Evening Hours

by Mary Lynn Baxter

  Rebecca had definitely added a new and exciting dimension to his life. And though they didn’t live together, she spent an occasional night at his house and vice versa. He had been so distraught last evening, he hadn’t wanted her to leave.

  “You’re too thoughtful,” he said in a slightly gruff voice as he pulled out the chair and joined her.

  “Feeling better?”

  “Much.” He blew on the liquid, then took a sip, reveling in its warmth as it hit his stomach.

  “You don’t have a virus, do you?”

  Though she put an obvious question mark at the end of her sentence, Edgar knew she had made a statement of fact. “No,” he said honestly.

  “I know you’re terribly upset and I’ve tried not to pry.”

  “Only you are now.” Edgar eased his bluntness with another forced smile.

  “That’s right, especially since you seem so on edge. Perhaps worried is a better word.” Rebecca paused and sipped on her tea. “But I don’t want to put you on the spot.” A frown deepened the lines on her forehead.

  He reached out and covered her hand with his, giving it a squeeze. “You’re not prying, my dear. I don’t want to hide things from you.”

  “Then don’t. Is something going on at work that has you tied in knots?”

  “Always, but right now it’s not work I’m concerned about.”

  Rebecca held her silence waiting for him to continue. Her ability to remain quiet was another gift he admired. She never prodded, though he knew she’d like to marry him. He’d sensed that, not so much by what she said, but what she hadn’t said.

  He wasn’t ready for that giant step. Maybe he never would be. At this point in his life he was content to concentrate on Kaylee and his job. Both were the top priorities in his life, though he sure didn’t want to lose Rebecca.

  “If it’s not work, then it’s Kaylee.”

  Another statement of fact. “You hit the nail on the head.”

  “What did you do?”

  His smile was genuine but brief. “Ah, you know me too well. It scares me.”

  This time she squeezed his hand, then winked. “Don’t be scared. I’m harmless.”

  His smile returned, only to fade once again. “I took things into my own hands, Rebecca.”

  “Are you referring to Kaylee?”

  He nodded.

  “Like how?”

  He groped for the right words, but couldn’t find them.

  “Does she know what you’re up to?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  Rebecca looked taken aback. “But she will, won’t she?”

  “Sooner than later.”

  “What did you do, Edgar?”

  “I went to see Cutler McFarland.”

  “And?”

  “And told him I wanted him to marry my daughter.”

  As expected, Rebecca gave him an incredulous look. But when she opened her mouth, nothing came out, so she slammed it back shut.

  “So I’m an old fool who can’t mind his own business.” He heard the belligerence in his voice, but didn’t care. He made no apologies. “I just couldn’t let this opportunity pass.”

  “No wonder you’re feeling sick.”

  “Still, I wouldn’t do anything different.”

  “I guess that’s a good thing. Second-guessing yourself certainly isn’t.”

  He set his jaw. “I’m convinced I did the right thing.”

  “What did you say to him?”

  “I had something to bargain with, something to hold over his head. However it’s not something I’m prepared to share.”

  Until he knew what Cutler was going to do, he had no intention of revealing the contents of that safe to anyone. When Drew learned what had gone down—well, Edgar couldn’t imagine how that would play out. He’d probably lose his job and Drew’s friendship.

  When crossed, Drew was hard and unforgiving. He had worked hard all these years in order to avoid Drew’s bad side for fear of the repercussions. But now, even though the consequences of his actions might be dire, he didn’t care. Making Kaylee happy was all that mattered.

  He was prepared to live with the consequences.

  Rebecca’s expression didn’t change, though he could almost see her mind working. “Do you think he’ll comply?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “You must have some powerful ammo.”

  “I do.” Edgar held her gaze for a long moment. “Thank you for not telling me I’m nuts.”

  “You’re far from nuts, though I will say your method is a bit unorthodox, to say the least.”

  “And I haven’t pulled it off yet.”

