Echoes From The Past (Women of Character) Read online

  "Take a seat, Christie."

  She turned from the fireplace and sat on a small blue and mauve loveseat, running her palm over the richly embroidered fabric. Garrett sat opposite her in a large recliner, and behind him Christie saw a glass enclosed wood gun case.

  "Are those real guns?" she asked, somewhat awed.

  Garrett looked around behind him. "Yes." Seeing the look on her face, he added, "I collect them. They’re mostly for sport shooting."

  "This room is beautiful."

  "Thanks. Let’s go over a few things," he went on briskly. "First, you can use the phone any time you need to make a call, in case there’s someone you’d like to get in touch with."

  Christie shoved a hand in her jeans pocket as she cleared her throat. "Actually, I mentioned to Ruth I do have some family."

  "They may worry if they don’t hear from you."

  "No. For the most part I’m footloose and fancy free." She knew her smile must look forced, but there was no way she could talk normally about her family. From what he’d said about Judith, she'd told him next to nothing about her life. Garrett wouldn’t understand her screwed up past. At the best of times she even had trouble putting it in proper perspective.

  She dug in her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. Rising quickly, she handed him the paper, then resumed her seat. "That’s the number for my boss. He works at the county office in Ulster. He’ll vouch for me."

  "Thanks. I’ll check it out." He carefully folded the paper and stuffed it in his jeans pocket. "So isn’t there someone in New York expecting to hear that you arrived safely?"

  Christie held perfectly still. As a child she’d yearned for real family ties, but anything approaching normal family life had died with her Aunt Rose, and then Ellen. "No."

  "Christie." His voice sounded concerned. "Your face is white. Is your head still bothering you?"

  She touched her forehead, feeling its tenderness. "No." She couldn’t admit she felt sick, sick in her heart, hurting from loneliness and dwelling on a past she could never make right. Hadn’t three years of therapy taught her the tools to survival, to be strong and walk past the hurt? She and Ellen had been fighters, but Ellen hadn’t made it and nowadays she didn’t feel like much of a fighter.

  "Actually, I’m not fine. I’m still having trouble believing Judith is gone. Can’t you tell me something about her?" she beseeched him, lifting her hands. "Please understand my confusion. I feel like I’m missing someone I never even knew."

  Garrett stood and walked across the room away from her. He stopped beside the fireplace and fiddled with an ornate iron poker. It struck Christie that he might be nervous.

  "I’m sorry," Garrett said. "What you’re asking is difficult." He paused, then said, "Judith liked a good time. If a party was boring, she’d soon liven it up, whether it was dancing or doing whiskey shots. She had very little inhibition. People liked her. She was that type of person."

  "She sounds a lot like my sister Ellen," Christie said softly. "There are -- were -- three of us."

  "Hannah was pretty traumatized when her mom died."

  "Of course she would be. H-how did it happen? She was so young."

  A resigned expression crossed his face. "It was a car accident. Hannah survived, but still suffers flashbacks. She’s only just coming back to the happy kid she was before, but it’s been a struggle and sometimes we have setbacks."

  Christie’s heart went out to him. "Poor Hannah. And you lost a wife."

  "We all lost." His guarded expression said he wasn’t looking for sympathy. "You should also know Hannah can be temperamental at times. If my daughter’s deliberately rude to you, please let me know." Garrett pushed a hand through his hair.

  Christie recalled Ruth saying he was almost at wit’s end.

  "Hannah is testing me. At least that’s the psychologist’s theory."

  Christie felt her respect for Garrett go up another notch. "I think it’s important that children get help." Christie clenched her jaw. "Many times people close their eyes to problems."

  "With you staying in the house, Hannah may see your proximity as a sign of. . ." he paused, and the silence felt suddenly very heavy.

  "Are you saying Hannah may see me as a rival for your attention?"

  A hint of color touched his tanned cheeks but his gaze remained level. "Yes. Not that there’s any reason for her to think that, but yes."

  Christie felt like she’d stepped into a sticky situation. Slowly, she came to her feet. "Well, I certainly won’t give her cause to see me as a threat, if that’s worrying you. And I won’t be here that long anyway."

