Chirp(72)

Nick chimed in. “Yeah, he’s lost it, all right. Get off, Rance.”

Rance weaved in the seat and swung his hand in the air. “No, I’m plowing all this under. She’s not coming back, and it’s her fucking garden. It needs to go. Same as her.”

“And what will that prove?” Seth asked. “That you’re a jackass? Leave it alone. Come inside and go to bed. You haven’t slept in days.”

Rance leaned forward and almost fell from the seat, but grabbed on to the steering wheel. “Where is she, Seth? Hanna knows. She’s got to.”

Both brothers dragged him off.

“She doesn’t know. I swear. If she did, I’d tell you.”

Rance tried to take a step, but his feet were too heavy. “Chirp wanted too much from me.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that now, do you? Got him, Nick?” Seth asked.

“Yeah.”

Seth looped Rance’s other arm around his shoulder as Nick had done, and they maneuvered him inside. “You’ve got to stop drinking, Rance. It’s getting out of hand.”

“It’s my fault, you know. I went to that reward site trying to find out who she was, and that brought the PI here. I fucked up. I fucked up, and I can’t undo it. She hates me now. Didn’t even say goodbye. Kiss my ass. Nothing.” Tears streamed down his face.

“She doesn’t hate you,” Nick said.

“Yeah, she does, and I deserve it.”

Seth gripped him tighter. “Let’s get him onto the couch.”

They eased him into position and let him fall onto the sofa.

“I’ve got to find her. I don’t know how, but I have to.”

Seth removed Rance’s shoes, while Nick propped a pillow behind him and ran his hand across his forehead.

“We’ll help you,” Nick said.

Seth knelt next to his big brother and patted his cheek. “Nick’s right. We’ll help find her, but only if you promise to stop drinking. We can’t spend all our time trying to keep you sober. Because it ain’t working.”

Rance patted his brother’s cheek and tried to look at him but couldn’t. “I love you, Seth. You too, Nicky. I knew I could count on you. I promise I’ll do better.” He closed his eyes.

Seth slapped him, and Rance’s eyes popped open. “Listen, Rance. Doing better won’t cut it. You’ve got to swear you’ll quit the whiskey. Crawling into a bottle won’t change anything. If you don’t stop, then you’re on your own. Understand?”

“Yeah,” Rance said, and wished for another drink because he was still conscious.





33


Blaze


Blaze slid the blouses across the rod and wondered why she’d agreed to this outing. Easy answer. Odette was rewarding her for finishing the paintings.

The woman got her way about everything. Plus, Odette’s late night visitor had stopped visiting, and that had put her in a foul mood. Claimed a shopping spree would lift her spirits.

“Ooh, look at this. It would be beautiful on you, chérie. Sexy, even.”

Blaze eyed the black embroidered-lace peasant top with a sheer midriff. She’d never worn anything so revealing, but she had to admit it appealed to her. Maybe Odette’s fashion sense was rubbing off on her. “It is pretty.”

Odette shoved it toward her. “You must try it on. It will be perfect with either skinny jeans or a skirt.” She pointed to a nearby table. “Strap on those sandals with the wedge heels, and you’ll be the hottest thing around.” She turned back to the display. “And this one, too.”

Now Odette flipped a sleeveless royal-blue peplum top from front to back to display the sheer insets. What was with her? Everything she selected exposed skin.

“You’re so small, this will look lovely. Perfect to wear to your friend’s wedding.”

Blaze snapped her head around. “I told you I’m not going.”

“Why? Because your former lover will be there?”

“That isn’t the reason.” She’d been a blabbermouth during their morning breakfasts. But there was something about Odette that pulled out information before Blaze knew what was happening. She’d shared too much about Rance and everyone else in Bluebird. Well, she hadn’t told her what city they were in. She wasn’t a total fool, but had a hard time resisting Odette’s persuasive powers.

“You should wear revealing things while you’re young. Soon you will be old and feel the need to cover most of your body. Liver spots. Crepe skin. No matter how hard you work to maintain your face, the rest will betray you.” Odette waved her hand in the air. “You think I am being silly. You are barely twenty, but so was I just a few months ago.” She giggled. “Time goes so fast. That’s why we must grab all the joy we can.”

“I’ll try them on, but I make no promises.”

“Your word today is démodé. It means out-of-date. We cannot have you dressing that way. Especially now that I’ve arranged an exhibit for you at Kennamer Gallery.”

Blaze spun on her. “What? No! I don’t want my work shown. Why did you do that without discussing it with me?”

“Calm down, chérie. It is your responsibility to share your talent. Your nudes are some of the best I’ve seen. You will show them. I will not allow you to refuse.”