I’LL BE WATCHING YOU Page 14

  A lot of men here today would envy him having Heather Marshall on his arm. She was a sexy redhead who dressed in a way that turned men’s heads. They’d had several dates since her return to Spring Creek, but he was no more interested in a long-term relationship with her than she was with him.

  ‘I see her,’ Heather said.

  ‘You see who?’

  ‘Your little assistant, Regina Conway.’ Heather grinned broadly. ‘She’s to your left, all the way back there near the pond. She’s sitting with her family.’

  ‘Thank you for pointing her out to me. It’s nice to know she came out today and is enjoying herself with her family.’ Mark’s gaze focused on the table where Regina sat. She was laughing at something her cousin Briley Joe said. Mark sighed. He loved listening to Regina laugh. Unfortunately, it was something she seldom did. She was such a quiet, serious young woman. But sweet. Oh, so sweet.

  ‘You were looking for her, weren’t you?’ Heather lifted one eyebrow in a don’t-lie-to-me gesture.

  ‘Now, why would I be looking for another woman when I’m with you?’

  ‘Don’t kid a kidder, old pal.’ Heather glanced in every direction, obviously searching for someone herself.

  ‘Okay, I was looking for Regina. She doesn’t have much of a social life and I’m glad she decided to do something fun for a change. She works too hard and doesn’t play enough. Actually, I don’t think she plays at all.’ Mark lifted his arm and draped it around Heather’s bare shoulder. ‘So, who are you looking for?’

  ‘Me?’ Her gaze settled on the Porter table. ‘I’m looking for Ella, of course.’

  Mark’s gaze followed Heather’s. He chuckled. ‘Yeah, sure.’

  ‘What? You don’t believe me?’

  ‘I believe you were looking for Ella all right, but only to see if Dan Gilmore was with her. I don’t see why you don’t level with Ella about your feelings for Dan. After all, you two are best friends, aren’t you?’

  ‘Ella’s not the problem. She isn’t in love with Dan.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘She told me she wasn’t. I felt so guilty because I was relieved. You know what I’d said to her about Dan? I told her I thought he was as dull as dishwater.’

  Mark guffawed. ‘Well, he is, isn’t he?’

  ‘Yes, he is,’ Heather admitted. ‘But I’ve been in love with that guy since I was in pigtails, and he was the one boy in town I could never get to notice me. When he married that mealy-mouthed Greer Swain, I figured I’d lost him forever.’

  ‘But now he’s free again.’

  ‘Yeah, he’s free and still not the least bit interested in me.’ Heather wrapped her arm around Mark’s waist. ‘Come on. Let’s go say hello to the Conway family.’

  ‘I’m not sure we should intrude.’

  ‘Look here, if you’re interested in that girl, then go after her. How’s she supposed to know you’re interested if you don’t show her?’

  ‘I don’t know how she’d react if she thought I wanted to date her,’ Mark said. ‘You know something about her history, don’t you?’

  ‘I know that her bastard stepfather tried to rape her when she was a kid. Half the state of Alabama knows that.’

  ‘Regina doesn’t date.’

  ‘What? You’re kidding. You mean she has never had a date?’ Heather asked. ‘And she’s how old, nearly thirty?’

  ‘She’ll be twenty-six in November.’

  ‘Uh-oh. If she’s got so many hangups that she doesn’t even date, then you’d have your work cut out for you even getting a kiss from her. Are you sure you care enough about her to go the distance?’

  ‘If I thought that someday Regina could love me, then yeah, I’d be willing to go the distance. I’d be willing to do just about anything. But—’

  ‘No buts about it.’ Heather tightened her hold around Mark’s waist. ‘Just come along with Auntie Heather and follow my lead. We’re fixing to find out if Miss Conway is interested in her boss.’

  ‘And how to you intend to do that?’

  ‘Watch and find out.’

  ‘Wherever did Cybil get off to?’ Carolyn asked.

  ‘I think she went to the restroom,’ Ella whispered to her mother. ‘You know how long those lines are.’

