Twilight, Texas

by Ginger Chambers

  But like this? If the truth needed to be told, how could he turn away from it?

  He was on his way to his room a short time later—he thought without making a sound—when Diane cracked her bedroom door and popped out a tousled blond head.

  “Are you all right?” she asked, concerned. “Manny’s buzzing away, but I couldn’t sleep. Neither can you, I see.” She arched a brow at his jacket and day clothes.

  “I told Karen,” Lee said simply.

  “How did she take it?”

  “Badly.”

  “Did she blame you?”

  “Doesn’t she always?”

  “Lee—”

  “I know...! know. I’m being unfair. I’m being selfish. I’m being greedy—”

  “Is that what she said?” Diane asked, compassion in her tone.

  “Isn’t that what you think, too?”

  “No, I know you better. And she would, too, if—”

  “She’s never going to know me better. She won’t let herself.” He paused. “Why don’t you go get some sleep? I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself.”

  “Sometimes I wonder about that,” Diane muttered.

  Lee, tired as he was, disheartened as he was, found a smile. “You and Manny need to do something about making that baby you keep talking about. Then you’ll have someone to mother.”

  “Well, if you didn’t work us so hard,” she sniped gently, “we might have a little time to—You know? I’ve almost forgotten what!”

  “I’ll have a little talk with Manny,” Lee teased back.

  “Don’t you dare!” she retorted. Then, grinning, she shut the door.

  THE PRESSURE ON KAREN to talk to Lee again was almost overwhelming. She felt she hadn’t pleaded the town’s case with nearly as much force as she could have if she hadn’t been reacting to another instance of Parker treachery. This time, Lee’s treachery. Yet even as she thought that, she could see his dilemma. He said he had proof, outside the Parker papers.

  But couldn’t he see the damage he was about to inflict? What did it matter whether Nate Barlow was the true hero or someone else? Even if that person was a Parker. Both men were long dead and buried—Nate Barlow in Del Norte, if not Twilight, and Byron Parker in all probability on the Parker Ranch. The people of Twilight were very much alive, though. Didn’t the living take precedence over the dead?

  Karen couldn’t just sit and watch it happen. Watch Lee destroy the myth, if that was what the Twilight outlaw story was. Surely there was something to be said for keeping a secret.

  She had to ignore her feelings for him. She had to ignore her pain. Augusta had loved this town and its people, and she did, too.

  She sought Lee out the next morning, her argument ready, but the only member of the “Western Rambles” crew she found in the saloon’s apartment was Diane Cruz. The others were off working.

  If Diane was surprised to see her, she didn’t show it. Instead, she smiled in a friendly way and asked if she’d like a cup of coffee.

  Karen wanted to talk to Lee, but maybe, everything considered, Diane would be a better bet. She knew the problem, Lee had said, and Karen wouldn’t have to fight so hard to maintain her detachment.

  She accepted the invitation and soon found herself at the same small table in Bette’s kitchen that she’d so recently shared with Lee.

  “I know you know about Nate Barlow,” she stated clearly, without hesitation. “Well...you have to stop Lee. You can’t let him use the information he has. I know you’ve talked with the people here, been present at most of their interviews. That should show you how badly—” Her throat tightened, but she made herself go on. “John has to feel needed. He’s a new person when he talks about taking Twilight forward, energizing it. Mary—you know the trouble Mary’s had in her life, the way she worries about Benny, about his future. And Diego—you’ve seen his mouth. Hank wants a new truck, Pepper a living room set, Joe and Rhonda...Isaac. I don’t know what they want, but I know it’s not any more than the others. It’s not as if they’re asking for millions of dollars. They just want what so many other people take for granted. A chance to live life with a little dignity. And to live it in Twilight. If Lee exposes Nate Barlow’s story, not only will the people not get what they’re hoping for, but Twilight will die, too. The people aren’t going to be able to afford to continue living here. One by one they’ll leave. And without people, Twilight will become a real ghost town.” She paused to be sure that she still had Diane’s attention.

