Picnic in Someday Valley (Honey Creek #2)(44)

“Good,” Piper said as she continued to pace. “Where are you staying?”

“I came here to find Mr. Winston and ask if I could rent a room. He mentioned that I could stay there.”

“Great. I’m having lunch with him. Let’s go. I’m not leaving your side until I know you are safe.”

Marcie went to the restroom to wash her face and Piper told her secretary she might be gone the rest of the day.

Thirty minutes later, when they were eating chicken salad at the Honey Creek Café, they made all the plans. Marcie could stay in a downstairs room of Mr. Winston’s home. It had a little parlor off the bedroom and a very small bathroom. The water didn’t work in the back of the house, but Piper said she knew someone who could fix it before dark.

Mr. Winston didn’t ask any questions, but Marcie saw his wise eyes. He knew she was troubled. The kindness in him wouldn’t let him turn her away. “Can you cook, Miss Marcie?” he asked when Piper stepped on the café’s porch to call the plumber.

“I can. Simple things.”

“That’s wonderful, dear. I was thinking of offering a simple dinner each weeknight. If you’d be able to cook for four or five people three nights a week, there would be no extra charge on your rent, for food. Now I’m renting rooms, I find I love inviting people in to eat.”

“I’d love to cook.”

He stood and insisted on picking up the check. “Will you be moving in today?”

“I’d like to. I’m working tonight.” After her first night of work, she’d love walking back to his place and dropping into bed.

“That will be grand. We’ll talk later about the meals.” He handed her a key that looked like it might be older than she was.

Mr. Winston left as Piper returned, saying the plumber was on his way.

The two friends decided to order dessert. “You’ll be safe there,” Piper commented.

Marcie answered, “I hope so.” She wanted to believe it, but deep down she knew evil would come. Even if they didn’t kill Brand. Even if she moved. Even if the other men didn’t go along with his plans.

The evil man would be coming to cut her, just to hear her scream.





Tuesday





Chapter 27


Colby


“Hey, McBride, is there any chance you just heard what I said?” Texas Ranger David Hatcher asked as he kicked Colby’s desk.

They’d signed on within a week of each other and had become close friends. When you’re sloshing through tons of paperwork and getting every dirty job no one else wants to do, it helps to have a buddy in the mud with you.

“Nope,” Colby answered honestly. “Did I tell you about my weekend? Worst one ever, even worse than the ones I barely remember in college.”

“Yeah,” David said with a groan. “You’ve told me about five times, and it’s not even lunch. With my luck you’ll write a book about it and beat me over the head with the hardback.”

Colby smiled for the first time since he left Honey Creek. “How about we go have a few drinks after work and I’ll tell you again.”

“You buying, McBride?”

“I’m buying. Beer and wings.”

“Then I’ll come, but you’ve got to keep the drinks coming as long as you’re whining.”

“I wasn’t whining. I just don’t understand why she’d stay with her grandmother and a bunch of widows when she could have slept with me. You ever notice women don’t think like men do? I’ve given up even trying to follow their squirrel-trail logic.”

“Yeah, if they thought like most men, we’d all be living in caves and hunting food with clubs. I’m telling you, Colby, no man in the history of the world has ever said, ‘Let’s move, honey, get a bigger place that costs twice as much and needs fixing up and painting and has three times the yard to mow every Saturday.’ ”

“Since you got married you’ve become a sage, Dave, my man.”

Dave leaned closer, forgetting the paperwork they were supposed to be finishing up. “Then I’ll give you some advice. Send that mayor flowers and sign the card, ‘I’m sorry.’ ”

“But I’m not the one who did anything wrong. I had been up all night and all day, but I was still willing to sleep with her.”

The seasoned ranger who’d been stuck with the two newbies close to her desk finally interrupted. “I hope you two are not thinking of breeding. I’d hate to think your kind of philosophy might spread.”

Ranger Sandy James pointed her pen at Dave. “But Hatcher, that idea of sending flowers was a good one. Men should always apologize after any argument. Nine times out of ten, it’s their fault anyway.”

Colby kept his mouth shut, but Dave dove in. “How do you know? You’re not married.”

She hit back. “That’s right, David. I dated too many guys like you two. If my common sense is the reason mankind dies off, so be it.”

They all laughed. Sometimes their jobs could be intense, and picking on each other eased the load.

Colby’s cell rang. He took a quick look at his phone. “I got to take this,” he said as he rushed into the hallway for a bit of privacy.