  ‘She’s probably off drinking somewhere,’ Carolyn said. ‘How Jeff Henry endures what she puts him through, I’ll never know. We’ve all tried to talk her into getting help, but she ignores us.’ Carolyn reached over and patted Ella’s arm. ‘Dear, I wish you’d speak to her. She’s so fond of you, she just might listen to your advice.’

  ‘Mother, I’ve spoken to her numerous times. You know that. Until Aunt Cybil wants help, there’s not much any of us can do except be there to pick up the pieces every time she falls apart.’

  ‘I’m beginning to think we’re doing her a disservice cleaning up her messes, but it’s the only way to keep her from shaming the whole family.’ Carolyn wadded the napkin in her hand, her fingers nervously tightening the cloth more and more. ‘But it would be terrible for your father’s career if the media were to pick up on the fact that his sister-in-law is a lush.’

  ‘It’s only a matter of time, since just about everyone in Spring Creek knows,’ Ella said. ‘Besides, I’m not so sure it would harm Daddy’s career. Having addiction problems seems to be in fashion these days, as does infidelity and lying.’

  ‘Why, Eleanor Porter, when did you become such a cynic?’

  ‘Since I’ve matured some and begun seeing the world as it really is instead of the way I’d like for it to be.’

  ‘Oh, that makes me sad. My little girl has lost her rose-colored glasses.’

  Ella leaned down and hugged her mother. As always, Carolyn’s small body stiffened, but she lifted her hand and patted Ella on the back with restrained affection. Not once in her life had her mother wrapped her in her arms with motherly abandon and lavished a show of love on her. Of course, she’d never seen her mother overly affectionate with anyone, not even her father. But Webb was different. Boisterous, gregarious and demonstrative, her father had more than made up for her mother’s restraint. And Aunt Cybil, high-strung, nervous and overly emotional, had always given her bear hugs. And when Ella had been a child, she’d covered her face with kisses. Even Uncle Jeff Henry had the capacity to offer big hugs and an occasional kiss on the forehead or cheek.

  As if on cue, her uncle appeared, dressed in his elaborate Confederate general’s costume. He looked so authentic, you would think he’d traveled through time, straight from the early 1860s. Ella thought once again, as she had so often, that Jeff Henry Carlisle had been born in the wrong century. He’s missed his mark by a good hundred years or more.

  ‘The reinactment is set for three-thirty,’ Jeff Henry said. ‘The troops are setting up the cannons and bringing in the horses over on the west side of the park.’ He removed a white linen handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the perspiration from his face. ‘This costume is hot, but if I didn’t get dressed early, I’d have to miss part of Webb’s speech.’

  ‘You look very dashing,’ Ella said.

  ‘Why, thank you, my dear.’

  ‘Jeff Henry always looks dashing,’ Carolyn said. ‘It’s because he’s a gentleman and gentlemen always take pride in their appearance. My papa always looked like he’d stepped out of a hatbox.’

  ‘I wish I’d known Grandfather Walker.’

  ‘Mr John was quite a gentleman,’ Jeff Henry said. ‘I thought highly of him. When I was just a boy, he took me under his wing. I suppose he took pity on me because I’d lost my own father when I was only five, and although Mother did her best, Mr John, having been one of my father’s associates, saw that I needed a strong masculine influence in my life.’

  Ella smiled as her uncle recounted bygone days. She’d heard this particular story numerous times, but she listened attentively out of respect, and because reminiscences about Grandfather Walker seemed to give both her mother and her uncle great pleasure.

>   While Jeff Henry continued to drone on and on, delightfully entertaining Carolyn, Webb approached them, laughing happily. Her father was in his element when he was working the crowd.

  ‘Carolyn, you haven’t seen the local art work, yet,’ Webb said. ‘Why don’t we go over to the artists’ tent and have a look. I’d like to buy something to show my support. You have such a keen eye, I’m sure you’ll choose the perfect item. Something I can display in my Spring Creek office.’

  Carolyn beamed, so obviously thrilled by her husband’s attention. A tremor of emotion showed on her face for a fraction of a second. ‘What a good idea. I’d love to choose something for you.’ She glanced from Ella to Jeff Henry. ‘Would y’all like to go with us?’

  ‘Too damn hot in those tents for me in this getup,’ Jeff Henry said. ‘I’ll save the art tent for when I’ve changed back into my street clothes.’

