The Last Goodbye (The Women of Independence) (15 page)

Nick had worked with her long enough to
know that something was wrong. “Want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” She watched as Nick
applied the foam and it expanded, filling the space between the studs. “Okay.
He was supposed to take me out to dinner last night.” She gave a short,
self-deprecating laugh. “I even wore my hair down and put on some makeup. But
he was a no-show.”

Nick stopped what he was doing and
turned to look at her. “Where’s he going to disappear to around here?”

“They sent the company plane. That was
sometime after the fire and sometime before Enrique hurt his leg.”

Nick went back to work. “I see what you
mean. Bad day at Green Lake.”

Danielle acknowledged his comment with a
wry smile. “Sounds like a horror movie. Not far off, actually.” She took mental
stock of the renovation, pleased with Nick’s progress. “Anyway Enrique is going
to be fine, and Kevin will live.”

“And you?” He didn’t look at her. “Will
you be okay?”

She thought about his question for
several long moments. “You know what? I
will
be fine. I just realized
that.” She clapped him on the back. “Thanks. Now I’d better go to the office
and work on that revised price for the sunroom.”

Nick watched her go. If he didn’t know
better, he’d think she meant what she said. But he’d been her foreman for a
long time, and he
did
know better. Danielle was hurting, but she was too
proud to show it. He was glad he was married.

* * *

Sam caught the movement as Jake’s horse
picked his way through the rocks in the gully, and climbed up to the grassy
plateau where they’d moved the cattle. Sitting outside the small shack, he
watched for a few moments, unobserved. There was something different about the
boss today. Dark smudges underscored his eyes, as though he hadn’t slept. Big
Jake Flynn rarely showed emotion to the outside world, but today, anyone could
see that there was something wrong.

“Boss.” Sam nodded briefly, acknowledging
Jake’s presence as he drew up in front of the shack. He gestured with a cup of
coffee. “Cup of joe?” It didn’t occur to him to ask why Jake was here; if the
boss wanted to tell him, he’d do so soon enough.

Jake nodded and dismounted, his
movements stiff and slow.

Sam came out with a folding canvas chair
and a steaming mug. He handed the mug to Jake and shook open the chair, placing
it where Jake could look out over his land and his cattle, something he knew
the boss enjoyed.

Jake took the mug, and cupped both hands
around it, as though he was cold. He stared into the mug as though trying to
decide whether to drink, then lifted it to his lips. “Thanks,” he said, sitting
back with a sigh. “I needed that.”

Sam watched the tension drain from the
man who had become a friend. “No more trouble with the cattle,” he said,
keeping his voice casual.

“Good.” Jake tilted his head toward
Khamsin. “I brought you a few supplies. Eggs, bacon, and a couple of steaks for
tonight. I thought I’d stay for a couple of days.”

“Sounds good.” There was one thing about
working at Green Lake Ranch. Jake didn’t expect the ranch hands to live off the
land and cook over a campfire, although some preferred to brew coffee the old fashioned
way. He’d had a compact generator installed behind the hut, in a soundproof,
ventilated building to run the small refrigerator and any other appliances.
Jake’s thoughtfulness made for loyal employees.

“You okay, boss? You look tired.”

“Yup. I’m fine. Just needed to get away.”
Jake took a gulp of coffee and gazed into the distance. “Can’t think of a
better place to do it.”

Sam tossed out the dregs of his coffee
and went to unload Khamsin. End of discussion.

* * *

Danielle drove through the now-unguarded
gates and past the familiar cluster of buildings. It was interesting to watch
how the entire crew switched focus from day to day, depending on which scenes
were being shot. They were like a shoal of fish, moving brightly in one
direction, then switching abruptly to focus on something else. Today, one of
the camera crews had been assigned to long shots of scenery and cattle. A few
cattle had been brought down a couple of weeks ago; they’d stay here now and in
a few weeks the hands would bring the rest down from the high country. The
secondary unit had been shooting scenery all along, but today and tomorrow were
the primary days. And then, just as she was getting used to them, they’d pack
up and be on their way, leaving only memories.

