by Linda Warren
Before each board meeting, Cadde would want to talk. He’d explained what was going to be discussed. Not once had he come out and asked for her vote. He’d leaned heavily in that direction, but he never crossed that line.
If he had said, “Jessie, please,” she wouldn’t have been able to refuse. She admired that he let her make her own decisions. If she had bowed to his wishes, she would have become helpless in his eyes as she was in everyone else’s. She wasn’t letting that happen. Maybe she had a thing about control.
She wanted Cadde to see her as a mature woman able to handle life with as much strength as he did. It had taken enormous strength to overcome the death of his parents and then later to find out about his father’s affair. He never faltered at the almost insurmountable obstacles in his life.
Her mind spun with chaotic thoughts. Mainly to avoid thinking about the night. Cadde would sleep in her bed and their marriage would become real. He’d alluded to that this morning. It was what she wanted. Her stomach cramped in denial, which she ignored.
After showering, she slipped into black lightweight linen pants and a sleeveless matching top. She adjusted several silver chains around her neck and pushed her feet into heeled sandals.
Mirry lay on the carpet, her face on her paws, watching her.
“What do you think?” Jessie held out her arms.
Mirry barked. The dog had a funny bark, very low and deep in her throat as if she was afraid to really let out a loud sound.
Jessie placed her hands on her knees and bent down. “I’m going to be gone for a while. Do you want to stay up here or downstairs with Rosa?”
Mirry trotted to her bed and curled up into a ball. Maybe the dog could understand.
JESSIE HAD A HARD TIME getting past Rosa without eating something. Finally, she was on her way. The Suburban was still a little smelly. She would rethink putting feed in her vehicle. Her dad’s Cadillac and truck were in the garage and she could use one of them, but she hadn’t been able to—too many memories.
On the drive in, she called Gavin and he said he would come out tomorrow and take care of the dogs. She’d put the decision off long enough and she felt a sense of relief that she had actually done it.
The noonday traffic was hectic once she reached Houston. Luckily the shelter wasn’t far off U.S. 290. It was well hidden in a strip center. On the front door it read B&B Accounting. Under that was a big closed sign. To protect the women everything was top secret.
The place was known as Rachel’s House. Rachel was a woman who had made the decision to leave her abusive husband. With her parents’ help, she filed for a divorce, but the husband eventually found her and beat her to death. The biggest supporter of Rachel’s House were Rachel’s parents. They owned the strip center and offered the space rent free.
She parked in the allotted area, walked to the side door and knocked. Fran Turlock, the director, opened it. Fran was a gray-haired ball of energy.
“She’s back,” Fran said as she locked the door again with quick sure movements.
Jessie knew who she was talking about. Nina Lynch. She’d been in the center seven times in the past year.
“What happened?” Jessie asked as she followed Fran into her office.
“Same story. Vernon had one too many beers and started blaming Nina for everything wrong in his life, which led to a fist in her face and stomach. The neighbors called police and they arrested Vernon.” Fran sank into her chair. “What do you think the odds are of her pressing charges?”
Fran was a social worker and devoted to the women who came here, but there were just so many ways to excuse stupid.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s asking for you.” Fran reached into a drawer and pulled out Jessie’s ID badge. It had Jessie on it and Counselor beneath. Here they only went by first names.
Jessie clipped it to her blouse and picked up Nina’s file off the desk. “I’ll talk to her.”
“Jessie…”
She looked back.
“He hit the little boy this time. He’s four years old and was trying to protect his mother.”
“Oh, my God.”
“Yeah. They’ve been checked out in the E.R. and along with the bruises Nina has some fractured ribs. The left side of Toby’s face is blue, but physically he’s okay. Mentally, that’s another matter.”
A knot formed in Jessie’s stomach. The women who came here just wanted someone to listen, to be supportive and caring. She didn’t know if she could do that now. A child’s safety was at stake. Nina had resisted all help, but time after time she came back to the shelter for protection. She could only listen and try her best to steer Nina in the right direction.
