Dark Moon Crossing (30 page)

“Your
voice sounds like a croaky old toad. What happened?‌ What kind of mess have
you gone and got yourself into this time?‌”

“It’s
too long to go into now but….”

“But
nothin’! You scared the ever-loving pee out of me when you didn’t show up
Monday night. Round about ten o’clock I called Tally and he didn’t know
anything. The next thing I know he’s calling me from some ranch down yonder
telling me you’re lost. Then, he phones back yesterday and says you’re not and
later, he calls and tells me your car got stolen with all your stuff, and that
you’re sick as an ol’ hound dog. Y’all are supposed to be over there cuddling
on the beach….”

I
cut in, “Breathe, Ginger, breathe. Simmer down and I’ll explain, okay?‌” She
stayed quiet while I gave her a brief overview of what I’d been through, and
then she screeched, “Me oh my oh Moses! You could have got yourself killed.
Girl, can’t you stay out of trouble for two minutes?‌”

“Apparently
not.”

“So,
am I understanding this right?‌ Are you saying that because y’all had another
one of your tiffs, you ain’t going to California at all?‌” Was I imagining the
tinge of panic in her tone?‌

“It
was more than a tiff, Ginger. He’s really ticked off this time. I’m sure if
he’d had his truck with him in my room this morning he’d have jumped into it as
usual and driven it right down the stairs.”

She
was uncommonly quiet for several seconds. “If I was you, I wouldn’t worry my
little head none,” she sang in my ear. “When he gets over this…well, all I can
say is a little bird told me that things are going to turn out just
hunky-dory.”

I
sighed heavily. “That’s a nice thought, but unfortunately there may be another
reason he doesn’t want to go on the trip with me.”

“I’m
not following ya.”

I
paused, battling my fragile emotions. Was I ready to share the painful
knowledge that my own impetuous behavior may have tanked my relationship with
Tally for good?‌ “Under ordinary circumstances I would never ask you to betray
a confidence, but I need you to level with me. You have
got
to tell me
what you know about Tally and this other woman you mentioned last Friday
night.”

A
sharp intake of breath. “I wish I could but I can’t…this time, I just can’t.”

Crushed
by her words, my heart purged itself. “Ginger, you don’t understand,” I cut
in, my throat tightening with anguish, “I think he’s been seeing another woman
for several months now.” There. I’d finally uttered aloud the dreaded words
festering inside me. Oddly, I felt a measure of relief.

“Whaaaat?‌
But…but that can’t be true! No, no, it’s impossible!”

“Why
is it impossible?‌” Her extended silence renewed my suspicions. “Come on,
Ginger, please tell me what you know. Please.”

“Oh,
good Lord,” she quavered. “Sugar, I am so sorry. I just…I just assumed it was
you. It has to be! No. I can’t believe Tally would to do something like
this. It ain’t like him.”

“You
haven’t met Bethany Beaumont. Picture the most gorgeous blue-eyed blonde
you’ve ever seen. Tack on that she’s a rancher’s daughter who’s known Tally
since childhood and rides a horse like she was born on one. Heck, I’m sure
she’s probably crazy about his ditsy mother and to make matters worse, she’s
also hunting for a guy with big bucks who’d be a great step-dad to her four
year- old son. I wouldn’t doubt she plans to have at least another half dozen
kids to boot. In other words, she’s pretty much everything I’m not.”

“Oh,
my Gaaawd!” she shrieked. “I can’t bring myself to believe any of this.” I
didn’t want to either, but now that I’d voiced my concerns, the probability
loomed more real than ever. “Sugar pie,” she said, her voice cracking
slightly, “I surely would’ve said something sooner, but I didn’t want to spoil
the big surprise.”

Oh,
yes, Tally’s big surprise. A rush of heat swept my body as I braced for the
worst. “Come on, Ginger, just give it to me straight.”

Still,
she hesitated before fretting, “Oh dear! Well, you know that little gal who
works down at Wilkin’s Jewelers?‌ Melva Scruggs?‌”

I
tensed. “Yes?‌”

“She
made me swear on a stack of Bibles that I’d keep my big mouth shut, but…she
confided that two weeks ago Tally was over at the store picking out an
engagement ring.”

