had come to the decision that his wife’s return to the States was imperative, even if he had to fabricate the reasons for her leaving. “Billie,” he said with a grin, eyeing the way the white linen skirt hugged her hips and thighs, “you’re a knockout! Maybe you’re right and we should stay home tonight.”

  Billie stepped into his arms, raking her fingers through the dark hair at the back of his neck. His thighs pressed enticingly against her own and his lips found the hollows of her throat. As her desires heightened, her questions subsided. This was her husband and he loved her and didn’t want to share her with anyone tonight. When his mouth captured hers and she heard him emit a low groan of passion, tears of love and gratitude made crystalline paths down her cheeks.

  Less than a week later, Moss arrived home early. Billie immediately knew something was terribly wrong. “What are you doing home?” she asked, dreading the answer.

  “Billie, love, I can’t stay. I’ve just come to pick up my things. I’ve got to get right back, but I wanted to see you before I left.”

  “Left? Where are you going?” There’d been so little time, so little time. Already she ached with missing him.

  “I can’t tell you that, Billie. You understand. I’ve already gotten through to Pap and he’s making arrangements for you to go back stateside.”

  “Why can’t I stay here and wait for you?”

  “Now, Billie, love, don’t look at me that way. Why would you want to stay here? I don’t know when I’ll be getting back and you do have our daughter to think about. I can’t leave you all alone here in Hawaii. It just isn’t possible. I’d never have a minute’s rest!”

  Billie sank into Moss’s arms, too shocked for tears. “I’ve got to know where you’re going. I’ve got to know when I’ll see you again.”

  “Chin up, Billie. You knew this would happen. Pap knew it, too, when he sent you out here. It’s out of my hands. Come here,” he said softly. He tucked his chin on the top of her head so she wouldn’t see the lies in his eyes. The Big E was still in dock.

  Billie melted into his embrace. With her head against his chest, she could hear the wild thumping of his heart. She had to be brave; it was the least she could do for the man she loved, who was about to go off again to war,

  Moss’s hands trembled slightly as he caressed Billie’s soft golden hair. She smelled so good, felt so good. He was a cad for what he was doing and he knew it. But hell, he was making a sacrifice, too! “Honey, I have to go. Take care of yourself and write to me. Every day, long letters. Tell me about Maggie and what’s going on at Sunbridge. It makes me feel so close to you. Give my love to Pap and Mam. Tell them I’ll write.”

  “Moss, I love you so much. I can’t bear this.

  He placed a finger against her quivering lips. “Shhh. Smile, Billie. Smile for me—it’s how I want to remember you.”

  Billie felt beaten and bruised. . . . Would she ever be whole again? She helped him pack his ditty bag and saw him out to the Jeep. “I love you, Moss,” she told him, leaning into his embrace.

  “I know you do, honey. I know you do.”

  The following afternoon, Billie Coleman left Hawaii. She was pregnant with her second child.

  Billie was welcomed back to Sunbridge by an aroused household in nightclothes. Too tired to respond in detail to questions, Billie issued a terse report on Moss and his well-being to her mother and Seth, then headed straight for her room. They were just going to have to wait until she felt up to the lengthy discussion they wanted. For now she wanted to see her daughter, to hold her and feel the soft downy head against her cheek. And then she wanted to sleep. For as long as possible.

  “What the hell was that all about, Aggie?” Seth demanded. Agnes tried to hide her amusement at Seth’s sleeping attire. She hadn’t known they still made nightshirts these days. Red flannel, and with the seam split over his rump. She was going to have to speak to Tita about that. “Doesn’t the girl know I’ve been waiting all day like a heifer in a mud slide for news of my son?”

  “She gave you the highlights, Seth. She’s tired. It’s possible that our objective has been accomplished and Billie is feeling it even at this early stage. Patience. Tomorrow is another day. Moss is well and that’s what is important. Go to bed now and we’ll talk in the morning.”

  Dismissed. By God, Aggie was dismissing him like a kid. Seth bristled, but one look at Agnes’s eyes told him he would get no further. Honey always worked better than vinegar, or so Agnes was fond of telling him.

  Billie tiptoed down the long hallway to the nursery. The nurse was up from her narrow bed along the wall immediately. She brushed back her gray hair and sighed when she saw Billie. A weary smile crossed Billie’s face when she peered down at the sleeping baby. She looked like Moss. At least she had his nose. Billie’s chin, but Moss’s nose.

  A long arm shot out when Billie bent to pick up the sleeping baby. Billie straightened and locked eyes with the woman. “Go back to sleep, Nurse. I’m going to pick up my daughter and hold her. And then I’m going to sit in your rocking chair and rock her. If you don’t like what I’m about to do, I suggest you pack your bags and leave now. The chauffeur is probably still awake because he just drove me here from th
e airport. Decide now. I’m very tired and I want to hold my baby.”

  “This is not good for the baby. She’s colicky and needs her sleep. I never allow my charges to be awakened in the middle of the night.” Her words were firmly said, but her eyes looked away first and her step was slow when she waddled back to the nursery bed. She had never been discharged from a position yet. This, she thought, was no time to start.

  The downy head was soft against Billie’s cheek. How sweet and clean Maggie smelled. How good she felt. It was almost as good as holding Moss next to her in a warm bed. Maggie squirmed and let out a large belch. “Just like your daddy.” Billie smiled as she carried the sleeping baby to the rocking chair.

  Billie rocked the old chair gently as she murmured an account of her trip to the islands to the sleeping baby. An hour later, when she could barely hold her eyes open, Billie nuzzled her face in the baby’s neck, reveling in the scent and feel. Her own flesh and blood. Hers and Moss’s.

  Billie stood over the crib a good five minutes watching the sleeping child. Then she walked over to the nurse’s bed. “Maggie is fine. She burped once, very loud, as a matter of fact. I didn’t smother her. I didn’t fall asleep while I rocked her. She’s in a sound sleep and will no doubt sleep through the night. Good night.”

  “I’m going to have to speak to Mr. Coleman about this, Mrs. Coleman. He placed me in sole charge of Maggie.”

  Billie spun around and walked back to the bed. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Miss Jenkins. Not if you want to continue to work here. The choice, however, is entirely up to you.” The nurse stared at Billie. Secretly she wanted to applaud the young mother. Hawaii must have been good for her. Maybe she’d give that old man a run for his money yet. She nodded.

  Billie dragged herself back to her room and stripped off her clothes. Too tired to look for a nightgown, she slipped beneath the sheets naked. She was used to sleeping “in the buff,” as Moss called it. In fact, she rather liked the satiny feel of the sheets against her skin. She was asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.