She should be happy about that, but the
hollow sensation in her gut just wouldn’t go away. In less than forty-eight
hours, life would be back to normal. But was normal what she wanted?

“Yes,” she said aloud, as the ranch
house came into view.

Too bad she didn’t believe it.

Laughter floated out to greet her as she
closed the vehicle door. This was probably normal on a location shoot,
especially from the talent, who could now relax. Today had been Scott’s day at
Silverton, and she looked forward to hearing if he’d been satisfied with the outcome.
It had been fun to be involved, even in a small way, with the scene at the old
ghost town. But before she spoke to Scott, she wanted to see Enrique; she’d
been thinking about her old friend off and on all day.

Fleet was in the paddock with the rest
of the horses and he nickered as she approached the stable. Once inside, she
paused for a moment to let her eyes adjust and was surprised to see Enrique
sitting on a stool outside the tack room, the leather repair kit by his side as
he worked on an old bridle. The old stool was rarely used... especially by
Enrique... and she was immediately concerned.

She squatted down beside him. “How is
your leg?” The bulky dressing was clearly visible through his jeans.

“Hello, little one.” He moved stiffly.
At least his smile was still in place. Danielle’s heart softened as she looked
at him, and it occurred to her that she’d never expressed to him how much he’d
meant to her over the years. He’d been there for her from the beginning, a steady
presence during the most chaotic times of her life.

He smiled now. “I think maybe the doctor
was right; I should slow down for a while.”

Danielle took a quick look around, even
though she knew they were alone. “Jake wouldn’t want you to be working. Do you
know where he is?”

“He left this morning.”

She threw up her hands. Now what? “Where
did he go?” Enrique would know; it was a ranch rule to inform him where you
were going, whether you set out on a horse or an ATV.

“He went up to the shack. That’s where Sam
has the cattle.”

Danielle checked her watch. “Then he
should be back any time.”

“No.” Uncertainty clouded Enrique’s
eyes. “He say he come back one, maybe two days.” He hesitated. “Two days.”

“But...” Danielle’s thoughts raced. “But
what about Carmen? She’ll be gone in two days.”

Enrique shrugged, obviously
uncomfortable. Danielle stood up and started to pace. Everything had been fine
when she left this morning, and now this. What did it mean?

Her first instinct was to ride out and
confront her uncle, but she discarded that thought almost instantly. He’d
always kept his private life private, and now was not the time to violate that
unwritten rule. Besides, she’d seen him with Carmen; he wouldn’t leave the
ranch now without a good reason.

“I don’t understand,” she said aloud. “I
just don’t understand.” She touched Enrique on the shoulder. “Thanks, my friend.
I’ll come back after dinner and stable the horses, okay?”

He smiled gratefully and she wandered
out into the growing dusk, trying to make sense of this latest development.

* * *

“Mija.”
Esperanza
looked relieved to see her. “I was worried about you. I didn’t see you leave
this morning.”

“I don’t know how we missed each other.”
Danielle gave the housekeeper an affectionate hug. “Is there anything I can do
to help?”

“No, thanks. I’m making your favourite.
Taco salad.” She gestured toward the dining table. “Plus a couple of other
dishes.”

A burst of laughter reached the kitchen
and she turned to Esperanza. “Sounds like they’re drinking.”

Esperanza’s eyes flashed. “Mostly that
blonde one. Andrea.”

Danielle looked around the corner. “Is
Carmen there?”

“She’s down by the lake. Alone.” The
housekeeper read her thoughts. “Your Uncle Jake took enough food for a couple
of days.”

Danielle groaned aloud. “What am I going
to say to her?”

Esperanza went back to work. “I don’t
know,
Mija.
I really don’t know.”