  “Go on,” Diane urged.

  “I’m the first to know that there are things of value here. I work with antiques—I’m sure you’re aware of that. The Lady Slipper’s furnishings would bring in a nice price, and so would the mercantile’s. Countrystore-type things have a huge market right now. My boss would have a fit to sell some of them. But it would be a quick fix with no lasting benefit. I’d be glad to share what my aunt left me, too, but no one here would accept it. They turned her down when she offered help. For good or bad, they won’t take what they consider charity. But they’re willing to work for what they want.” She paused again, tears welling unexpectedly. “How can you do this to them?” she demanded, then had to stop.

  Diane covered her hands on the table and squeezed them. Karen wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw moisture in her eyes, as well.

  “You, uh, make a good case,” Diane said.

  “So you’ll help?” Karen asked hopefully.

  “I’m only one part of the team.”

  “That means you won’t.”

  Diane shook her head. “That’s not what I said. I said I can’t make any decisions on my own. I can give my view, but that’s it.”

  “And your view is?” Karen questioned.

  Diane sighed and said levelly, “None of us want to hurt this town or these people. It was the furthest thing from any of our minds when we came here. But we’ve discovered a fallacy. Now we have to decide what to do about it.”

  “You said you don’t want to hurt the town.”

  “We don’t.”

  “Then leave it alone. Don’t say anything. Who’s it going to bother if everything stays as it is?”

  “Who changed the headstone? That person knows something.”

  “It was probably only done as insurance.”

  “Do you know who did it?”

  “Lee hasn’t said?”

  “Lee keeps a lot of things to himself.”

  Karen laughed shortly. “Too bad he can’t keep everything to himself.”

  “He has an added worry.”

  “I’m sure he does—the Parker name.”

  Diane smiled dryly. “I was thinking of you.”

  Karen became still.

  “You two have a history, I know that,” Diane continued. “His brother—you. But I’ve never seen him this way with a woman before. He’s...off track. Manny and I—” She stopped. “I’m saying too much. Something I do a lot, I’m afraid. But I worry about him.”

  “I doubt seriously he needs you to worry.”

  Diane had forgotten about the coffee and went to pour two cups. She brought them back to the table, sliding one over to Karen. Karen pushed hers away.

  “Would you mind if I tell you a little story?” Diane asked as she resumed her seat. “Lee had a promising career going for him when he left broadcast news. One of the major cable networks was starting to nibble. But do you know why he left? Because he couldn’t stomach the way news was being handled. There’s a tragedy and those who’re grieving immediately have microphones stuck in their faces and are asked how they feel. How does anyone think they feel?” She took a breath. “There were two little boys killed by their father in a particularly gruesome way. The news director knew where the mother worked and sent Lee to interview her. She didn’t know her children were dead. No one had told her. When Lee learned this, he threw down his microphone, went back to the station and punched out the news director after telling him exactly what he thought of him. He was fired, of cour
se. But he didn’t care. Manny was his cameraman on that outing and walked away with him.”

  Karen said nothing.

  Diane went on, “After that, Lee did a lot of other things in the business, but never again the news. And he made sure that Manny always had a place with him. I came along later—when Lee finally got ’Western Rambles’ off the ground. You’ll never find anyone who’s worked harder than Lee to make something a success. This show’s been his life.”

  Karen twitched in her chair. “You’re trying to say he has integrity.”

  “By the boatload. I truly respect him.”

  “Yet he’s willing to do this to Twilight. How do you reconcile it?”

  “This whole outlaw thing has turned out to be a sham. If we go along with it, we continue the lie. Become part of the conspiracy. Now do you understand?”

  “That’s a little strong.”

  “Not at all. That’s Lee’s dilemma.”

  “And if you don’t...go along?”

  “We have to be able to live with ourselves afterward.”

  “Isn’t that the case either way?”

  “Lee will do the right thing—whatever he decides.”

  Karen was quiet for a moment. “Lee said you have evidence.”

