Page 37 of Rainwater
Tucker flushed and nodded, then brushed past Corey and exited the diner.
Ellie ran after Tucker. She caught him by the arm, and when he refused to turn around, she walked around him. “Are you okay?”
“No. I have a mean-spirited bastard for a father who likes to pick on women and children because that’s all he can intimidate. God, they’re like a pack of rabid wolves.”
“Tucker, you came to help me. I appreciate that.”
He flushed. “Fat lot of good I was.”
“You were wonderful.” She took the bloody napkin out of his hand and dabbed his split lip. “Want me to kiss it and make it better?” Ellie didn’t know where the words had come from, but suddenly she felt awkward as Tucker stepped back, obviously uncomfortable, as well.
He flushed again and jammed his hands into his pockets. “Um, so are you going with me tonight to dig night crawlers, or what?” he asked testily.
Ellie was so relieved to have the topic changed that she quickly nodded. “For sure. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great,” Tucker mumbled and brushed past her, calling out gruffly, “See you around, kid.”
Corey had Jennifer by the arm and was leading her out of the diner when Ellie entered. “Ellie, who was he?” Corey asked.
“People say that Jay fathered him, but I heard he raped Tucker’s mother.”
“What do you know about rape, Ellie? You’re only thirteen years old.”
“Yeah, but I know about sex, Corey.”
He looked over at Jennifer, who only shrugged her shoulders. “She would have found out about it from less reliable sources. I just thought she should hear it from her mother.”
Corey shook his head in resignation and his attention shifted back to Ellie. Gravely, he said, “Rape is not about sex, Ellie.”
Ellie slowly nodded her head as if she’d known all along.
“Corey…” Jennifer started but never got to finish.
“Don’t say a word. Just get in the truck.” He moved through the booths as people reached out to clasp his hand and give him the thumbs-up.
With Jennifer on one arm, he grabbed Ellie by the hand, then dipped down quickly to pick up the saddlebags he’d dropped before attacking the Butlers.
Ellie looked up at him with deep respect in her eyes. “You don’t ever fight dirty.”
He looked down at her. “How would you know about that?”
“Hey, I watch Clint Eastwood movies,” Ellie said indignantly.
When they reached the truck, Corey swung Ellie up into the seat and gently pulled on one of her braids. “You, little darlin’, are watching too many movies. I only fight when I’m’ provoked. Violence never solves anything.”
“Yeah, I know, but you sure didn’t like Mr. Butler saying those means things about Mom.”
Corey looked at Jennifer over the high seat, with a wry look on his face.
“Don’t look at me. It isn’t my fault she’s so intuitive,” Jennifer defended herself.
His eyes shifted back to Ellie, who gave him an angelic smile. He tweaked her nose. “Little darlin’, I’m feeling real sorry for the man who’s gonna have to tame you.”
“Tame me? I don’t reckon anyone will tame me.” She matched his drawl perfectly.
He laughed, shaking his head. “Lord, help us all.”
When he didn’t’ immediately get in the truck, Jennifer asked, “Did you mean what you said in there? Have you accepted my job offer?” She couldn’t keep the hope from her voice as she watched him. Watched his face tighten in remembered pain.