* * *

Danielle dragged out the kitchen
step-stool, placed it in front of the pantry and climbed up. She’d stuck two
small, airplane-sized bottles of brandy here a couple of years ago, and was
sure they’d still be there.

“Perfect,” she muttered, slipping the
bottles into the pockets of her jeans. She put away the step-stool and eyed the
juice glasses in the cupboard.

“Not very classy, but functional,” she
muttered as Esperanza watched silently. “Wish me luck.”

She went out the back way and around the
side of the house, hoping to avoid the revelers on the verandah.

“Danielle!” Andrea lurched to her feet
and waved. Danielle waved back, but kept going. She’d deal with the actress
later, if necessary, but right now someone else needed her company.

Her steps made no sound on the soft
grass. “Hi there,” she called, warning of her approach. Carmen looked up and
Danielle’s heart broke for the other woman. This morning she’d been glowing and
hopeful, but from her appearance, it was clear that everything had changed. Carmen’s
eyes were now dull and lifeless. Her gaze dropped from Danielle’s face to the
glasses in her hand, and a faint smile touched her lips.

Danielle set the glasses down on the
flat arm of the Adirondack chairs, pulled out the small bottles, and poured.
Carmen watched the liquid gurgle into the glasses, then reached for one and
waited for Danielle to sit. Still silent, she held up her glass and Danielle
touched it with hers, the resulting ‘clink’ floating out over the lake.

Carmen appeared fascinated as the last
rays of the sun touched her glass, bringing the brandy to life. She knocked
back half of the liquid, swallowing a couple of times as it slid down her
throat.

“Thanks,” she said, swirling the remainder
thoughtfully, and then setting it down. A few Nighthawks were out already, and
she watched them for a moment. When she finally spoke, her words were barely
audible. “He left, Danielle. Why do you think he did that?”

“I wish I knew.” Danielle took a sip of
brandy, and blinked rapidly, surprised at the strength.

Carmen turned sideways in her chair. “Do
you know where he is?”

Danielle took another sip; she needed
time to think. But she couldn’t lie to this woman who so clearly loved Jake.
“Yes.”

Carmen nodded. “Is he with another
woman?”

Danielle looked at her in shock and then
started to laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding,” she said when she regained
control. “No,” she said, more thoughtfully. “I can assure you he’s not with
another woman.”

“Good.” Carmen exhaled and went back to
watching the birds. “I suppose it was too much to hope for, us getting
together. He seemed hung up on our different lifestyles, as if that matters.
It’s just that...” Her voice wavered. “We seemed perfect together, you know?”

“I agree, and I don’t think I’ve ever
seen him so happy. Believe me, if I knew what was going on, I’d tell you...”

A loud shriek from the ranch house
interrupted, and she turned in time to see Andrea tumble down the steps.

“Oh, my Lord,” she said, downing the
rest of her brandy. “Andrea just fell off the verandah.”

“What?” Carmen scrambled to her feet and
they started across the lawn together. “What more could possibly go wrong?”

“Ow!” The actress pushed Sean away as he
tried to help her to her feet. “That hurts.”

Danielle and Carmen arrived as Sean
backed away.

“Here, let me have a look.” Danielle
kneeled down. “I’ve taken my St. John’s Ambulance.”

“Oh, it’s you.” Andrea acknowledged, her
expression surly. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”

Danielle glanced at Sean, who shook his
head. Andrea’s right arm was twisted at an unnatural angle, clearly broken. The
actress tried to get to her feet on her own, but Danielle restrained her.

“Be careful,” she said. “I’m quite sure
your arm is broken.”

“Broken?” Andrea glared at the offending
arm. “Oh, that’s just great.” She lifted unfocused eyes to Scott. “One more
scene to shoot and I trip on the damned stairs.” She twisted around and shot a
venomous look at the stairs. “I should sue this place.”

Sean took an angry step forward then
managed to control himself. “Don’t talk nonsense, Andrea. You were drunk and
you tripped over your own feet.”