Breathless(44)

One of the maids came in and spoke quietly to Rhine, who nodded and stood. “Excuse me. Someone’s here to speak with me. I’ll be back shortly.”

After his departure, the meal continued, but when shouting drifted in, Eddy shot Kent a look of concern. He stood and left the room.

He found Rhine and a big overweight man standing by the door that led out to the grounds. The man’s face was red with anger and his eyes narrowed. His blue shirt was wet with sweat but whether it stemmed from the heat or his fury, Kent couldn’t tell.

The stranger barked, “I will take you to court, Fontaine!”

Rhine always in control, shrugged. “Do whatever you feel necessary, but the deed was legally signed and recorded, and the bank draft deposited.”

Kent guessed the man to be Missy Landry’s husband. “Everything okay, Rhine?”

The man looked Kent up and down.

“Name’s Randolph,” he said by way of introduction.

Landry didn’t respond.

“Mr. Landry is upset that his wife signed over the deed to her father’s ranch.”

“She had no right!”

Rhine pointed out. “The land was left to her in the will Blanchard drew up ten years ago, and she had a representative there to advise during our transaction.”

“He said you bulldozed her.”

“He’s lying.”

“I want that land back!”

“Does Missy claim I pressured her?”

Landry’s jaw tightened even more before he admitted, “I don’t know where she’s at.”

“Ah. If it’s any help, she said she was going to join you in St. Louis, but according to my bank notice, the draft was deposited in a bank in Chicago.”

“That bitch!”

Kent asked, “Have you heard about the murder of Farley and Buck?”

“I don’t know nothing about it.”

“So you have heard?”

He didn’t answer.

Undeterred, Kent continued, “Before Buck died, he said Ty Parnell was the man who shot them. Do you know where he is?”

“No. Just got back yesterday.”

“I hear you two are good friends.”

“He didn’t shoot nobody. Maybe if Fontaine hadn’t pressured Missy to sell that land they’d still be alive.”

Kent marveled at the man’s response. “Are you saying the place was burned down and two men murdered because your wife sold Rhine that land?”

“I didn’t have anything to do with it and neither did Ty.”

Kent sensed Landry was lying through his teeth.

Rhine said, “I need to get back to my guests. If you want to pursue this legally, have your lawyer contact me. Good evening, Mr. Landry.”

Kent said, “Nice meeting you. Hope you find your wife.”

Landry looked like he wanted to explode a fist in Kent’s face. Kent waited. Landry muttered an ugly slur and stormed out the door.

Rhine smiled. “You really need to stop taunting folks.”

“Who me?”

“Although I did enjoy the way you set down Ada Jakes. Perfect couple indeed. Portia would end up setting that woman’s hair on fire.” Rhine then turned serious. “So, tell me truthfully where you stand with my niece.”

“Noticed something have you?”

“Eddy and I may be aging but our eyes are still good.” He waited.

Kent knew that after their decades of friendship, he was owed an honest reply. “Truthfully, I’d like to court her if she’ll have me. Ada Jakes to the contrary, I think Portia and I would do well as man and wife.”

Rhine studied him. “And if she chooses, say, Jakes?”

“Then I’ll give them my best and step aside.”

“Really?”

“Probably not. I’m more likely to shoot the bastard, throw her over my shoulder, and ride away.”

Rhine roared with laughter. “Then you have my blessings.”

“Thanks.”

Now to convince Portia.



Portia was seated outside at the trestle table with Winston Jakes. He’d asked to speak with her after dinner. Although she was still upset with his heavy-handed mother, she decided to be polite and listen to what he had to say.

“Do you enjoy living here?” he asked.

“I do.”

“I wouldn’t be able to handle this heat on a daily basis.”

He’d mentioned that before. She didn’t point that out but played along in order to hear his real reason for seeking her out. “You become accustomed to it, and it can get quite cold during the winters.”

When she finished silence fell between them until he said, “I want to apologize for my mother—again.”

Portia hoped he didn’t expect her to wave off the apology. “She deliberately insulted Kent. It was mean-spirited and uncalled for.”

“In her defense, I think she senses he’s competition. Is he?”

Portia studied him. “I’ve known Kent for a very long time. I met you and your mother yesterday.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“I haven’t known you long enough for an answer to be warranted, frankly.”

He chuckled. “You are upset with her, aren’t you?”