Desperate Wish

by Sioux Dallas

  Daniel kicked his shoe along the walk just as he did when he was ten. Suddenly he lifted his head and howled at the moon, then ran laughing to jump in his car and speed away.

  Amanda watched through the living room window and shook her head. She didn’t realize her father was looking out of another window and grinning broadly.

  Chapter Six

  Her mother was another story. Felicity hadn’t yet reached the point where she was ashamed of her feelings, but she would get there. Felicity wanted her husband and her daughter with her at all times and certainly didn’t want to share her daughter with any man, especially Daniel. His easygoing manner didn’t set well with her.

  The debilitating arthritis had not only taken her strength, but she had given in to depression and often felt sorry for herself. When Corbin had his heart attack, Felicity was sure God had let them down and forgotten about them, leaving her bitter at times when she gave in to it.

  Monday morning opened with a downpour of cool rain. The ranch workers were able to take care of what work could be done, so, Daniel drove on in to Galveston to the hangar. He parked and, getting out of the car, he noticed a beat-up looking truck parked at the far end of the building. As he peered through the mist in that direction, the driver started the engine and made a U-turn coming behind the hangar and out the main gate.

  Daniel hurried into the hangar to find Mike and Jeff busy at work. “Did you fellows notice a beat-up truck with someone in it sitting at the far end? The truck may have been red at one time but it’s a rust bucket now.”

  “That sounds like a truck that Warren Gooding drives sometimes. Why would he be so furtive? He hasn’t been seen for months and now, all of a sudden, he’s decided to come on this property. He hasn’t really broken any laws and I’m sure not going to challenge him unless I have a good reason - and a good baseball bat with me,” Mike said.

  Although Daniel knew what Mike meant, he smiled to himself at the man’s blustering.

  Jeff Dorton was concerned and wanted to be told all about Warren. While the men were talking, Lt. Kooper and another man, from the Port Authorities, came in. “Good morning, gentlemen. I heard on the news that you’d found answers. I would appreciate knowing what you’ve found.” Lt. Kooper walked closer to the crippled plane. “This is Andrew Gordon,” he introduced his partner. “He’s just joined our force and is eager to assist any way he’s needed.”

  Mike introduced Jeff Dorton to the two officers and proceeded to tell all that he knew.

  “I’m going to get to the bottom of whose telling secrets out of class,” Jeff said and then told the men that they had no idea how the news got out, or who was responsible. “It was almost out before we even knew for sure what we’d found,” he explained.

  As the five men talked they heard tires rolling over wet stones as another vehicle rolled up outside the large sliding doors. Daniel hurried to see who was coming in and almost ran fall tilt into a uniformed female officer with a male office right behind her. “Oh, I’m sorry. Please come in.” The two officers stepped into the hangar.

  The woman stood with straight back and sharp, knowing brown eyes. Her long brown hair, almost black, was pulled back in a bun on her neck. Daniel thought she looked to be early thirties. “I’m Captain Isabella Cortez and this is Sgt. Manuel Periera. We’re with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Dept. Sheriff heard that there was a threat to the life of Miss Wescott and he sent us out to get the facts. He has known the family for many years and is interested both as a sheriff and a friend.

  Sgt. Periera said nothing but Daniel was impressed that he was taking everything in without bringing attention to himself. His black hair, black eyes and copper skin showed probable mixture of Spanish and Indian. He stood about five-eleven with a build that showed he worked out regularly in a gym. Beside the five-six Capt., he seemed much like a “hulk”.

  Jeff and Mike were telling the officers from the Sheriff’s Dept. what they knew when another car drove up. “Well, hello here,” Mike said with exasperation. “Do we have an open house sign down the road? We haven’t had this much traffic since we opened.” He walked to the walk-in door that was beside the sliding door, noticing that the rain had stopped but the sky was still dark.

  Two men got out of a Galveston City Police vehicle and walked in. “Hi, Mike, long time no see.”