  ‘You two go on,’ Ella said. ‘I have an idea how to cool off Uncle Jeff Henry.’

  ‘Indeed? And just what would that be?’ Jeff Henry inquired. ‘A dip in the pond?’

  Ella slipped her arm through her uncle’s. ‘I thought a nice, long walk in the park’s garden area, where there are a lot of shade trees, might be just the thing.’

  ‘Well, y’all be sure to finish up your walk before it’s time for Webb’s speech,’ Carolyn reminded them as her husband wheeled her away toward the art tent.

  Jeff Henry took the lead, escorting Ella through the throng of celebrators, many of them in shorts, tank tops and flip-flops.

  ‘Some people just don’t care how they look,’ Jeff Henry said. ‘Of course the white trash element in our society is noted for a lack of good taste, but it’s the appearance of the children of some of our friends that bothers me greatly.’

  ‘Teenagers want to look like their peers,’ Ella said. ‘When you’re sixteen, being different is a fate worse than death.’

  ‘Hmm … I suppose you’re right.’

  Jeff Henry’s Civil War apparel, regal bearing and snobbish attitude set him apart from the vast majority of people in the park. But he didn’t mind at all. Actually, Ella felt certain that he enjoyed it, that he reveled in it. No doubt about it – her uncle thought himself superior to just about everyone. Others despised him for this offensive trait, but somehow Ella found it rather endearing – an odd quirk that made him unique. It wasn’t as if he actually harmed anyone other than himself with his antiquated notions of class differences.

  The east end of the park had long been a garden area, and several of the local ladies’ clubs in various Bryant County towns had made the Sarah Rogers Garden their pet project. A recently laid stone walkway circled around and about the various flower beds and led into the wooded section, where huge trees, some well over a hundred years old, towered into the sky.

  ‘Ella, my brilliant niece, a walk through the garden was an inspired idea,’ Jeff Henry said. ‘It is much cooler over here and a great deal less crowded.’

  Only a dozen or so people meandered through the garden area, where beauty and quiet prevailed. Most people were too involved in the riot of events taking place all over the park to be bothered with seeking out a tranquil, soothing atmosphere. The tall, thick-leaved trees blocked out a great deal of the afternoon summer sun. All sorts of secluded nooks and crannies offered privacy for those seeking it.

  Ella glanced to her left and saw, half-hidden behind a tree, a pair of lovers embracing. Kissing. Even at a distance, she could tell they were young, no more than twenty. The couple apparently couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

  ‘Disgusting display,’ Jeff Henry said. ‘There is a time and a place for everything, and that sort of behavior should be confined to behind closed doors.’

  ‘They’re young and in love,’ Ella said. ‘Don’t you remember what that was like?’

  Jeff Henry harrumphed. ‘Of course I remember. When I was their age, I was madly in love with your mother. But never would I … would we have carried on like those two are doing. I respected your mother far too much to have manhandled her that way, especially in a public place.’

  ‘Why don’t we give them their privacy?’ Ella suggested. ‘The bridge over the pond isn’t far and there are benches where we can sit down for a bit.’

  ‘Don’t let us lose track of time. Carolyn would be upset if we missed Webb’s speech.’

  Carolyn. Always Carolyn. Poor Uncle Jeff Henry. But the person Ella truly pitied was her aunt Cybil. What would it be like to be married to a man you knew was in love with your sister?

  The bridge came into view – a wooden arch over the narrow backwaters of the pond that extended from the park into the woods and down to the nearby creek. As they approached the bridge, Ella caught a glimpse of someone in the wooded area, a flash of flesh among all the lush greenery. Another set of young lovers, Ella thought. Perhaps she could distract her uncle enough so that he wouldn’t notice. But when they stepped onto the bridge, Ella heard the couple. Grunting, moaning, panting. Damn! What were they doing, having sex? It sure sounded that way.

  She had to turn Uncle Jeff Henry around before he noticed. ‘Why don’t we head back to—’

  ‘My God!’ Jeff Henry’s cheeks flushed scarlet. ‘Is there no shame? Those two are …’

  Before she could stop him, her uncle dashed across the bridge, his Civil War saber thumping against his hip. She hurried after him, uncertain what he might say or do. At this point she wasn’t sure whether she was more concerned about the couple, who were still oblivious to being watched, or her uncle, primed and ready for an attack.