  “Two accounts written by Byron Parker. We weren’t sure whether to believe them or not, until I found the court record.”

  “Who gave you this evidence?”

  “It’s part of the Parkers’ family history.”

  “Mae Parker gave it to you?”

  “Actually, Shannon Parker did.”

  Karen barely remembered who Shannon Parker was and didn’t much care. She had all the information she needed for her next move. A move that had just occurred to her.

  She stood up. “I have to go.”

  Diane got slowly to her feet. She was frowning, as if she sensed that once again she might have said too much. “None of us want to hurt the people of this town,” she repeated.

  “Do you actually think that’s good enough?” Karen challenged. “Especially when you continue to pretend to be their friends?”

  “We’re not pretending. And either way, we have to put a show together.”

  “Either way,” Karen repeated tautly, and shaking her head, left the room.

  Diane caught up with her at the apartment’s front door. “I don’t want to hurt them,” she claimed.

  Karen returned the researcher’s sober look. “Maybe you’d better tell that to Lee.”

  KAREN WENT BACK to her aunt’s apartment, bathed and dressed in fresh clothes. It was important that she look her best, even if her best was the one light summery dress she’d brought with her. At the time she hadn’t planned to be here more than a week. Or expected to pay a call to a personage and a place that on the way here she remembered being afraid to even think about. A lot had changed in a very short time. And one of those changes, Karen acknowledged, was that she had finally found her backbone.

  If it took going to see Mae Parker on the Parker Ranch to save Twilight, she would do it.

  “Oh my, don’t you look nice!” Bette exclaimed as she caught Karen opening her car door, about to slip in. “Are you going into town?” she asked.

  “I thought I might go into Del Norte. I, uh, need a few more boxes.”

  “John will probably start to have a few extras around soon. He’ll be glad to save ’em for you. Business is picking up since the studio workers discovered the Lady Slipper.”

  “Tell him thanks,” Karen said, “but I still have to—” She patted the rim of the open car door.

  “Oh, sure...sure.”

  Karen wondered if Bette wanted to go along, and was trying to decide how best to get out of it when her friend snapped her fingers.

  “That’s it! I was trying to remember what I needed. Could you get me some more of my favorite face cream? I’m running low. You know how it is out here—it’s so dry your skin can whither up and blow away if you’re not careful. I was in town not too long ago and forgot.”

  “Sure,” Karen said, relieved. “What kind?”

  “I’ll go get my tube, then you can match it. It’s sold everywhere. At any drugstore. I’d sure appreciate it.”

  Karen waited. A few minutes later Bette returned, laughing.

  “Whew! A woman my age shouldn’t hurry on a hot day. But then, that probably tells you how bad I need that face cream. I’d look like a hag in no time without it.”

  “That’s not true and you know it,” Karen returned, performing the ritual of one friend for another.

  Bette was pleased. Then she said, “Work’s really coming along. They’re putting the new curtain up in the music hall today. They can’t have much more left to do, I would think. And we’re coming along great in the hotel, too. You should come see it. You wouldn’t recognize the place.” In a humorous aside she added, “You should see Pete now. Man’s almost starting to make a pest of himself, being so accessible. He’s turned up at each of the interviews Lee and Manny did today and is giving these helpful little suggestions. I’ve been told there’s a couple of times when Lee looked like he wanted to tie him to a chair and leave him there. Oh! And something else. The souvenirs arrived. A big shipment of them. Made Mary extremely happy. She and Carmelita and Juanita are sorting through them right now. They can’t wait to start trying to sell some to the studio people. I saw one of the T-shirts. Isaac’s logo looks great! Really professional. Although that’s what he is, isn’t he? A professional artist. Maybe his work will get wider known after this. Wouldn’t that be great?”

  Karen nodded, aching to be off, and also not wanting to be burdened with yet another reason why this effort had to succeed.

  Bette must have sensed her restiveness. “Well, I won’t keep you. Don’t you forget my face cream, okay? And have a safe trip.”