I
sat perfectly still, unable to respond while a conflagration of emotions raged
inside me. An engagement ring! At the same instant a flash of exhilaration
sent my spirits skyrocketing to the moon, Ginger’s sobering words ‘I just
assumed it was you’ sent my heart plunging into an uncontrolled free fall.
Surely, the ring was meant for me?‌ But, God, what if it wasn’t?‌ Was I being
dumped for Bethany?‌ My thoughts whirled with confusion. But, if that was
true, why the trip to California?‌

“Are
you okay?‌” Ginger’s urgent tone sliced into my morose thoughts.

“I
don’t know. I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry.”

“You
know something?‌ I think maybe you’re reading way too much into this whole
thing. Tally might be pissed at you right this minute, but I got a whole lot
of faith that he bought the ring for you and not this other gal, I don’t care
how pretty she is.”

She
sounded so confident, I wondered if she was trying to convince herself or me.
“Oh, Ginger, I’m praying that you’re right.”

“Of
course I am,” she said with cheerful conviction. “Now, I know you don’t cotton
to taking advice, but just for once I want you to listen up for a change. The
next time you see him, you grab hold real tight and plant a kiss on him he
ain’t never gonna forget. Then, make a point of showin’ him just exactly how
much you love him. And for heaven’s sake, quit squabbling and pay a little
more attention to the poor guy.”

Back
to square one of my dilemma. “All I can do is hope for the best.”

“Atta
girl! Hey, listen, I’ve got to catch these other two lines and Tugg’s jawing
at me from down the hall. Promise you’ll call and let me know what happens?‌”

I
made yet another promise and cradled the phone, suddenly overwhelmed with the
urgent desire to be enfolded in Tally’s strong arms and convince him that he
meant the world to me. But, I had no idea where he was or how to contact him.
I rose on shaky legs, moved to the hall window, pushed it open and basked in
the warm morning sunlight. As I listened to the tranquil twitter of birds and
the musical tinkling of a wind chime from somewhere below, one thing became
very clear. One of us had to make some concessions and I doubted it was going
to be Tally. Was it too late for me to make amends?‌ It would have been easy
to give in to the reservoir of tears dammed up behind my eyes, but I gritted my
teeth and blinked them back, deciding to hold onto Ginger’s words of optimism
rather than continue my dizzying slide down the depression chute.

Now
that the defining moment was upon me, it was time for serious introspection,
time to come to terms with my reservations concerning our future together. Was
I now ready to face the uncertainties regarding his mother, my qualms about
altering my career path and even starting a family?‌ Despite the fact that I’d
screwed up big time in the arena of love twice already, it was humbling to
realize that despite my laundry list of faults and foibles, this man, this
decent, honorable wonderful man wanted to marry me. God was now giving me the
opportunity to make the right decision and I’d best not blow it. That thought
had no sooner crossed my mind than I heard angry tones from below growing
closer and louder until it made my skin crawl to recognize the shrill voice of
my nemesis. “I don’t understand why you’re being such a butthead about this,”
Bethany complained. “It’s not like I’m asking for that much. Don’t you want
your son to be happy?‌”

I
stiffened. Had she been in the house this whole time?‌ Being careful to stay
out of sight, I edged closer to the banister, immediately recognizing Payton’s
passionate response. “Read my lips. For the last time, the answer is no. No,
no and no. You do
not
have my permission to shorten Brett’s name to
Klein.”

“But
it would sound so much better than Kleinwort.”

“Why
don’t you just admit it?‌ It’s you who always detested my family name.”

“But
warts aren’t attractive,” came her petulant reply. “People usually get them
removed.”

Payton’s
sigh of exasperation floated up the stairs and I stayed perfectly still,
wishing I could see their faces without letting them know I was eavesdropping.

“You’ll
just have to get past your personal psychosis on this subject and live with
it. Why don’t you take it up with your therapist during your next session?‌”
Payton suggested with a tone of angry finality.

“Don’t
talk to me about therapy,” she shot back. “You’re the one who needs a shrink!”

“What
are you talking about?‌”

“Hey,
I’m not the one who screams myself awake at night calling out for my long-lost
mommy,” she added with silky sarcasm.

“We
haven’t all experienced your perfect rose-colored life.”

“You
know I love this ranch, but Brett seemed a lot happier in San Francisco when he
wasn’t around you so much. I think your bad luck is contagious.”

