"No. I've gotten used to the strange way we live. I always wanted to believe . . . that we would hve happily ever after. The joke's on me, though."
"Then let's just let things be. Your job is here in town, so why don't I move back to Sunrise. I can conduct business from there. Since we put in a paved road, I can be here in a httle over two hours if I want to come to town. Sunrise is your home, too, Philip. Anytime you want to come up and stay, it will be fine with me. Your teaching friends are here and I know you made a separate life for yourself It's up to you. Philip, why haven't you ever used the money I gave you?"
"Because you can't buy me, Sallie, and that's what you were doing. You were trying to make up for marrying me when you didn't love me. It's all in the bank. I more or less promised it to Ash. It's a princely sum by now."
"I see."
"This time you really do see, don't you?"
"Yes. Phihp, why don't you and I play hooky today and go on a picnic?"
"Now that sounds like a fine idea. Get up, take something for your headache, and I'll have Tulee make us a grand picnic lunch complete with wine and long-stemmed glasses."
"I'm going to wear slacks."
"Great idea."
"We'll drink a toast to our sons. I'd like to do that, Philip."
"Then that's what we'll do. I'll meet you downstairs when you're ready. I'll be the guy in the kitchen reading the paper and drinking coffee."
"And I'll be the dame wearing pants for the first time in public.*'
"Where shall we go?" Philip asked.
"The one place we both love, Sunrise. We can picnic in the garden and drive back this evening. If we're going to reminisce, I guess we should do it there. The boys were happy there in the summers and during the holidays. Go along, Philip, read your paper and drink your coffee. Oh, I do have to make one stop before we leave. I
122 Fern Michaels
promised Mr. Rollins I would sign and drop off some papers he left for me yesterday."
Sallie blinked several times before she permitted her eyes to register the changes in xldn's old offices. In just two weeks, Dein Rollins had transformed the dry, dusty, old-fashioned rooms into a comfortable, colorful suite. The roll-up shades had been replaced with fashionable Venetian blinds and pale gray draperies. Deep burgundy threads ran through the window hangings that complemented the rich maroon chent chairs. In place of the olive green threadbare carpet was a thick, ankle-hugging dove gray rug. Small mahogany tables held lustrous green ferns and the latest magazines. In the center of the room a shiny mahogany receptionist desk sat empty, but only for a second. A young woman, impeccably dressed, walked from the inner office to take her seat.
Out with the old, in with the new. Sallie couldn't help but wonder where the money came from for all the changes. For a reason she couldn't explain, she felt angry and annoyed.
"Can I help you? Do you have an appointment with Mr. Rollins?"
"No. I'm Sallie Thornton. Tell Mr. Rollins I'm here, please."
"Mr. Rollins is busy at the moment. Would you care to make an appointment or leave a message?"
During all the years she'd done business with Alvin, she'd never once made an appointment, and she wasn't about to start now. "Actually, no, I don't care to make an appointment. Not now, not tomorrow, not any day in the near future. Write that down, Miss . . ."
"Reddington. Do you wish to leave a message, then?"
"Well, in a manner of speaking, I guess I do. SiL^' It was an iron command the receptionist didn't question. Half out of her chair, she sat down primly. "Now, stay there until I come out of the office." The folder of papers in one hand, ajar of pickles in the other, Sallie managed to open the door and unscrew the lid from the jar of pickles at the same time.
Devin Rollins, minus his suit jacket, was puffing on a cigarette, his feet propped up on a shiny new desk. His feet thumped to the floor at the si^t of Sallie in the open doorway.
"Your secretary said you were busy and wanted to know if I cared to make an appointment. I do not. Nor do I care to leave a message. In the end I was Alvin's only client because he retired and saw to
my affairs as a courtesy. What that means is you aren't busy." To m2ike her point, Sallie banged the open jar of pickles down on his desk. She turned on her heel and marched out of the office, her head high, her face burning. In the doorway she turned to face Miss Red-dington. ''If ever return to this office, you better be prepared to stand on your head and whisde 'Dixie' at the same time. I do not make appointments!"
