Whisper (5 page)

“You grow up in Texas?” Billy asked.

“Yeah, I did. That’s why I talk funny.” Billy pulled back and put his hands on her face.

He kissed her forehead before wrapping his arms around her neck. He could be very affectionate. “I didn’t mean what I said about you talking funny. I just never heard someone with a accent.”

“You never heard someone with
an
accent, Billy.

Remember the rule?”

“Sure. I forgot. But you don’t talk funny. It sounds right now.” He shifted the conversation. “It doesn’t snow in Texas?” His little mind moved quickly and his topic changes were just as fast.

“No, sir, not around San Antonio. That’s where 34

Whisper

your brother is.”

“So, you think he was just sleeping?”

“We don’t know anything for certain, so let’s just believe that until we hear otherwise. Okay?”

“Can I have another piece of cake?” She smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. “Not right now. You finish your homework, and do your chores. After I go to work, Mark will get you another slice.”

He beamed. He sure did love chocolate chip cake with chocolate fudge frosting. Corey’s best friend, Jade had a birthday. He’d never had a birthday cake or party growing up. They’d made it a royal celebration. No child should go without a party until they turned seventeen. She’d learned an awful lot lately about the world and what experiences a normal child should have.

“I’ll do the spelling so when Keith calls, I’ll have all the words nailed tight.”

She did love his verbal expressions. For that matter, all of them had some colorful ways of saying things. When Billy left, she stood and gave Mark her attention. He remained in the doorway, a hand resting on his hip. He looked a lot older than twenty.

At around six feet, with long brown hair and deep brown eyes, he was a very attractive young man. He looked a lot like his eldest brother. Perhaps the worried expression made him appear older.

“He didn’t oversleep.” Mark’s voice remained low as he glanced around. “Something’s wrong. I’ve been calling his cell. No answer.”

He appeared pale and she hated seeing him upset. He was smart, strong and very brave. She stepped close and placed a hand on his shoulder. His expression softened.

“He’s never missed a call before?”

“Once. They worked him a double shift and he couldn’t get out of the tunnel to phone home.” 35

Kathleen Lash

“Well, that’s what happened this time. You said he works like a fool.” She couldn’t give him any concrete answers. Short of flying to Texas, there wasn’t a thing they could do. “How about if I stay home tonight and keep you company? We’ll wait together.”

“I’ll pay you.” He quickly explained, “I can only guess what it’ll cost you to miss work. I don’t want you to lose income because—”

“I think that’s about enough, Mark.”

“You and Heather count on the money.”

“I have plenty.” Over the past few months, she’d managed to gather a nest egg in the event of another disaster. They wouldn’t be caught again without some cash.

“Then why don’t you find a different line of work?”

She took a step back, shocked and appalled at his audacity.

“I’m not sorry I finally spoke up. You shouldn’t be working in that shit hole.” She’d let her guard down and he’d gotten too close. Before she could formulate a retort, he grasped her arms. “Please, Whisper, don’t be mad at me.” She shook and her voice barely worked. “You and Nomad won’t be my taxi service any more. I told you when this started that I didn’t need or want your help.”

A quick move and a jerk gained her freedom before he caught her again. She could tell by his grip, she wouldn’t get lucky a second time. His expression forced her not to react. He looked physically ill. “Whisper, please. I meant every word, but let me explain.”

“You went inside!”

“No. Not when you were working, but I’ve been inside before.”

He knew exactly how she’d been making money
.

36

Whisper

She felt sick. She’d discounted the fact that, at twenty, Mark was grown.

“No one should look at you like that. You’re not like the others.”

Fury and embarrassment made her tremble.

“Let me educate you, little man. One of the women is there to pay medical bills for her mother. Another has two kids and a drunk for a husband. One has to pay off rehab because a lousy boyfriend got her into a mess of trouble. Not like them? God, boy, grow up!”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“You’re not supposed to know!” She calmed a little. “It’s a game, like acting. I’m not real when I’m there.”