  “Kaylee’s the one I suspect will want your head on a platter.”

  “It’s imperative that she never know.”

  “She won’t hear it from me. Besides, I don’t know any of the details and that’s the way I want it.”

  “You’re a special person, Rebecca Goolsby. I’m lucky to have you in my life.”

  “It’s going to be all right, Edgar. What you did came from the heart.”

  “We’ll see. Even though I have no regrets, like I said, I know I’m taking a big gamble by interfering in the lives of two strong-minded and competent individuals.”

  “Let’s hope the gamble pays off and you get what you want.”

  “Correction. It’s not what I want. It’s all about Kaylee.”

  Rebecca leaned over and kissed him. “She’s a very lucky young woman to have a father who cares so deeply.”

  “She deserves to have what other women have,” he said fiercely.

  “But only if that’s what she truly wants.”

  That was as close to a rebuke as Rebecca came, which was okay. He hadn’t asked for her approval. He could live with himself and that’s what counted.

  “She wants it, all right,” he said with that same fierceness. “I’m convinced of that and always will be.”

  “So what’s next?” Rebecca asked in a soft, nonaccusatory tone.

  “Wait. The ball’s in Cutler’s court.”

  “Want some company while you wait?”

  “You bet.”

  Edgar kissed her again, then clung to her, praying he’d done the right thing.

  Kaylee’s nerves were on edge.

  Yet she thought she was managing to handle this present situation with as much calm professionalism as she could muster.

  “It’s imperative you tell me the truth.”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Nicole Reed wailed. “I’m just prone to bruise easily. You’re making too big a deal out it.”

  “I don’t think so,” Kaylee said in a firm tone. “With bruises up and down your arms, you’re no good to the agency. Bottom line, young lady, you can’t work.”

  Nicole tossed back a strand of her long red hair before saying, “I’ll cover them up.”

  “Unfortunately, that won’t be possible. The marks are just too visible on your fair skin.”

  “Can’t I at least try?” Nicole wailed again, her eyes wide with anxiety, as if she realized for the first time that she was actually in trouble.

  “Sure you can try, but it won’t happen.”

  Nicole clenched her jaw, her anxiety changing to irritation.

  “So how did you get them?” Kaylee asked. “You’re not leaving until I know.”

  Nicole muttered something.

  Kaylee suspected it was an expletive, which didn’t have any influence on her whatsoever.

  “I lost my balance in the apartment and fell.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Nicole Reed lowered her head, easing her hand down one leg of her linen slacks as though trying to smooth out the wrinkles.

  Kaylee blew out a sigh, then glanced over at Sandy, who was sitting on the same settee as the model. Sandy merely raised her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders.

  If Nicole didn’t want to confide in her, there wasn’t much she could do about it except contact her parents. In order to do th
at the situation had to be really drastic. So far, it hadn’t reached that point.

  “Nicole,” Kaylee said, disrupting the silence, “I’m waiting. And not very patiently, I might add.”

  “Okay, I went surfing this weekend. That’s how I got bruised. Me and Scott had trouble with our boards.”

  Kaylee didn’t believe that for a minute either, but she refrained from saying so. At least the girl was talking, and that was a good thing. Maybe if she talked long enough, she might actually tell the truth.

  “If that’s the case, then why are you just now bruising?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You go surfing most every weekend, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “So why now?” Kaylee pressed.

  “The surf was rough and we took several tumbles.”

  Kaylee turned to Sandy and addressed her. “What’s your opinion?”

  “I think you should see a doctor, Nicole.”

  “A doctor?” Nicole’s voice reached a high note. “That’s crazy. I don’t need to go to the doctor.”

  “I agree with Sandy,” Kaylee countered calmly.

  “Scott hasn’t hurt me,” Nicole said in a tight, defiant tone, “if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “If he has or ever does, I’d hope you would tell us so we could help.”

  “May I go now?”