  “Well, hey! Barry Parker. I haven’t seen you in ages. What brings you out this way?”

  As Mike and Barry shook hands as old friends do, Barry said, “This is Sgt. Yancy Woodrow. We’re supposed to take a deposition about the plane accident and how Miss Wescott is doing. I guess all of the country knows by now but no one knows how or why. The Chief thought we’d better get the facts and keep a report of our own just in case we have to act in an official capacity.”

  “Mandy’s going to love this,” Mike said in despair. “She’s a very private person and independent. She would have called in a complaint if she felt there was anything to go on.” Mike introduced all of the men and offered coffee and donuts all around. Fortunately he’d made a stop by the donut shop on his way in and made coffee in the big camping pot when he got to work. He knew everyone might want coffee on a cold, wet day, but who expected all of this company?

  About eleven Amanda hurried in looking worried and curious. “What’s going on? Has something else happened? Are all of you all right?” She asked breathlessly about Mike, Daniel and Jeff. “I’m sorry. I would have been here at my usual time, but I took Mom in for a medical appointment.”

  “Everything’s fine,” Daniel calmed her. “It’s just a coincidence that all of these officers came out on official business. That ‘jump the gun’ news report has the whole town buzzing.”

  “Heavens to Betsy,” Amanda exclaimed in exasperation. “When will this end? Do any of you officers have additional news to share?” she looked expectantly around the room at the group. They looked at each other and shook their heads.

  “No, ma’am,” Sgt. Woodrow spoke for the group. We’re all in the same boat; wanting news and to know how, why and who.”

  “In one sense it’s a relief to know that all of you are alert to these attempts, but I can’t help but wonder if the person, or persons, responsible won’t get a bang out of causing all this commotion and will try something else. If I knew what their reasoning was, I’d know how to go about protecting myself. It’s so frustrating to not be able to do anything,” Amanda stated.

  “Try being an officer, knowing your main duty is to protect the people, and not being able to do anything because you have no clues,” Capt. Cortez snapped. “Please understand, I’m not upset with you, but things like this drive me to act in a way I’m not supposed to as an officer. Sneaky vandalism and now attempted murder. The sad thing is, this isn’t the only case we have like this.”

  Each group of officers took their own written reports and had Amanda sign as owner of the business. “I would appreciate you not involving my father until his health is better,” she said. All of them agreed and left.

  “Sheuu-ee!” Mike shouted. “We might as well close for the day. You can’t go up in this weather Mandy and we’ve done as much as we can here. Besides, it’s getting mighty dark again. I’m afraid we’re in for some rough weather. If that storm blows in off the Gulf it’ll be a doozey.”

  Amanda agreed and scurried around to close up. Mike and Daniel walked the perimeter of the room checking all windows and doors to make sure they were secure. “Are you going to tell Amanda about Warren sneaking around?” Daniel asked Mike. Mike looked thoughtful and then shook his head.

  Amanda checked to see that the coffee pot was off and washed, ready for the next day. She locked everything up in the office and finally locked the office door. She surprised Mike by hugging him and kissing his cheek. Daniel was amused to see Mike blush. “Thank you, my dear friend,” Amanda told Mike.

  “For what?”

  “For being you.” She smiled and walked out so that Mike could close the big sliding doo
rs and lock them. Daniel followed Amanda to her car.

  Mike jumped out of his car and hurried back to Amanda and Daniel. “You won’t believe who’s coming in,” he said with anger in his voice. They looked up to see a news van and reporters rolling toward them. Daniel and Mike stepped out in front of Amanda to meet them.

  “Hello,” a perky woman called to them. “I would appreciate talking to you and getting some answers to questions that are running all over town.” She motioned for a cameraman to come to a spot near her and hook up all the equipment. Her short blond hair blew in the wind and framed a square face. Eyes, faded such a light blue, looked almost silver. At a distance she looked blind. Her full, pouting lips gave evidence of her used to getting her own way.

  She needed no cosmetics for, in spite of being so fair, she had a light blush over her high cheekbones.