  “I won’t. I will,” Karen promised, answering the request and the directive individually. Then she waved to Bette, started the engine and, for the first time since she’d arrived in Twilight, left the town behind.

  It felt as if she were leaving her home.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  KAREN TMEO NOT TO BE impressed with what she saw of the Parker Ranch, just as she tried not to listen to her qualms. She drove right up the long U-shaped drive and pulled to a stop in front of the two-story stone house that dominated the others. It was also at the head, which meant it must belong to Mae.

  A tall, leanly muscled man in his late thirties or early forties, dressed like a working cowboy, came out of the nearest house on the right. He strode off the porch toward her with a challenging air. As he drew near, she stepped out of the car to meet him. Obviously he was a Parker. With his strong, chiseled features, dark hair and smoldering dark eyes, he bore a striking resemblance to Alex and Lee. There were two exceptions, though—Lee’s pale eyes and this man’s dangerous edge. He seemed accustomed to dealing with trouble, a trait that demonstrated itself when he addressed her.

  “Mind statin’ your business?” he said curtly.

  “Yes, I—I’d like to see Mae Parker.”

  His dark eyes burned into her. “Why?”

  Karen lifted her chin. “I have business with her.”

  “Well, my name’s Rafe Parker and I’m the ranch manager. You can talk to me.”

  Rafe Parker! She remembered Alex mentioning him with something like awe. She braced her determination and stated clearly, “My business is personal... with Mae.”

  A slight smile flickered at the corners of his mouth. He seemed to approve of the fact that she’d stood up to him. “And just who might you be?”

  “My name is Karen Latham. I spoke to Mae the other day when she came to Twilight to visit Lee...your cousin.”

  “Karen Latham.” He repeated her name as if trying to place it.

  She cleared her throat nervously. “I was once engaged to Lee’s brother, Alex. It...didn’t work out.”

  Illumination dawned. “Ah, that Karen Latham.”

  The door o
n the big house opened and Mae stepped outside. Her frown deepened when she recognized Karen, yet she waved dismissal to Rafe. “It’s fine, boy. She can see me, if that’s what she came for.”

  “Would you like Shannon to come over?” Rafe asked.

  “No, no. I can handle this.”

  Rafe moved away, but not before giving Karen another look. She had the feeling he was warning her not to make trouble or he wouldn’t hesitate to act.

  Mae saw her into a Spanish-style house, with white walls, black wrought-iron fixtures, gray stone floors and colorful rugs. She was shown to a seat in the living room on one of two couches, while Mae chose a straight-back chair.

  When a plump, middle-aged woman stepped into the room, Mae requested, “Two lemonades, Marie. Unless you prefer iced tea?” She deferred to Karen.

  “Lemonade will be fine,” Karen said shortly.

  Mae looked even more regal in her own home. The queen of all she surveyed. “I doubt you’re here to pay a friendly call,” she said.

  Karen tried not to feel intimidated. Thoughts of the danger to Twilight spurred her on. “Yes, actually, we do have something we need to discuss.”

  “You look flushed. Wait for your drink.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Then wait until I have mine. It’s a hot day. But then, this is the first of September. It’s only to be expected.”

  Karen had an idea she was being manipulated, played with like a cat played with a mouse, but since she was here to request the family matriarch’s help, it wouldn’t do to react negatively. “Yes, it is hot,” she agreed. “A friend of mine in Twilight was just saying that. Bette Danson...she and her husband own the saloon.”

  “The Lady Slipper. Yes, I like that name.”

  The housekeeper returned with two glasses. Karen accepted hers graciously, as did Mae. Karen even took a sip and found the cold lemonade refreshing after all. She hadn’t noticed the fiery temperature outside, being too intent on what she would say to Mae Parker once she got here.

  “Now,” Mae directed, “talk.”

  Karen came straight to the point. “I’m here to ask you to help save Twilight. There’s a threat to it and to everyone who lives there. I’m sure you’re already familiar with it.”