  Kaylee suppressed her regret, knowing she’d run into a brick wall. The model wasn’t prepared to give an inch. “Yes. As soon as we set the doctor’s appointment, we’ll let you know.” Kaylee gave her a pointed look.

  Nicole released a resigned sigh, then scurried out of the room.

  Kaylee blew out a long breath, not realizing how uptight she’d been. Suddenly her insides felt like jelly, much the same as when Cutler had kissed her. Where had that thought come from?

  Panicked, she stood, walked from behind her desk and joined Sandy on the settee. “So what’s your take?”

  “We’ve got another tiger by the tail.”

  “I agree.”

  “Do you think Scott’s knocking her around?”

  “Someone is. I’d bet this agency on it.”

  “So would I,” Sandy said, rising. “I’ll see that she gets to the doctor.”

  Kaylee frowned. “I wonder what’s next?”

  “Don’t even go there.” Sandy’s mouth turned down. “At least the other three rebels are behaving.”

  Kaylee threw up her hands. “Only their wounds haven’t healed, and now Nicole’s out of commission.”

  “Thank heavens we’ve still got time before the shows, or we’d be in a heap of trouble.”

  “You’re right,” Kaylee said in a glum tone.

  “Hey, don’t get down about this, boss,” Sandy said with a thumbs up. “Remember the Ford Agency tapped us. So we’ve got it together or they wouldn’t have given us the time of day.”

  Kaylee smiled. “Thanks for the pep talk. I needed it.”

  “I’ll check in later,” Sandy said, exiting the room.

  Kaylee sat back down to the sound of the buzzer. “Your dad’s here.”

  “Great. Send him in.”

  Two seconds later Kaylee had her arms around Edgar and was giving him a bear hug. “Hi, Pops. What’s up?”

  “Do you have plans for lunch?”

  “Nope.”

  “Do you have time to let your old man treat you?”

  Kaylee pulled back and looked at him, sensing something was wrong. That was when she noticed the pallor of his skin. A flutter of panic went through her. “You don’t look so good. Are you all right?”

  A shadow crossed his face, but then he smiled. “I’m fine, sweetheart.”

  That smile should’ve reassured her, but it didn’t. Still, she didn’t push. He’d share in his own time. He always did.

  Eighteen

  “Hey, son, what a pleasant surprise.”

  “Hey, yourself,” Cutler responded, suddenly unable to call him Dad, which was crazy. But then Edgar Benton had messed with his mind. Since yesterday, Cutler hadn’t known whether he was coming or going. He had to get the poison inside him contained or he wouldn’t be worth a damn to himself or anyone else.

  He was furious that he’d listened to that pile of garbage, that he hadn’t pitched Benton out on his ass. But when someone looked you in the eye and told you he had documented proof that another man was your father, that got your attention.

  Still, Cutler hated what he was about to do. He dreaded even the thought of questioning his dad, whom he loved and he knew loved him.

  “What brings you out to the site?” Trevor asked, removing his hard hat, a grin splayed across his weathered face.

  Cutler didn’t answer right away, his eyes scanning the building site, which was a federal housing project. Trevor’s company had gotten the lucrative bid. When that had happened, the family had celebrated. The deal had brought Trevor out of retirement and back on the job.

  “I wanted to see you.”

  “I’m not sure how I should take that,” Trevor said with a teasing glint.

  Cutler gave him a look.

  Trevor laughed.

  That laughter sounded so genuine, so normal, Cutler had to fight the urge to grab his dad and hug him, something he hadn’t done in years—too many years, to be exact.

  Yet Cutler jammed his hands into his pockets and simply stared at Trevor for another long moment. His father lived life to the fullest, laughing as hard as he worked.

  Cutler had so often thought how fortunate he was to have such great parents. In light of this latest revelation, however, he knew he’d taken both of them for granted. Maybe not so much his mother, but definitely his dad. He didn’t spend enough time with Trevor, and what time he did spend wasn’t quality time.

