Page 38 of Wild Card
“And if it ain’t?”
“I don’t know. I ain’t thought that far ahead yet.”
“And Loche, is he likely to come back and step up himself?” I don’t know the guy, but I’m already thinking he’s an asshole.
“Last time I saw him, I told him I’d kill him if I ever saw him again, so it’s unlikely. He knew there was a chance the kid was his when he watched me marry her, and he said nothing. Man’s a pussy, he got no interest in her now things have got serious.”
“But you do?”
This man has to stop lying to himself.
“I don’t know what I want, and even if I did, how could I ever trust her again…? I liked the idea of it; an old lady, a wife, some kids. Something to make all this mean something. I should have stuck with the attitude you got. Care for no one and ya can’t get hurt.” He laughs to himself as he stands up and picks up the shovel. I watch him get back to filling in Randall's grave, and hate the reality that strikes.
Taint’s wrong. I do care for someone. I care for ’em more than I care for myself, and I’m making myself wide open. I sense I’m gonna be burned.
EIGHTEEN
Ruby
“What the hell are you doing?” Esmé whisper-yells at me as I head into the kitchen to get more popcorn.
“We’re all out.” I show her the empty bowl as evidence.
“You know I’m not talkin’ about popcorn. I’m talking about you and him.” She keeps her voice low. “Why are you acting like nothing happened? It’s scaring me,” she admits.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine,” I assure her.
“Your boyfriend hit you; there is no occasion when that'sfine.” She slams the cupboard door when I start looking through it for more popcorn.
“Stop acting this way.” She looks at me like she really is frightened.
“Just drop it, Esmé,” I warn. Things are bad enough without her getting involved. I don’t want her getting caught in the middle of all this.
“Ahhh, Ruby, how was the tasting session?” Mr. Porter strolls inside the kitchen, taking off his Stetson and hanging it up on the wall.
“It was great, we managed to pick out a menu.” I smile at him politely, ignoring the scowl that's still on his daughter's face.
“Unbelievable, all of you.” She throws her hands in the air and marches out the room
“Ignore her, she gets upset easily. Gets it from her mother.” I think that might be the first reference I’ve ever heard Mayor Porter make about his wife. I’ve never met her; she left town before me and Mom arrived, and Brett gets really touchy whenever I’ve asked about her.
“She’s my best friend. She’s just looking out for me,” I remind him. I may be forced into playing along with his game, but I won’t have him think I’m stupid enough to have forgotten what his son did.
“Esmé is very naïve to the world. A fault of my own, unfortunately. I’ve kept her far too sheltered from it.” He takes off his jacket, hanging it over the back of one of the chairs.
“That's what happens when you're a parent…you protect your children,” I tell him bitterly. Thinking about Mom and all she did to protect me.
“You're right.” He nods his head, stepping toward me and making my breath catch in my throat when he presses his body tight against mine and reaches over my shoulder for a glass. “I guess you’ll know for yourself soon enough, when my son fills your belly.” He chuckles while the thought turns my stomach. “I wonder if you’ll become a tigress like your mother was? At least you know you’ll never have to sell your pussy to feed your children. You’ll be well cared for. A lot of women from your background would be grateful for that privilege.”
“I don’t have that background, and you know it.” I hear the frustration in my voice.
“Your mother was loved and respected, but everyone in this town knew what she used to be; they know whatyouare. Whichbrings me to my next point. I’ll be giving you away on your wedding day.” He looks down at me like I should be grateful.
“I have other arrangements.” I shake my head, refusing to budge on this. I’ve already asked Earl, and despite how much he disagrees with this union, I saw how touched he was by me asking.
“Well, unarrange them; the townsfolk need to see that I’m behind this marriage.”
“Behind it? You're the one insisting on it, suppose I tell the townsfolk that?” I warn him.
