Page 36 of Texas Honor

The older woman was sitting down in the living room, looking smug while she thumbed through a magazine.

Mari paused in the hall, took a deep breath and went into the room determinedly. “Well,” she said brightly, “I’ve got a terrific assignment!”

“You’ve what?” Lillian asked, staring at her niece.

“Mr. Jessup is sending me to Atlanta to get some information on a distant relative of his,” she continued, pretending for all she was worth. “You know, to go into his memoirs. It will give me a chance to see about my rent at the apartment and get some more clothes, too.”

Lillian had stiffened, but she relaxed all at once with a smile. “Just for a few days, I guess?” she probed.

“That’s right.” Mari sighed, laying it on thick. “Isn’t he just the nicest man? What a pity he’s got so little time.” She peeked at Lillian out of the corner of one eye. “There’s not much sense in getting attached to a dying man, you know.”

Lillian hadn’t considered that. She gnawed her lip thoughtfully. “He’s not a goner yet,” she said. “He could get well.” She warmed to her topic. “That’s right. They could find a treatment that would work and save him!”

“That would be lovely. He’s so macho, you know,” Mari said with a forced smile.

“Isn’t he, though? You two seem to be spending quite a lot of time together these days, too,” she added. “Exchanging some very interesting looks as well.”

Mari lowered her eyes demurely. “He’s very handsome.”

“You’re very pretty.” Lillian put the magazine aside. “When are you going to Atlanta?”

“This very afternoon!” Mari enthused. “I want to hurry and get back,” she added.

Lillian fell for it, hook, line and sinker. “Is he going to let you fly there?” she asked.

“No, I’m, uh, taking the bus. Hate flying, you know. Just do it when I have to.” Actually, she didn’t have the price of a ticket, thanks to her lost job and small savings account. It would take all she had to pay her rent, and then she’d have to pray that she could find another job. Damn Ward Jessup!

“Bus?” Lillian began, giving her suspicious looks.

“He’ll come after me, of course,” she said. “We might drive back....”

The older woman brightened. Lots of opportunities if they had to stop overnight. Of course, they wouldn’t do anything reckless. She knew Mari wouldn’t.

“Do you need some help packing?” she asked Mari.

“No, thanks, dear, I can do it. And I’d better get busy!” She blew Aunt Lillian a kiss. “You’ll be all right until I get back?” she added, hesitating.

“Of course,” Lillian huffed. “I just have a broken leg. I’m taking those stupid pills.”

“Good.” Mari went upstairs and quickly threw things into her bag. She called the bus station to ask about an outgoing bus and was delighted to find that she had an hour to get to the station. She grabbed her bag and rushed back down the staircase just in time to watch a wet, angry, coldly polite Ward Jessup come in the front door.

“I told Aunt Lillian about the job, Mr. Jessup,” she said, loud enough for Lillian to hear. “My goodness, what happened to you? You’re all wet!”

Ward glared at her. “So I am, Miss Raymond,” he returned. His gaze went to the bag in her hand. Well, he’d expected it, hadn’t he? What did she think he’d do, propose marriage?

Mari went the rest of the way down the staircase, keeping her features calm when she felt like throwing herself at his wet boots and begging him to let her stay. She did have a little pride left. Anyway, he was the one who should be ashamed of himself, going around propositioning good girls.

“Boss, you’d better get into some dry clothes,” Lillian fussed.

“I will in a minute.” He glared at Mari. “When do you leave?”

“In an hour. Can you get somebody to run me to the bus station? After all, the research trip,” she raised her voice, “was your idea.”

“Tell Billy I said to drive you,” he said curtly, and his eyes cut into hers.

“I’ll do that,” she replied, struggling to maintain her tattered pride. Her hands clutched the bag. “See you.”

He didn’t reply. Lillian was getting suspicious.

---