Savage Land by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online Page A

hesitantly at her brother beside her, but he frowned at her slightly to signal silence. She clinched her hands tightly in her lap, watching the dishes pass from Uncle Ben to Tony on to Jase and Aunt Willy. She tried to act as nonchalant as everyone else, to assume the indifferent mask that Jase wore, but it was impossible for her. She jumped every time Ben grumbled a sentence, expecting each time that the arguing would start, and a little more tense each time that it didn't.
    'What did you do today, Coley?’ Tony asked, flashing his white teeth at her from across the table.
    'I helped Aunt Willy in the garden,’ stammered Coley, almost dropping her fork as she spoke. She felt her cheeks flush as Jase glanced at her.
    'What did dear Uncle Ben decide for you to do around here?’ Tony grinned, eyeing his uncle mischievously.
    Coley averted her eyes to her plate and waited breathlessly for him to answer. Not for anything was she going to let Tony know how rotten her interview had turned out.
    'She's worthless for anything but ornamentation,’ replied Ben, scowling at her through his bristly brows. ‘The way she looks sight now she ain't much good for that either. Willy, you're going to have to get something done about her hair. It's always sticking out all over.'
    'Like yours, Uncle?’ Tony teased.
    'Don't be insolent!’ Ben glared at his nephew. Looking back at his sister-in-law, he continued, waving a fork in the air as he did so. ‘Get her some decent clothes, too. Next time she comes to dinner I want her dressed for it and not looking like a ragamuffin.'
    Shame and humiliation welled up inside Coley. She blinked desperately, aware of Jason's stare. Coley glanced quickly at her brother. The back of his neck was turning red, but his mouth had clamped shut on his anger. For Danny, this was their last chance and they must make a home here at any cost, even their pride.
    'Really, Benjamin, must you be so blunt?’ Willy scolded. ‘You are so utterly tactless at times. I had already planned to take Colleen shopping tomorrow. Most of her clothes were damaged in the flood, so of course, her clothes would be in a disgraceful condition.'
    'I'm sure Colleen will enjoy the shopping trip,’ Jase said, sending a small smile of assurance in Coley's direction.
    'Of course she will. All we girls do.’ Aunt Willy stretched her red mouth into a playful, conspiratorial smile.
    'Yes, it will be fun.’ Coley's words trembled only a little, but she knew it was enough to betray her.
    'Nonsense!’ Snorted Ben. ‘You females just like to spend money.’ He reached over and laid a gnarled hand on Coley's arm. ‘But you be sure to pick out something nice for dinner tomorrow. I'll expect to see a pretty little lady sitting next to me.'
    His words touched Coley as she sensed that he was, in his own way, apologizing for his bluntness. She felt Danny relax a little, too.
    'Maggie!’ Ben bellowed. When she finally poked her head around the door, he said, ‘We'll be having our coffee on the porch.’ As the chairs scraped the polished wood floor, Ben turned to Coley. ‘Well, are you going to help me or not?'
    She nodded slightly and stepped behind the wheelchair to lead the entourage out to the porch. As she manoeuvred the chair through the screen door and on to the porch, Coley heard the lowered voice of her aunt speaking.
    'You are coming out with us for a little while, aren't you, Jason?'
    'No.’ His voice was clipped and hard.
    'But, Jason—’ her aunt began plaintively.
    Coley glanced at the other three on the porch. Danny and Tony were talking and Ben was staring out into the sunset. Only Coley's ears were straining to hear the conversation inside.
    'I will not be a party to any of your conciliatory attempts. It's no use,’ Jase said sharply. ‘Leave Ben and me alone. There's nothing you can say or do that can change the past. Leave us with our mutual dislike.'
    Coley's eyes mirrored the confusion and pain that was on Willy's face