That Stubborn Yankee by Carla Neggers

Author:Carla Neggers [Neggers, Carla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Windmill Press

Beth remained composed after Harlan departed rural Coffee County in her brother’s Land-Rover. She smiled when she heard him grind the gears of Julian’s Rover, gleefully imagining what his backside and bruised body would feel like after a couple of hours of bouncing around. He had definitely tried to put one over on her in a way that struck her as both arrogant and annoying. The prospect of Adam or Julian flying to Tennessee to fetch their little sister didn’t sit well with her at all.

But she wasn’t as angry as she might have been simply because she had Harlan this time.

If only she knew why she’d even bothered. He got her blood boiling, to be sure, leaving her with a flat tire and an elderly man who’d love to nail him a Yankee. But her motives for not throwing in the towel and heading back home had nothing to do with her car. She had her car. What they had to do with she didn’t want to know right now. She had work to do.

“I need to make a phone call,” she told Danny.

The old man mulled over her request a moment. “Guess it won’t do any harm.”

He directed her to the pay phone Harlan had used. She dialed Taylor and Eleanor Rockwood’s residence. Eleanor answered.

Beth turned her back to Danny. “Mrs. Rockwood, it’s Beth Stiles. I’m calling to find out if you’ve heard from Harlan.”

“Yes, thank heaven. He called not long ago. This has all been the most embarrassing misunderstanding. I’m very sorry to have worried you, Elizabeth.”

“Oh, I wasn’t worried. You know Harlan. Anyway, does this mean you’ve called off Jimmy Sessoms?”

“Well... no, not yet. I will, as soon as he makes contact with me.” Eleanor sounded tentative, even self-conscious. “Harlan had forgotten our brunch and gone fishing. He has had a great deal on his mind and was due for a break. He was never even in Vermont.”

Beth knew her own family would have stuck up for her in the same way Eleanor Rockwood was sticking up for her son. Or didn’t she have any idea Harlan was lying?

“When are you expecting Harlan back?” Beth asked casually.

She heard Eleanor hesitate. “Elizabeth—Beth, I know you’ll understand I’m in an awkward position. If Harlan would like to speak with you, I’m sure he will. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment.”

“Of course.”

Beth hung up, wondering why she’d bothered to call. To see if Eleanor knew more than she did? If he’d confided in her? Stupid. Eleanor was right. If Harlan wanted to tell his ex-wife anything, he would.

He’d already made damned clear that wasn’t what he had in mind.

She turned to Danny. “You know how to change a tire on a 1965 Chevrolet?”

“I sure do, ma’am. They don’t build cars like they used to.”

She smiled her best smile. ‘They sure don’t. Harlan tell you I have a problem with mine?”

Danny was stone-faced.

“You could save my brother a lot of trouble if you could fix it before he gets here.

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