Behind the Pine Curtain (12 page)

“Kay, I’ve got to be honest with you. It means so much to me that you’ve accepted me for what I am. You can’t know how good it feels to be back here with you, sharing thoughts and feelings and knowing you won’t judge me or think less of me. I have
so
missed talking to you.”

Kay felt her eyes mist over at Jacqueline’s sincere words. She was the one who should be thanking Jackie. For so many years, she’d felt alone.

And now Jackie had been back two days, and she felt so much like her old self again.

“I would never ever judge you, Jackie. And I know who you are and what you are, and I think you’re one of the best people I’ve ever known.”

She leaned over and kissed Jacqueline’s cheek. “And I have missed you like hell.”

Jacqueline felt her heart catch as those soft lips touched her cheek. She thought it amazing that, after all this time, Kay still had the power to affect her. “Thank you,” she murmured.

Jacqueline settled under the covers in Kay’s spare bedroom, still wide awake. There were so many thoughts running through her mind, she couldn’t seem to relax. He’d left her the goddamned mill. And the
bank
.

She couldn’t believe it. Then she turned her head, glancing at the white envelope she’d left out, propped up against the clock on the nightstand.

She had intended to read it, but changed her mind. Truthfully, she was scared to read it. What if it was an apology, a heartfelt confession of how he really felt about her? Then what? She’d feel guilty as hell for not trying to reconcile with him. But, at the same time, he obviously knew where she was living. He could have contacted her if he’d desired.

In fairness though, he would have no idea what her reaction would have been. In fact, she wondered that herself. Obviously, since her success, they would have known where she was and what she was doing. Not that she was a household name by any means, but writing a book about a small East Texas town and having it made into a movie would have caused some heads to turn in tiny Pine Springs, Texas. Surely.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, willing sleep to come. She relaxed, thoughts of her father replaced with thoughts of Kay. Jesus, after all this time, she thought she’d be over that by now. But just being around Kay conjured up all the old feelings she’d had as a teenager. It struck her suddenly that she’d never had those feelings for anyone else.

The women who had paraded through her bed were just substitutes.

She’d been looking for someone to make her feel the way Kay did—

and none had.

Now what? Here she was, back in Pine Springs, reunited with the one woman who made her feel alive, who made her feel
something
. Now what?

“Leave it alone,” she whispered. Just leave it alone. There was no need for Kay to know. It was enough just to rekindle their friendship. There was no reason to tell Kay that she still had a silly teenage crush on her.

Soon, she would go back to California and resume her life, and Kay would still be in Pine Springs. At least they’d reconnected. Now, they could keep in touch, talk. Perhaps it would be enough.

Kay tossed the covers off, the restless sleep she’d been fighting finally chasing her from the bed. It was still very early, but she remembered from the old days that Jackie was an early riser. She’d start coffee then grab a shower. She covered her nightshirt with a robe and walked barefoot into the living room, not bothering to turn on any lights. She was startled when the spare bathroom door opened and there stood Jacqueline, naked head to toe, her beautiful body outlined by the bright light over the vanity.

Kay stood rooted to the spot, her eyes slowly traveling over Jackie’s body as she walked into the hallway. Her breasts were still small, her body as lean as ever. Kay swallowed, realizing she had stopped breathing. Then Jackie looked up, her eyes finding Kay’s.

“
Christ!
I’m sorry. I thought you were still asleep.” She hurried back into the bathroom, grabbing the discarded towel to cover herself.

Kay smiled. Jackie had always been shy around her. Apparently, that hadn’t changed. “It’s okay. I was just going to make coffee.”

“Yeah, but . . . I’m sorry.”

Kay laughed. “You used to always hide from me in high school, too.

Relax, will you? I’ve seen you before, Jackie.”

Jacqueline blushed, then hurried into the spare room, closing the door forcefully and leaning back against it. She’d hidden from Kay in high school because she was certain that her body would give away her desire for the other girl. Innocent Kay had paraded around half-naked in front of Jacqueline all the time. It had been torture, pure torture.

Kay was still smiling as she scooped coffee grounds into the filter.

