Give Me Tonight(114)

"What's the danger in this visit? What are you plan­ning to do, brandish your guns and start shooting?"

He looked at her without saying anything, his face set with anger.

"Take me with you," she urged. "I won't say any­thing. But I have to be there. You're not the only one who has ghosts to put to rest. How can I face the fu­ture, always looking over my shoulder?" She went over and touched his hand, her eyes locked with his. "Don't leave me behind. My place is by your side."

For a moment she thought he would refuse her. But then his fingers closed around hers.

They weren't stopped by the Double Bar men as they rode over the property line and up to the Johnsons' main house. The sleeves of Addie's black dress flut­tered in the breeze like banners. Respectfully the cow­boys touched the brims of their hats as she rode by, and she wondered how many of them might have sus­pected the Johnsons were behind her father's murder.

When they reached the house, Ben helped Addie down from Jessie, his hands tightening around her waist. She threw him a quick, nervous smile. They walked up the steps and were met at the front door by Harlan, who was trying to conceal his anxiety.

"Mornin', Ben, Miss Adeline—"

"We're here to see Big George," Ben interrupted. "Ben, I'm sorry t' tell you he's in the middle of somethin', some business stuff, but if I can help you with somethin' —"

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind sparing a minute or two for a neighborly visit."

"No, but—" Harlan was cut off as Ben shouldered him aside.

"I didn't think so." Solicitously Ben took Addie's elbow and drew her to his side. "George in his office, Harlan?"

"Yes, but—"

"Thank you."

Addie swallowed hard as they entered the cluttered office, unprepared for the tide of hate that swept over her as she saw Big George and Jeff sitting at a mahog­any table. They rose to their feet as she walked in, Big George grunting with the effort of raising himself out of the chair. Jeff stared at her with unblinking blue eyes. How could they look her in the face after what they had done?

"Looks like we got visitors," Big George said, turning and indicating his chair with a meaty hand. "Have a seat, Miss Adeline?"

She shook her head, falling back a step closer to Ben.

"Seems you had quite a night, Ben," George con­tinued, his mouth crinkling with the hint of a smile. "Lotta folks glad to see you still in one piece."

"Some more than others."

Big George chuckled. "You're a lucky man."

"Watts wasn't," Ben said, and let the silence draw out until the other man's smile had died away. "From what I saw, you can pour what's left of him into a teacup."

"What's that got to do with us?" Jeff burst out, and Ben smiled grimly.

"Please. Save the show for Sam Dary."

"Dary?" Big George repeated, his eyes narrowing.

"Yeah, I'd 'spected he'd be over here this mornin"." He noticed his son's worried expression. "Don't fret, boy. Just a little lecturin' . . . that's all Dary can do."

"But I can do more than that," Ben said. "I can make life very uncomfortable for the Johnsons. And I intend to."

"You have no proof of anyth—"

"Proof would make it easier. But I can manage without it."

Big George's face reddened. "If you're talkin' about dirtyin' up the Johnson name, I'll land on you so hard—"

"You do a fine job of it on your own. The Johnson name's beginning to leave a bad taste in peoples' mouths, and I sure as hell don't expect it to improve."

"Worry about your own name," Jeff said fiercely.

"Adeline sure as hell ain't gonna do well by it."

"Boy!" George snapped, but Jeff ignored him. "Didn't she tell you how we settled on Watts as our man? She told me he'd do it. She named her own fa­ther's killer, all 'cause of his new will. Didn't you know that? No. You just don't know what kind of woman you're fixin' to marry, do you?"

Addie felt faint as she heard the words. "No," she gasped, turning away, and Ben caught her by the el­bows. Addie quivered, her knees weak, and she gripped his arms for support.

Ben stared at Jeff over her head, his eyes chilling.

"Mention her name again and I'll spread you all over this ranch."

"Don't you believe me?" Jeff taunted. "She said Watts would do anything for money. She told him when and where to meet me, helped arrange it all. How did you think we got him so easy? Am I makin' this up, Adeline? Go on, tell him it's not true. I want to hear how easy it is for you to lie."

Addie couldn't make a sound. She knew she should deny the accusation to save her skin, but she couldn't.

"Addie?" Ben said, and she lifted her head slowly, frightened of the suspicion she would see in his face, knowing she couldn't deny him the truth if he asked it of her. Time seemed to stand still, and she was faced with two different pasts, wondering which one would claim her future. An eternal judgment was about to be pronounced, and although she was terrified to face it, there was no other choice.