  Suddenly, Jeff Henry stopped, frozen to the spot. All color drained from his face. Ella came up beside him and started to speak, but before a word formed on her lips, she saw that her uncle was hypnotized by the sight. The man in the woods had the woman backed up against a tree, her skirt lifted enough to reveal her slender thighs. He had his hands under her skirt, cupping her buttocks as he pumped into her. Ella’s mouth dropped open.

  The woman cried out in the throes of orgasm. Ella forced herself to look away. When she glanced at her uncle, she noted the fine mist covering his eyes. Without saying a word, he turned and walked away.

  Ella stood there, unable to believe what had just transpired. She glanced back at the couple just as the man reached his climax. How could this have happened? Ella asked herself.

  The man was Briley Joe Conway. And the woman was Cybil Carlisle.

  The moment Ella started to turn and run, to find her uncle and comfort him, she saw a lone figure on the pathway coming toward her. Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized him. He had obviously witnessed the couple screwing like crazy, just as she and her uncle had. Why, of all the people on earth, did she have to see Reed Conway at this precise moment?

  Her gaze met and locked with Reed’s. She couldn’t read the expression on his face. He neither smiled nor frowned. And his cold blue eyes simply stared at her. No sympathy. No understanding. No judgment. No condemnation.

  Ella turned and ran as if the demons of hell were on her heels. Breathless, stunned and panic-stricken, she caught up with her uncle, who sat slumped on a bench at the entrance to the Sarah Rogers Garden. She sat down beside him.

  He didn’t look at her. ‘We will never speak of this again.’ His voice quivered ever so slightly.

  ‘Uncle Jeff Henry.’ She grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

  ‘I’ve known about Cybil’s indiscretions for years. What I cannot understand is why she chooses the dregs of the earth to copulate with – brainless men with hard bodies who rut with her like animals. She had an affair with Junior Blalock, you know.’ Jeff Henry turned his head, leaned over and vomited on the lush, green grass.

  Ella stuck her fist into her mouth to stop the cry of pain that erupted from deep within her.

  12

  ‘Hello, Miss Ella,’ Roy Moses said, holding out a pair of bright red balloons. ‘I bought these for you.’

  ‘Oh, Roy, how sweet of you.’ She accepted
his offering. The helium-filled balloons floated high above her head. In her peripheral vision, she saw her uncle, shoulders squared, chin up, head held high as he marched across the park toward her parents.

  ‘Are you having a good time, Miss Ella?’ Roy asked.

  ‘Yes, of course. How about you?’ Was she having a good time? Hardly. She had just witnessed Uncle Jeff Henry’s ultimate humiliation. And so had Reed Conway. Would that man spread the word all over town that his cousin was having sex with Cybil Carlisle? Maybe she should have stayed, confronted him and warned him to keep his mouth shut. But what good would it do to warn a man like that?

  ‘I’m having a great time,’ Roy told her. ‘I’ve eaten hot dogs and cotton candy and bought myself all sorts of goodies. But when I saw the balloons, I thought about you. I remember your saying how much you like balloons.’

  ‘When did I tell you that?’

  ‘When your daddy sent you that big bunch of balloons on your birthday. You got all excited. And you told me that you loved balloons, that you liked them as much as you liked flowers.’

  ‘Oh, Roy, I can’t believe you remembered.’

  ‘Would you like for me to buy you an Orange Crush? They’re mighty tasty on a hot day like today.’

  ‘Thank you, but I’m afraid I won’t have time right now. My father’s fixing to give a speech.’ She pointed to the podium and noticed her father wheeling her mother up the handicap ramp and onto the platform. ‘I’m supposed to be up there with him and my mother.’

  ‘Then I’ll buy you one later. Will that be all right?’

  Roy gazed at her with such hope in his eyes that she couldn’t bring herself to reject him. She patted his shoulder. ‘That will be just fine.’

  She rushed to join her parents, but when she passed her uncle, who stood front and center at the base of the podium, she paused at his side. Without giving her actions a thought, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.