Part 23 (2/2)
”You,” Ludie replied. ”Melva Mae had the sight, same as both her grandmas. She knew what was going to happen before it happened, and she had visions. She could find things that were lost, and she could talk to all them animals in the woods, as well as cats and dogs.”
”Yeah, and she could talk to folks, too, without saying a word. She could sneak right into a person's mind.” Sally planted her big, bony hands on her hips. ”I call that magic. And 'cause Melva Mae never used her magic against n.o.body, then it was white magic.”
”It weren't magic at all. It was a gift from the Good Lord. You know Melva Mae was a G.o.d-fearing woman.”
”Did I say she wasn't?”
”You said-”
Genny cleared her throat. Startled, Sally and Ludie hushed immediately and turned to face Genny.
”What are you doing up?” Ludie asked.
”She's up because she's had plenty of rest,” Sally said. ”Can't you see that? Now, who's the crazy old woman?”
”I'm feeling much better,” Genny told them. ”I guess I've slept all day, haven't I?”
”Purt' near all day,” Sally said.
”How long have y'all been here?” Genny asked.
”Since noon,” Sally replied. ”Doc Swain's keeping the boys overnight. He says they'll be right as rain in no time, that they didn't breathe enough of that d.a.m.n gas to do any permanent damage. So, when Jacob stopped by to check on us and he said he was headed up here to see about you, I caught a ride with him.”
”I came by to check on you when I heard on the TV what had happened this morning, that the killer had murdered Misty and that you were helping the law,” Ludie said. ”I got here about an hour before Sally.” Ludie glanced at the stove. ”I been fixing us a real good supper. Fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, cornbread, and a sweet potato pie for dessert.”
”Smells delicious.” Genny eyed the table set for four. ”Where's Dallas?”
When Ludie smiled, her cheeks rounded and the fine lines in her soft face deepened. ”He went for a walk. Said he needed to clear his head.”
”That man's been hovering around you like a drone buzzing around a queen bee,” Sally said. ”He's worried himself sick about you, child.”
”Do you know which way he went?” Genny headed toward the back door.
”Just down the road a piece.” Sally came over and placed her hand on Genny's shoulder. ”Don't you go running off after him. He'll be back soon enough.”
Ludie lifted the lid on the pot of boiling potatoes, then slammed it down hard, making a cras.h.i.+ng noise. ”A little fresh air and exercise might do you good. Drudwyn's outside. Take him with you and go for a little walk. Dallas headed west. Tell him that supper's not quite ready.”
Sally huffed, then glared at Ludie.
Genny opened the back door. ”I won't be gone long. And I'll take Drudwyn as my bodyguard.”
As she slipped on her coat and headed off the porch and into the backyard, she heard Sally and Ludie resuming their never-ending quarrel. Jazzy and she had laughed many times about the peculiar friends.h.i.+p between the old women. Anybody who didn't know them would swear they didn't even like each other.
Drudwyn came running the moment he sensed Genny's presence. She knelt to give him a loving hug, then silently ordered Drudwyn to follow her.
After descending the steps coming down off the hill, Genny headed west. A fairly straight, even road lay ahead of her for at least a mile. With the sun quickly descending, the evening air had turned cold. Genny retrieved her hat and gloves from her coat pockets and put them on. She and Drudwyn traipsed along for about a fourth of a mile before they came upon Dallas, who was headed back toward the house. With a good twenty-five feet between them, he stopped and stared at her. She lifted her hand and waved. He returned her wave. They walked toward each other at an average pace at first, then each increased speed until, when they came together, they practically ran into each other. Dallas reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. Breathing hard, her warm breath vaporizing as it rushed from her mouth, she looked up at Dallas and smiled.
”What are you doing out here?” he asked.
”I came to tell you that supper will be ready soon.”
”How do you feel?”
”I feel just fine.”
”No lingering aftereffects?”
She shook her head.
Dallas's left hand slid down her shoulder, over her arm, and grasped her wrist. His right hand lifted to her head; his fingers speared into her hair, knocking her knit hat lopsided.
”You have no idea how worried I've been.”
”I'm sorry you worried.”
”I'm sorry you had to go through-”
She placed her fingers over his mouth. ”Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
”Genny...”
She saw an odd look in his eyes. Primitive. Proprietary. A primeval craving. He wanted her-in the most basic, fundamental way a man can want a woman. That kind of need he understood. But she realized he knew nothing about the greater need that was overwhelming his senses. A pa.s.sion of the spirit. A desire for eternal bonding.
She waited, knowing what was to come. Wanting it. Needing it. As much as he did.
His mouth came down on hers as he enveloped her in his strong embrace. A hungry, devouring possession, and yet gentled by the tenderness he felt toward her. She responded with equal abandon.
The kiss went on and on; and when they came up for air, Dallas moved his lips up the side of her face to her ear, then down her neck and over to her throat. She rubbed herself against him, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against his chest, her legs against his. And then he kissed her again. Deeper. More intense.
I love you, Genny told him telepathically, knowing he wasn't ready to hear the words aloud.
Drudwyn whimpered. Dallas slowly ended the kiss and lifted his head. Genny sighed.
”What are you, our chaperone?” Dallas looked squarely at the wolf-dog.
Genny laughed. ”I think he's just hungry. He knows Ludie has fixed fried chicken for supper.”
”Then maybe we should head back to the house.” Dallas wrapped his arm about her waist.
”You aren't staying the night with me, are you?” she asked as they turned and faced the east.
”Sally told me she planned to stay with you tonight,” Dallas replied. ”And when Ludie found out Sally was staying, then she decided she'd stay, too.”
Genny reached down and took Dallas's big hand into her small one. ”I have an idea how I can help you find the killer. I'll come into town tomorrow and-”
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