Echoes From The Past (Women of Character) Page 2

  Christie appeared dazed, but steadier on her feet now. Garrett stepped back.

  "We’re half-sisters. Judith left home when she was barely fifteen. Our mother threw her out. I don’t know why. I got a letter from Judith one day, right out of the blue -- said she was thinking about coming for a visit."

  "Your name isn't the same."

  "Her maiden name was Kelly. My mother’s maiden name."

  "When did you receive the letter?" he asked tersely.

  "A-about two years ago."

  "And you’re just getting around to looking her up now?" He didn't hide the skepticism in his voice.

  Christie hesitated, then admitted, "There were reasons I couldn't come until now."

  "So you conveniently tracked her here."

  "There was nothing convenient about it." She shook her head and the somber expression on her face made him feel like a mean bastard. She was obviously hurting.

  She seemed to shake herself. "I’m sorry for your loss," she added in a low voice. "I had no idea where my sister was, much less that she had married. And I’m sorry for intruding like this. I thought I’d find Judith." She looked up the hill toward the house and went still. "That little girl -- Hannah -- she’s Judith’s, isn’t she?"

  "What is it you really want?" he said, balled fists on his hips.

  She looked up at him, her dark hair falling away from her face. "I don’t want anything from you. I told you why I’m here. It seems now like it was a fool’s errand." Her voice broke. "But if Hannah is my niece, I have a right to know."

  "You’re on my property, asking personal questions that I’m still not sure you have a right to ask. I don’t give information about my family to anyone."

  Christie came to her feet, her hands out beseechingly. "I don’t blame you. Please let me get to know Hannah, even for the short time I’m here. She’s my niece."

  "If what you say is true."

  "I understand your suspicions. Someone shows up out of the blue claiming to be related to your child." She looked away from him. "Judith left when I was so young I barely remember her."

  "I’m asking again, why come now?"

  Her expression closed. "That’s my business, Garrett." She drew a deep breath. "I'd like your cooperation in letting me get to know Hannah. It's not every day you find out you have a niece."

  Garrett felt torn. She obviously had information that wasn't easy to come by, Judith's maiden name for one. "Until I check your story out, you’re not to tell Hannah who you are."

  Christie considered him, her mouth firm, but she nodded. "I don’t like it, but if that’s the way it has to be, I can live with it. For now," she added, lifting her chin. "I can give you some numbers to call for references. Character references."

  "Fine, where are you staying?"

  She hitched her duffel bag higher on her shoulder and avoided his eyes. "I’m new to the area. That is, I was hoping to get some work while I was here. I’ll do just about anything," she added quickly. "I’m not picky. I can cook and clean." She paused, her glance shifting to the barn and house. "I’d be happy to work in the barns, but I’m also handy at gardening or house cleaning."

  "I have someone tending my garden." He found himself grinning. "Ruth would skin my hide if anybody touched her flowers."

  She chewed her lip and looked around. "I can push a lawn mower. How about the horses? I’m not afraid to work."

  "If you were from around here, you’d know most of the farms hire on extra help well before the spring."

  "Does that mean no?"

  Garrett stroked his chin thoughtfully, hardly crediting that he was thinking about hiring her. "Actually, I’m a hand short in the barns. One of the girls fell and broke her ankle. She’ll be in a cast for at least the next five to six weeks. Maybe I can use you on a short-term basis. Do you have any experience with horses?"

  Her face lit up. The sparkle in her eyes caused a tingling across the back of his neck.

  "I love horses. I worked one summer at a horseback riding camp. I’m really good around animals."

  Mentally, Garrett groaned. "Not exactly the type of experience I had in mind."

  "That might not seem like much experience to you, but I’m a quick study." Quickly, as if sensing his hesitation, "You won’t regret it. It would give me a chance to get to know Hannah."

  "It would be mostly grunt work. I have regulars that handle the horses. I might need someone for a month or so, but I’d rather see how you work out before I promise anything."

  "A month?" She hesitated, but then looked up at the house.

  He saw a longing in her eyes, which she quickly masked by looking down.

