Wait Until Dark (26 page)

Buck released Will's slicker and glared defiantly at him. "Start talking."

"I don't have to tell you a damn thing, but for Addie's sake I will. I did research at Marysville Community College, then had coffee with old friends."

"I don't believe you."

"I don't care whether you believe him or not," wailed Addie. The ambulance could be heard racing along the highway. She shoved both men, and opened the door. "Will, go to the barn, and Buck, show the paramedics where we are."

Will hunched deep into his rain gear, and headed out into the storm again as the ambulance drove up the driveway.

"I don't like that guy," said Buck to Addie. "I particularly don't like him being here with you. We'll talk about this later." He shoved his hands into his pockets and stepped out onto the porch to motion the paramedics toward the kitchen.

Twenty minutes later, Addie stood on the back porch, huddling into her slicker, ignoring her mother's pleas.

"Addie, do come in out of the rain," implored Eileen Rivers.

Her mother had returned home as the ambulance paramedics worked with Joe in the kitchen. She stood now wringing her hands in the open door behind Addie.

Soaked to the skin, Addie knew she was being foolish, but she didn't care, didn't even feel the wetness as the rain gusted in and out of her porch shelter.

The ambulance's flashing lights whirled discolike in the black, soggy night. Yellow, pink, and red, they pierced through the rain, highlighting the forms of the paramedics and Buck as they gently placed Joe's gurney into the ambulance. The specterlike forms standing around the large, official-looking vehicle only enhanced Addie's feelings of unreality, her increasing perception of encroaching danger.

"Addie, you're getting soaked," said her mother from the open kitchen door. "I insist you come in."

Addie wanted to go to the hospital with Joe, but everyone said that wouldn't be a safe idea, so she stood there feeling helpless and useless, worrying about him, and his warning words.

The ambulance tore away carrying one of her best friends, the one person with whom she'd always felt incredibly safe. Joe Bolo was pure gold, someone Addie had always counted on to come through, someone she'd taken for granted. Tears mixed with the rain on her cheeks. She dashed them away, and strained to see a figure splashing toward her through the rain and mud with a burden in his arms.

Will came carrying Rags. He headed for his car and Addie knew he intended taking Rags to the veterinary clinic himself. Something in her heart lit and took off like a firecracker in the stormy night, and she acknowledged immediately it wasn't retrievable. The exploding clarity would be forever etched in her soul, and for the moment felt glorious.

She watched as Will loaded Rags into the backseat of his car and listened to Buck's directions to the clinic. Gripping her slicker tight around her, she ran out to them.

"I want to go with you. I know the way. We'll all go together."

"No, Addie," said Buck, holding her arm rightly. "The two of us have things to discuss, and Will doesn't mind going alone do you, Will?"

Will, rain plastering his black hair to his forehead, gave Buck a peculiar look, then shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Of course not. Be happy to."

"We're imposing on a guest, Buck. This isn't right." Will spoke up, his expression grim, but his words light. "I'll be back as soon as possible. All I ask is that you have some of your mom's hot vegetable soup ready." He got into his car, closed the door with a slam and started the engine, as if to put an end the discussion.

Addie and Buck walked through the rain back to the house, his hand clasped firmly around her upper arm.

"I'm sure Joe's going to be just fine, sweetie, and Rags is a tough old dog. We'll visit them both tomorrow."

Addie barely heard his words. All she could see was dear Joe's pale face against the bloody, muddy floor, and all she could hear were his words. "He's close by, Addie."

4

THE ALWAYS CONVIVIAL, NOISY
,
lunchtime crowd at Dixie's Diner provided a semblance of normalcy for Addie, which she desperately needed. The sound of plates clattering behind the counter, and hamburgers sizzling on the griddle, and the tantalizing smell of country-fried chicken seemed somehow reassuring.

Buck and Addie sat in the corner booth Dixie always saved for them if she knew they were coming. They'd made the booth their own since high school days.

Addie viewed the meatloaf and fluffy mashed potatoes in front of her with misery. The last time she'd had Dixie's specialty was the day she and Joe had lunched here over two weeks ago. Now Joe was in a coma and she didn't feel like eating. Restless and disturbed, she stared out the plate glass window at the denuded oaks and maples on Town Square. Brown, gold, and orange leaves scuttled indiscriminately across the street and sidewalks. Though midday, the sky was gray with cloud cover.

"Eat up, honey," said Buck. "I've got a meeting with the Hoedown Committee at one o'clock."

"I know, but I'm not very hungry, and I can't attend the meeting with you anyway. I have work to do at the library."

"I've got a super idea. Since I'm committee chairman, I can schedule meetings anytime and anyplace I want to. I'll call everyone and we'll meet at the library instead of church."

"No, Buck" she said emphatically. "Donny Jim's been acting weird lately, and his aunt called to say he probably wouldn't show up this morning. I have things I need to catch up on and I don't care to have a lot of people around."

"Whatever you say, honey, but I'll be there as soon as the meeting is over." He winked at her and cut another bite of chicken steak. "With Joe in the hospital the only official protection you have is Lee Bert. The FBI seems to think he's sufficient. I don't. You know I love the kid, but he's slow as molasses."