“This is probably going to be out of Nina’s hands now,” Fran was saying. “I’m almost positive the state will step in to protect the children.”
“Does Nina know?”
“No. I thought it would be best coming from you.”
“Gee, thanks.” She walked down the hall with a resolve to make Nina see reason. Children’s paintings covered the walls, all done by kids who had stayed here. Outside the place looked drab, but inside it was very colorful, with calming baby-blue walls. A family room was the center of activity with two big TVs that had been donated. Small bedrooms flanked it on both sides with bathrooms situated between every couple of rooms. A courtyard was out back surrounded by a wood fence. Children could run and play there while their mothers sorted out their lives.
Comfy chairs and pillows were scattered about the big living area. Some women were watching TV, their kids huddled close to them. The children who came here were usually quiet and well-behaved. Maybe, like Mirry, they were afraid of being hit. Sometimes it just broke her heart, but she had to concentrate on making their mothers see a better way of life. And most important to build their self-esteem.
She spotted Nina sitting in a rocker, clutching her two children. Pulling a chair forward, Jessie took a seat close to her. Nina didn’t move a muscle, her face was pressed against Toby.
“Are you okay?” Jessie asked, knowing she couldn’t talk to Nina in front of the children. That was a big nono.
Sonia, one of the other women, came to her rescue. “Toby, would you like to play with Ben? There are lots of toys.”
Toby raised his head to look at Nina and Jessie had to restrain herself from gasping. The left side of his face was blue and one spot by his eye was almost black. How could Nina look at her son and not want to get as far away from Vernon as possible?
“Go ahead, sweetie,” Nina urged, wiping at her bruised eyes with a tissue. “Take your baby sister with you.” The two kids scooted down and went with Sonia.
“I’m a mess.” Nina wadded the tissue into a tighter ball. “No one understands.”
“Explain it to me.”
“Vernon’s a good man and…”
Jessie placed a hand on Nina’s forearm. “Look at Toby’s face. Do you see good there?”
“He got in the way,” Nina sobbed. “Vern didn’t mean to hit him so hard.”
Jessie squeezed her arm. “Vernon hit Toby. It wasn’t an accident. It’s all in the police report.”
Nina jerked her arm away. “He didn’t mean to. I thought you understood but you don’t. How could you? You’re rich and have everything you want.”
Jessie drew back. How did Nina know that? How did she know anything about her?
“Why do you say that?”
“Just look at the way you dress. And you have that refined air. I’m a big fat slob.”
Jessie let the first part slide. She wasn’t talking about her life. “Is that what Vernon tells you?”
“All the time.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Don’t you?”
Nina came from a troubled home. Her parents argued constantly. Eventually, the mother divorced the father and quickly remarried, as did the father. Nina was shuffled back and forth. When siblings arrived, Nina was left out in the cold. She got into trouble
doing drugs at school and then got pregnant. After that everything had spiraled out of control. Jessie felt for her, but Nina had to face reality.
“I see a pretty and intelligent woman fighting to maintain her dignity, her pride. A woman who has leaned on others, but now has to stand up and make the right choices for herself…and her children.”
“I’m not that strong.” Nina rocked back and forth.
“You have to be,” Jessie told her. “It’s not just about you and Vernon anymore. You can press charges or not. That’s your choice, but the state will step in to protect your children.”
“What do you mean?”
Jessie swallowed. “They’ll take them away.”
“What!” Nina stopped rocking and stared at her in disbelief. “No! No!” She grabbed Jessie’s hands. “Please don’t let them do that. You can stop it, right?”
“No,” she replied with honesty. “You’re the only one who can stop it. You have to show them you’ll not put your children in danger and you’ll provide a safe home for them.”
“How am I supposed to do that? I don’t have an education. My parents won’t help me. I’ve already tried that. They said I was twenty-one and could make it on my own.”
“How about the aunt you mentioned? The one who sends you something for your birthday and Christmas every year.”
