“I been taking care of some things,” Rusty said, actually sounding cheerful and almost friendly. “I’ll probably be back sometime tonight. You think maybe...”
The rest of what he said was lost in a burst of static.
“What’d you say?” Wanda Nell asked.
There was no response.
“Can you hear me, Rusty?”
Still no response.
“Call me back right away, if you can hear me. I really need to talk to you.”
She paused a moment, but the line was dead. She hung up the phone.
Leaning against the kitchen counter, she waited with her hand on the phone. A minute, two minutes, passed, and Rusty didn’t call back.
He had been on his cell phone, and he was probably in some area where reception wasn’t so good. Cell phones worked pretty well in Tullahoma, but once you got out into parts of the county, especially if there were any hills, sometimes service was real spotty.
Wanda Nell considered the little Rusty had said. From the tone of his voice, he had sounded more upbeat than he had been since he came back. He sure didn’t sound like he’d murdered somebody in cold blood, or that he thought the cops were after him.
She took heart at that. Her brother had never been much good at hiding his feelings, and she didn’t think he’d learned how to do it that well in the years since she’d seen him.
For once Wanda Nell wished she’d splurged a little and paid for extras like caller ID, but between the regular phone bill and her cell phone, she was paying more than she liked already. She didn’t have Rusty’s cell number, and unless he called her back sometime today, she had no way of talking to him until he returned that evening.
Sighing, Wanda Nell walked away from the phone and considered what to do next. Should she call Elmer Lee and let him know she’d heard from her brother? And that he didn’t sound like he’d killed anybody?
No, she decided, she wasn’t going to call Elmer Lee. At least not yet. She wanted a chance to talk to Rusty first. She yawned.
Right now she was going back to bed to get some sleep. Stopping only to down a couple aspirin for her headache, Wanda Nell climbed into bed. Sleep didn’t come easily. Deep down, she was still worried about Rusty and what she should do about the trouble he was apparently stirring up.
Finally, she dropped off to sleep, and when she woke up again, groggy and still tired, it was nearly two o’clock. She could hear faint sounds emanating from other parts of the trailer. Her worries about her brother returned, now that she was awake again. She tried to push her concerns to the back of her mind, at least for a while.
Twenty minutes later, refreshed by a shower and dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a T-shirt adorned by a faded picture of Reba McEntire, Wanda Nell wandered into the kitchen. Juliet, her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, was munching on a sandwich while Lavon stuffed his face with macaroni and cheese. His small brown face was smeared with cheese, and he smiled happily at his grandmother.
Wanda Nell greeted her daughter and grandson, kissing the boy on the forehead and doing her best to avoid his sticky fingers. Lavon chattered away at her, and Wanda Nell listened intently. Much of what he said now was clear, and he was acquiring new words pretty quickly. Miranda had been very slow to talk, and for a while, Wanda Nell had worried that Lavon might be like his mother.
“He’s been talking a mile a minute,” Juliet said laughingly. “Now that he’s got started talking, it’s hard to get him to be quiet.”
“Oolie,” Lavon said, commanding his aunt’s attention. That was the closest he could come at the moment to Juliet’s name.
“Yes, sweetie pie?” Juliet said, and Lavon needed little more encouragement to gabble away at her, something to do with his bunny sitting in the high chair beside him.
“I think that bunny better have a bath real soon,” Wanda Nell said, eyeing the cheese-smeared rabbit with disfavor. “In fact, I think they both need a good bath.” She pulled a can of Diet Coke out of the refrigerator, opened it, and sipped from it.
Juliet laughed. “Well, I’ll give Lavon a bath after we’re finished with lunch, and I’ll do my best with the bunny.”
“Where’s Miranda?” Wanda Nell asked. “I thought she was going to be here this afternoon. She should be giving Lavon his bath, not you.”
Juliet shrugged. “It’s okay, Mama. I don’t mind a bit.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” Wanda Nell said in a mild tone.
Juliet flushed slightly. “Miranda went out with some friends. Somebody’s having a picnic out by the lake, and she asked if I’d look after Lavon so she could go. I truly don’t mind, Mama.”