Jacqueline had a beautiful body. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why she was shy about it. Then her hands stilled, her thoughts going back to high school. Kay had never been ashamed of her body, had never been shy about dressing in front of Jackie. And really, in the beginning, neither had Jacqueline. But that last year it seemed, Jackie avoided undressing in front of Kay, avoided being there when Kay was dressing.

Then it hit her. Jackie had already known that she was gay, and she’d been embarrassed. And Jackie thought that, if Kay knew, then she’d stop being friends with her.

“Oh Jackie,” she murmured. She shook her head, wondering what all had gone through Jacqueline’s mind during that time. She’d been scared, no doubt. Scared of losing their friendship. Kay wondered what she would have done had Jackie told her she was gay. Would she have been afraid of Jacqueline? No way. Jackie was her best friend. She would have never turned her away, no matter what.

“I’m decent now, in case you were wondering,” Jacqueline said from behind her.

Kay turned slowly, finding Jackie’s eyes, holding them captive.

“You’ve always been decent, Jackie.” Kay walked closer, finally taking Jacqueline’s hands in her own. “We’re friends. No matter what, that’s not going to change.” Then she smiled. “So lighten up, will you?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s just, well, I . . .”

“Don’t be embarrassed. You have a beautiful body, Jackie. I’ve always thought so.” Kay dropped Jacqueline’s hands and walked away before Jackie could reply, leaving her standing there with her mouth open.

Sunday afternoon found them sitting outside on Rose’s patio, a tight card game being played between the four of them.

“You never could beat us,” Kay boasted. “This time will be no different.”

“Yeah? Well I doubt you and Jackie will remember the secret codes you used to cheat with,” Rose countered.

“Cheat? Rose, we didn’t have to cheat to beat you. Geez, you and Eric sucked.”

“It wasn’t me. It was Eric. And now Greg and I will kick your ass!”

Jacqueline smiled at the banter between the sisters, watching as Greg dealt the cards. She had not played Spades since . . . well, since the last time she’d played with Kay and Rose. It had nearly been a ritual on Saturday nights when Jacqueline had stayed over.

“Mommy? I want to play.”

The child tried to climb on Rose’s lap but Rose put her right back down.

“You’re supposed to be babysitting, Lee Ann.”

“I’m six. I’m too little to babysit.”

“They’re sleeping. How hard can it be?”

“You want to sit in my lap and watch?” Kay offered.

“Goody.”

Rose rolled her eyes. “See? I can’t wait until she has some,” Rose told Jacqueline. “I’m going to turn them into spoiled brats, just like she’s done mine.”

“What’s spoiled?” Lee Ann asked innocently.

“It’s what you are when Aunt Kay is around.”

“Aunt Kay says I’m sweet.”

“And that you are,” Kay said. She positioned the child in her lap, then looked at Jacqueline and winked.

Jacqueline smiled at her, then gathered the cards in her hand, hoping she remembered how to play. To her surprise, the ace of spades peeked back at her.
That’s good, right?
She looked at Kay and raised an eyebrow. What was the signal for the ace? Ah, yes. A tug on the right ear.

Kay burst out laughing and Rose glared at her. “What?”

“Nothing.” Her eyes twinkled as she looked at Jackie, and she nodded slightly.

“What are you two up to? We haven’t even started yet. Greg, watch them like a hawk! They cheat.”

“I’m not sure I even remember how to play,” Jacqueline said. “But I’ll go six.”

“Six? Geez.” Rose studied her cards. “Two.”

“Gonna get set,” Kay told her. “I’ll go four.”

“Greg?”

“Two.”

“Two?” Rose leaned on the table. “There are only thirteen tricks.”

“Gonna get set,” Jacqueline echoed. She tossed out the two of clubs to start the game. They all followed suit, and Kay gathered in the first trick.

She was amazed at how quickly it all came back to her. She and Kay were on the same page from the start and not only did Rose and Greg get set, they only managed one trick.

“I had forgotten how much I hated playing with you two,” Rose grumbled as she shuffled the cards for the next hand.

“Very good, Jackie. I haven’t had a decent partner since you left,” Kay said.

“I make
her
have Eric now,” Rose said.

And so it went, Kay and Jacqueline easily winning the first game, only to be challenged to another by Rose and Greg.

“I thought you promised us dinner,” Kay said. “And drinks? I think I’m past tea.”

