Part 16 (1/2)
Back in the cabin, Mallory laid the rest of the mail on the table and quickly opened his envelope. When she took out the letter, a check fluttered to the floor. Picking it up, she saw the amount and froze. Then she read the letter.
Dear Mallory, I've accepted you as my daughter ever since I married your mother. We both know that marriage to Winston is the best course for you. We also realize that pride is holding you back from admitting you made a mistake when you ran off before the wedding. Therefore, we have found a way for you to keep your pride and still insure your future.
If this will end your charade of a marriage to Reed Fortune, you can cash this check, set up your own business and be an independent woman, as well as being married to Winston. In other words, you can have this portion of your inheritance now. I will have the bank release the funds to you as soon as you call me and tell me you are on your way home. We can handle an annulment or a divorce from here.
Don't let your pride stand in the way of your security and future happiness.
Sincerely, George Mallory didn't know whether to laugh, cry or scream. She was holding what most people would consider to be a fortune in her hand, and she didn't want it! Didn't George and her mother know her at all? Didn't they understand that she couldn't be bought? Going to the phone, she picked it up and dialed her stepfather's office number. She knew that he was the one behind this and that her mother went along with decisions he made. His secretary answered and put Mallory through immediately, as if she had been given orders to do so.
”Mallory, I'm so glad you called,” George said in greeting. ”I knew you would see the light.”
”George, I can't accept this check. I won't accept this check.”
”Now don't talk nonsense, Mallory.”
”It's not nonsense. Being independent doesn't mean taking money from you. I intend to earn and pay my own way.”
”But Winston says-”
”I don't care what Winston says. I am not marrying him, George, and that's final.”
”This foolishness has got to stop, Mallory. Your mother is worried sick. She wants to see you settled with Winston-”
He wasn't listening again. He never listened. More than angry, she was just sad that he had such tunnel vision because it affected her mother, as well. ”George, money will not bring me happiness. It can't buy me the things I want in life.”
”You're a young woman who's never had to face reality. You have your head in the clouds if you think you can get through life on anything but a solid bank account. That check is a ticket to a marriage that will bring you social standing, a dowry that Winston will be glad to accept-”
”You want to bribe him to take me back?”
”Of course not. Winston doesn't need bribing.”
”But I do?” She paused and regrouped. ”George, now listen to me carefully. I'm going to keep your check, but I'm not going to cash it. I'm going to frame it. It's going to be my symbol of independence. Every time I look at it, I'll know what real independence is.”
”You're a fool, Mallory.”
”No. What I am is determined. You'll see.”
Before he could give her another lecture, she hung up. She wouldn't be able to convince George or her mother of anything until she had proven herself. Well, that was exactly what she was going to do. Putting the check on top of the letter, she laid both safely inside the corner of the secretary, then sat there to go over her figures once more.
Eleven.
Gray clouds swirled in the hazy white sky as Mallory drove to the barn later that afternoon. She wanted to ride. Her stepfather's check had created turmoil. Add to that what had happened with Reed last night at the c.o.c.ktail party, and she couldn't sit still. If she could just slip into the barn and out again without anyone seeing her, she could go off on her own and sort through all of this.
The usual trucks and utility vehicles were parked near the barn. She saw Reed's among them. But fortunately only Hank was around when she went to Dusty Dawn's stall. She told him she was going to take the horse out for a ride.
Hank peered out at the sky. ”Doesn't look like much is happening, but don't stay out too long. The storm's not going to be blowing over. I can feel it in my bones.”
”I need some s.p.a.ce around me, Hank.”
Hank jerked his thumb outside. ”Reed's over in the mares' barn consulting with the vet. Maybe you should talk to him first.”
”I don't want to bother him. I'll be fine. Really.”
”You could wait till Miss Matilda and Griff come back from Cruz's place....”
”It might be raining by then. I promise, if thunder rolls in, I'll come straight back.”
The old cowhand still looked worried but helped her saddle up anyway. She rode out, not looking back, taking the route along the fence line where she had ridden with Reed.
As Mallory gave Dusty Dawn his head, she let the wind whip her hat to her back. It slapped against her, but she didn't care. She just wanted to run-from hurt, from anger, from Winston and her stepfather, from the visions of Reed making love to her, from her love for him. How could she feel so deeply in such a short amount of time?
Trees rushed by and Dusty's hooves kicked up dry earth behind them. She was so lost in her thoughts that the rumble of thunder barely registered. She just kept riding, not knowing where she was going, but knowing she didn't want to go back. Not yet. Then all of a sudden, lightning flashed over the horizon and Dusty's ears twitched.
She realized thunder definitely had rolled in. Patting his neck, she murmured, ”It's okay, boy. We'll head back.”
Looking around, she realized she'd ridden farther than she and Reed had, farther than she'd intended. She'd been so focused on running that she hadn't noticed where she was running to. As she brought Dusty to a lope, the scent of rain was strong in the wind. Finally she recognized the vee formation of a stand of live oaks on the crest of a hill, but by the time she turned south toward the Double Crown, the clouds opened and rain poured down as lightning flickered and thunder cracked.
”We're going to get wet, Dusty. No denying that.”
She loosened her grip on the reins to snag her hat and set it back on her head. But as she did, a jagged stab of lightning fired against the dark sky. Thunder boomed, and Dusty reared up, taking off on another run. Her balance jostled, Mallory's chin almost touched Dusty's mane as she grabbed for the reins.
Out of nowhere Reed came galloping toward her, and she groaned. She did not want to be rescued. Gathering her reins, she pulled them away from Reed as he grabbed for them at the same time.
”Why are you out here in this?” he yelled over the sound of the wind and rain.
”I needed to ride.”
Even under the brim of his hat, she could see his eyes, and it was as if he noted the word ”needed.” ”You shouldn't be out here alone and you know it.”
”No, I don't know it. Don't you understand? I needed some time alone.”
The rain dripped from the brim of his hat. ”Why must you always be so d.a.m.ned independent?”
He made ”independent” sound like a terrible affliction. ”Being independent is a good thing, not a character flaw.”
With both of them now soaked to the skin, he shook his head. ”Let's get going or Hank will be worried about us.”
Sitting stiffly in the saddle, she nudged Dusty and took off ahead of Reed. But he soon caught up.
Hank was waiting for them back at the barn when they dismounted. ”Looks like you two won't need no shower tonight.” After giving the cowhand a weak smile, Mallory took Dusty's reins and led him into the barn. She heard Reed say, ”We'll take care of the horses, Hank, if you want to quit for the day.”
”I got a truck that needs some work over at the garage. I'll be there if anybody wants me.”
Tossing her hat onto a bale of hay, Mallory took Dusty into his stall, unsaddled him, then rubbed him down. She imagined Reed was taking care of Spirit in a like manner, only when he was finished he'd turn the stallion into his pasture where there was a loafing shed if the horse didn't want to stand in the weather. The breeze whipping through the open barn door chilled Mallory. Her wet cotton blouse and jeans clung to her as she groomed Dusty, moving around him, wanting to take care of the horse before she took care of herself.
Just as she was closing the stall door, Reed came into the barn carrying a blanket. He thrust it at her. ”Here, use this to dry off before you catch pneumonia.”