LLucy’s Revenge(Divine Creek Ranch 15)(82)
Tabitha gestured to Beck’s booth next door, where he and Patrick stood talking, drawing Patrick’s attention. “It’s one thing to do the despicable things that they do behind closed doors, but they ruin the lives of all these innocent children.” She pointed down the row of booths at Teresa Martinez, who walked between her men, Angel and Joaquin.
Their children, Michael and Eleazar ran to and fro, looking at the goods offered on the tables. Teresa appeared serene, her hand stroking her bulging abdomen as she spoke with Angel. Joaquin stopped to inspect a knitted scarf she’d stroked her hand across just seconds before, while removing his wallet from his jeans pocket, obviously planning to indulge her. Lucy was angered when Teresa’s gaze was drawn to Tabitha’s gradually rising voice and the placid expression left her face and was replaced by distrust. She called to her children.
Lucy was about to speak but Jayne put her hand on her shoulder to stop her as she stood by her. “First, Tabitha, someone needs to buy you a dictionary. Perfidy does not mean what you think it means. It’s betrayal. Duplicity. Deceit. No one has been deceived here. Sort of like telling a real estate agent that a property is available when it’s actually not. Your temple may be ‘holy,’” she said, adding air quotes, “but you foul the air around you anytime you climb onto your soapbox. I find you offensive.”
“Well I find you offensive, slut,” Tabitha growled at Jayne. Several craft fair patrons browsing nearby gasped and stared at Tabitha.
Jayne shook her head at Tabitha in disgust and then looked at Lucy. “I don’t know why I bothered saying anything. There’s no reasoning with a fanatic. She’s lucky Seth isn’t here.”
Noting that she’d drawn the attention of others, Tabitha smiled. “Shoppers! Good people! You should be aware of who you’re giving business to here!”
Heat like a blow torch filled Lucy and she saw red. Angel and Joaquin gathered Teresa and the boys and directed them away from the gathering crowd.
Tabitha called out, evidently warming to her subject. “Many of these businesses are owned by people who are involved in unlawful activities, perversions, and perfidies of various natures!” Tabitha turned a glare on Jayne, obviously enjoying the attention.
From down the row, Summer Webster called out, “How dare you point the finger at us, Tabitha Lester? You and that vigilante squad your best friend led were party to the arson and assault that occurred at my place of business. I hardly think you’re one to point the finger.”
Tabitha pointed a finger at Summer. “You sinner!” To the crowd she yelled. “She lives with two men. Two men! Having sex with both of them and with each other! It’s an abomination!”
Two women laughed and walked on, obviously not interested in her tirade, but one of them called out, “Are they hurting anyone else?”
“Yes! They hurt this community. Weaken it!”
“How so? They’ve drawn us out to shop at this fair.”
“Your money supports them in their perversions.”
Several patrons gasped and walked away. A married couple frowned at her and the husband said, “Lady, what they do behind closed doors is none of our business. We came here to shop, not to judge others.”
Tabitha pointed at Lucy and yelled, “This one knowingly exposes a young child to her unbridled lust for these two men!” She then pointed at Patrick and Beck. “Good upstanding men of our community who she has drawn astray with her wiles! And she plans to lead many more astray with her massage parlor. We know what really happens behind those closed doors, you hussy!”
Someone in the crowd gasped and said, “Two men?”
Lucy’s fists were balled and she was preparing to launch herself at Tabitha, to wipe the zealous glee from her face, when a pair of strong warm arms wrapped themselves around her, staying her from action. By his scent, she knew it was Beck before he spoke.
“Lady, you’ve spewed a lot of garbage this morning about things that are none of your business. If we choose to live differently, we don’t push it on anyone else. You need to move on and find someone else to victimize.”
“What you need is to get laid!” Lucy yelled, trying without success to pull free from Beck. He shouldn’t have to explain anything to Tabitha or the crowd. Several people in the crowd laughed.
“Shhh, little tiger. You’re egging her on,” Patrick whispered before turning to Tabitha. “No one has led anyone astray, Miss Lester. We’d appreciate it if you moved on or we’ll call the sheriff. You’ve done what you came to do.”