  "Okay."

  "I’ll give you a few days trial, that’s all I’m promising," he said brusquely. "Come to the house and we’ll get ice on that bump." Garrett sized her up. "You’ll have to pull your own weight," he added.

  "Don’t worry, I always do." She cleared her throat. "Uh, since I’ve just arrived in town, does this job include room and board?"

  Garrett read between the lines. She probably didn’t have two cents to rub together, much less money for a room in town. She was old enough to take care of herself and he’d stopped taking in strays a long time ago. For a brief instant, the thought crossed his mind that her arrival here was just like something Judith would do. Reason enough to watch her closely.

  "Judith never worried about things like rent or a roof over her head either." The words were almost involuntary, but he couldn’t help but make the comparison.

  "Maybe we’re more alike than you’d think," she mused.

  Garrett had mixed emotions about that. Except for the first year of their marriage where they’d spent most of their time in bed, he and Judith had been oil and water.

  "The job includes room and board." He quickened his steps. "The starting pay is a dollar over minimum wage."

  "Thanks. I have to admit I’m surprised you’re hiring me."

  "It’s a busy time of year and I am short one hand. Beside that you saved my daughter from being hurt. I’ve factored in all the variables."

  "What if I’m lying?" she asked curiously.

  "What do you think?"

  "I’m out of here." She shrugged. "That’s fair enough."

  He looked at his watch. "My housekeeper will have dinner ready. Are you hungry? You can take your dinner over to the worker’s cabin."

  She rubbed her fingers over her cheeks, causing smudges. "I’m sure I could eat something," she said.

  Garrett had the strangest urge to push her hand away and rub the smudge with his thumb. There was an enticing mix of resourcefulness and vulnerability about her. Thinking of Judith and their similarities, Garrett brusquely called the dog and turned away.

  "Garrett?" His shoulders stiffened at the hesitation in her voice. "How did she die?"

  He continued walking toward the house. "I won’t discuss anything personal until I find out you’re who you claim to be." And maybe not even then, he told himself silently. Some gut instinct told him Christie was probably telling the truth, but right now he didn't want to delve into Judith's past.

  As they neared the barns Garrett saw two of his help, Sue and Buddy as they stood talking beside Sue’s new SUV. He looked at his watch. "Hey, you two!" he called. "Go home. It’s past quitting time."

  "We were in the barn, Boss," Sue called out. "Emmett told us what happened."

  "Everything’s under control."

  They waved at him and Garrett continued toward the house, sparing Christie a glance. "You’ll meet Sue and Buddy tomorrow. Sue’s my best handler with the foals and Buddy’s working during college break."

  A vehicle was coming up the drive behind them. They moved to the side of the driveway so the truck could pass. Garrett recognized Les Doyle’s red Chevy pickup truck. Les had probably stopped by for his wife Kim’s last paycheck. He parked sideways in front of the foaling barn.

  Garrett looked at Christie. "That’s Kim’s husband -- she’s the one you�
�re filling in for. Give me a minute so I can find out how Kim’s doing." He walked across the front of the truck. Christie remained on the passenger side of the vehicle while Garrett approached the driver’s side.

  "Hello, Les."

  "Hey Garrett," Les said loudly, leaning his elbow out the window.

  Les didn’t look well. He hadn’t shaved and his red hair stood on end. Knowing Les’ troubled past with alcohol and substances, it wasn’t a good sign as far as Garrett was concerned. Garrett wondered if Les had slid back to his old drinking habits.

  "You feeling okay, Les? You look under the weather."

  "Yeah, fine, fine."

  "And how is Kim?"

  "You know Kim, she likes to stay busy. She’s going stir-crazy."

  "Let her know I’ll be giving her a call. The girls in the barn were asking if she needed help with the baby. They’ll probably come and see her."

  Les pushed open his door and climbed out, then slammed the door hard. He stumbled and leaned his bulky six-foot frame against the side of the pickup. "I came for Kim’s check." As he heaved himself away from the vehicle the breeze shifted, sending the distinct odor of alcohol toward Garrett.