Wanda Nell shook her head. “That’s not the point, honey. I know you don’t mind. But Miranda’s taking advantage of you, because she knows you’ll look after Lavon for her. This is the third Sunday in a row she’s done this, and I’d be willing to bet she did the same thing yesterday.” Juliet didn’t say anything and avoided looking at her mother.
“I guess I’ll have to talk to her again,” Wanda Nell said. “It doesn’t really matter that much, Mama,” Juliet said. “I’m at home most of the time on the weekends anyway, and I don’t mind staying home with Lavon. I don’t really have anything else to do.”
Juliet didn’t sound sorry for herself, Wanda Nell was relieved to hear. Her youngest child was pretty but shy. So far she didn’t seem to be that interested in boys, unlike her sister. Miranda had been boy-crazy from the time she was twelve. Wanda Nell figured maybe she ought to be counting her blessings and not fussing too much about Juliet staying home. At least that way she wouldn’t end up like her sister, unmarried, with a baby, and expecting everyone else to take care of her.
“Isn’t Mr. Pemberton coming over sometime this afternoon?” Juliet smiled innocently at her mother.
“Oh Lord,” Wanda Nell said. “He sure is, and I’d forgotten about it, so much has been going on.”
“Like what?”
Wanda Nell regarded her daughter. She’d just as soon keep all this mess away from her children, but she realized there was not much point in trying. Briefly, she explained the situation to Juliet.
“Oh Mama, that’s awful,” Juliet said. She got up and put her plate in the sink, then pulled Lavon and his bunny out of the high chair. “Do you think Uncle Rusty really did it?”
“No, I don’t,” Wanda Nell said. “But we’re all gonna need to be careful until all this is sorted out.”
“Yes’m,” Juliet said. She twisted her head to keep Lavon’s cheesy hands away from her ponytail. “Come on, sweetie, let’s go have a bath.”
“Holler if you need me,” Wanda Nell called after them. She made herself a sandwich and sat at the table eating it while she thought about her date with Jack Pemberton.
They were supposed to drive over to Greenwood for a movie and dinner afterward, but after that call from Rusty, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be away from home this afternoon and evening. She really ought to be here when and if Rusty actually showed up.
Jack would be awfully disappointed. They didn’t get many chances to be together because of her work schedule, so the times they did have were special to both of them. Wanda Nell was disappointed herself. She would have enjoyed a few hours away from her responsibilities to spend with an attractive and attentive man.
Maybe Jack wouldn’t mind coming over for dinner and watching a movie here while she waited for her brother to appear. If she explained the situation to him, she was sure he’d understand. That was one of the things she liked best about Jack. He was a caring and understanding man. Still, it was irritating to have to rearrange her plans.
Sighing, Wanda Nell got up from the table and went to the phone. Better break the news now.
Wanda Nell handed Jack Pemberton the beer she had brought him and sat down on the sofa with him. Holding the beer in his right hand, he slipped his left arm around Wanda Nell’s shoulders and pulled her closer to him. Sighing, Wanda Nell laid her head
against his shoulder. “Feels nice,” she murmured.
“Sure does,” Jack whispered as his lips brushed the top of her head.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t go to Greenwood like we planned,” Wanda Nell said, her head still nestled against him. “You’re gonna get mighty sick and tired of my family if this keeps up.”
Jack laughed, a low, pleasant sound. “One thing about you, honey; it’s never dull.” He sipped from his beer.
“Dull sounds kinda nice now and then,” Wanda Nell said, her tone wry.
Jack set his beer down on the table beside the sofa. Capturing Wanda Nell’s right hand in his, he brought it to his lips and kissed it softly. Then he shifted a bit on the couch so that he could turn his face to hers. She smiled as he pulled off his glasses. He always did that before he kissed her.
After a few very satisfying minutes, Wanda Nell reluctantly pulled away, and Jack put his glasses back on. He started to speak, but Wanda Nell, knowing what he was going to say, touched his lips lightly with her forefinger. She was pretty sure she loved him too, but she wasn’t anywhere near ready for that kind of complication in her life. So far, Jack had been very willing to take things easy, and she hoped he could bear with her a while longer.