“I made up lasagna this morning. It just needs an hour to bake,” Rose said. “Jackie? Lasagna okay with you?”

“Sure. Wouldn’t mind a beer, though.”

“Me too,” Kay added.

“I’ll get them,” Greg said, taking Lee Ann with him.

“Check on the kids,” Rose called. “He’s so good with them. I really lucked out.”

“He’s seems like a good guy,” Jacqueline said. “Doesn’t talk much though.”

“With Rose around? He doesn’t get much of a chance,” Kay teased.

They played another game, which ended up being much closer than the first, but still, Kay and Jacqueline won, much to Kay’s delight and Rose’s chagrin. By the time the lasagna was ready, all four kids were up and loaded with excess energy. Kay seemed right at home with them but Jacqueline, who had never been around small children, was a nervous wreck.

Rose surprised them all by pulling out a very expensive bottle of wine.

She handed it to Greg to open.

“When did you get this?” he asked.

“I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. I thought having Jackie back was special enough.”

“Thank you. I’m honored,” Jacqueline said sincerely, touched by the gesture.

Four adults and four children crammed around the table made for six and Jacqueline passed around the garlic bread after grabbing two slices for herself. She had missed this, she noted. Informal group dinners were a rarity in her life now, except when Ingrid and Cheryl included her in their get-togethers. Which was quite often, but it wasn’t the same as sharing a meal with the Garland clan. She always felt like one of the family in the old days, snatching food from Eric’s plate just to piss him off. Kay’s older brother had pretended to be annoyed, but Jacqueline knew, even back then, that he’d had a crush on her for years.

Unfortunately, her crush fell to his sister.

She watched Kay as Lee Ann and little Denny fought for her attention.

She could tell Kay had a soft spot for Lee Ann, no doubt because she was the oldest. Kay looked up and caught her staring, raising her eyebrows questioningly.

“Want one?”

“No, no. You’re doing just fine.”

“How long will you be here, Jackie?” Rose asked.

“Haven’t decided. Mr. Lawrence is reading the will on Wednesday.

After that,” Jacqueline shrugged, “we’ll see.”

“But your mother won’t be able to attend?”

“Thank God, no. But Uncle Walter will be there, I’m sure.” Jacqueline turned to Greg. “How well do you know him?”

“Walter? Oh, he’s right at home in the plant, doesn’t make it to the office much. But, he’s a nice enough guy. I worked much more closely with your father, actually.”

“Really? I’m afraid I don’t know a whole lot about the mill.”

Kay met her eyes, wondering if Jacqueline would tell them about the will. Probably not, since she hadn’t decided if she even wanted to keep the lumber mill.

“Over the years, your father turned the sawmill into quite a large corporation. It’s no longer just about how much board feet we turn out.

We’ve got a plant now that makes plywood. One that makes particleboard. In the last five years, we’ve opened up a fiberboard plant.”

“So instead of selling the waste wood to other companies, you use it yourself?” she asked.

“Yes. In the old days, it was simply lumber and maybe trim, wood siding, things like that. We sold all of the by-products. But, your father was a smart businessman. Why sell all of the waste for practically nothing and let other companies make millions? So, he built the plywood plant first. It’s just taken off from there. The latest addition was the creosote plant.”

Jacqueline couldn’t envision it all. She’d never spent much time at the mill, but all she remembered was the large building where the logs went in and nice, evenly cut boards came out. Now, all of this? Creosote?

She could only imagine the pollution.

“How many employees?”

“Oh, gosh. I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Fifteen hundred, I’d say, here at the plant. That doesn’t include the logging company.”

“Wow. He owned a logging company? I would have thought he’d contract out for that.”

“Yeah. I think years ago, they contracted out. Keys Industries is now the largest employer in this area, by far.”

“So Pine Springs Lumber is separate from Keys Industries?” Jacqueline asked, glancing at Kay.

Greg looked at her, then at Rose. “Well, the mill still sells under the name of Pine Springs Lumber, but the rest, it’s all under Keys Industries.”

Jacqueline took a deep breath. “I guess I’m confused. You’re saying the lumber mill, which my father and Uncle Walter owned, is a completely different company from Keys Industries?”