Chirp(19)

Blaze


Blaze sighed relief. Lumber sat stacked in piles, but no men were in sight. She surveyed the changes. According to the new foundation, square footage would double in size. Protruding pipes located the bathroom, and it was a big one. Surely they’d finish the project in a month. After that Rance would have his space and she’d have hers, so maybe he wouldn’t be so adamant about her leaving.

She went to release the Lennon sisters, but when she opened the door, the room was empty. Had he already let them out? She searched under her bed. With the construction ruckus, the pets would have hidden or run away. Then she remembered what Rance had said about getting rid of them.

She flew to the back porch. “Where are the cats?”

He didn’t look at her, just spoke over his shoulder. “Gone.”

“What do you mean—gone?”

“They’re not coming back.”

“Did you kill them?”

That got his attention. He turned to face her. “Hell no! I took them to the Danvers shelter. They’ll go to good homes.”

“Okay. Supper will be ready in an hour.”





Rance


“Okay”? That was it? She had nothing more to say? Damn girl went crazy over a can out of place, but no emotion about the cats? Weird.

He turned his chair to watch her as she moved around the kitchen. She didn’t look out of place like he’d thought before. She knew where to find everything. Frying pan from the oven drawer. Dishes from the right-hand cupboard. Glasses on the second shelf.

A knot formed in his throat. Did you kill them? What kind of monster did she think he was? Well, he was a monster. At least he had been. Still the words cut deep like a metal trap. He shook the notion away and drained his glass, then the bottle. Not near enough to numb him, but it would have to do.

After supper he gave the new shower a try. Not bad. The water was like ice, but the pressure was strong, and a few cold showers would help keep his libido in check. He could always call Kayla again, but he’d already tired of her. Plus, sleeping with the same chick too long gave them the wrong impression. And with his aching back, better to have the whole bed to himself tonight.

He tossed the covers, fluffed his pillow, then sank into the down mattress. Within a few minutes, he was asleep.





Blaze


An odd sound echoed down the hallway. Blaze straightened. Rance didn’t have a woman with him, so the noise had to have come from him. She listened and laid the laptop aside. Then another screech. Louder.

She sprang and rushed into the hall. Hearing nothing, she tiptoed farther down and pressed her ear to his door. Muffled sounds came from inside, then three snorts, as if he was fighting with someone.

“Hector! Hector!”

Was he saying, “Help me”? She burst into the room as Rance sat up, covered his face with his hands, and sobbed. She froze. She should back away. He hadn’t seen her, but he was crying so hard. The only man she’d seen weep like this was her dad at Mom’s funeral.

Maybe Rance was grieving over his grandmother. Sometimes people didn’t mourn until much later. Dad died years ago, and Blaze still experienced sorrow every time she thought of him. She wondered if that sadness would ever go away.

She moved closer and knelt in front of him. “Rance? Are you okay?”

He jerked his hands away and glared at her. Even in the dim light, she saw fire in his eyes. She fell sideways and caught herself on one arm, then kicked her legs out straight.

“Get out! Get the fuck out!”

She pushed with her heels, propelled with her elbows, and scooted on her rear. Once in the hall, she rolled to all fours, scuttled to her bedroom, slammed the door, and locked it. Hugging her knees to her chest, she struggled to breathe. She couldn’t stay here. Not with him like this. Legs like rubber, somehow she came to her feet. She grabbed her flashlight, crawled out the window, then ran down the path that led to the tree house.





9


Rance


It took Rance a few minutes to clear his head. Had he struck the girl? She’d fallen backward, but he didn’t think he’d caused it. At least not by touching her. But what if he had? She’d never believe it was an accident.

He’d come to Bluebird for solitude. Was that too much to ask? That way, when the dreams came, there’d be no one to witness the tough ex-con scream like a frightened child and cry like a baby. He could avoid the nightmares with plenty of whiskey or sex, and sometimes he got by without either. But not tonight.

Rubbing his fingers across the scar on his belly, he sat, shoulders hunched, and tried to erase the memory of blood swirling down the shower drain. Unable to ignore what had happened, he gathered his wits and marched down the hall to Blaze’s door.

“Listen, kid. I’m sorry if I scared you. I’d never hurt you—intentionally.”

He waited. No response. Okay, she was angry. He got that. “Let’s talk about it. I promise to make it up to you. I’ll even quit harping about you leaving. Whattaya say?”

Still no answer. He turned the knob—locked. She probably needed time to get over the shock, and he needed a drink.





Blaze


Keeping the beam of light aimed at the ground, Blaze followed the worn trail that curled into the woods. An owl hooted from a nearby tree. Frogs croaked in rhythm. Crickets chirped. She loved the sounds of the night. She’d never known how alive the forest was until she came to live in Bluebird. Even as the world slumbered, Mother Nature worked.