Just a Little White Lie(76)
“You’re sure right about that.”
Donald tossed a twenty on the table. “You two deserve each other.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t meant as a compliment,” Donald sneered.
“Really?” When Jake took a step toward Donald, the jerk stumbled, knocking into the table behind him and sending a small vase of flowers to the floor.
The door swung open, and his father walked in.
Jake swore. Could it get any better? Icing on his misery cake.
“Morning, son.”
“Yep, it sure is.”
“Problem?”
“Nope.”
Donald licked his lips. He eyed the sheriff, as if not certain whether he was protector or enemy.
Well, Jake decided, in for a dollar, in for a pound. He’d started this, he might as well finish it, regardless of the fact his father stood here. It needed to be done.
“Here’s the bottom line, Donald. Lucinda won’t have you. You screwed up, buddy boy. Big-time. You know her well enough to read the writing on the wall. You’re history.”
Donald opened his mouth, then closed it, and wisely used the sheriff’s presence to hightail it.
Before the door shut, Jake said, “Better take care, Kimball. I’m coming after you and the company. You’d better just keep goin’ till you hit Florida. Cut your losses here, and get your finances in order.”
Then he turned to Annie. “Sorry about the mess, Annie. If you’ll give me a rag, I’ll mop it up for you.”
“Don’t you worry about it, sugar. It’ll only take two secs to clean up. Why don’t you have a seat? Looks like you could use some coffee.”
“I sure could.” He slid onto one of the counter stools.
Uninvited, his dad plunked himself down on the stool next to Jake’s. “I’ll have coffee too, Annie. High-test.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Jake watched his dad set his wide-brimmed hat on the stool beside him.
Annie placed two cups in front of them. Still hot under the collar, his adrenaline high, Jake eyed his father. “Don’t mess with me, Dad. Not a good time.”
“Figured you’d be home with the girl.”
Jake scowled and sipped his coffee. “The girl left, not that it’s any of your business.”
“Came to her senses, huh?”
“You know, Dad, let’s lay this all out. Right here, right now. I won’t be goin’ back to Wanda Sue. Ever.”
“Wanda Sue might be exactly what you need, Jake. She’s sure shared lots of Sunday dinners with the family.” He shrugged. “Everybody in town saw the two of you as a couple.”
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t one of that group. Wanda Sue’s not for me.”
Howie shook his head. “I think you might be wrong, son.”
“Yeah, I have been. Lots of times. But not on this.” He paused for just a second. “I love Lucinda Darling.” He gave a self-derisive snort. “Not that it’ll do me any good. She won’t be going back to Donald, but she’s not coming back to me either.”
“She’s gonna break your heart, Jake.”
“She already has.”
“I’d hoped I could save you from that.” He took a sip of his coffee. “You ain’t got two licks of sense, do you?”
Jake turned his head sharply. “What?”
His dad twirled a spoon on the counter. “I figured, goin’ to law school and all, you must have at least a couple brains rollin’ around in that thick head of yours.”
He sighed. “Leave me alone.”
“What did you say?”
Jake raised his voice. “I said leave…me…the hell alone.”
“Hear that, Annie? I think this boy just threatened me. I walk in here, and he’s disturbing the peace, destroying private property, and now he’s threatenin’ an officer of the law.”
“Oh, for—” Before Jake could finish the thought, his father had his hands behind his back and a pair of handcuffs snapped on him. “What the hell? Have you lost your mind?”
“Nope.” He scratched his jaw. “Think I’ve found it, actually. Wanted to check with you first, though.”
“You’re not making any sense!”
Holding his son’s cuffed wrists with one hand, he picked up his hat with the other and nodded at Annie. “I’ll be in later to settle up my bill. And would you give my wife a call? Tell her I’m taking care of things.”
“Tell her he’s lost his mind!” Jake snarled.
Ten short minutes later, Jake banged around a jail cell, unable to believe his father had done this. “Dad! I’m tellin’ you right now, you’d better open this door and let me the hell out of here.”