  Scandinavian, Daniel thought.

  Mike held up a hand. “Let me save you some trouble. There’s nothing for you here. I don’t know what you’ve heard, and frankly, I don’t care. Our workday is finished and we’re on our way out. Please leave.”

  “No news! Surely you jest. Everyone is talking about the attempts on Amanda Wescott’s life, about the sabotage to her property and many things. If this is not true, wouldn’t you like to clear it up and inform our viewers of the truth?”

  “I repeat, no news. I’m sure if there is anything to report, the police would have given you facts and figures.”

  “Then you admit there has been trouble if the police are involved. This is your chance to set the record straight. Tell me all that has happened and what you plan to do about it.”

  “Ma’am, my parents taught me to be respectful of ladies. I’ll ask you again, politely, please leave. We have nothing to say. You’re wasting your time here.” Mike was adamant.

  “Then you leave me no choice but to report the rumors and show you here stating that you have nothing to share. Why hasn’t Miss Wescott said anything?” The woman motioned for the cameraman to step to one side and take Amanda’s picture. As he did so, Daniel stepped in front of her and, placing one hand behind him, gently pushed Amanda into her car. She had been standing beside the open car door, open - mouthed in shock and wonder at the audacity of the newswoman.

  “Who’re you?” the woman asked irritably. “You look familiar. Are you a Cortland?”

  Daniel made no answer. He shut Amanda’s door, motioned for her to lock it and walked calmly to his own car. He got in, pulled out around the van and saw that Amanda followed him. The cameraman took pictures of the two cars as they drove off.

  Maybe I should have stayed behind and stood by Mike, but I don’t want my name getting out. I’ll be able to help them more if the criminals don’t know the names of the people helping. I’ll have to apologize to Mike later, but I know he can handle it. He’s doing a great job of keeping the woman busy. The nerve of these people. Daniel was not angry but very disturbed.

  Daniel realized that everyone had his own job to do and he respected the fact that the woman was trying to earn a living. After all, he and Amanda were both in the news business. He hoped they would never be so aggressive and ungracious. Later he called Amanda. “Amanda, it’s early. Can’t we go somewhere to eat and talk? I just want to be with you.”

  “Daniel, you’re so kind. I do love being with you, but I still don’t want to rush into anything. Mom isn’t taking this news too well and Dad doesn’t say much, but I know he’s worried and thinking about what might have been. I promise, I’ll call you at the first opportunity I get to go out again. Thank you for being so understanding.” Before Daniel could answer her she had blown him a kiss over the phone and hung up.

  Tuesday and Wednesday Daniel was very busy repairing fencing around the field where the prize breeding horses were kept. He helped start a new barn and corral for mares in labor. Each stall was twenty-five feet by twenty feet, and he had started the framing. Mares in labor needed a lot of room to pace and lie down and get up easily. The men, under his supervision, were skilled in the work and he left them after they got started.

  Daniel started training the new horses and completing training on some that he had been working with. The new ones had to learn to come when called, to stand quietly while being groomed and their feet cleaned, while having tack put on them and while being mounted. He checked for dirty or broken tack and cleaned up the tack and feed room. Thursday afternoon he had dragged wearily into the house to go to the library and do some bookkeeping for his dad. He also had to catalogue the individual breeding horses and the foals and their dams in two records. (A dam is a mother horse and a sire is the father. All little ones are foals. A male foal is a colt and a female foal is a filly.)

  As Daniel was going over some financial reports and making notations on the margins, a maid came to the door. “Excuse me, Mr. Dan. There’s a telephone call for you.” She smiled and nodded toward the phone on the desk. “Line two.”

  “Thank you, Yolanda” He reached across the desk and languorously picked up the phone.

  “This is Daniel Cortland,” he said without interest. He sat up grinning broadly when he heard, “I said I’d call you.”