“Aunt Lois?” Nina frowned. “She’s old and lives in Amarillo.”
“How old is she?”
“Fifty-something.”
Jessie sighed. “Call her.”
Nina glanced toward her children. Toby was pushing a toy truck around on the area rug, his gaze going to Nina every few seconds. “He looks so sad.”
“Call your aunt,” Jessie persisted.
“Aunt Lois’s never been married and she doesn’t have any children. I don’t even know if she likes kids. She’s a librarian and my dad said she was odd. Oh, God, I need a cigarette.”
“Child Protective Services and the police will be here to talk to you and the children. You need to have answers about your future when they do. I’m urging you to call your aunt.”
“I…I…”
“No excuses, Nina. Make the right choice.” Jessie patted her arm and stood.
“Will you be here tomorrow?” Nina asked.
“I’m not sure, but Wilma and Opal will be.” Jessie had no idea what her life would be like tomorrow.
“I can’t lose my children. They’re all I have.”
“It’s up to you, Nina.” Jessie walked down the hall to Fran’s office.
“How did it go?” Fran asked.
Jessie took the seat across from her, balanced Nina’s file on her lap and began to scribble notes. “She’s still making excuses for him.”
“Even after you told her she might lose her kids?”
“No. That was the stimulus that finally cleared her brain. Do you know anything about her aunt Lois?”
Fran shrugged. “When Nina first came here, she didn’t want her parents notified if anything happened to her. She listed an aunt on the form.” She turned toward her computer. “I’ll check.” After a few clicks, Fran added, “Yep. Lois Winslow from Amarillo. She may be Nina’s only hope.”
“If she calls her.” Jessie placed the file on Fran’s desk.
Fran shrugged again. “If she doesn’t, it’s out of our hands.”
“Yeah.” Jessie stood. “Sorry, I don’t have much time today.”
“That’s okay, Jessie, we appreciate your help.”
At the door, Jessie paused. She wanted Nina to have every opportunity. “Fran, I’ll pay for their airline tickets to Amarillo and new clothes and whatever it takes to make her feel good about herself. Anonymously, of course.”
“Jessie, you’ve donated so much to this shelter and it’s more than welcomed, but CPS and the police will have a lot to say in this.”
“Please let me know the outcome.”
Fran nodded.
Now they waited for Nina to make all the right choices.
Jessie sped home to wait for Cadde and tried to leave the sadness behind her. The truth was, though, her whole life was an album of sadness. Maybe, along with Cadde, a little happiness was waiting for her, too.
CADDE PACED IN HIS OFFICE. It was barely four o’clock and he couldn’t concentrate. Nothing sidetracked his interest from the oil business. But Jessie. They had to talk and get their arrangement clear without either of them losing their temper. Maybe she’d changed her mind. Maybe that’s why she was hesitant. Maybe they could come to an agreement about Shilah.
Maybe, maybe, maybe wasn’t easing his frustration or giving him any concrete answers. And that’s what he needed—answers. He grabbed his hat and headed for the door.
In his secretary’s office, he said, “If you need me, you can reach me on my cell.”
“You’re leaving?” Barbara asked in a shocked tone. “It’s just four o’clock.”
He stopped to stare at her and he didn’t have to say a word.
“Oh, oh, I’m sorry.”
“If Kid or Chance is looking for me, tell them I’ll see them in the morning. Early.”
“Yes, sir.”
The August heat was suffocating. Sweat peppered his skin and he turned up the air-conditioning full blast. The Houston traffic was crazy this time of day and it took all of his concentration to navigate through it. Finally he hit U.S. 290 and sped toward home.
He should have called Jessie, but he was sure she was there. What else did she have to do?
When he reached the entrance, he had a funny feeling in his stomach. He couldn’t explain it. It was just an uneasiness.
At the garages, he slammed on the brakes. Mirry shot out of the open doors and Rosa ran after her, shouting something. It was too late, though. The Dobermans were on Mirry.