“You
heartless bitch.” Yeaa, Payton, I crowed silently. Give it right back to
her. “And speaking of hearts,” he added coldly, “next week, when I attend the
fund-raising banquet for transplant recipients, I’ll check into getting you a
new one to take the place of that black, empty cavity behind your ten-thousand
dollar boob job.”

Woo-hoo.
Nice comeback.

“Why
don’t you get yourself a spine transplant while you’re at it.” Now they were
bickering like children. I could imagine Payton rolling his eyes in disgust.
“I have something to tell you,” she added, dropping the sarcastic banter.
“There’s a good possibility that Brett and I will be moving away again soon.”

“What?‌
Where to?‌” His voice carried a deadly lilt.

“Castle
Valley.”

My
heart lurched painfully as I grabbed the railing for support.

“You’re
utterly shameless and totally transparent. It wasn’t enough that you ruined
Gordon’s life, was it?‌ Now I understand Brett’s question about having two
daddies,” Payton seethed, “ and when it comes time to change his name to
Talverson
,
you think I’ll give in without a fight, isn’t that right?‌”

“Hmmm.
Actually, I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, but now that you mention it, it
sounds like a grand idea.”

Her
ominous words confirmed my darkest fears, sending icy prickles of distress
skimming down my arms. Was she bluffing just to get under his skin?‌ My hands
coiled into hard fists. The idea of just giving in and handing Tally over to
this vicious little bitch without a struggle was simply unthinkable and my
resolve deepened. The best course of action would be to confront the problem head
on as soon as Tally returned, but at the moment I couldn’t do a darn thing
until he came back from wherever he was out on the lone prairie.

In
a lethal tone Payton retorted, “The depth of your deceit is bottomless. I
pity any man you get your claws into, but mark my words, you’d best think long
and hard about taking my son away from me a second time.”

“Oooh,
somebody’s trying to act assertive.”

“Bethany,
shut up! I refuse to play this game with you any longer. Where’s your
mother?‌ I’m here to see her, not you.”

“In
Tucson trying to get Daddy and Jason released. She said she’d call later and
let us know what’s happening. Listen, I have to go now. I’m busy.”

“Damn
it, wait a second! When she does call, tell her that the coalition is behind
Champ and Jason one hundred percent. We’ll get them out.”

You’d think that his gesture of good will would have thawed her shrunken ice
cube of a heart just a tad, but instead she jeered, “What are you up to
anyway?‌ Are you trying to suck up to my parents and turn them against me by
playing the big hero?‌”

“You’re
hopeless,” Payton muttered, and seconds later a door slammed with such force, I
could feel the reverberation beneath my feet. Whew. To say that they hated
each other would be the understatement of the century. As far as I was
concerned, she represented the vortex of evil and there was not the slightest
doubt she would prove to be a formidable foe. I could only pray that Ginger’s
assessment of the situation was right and that my suspicions about Tally were
dead wrong.

I
waited until it grew silent before I descended the staircase, my mind whirling
like a pinwheel in a strong wind. Lin Su was right. At this moment I needed
to concentrate on getting my strength back because the biggest battle of my
life lay just ahead of me.

My
frame of mind improved greatly when I stepped outside into the balmy October
air and followed a flagstone walkway towards the rear of the big house. The
sound of nearby voices from the parking area caught my attention and I slowed
my steps, surprised to notice Payton sitting in his truck having an animated
discussion with Rob, Champ’s gangly young ranch hand. I wished I were close
enough to make out what they were saying because Payton wore an expression of
stunned amazement. Seconds later, he barked something at Rob and tore off in
his truck. I stood for another moment watching Rob sprint across the clearing
and peel out in another pickup. Well, what had that been all about?‌ Contrary
to its peaceful façade, there was certainly no shortage of intrigue at the
Sundog.