  Daniel and Amanda talked only a few minutes then he hung up with a whoop and ran up the stairs to his bedroom. Twenty minutes later he bounded down the stairs, his hair still damp from a quick shower. He finished tucking his shirt into his slacks and put his belt on as he pulled the front door open. He would have been ready earlier, but he took time to polish his shoes.

  “Yolanda,” he called and paused to listen for her acknowledgement. “I’ll not be here for dinner.” With a grin from ear to ear and his heart thumping joyfully, he drove as quickly as the law would allow to pick up Amanda at her house.

  “Hi,” he called, looking adoringly at her as she walked to his car. She was wearing a swirling dress of pastel green and blue with a V-neck and three quarter sleeves. Her tan sandals added just the right touch with nude hose.

  Gold drop jade earrings and matching bracelet and her watch with a scarab band completed her outfit.

  “Hi yourself. May I drive?” She stopped by the bright red Chrysler Newport Phaeton.

  “Have you driven one of these before?”

  “No, but I’d like to learn. May I try?”

  “Why not, after all it’ll be yours someday.”

  “Don’t start that. Let’s just enjoy the evening and be friends.”

  For a few minutes he let her drive around the residential section while he instructed her how to drive the sporty car. “Yee – haw! I’m proud of you, honey. You’re really doing well, especially for a gal who drives a pick-up,” he teased.

  “Now head down to the Surf and Turf. I’m in the mood for lobster.”

  Again they found they had similar tastes in food selections, and they never seemed to run out of things to talk about. They exchanged humorous stories about school days and how they looked when they were growing up.

  “I have to confess, I’m amazed at our compatibility. It seems as if I’ve known you for several years,” Amanda smiled.

  “No surprise to me,” Daniel chuckled. “Remember, I told you that I felt a higher power is responsible for our meeting and getting to know one another.”

  “I felt at ease with you from the first time I met you,” Amanda said solemnly, ignoring the comment about the higher power. She wasn’t ready to admit that they might have a lasting relationship. “I’ve always been independent, and it kind of scared me when I left decisions in your hands from our first meeting. I stood like a ninny and let you take charge. That’s not like me.”

  “Why did it scare you?”

  “I felt as if I’d lost control of my own life.”

  “It wasn’t my intention to take over or make you feel inadequate. Have you forgotten? I told you that Dad had trained me to protect and take care of ladies... It was a natural reaction on my part; not to take charge, but to help take care of you.”

  “I know that now, and
for the first time in my life I feel as if I don’t have to carry the entire weight of problems on my shoulders. If we knew each other better - or longer, I’d say I feel cherished and -” She stopped with an embarrassed giggle.

  “Believe me. You are cherished. I honestly do care so much for you Amanda, and would like to make it a lifetime of caring.”

  “Now that scares me, too. My parents have a long, loving, faithful relationship, but I have so many friends who thought they were set for life, and they are now divorced; angry, bitter and emotionally wrecked. They are my generation and I’m afraid it’s true of a majority of marriages today. Oh,” Amanda hesitated blushing. “I sound as if we have serious marriage plans. Please understand. I’ve seen too many of my friends, both male and female, troubled, in tears, fighting and in general plain miserable.”

  “Trust me. I know our marriage would be for life. We’ll have the same relationship that both sets of our parents do, and our children will feel secure and loved.” Daniel grinned. “I want children, and I hope you do, too.”

  “I sure do. At the right time. Let’s change the subject. I’m not comfortable with this discussion.”

  As Daniel walked Amanda to her door at the end of the evening, she turned and placed her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much,” she said softly. “I can’t remember when I’ve had a better time.” She lightly kissed him and skipped inside before he could grasp what was happening, leaving him gasping in surprise.

  Chapter Seven

  Three wonderful weeks passed with Amanda and Daniel together as much as possible. They went to a rodeo, a Valentine’s Day dance, and a formal dinner-dance at the Governor’s mansion. They met each other’s friends and never tired of talking and being together, even taking walks without any conversation. They were comfortable holding hands and just walking side by side.