Scarlet Lady (20 page)

“You’re right,” Leon interrupted. “I suppose I have no choice. As you may have heard, several years ago my son, Dario, died in a fire. It was called an accidental death, but he died because he was an alchoholic, a gambler,
and finally a drug addict. I was so caught up in my business that I closed my eyes to his problems until it was too late. Since then, I’ve tried, in my own way, to make up for that by doing for others what I couldn’t do for him.”

Katie closed her eyes, her mind trying to fasten on what he was saying.

“I find young men, like Carson, who are heading for disaster and bring them here to a place they can’t easily leave. But—and you must understand—they aren’t forced to come. They only have to agree to three stipulations. They must stay for six months, agree to counseling and group therapy, and keep the location of this place a secret. We’ve managed to do that, until today.”

“A rehabilitation center?” Montana said.

“I prefer to call it a sanctuary,” Leon explained. “My concern has been for the addicts, not those left behind. By keeping it hidden, I can operate it as I choose, without interference from rules and regulations, and the people here can’t be rescued or run away without risking their lives.”

“But I was so worried,” Katie said, beginning to see the growing uncertainty in the eyes of the other guests. “I didn’t mean to give your location away.”

“I see that now,” the old man agreed. “Perhaps, since you have penetrated our haven today, I will have to rethink my expectations.”

“I can promise you we won’t tell anyone about this place,” Katie assured him. “And I do thank you for rescuing my brother, but I think we can get help for his problem.”

“No, Katie,” Carson said. “I’m not leaving here.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. “There are all kinds of good doctors associated with the hospital. I could—”

“Katie,” Montana began.

“No.” Carson shook him off. “No, Katie. I’ll do this myself. By myself. Out here. No more having big sister bail me out. Now drink your tea and let Montana take you back to town.”

“Not in that pirogue,” Mr. Gaspard said. “I think you made it just in time.”

Katie looked up to see the last corner of the flatboat sink leisurely beneath the murky water.

“I already know that Katie’s a world-class swimmer,” Montana said, “but I don’t look forward to any close encounters with a gator. Any chance the limo is free?”

It was. And there was a road, artfully concealed, but present. The driver made no attempt to hide their path, and since he couldn’t speak, there was no asking where they were.

Katie was lost in her own thoughts, and nothing Montana said drew her out. She was grateful when he finally stopped trying. The return trip was long and strained.

Back at Carithers’ Chance, Montana insisted on escorting her to the door. “I’m glad you found your brother. Maybe he’s on his way to the kind of life you want for him.”

“Yes. Thank you for your help,” she said.

“You’re welcome.”

Montana’s tone had gone as flat as Katie’s. A part of her regretted the feeling of separation that had come between them, but she didn’t have the strength to change it. In her attempt to protect Carson, she’d lost Carithers’ Chance, and he didn’t even care. She supposed that all things considered, it was for the best. Carson’s gambling debts would be wiped away. The burden of the plantation would be on someone else’s shoulders. And Montana would no longer be a part of her life.

“Katie …” He seemed hesitant. “There’s one more thing. About the plantation. It won’t be transferred to Jonah right away. He’s agreed to having the fund-raiser here.”

Now it was Katie’s turn to hesitate. Montana was still looking after her. She had to stop that and there was only one way to let him off the hook and maintain any dignity. “Thank you. I’ll start looking for a place to live. And Montana, I …” She took a deep breath and gave a short prayer that she could go through with what she was about to say. “I … I don’t know any other way to do it but to say, you were right.”

“I was right? About what?”

“That first night we met, in your cabin, the night I won your boat …”

He’d been waiting for her to bring it up. Knowing Katie, and he thought now that he did, she’d never welsh or leave a loose end.

“Don’t worry about it,” he began, “I’m not—”

“No!” She cut him off. “You were right all along. I’m going to say this once, then never again. I cheated. I
didn’t win the boat. So, I’m not sure where you and I stand, money-wise, I mean. But you figure it out and let me know.”