Following
Lin Su’s directions, I took the walkway that led around towards the back of the
house, passing several discarded stuffed toys and a small red bicycle with
training wheels. I met Rascal along the way and he wagged his tail
enthusiastically in greeting. “Hey, there big boy, how are you today?‌” He
allowed me to pet him for several minutes before romping away. I continued my
leisurely stroll until I reached a shoulder-high brick wall with a wrought iron
gate nearly hidden in overflowing vines. I pushed it open and stepped through.
Immediately, a sensation of extreme tranquility settled over me. Or was it
perhaps the effects of the old Chinese woman’s magic tea?‌

The
little enclosed garden was a delight to the senses, an oasis in the midst of
this turbulent household. In a secluded alcove, behind a large potted cactus,
I found the chaise lounge she’d prepared for me, complete with a pillow and
light blanket. Beneath a swishing canopy of trees, I lay listening to the
muted chatter of birds while admiring the smiling faces of Mexican sun gods
adorning the babbling stone and hand-painted tile fountain. Numerous clay pots
overflowing with brightly colored petunias and pansies squatted beside clusters
of sturdy outdoor furniture and along the top of the low brick wall. The
atmosphere of peace was so overwhelming I fell asleep almost immediately.

The
soft murmur of voices woke me. My pulse surged with the hope that it might be
Tally, but it was only Felix seating Cecil Beaumont on a cushioned chair near
the stone fountain. He tucked a blanket around him and said he’d return
shortly. Cecil gave him a vacant smile and was nodding at his retreating
figure the same instant Brett burst through the gate clutching a large book in
both hands. “Grampy Boo, can you read to me?‌ Mommy’s too busy.” Neither of
them appeared to notice me lying behind the cactus.

The
elderly man’s face lit up with pleasure. “Why sure I will.”

Brett
laid the book in his great-grandfather’s lap and flopped down at his feet,
crossing his legs. “Read me the same one as yesterday.”

Cecil
frowned. “Why not pick a different one this time?‌ There are lots of other good
stories and rhymes.”

“No,”
the little boy insisted, “I like that one. It’s my favorite story and Uncle
Jason’s too. We always laugh at his name, Rumbleysti…Rumbleskil….”

“Rumpelstiltskin,”
Cecil corrected him with a chuckle. “Okay, little man, here we go.” He
adjusted his glasses, thumbed through the book and began reading.
“By the
side of a wood, in a country a long way off, ran a fine stream of water; and
upon the stream there stood a mill.”

Listening to the words of the familiar old fairy tale
soothed me. It conjured up happy memories of carefree days spent with my
parents and two brothers in the cozy house back home in Spring Hill,
Pennsylvania. Before I knew it, I’d drifted back to sleep. The second time I
awoke, it was a shock to realize that I’d slept for three hours. I sat up and
stretched, amazed at how good I felt and delighted to find that someone, Lin Su
no doubt, had prepared a snack for me and left it on the table next to the lounge.
Hungrier than I’d been for days, I pulled off the plastic wrap and devoured the
egg salad sandwich, apple, and was polishing off the last of the chocolate chip
cookies when I heard a thin voice call out, “Hello there.” Startled, I leaned
around the outstretched arms of the prickly pear cactus and stared across at
Cecil Beaumont, surprised that he was still in the same spot. He introduced
himself, looking straight at me with no trace of recognition whatsoever. “Have
we met before?‌”

A tremor of melancholy rippled through me. Oh, dear.
He’d already forgotten that we’d met formally on Sunday and again informally
during the mortifying encounter in my bed this morning. “My name is Kendall
O’Dell,” I said with a smile. I rose and crossed the patio, moving aside the
fairy tale book Brett had left behind on the chair adjacent to him before
seating myself.

He wore a bemused half-smile. “You’re sure we haven’t
met?‌ You look awfully familiar.”

I wondered if he was remembering me or comparing me to
his deceased wife, Penelope. “I’m a reporter for the
Castle Valley Sun.
I’m doing a story on the Sundog. This is quite a spectacular place you’ve got
here.”

“That it is, that it is.” His gaze turned inward.
“You should have been around seventy years ago. Things were a whole lot
different.” He launched into a series of vignettes recounting some of his
parent’s ranching experiences in the late 1800’s when it was still Arizona
Territory. While it was all interesting information, I began to feel trapped.
There were a lot of other things I needed to do, like checking back with Walter
to see if he’d been able to uncover anything about Froggy McQueen’s background
and contacting the sheriff’s office to see if there was any news on my car, but
fearful that I’d hurt his feelings, for the next half hour I sat and politely
listened to his reminiscences about everyday life and the incredible hardships
he and his family had overcome taming this rugged landscape.