Angels In Red (29 page)

The slightest of smiles came to her face. “Yes, I’d like that.”

The doctor returned to his seat. “Do you have any questions for Jenna?”

Angel chewed on the inside of her lip for a bit before speaking. “Why didn’t you come and see me with my mother?”

Jenna was terrified of saying the wrong thing, or worse, having it sound the wrong way. She faced the doctor for guidance.

“Jenna didn’t know about you.” The doctor leaned forward in his chair.

“Why didn’t she?” Angel creased her brow, and the flash of anger in her expressive eyes didn’t go unnoticed.

“I’m not sure if you’ll understand this,” Jenna began. “In fact, I’m not sure I do, but my father wouldn’t allow our mother to tell anyone about you.”

“Did your father hate me?” Her bottom lip quivered.

“No, it’s not like that. My father didn’t know you. If he did, he would have loved you, I’m sure.”

Jenna noted the confusion in her eyes as she tried to process everything. How could she explain things so she understood?

Angel sighed.

“I think we’ve given Angel lots to think about.” The doctor gave a definitive nod in Jenna’s direction. “Why don’t we set up another session in let’s say, three day’s time?”

She nodded her approval while Angel sifted through the pictures in silence. All she wanted to do was wrap her arms around her and tell her everything was going to be all right, but her sister needed to take the lead in her own time.

“It was very nice seeing you again. I’m happy you’re feeling better after your accident.” Jenna stood. “Thank you, Doctor Gilmore. I guess I’ll see you on Thursday, same time?”

“Yes, this is a good time of day for Angel.”

At the mention of her name, she gazed up at Jenna. “Thank you for the pictures.”

“You are very welcome. Would you like to see more next time I come?”

She nodded and held out the hand not hampered by her cast. “That would be wonderful.”

Jenna gently squeezed her fingers. “Okay. I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes, see you soon.”

The wariness in her words heard loud and clear.

Charles set the phone down. “That was John. They’ll be here in less than an hour.”

“That would be my cue to leave. Jenna would have a million questions for us if she came home to find me here.”

Charles chuckled. “Jenna hates secrets. It’s better for everyone’s sanity if we don’t let her find out we have one.”

Jack stood and stroked his jaw. “I’m glad I’m not the one who has to see her every day and keep quiet.”

“Yah, thanks buddy.” He stopped at the back door.

“So, you’ll get back to me on what we discussed?” Charles asked.

“You betcha. Expect a call late afternoon tomorrow.” He put two fingers to his forehead in a wave of sorts. “Good luck.”

Charles still heard his laughter after closing the door behind him. In that same moment, the front doorbell rang. “Now, who could that be?”

His heartbeat fluttered at the sight of Twyla at the door, wearing a yellow sundress. Her smile brought sunlight to his life.

“Twyla?” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Is everything okay?”

She smiled brightly. “I guess Jenna never told you. After our talk, I tell her today I will help and she asked for me to a barbeque.”

He put a hand on the small of her back. “Come in, this sure is a nice surprise.”

She blushed. “I’m happy you think so.”

Charles took her hand in his and led her to the kitchen, where the most mouth-watering aroma exuded. Edna helped Grace husk corn over a large garbage can. The silver-haired woman looked up and smiled.

“Hello.” Grace wiped her fingers on her apron and rounded the end of a large island, offering her hand. “You must be Twyla. It’s so nice to meet you.”

Twyla smiled shyly. “Your kitchen smells
delizioso
.”

“Why thank you. I just took buns out of the oven and popped in a big ol’ apple crisp for later. I hope you’re hungry.”

“How can I not be?”

“Why don’t we sit outside.” He opened a set of French doors leading out to the back deck. “It’s a beautiful day out there.”

Without exchanging words, they gravitated to the porch swing and sat.

“You look very pretty.”

Her yellow halter dress complimented her small waist and shapely legs. The color showed off her olive skin.

“Yellow is one of my favorite colors.” She smoothed a hand down her skirt.

“Can I get you a drink?”

“A glass of white wine would be lovely. That is, if it isn’t too dry.”

Charles stood and paused at her side. “I think I have something you’ll really like.”

Once inside, he asked Edna to prepare a tray with the drinks and he’d take it out himself, allowing him a moment at a mirror to wipe a hand over his bald head to check for stubble and brush his teeth.

He returned to the deck, tray in hand.

“This is an ice infusion from a local vineyard.”

Twyla sipped from the crystal glass he handed her. “Mmm. It is
eccellente
.”

“I thought you’d like it.”

The doors opened enough for Edna to stick out her head. “Jenna is back.”

“I hope her session with Angel went well.”

Twyla’s brow creased. “She was at the ranch today?”

“Yes. Her and her sister will be having a few sessions with the shrink to guide them through the transition to sisterhood.”

“Hmm, well, that explains why Daniel and the doctor were arguing.”

“What were they arguing about?”

“I couldn’t hear everything, but from what I did, Daniel is angry the doctor does not tell him what they say. He shouted about, client… um,
riservatezza
? Client confi, confidently? I’m sorry, my English is not so good with big words.” She blushed and carried on.  “Daniel says bullshit. It was his ranch and he must know everything.”

Charles rubbed her arm reassuringly. “I hope the good doctor didn’t give in.”

“No.” She giggled. “The doctor stomped out of Daniel’s office, only telling him it went well, and if he wanted to fire him, do it. Daniel slammed the door and I did not see him again when I left not long after.”