  Garrett looked relieved.

  "You know, I still think it would be better if you told her who I am."

  "I disagree for now. I think it will upset her."

  "I don’t want to cause problems but eventually the truth will have to come out. Kids can be amazingly resilient."

  Garrett smiled grimly. "How many children do you have, Christie?"

  Heat came into her face. "None. But I know children --"

  "You don’t know my child, so abide by my wishes."

  Orders, she wanted to say, but bit her lips instead. "All right."

  Brimming with mixed emotions, Christie murmured goodnight and left Garrett in the living room. She would work at the farm, get to know Hannah, and then go on her way. Emotion raced through Christie. She was an outsider who had no place in this family’s life other than a temporary one. Garrett was putting up with her because he had to.

  Christie went into the kitchen. Opening cabinet doors she located the drinking glasses and poured herself a glass of water. Rinsing the glass out, she placed it upside down on the dish drainer. Giving Bo Peep a gentle rub under her chin, Christie opened the kitchen door and went outside to sit on the step.

  Night had fallen and the air felt warm on her skin. Resting her head against the wood railing, she stared up at the sky. To distract herself from the man she’d just left, Christie thought of all the changes she’d made in her life. . .the bridges she’d burned. Christie wished she could talk to Ellen about how her life had been turned around and upended. Her career and schooling, once so important to her, now seemed a world away. New York was as far removed from this farm as you could get. Whether she was on a fool’s errand or not, as her brother-in-law Darrell had accused her, only time would tell.

  A flash of light shot across the sky. Christie closed her eyes and made a wish. It had to be right, her coming here. When she reopened her eyes, Christie saw the tail end of the star as it faded into tiny bursts of light. Her faith in her decision grew. She’d made the right choice in coming to Kentucky.

  "I hope you made a wish," remarked a deep voice.

  Christie rose to her feet, staring at the shadowy figure just beyond the light at the base of the stairs. "Garrett!"

  "Wrong." The man moved closer and she saw his teasing smile. It wasn’t Garrett at all, but a similarly tall, broad shouldered male. . .dressed in a dark colored police uniform and wide brimmed hat. At the back of her mind came the thought that Garrett would look exactly like this man if he smiled in such a roguish manner. An interesting, wide smile that touched his eyes.

  "I didn’t hear you."

  "So did you make a wish?" he asked, laughing.

  "Of course. No sense in wasting a perfectly good star." She dusted the seat of her jeans. "You must be Randy."

  Randy’s brow went up as he pulled off his hat. "You’re a step ahead of me -- I haven’t got a clue who you are." His expression turned mock serious. "You’re a bit old to be Hannah’s playmate. Are you a girl friend of Garrett’s?"

  Christie hesitated and felt heat seep into her cheeks. "Hardly a girlfriend. I’m going to be working in the barns." She wondered if keeping her identity quiet extended to Garrett’s brother. "I just got the job today."

  "I didn’t realize Garrett was looking for anybody. I don’t think I’ve seen you around town before."

  "Are you asking in an official ca
pacity?"

  He smiled, but in the dim light from above she could see his penetrating stare. "Old habits die hard, but if there’s something you’d like to tell me I’m all ears."

  Lightly, Christie said, "The bus I was riding on broke down and I elected not to wait beside the road. I more or less stumbled on the farm and asked about a job."

  "So you were on that bus that held up traffic today. The other passengers were content to wait for another bus."

  "I’m not most people."

  "Sounds like you’re the adventurous type," Randy said admiringly. "If you’re going to be here any length of time, maybe I could show you around. I’m known as a pretty good guide."

  Christie laughed, recognizing Randy as a flirt. "You don’t waste any time."

  A dimple appeared in his chin. "Life’s too short."

  "I know," she said dryly, "too many women, too little time."

  "Randy." Garrett’s voice sounded behind them. Christie turned toward the screen door as it swung open. "I didn’t think we’d see you tonight." Garrett stood on the kitchen threshold behind her.

