The Payback Man by Carolyn McSparren

Author:Carolyn McSparren
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2001-10-02T07:00:00+00:00

ELEANOR REALIZED on her way to meet Mary Beth Chadwick on Wednesday that they had no way to identify each other. Eleanor hadn’t told Mary Beth she was a veterinarian rather than a medical doctor, so she wouldn’t recognize the Creature Comfort logo on her truck, and Eleanor didn’t know how to identify Steve’s sister.

When she pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant, she noticed an attractive young woman climbing out of a Mercedes. The woman looked so much like Steve that Eleanor was certain this could be no one but Mary Beth.

Eleanor went to her with outstretched hand. “Mary Beth? Hi. I’m Eleanor Grayson.”

“You said Dr. Grayson. Is my brother sick?”

“No. I should have told you. I’m a veterinarian. We’re setting up a herd of prize show cattle. Steve is helping with the computer programming.”

Mary Beth let out a breath. “I’m glad he’s well. Let’s go inside.”

When they were seated in the darkest booth in the far corner of the restaurant, Mary Beth asked, “Why are you in Memphis if you work with my brother?”

“You don’t know? He’s been moved from Big Mountain. He’s here at the new West Tennessee Prison Farm.”

Mary Beth grasped Eleanor’s wrist. “Here? How long has he been here? Why did they move him? Is he all right? How does he look? Is he terribly thin?”

“Whoa. One question at a time. Me first. Didn’t he notify you about the move? Didn’t somebody from the prison system?”

Mary Beth shook her head so hard that her hair swung around her face. “No. You have to register with the prison before they inform you about anything like a move, and Daddy said having the Chadwick name on prison rolls was bad enough without letting the authorities know our address.” She dropped her gaze. “I sent him cards on his birthday and for Christmas, though.”

“I see.” Eleanor didn’t see at all, but then, she didn’t know these people. “He is doing well for somebody who has spent three years in prison.”

Mary Beth covered her mouth with her hand.

“I don’t know how he looked before, but at the moment he’s lean and muscular. There’s some gray in his hair, but it makes him look distinguished, although prison haircuts aren’t done for looks.”

“His hair is gray?”

“Only around the edges. Listen, Mary Beth, it’s none of my business, but why on earth have you let your father force you to abandon a brother you obviously care about?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

Mary Beth drew herself up. “I don’t even know you. I have no intention of speaking of family business with a total stranger. I only met you because you said you wanted some information about Steve.”

“You’re right, it’s none of my business. I can see why you might not have the time to drive to Big Mountain to see him. But now that he’s here, why don’t you visit? There are visiting hours every Saturday afternoon.”

“The Colonel wouldn’t like it.”

“Steve is his son.”

“As far as the Colonel is concerned, Steve besmirched the family honor.

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