The second applicant, after being told that she'd be making his clothes which he'd be modeling, didn't even bother to show up. She had no more time to schedule interviews. Her flight left in the morning for Tennessee to see her uncle for Thanksgiving. I should have just stayed in Prairie.
Marty agreed to keep an eye on her apartment for the holiday weekend. She was excited to fix a nice dinner for her uncle and spend time with him, but there were definitely some sad memories waiting for her in Tennessee.
Boarding the plane at seven on Wednesday evening, Katherine began to feel uneasy. She didn't mind flying, but what if he was still in Prairie? What if I walk into the bar and see him practically having sex with Emily on the dance floor? What would he do if he saw me? Cuss me out? Try to get me in bed? Could I resist him if he did? I almost lost it with him being that close to me. She knew that John Williams was bad news, and she needed to stay far away from him.
Katherine's uncle was busy so, of all people, Emily came to pick her up at the airport. I'm definitely starting out on a roll.
"Katherine! Over here! How are you, sweetie pie?" Emily's loud squeal could be heard over anything.
"Hi, Emily, it's good to see you again." Instantly the visual of John's hands on her ass were so real.
"Girl, the whole place is talking about you coming home. There's a bunch of people waiting to see ya!"
"Like who?" Katherine was hoping to find out if John would be there and with her.
"Oh, just all the locals! They've been missing that beautiful singin' voice of yours!"
"So what have you been up to, Emily?"
"Just workin' and hanging around the house."
"You mean some cute guy hasn't snatched you up yet?" Stop it, Katherine!
"Nope, I haven't had a boyfriend for about three years now. Ain't much into commitment myself.`" Emily raised her eyebrows up and down.
"What about that really cute guy who was in town? He was living up at Montoose Farm. I thought you guys had a fling going."
"He dropped me as quick as it started. I think he only did that to get you jealous. As soon as you walked out the door, he pushed me away and left. Kind of an inconsiderate bastard if I do say so myself." Emily examined her bright pink press-on nails.
"Oh, is he still in Prairie?"
"I'm not sure, I haven't seen him around. And that's just fine with me." Emily got a disgusted look on her face, which sported thick makeup.
They drove to the bar, and when Katherine saw the lights and heard the music, she got a bit excited and worried at the same time. She took a deep breath and in she stepped.
"Katherine! Come here, baby!" Andy's loud, boisterous voice made everyone stop what they were doing. Before she knew what was happening, she was being hugged, kissed, tapped, and picked up.
"Hello, everyone!" She was given a stool up by the bar, and Emily took off to put her apron back on.
"I'm so glad to see you, Uncle Andy." Katherine leaned over the bar and pecked him on the cheek. "Have you been taking care of yourself?"
"Yep, I got a clean bill of health from the docs. How about you? Did ya find yourself a prince?"
There isn't a prince, they don't exist.
Katherine thought about John as he petted the white horse in the barn. His smell. She closed her eyes and recalled the wonderful feelings she felt when he was near enough so she could inhale him. Stop it! But of course, her insides were already pumping.
"Uncle Andy, is that guy still around? The new one who was here some months back?"
"Oh that John Williams that got himself knocked out his first night here?" Andy started to laugh loudly.
"Yeah, him."
"He stopped in here asking for you. He wanted to know where you were staying. But I didn't have any information because you didn't call me."
"I'm sorry about that. I got so busy with work and school. But I'm here now!" Katherine wanted to know about John Williams. "So, is he still around? He stayed at Montoose Farm."
"Sam Montoose set the horse barn on fire out at that farm. He's sitting in jail now, which I'm glad. I never liked that guy. He's a drunk just like his brother Albert was. I think Rosie Montoose lost the farm. I don't know where she moved to. I haven't seen John Williams since the day he asked about ya. Something was strange though."
"What was strange?"
"Well, when I mentioned your cousin Jacob he appeared to be shocked."
Oh my God! I never got the chance to explain to him! She could only imagine what John thought when he spotted the two of them together. But even if that display with Emily was just to make her jealous, she didn't need a man who would stoop to that. But she had to know.
