Tracie Peterson - [Desert Roses 01] (15 page)

When it was time for dinner, they adjourned from the gardens and made their way to the private dining room. There were twelve of them tonight, Valerie noted. Her father had brought in several additional players, including Rufus Keegan’s wife, Katherine. The petite woman was absolutely no threat to anyone. Nor was she of any interest. Mr. Keegan did nothing to hide his open admiration for Valerie, breaking away to whisper obscenities in her ear, promising her things he couldn’t possibly make good on. Valerie knew him to be the worst of philanderers. Several times he had cornered her to suggest they slip away to his suite. She’d never given him serious thought, however. He was old. Much too old. And not nearly as wealthy or powerful as he liked to think. Why, she could have her pick of wealthy men from New York to Los Angeles. There was no reason to settle for the likes of Rufus Keegan.

With the additional people to serve, Valerie found that there were two Harvey waitresses at their disposal. She did her best to keep them both working. Miss Keegan seemed to realize her game, while the stocky little redhead who assisted her seemed as naïve as a schoolgirl.

“This tea is tepid,” Valerie complained to the redhead. “Bring me another cup.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Valerie watched Alex Keegan with a particular curiosity. What was it about her that Luke Toland should find so appealing? She wore no makeup, yet Valerie had to admit her
skin was the color of peaches and cream. Her cheeks blushed naturally and her dark lashes needed no paint to make them more appealing. Even her hair, which was dark brown and wavy, had been pinned into a rather attractive style atop her head. Valerie almost envied the fact that Alex had long hair. In the city you seldom saw any woman their age still sporting long hair. Yet, Valerie had seen the men admire those few remaining souls who kept their locks long, almost as if these were the last vestiges of true womanhood. Men could be so peculiar.

Still, Alexandria Keegan couldn’t match Valerie’s beauty. Valerie’s classic looks had been praised from London to Madrid and all across Europe. She had been toasted in New York and New Orleans. She knew the power her looks gave her. So why hadn’t they yet given her the elusive Mr. Toland?

Then it dawned on her. Somewhere between the pear salad and the filet mignon, Valerie suddenly realized the attraction. Luke Toland felt sorry for Alex. His supposed love was born out of pity. The idea churned in her head as she made small talk with her father’s dinner guests, and by the time éclairs and chocolate russe were served, Valerie had it all figured out.

Luke doesn’t really love her
, she told herself.
He sees how poorly her father behaves and knows the shame she’s endured. He no doubt has befriended her thinking her a sweet, naïve young woman who would never do anyone harm. But I can change that
. After all, Valerie already knew of Joel’s interest in adding the elusive Miss Keegan to his list of conquests.

As the dishes were cleared away and the coffee served, Valerie excused herself, mindless of Joel’s scowl, and left the room. She had told her father she needed to powder her nose, but in truth, she knew this would be her chance to visit Luke.

Her strapped heels were hardly the proper footwear for the rocky and uneven path to the cabin, but Valerie guarded her steps. Her thoughts, however, ran away with her, suggesting all sorts of scenarios.

“First, I’ll tell him I was worried about his recovery,” Valerie
mused. She wished she’d thought to bring him one of the chocolate-glazed éclairs. Her mother had often told her that a man’s affection could often be roused with food.

She neared the cabin and smiled at the hint of light coming from behind the pulled curtains.
Then I’ll pace a bit in front of him, letting him see every curve and line. That should warm his blood considerably
.

Reaching the cabin porch, Valerie slipped off her shoes and placed them on the top step. She wanted her approach to be quiet, because as a final thought she decided she wouldn’t so much as knock. She’d simply walk in on him and catch him unaware.

Reaching for the doorknob, she smiled when it turned easily in her hand. She pushed open the door and found Luke rather stunned, sitting on the couch.

“What are you doing here?” he asked gruffly.

“I thought you could use some company.”

“No, I’m afraid not. Clancy’s coming back in a minute—he’s gone to get a chessboard. We have a game to play.”

“I’d be more fun to play with than Clancy.” “I doubt it. Clancy is pretty good at chess,” Luke said rather dryly.

Valerie knew she’d have to act fast. Crossing the small room, she positioned herself between Luke and the fire. The warmth felt amazingly good. “That’s not what I mean and you know it.”

“I’m never sure what you mean, Miss Winthrop. I’ve never been able to figure women out. Seems to me they play a lot of games, and chess just isn’t one of them.”

Valerie smiled, hoping the coy look she’d perfected would give Luke reason to send Clancy packing. “I can learn to play whatever game you’d like.”

“I’d like for you to leave,” Luke said, getting to his feet. His broken wrist seemed to be of no consequence, and he seemed completely capable of fending for himself.

Valerie backed up a step, suddenly feeling uncertain of
her plan. Luke took hold of her arm and practically dragged her to the door. “I don’t know why you came here, but don’t come back. I have no interest in your kind.”

Anger rose up in Valerie. “What do you mean, my kind?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” Luke replied. “You know exactly what you’re doing and what you’re planning on getting, but you won’t be getting it here—with me. Good night.”

With that he shoved her out the door and locked it behind her. Valerie stood in dumfounded shock for several moments. How dare he treat her like a common trollop? Dismissing her like one of his crew members.

“You’ll wish you’d played the game with me, Mr. Toland.”

Valerie picked up her shoes and made her way back to the hotel. Her confidence was slightly damaged by Luke’s rejection, but she pushed her feelings aside. Pausing to put her shoes back on, Valerie was taken aback when Alex Keegan came out the door.

“Good evening, Miss Keegan,” Valerie said, straightening.

“Oh, hello.” Alex started to walk past, but Valerie reached out and stopped her. “I’m so glad we have had a moment alone. I must tell you that despite substandard food from time to time, your performance has been remarkable.”