"Write that down, Miss Reddington," Devin Rollins shouted as he bit into one of the pickles. He laughed as Sallie slammed the door, but he stopped laughing as he watched from the window and saw her get into the car with her husband.
"I just did an incredible, stupid thing, Philip," Sallie said as she climbed into the car.
Phihp grinned. "What did you do?" Sallie told him in detail.
"I'd wager that got his attention," Phihp said. "Good lawyers are hard to find. I'd heard he was from Boston, but that was just a rumor. He's from Philadelphia. A Harvard man. That means he's one of the best. There's going to be trouble in this town soon. Those gangsters are going to start moving in in droves." There was no apology in his voice when he said, "Red is in a position to hear everything that's going on. She's worried. You know how those mobsters operate. They have their own stable of girls and take a large percentage of the profits. Red gets by because she only takes a small percentage."
"Well, maybe we can do something about that for Red. She's your friend, Phihp, would you like me to help her out before those thugs plow her under?"
"Would you do that, SaUie?"
"Of course. Snowball adored her. I've been trying to—"
"I know, SaUie. Red knows, too. You don't have to sign your name to things. You should have seen her in that dress you sent that Christmas. You would have thought you gift wrapped the moon and the stars and threw in the clouds for good measure. That was nice of you."
"Snowball—"
"You would have done it anyway. Don't negate a good deed. Red is not as old as you think."
Sallie nodded. "I'm going to ponder on the matter. I will do something, Philip."
"Have you noticed all the new people in town?"
"I'm up on it, Philip. I have this town under control."
124 Fern Michaels
"Now that they've legalized gambling, there could be a whole mess of trouble. I want you to be careful, Sallie."
"Philip, I give you my word, I'll be careful. All my plans are in my head. I think I'm going to build a gambling casino. What do you think of the idea? I plan to give that bug person a run for his money. I'm going to wait until he fmishes his project and fmds out he has no way to dispose of his sewage, and no way to get his laundry done, and no place to get his ice and no freight company to haul his stuff."
"Jesus Christ! Is that why you bought up all those companies?"
"Yes. I knew this town would boom again. I knew it, Philip, in my gut. You told me everything in life comes full circle at some point. The two ends of the circle are coming together. I don't know why, Philip, but it's important to me for you to be proud of me. If you hadn't been my teacher, we wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation."
"I am very proud of you, Sallie. However, you give me too much credit. You took everything I taught you, all your learning, and built on it by yourself Jesus, you can speak Chinese like a native. I was never able to do that. Hell, yes, I'm proud of you. Most times I'm downright jealous."
"I like honesty," Sallie said.
"I know you do." Husband and v^e shared a friendly, genuine moment.
The outing was one of the few truly happy moments in Sallie's life.
Three weeks from the day of the picnic, Sallie Thornton sashayed into Devin Rollins's office along with an architect, a builder, and Red Ruby. Sallie nodded curdy to the receptionist as Devin literally bounded from his office, his shirtsleeves rolled to his elbows, his tie askew. He made no a
pologies as he offered his hand first to the architect and then the builder. He smiled at Sallie. "Does this mean I'm your attorney and you're my client?" he whispered as the men preceded him into his plush offices.
"For the moment. Don't get too comfortable in the position. Things change in this town on a daily basis." She smiled to take the sting from her words.