“The men believe you are. That’s why one tried to take what he thought you were offering.” She swallowed and looked away. She didn’t want to think about it. She’d make sure it never happened again. She’d be smarter.

“Johnny told me how that guy stalked you. He’s glad we’re in the parking lot when you and the others get off, because he has his hands full with the drunks inside.”

“My turn now. I’m sorry.” His silence over the months allowed her to believe he didn’t think too much about what she did for a living. He truly seemed to care for her and Heather. She didn’t know her working at the club gave him cause for concern.

“You shouldn’t be involved in this. I should’ve—”

“No. Keith told me and Nomad to make sure you got home safe.” He’d never once mentioned why they began insisting on taking and picking her up from work. Why would Keith ask them to do something like that?

“He didn’t know what he was asking you to do.”

“It wouldn’t matter.”

“Have you said anything to the others?” His brows came together as he grasped her 37

Kathleen Lash

hand. “I wouldn’t. You know I wouldn’t, and neither would Nomad. You never told Heather where you work, and you asked us not to say anything.”

“None of them need to know.”

“I agree.”

She cleared her throat and pulled her hand away. “A little more and I’ll quit. I’ll figure something else out. It’s just…we needed the cash.

Fast.”

“I can give you money if you’ll stop. Let me say something to Keith.”

“No!”

“Really. We can support you and Heather.”

“No.”

Christy walked in. “Mark?” He cleared his throat and faced her. “Is everything all right?” She looked smaller than normal. Not liking conflict of any nature, it probably stemmed from two parents who battered each other on a regular basis.

Medium length, curly brown hair accentuated her large, hazel eyes. They’d frightened her because tears formed.
Damn it!

Mark stroked her cheek. “Sure, Christy, everything’s fine. We were just talking about Keith not calling.”

Christy appeared wary as she looked between them. Whisper turned and stuck her hands in the dishwater when Mark’s cell phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and answered. After a moment, he said, “Where in the hell have you been!” Mark listened and his face lit up.
Yes
and
no
answers were relayed. “Get here as soon as you can.

This is great! Wait until I tell Billy and Corey!” After a brief pause, he asked, “Why?” The conversation ended shortly after and he snapped the phone shut. “They have him working like mad. They’re finishing the job and he’ll be home before Thanksgiving. He’s getting vacation and 38

Whisper

might be here until after the first of the year! But he doesn’t want me to tell Billy yet. He said things can go wrong, so I should just wait until I see him. Oh, and to get the break, he might not be calling too often. I guess they’re really going wild with the hours on the job site. Isn’t that great?” Christy beamed and Whisper managed a smile.

She’d only been around a few months and knew absolutely nothing concrete about Keith, other than what the kids relayed. The story didn’t sound quite right. She wondered why the sudden change in routine. Not letting any of her thoughts surface, she said, “It sounds wonderful. You guys can get back to normal for a while.”

“Wait,” Mark said, “what do you mean by that?”

“The
real
ruler of the roost will be home soon.

You won’t need me or Heather around all the time.”

“No way. You won’t run off because Keith comes home, will you?”

“Nope. I’ll back out so the man can have his home and family. He’s probably been waiting years to have some time with you all.”

“But…”

“Mark, please. If you need anything, I’m right across the street. And don’t forget I promised Thanksgiving dinner. I won’t go back on my word.” She definitely wouldn’t be over ordering the kids around when he came home. She’d never make the mistake of being in a man’s way again. Mark didn’t seem to mind, because in truth, he wasn’t completely a man. He’d been thankful to turn control of the house and kids over to her. She believed Keith was different. She wouldn’t hang around to find out anything to the contrary.

****

39

Kathleen Lash

“How’s the pain?” the nurse asked.

“I can take it,” he replied.

“Good, it shouldn’t be long now. A half hour tops.”

He’d been waiting a few hours to go into surgery and they’d stopped the pain medication so they could put him under. They said they’d fix the damage to his left leg. They seemed more concerned with the noxious gas he’d been breathing right after the cave in. He’d been the worst casualty of the disaster, and company men in suits stayed close to his room.

