The Great Jackalope Stampede (22 page)

“Mother,” Claire said, “having a penis does not automatically mean you can build shit.”

Deborah narrowed her eyes. “Watch the language, Claire.”

“What? I used the ‘p’ word.” She shifted her cards around. “Where is Jess’s dad, anyway? I thought you three were going to go to a movie tonight.”

Ever since Steve had shown up, Deborah had been fawning all over her stepsister, aka Jessica. Normally, her mother could not stand to be in the same room as the teenager. Now Jess seemed to do no wrong, something Claire had never experienced. Ever. She had been a constant screw-up since birth in Deborah’s eyes.

“He said he was tired and went back to his hotel room,” Jess answered.

“Claire doesn’t need any help,” Gramps said.

He was wrong. Claire did need help, especially with some of the finishing touches like the crown molding Gramps wanted hung. Those compound miters were a bitch, especially in the corners where she would have to cut upside down and backwards. But she was smart enough to keep her mouth shut at the moment.

“If Claire needs help,” Ruby stepped in, “Mac will be here.”

Gramps’s face darkened into a ruddy shade, his back stiffening visibly. “Your nephew has done enough for you,” he said to his wife. “He should focus on tending his own garden a little more before the dandelions go to seed.”

Ruby gaped at him for a moment before snapping her mouth closed and glaring down at her cards.

Deborah looked at Claire, her brows raised. “Dandelions go to seed, huh? Are you and MacDonald having some relationship problems?”

“Uh,” Claire was caught off guard with the sudden shift of focus. Relationship problems? Honestly, she was still stuck on what a baby could mean to her own future. She hadn’t made it to analyzing how it could affect her relationship with Mac yet.

Earlier today, after her admission about the subject to Natalie, her cousin had tried to talk her into buying a pregnancy test. Claire had crossed her arms and dug in her heels. For one thing, she was not ready to face pregnancy head on if it were a done deal, let alone wait for that little stick to show its pink or blue lines. Her breathing grew raspy at just the thought of peeing on it. For another, she was on a first name basis with all of the employees who worked at Creekside Hardware Supply in Jackrabbit Junction, and they knew she was related to Ruby and Gramps. She might as well stand on the corner at the one junction in town with MIGHT BE PREGNANT on a sandwich board if she bought a test there.

In the end, Natalie had driven into town and bought the pregnancy test. She had returned with a nondescript paper bag, which she handed to Claire on the sly when the boys were not looking. Claire had hidden the unopened box still inside the bag under the sink in the Skunkmobile’s bathroom, burying it in the back corner behind the drain cleaner and rolls of toilet paper.

Jessica joined them at the table, standing over her own mother’s shoulder. “I heard Manny say Claire and Mac were having some problems in the bedroom.” She leaned down and pointed at one of Ruby’s cards. “Play that one next, Mom.”

Ruby shooed Jess’s finger away.

“Mac and I are …”
possibly pregnant
, “… doing fine,” Claire announced, dealing cards around the table.

“Are you angry with Mac for some reason, Harley?” Ruby asked Gramps, her gaze locked onto her cards. “Did he say something to upset you?”

Claire watched Gramps, waiting with all ears to hear his answer. Mac had not mentioned anything to her about a problem with Gramps, but he had been less than thrilled with the idea of sticking around the R.V. park an extra day, which was not normal for him. He usually wanted to stay at his aunt’s as long as possible, especially when Claire wasn’t going home to Tucson with him.

“You’re doing ‘fine,’ huh?” Deborah collected her cards. “Boy, have I heard that before. It was your father’s favorite response when I’d ask if everything was okay. Turned out he was fine, especially since he was sleeping with another woman.”

“Mom, that’s enough,” Claire warned, nudging her head in Jess’s direction. Jessica soaked up sordid tales of debauchery like a new chamois.

“I know, I know,” Deborah crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t like it when I bad mouth your father. I was just making a point.”

“How about you just button your lips instead,” Gramps said, “and focus on playing cards?”