  "Hey Garrett," Randy said. "I just got here. Christie and I were getting to know each other." Randy saluted his brother casually, apparently undaunted by Garrett’s unsmiling face. Christie wondered if Garrett disapproved of her being out here with Randy. She backed up against the stair railing, feeling awkward under the searching look Garrett was giving her.

  Randy lifted his hand and Christie saw he held a six-pack of soda. "How about a soda?"

  Garrett’s voice sounded mild. "Sure."

  Christie knew it was time to make an exit. "Uh, I’m going to pass, so if you’ll excuse me," she edged toward the door and Garrett, "it’s been a long day. . .."

  "Pleasure meeting you, Christie."

  Christie smiled at Randy over her shoulder. "Same here. I’ll be around a while so we’ll meet again."

  She ducked under Garrett’s arm as he held the door, noticing his barely buttoned shirt and the dusting of hair over a deeply muscled chest. She drew in a deep breath, fighting her curiosity about these two brothers and a strong urge to linger. "Goodnight."

  Christie moved through the house and back to her room. The closet door stood ajar and she could see the edge of the duffel bag. She turned on the small bedside lamp. Retrieving the duffel bag, she reached inside and lifted out the small wooden box in the shape of a book. Gently, she ran her fingers over the inlaid decoration, then she traced with a fingertip the inscription, Ellen Jenkins, beloved sister and mother.

  Inside was all that remained of her sister. A tear fell onto the deep, reddish brown wood. Horrified, Christie quickly grabbed a tissue from on top of the bureau, but the tear had already bled into the wood, marking it.

  ###

  Garrett watched Christie disappear beyond the kitchen then directed his attention to his brother. "So you’re hitting on my help again?"

  "She’s staying in the house? What do you know about her?"

  "I know you’ve been using that infamous charm," he said dryly. "Why don’t you tell me what you’ve managed to learn about her?"

  "We only talked a few minutes. She seems like a nice person."

  "She’s down on her luck and needs a job and I’m a hand short while Kim’s out."

  "Why do I get the feeling there’s more to the story?" Randy asked in a deceptively lazy drawl.

  Garrett ignored the question for the moment and gave his brother an assessing glance. "I thought you had plans tonight and that’s why you didn’t make it for dinner."

  Randy lifted a soda and took several gulps. "You know what they say about the best laid plans."

  "Melinda stood you up?" Garrett dropped to the top step, reaching for the can Randy held out to him. "Or was it Maggie or Angela?"

  "Melinda. She got bent out of shape that I was running late. I didn’t even have time to change, and then I had to stop at the office. We ended up stuck there for an hour, so she insisted on going home."

  Garrett studied Randy with interest. "Not your usual style. I’m surprised you didn’t sweet talk her out of her bad mood and take her dancing."

  Randy bit off a short laugh. "Yeah, well, by then the night had lost most of its charm." Leaning against the railing post, he closed his eyes.

  "I’ve never known you to be dateless on a Saturday night." Garrett popped the soda top and took a long swallow of the cold soda.

  Randy’s expression became guarded as he stared out into the night and unfastened the top buttons of his shirt. "At least I go out on dates. After Judith, you stopped trying."

  Instead of taking offense, Garrett just shook his head. "Bringing along a temperamental eight-year old makes short work of conversation. Right now it’s simpler to stay home."

  "Yeah, keep telling yourself that."

  With an impatient sigh, Garrett started to rise to his feet.

  Randy gripped his arm. "Sorry. I know how hard it’s been to keep Hannah on even ground. She’s got to come first, and the rest of it kind of goes to hell."

  "We’ll get through it." Garrett swatted at a mosquito. "But don’t change the subject. Let’s go inside."

  Randy sat on the bottom step. "No thanks. I think I’ll head home -- maybe I’ll catch you tomorrow."

  "Come on, Randy, something’s got you riled. I recognize the look. I figure you’re once again in the throes of woman trouble. Come in and talk." Garrett stood and moved over to the door, then pulled it open. Shrugging, Randy followed, taking his time closing the kitchen door and patting the dog.