The moment Rollins sat down behind his desk, Sallie felt comfortable with him. From time to time he scribbled a note on a legal pad, his eyes on both the men in front of him. "Let me make sure I
have all of this straight. Mrs. Thornton owns a ranch seven miles outside of town. She also owns the acreage that surrounds the ranch. You are going to remodel the main building as well as the two outer buildings. One of the outer buildings will be Miss Ruby's private home. The other buildings will be added on to; you said seven rooms plus a living room, kitchen, and three bathrooms on the first floor, and five rooms on the second floor. A little over ten thousand square feet in the second building, am I right?" The contractor nodded, as did the architect. "Miss Ruby's house will have a front porch, a flower garden, six rooms, and two bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. The ranch itself will be totally remodeled. There will be a gaming room, a solarium, a small theater with a stage for entertainment purposes that have nothing to do with the business at hand. A bar complete with handrails, stools, small tables, and whatever else Miss Ruby wants, will be in the back of the house. There are now twelve rooms that are to be remodeled ... for ... business. Two wings branching out left: and right will make for fourteen additional rooms. A swimming pool will be added somewhere between the two wings. It sounds to me like a very profitable undertaking. The deed to the property will revert to Miss Ruby after one year. The ... ah ... fine details of the contracts between Miss Ruby and her... employees will be a separate matter. A special fimd for... for those who can no longer .. . participate ... will be monitored by Mrs. Thornton and myself The percentage of the profits is yet to be decided. I guess that pretty much covers things with the exception of the monies to be paid out as the work progresses. Did I miss anything?"
"I'll be putting all my work crews on the project. We anticipate a completion date of ten months. Since we already have existing structures and Mr. LeVoy's blueprints are finished, I think we can safely say, Miss Ruby's ... establishment will be operational by our target date."
As one, the men rose, shook hands, and walked through the office to the waiting room, where they held a brief conversation.
The two women stared at one another. "Why?" Red asked.
"Sometimes, Red, you have to give back a little. You're Philip's fiiend, and I know for a fact that he treasures your friendship. Snowball . . . Well, he wanted me to look after you. Not that you need looking after, think of it more as . . . as ... you have a friend you can count on if things get... you know."
"I know you're the one who's been sending things and the money
126 Fern Michaels
during the holidays. I wanted to thank you a hundred different times. I do thank you, Sallie."
"This isn't as simple as you think, Red. As you know, there are a lot of strange people in town, and more keep coming every day. Zeke McCabe at town hall calls every day when one of those people comes in to check the land records. The hoods, the thugs, the gangsters are coming, whether we like it or not."
"And you, one woman, you think you're a match for them, Sal-lie? My God, they use machine guns. Those kinds of people just.. . pop you. If you don't give them what they want, they kill you. I have ears. My girls tell me everything they hear. I'm more than wiUing to pass it on, but I have to tell you, SaUie, the fear is going to eat me aUve."
"That's why I'm moving you out to the ranch. You're going to be running a classy estabUshment, Red. Clean, healthy girls who get seventy-five percent of the take. You'll put Doc Clayton oh your payroll. You need to get some new clothing. Appearances are very important. That's why Beaunell Starr did more business than you. Sometimes, Red, you have to spend money to make money. I learned that the hard way. You are also going to charge outrageous prices. When something is expensive or out of a person's price range, that person wants it so bad he can taste it. I learned that, too. Your outrageous prices will pay for the swimming pool."
"I don't know if I can pull diis off, Sallie. What's that saying, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."
"In this case that particular saying is all wrong. Do you know anything about chickens, Red?"
"They lay eggs, and the roosters crow very early in the morning. That's it, why?"
"Aside from your own, ah . . . business, you are going to raise chickens, lots and lots of chickens. You'll sell those eggs and chickens to the hotels in town. Think about all that acreage that surrounds the ranch. You can raise cattle and a truck garden, too. I know hundreds of Chinese who can grow anything, but you have to pay them a decent, fair wage. I'll set it all up, it will be a second thriving business. On the books. All you have to do is oversee it. You hire people to take care of the rest. Mr. Rollins will handle the paperwork. You're going to have so much money you're going to get dizzy counting it."
"What do you get out of it, Sallie?"
"Security. When this town takes off, and it is going to boom wide
open, I want the power to control it. This is my town, I bought it and paid for it, and no one is going to give me trouble. I own all the land, and my sister Peggy is about to marry the Ueutenant governor of this fine state. What do you think of that?"
"God Almighty! Where'd you learn to be so smart?"