"Everyone in town watches me, Buck."

She watched as he placed the meat precisely in his mouth, chewed his calculated number of times, she could never remember whether it was fifteen or twenty, then dabbed delicately at the corners of his lips with the napkin. She'd watched him do this a thousand times. Why was it all of a sudden irritating?

"Yes, even Dr. Court watches you. I don't like him, Addie, and I don't trust him. I particularly don't like him sleeping in the same house with you. You and your mother are defenseless out there in the country by yourselves."

"My mother likes him, Buck, and that's enough for me. She's a pretty good judge of character."

"Ha! That's what you think. Remember the time she fell for that con man's spiel about getting her house painted for half-price? He put one coat of watered-down paint on it. When it rained the paint washed right off, and the salesman was nowhere to be found."

"Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. So far Will has been very helpful. When he isn't researching or hiking, he lends Bobby Heed a hand with the chores."

Perturbed at this news that Will was making himself so at home, Buck choked on his coffee, and the hot liquid dripped off the cup and down his chin. Tiny brown spots soiled his blue and gold striped tie. Furious that he'd been so careless, he dabbed at them with his immaculate handkerchief, all the while glancing up at her with angry looks.

"Addie, I can't believe how you two have let that man worm his way into your good graces. You really need looking after, which is exactly why I feel we should be married soon. This is the first of November. How about a Christmas wedding? Six weeks should give you plenty of time to pull a few things together. Doesn't have to be fancy."

The knots in her tummy tightened, and a whining noise, like mosquitoes, droned in her ears. She shook her head to make the sound disappear, but it persisted. She drew a deep breath and released it slowly, slowly. The whining, buzzing phenomenon faded away, but left her light-headed. She lifted her fork and poked indifferently at the mashed potatoes. The golden pool of melted butter on top of the mound slid down to swim on her plate.

"What's the matter, honey? If you don't like the December idea, we can do January, maybe. But I don't want to put it off any longer than that."

Addie had an earthshaking thought. For the first time she wondered if she sincerely loved Buck. Did she really want to marry him, or had he become a habit she'd neglected to review, a rut she'd let herself travel in? They'd become a team of well-trained ponies pulling a wagonload of expectations placed there by her mother and the town.

"I'm not ready to talk..."

Dixie saved her. She appeared at the booth, pulled her pencil from behind her ear, and began to add up their bill. She stopped writing and stared at Addie's plate.

"Adelaide Rivers. I never in my whole life seen you leave a plate of meatloaf and potatoes. Are you sick?"

"No, no, Dixie. I'm just not hungry today."

"Well, Lord have mercy, come to think of it, it's probably them murders that are shakin' you up." She frowned, and looked at Addie with speculation. "Scares me to death thinkin' about them poor girls, and thinkin' there might be someone around here who could take a notion to kill any of us. You takin' good care of her, Buck?"

"Always have, always will." He smiled and reached for Addie's hand resting beside her plate. "Nobody's going to hurt Addie. I'll make sure of that."

"Not with you around, eh, Buck?" asked Dixie.

"Right! Things are going along like we've always planned. I like to make sure our lives are tidy and neat. Eliminates a lot of stress. In fact we were just talking about setting a wedding date."

"God help us, it's about time." Addie smiled and refrained from pulling her hand out of Buck's grasp. Dear God, what was wrong with her? Ashamed of her traitorous reaction, she lowered her gaze to the table to regain her composure. Light beamed down from the garish fake Tiffany lamp hanging over the table and caught their hands.

The Rolex, which Buck had saved for years to buy, gleamed gold and silver on his smooth slender wrist. A different watch on another wrist flashed into her mind before she could suppress the memory. An old, but rich and luxurious leather band held the simple gold watch on Will's strong wrist. Tufts of dark hair curled over the leather, hugging the band as if they were at home there, comfortable with its feel and shape.

Remembering now the warm feel of the worn band and his skin when she'd run her fingers down his arm to catch his hand, Addie flushed with guilt.

Dixie laughed. "What's the matter, Addie, sweet? Talkin' about the wedding embarrass you? Never known you to be shy. Look at them pink cheeks, Buck, You'd think you two jest met."

Buck smiled what she called his "endearing" smile, the smile that showed everyone just how much he loved them, the smile that made everyone say he was "so charming."

Oh, my. God, Addie, you have to stop this. Where is the love you felt for Buck? Has it been simply a feeling of great friendship and companionship all along? Did you fall into step with everyone's hopes and expectations because it was easier? Or is it Will Court who has muddied the waters?

No, she had to be honest with herself. She'd been looking differently at Buck for more than a year. That's why she continued to put off the wedding. But her crazy reactions to Will Court had certainly highlighted her confusion about Buck.

"What do you hear about Joe?" asked Dixie.

"I visit every day, and he's still in a coma," said Buck. "Addie goes every day, too."

Addie was surprised at this information from Buck. She had no idea that he visited Joe so frequently. Buck had always been fond of Joe, but a bit condescending.