He took a step closer. “You cheated?”

“That’s what I said. I couldn’t end this without telling you the truth.”

He merely looked at her, too stunned to speak. He’d made up his mind that what she’d done that first night had been a glorious sacrifice for her brother. Then he’d fallen in love. No matter what Katie was saying, she hadn’t cheated. And he knew without a doubt that she was lying now. She was giving his life back to him, forcing him to accept it. Katie, so determined to save her family and her land, was saying good-bye to both. It had to be because she cared—for him.

“Thank you, Katie,” Montana said. “I know how hard it was for you to tell me. Life dealt us both a tough hand. But we played it out, didn’t we?”

“I suppose.”

Montana lifted her chin with one finger. “What about it, my lady in red? One final kiss? For luck?”

She must have nodded, for seconds later the heat of his lips touched hers for one urgent, hungry moment. And then he was gone, leaving her leaning against the door of a past that had just been closed.

TEN

Katie listened to the hollow sounds of Montana’s footsteps as he walked off the porch. Every footfall carried the man she loved further out of her life.

And there was nothing she could do. From the first she’d told him that her family and her plantation were the only important things in her life. Now both were gone and what did she have?

Empty arms and lost dreams.

The night they’d made love she’d covered her need with a lie—that she wanted him for one night only. She hadn’t known then how foolish she’d been. A house was just a house. Her parents were gone, and Carson? The thought of her brother made her first sad, then happy. He was free.

This Louis Gaspard had been able to do what she hadn’t. No, not Mr. Gaspard, Carson. He’d been the one to take his life back, to start again and find a new direction.

Wasn’t that what she’d wanted?

Yes. She just hadn’t expected that Carson’s freedom would take him away from her. For the first time in her life she, too, was free.

Why then did she feel as if her heart was shattered into a thousand pieces?

Because in getting what she thought she wanted, she’d lost the one thing Mary Katherine Carithers never allowed herself to honestly need. Someone to love her.

She heard the sound of the car engine as it roared to life and the spray of gravel as Montana tore off into the night. Full speed ahead, just as he always drove. Facing danger head-on. Never in doubt. Always sure of himself. A man who knew what he wanted and went after it.

She sighed and started up the stairs. It was just as well. Under other circumstances, she might have gone after him. The lady in red would have. But she was just Katie Carithers, and her heart hurt for what might have been.

Cat Boulineau’s dark eyes flashed. Her red fingernails drummed the top of Katie’s desk as she struggled for words. “You told him you cheated?”

“I did. It was the only thing to do. Anything else would have … complicated matters.”

“And things aren’t complicated now?”

“No. I’m looking for an apartment. And after the charity fund-raiser, I’ll sign the house over to Big Jonah. Carson will stay at Mr. Gaspard’s. When he’s ready,
he’ll find a teaching job. I’ll keep working here at the hospital, and life will get back to normal.”

“All tied up in a neat little package, huh?”

“I hope so.”

Cat simply shook her head. “I don’t understand you, Katie. You’re simply going to walk away from the most exciting man you’ve ever met? You aren’t even going to let him know that you’re in love with him?”

Katie came to her feet and walked to the window. “I’m not.”

“Rats! Of course you are. I’ve watched you take care of everybody and everything in your family for years—except Katie. Now Katie has a chance to have someone care about her and you’re just giving up?”

“I’m not giving up, Cat. I’m not—I mean—I can’t—”

“Can’t fall in love? Too late, girl. You’re already there. Admit it. You’ve fallen in love with Rhett Butler Montana.”

Katie leaned her forehead against the windowpane. “Yes. I’ve fallen in love with Rhett Butler Montana. But I’ll get over it.”

“Maybe, but I don’t know why you’d want to.”

“Because he doesn’t love me,” Katie whispered. “He can’t. We’re too different.”

“Well, you could have fooled me. The way he’s been running all over the country helping you look for Carson makes me think he might be interested. Of course, I don’t know. Most men would probably do that, wouldn’t they?”