  That was just about to change. Once this mess was settled, he was going to get to know what made his dad tick.

  “Hey, boy, what’s on your mind?”

  Cutler jerked himself back to the moment at hand and realized Trevor was staring at him with puzzled eyes. “Thought maybe I could buy you lunch.”

  Trevor was clearly taken aback by that request. Cutler flushed under his close scrutiny. “Are you okay?”

  Cutler felt more color steal into his cheeks, though it wasn’t noticeable, as the sun beating down on them was parboiling.

  Trevor mopped his face, then said, “Come on, let’s finish this conversation in my shack. Without anything on your head, your brain will fry.”

  “I think it’s too late.”

  Trevor chuckled, then motioned with his right hand for Cutler to follow him.

  Once they were inside the air-conditioned trailer, Cutler reached for his handkerchief and mopped his face. “Damn, but this heat’s a killer today.”

  “It ain’t the heat, son. It’s the humidity.”

  “Today it’s both. I’m soaking wet.”

  Trevor flexed a tanned, muscled arm and grinned. “Ought to do this for a living.”

  “I wouldn’t have minded it.”

  “But I would. That’s why I worked my butt off so you’d have an education.”

  “You might not have a degree, but you’re educated.”

  “It’s not the same,” Trevor said in a staunch voice. “You’re doing exactly what you were meant to do. You’re a born lawyer who works for the people. And I’m real proud of that.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Cutler cleared his throat, then added, “So how ’bout lunch?”

  “I haven’t eaten, but I’m not fit to darken the doors of one of those fancy restaurants.”

  “You look fine. You name it and that’s where we’ll go.”

  “I got a better idea. Let’s go to the house. Your mother made the best batch of chicken salad ever last night and there’s more than half of it left. How does that sound?”

  “You know the answer to that. I’d rather eat her chicken salad than a juicy sirloin.”

  “Hold on while I tell my foreman.”

 
Thirty minutes later they were in the kitchen of his parents’ home in west Houston. It was an older house that Trevor had remodeled before they moved in. Cutler loved coming there, rambling through the large, airy rooms that bore a hint of his mother’s cologne.

  While Trevor washed up, he’d rummaged through the fridge until he’d found the salad and a container full of chopped fruit. His mother had bought croissants for the salad, which made it even more delicious.

  Too bad he wasn’t hungry.

  Still, he went through the pretense of getting the breakfast-room table ready, then sat down and stared into the backyard aglow with flowers. His mother liked to garden and spent as much time playing with her plants as she could, except when her heart wouldn’t permit that kind of activity.

  A deep sigh escaped Cutler as he rubbed the back of his tight neck. He actually felt as if he was carrying around a chunk of lead in his belly, it was so heavy. And his chest—hell, it felt as if an elephant was camped on it. Somehow, though, he had to get something down or he’d never hear the end of it.

  Besides, he didn’t know if he had the courage—maybe balls was the better word—even to bring up the subject of his parentage. With the sunlight streaming through the windows and the birds chirping outside, the world seemed so normal, so untainted.

  His stomach rebelled, especially when he got a whiff of the chicken salad. What a freakin’ nightmare. He still couldn’t believe his life had just been turned upside down, that he was being blackmailed, for God’s sake.

  “You didn’t have to wait for me.”

  “Sure I did,” Cutler said, turning and watching his dad meander to the table, then sit down. “No fun eating alone.”

  “You didn’t get us anything to drink,” Trevor pointed out, pushing his chair away and getting up.

  “Sorry.”

  “Your mother also made some peach tea. You want some?”

  “That sounds good.” Cutler made himself smile. “She really went all out last night. Something special going on?”

  “Nah. She just felt like puttering in the kitchen. And I wasn’t about to discourage her.”

  “No way. Any time she putters, that’s a thumbs-up. Means she’s feeling good.”

  “She is for now.” A shadow fell across Trevor’s face. “But we both know that won’t last.”