More answers would come after surgery and the latest battery of blood work. He refused to think beyond that. He imagined he’d be able to call home again tomorrow so the kids wouldn’t get suspicious.

They didn’t need to worry. A few nurses talked to him about rehabilitation and the length of time needed to gain strength.
A few months, my ass
.

Thanksgiving was a few weeks away. They’d better get the surgery right,
rehab
him in a hurry, because he’d be on his way home. He’d deal with the remainder of his medical condition once he’d gotten there.

“Jesus!” he exclaimed, the pain radiating into his hip and from there, to the center of his brain.

“Can you hold on?” the nurse asked.

“Sure. I’m fine.” The worst was over. Nothing could be more painful than being dug out, dragged up the shaft and banged around in a helicopter the whole way to the trauma center. Nothing!

Company suits hovered in the hallway and asked questions. The tallest suit came into his room, took a spot beside his bed and asked, “You holding on, Manchester?”

“Yeah. Doing just great.”

“We’ll talk when you’re out of surgery.”

“Actually,” Keith said, “there’s some talking we’ll do now. If anything happens to me, don’t screw 40

Whisper

around with my kids. You make sure that insurance money gets to them. I mean every stinking cent, the very next day. Get me?”

“You’ll be fine. Don’t talk about crazy stuff right now.”

“Did you hear me? If you jack them around, my oldest will sue the damned company and he’ll be calling the shots. You’ll be the first one he fires.” The lanky, grey-haired man looked like an attorney. The cocky son of a bitch smiled. On a different day, Keith would’ve punched the smirk right off his face.

“I’ll keep my job because you’re in the very best hospital getting the very best care. Hell, Keith, if you want fillet mignon for breakfast, ask. They’ll hook you right up.”

Keith closed his eyes and swiped a hand over his wet forehead. “A beer. I never did get that beer.”

“As soon as the anesthesia wears off and the doctor says it’s okay,” the nurse said, “you’ll get it.

What brand do you prefer?”

Keith opened his eyes and glared at her. She’d been dead serious. When he smiled, she smiled in return and rubbed his forearm.

“Your friend wasn’t joking. I have orders to stick with you like a tick and get you whatever you want.”

“Jesus,” he muttered, closing his eyes, “I’m really screwed then. Shit!”

Both the nurse and man laughed. “No,” the attorney said, “the company just takes care of its own. We’ve never had an accident near this magnitude. We’ll make it right.” Probably wishful thinking, or perhaps being just plain naive, he believed it. He’d been lucky to get a job with the tunneling outfit. To date, they’d done right by him. His arms fell limp and a chill raced over him. Damned, he couldn’t feel anything!

“Are you ready for him?” the nurse asked.

41

Kathleen Lash

The question wasn’t directed at him. He couldn’t answer anyhow. Weird lights danced behind his eyelids and he felt queasy. He kept thinking about the insurance money and how it’d set Mark up for a long, long time. It’d educate Corey and Billy and take care of expenses for years. They had no debt other than monthly reoccurring items. The rentals paid for repairs and kept adding to the bank account. Actually, if they didn’t get a cent from insurance, they’d be well off. Maybe he should’ve quit the job a few days earlier.

The bed moved and he no longer cared. They could hack off his mangled leg and that’d be all right. He wondered if Mark felt this much pain before he’d had surgery for the appendix. He hoped not. It made his gut clench thinking about any of the kids aching so bad.

42

Whisper

Whisper heard a sound before the bedroom door creaked. Not accustomed to the room or bed, she came half awake. When the light glared a moment later, she sat up and shielded her eyes. Keith Manchester filled the doorway. She threw the covers back and hurried to get out of the man’s bed. Why she’d let Mark talk her into staying the night was beyond her at the moment.

A tangle of bedcovers trapped a leg and with some quick movements, she wound up on the floor with a thump. Additional soft thuds came toward her. “Slow down, you’re still stuck,” he said “You hurt?”

He finished untangling her leg before she let it join the rest of her body. Still partially asleep, she noticed things, first a black cast. She instinctively reached out and touched the hard surface.