Alex eyed her suspiciously, but Valerie knew very well how to lull her into a false sense of security. “I’m simply amazed,” Valerie continued, “that you can remember what everyone has ordered and keep it all straight. You must be a very smart woman.”

Alex shook her head. “No, I credit the training. Having been here for four years, the job is second nature.”

“Four years? My, but that’s a long time. I know when Luke told us he’d worked here for over ten years, I found it hard to believe. Of course, Daddy has great new plans for Luke, and I’m sure it is only a matter of time before his years at the Grand Canyon are behind him.”

This got Alex’s attention. Valerie nearly laughed out loud as the woman froze in her steps. “What do you mean?”

“Why, Daddy has offered him a position. Once he’s president, Daddy won’t have time to mind all his interests.”

Alex’s demeanor relaxed a bit as she smiled. “Luke would never take a job in the city. He hates them. Hates the noise and hubbub. And he hates politics.”

“Oh, I know all of that,” Valerie simpered. “He’s just the dearest thing, isn’t he? Anyway, Daddy has a ranching interest he’s just purchased in Wyoming. He’s offered Luke the job to run it as if it were his own. And who knows, if he plays his cards right—it just might be his own someday. After all, Daddy says Luke would make a wonderful husband and father.”

Valerie noted the defeat in Alex’s expression. Feeling good about what she’d accomplished in such a brief conversation, Valerie turned to leave. Calling back over her shoulder, she plunged the knife in a little deeper. “I’m sure Luke will be glad to leave this place. There’s nothing here he’d want to stay for. He told me as much.”

Alex watched Valerie Winthrop leave. For several moments, Alex felt as if her legs were made of lead. Unable to move, Alex remembered every detail of their conversation. Luke was going to work for the senator? It just didn’t make sense.
He hates politics and can’t abide the men who pursue such power. Why would he do this?
Then a sinking thought came to her.
He’s always wanted his own ranch. Maybe he sees this as an easy way to make that come true. But at what cost?

Making her way to the Lookout, Alex tried to rein in her thoughts. In spite of the party going on in the main dining room, her duties for the evening had concluded. She would go to the Lookout and escape the noise and party spirit of the tourists. Hopefully, there would be very few people around.

The upper level appeared to have one or two people milling about, so Alex chose the lower level station for her respite. Hiding in the shadows under the overhead balcony, Alex tried to regain her composure. Surely Miss Winthrop was lying.

“But how do you propose to eliminate the competition?” A voice sounded from overhead, and Alex recognized it as her father’s.

“By doing exactly that. Eliminating the competition,” Joel Harper said snidely.

Alex pulled back even farther into the dark recesses of her hiding place. Apparently her father and Joel had left the party in order to consider their plans.

“You don’t mean kill them?” her father questioned.

“I mean exactly that.”

Alex put her hand over her mouth to muffle the gasp that escaped. Joel apparently talked of death as easily as someone else might talk of the weather.

“But how?

“I have some people already on the job.”

“Truly?” Her father sounded completely fascinated, and Alex cringed, remembering his threats to her and her mother.

“I’ve been working on this for nearly a year. We do whatever we can to buy off the competition or otherwise entice them to give up the race. Those who won’t be bought or put off have to be dealt with in, shall we say, more permanent manners?”

Alex felt her breathing quicken. She had to get out of here before they discovered her overhearing the conversation. She tried to think clearly, but her heart was pounding in her ears.

“Do you see yourself eliminating the likes of John Davis and Bradley Jastrow?” her father questioned.

“It’s already being worked out. Why, Davis has even decided against coming to the canyon for the celebration this week and next. We’ve managed to create a little problem with the American Bar Association that he must attend to. After all, he’s the president of that dear organization.”

“Fascinating.”

Alex heard a shuffling, as if the men were moving from one side of the balcony to the other. “Look,” her father continued, “I’ll do what I can to aid your cause. I have no desire to be
the man in the presidential chair—I’d rather be one of those who puts him there and helps to keep him there.”

Liar!
Alex thought. She could have called it out, too, except for what she’d already overheard.

“Good,” Joel answered as they moved inside. “I knew I could count on you. Things will really start to get ugly in the days to come. As we move toward the convention in New York City next June, we need to have a solid following. That’s where I’ll need people like you. You will be called upon to influence your circle of friends, as well as your enemies.”

“My enemies know better than to cross me, they only have . . .”

Their voices faded away as they moved indoors. Alex tried to steady her nerves as she got to her feet. “I can’t let them know I was here,” she whispered, her worries turning into a prayer. “Oh, God, help me to do the right thing. I wish I could talk to Luke.”

In a rush of emotion, however, she realized she couldn’t talk to Luke. If she could believe Valerie, he was one of them. He was going to work for the senator. But even if it was true, her heart argued, Luke would never abide killing. She knew him well enough to realize that much. Maybe she could dissuade him from going to work for the Winthrops. Maybe if he knew the kind of things they advocated, he’d reject their offer.

Alex heard the men move out onto the rim path and head back to El Tovar. They were laughing and enjoying some great joke as they went. After a few moments of silence, feeling confident she could slip back to her room unnoticed, Alex came out from the shadows and moved up the rocky path to the top of the rim.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Joel Harper came out from the darkness of the Lookout doorway. Alex swallowed hard and tried to smile. Not that he could really see her face.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know anyone was here.”

“You lie rather calmly,” Joel said, standing only inches from her. “Now tell me what you overheard.”

Alex knew lying was no good. He already knew the truth of the matter. “I heard it all.”

“That’s what I figured.” He reached out and gripped her arms tightly. “If you say a word—so much as a single hint of a word about any of this—I’ll see you dead.”