“I’d better get in the kitchen and check on dinner,” Wanda Nell said, her voice husky.
“I’ll come with you,” Jack said, shifting his tall, lean frame off the couch.
Wanda Nell, not used to having a man offering to help her with dinner, sat on the couch a moment and watched Jack as he walked toward the kitchen. He looked mighty good in those tight jeans and cowboy boots, she had to admit.
She sighed as she got off the couch. Better keep your mind on something else, girl, she told herself. No use getting all heated up over something you aren ’t ready for yet, no matter how much you think you might want it. Then she laughed softly to herself as she followed Jack into the kitchen.
“How many are you expecting for dinner?” Jack asked.
Wanda Nell checked the roast she had cooking in the oven. It would be done pretty soon.
“Well, you and me and Juliet and Lavon, for sure. T.J. and Tuck might drop by later.” Would Rusty turn up? She started worrying again about where he was and what he could be up to.
“They seem to be doing pretty well,” Jack said. “Are you getting more used to them being a couple?”
Wanda Nell shrugged, trying to keep thoughts of Rusty from intruding so much. “I guess. It’s so obvious when they’re around me—how much they care about each other, I mean. And if T.J.’s happy and settled down, then that makes me happy.” She frowned. “But you know how people can be around this town.”
“Yeah,” Jack said. “But neither one of them is going out of his way to stir up trouble. They’re both pretty sensible.” Wanda Nell shrugged again. “I just keep praying nothing bad happens, but I know there’s not much I can do about it.” She pointed toward the sink full of potatoes she had washed earlier. “If you really want to help, you can start by peeling those. That is, if you want any mashed potatoes for dinner.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jack said, saluting smartly. He picked up the knife lying by the sink and set to work. “Do you think Miranda will be back for dinner?”
“I never know with that girl,” Wanda Nell said, lifting the lid on the pot of green beans she had cooking on the stove. She added a little water before replacing the lid. “She may show up or she may not. When she’s out having a good time, she sure don’t think much about anybody else.” She opened a package of rolls and started arranging them on a cookie sheet. Which one should she be more concerned about, Rusty or Miranda? She’d like to give both of them a good talking-to.
“Have you thought about trying to get her back to school so she can get her diploma?” Jack was peeling the potatoes expertly, Wanda Nell noted with appreciation. She had been pleased to discover he was quite handy in the kitchen.
Brushing the rolls with some soft butter, Wanda Nell laughed a little bitterly. “I’d like her to, but she was always a pretty poor student. She never liked school, and most of the time she just barely passed.”
“Did you ever have her tested to see if maybe she’s dyslexic, or has some other kind of learning disability?” “Yeah,” Wanda Nell said, “but they didn’t find anything wrong with her.” She shook her head. “It’s a sad thing to have say about your own child, but I can’t help it: Miranda’s just not that smart. I don’t know what happened with her, because Juliet’s real smart, and so is T.J. when he gets motivated.”
“That makes it tougher on you,” Jack said. He had finished peeling the potatoes, and now he dropped them into a pan of water and set them on the stove. He punched the burner on and turned to watch Wanda Nell as she put the rolls into the oven.
“It’s just the way it is,” Wanda Nell said. “I keep hoping Miranda will grow up a little, and maybe she will at some point.” She shut the door of the oven. “But enough of that. I appreciate the fact that you’re concerned about all of us, but I don’t want you feeling like you have to take all that on.”
“I know, honey,” Jack said. He placed a hand on each of her shoulders and looked down into her face. “But you’re part of a package deal, and it’s no use telling me otherwise.” He grinned. “At least your part of the package is pretty damn sexy.”
Wanda Nell grinned back at him. “And so is yours, mister, but don’t you be letting that go to your head.”
Jack drew her into his arms for a kiss, and for a few moments Wanda Nell lost track of everything other than herself and Jack.
“Well, well,” a voice drawled, “looks like you found yourself a feller, Wanda Nell. You gonna introduce me, or are you just gonna stand there all day with his tongue down your throat?”