"Poor Joe," said Dixie. "He jest knew he could protect you, and there wouldn't be no problems. Told me so himself. Always had a crush on you, Addie. I think he still does. I'm prayin' for him. How's your dog doin'?"

Before Buck could answer for her again, Addie said, "Thanks for asking, Dixie. Rags is still in the clinic. The vet said he'd have to stay another week or so."

"I'm real sorry about what's been happening. It's depressing. Hell's bells, let's change the subject," said Dixie. "I hear you got a real hunk stayin' with you. That must be kind of exciting. I seen him goin' into the library a time or two. Mavis and the girls in the flower shop next door say they been using the library a lot lately."

"Dr. Will Court," said Addie, with a smile. "I wondered why Mavis and Mertie were so interested in books all of a sudden. Which reminds me, I've got to relieve Lulu."

"I'll walk you over" said Buck.

Addie waved good-bye to Buck and Lulu with relief. Buck had insisted on inspecting every inch of the library, going down every aisle, poking his nose into every closet. He'd even gone down into the foul, damp cobweb filled cellar, which was empty. Addie avoided the cellar like a dreaded toothache. She hated the spiders there, and the fetid smell, and it was useless for storage because the clammy air destroyed the books. Finally, she was alone.

Thursday afternoons were usually slow. No children's classes, no book groups, but sometimes an occasional reader wandering in to look for a good book. Addie loved the quiet, the sense of being protected, enclosed by walls of books filled with wisdom, history, adventure, and love.

Will wasn't here.

She would have known the minute she stepped through the doors. She didn't know how she knew, but she always did. It was as if she had built-in antennae. Not only did she know when he was in the library, she didn't have to see him to sense where he was in the sizeable converted house; behind the history stack, or in the reference section, or in the small galley kitchen.

Shaken at her deep disappointment in his absence, Addie shook her head in confusion.
What is happening to me? One minute I'm scared to death of him, and the next minute I want to throw myself into his arms and make mad passionate love.
She massaged her temples, trying to avert the headache she felt coming on.

Stop this! Get to work. Lots of leaves to clean up.
When Donny Jim didn't show, the clean-up jobs fell to Addie. She seized the rake Buck had gotten for her from the supply closet, and headed outdoors to the leaf-littered front lawn.

In spite of its pumpkin companions, the scarecrow looked forlorn and out of place. Halloween had come and gone and he was still here. Addie poked at him with the rake, but hadn't the heart to destroy him yet. She would rake the leaves first.

The square was empty. It was that midafternoon lull when children were still in school, and Blue Springs residents were either deep in their work, or napping.

An hour later, knee-deep in leaves, hands and nose cold from the November chill, she heard a car pull up and park in the small parking area behind her. The sound of the engine was familiar, and her heart leaped into her throat. She raked furiously, ignoring the thud of a car door closing, ignoring the rustle of footsteps approaching behind her, ignoring her watery knees and rapid breathing.

The footsteps stopped. A shower of leaves fell over her head and onto her shoulders, littering the front of her red down jacket. Brushing them away, she turned to confront Will.

"Hey, you're not much help. I just put those into a neat pile."

"You sure did, and they hate it." His eyes bright with mischief, he scooped another handful into her face.

Laughing, Addie retaliated with a handful of her own and the fight was on. Flinging armfuls of leaves at each other, they battled furiously, but Will had the advantage as he advanced on Addie, backing her up into the huge pile she'd built. She stumbled and fell, laughing, deep into the center of the heap of crisp leaves. On her back, she tried to defend herself by scooping leaves in his face as he closed in on her. He grabbed her wrists and fell next to her, landing at her side, leaves flying everywhere. He propped himself on one elbow, and leaned over her, inspecting her face with a serious expression.

"I do believe, Miss Rivers, that your nose is red, your face is dirty, and your hair is full of leaves. Definitely not the appearance of a proper librarian."

Addie held her breath as he brushed leaf fragments off her cheeks, then placed a swift kiss on her cold nose. He drew back to look at her again, his face only inches from hers, and his breath warmed her chin.

"I'm sorry, Professor, if I don't live up to your idea of a proper librarian, but you certainly contributed to my disreputable state."

"Yeah, I sure did, and I have an urge to make you more disreputable."

He lowered his head and caught her mouth in a hot kiss. Addie forgot about being cold and dirty and confused. She felt vital and alive, glowing and carefree. Swiftly lost in her new feelings, she kissed him back, drawing immense pleasure from the give and play of their lips and the longing burning in her breasts. He slipped a leg over her, and his long length warmed her body, acting as if that was its sole purpose.

A car horn honked in the square, and abruptly Addie came to her senses. They were lying on the ground kissing in view of anyone who passed or anyone peering from a shop window.

"Dear God, Will, this is crazy. Please get up. Someone will see us."

That lazy, heartbreaking smile came, and he kissed her on the chin. "No one can see us, Addie. I'm not a complete fool. We're hidden in the middle of the leaves. Look, there's a mound on both sides."