Summers' Embrace by Lora Thomas

Author:Lora Thomas [Thomas, Lora]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2021-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Mr. Wilkerson,” Branson called from the doorway of the carriage house.

The older man stuck his head out from one of the stalls but did not approach. “Yes, Mr. Wilcox?”

Branson looked around. “We need to talk.”

Mr. Fredrick Wilkerson swallowed nervously. Had Mr. Wilcox discovered that he had been drinking on the job? He tried to hide his habit, but sometimes it was hard. The butler, Andrew Winston, lectured him about his need for whiskey. But dammit! If he didn’t take a drink from time to time, his hands would shake, and he couldn’t think.

“Mr. Wilkerson!” Branson boomed. “Come here.”

“Coming, Mr. Wilcox,” Fredrick said, nervously approaching. “What can I do for you, sir?”

Branson did not answer but turned and began walking. Fredrick followed Branson, wondering what was about to happen.

“If I have done something wrong, Mr. Wilcox, I apologize and will do what’s needed to make it right.”

Branson did not speak as he walked. He did not stop until they were a reasonable distance from the barn, near an old oak tree.

“You have been with my family for a long time,” Branson said.

“Yes, sir. Nearly twenty years now.”

“And during that time, did my father ever question your loyalty to him?”

Fred shook his head. “No, sir.”

“During that time, did he ever give you an order that you refused to follow?”

Fred swallowed nervously and blinked. “No, sir.”

“Really? Even on the night they were killed?”

Fred opened and closed his mouth several times. “No, sir.”

“Think hard, Mr. Wilkerson.”

“I don’t recall any order.” He could not tell Branson that he was driving Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox’s carriage drunk that night. He would hang.

“Father did not tell you not to drink that evening?”

“I…uh—”

“Father did not adamantly stress the importance of you remaining sober while he and Mother were at that ball?”

Mr. Wilkerson shifted his weight between his right and left leg. “Well, he did—”

“And when their carriage went over that bluff, you were the only one to survive. But, oddly, no one could find you until two days later. Why is that?”

“I…I…um, that is—”

“You were drunk that night, were you not?” Branson said, his voice menacing.

Fred dropped his head and nodded. “I didn’t mean to be. It’s just if I don’t drink, my hands shake.”

“So, you admit that you were intoxicated that evening?” Branson did not have proof, only a theory. And if his theory was correct, then he had the answer to his Catrina issue.

Tears pooled in Fred's eyes as he nodded. “Yes, sir. I didn’t mean to do it. They told me to hurry because of Miss Wilcox. I knew I was drunk but didn’t tell them. I knew they needed to get home. Please don’t terminate me, Mr. Wilcox. I know I can’t make this right, but I won’t drink no more.”

A vindictive sneer pulled at Branson’s mouth. “Oh. I do not plan on terminating your employment. I have a much, much more important job for you.”

“Thank you, sir. Thank you.”

If this plan worked, Branson would get all that he desired and more.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.