Lacy's End (28 page)

“He’ll be here in the morning,” Alice said. “It appears Chase isn’t doing well in school right now and had to stay after school today to make up some big important test.”

Allen nodded. He was surprised that his nephew was having difficulty. He was a bright boy. But then again, in light of all that had happened recently, it wasn’t all that surprising.

“How old are you, Lacy?” Pammy asked.

Lacy set down her fork, wiped her face with her napkin, and swallowed her food.

“I’m sixteen, but I’m turning seventeen in a week.”

“That’s just about the same age as Chase. That’s good, you’ll have someone your own age to hang out with,” Pammy said.

Lacy’s cheeks colored. She dropped her head and continued eating. She hoped they weren’t planning to fix them up together. She hated matchmakers. In her opinion, people shouldn’t need fixing. If they couldn’t find someone on their own, then perhaps they shouldn’t be with anyone. Anyhow, she wasn’t even interested in boys. Her father had spoiled that for her.

“I don’t suppose Christopher will make it?” Allen asked.

“Grandma, can I have cake?”

“May I have cake,” his mother corrected, and then answered for his grandmother. “You may have cake if you eat everything.”

The child frowned, stuck out his lower lip, and crossed his arms over his chest in a defiant pout.

“Okay, then. You may not have cake,” his mother said and resumed the conversation. Ethan began to cry, but all the adults ignored him.

Brenda raised her eyebrows and looked at Lacy. A silent thought flashed between them,
He’d never dare try that in our house
.

Pammy caught the look. “He’s crying for attention. His therapist said we shouldn’t give him any—positive or otherwise.”

As quickly as they started, the tears stopped and Ethan, much to Brenda’s surprise, began eating his dinner.

Pammy flashed a quick smile and, without missing a beat, continued the conversation, “Christopher won’t be able to make it.”

Brenda noticed the sad expression that crossed Alice’s face. She could only imagine how it must feel to have a child working in a war-torn country. She didn’t know what she would do if Lacy suddenly announced she wanted to join the military.

Jenny returned with the main course and began setting plates on the table. “Do you need me to stay and serve dessert?”

Pammy smiled at her, touching her arm lightly. “We’re good now, Jenny. Thanks for your help. Be sure and take some food home for you and your father.”

“Thanks, Pammy. Good night,” she said.

“It sounds as if you’re keeping in touch with Christopher, then,” Allen said. He couldn’t help but feel a slight irritation. His brother never seemed to answer his letters.

“Yes, but don’t think it’s cheap doing so.” Pammy gave a light laugh. “I have to track him down most of the time, and my international charges are killing my bank account.”

Brett chuckled. “As if your neurosurgeon husband can’t afford a few phone calls to Iraq.”

They all laughed, except Lacy. She didn’t see what was so funny. She wished Jake were here. He would ease her discomfort.

When Pammy’s laughter died to a chuckle, she said. “Don’t fret, little brother, he barely has time for me. I have time to hunt him down, and it doesn’t happen through letters.”

Allen relaxed. Pammy was the eldest child and the best-natured of the siblings. She was a peacemaker and an organizer. Despite running three charities related to her husband’s neurosurgery practice, she still found time for her son and her family.

“Charles had to track him down for me last time. He and a platoon of Army men were camped out somewhere and were on radio lockdown—or some such thing like that. He was super pissed that I did it.” She laughed. “As if I really care that my little brother got embarrassed because his big sis was checking up on him. It serves him right for not checking in more often.”

Brenda leaned over, asking in a low voice, “Who’s Charles?”

“Pammy’s husband.”

“He has some old contacts with the Department of Defense,” she clarified for Brenda’s sake.

“How’d your annual fund-raising dinner for the neurosurgery center go?” Alice asked.

Pammy brightened. “Wonderfully. We received at least a third more than last year, despite the current budget crisis.”

Lacy grew weary from her travels and bored with the conversation. “May I go to bed now?” she whispered to her mother.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Pammy said. “Here I am droning on, and you all must have jet lag. Let me get dessert.”

“May I help?” Lacy asked.

“Only if you really want to.”

In the kitchen, Pammy walked to a cabinet and pulled down some plates. She began slicing the cake and putting it on the plates. “Will you get some coffee cups down and set them on that silver tray over there?”

Lacy obliged. “You must come here a lot,” she said. “It almost seems like the house is yours.”

Pammy laughed. “I do come here often. I want Ethan to know his grandparents, but it’s not just that. This is home. Do you know what I mean? Growing up on this ranch was wholesome.” She smiled at some memory before continuing. “When I went away to college I was homesick. I thought I would surely return before my first year was over.” She shook her head, filled an insulated carafe with coffee and picked up the tray. “But then I met Charles in my senior year. He was in his final year of medical school at the time. I postponed coming home—just for a semester I told myself.” She laughed again. “Yeah, right,” she said. “I got a job as an office manager for some construction company while Charles did his residency. I kept telling myself I would go home next month but,” she smiled, “next month still hasn’t come.”

They both laughed and carried two trays filled with cake and coffee into the dining room. Lacy began to pass the plates around while Pammy poured coffee, handing each cup carefully to its recipient. Lacy found she liked Pammy, despite her earlier boredom with the table talk.

“Lacy and I have been getting to know each other,” she said. “I approve,” Pammy said, making Lacy blush. “Sorry,” Pammy said and touched her lightly. She looked at her brother, sternly. “With a young lady as lovely as this, her mother’s got to be a gem. You’re a fool if you let them get away.”

Brenda’s eyes widened with shock. Allen frowned at his sister. “Pammy’s a bit outspoken if you haven’t already guessed that.”

“I say what’s on my mind. What’s wrong with that?”

Allen shook his head. “This better be your coconut pecan cake. That’s all I have to say.”