  Garrett sat down at the kitchen table and patiently waited.

  Randy dropped into a chair across from him, his shoulders slumped. "Don’t you ever get tired of being alone? I mean -- coming home to an empty house . . . empty bed?"

  "Hell yes, but somehow I don’t think we share the same problem." Dryly, Garrett added, "I’ve heard about your exploits too often."

  "I like women, I won’t deny it. I hate being alone. Admit it, once Hannah’s in bed, that’s it Brother, you’re on your own."

  Garrett thought of earlier that evening when he’d let Hannah stay up late with him. "Sure, but I’m not ready to jump into a relationship unless it feels right."

  Randy lifted a brow. "What’s right? How do you know it?"

  Garrett gave a short laugh and lowered his voice. "You’re asking me? I don’t have the best track record in that area."

  "Neither do I."

  "You’ve got to learn to go out with a woman more than once. It’s called getting to know each other."

  "I know, but I just can’t seem to help myself. There’s so many lovely women in this town."

  "Like Ally."

  "We’ll leave her out of it."

  "Randy, let’s cut to the chase. Why don’t you ask Ally out? That’s what this is about, isn’t it? You’ve been hot and heavy after Ally ever since she got rid of her husband. Hell, if it helps, I’ll even give her time off from work."

  Randy shook his head in resignation. "She’ll tell me to get lost. She’d rather work with your horses anyway, than go out with me."

  "Have you tried just talking to her?"

  "Not in the last month. It gets discouraging being turned down time after time."

  Garrett folded his arms. "Is it the chase that you like or the girl? I don’t want Ally hurt because you’re just trying to scratch an itch."

  "How can I know what it is? She won’t give me a chance. How can I make her see I’m serious if she won’t talk to me?"

  "You could start showing her by example -- like not taking out a different woman every other night."

  "Come on, Garrett, can you imagine me in a one-woman relationship?" But Randy’s scoffing didn’t wash with Garrett.

  "It does stretch the imagination, but if it’s what you really want. . .."

  Randy ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Hell, right now I’m not sure what I want. All I know is something’s missing." He looked at his watch. "And it’s getting late. I’
m going to head out. I know you’ve got an early day tomorrow. I missed Hannah tonight so tell her I’ll make it up to her and stop by tomorrow." Randy stepped over to Garrett and slapped him on the shoulder. "Thanks for listening."

  "Yeah, for all the good it did. See you tomorrow."

  Randy gave him a wink. "If I can’t get through to Ally, maybe I can get to know Christie better."

  Garrett opened his mouth with a ready retort, but saw the teasing in Randy’s face. Mockingly, he said, "I don’t know if you’ll ever get the idea about monogamous relationships. By the way, I need you to check into Christie Jenkins’ background."

  Randy stopped cold, his expression turning sober. "What?"

  Garrett pulled out the slip of paper Christie had given him. He held it out to Randy. "She claims she’s Judith’s sister."

  "Are you kidding? Why would she show up now?"

  "She said she didn’t know Judith died."

  Randy whistled. "So that’s why you’re letting her stay here?"

  "What could I do? At least here I can keep an eye on her. She said all she wants is to get to know Hannah."

  "Do you believe her?"

  Garrett shrugged. "Until I find out otherwise. I told her to keep quiet for now about being Judith’s sister or she’s out of here."

  "Well, if it’s true, you can’t keep her quiet forever."

  "I know. That phone number is her boss in New York. I have a feeling she’s telling the truth. But if she’s anything like Judith, she’ll tire of this place and leave soon enough."

  "You could be asking for trouble, letting her stay. What if she wants Hannah?"

  "She’ll be in for a hell of a fight," Garrett said grimly, staring out into the inky black night. "Nobody’s taking Hannah from me."

  Chapter Four

  In the early afternoon of the following day Garrett raced across the grass of the southeast pasture. The sun, unbearably hot, caused sweat to drip down his neck. He cursed under his breath the entire length of the paddock. A stallion had managed to get in the broodmare paddock, something that had never happened in all the years he’d owned horses.