"I read. Red. What I'm going to need now is a good set of ears. That's where you come in. Men talk when they're drinking, or in bed. I need an edge, and you're going to give it to me. Can you do it. Red?"
"As long as me and my girls have a place that's ours, I can do whatever you want. Were you serious about giving me the deed? I think about my old age a lot. I don't want to have to scramble and pick pockets when I'm sixty years old."
"That will never happen. Red. You have my word."
"Then that's all I need."
"Good. I want you to go back to your place, pack up, and go out to the ranch. You can all live there while the renovations are going on. I'll have someone bring out food on a weekly basis. Think of it as an extended vacation. Mr. RolHns will put some money into an account for you. You might want to give some thought to going to Los Angeles to get some new things. He can arrange all that for you."
"What about BeauneU Starr?"
"Beaunell will be moving to Reno very shortly, within the week. Of course she doesn't know that yet. I'm going to be making her the same offer I made to you. She might resist at first, but she'll come around. That's what power is all about, Red. Is there anything else you want to ask me?"
"One question. What happens to all of your plans, to all of us, if something happens to you? I hope you've given that some thought."
"I've given it a great deal of thought. I am doing everything legally, so I don't run afoul of the law. The governor is a personal fiiend of mine, and he knows everything that is going on. He has some very influential friends. I'm going to do my best to ensure that there is no violence. If that does happen, we'll deal with it. This is my town, and no damn gangster is going to take it away fi-om me. We'll talk, discuss it, negotiate if we have to. I'm not so naive that I don't know I may have to bend a little, and so will they. This town wiU be someplace you want to come to on Saturday night. Red."
"Is that before or after I pluck the chickens?" Both women doubled over laughing. "I owe you big time, Sallie. Thanks."
"My pleasure, Red."
128 Fern Michaels
"Would you ladies allow me to take you to lunch?" Devin asked, coming back into the office.
"I can't. Thank you for the invitation, though," Red said poHtely.
"I would be delighted," Sallie said..
"You would!"
Sallie laughed. "Did you ask me thinking I'd say no?"
"
Not at all. Let me get my jacket and we can be on our way."
"I'll be in touch, Red. By the way, the ranch is going to be called the R & R Ranch. For Red Ruby of course. You do know where it is, don't you?"
"Of course I know where it is. Snowball used to take me on buggy rides out there."
"I know," Sallie said quiedy.
"It figures." Red grinned.
"Mrs. Thornton," Devin said, holding out his arm.
"Mr. Rollins," Sallie said as she linked her arm with his.
As they strolled down Fremont Street, Devin said, "I have some business I'd like to discuss with you over lunch. However, I need to know if I'm going to be your full-time attorney. You never did say, you simply showed up."
"I studied your credentials. Mr. Waring thought very highly of you. I see no reason not to use your services. I think we can get along."
"As long as I do exacdy what you say, we'll get along, is that what you mean?"
"Pretty much so."
"Then, why do you need me? Why don't you just handle your business yourself?"
"Because I'm not a lawyer. I read everything three times, and then I chew on it for a while, so don't try to put anything over on me. I had this same exact discussion with your uncle at one time. I trusted him. Implicidy. If you want me to trust you, you'll have to earn that trust."
"He adored you, you know. He wrote me a very long, wonderful letter that I will treasure forever. When I finished it, I knew him and you as well. I want to know you better, Mrs. Thornton. He also left a letter for you. He said I was only to give it to you if you hired me. If you didn't, I was to destroy it. I think my uncle was in love with you. His main passion in life, especially during the last ten years, was to make you the richest woman in the country. From everything I've seen and read, it looks to me like he succeeded."
"Did he really leave me a letter? How kind of him. When will you give it to me?"
"After lunch. I thought v^e were going to call each other by our fu-st names?"
Sallie leaned across the table, her eyes directly on Devin's. "I'm a married woman, Mr. Rollins. What we have is a business relationship like I had with your uncle. I'm Mrs. Thornton, and you are Mr. Rollins."
Vegas rich Page 15