Deborah rolled her eyes at him and then returned to Claire. “I couldn’t help but notice the way you were avoiding MacDonald this last weekend.”

“I wasn’t avoiding Mac.”
I was avoiding you.

“Before you start your denial routine, Claire, let me finish.”

“You probably shouldn’t,” Gramps said.

Deborah continued, ignoring her father. “If things don’t work out with MacDonald, you can always come home and live with me. I have plenty of room in the house. You can even have your old bedroom back if you’d like.”

Claire recoiled at the thought of living with her mother again.

“Why would Claire leave Mac?” Jess asked. “I saw them kissing before he left on Sunday.”

“Claire tends to have a problem with commitment, Jessica dear,” Deborah said, patting Claire’s hand. “I don’t think MacDonald—or any man out there—has what it takes to get her to settle down and focus on building a successful career. She needs a man who will tame her spirit, not let her run free as MacDonald seems to do.” She pulled her hand away and tucked a strand of blonde hair back into her French knot. “I blame her father for her lack of steadfastness. He insisted I leave Claire be, claiming I’d already spoiled Veronica. But I ask you, which of my daughters has been the most successful in life? Certainly not Kathryn or Claire.”

“Are you done now?” Claire asked Deborah, bored with the subject. She had heard this all before, too many times to care anymore what her mom had to say on the subject, and had long ago given up trying to prove her wrong.

“For now,” Deborah said. “But I won’t truly be finished until you stop hopping from one job to another and settle down to make a life for yourself.”

Claire turned to Gramps. “Did you adopt her?”

“I’m beginning to wonder about that.”

Ruby snorted, reminding Claire of a pissed off bull minus the ground pawing. “After the last couple of days, I’m startin’ to think she’s a chip off the old block.”

Deborah arched one plucked eyebrow. “What are you insinuating, my dear stepmother?”

“Can’t we just play a goddamned game of cards?” Gramps asked.

Everyone quieted, focusing on their cards.

Deborah placed the King of clubs in the center of the table.

Jessica pointed at a card in Ruby’s hand. “Play that one.”

“Would you two stop cheating?” Deborah asked with an unladylike snippiness in her voice.

“Jessica,” Ruby warned.

“What? I’m just trying to help. You never let me help, only Mac.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Gramps said.

Ruby threw down her cards. “What is your problem with Mac?”

“Nothing. He’s perfect. Just calm down so we can finish this game and go to bed.”

“Don’t you tell me to calm down, Harley Ford. You’ve been pokin’ at me about Mac all night. What is going on between you two?”

“Isn’t it obvious, Ruby?” Deborah said. “He’s jealous.”

“Of Mac?” Claire asked.

“No, of Steve. He’s just taking it out on Mac.”

“Why’s he jealous of Dad?”

“I’m not jealous of that horse’s ass,” Gramps said.

“Dad is not a horse’s ass. Take that back!”

“That’s enough, Jessica,” Ruby said. “Go to your room.”

“What? Why? What did I do? He’s the one calling names.”

Ruby reiterated her order with a point. Ranting, Jess grabbed her book off the couch and stomped up the stairs.

“Jealous,” Deborah sang, moving her cards around.

“You,” Ruby snatched Deborah’s cards away, “go to your room, too.”

Deborah’s mouth fell open. Shock, disbelief, and outrage reeled down her face like triple sevens on a slot machine. “What gives you the right to—”

“You’re in
my
house. That gives me the right to kick you out if I want. For now, I’ll settle for you goin’ to bed.”

Deborah let out a huff that blew Claire’s hair back. “Your hostess skills are lacking to say the least.”

“Wait,” Gramps said as she stalked toward the stairs. “We’re not done with the game yet.”

“Oh, we are definitely done.” Ruby shoved away from the table and slammed out the back door.

Claire dropped her cards on the table. “Gee, that didn’t go so well.”

Gramps sighed, scrubbing his hand up and down over his whiskers, making a rasping sound. “Nothing has been lately. Not since I fell off that damned ladder. What do you say we end this bet of ours and go have a smoke?”

Hell, yes!
“Not tonight.”