“Control freak was probably having a hissy fit over not getting his way.”

Twyla laughed. “I do not know this, hissy fit?”

Charles chuckled. “Temper tantrum.”

She tilted back her head and laughed. “Like a baby.”  Twyla snorted, and her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide in surprise.

He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I love to hear you laugh.”

“Did I miss a good joke?”  Jenna stepped out onto the deck with a drink. “Hi, Twyla. I’m sorry I’m late. I saw a sign with horses for sale. I had to take a look. Glad you could make it.”

“Ahem. Why didn’t you tell me she was coming?”

Jenna shrugged. “I didn’t want to.” She winked at Twyla.

He waggled a finger at her. “I owe you one, kiddo.”

“I love your dress. That color really compliments you.” Jenna smiled.

“
Grazie.
” Twyla lowered her lashes, seemingly embarrassed by the compliment. “How did it go with your sister?”

“I think it went pretty well. She’s still very guarded, but I caught a moment or two when it seemed she was coming to terms with having a sister. The photographs I took in seemed to help.”

“No trouble with Daniel, I hope?” asked Twyla.

“We saw him for a brief second when we arrived. He left us to tell the doctor we were there, and I didn’t see him again.” Jenna’s brow wrinkled. “What did I miss?”

“Twyla was just telling me he was none too happy about being kept in the dark about your session.”

Jenna sat in a lounger beside the swing. “I hope he didn’t give you a hard time, Twyla.”

She shook her head. “Oh no, I just heard him shout at doctor.”

Jenna chuckled. “Good, I’m glad Doctor Gilmore kept it from him.”

Charles watched the two girls interact as if they’d known each other for years. Twyla fit into his life perfectly from all angles. He just hoped she felt the same way about him. Knowing she worked so close to Daniel wasn’t something he liked very much, but he understood her need to earn a paycheck.

“What are you up to?” Jenna tilted her head sideways at him.

“What? Why would you think I’m up to something?” He frowned and diverted his attention to Edna, who came outside with a tray of steaks for the barbeque. “Mmm, thank you. I’ll put them right on the grill.”

Charles welcomed the timely interruption, making it possible to dodge the question while he attended to the barbeque. Jenna knew him all too well. He’d have to be extra cautious not to ring any warning bells.

As he grilled, Twyla told them about the set up at the ranch.  On the main floor, only the older ladies around Angel’s age had rooms. The upstairs was for the little girls, and the boys were kept in a shared basement room where they slept in bunk beds. Only the main floor had double beds of their own. This news was yet another reason to suspect something was going on behind closed doors.

“That’s interesting. Tell me, do you honestly believe he is taking advantage of the main floor girls? I mean, the setup does give him the perfect opportunity, but is he actually capable of pulling it off without anyone knowing?”

Twyla shrugged and sipped the last of her wine. “Daniel is a very smart man. The girls all think he’s a god. I don’t know if he is close with them,
like that
.”

Jenna clenched her hands. “I swear, if I find out he’s done anything to Angel, I’ll...”

Charles raised his long fork and pointed it at her. “You’ll let
me
take care of him.”

Jenna pushed her empty breakfast plate aside and picked up her coffee mug. “I keep forgetting I don’t have to ask permission to spend money. Wouldn’t it be possible to hire a helicopter or something to go back home for a day or two?”

She noted the look of shock on Charles’ face and how flustered he became.

“I guess I could look into it for you.”

“What? You know how much I miss Jack.”

He shrugged. “I guess I’m just a little surprised you’d want to leave here right now. I thought our number one priority was Angel and uncovering Daniel’s ruse?”

She let out a heavy sigh. “Maybe you’re right. There has to be a way to find out what’s really going on there.”

“That’s the hard part. It’s not like either of us can hang around the ranch without him knowing. What we need is another set of eyes in there.” He put up a hand between them. “Before you say it, the answer is no. I won’t allow Twyla to be put in harm’s way by becoming more actively involved.”

Jenna smiled knowingly. “It looks like somebody got bit by the love bug. I’m very happy for you, Charles. Twyla is a lovely woman.” She sat up straight, excited as a plan came together in her mind. “What if we set him up? Put someone in there that can get close enough to him that he lets his guard down.” The prospect made her giddy with excitement.

“It’s a great idea, but just how are we going to pull it off? Who can we trust enough to help us?”

She began pacing. “What if someone who works there is called away on a family emergency? What if this somebody brings in a replacement, someone Daniel won’t be able to refuse.”

“Uh, oh. I know that look.” He massaged his temples.

“I have to go out for a while.” Jenna sprinted toward the door, keyed up by the budding plan. She paused briefly to glance back over her shoulder. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll fill you in over supper.”

“Jenna...”

She didn’t hear anything else, mounting the stairs two at a time. She had the perfect woman in mind. Daniel would be tripping over himself to welcome her to the ranch. No man could resist her charm.

In her room, she flopped into the chair and picked up her phone. She quickly brought up the number as she sat on the edge of the chair and bounced her leg.

“Hey you. How soon can you get over here?”

“Why, what’s going on?”

“I need your help. Can you come over or not?” Jenna nibbled on her fingernail.

“Sure. Would you mind telling me what this is all about?”

“I’ll explain everything when you get here.” She tossed her cell on the bed and resumed pacing. Her plan was so crazy it might just work. With a little luck, they’d uncover the real Daniel, and ultimately keep her sister safe...and get
her
back to Jack where she belonged.