Shit! Cadde reached for his Smith & Wesson pistol in the console. He never used the gun, but Roscoe had insisted he carry one. Jumping out, he jammed the clip in place. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a movement. Jessie was flying toward the dogs. One Doberman’s teeth latched around Mirry’s neck in a death grip. The other one leaped into the air, trying to snatch Mirry from him. Felix lumbered behind Jessie, firing a rifle. The loud blast didn’t faze them. The dogs never let go of their prey and Jessie never paused in her flight to save Mirry.
“No, Jessie, no,” he screamed.
The Dobermans had tasted blood. They’d kill her.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“JESSIE!” AS CADDE SCREAMED her name, a growling Doberman leaped for her, knocking her down, his teeth digging into her neck. Jessie struggled to get away, her arms flailing at the dog.
Cadde bolted forward, blood pounding in his ears. He had to fire without hitting Jessie. Seconds ticked by like minutes. The dog flung his head, snarling, trying to lock his powerful jaws into her skin, but was unable to because Jessie was fighting with everything in her. When he got a clear shot, he pulled the trigger at pointblank range. The Doberman writhed and lay limp. He swung to the other one and fired again. The dog jerked and then dropped backward. Dead. Mirry fell to the ground, unmoving, covered in blood.
An unnerving and gut-wrenching silence followed the gunshots. He quickly laid the gun on the grass and knelt by Jessie’s still body. Her face was so white, her scattered dark hair making it look even paler. Teeth marks oozed blood on her neck. “Jessie.” His voice came out sounding hoarse. Was she dead? She couldn’t be. She was fighting just a second ago. Oh, God!
Felix and Rosa fell down beside her.
“My niña. My niña!” Rosa cried.
Felix was silent, but his hands shook on the rifle.
Cadde reached for the soft skin under her hair, and in that moment, he knew Jessie meant more to him than a business deal. He didn’t have time to analyze the thought, nor did he want to. Like Felix, his hand shook, but he felt a pulse—a strong one. She was alive. Relief eased the grip on his heart.
“Rosa, let me have your apron.” He had to stop the bleed
ing.
Rosa whipped it off and he looped it around Jessie’s neck and applied pressure. The cotton soaked up the blood immediately. “Get some towels. We have to go to an E.R.”
Rosa flew to the house and Felix asked, “What can I do?”
“Pray.”
As he continued to apply pressure, Jessie stirred, muttering, “Mir-ry.”
“Lie still,” he instructed.
“Mirry.” Jessie pushed against him and sat up, looking at the dead Dobermans on the green summer grass. Her gaze searched for the little dog and then she found her. “Oh, my God! Mirry!”
“Jessie, no!” He tried to block her view, but Jessie tore away and crawled on her hands and knees to the bloody mess. Cadde realized he couldn’t stop her. He couldn’t shield her from the pain. His heart stopped at the actual thought that he wanted to.
She scooped up Mirry and cradled her against her chest. “Mirry, I’m sorry. Mirry.” She rocked to and fro and his heart took another hit.
Rushing back with an armful of towels, Rosa halted when she saw Jessie and Mirry. Tears welled in her eyes.
Cadde stood, taking them from her. He knelt by Jessie once again and looped a towel over Mirry in her arms.
Wrapping it around the bloody dog, Jessie said, “Call Gavin.”
He pushed hair from her face. “You’ve been hurt. We have to go to an E.R.”
“No.” She tried to pull away from him. “Felix, call Gavin.”
Cadde shook his head at Felix. He was sure the dog was dead, but how did he tell her? There were no words to ease her pain.
Jessie staggered to her feet and reached down for the phone that had fallen out of her pocket. Jerking it out of her hand would be too cruel so he let her make the call.
“Gavin, Mirry’s been hurt. I’m bringing her in.”
What? She wasn’t driving. He did the only thing he could. He lifted her into his arms and rushed to his truck.
“Cadde, put me down. I can drive.”
Oh, yeah, she was back and in full fighting mode. God, she was one stubborn woman.