  Garrett sighed. "Les, you’ve been drinking."

  "I only had one."

  "The last time you went on a bender, Kim left."

  Les held up his right hand. "I swear I’m headed straight home."

  "You know I can’t let you go back on the highway. One of the boys will run you home."

  Les waved away that suggestion. "I’m fine. Kim’s waiting dinner on me. By the way, she’s itching to get back to work."

  Garrett frowned. "I heard she had a bad break and the doctor wanted her to stay off the foot as much as possible."

  Les wiped his sleeve across his mouth. "She’s worried about losing her job."

  "Kim will always have a job when she’s ready to come back." Garrett reached in his jeans pocket and pulled out the folded envelope with Kim’s check. "I figured you’d stop. Here’s Kim’s paycheck."

  "She wants to come back now," Les insisted. He took the envelope and pocketed it.

  Just then Garrett heard a baby’s cry. Stunned, he moved closer to the vehicle and looked inside. Les and Kim’s seven-month old son Tommy was strapped in a baby seat, and on the truck seat beside him was a six-pack of beer.

  "Les," Garrett said.

  "Oh, he’s okay," Les said. "He must’ve just woke up." He fumbled behind him and yanked the door open.

  Garrett put his palm against the door and pushed it closed. "Les! Don’t be stupid. You're getting a ride home and that's it."

  Les twisted around toward Garrett, his eyes narrowed in anger. "I’m not hurting anybody. I'm leaving now."

  "We’ll drop your truck off later."

  Les opened his mouth, his face tight with anger.

  "Unless you want me calling the Sheriff’s office, there are no other options," Garrett said in a hard voice.

  ###

  Tensely, Christie watched the interaction between the two men from the other side of the vehicle. Les was furious, in deep contrast to Garrett's coolly composed stance.

  Garrett’s dark blond hair was smooth beneath his cowboy hat, and despite the heat his blue cotton shirt looked crisp and fairly clean. Les on the other hand looked like a train wreck about to happen, something she’d seen all too often while growing up. Handsome face, watery blue eyes, faint red spidery lines along his cheeks. He reminded her of her alcoholic father.

  "All right, all right," Les was saying now. "I'll take the ride," he said grudgingly.

  Garrett indicated Sue. "You know Sue and my new hand, Buddy. I’ll see if they can give you that ride." Garrett reached inside the truck and unlatched the car seat with the baby in it.

  Carrying both, Garrett crossed back over to Les.

  "I’ll talk to Sue about taking Tommy."

  "In a minute," Les said. "I picked stuff up at the store that I need to get out of the truck."

  Garrett motioned with an upraised hand to the tall woman -- Sue -- who still stood talking with Buddy outside the barn. The pair quickly crossed the yard toward them. Sue, an attractive blond about Garrett’s height, appeared to be in her mid thirties while Buddy in contrast was dark haired and about the same height as Christie.

  Garrett’s introductions were quick. "Sue, Buddy -- Christie. We’ll do more formal introductions tomorrow. Right now Les needs a ride home. Sue, since Tommy knows you, would you mind running both of them home?"

  Sue smiled and unhooked the baby from the car seat. "Of course not. I go right by Kim’s place when I drop Buddy off." She cuddled the baby in her arms.

  "I’ll take the car seat," Buddy said, nodding at Christie as he took the seat from Garrett. Sue and Buddy crossed the yard and placed the car seat and baby in a dark green SUV.

  When Christie turned from watching them, she was startled to find Les a short distance from her, holding a brown grocery bag in his hands. She hadn’t realized he’d come around to her side of the vehicle. She was slightly relieved that he stopped three or four feet away. Even so, the smell of alcohol was pretty strong.

  Les looked at Christie. "I haven’t seen you before."

  "I just got here."

  He took in her duffel bag. "You working here?" He glared at Garrett. "Is she taking my Kim’s place? How the hell is my wife going to get her job back now?"

  Christie felt relief when Garrett moved to stand between her and Les.

  "Take it easy," Garrett said.