"Can I use your truck for a few minutes?"
"Katherine, you just got here and now you want to take off?"
"If you want to eat tomorrow, you'll give me your truck so I can go shopping."
"That's awfully sweet of you. But there're a lot of people hurtin' right now. We're going to have a big spread in here. Everyone can bring a dish if they can, and we're going to sit down as one big family. There's no need in folks being alone for the holiday."
"That's so sweet!" Katherine leaned back over the bar and kissed her uncle again.
"Here, catch the keys. The truck's where it always is." Andy winked at his niece as she walked out the door.
Katherine slowed down when she turned onto Shenandoah Road. What if he's there? But when she turned on her bright lights and got a clear view of the house, she could tell it was deserted. The barn was burned to the ground. John's room was back there! Oh God …
Katherine turned around as fast as she could and drove quickly back to town. She made a stop at Clyde's to pick up a few things for tomorrow's big feast. She decided she would bake the pies.
But her mind wasn't on the pies, the feast, or anything other than finding out if John Williams was okay.
Daniel sat on a sofa in his room at the mansion, wondering if the investigator who specialized in missing persons and background checks was getting any leads. Then it occurred to him that tomorrow was Thanksgiving. Surely her uncle would have had contact by now. Reaching for his phone, he felt his chest begin to tighten. What if she's there? What do I say?
Katherine was asked to do some karaoke since there were so many people in the bar. It always got folks to drink more, and that made her uncle very happy. Once the crowd saw her walk over to the machines and turn them on, they went wild. Her strawberry blonde curls were a little untamed, as Katherine played with her hair when she was worried or nervous.
She picked out a beautiful love song, the same one she sang to John that night. She wasn't sure if she could sing it ever again. But at least if she closed her eyes while she sang, she could picture his face. Katherine started to sing with every ounce of her soul. But in her mind, all she saw was John dancing slowly and groping Emily. She kept her eyes open for the rest of the song.
Daniel dialed the number.
"Thanks for calling The Corral, Andy speaking."
He heard loud music in the background. It certainly wasn't the jukebox. Daniel could recognize that voice anyplace! He closed his eyes so tightly they were hurting him.
"Hello?"
Daniel hung up the phone and sprinted through the mansion.
"Carl, where's my father?"
"He's retired for the evening, Daniel."
"Call for the jet! I have to get to Tennessee! Tell my father when he wakes up. Please hurry! I'll take my car to the plane!" Daniel was running as fast as he could down the steps while yelling over his shoulder.
He bolted out the door and climbed in the Lamborghini. This was the first time in what seemed like ages that he was grateful for the car. Squealing his tires, he fled his father's estate. Driving fast, and even recklessly at times, Daniel knew he had to get to Prairie while she was still there.
All Daniel did was hurry quickly just to find himself waiting for the jet. He dug his cell phone out of his pocket. "Carl, where's the jet?!"
"Daniel, I've been trying to phone you. The jet is getting some maintenance done. It won't be available until Monday. Your father cleared it. We didn't expect anyone to travel this weekend, it's a holiday."
"I've got to catch a plane then! I'm going to the airport."
Daniel drove quickly to the airport, not even caring that his car would be parked in a regular lot. He bolted toward the ticket counter. There were people everywhere, and what he didn't need was to have to wait in line. There were several people in front of him. After forty-five minutes, it was his turn.
"I need a flight to Nashville, Tennessee."
"I'm sorry, Sir, all the flights have been booked. It happens on holiday weekends. I can get you on a plane this Monday."
"No! I need one tonight!" Daniel felt his blood pressure rising.
"I can put you on standby, but I wouldn't hold my breath." The young blonde woman laughed and winked. Daniel wanted to shake her.
"Thanks anyway." He walked slowly back to his car, feeling totally defeated. She was right at the tip of my fingers! Damn!
Chapter 10
Katherine heard her door open up on Thursday morning while she stood in the little kitchen making pies.
"Happy Thanksgiving, Katherine!"
"Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Uncle Andy." She turned around and gave him a big hug.