Savage Land by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online Page B

as she stepped through the light bathing through the screen door on to the porch. Her aunt glanced beseechingly at Ben, but he was staring unseeingly at the crimson glow above the hills. Coley tensely watched the flustered woman who had become embedded in her heart in the last thirty-six hours. She saw her shoulders straighten and the sagging chin lift, before her aunt seated herself next to Ben, regaining her grace and dignity. Coley remained in the shadows apart from the group. Her heart contracted in pain while she watched the flashing red nails of her aunt's hands as she poured the coffee. When the same hands were done with their task and one went to its owner's throat to click the beads together nervously, Coley knew she could watch no more the agony that was burning inside her aunt and slipped unnoticed off the porch into the yard.
    Silently, not wanting to be seen or stopped, Coley followed the evening path of shadows to the back of the house. At last out of sight, she slowed her steps and began wandering aimlessly among the stately oaks. Her thoughts became jumbled and incoherent. Flashes of her night spent with Jase came searing back, but mixed up with the never-ceasing echo of Ben's ringing ‘Murderer,’ ‘Murderer,’ ‘Murderer!’ She glanced bewilderedly up to the evening sky with its smattering of stars, only to see once again ominous rolling clouds splintered by forks of lightning before they were blocked out by the vision of a jagged white scar against a black beard and her own taunting words, ‘Mark of Cain.’ Her lids closed tightly over her hazel eyes trying to shut out the pictures she was seeing. What had happened that could cause such hatred between grandfather and grandson? Why hadn't Jase told her that night that he was the grandson of the owner? Why had he let her think he only worked on the ranch? He must have known she would find out.
    Danny had had such high hopes for them. Her generous mouth turned up slightly with affection for her brother. He had wanted a family and a home for her. She had both and now wanted desperately to belong, but this family was torn apart by hate and mistrust. A sickening feeling knotted itself in the pit of her stomach at the thought of continued arguments such as she had heard today between Jase and Uncle Ben. Coley, who hated any disagreement, who couldn't cope with bitter words from people she cared about, shuddered in fear. Jase couldn't be a murderer, she told herself. If he really was, he would be in prison. Somewhere there were answers, a solution. That was what she must find.
    Suddenly, amid the shrilling cries of the cicadas and crickets, Coley heard the rasp of a match being struck behind her. Her spine tingled in apprehension as she turned towards the sound and murmured hoarsely:
    'Who's there?'
    Without answering, a figure stepped out of the shadows, shaking out the match as he did so. The light of the quarter moon illuminated the blue shirt and then the face of the figure. Jase walked slowly towards her, the gentle glow of a lit cigar in his hand.
    'Good evening again, Miss McGuire,’ he murmured very politely. ‘It's a lovely night for strolling through Aunt Willy's rose garden, isn't it?'
    Her body tensed as he stopped beside her, barely controlling a wild desire to flee. His blue eyes challenged her, but only briefly as she turned her head away from his face. Did he know or had he guessed that she had overheard him talking to Aunt Willy? Did he think she had expected to find him out here?
    'I needed some fresh air and I was too restless to sit on the porch with the others,’ Coley explained breathlessly. She glanced up at him hesitantly and had the peculiar feeling that those piercing eyes saw right through her.
    'We all are in need of fresh air after dinner,’ he replied grimly, ‘Did you enjoy the evening meal?'
    Coley knew he wasn't referring to the food and lowered her head to stare at the ground rather than reply.
    'You'll probably have