On The Texas Border. Linda Warren
Читать онлайн книгу.
“Jonas is going with you,” Mr. Brewster informed her.
Abby glanced at Jonas, saw that stubborn light in his eyes and knew he hadn’t relented on his own. Mr. Brewster had forced him. “When did this happen?”
“Just now,” Mr. Brewster answered.
“Why? He doesn’t want to go, and I don’t need him to—”
“Doesn’t matter what either one of you wants,” Brewster broke in. “He’s going.”
“Then, he can go alone,” Abby shot back. “There’s no need for me to be there.”
“Goddammit, girl, you’re trying my patience,” Brewster shouted. “You have to be there. You’re writing my memoirs. It’s the ending—or haven’t you guessed that, yet?”
Was that what this was all about? An ending to his book? Or did he really want to see his daughter? Abby wasn’t sure anymore.
“And it’s the only way you’ll find out about your father—or have you forgotten that?” he asked grumpily.
For a moment Abby had lost sight of her main goal. She suddenly remembered Holly’s words about it being bull that she didn’t need a man. Maybe she was carrying it a little too far. So what if Jonas went with her. She’d get a chance to learn more about his situation with Mr. Brewster, and she was becoming more curious by the second. She would have sworn that Jonas would never change his mind. What kind of hold did Mr. Brewster have over him?
She suddenly realized they were waiting for her answer. She swallowed. “No, no, I haven’t forgotten.”
“Good, because I’m tired of all this bickering,” Mr. Brewster said in a frustrated tone. “You two can work out the details.”
Jonas put his hat on his head. “I’ve got work to do.” With that he walked out the door.
“Insufferable bastard,” Mr. Brewster muttered. “But his bark is worse than his bite.”
Abby stared at the door. “Really, I hadn’t noticed.”
“Jonas is a hard person to get to know, but he’s very loyal.”
Abby glanced back at the elderly man. “I see. So how did you get him to change his mind?”
“You’ll have to ask him.”
She intended to. Yes, she definitely intended to find out what kind of hold Mr. Brewster had on Jonas.
As she pondered that thought, Earl returned and said the letter was authentic. There was information concerning her father and his job at Brewster Farms. It was what Abby wanted to hear. Now she faced the biggest challenge of her life—finding Mr. Brewster’s daughter.
Mr. Brewster seemed pleased, and Abby left with Earl, feeling a sense of elation. She didn’t know why, unless insanity had completely taken over her mind.
Before Earl got into his car, Abby stopped him. “Could you give me a hint as to what’s in the letter?” She didn’t want to cause Earl any problems. She was hoping for a clue to justify what she was doing.
“I’m not gonna slit my throat” was his answer. “Not even for you. Just be careful. Very careful.”
“I will,” she said. “And thanks. I realize this was hard for you.”
“Abby, I—” He seemed to reconsider, and instead said, “Don’t do this alone. Hire an investigator or something.”
Abby rolled her eyes. “Men. You’re all alike. Mr. Brewster is insisting that Jonas go with me.”
“That’s good,” he said.
“No, it isn’t,” she retorted. “I’m not putting up with Jonas’s arrogant attitude, and I intend to tell him so.”
“Abby…”
But Abby wasn’t listening. She got into her car and headed straight for Jonas’s office. They had to get a few things straight.
CHAPTER FOUR
STANDING AT HIS WINDOW, Jonas saw her drive up in a white Accord. She slid out of the vehicle in the graceful movement he was beginning to associate with her. She wore tan slacks and a tan sleeveless top. The slacks covered long gorgeous legs, which he had glimpsed several times during the past month. The top emphasized her slender arms, and rounded breasts that drew his attention like a magnet. The blond hair and green eyes completed a package that his hands ached to unwrap. As long as he knew that and no one else did, especially Abby, everything would be fine.
Soon she’d tire of this absurd quest and go back to Dallas where she belonged. As the thought crossed his mind, he recognized it was wishful thinking. He’d already seen that stubborn streak in her and he knew she’d see this through to the bitter end. And now he was caught right in the middle of the whole blasted mess. A place he didn’t want to be…a place he’d sworn he wouldn’t be. But Brewster was in control—totally. Jonas had given him that control when he was fifteen, and he couldn’t change things now. He fought it at times, but he’d learned early on that fighting was futile. He wished he knew what Brewster was up to, though. There was little doubt in Jonas’s mind that the old man was up to something and Abigail Duncan was just a pawn. Trying to get her to see that was a waste of Jonas’s time, so he might as well accept the inevitable.
ABBY WALKED INSIDE. The big room held three desks and rows of filing cabinets. There was an inner office that she knew belonged to Jonas. Every high-tech innovation was available—computers, fax machines, copiers and a few pieces of equipment she didn’t even recognize. In the way of decor, the place was sadly lacking—right down to the exposed concrete under her feet.
Her eyes settled on the desk in the corner…the one her father had occupied for so many years. She felt a tightness in her chest. Someone else’s things were on the surface, but she could still feel Abe’s presence, his calmness, and she knew she was doing the right thing. No one could stop her now. Not even Jonas’s attitude.
Glancing around, she spotted him at the window. “Could I speak with you?”
“No” was the quick answer, as he turned and went into his office.
Undaunted by the brisk manner, Abby followed. “We have to talk.”
“I can’t right now. I’m real busy.” His voice was abrupt and final.
She chewed on her lower lip. Immovable object. She now knew exactly what that meant. Well, she didn’t need Jonas Parker.
“I don’t want or need you to go. I can do this by myself.” She eyed him thoughtfully, as he shuffled papers on his desk. “I’m just wondering how he got you to change your mind. Last night you were vehemently against it. And today, just like that—” she snapped her fingers “—you agreed to go.”
He kept shuffling the papers as if she hadn’t spoken.
“Mr. Brewster has something on you, doesn’t he?”
He raised his head, his brown eyes so dark that she could feel their heat. “That’s why you take crap from him. That’s why you continue to stay under such unpleasant conditions.” She paused, then asked, “What does he have on you?”
Jonas picked up a clipboard and came around his desk. “As I said, I got work to do.” The words came out curt, and she knew she wasn’t going to get anything out of him…today. She would eventually, she vowed.
“I need the keys to the file room,” she said, before he could leave the room. “Mr. Brewster said you had them. I’m looking for Delores Alvarez’s family’s address.”
He walked back, opened a drawer, threw keys on the desk and pointed down a hall. “Second door on the right and it’s not air-conditioned.”
She picked up the keys. “Is that supposed