She grinned with pleasure. “Nothing else but my world-famous cake for you.”

“You’re an excellent cook,” Brenda said, recovering from her embarrassment.

Lacy was grinning. She was glad the spotlight was off her for the moment.

“When is Charles getting here?” Allen asked. “He’s the only one who seems to be able to keep you in line.”

His sister smiled at his teasing. “Are you going to show Brenda and Lacy the pond tomorrow?”

“It’s darn near snowing,” he protested.

“A little cold air never hurt anyone,” she said, good-naturedly.

“Can I go to the pond, Mommy?” Ethan asked.

“You may,” Pammy said.

“I’d like to see it,” Lacy chimed in.

“Let’s all take a walk to the pond,” Brett said.

“It’s cold out,” Allen protested again.

“It’s not that cold,” Pammy said shaking her head at her brother.

“We’re from Nevada!” he reminded her. “You know, desert country.”

“Hogwash,” Alice said, making everyone laugh, especially Ethan.

“That’s a funny word, Grandma.”

“It means your Uncle Allen is trying to get out of walking to the pond tomorrow.”

Brenda cocked an eyebrow at him, challenging him. “Okay, okay,” he said. “We’ll all take a walk to the pond tomorrow.” He rose from his chair. “Delicious meal, big sis—I’ll help you clean up.”

“I’ll help too,” Brenda said.

Pammy waved her back down. “Tonight you’re a guest. You just relax. Tomorrow, I’ll put you to work.” She laughed and left the room, carrying the same tray she had brought in a few moments before—only this time it held a stack of dirty dishes. Allen trailed behind her, carrying the tray Lacy had previously carried.

“I hope you don’t mind sharing a room,” Alice said, looking first at Lacy and then at Brenda.

They shrugged. “It’s perfectly fine,” Brenda said.

Alice looked on the verge of saying something but hesitated. Brenda guessed what it was and put her mind at ease. “Allen and I aren’t in that kind of relationship,” she said. “We’re just good friends for now.”

The woman visibly relaxed, glad the awkward moment had passed. Brenda smiled at her, easing her embarrassment. “I really do appreciate your hospitality, Mrs. Petoro.”

“Alice,” she said. “Call me Alice. That goes for you, too,” she added, looking at Lacy. “We’re very informal in this house.”

“Thanks. Would you mind if we turned in early? I’m exhausted from the trip, and I know Lacy is, too.” Lacy nodded in agreement.

“Of course. Your room is ready.”

“I’ll just say goodnight to Allen if you don’t mind.”

She found her way to the kitchen, coming in on some joke between the siblings. She hadn’t a clue what they were talking about, but she smiled nonetheless.

Allen was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes. She walked over to him, and his arm went around her waist. “Pammy and I were just reminiscing about our youth, when we used to climb down Mama’s rose trellis and sneak into Daddy’s wine cellar.”

“He used to make his own wine,” Pammy added. “The stuff was awful.”

This comment started another round of laughter. “Why did we drink it?” Allen asked.

Pammy gave him a condescending look. “Do you really have to ask that?”

This time, Brenda was able to join in on the laughter.

“Lacy and I are off to bed.”

He nodded. “I’ll bet you’re pretty tired.”

“Yes.”

He bent and gave her a light kiss on the mouth. “Goodnight.”

She turned and left.

Pammy stared at Allen, puzzled.

“What?” he asked. He turned his hands in a palm up position.

“I’m wondering what the story is with the two of you. I guess I kind of expected you two would share your room.”

He turned from her. “It’s a long, complicated story, and I wouldn’t do that to Mama.”

“I have time, and she only pretends to care. We all know she was no virgin when she married Daddy.”

“I’m tired, Pammy. Do we have to do this tonight?”

Their mother stuck her head in the door. “You two okay in here?”

“We’re fine, Mama,” they said in unison.

“We’re just about done,” Pammy added.

“Dad and I are off to bed. Do you want me to get Ethan tucked in?”

“Okay. Thanks,” Pammy said. “Say goodnight to Daddy for us.”

Allen turned and picked up a plate. He played at drying it.

“That plate’s been dry for a half hour at least.” She took the plate from him and put it in the cupboard. “Out with it,” she said. “Something’s odd in this relationship.”

Allen just stared at her.

“Shall I ask Brenda?”

He dropped his mouth open. “You would, wouldn’t you?”

“Aren’t I the most outspoken person you’ve ever met?”

He nodded. “She’s married.”

Pammy raised her eyebrows. “Go on,” she urged.

“To the sheriff.”

“What! Are you crazy?”

“He abuses her—and Lacy. I’m helping them.”

“You’re madly in love with her. I can see it in your eyes.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

She frowned. “What about Brenda? Does she love you, too—or is it gratitude I see when she looks at you?”

He sighed. “I hope it’s love.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Don’t tell them, but I honestly don’t know. They have faith in me, but I’m scared to death. I talked her into leaving the bastard, but he’s not going to stop. If anything happens to them, it’s on my shoulders.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. All her life she had been like a second mother to him. She had protected him through school, stood up for him whenever his back was in a corner. However, this was beyond her protection. “You aren’t equipped to handle this alone, Allen.”

“I’m not alone. I have Angela Martin, Lacy’s social worker, helping me.”

“You’ve told me about this sheriff before. What makes you think she can stop him?”

He slammed his fist on the counter. “Damn it, Pammy. I don’t have all the answers.” He gestured wildly toward the upper floor of the house. “I only know that I can’t back down and leave them to their own defenses. Apparently, that hasn’t worked out so well for them.”

“Be careful,” she whispered.

He saw that her eyes glistened with unspilled tears. He pulled her against him. “Oh, Pammy, you know what I’m doing is right.”