His hand stopped. “Why not?”

“I’m not really in the mood,” she lied.

“First you didn’t want the beer I offered and now you don’t want to smoke.” Gramps blue eyes narrowed. “What’s going on, girl? You’re not pregnant, are you?”

Chapter Twelve

Thursday, October 4th

Ronnie needed a big favor. One that she figured would cost more than any of Lyle’s knockoff sterling silver necklaces or costume jewelry.

She pushed in through the Yuccaville library’s glass doors, sniffing the air for bay rum aftershave. All she smelled was stale paper and a hint of rose-laced perfume. She scanned for Grady or any of his deputies, double-checking that the coast was clear before making a beeline over to Aunt Millie and her cohorts, who were knitting in the sitting area next to the computers as usual. Without saying a word, she took out a pair of real tanzanite studded hoop earrings from the front pocket of her knee-length paisley skirt and placed them on the end table next to Grady’s aunt.

Aunt Millie whistled through her teeth. Dropping her knitting needles, she scooped up the earrings, lowered her glasses, and took a closer look at the purplish blue stones. Her drawn-on eyebrows lifted, along with her gaze. “Something tells me we’re not playing for computer time today, Veronica.”

“I have a problem.” Ronnie kept her voice low in case the Sheriff was hiding behind a bookshelf waiting to pounce. “I need your help.”

“You do, huh? I’m not sure I can offer enough help to cover the cost of these beauties.” Aunt Millie set the earrings back on the table. “Maybe one of the other girls can help you.”

Ronnie shook her head. “Nope. You’re the only one for this job.” She glanced at Ruth, Millie’s second in command, whose lower lip jutted a little. “It’s about her nephew,” Ronnie said, trying to soothe any ruffled feathers.

Ruth tucked her lip back in and returned to the long-necked sweater she was knitting.

“Well, I’ll say one thing, you sure know how to get my attention.” Aunt Millie reached for her walker. “Why don’t we move this conversation somewhere a little more private in case we get visitors. My office will do.”

“Your office?”

Aunt Millie pointed toward the women’s restroom.

“Oh, gotcha.”

The dingle balls on her walker jiggled as she stood, the metal contraption creaking when she leaned on it. “Ruth, you’re in charge. Greta, keep an eye out for Grady and run interference if he comes through those doors.”

Both women nodded without looking up from their needles.

Ronnie followed Aunt Millie into the women’s restroom and checked under the stall doors to make sure all three were empty. She leaned against the door to keep it that way.

“Okay,” Aunt Millie placed the earrings on the counter. “What is so gol-durn important that you’re willing to exchange an expensive pair of real tanzanite earrings for my help?”

“You know your gemstones.” Ronnie’s face warmed as the realization hit her that Aunt Millie and her friends must have known all along that her jewelry was fake.

“I wasn’t born yesterday, dear.”

“But you let me buy time on the computer with the other stuff.”

“Your costume jewelry is some of the best we’ve seen in a long time.”

“Oh. Thanks, I guess.” Lyle would be so proud. Then she remembered how Grady had dragged her outside of The Shaft and chewed on her about the chandelier earrings. “Wait. Does the Sheriff realize that you know the pieces I’ve given you are fake?”

Aunt Millie’s smile lifted her jowls. “There are some things that my nephew doesn’t need to know even though he thinks he does. I let him assume all sorts of things when it comes to taking care of me. It’s easier that way.” She winked at Ronnie. “Easier to hoodwink him, too.”

She needed to take a few lessons from Aunt Millie. So far, all she had managed to do was set off his radar at every turn. “I’ll have to remember that.”

“Well, let’s hear it, dear. What’s got you digging deep in your jewelry box for the good stuff today?”

Ronnie clasped her hands together, wondering how much she could trust Aunt Millie, if at all. “I have a little problem.”

“Is this about that castle over in Germany?”

Yes
, but she did not want to drag Aunt Millie into that mess. Her family was already at risk. Grady would throw her in a cell and swallow the key if he found out she put his aunt in danger, too.