  Christie thought he showed tremendous patience.

  "No one is taking anything from you or Kim."

  "We’re ready!" Sue called, pulling the SUV up beside them.

  "I’m coming." Les gave Christie one last look, turned on his heel and walked toward the waiting vehicle.

  The tension holding Christie in place released when the vehicle pulled away. She crossed her arms, somewhat unsettled by the encounter.

  "Is he always like that?" she asked.

  Garrett shrugged. "Les used to be a pretty decent guy. When he's drinking, he's totally different."

  Garrett turned away and walked toward the house.

  Christie fell into step beside him. "What was she like?"

  Silence.

  "My sister."

  "I know who you mean." She sensed reluctance in him to talk about her sister. "Judith wore her heart on her sleeve and took up causes at the slightest whim. She was an emotional woman." He opened a small gate and let her precede him into the yard. "Let’s get to the house for dinner."

  Chapter Two

  Christie thought about what he’d said. So Judith had been emotional. It hadn’t sounded like a compliment.

  She took note of wide shoulders stretching the worn cotton shirt before it tapered to a narrow waist and faded blue jeans. She frowned, forcing herself to look away from Garrett McIntyre’s backside. He was good looking in a lean, cowboy kind of way. A small shiver raced across her. His eyes seemed to change between blue and gray beneath the brim of that cowboy hat. His hard-planed face could have advertised the old west on billboards and melted a million hearts, but he struck her as a man who didn’t have time for any romantic nonsense. He seemed very grounded and she got an uneasy feeling when he spoke of her sister . . . like he was leaving out more than he was saying. Not that he’d said that much.

  "I’m not trying to come off as chauvinistic or anything, but don’t you have a man or someone traveling with you?"

  That made Christie laugh. "No. No man in charge of my life." Garrett was no doubt a man who took charge. "You know, I’ve seen too many Les’s with that same wild look in their eye." Her father’s buddies. "I don’t care if I ever meet up with that man again." Les’ desperate edge repelled her.

  Christie hitched her bag higher, reassured by the weight of it against her chest.

  Garrett held out his hand. "Let me take that."

  Everything she had of value was in the bag. "That's okay, it's not heavy."
>
  "Was Judith the only reason you came here?"

  Christie was taken aback by the question. "Yes, what else could there be? I -- never really knew her, you know. Just vague recollections. . .." she let her voice trail off. How had Judith died? Right now she had no choice but to respect his wish not to talk about it. "I have to admit I still feel out of sync, as if my sister might arrive any moment. I pictured our reunion all the way down here." She’d traveled to Kentucky to find Judith, and maybe to find herself. "It hurts too much to think about Judith being gone. Can you at least tell me where she’s buried?"

  Some of her desperation must have showed in her face, because he finally said, "She’s buried at a cemetery in town." Almost reluctantly, he added, "If you’re here long enough, we'll drive to town one day and I'll show you."

  Some of the heaviness eased in Christie’s chest. "Thank you."

  "We’re here," he said, and Christie wondered if that was relief in his voice. They walked around the back of the house and she liked the brand new swing set that had been set up. Hanging from a big tree was an equally new looking tire swing on a rope. Christie looked at the back yard and a knot formed in her chest. A small flower garden behind the swings was enclosed by a white picket fence.

  "This is like walking onto a movie set," she murmured, disturbed by a hard ache inside.

  "What?" Garrett asked, apparently startled.

  Christie struggled to explain. "You know, down home and the average family. The house, yard with flowers, white picket fence, swings in the back yard." She laughed. "I feel completely out of my element. My sister was so lucky. She escaped and found that elusive happiness here." She suddenly felt uneasy about staying here. Judith’s house, Judith’s husband.

  "Judith never lived here," Garrett said flatly.

  He climbed the steps to a small deck at the back of the house and held open a screen door.

  "But the address on the envelope -- "

  "The address is the same. Two years ago this house was in the process of being built. Judith and I lived in the small cottage out back where my foreman Sam lives now. She wanted something bigger -- not that I could afford it at the time," he added grimly.