“But he’s a gambler, Cat. He’s used to taking risks, betting on the future. If he loses, he’ll just bet again.”

“Look, Katie. If you’ve learned one thing in the last six years, you ought to know that all life’s a gamble. The question is whether the pot is big enough to take the risk.”

“I guess I’m just scared,” Katie admitted. “I could fight for Carson, but for me? I don’t know how.”

“Maybe Katie Carithers is scared, but Montana’s lady in red isn’t. For once in your life, Katie, go after what you want.”

Katie turned slowly around. “What makes you think I can do it?”

Cat waited a long time before answering. “You’ll never know, will you? Unless you try.”

“You’re right, Cat. Let’s go shopping.”

“Again? What about the office? Who’s going to run the show?”

“I’m in charge,” Katie said, straightening her shoulders. “I figure the hospital owes me a couple of years in overtime. Let it take care of itself for an hour.”

“What are we shopping for this time?” Cat asked, hurrying to keep up with her boss.

“A dress and a mask.”

“Anything special in mind?” Cat asked.

“Very special. It has to be something red.”

“Still sounds crazy to me, Montana,” Big Jonah said as he signed the legal form spread out on Montana’s
desk. “I’ve seen that old house, and it’s practically falling down on its foundation.”

“Just sign the paper, Jonah. I want to make certain you’re relinquishing any claim to Carithers’ Chance before I pay off Katie’s debt.”

Big Jonah leaned over and scrawled his signature with a flourish. “There. It’s done.”

“And,” Montana said in a voice that brooked no argument, “you’ll never gamble with anybody named Carithers again.”

“You got it.”

Montana turned to Royal, who hovered in the background. “Give him the money, Royal.”

Royal shook his head and counted out the bills.

Jonah gathered them up, stuck them in his jacket pocket, and held out his hand. “Pleasure to do business with you, Montana. I’ll gamble with you anytime.”

Royal closed the office door behind Jonah and turned back to face Montana. “You know you could have talked him down on the amount, don’t you?”

“I didn’t want to give him any grounds for reneging.”

“So now you own a plantation. What are your plans, boss?”

“The only plans I have right now are to rent a tux and a mask.”

“You mean one of those with the stripe down the pant leg and a pleated shirt?”

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Montana agreed. “Where can I find one?”

“Ask Cat, she’ll know.”

“Sure you don’t want to go to the ball?”

“Not me,” Royal said. “I got a gambling boat to run.”

“Oh, and Royal,” Montana said with a half smile.

“Get yourself a black frock coat and string tie, will you?”

“You mean you’re asking me to join the Earp gang?”

“As of tonight,” Montana said, “you’re in charge of it.”

The night was perfect for Halloween. Dark clouds swept across the sky in a water-filled smear of boiling black. The limos glided up to the door, dislodged their glamorous occupants, and moved away.

Katie was grateful that in the eerie shadows, Carithers’ Chance didn’t show its shabby exterior. Inside, the elaborate decorations concealed the water-stained walls and worn carpets. The entire lower floor, as always, had been transformed into a casino. Volunteer dealers from local establishments manned the tables. Gaudy lit wheels and rented slot machines blinked, jingled, and whirled.

The covered veranda had been transformed into a dance floor with the study doubling as a bandstand. Once, the occasion had simply been a night to gamble for charity, but over the years, the guests had gradually turned it into a masquerade. Since it was Halloween, elaborate masks had become the order of the evening. The men wore more simple ones; the women wore
feathers, jewels, and satin. Each patron vied for the grand prize for best mask, to be awarded at midnight.

Katie stood in the foyer, greeting each attendee. This time her red dress was long. It covered every inch of her like a shimmering skin. Her mask was a creation of feathers and sparkles. She didn’t know whether or not Montana would come, but she’d made certain he’d received an invitation to the five-hundred-dollar-a-person event. She hadn’t seen a check from him, but it could have come in today and she wouldn’t have seen it.