Page 9 of Shine On Oklahoma

“And it has to do with Kendra,” Dax repliedas his hand closed around the cold, dewy glass.

“Yeah.”

“I ever mention that my sponsor thinks I needto avoid her the way I avoid alcohol?”

“If there’s any chance this would push youoff the wagon, Dax—”

“You don’t get pushed off the wagon, and youdon’t fall off it either. You jump. It’s a choice, and it’s one Idon’t intend on making.” He hadn’t had a drink since last December,and he was kind of excited about that first anniversary. “What doyou want me to do?”

“Keep an eye on Kendra, that’s all.”

“Why not say what you really mean, Rob? Youwant me to pretend I’m into her again, and get close enough to findout what she’s up to.”

Rob made an exaggerated frown. “I’d never askyou to do anything dishonest. You know me better than that.”

It was true, Rob was probably the most honestman in town.

“But I think we both know you wouldn’t bepretending.”

“That’s a low blow, Rob.”

Rob nodded. “I don’t know why she’s here. Whynow, with the baby due any time? And could it have anything to dowith her father?”

“What would it have to do with him?” Daxasked.

Rob said, “She messed up his plan to swindlea half million from the townsfolk of Big Falls. Made her a localhero to them. Made her an enemy to him. And he’s not a niceman.”

“I don’t think even Jack Kellogg would hurthis own daughter,” Dax said. “And even if he did, there’s no wayKendra would help.” He took a long drink from the tall, dewy glass,then shook his head. “She might be bad to the bone, Rob, but sheloves her sister.”

“But we both know Kiley isn’t why she’s here.Don’t we?”

Dax sighed. “I’m not gonna lie to her.” Thenhe shrugged. “But you’re right. I won’t have to. Truth is, I’m ascurious as you are about what she’s doing back here.” He felt thecraving for a stiff drink start writhing around in that spot abovehis stomach but below his ribs.That’s just my most deadlyweakness waking up. I’m stronger than a weakness.And hechanged the subject in his mind to the one most likely to distracthim, Kendra. He now had a slightly more noble-feeling reason to bearound her. Convenient how that ended the inner battle he’d beenwaging, with part of him telling himself to stay as far away fromher as possible, and another part wanting to be with her as much ashe could before she floated away again, like a dandelion seed on asummer breeze.

Rob had become his best friend. Kiley couldbe in danger, and her baby, too. Jack Kellogg was a criminal who’ddone serious time in a serious prison. And he was furious with hisdaughter. The good one.

Kendra had helped Kiley, though. In the end,she’d chosen the right side. Impossible to say whether she’d makethe same choice again. She was angry at being kept in the darkabout the impending arrival of her niece. The daughter of her twin,which seemed to make it even worse, somehow. He didn’t blame herfor being pissed about that. But he knew Kendra Kellogg well enoughto know, you can neverreally knowKendra Kellogg. Or whatshe might do if she felt like her back was to the wall.

If he had to walk the razor’s edge withKendra to keep Rob’s two girls safe, then that’s what he was goingto do. Get close to her again, only this time it would be himrunning a game on her. He was going to find out why she was reallyin town and what Jack Kellogg knew.

It would be like dancing with a bottle offine Jim Beam and not taking a sip.

He couldn’t take even a little taste ofKendra, or he’d fall into that bottle of her headfirst. And he hada feeling he’d never get back out.

#

Kendra was pacing her corner room, surprisedthe noise from below was so muffled. Just a dull din, almost a hum.And yet The Long Branch was packed, mostly with tourists. It wasafter nine p.m. and the activity was on the upswing. More and moresets of headlights slowed and angled as cars filled the parkinglot. Business must be booming.

Her room was at a back corner, so theheadlights didn’t glare straight through into her eyes. She onlysaw them when gazing out the window.

Someone had redone the guest rooms sinceshe’d been here last. They used to be plain bordering on Spartan.But this one, at least, was all dressed up in an old-time themethat fit with the old west motif downstairs. There were hurricanelamps and bed curtains, a washstand with an antique bowl andpitcher made of white porcelain with pink roses and gold edging,all spider-webbed with age. The wallpaper had roses too, verticalrows of them. Cream colored curtains hung in four windows with pinksatin tiebacks hooked around brass holders. Each holder had a roundinset, white ceramic with pink roses. Behind the curtains, therewere window shades with lace edges, their color meant to lookage-yellowed.

Portraits of times gone by graced the wallsin antique frames with thick but spotless glass. Black and whiteprints, enlarged from the original tin types. A man with amoustache that drooped lower than his chin and solemn eyes. Acowboy posing beside his painted pony. His face was a stonemountain range, his scowl-for-the-camera, given away by the dimplepulling at one cheek.

It was a busy room. She’d like it a lotbetter with the lights off.

What was she going to do? Dax was fightingher too hard. Yes, he’d come along with her to Kiley’s place, butreluctantly, and he’d been keeping a minimum of three feet of spacebetween them at all times. Sure, she’d win him over eventually, butshe didn’t have that kind of time.

She stopped pacing and looked at the bed.Modern comforter, white with roses. If she had to look at one morerose, she’d puke. She yanked the comforter off the bed, wadded itup, and hurled it into a corner with a growl that sounded vaguelylikegruck groses!

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