Surprised, Wanda Nell jerked away from Jack’s arms and regarded her brother with a rapidly deepening blush.
“Don’t be a jackass, Rusty,” she snapped. “I don’t appreciate you being vulgar and trying to embarrass me in front of a friend.”
“Sor-ree,” Rusty said, throwing his hands up in mock apology. “Didn’t know I was going to set all that off. Cool down, sis, I don’t mean nothing by it.”
Wanda Nell glowered at him for a moment, but she knew arguing any further wouldn’t accomplish a danged thing. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Rusty, this is my friend Jack Pemberton. Jack, this is my little brother, Rusty Rosamond.” She put some emphasis on the word little and had the satisfaction of seeing Rusty scowl.
“How do you do?” Jack stuck out his hand, and Rusty took it. “It’s good to meet you.”
“Glad to meet you,” Rusty said. He stuck his hand in his pocket and regarded his sister and Jack blandly.
“You made it back in time for dinner,” Wanda Nell said, determined to be polite.
“Good,” Rusty said. “I ain’t had much to eat today, and I sure could use a good meal. I reckon you must’ve learned to cook pretty good by now.”
“Wanda Nell’s a fine cook,” Jack said, with a quiet edge to his voice.
Wanda Nell shot him a quick look. She could see he wasn’t too impressed with Rusty, not that she could blame him. Rusty was acting like a jerk, and he knew it. He just didn’t care. Wanda Nell wasn’t sure why she should either. She was tired of Rusty’s attitude.
“Where’ve you been, Rusty?” Wanda Nell said. “Did you know the sheriff’s department is looking for you?” “What the hell for?” Rusty demanded, obviously surprised.
“Somebody got murdered,” Wanda Nell said, watching him closely. Was he really surprised by what she was telling him, or was he putting on an act?
“Murdered?” Rusty stared at her. “What the hell kind of joke is this, Wanda Nell? Who got murdered?”
Beside her, Wanda Nell could feel Jack tense up. He was about to say something. She put a warning hand on his arm. She had told him all about this earlier, so it wasn’t a surprise to him. He relaxed.
“Somebody you had an argument with,” Wanda Nell said
. “There was a witness to it.”
“I’ll be damned,” Rusty said, his face going blank. He fumbled for a chair and pulled it back from the table. Dropping down into it, he just stared at his sister.
Wanda Nell didn’t say anything.
After a moment, Rusty spoke. “Who got killed?”
“You mean you had an argument with more than one person yesterday?”
“Don’t try to be cute,” Rusty snapped. “Who the hell got killed?”
“Reggie Campbell,” Wanda Nell said, continuing to watch him closely.
“I’ll be damned,” Rusty said again, his voice soft and strained.
“What do you know about it?” Wanda Nell stepped closer to the table, her arms folded across her chest.
“I didn’t do it,” Rusty said, “but...”
“But what? You know who did?” Wanda Nell put her hands palms down on the table and leaned toward her brother. “If you know who did it, Rusty, you better get over to the sheriff’s department right now and tell them. Otherwise you’re gonna find yourself in jail.”
“But I didn’t do it,” Rusty said, his face suffusing with blood. “I tell you, it wasn’t me. You gotta believe me, Wanda Nell.” He shook his head. “But I doubt you will, knowing the high opinion you have of me.”
“Don’t start feeling sorry for yourself,” Wanda Nell snapped. “That ain’t gonna help nobody.”
Suddenly they all became aware of loud knocking on the door.
“I’ll go see who it is,” Jack offered, and Wanda Nell nodded.
“I swear I didn’t do it, Wanda Nell,” Rusty said. For once, he sounded like the little brother she had always loved, the one who trusted his big sister to help him out of trouble. “You gotta believe me,” he repeated.
“I do,” Wanda Nell said simply, and then she wanted to cry at the look on Rusty’s face.
“Glad to see you, Rusty.”
Rusty turned in his chair.
Elmer Lee Johnson stood there, one hand on the gun at his side.
Chapter 6
“It’s been a long time, Rusty,” Elmer Lee said.
Best Served Cold (A Trailer Park Mystery Book 3) Page 5
