Sintown Chronicles II: Through Bedroom Windows (32 page)

“Mommy.” The sound was so weak it could have been the wind.

All eyes turned to the far right of the porch. No one was there.

“Mommy,” the tiny voice sounded again. “Please don't spank me."

Frank sprang from the step, Tim leaped over the porch rail and the women rushed to the end of the porch.

Junior, standing on the ground next to the porch, burst into tears. “I tried to follow Maggie and Greta this morning but I got losted."

Frank decided to go on his date after all. He desperately felt the need to hold June in his arms. Maggie went home worrying about her incarcerated friend. Borders, after filling them all in on the death of Eddie Crow, took Leora home and held her tightly until sleep finally came.

The picture on the giant screen TV in the Dollars’ den was fuzzy, but nobody noticed. Sandra sat on the sofa holding her exhausted and sleeping boy and Tim sat in his recliner just enjoying the view of his son.

“Somebody needs to tell Greta about Eddie,” Sandra said.

Tim nodded in agreement.

“We promised we'd help her."

“She doesn't deserve our help."

“Tim, damn it. She's not very bright and that Eddie Crow virtually made her his slave. She was scared to death of him. He was a monster. You heard what Borders said he did to Sewana.

“Maybe you're right, Dudette."

“What if she tells about our sexual activity?"

“We deserve whatever happens."

“Tim, Greta's not very bright and she was living with a lunatic."

He nodded again. “You already said that."

“I can't handle it right now, Tim,” Sandra said softly as she tightened her grip on the sleeping child. “Go to Charlotte, tell her about Eddie and see if you can get her out of jail on bond. She can spend the night with us. We'll call a lawyer in the morning."

“She can't continue to work here."

“We owe her, Dude. She did the right thing."

“It took her long enough."

“Dude!"

He stood up, jammed his hands into his pockets and looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you, Dudette."

“I know."

He kissed her on the forehead and then gently kissed Tim Junior. “I'll do what I can,” he said.

“Dude?"

He turned to her as he reached the door.

“Be sure the damned doors are locked before you leave."

As Greta was being released into Tim Dollar's custody, her only possession was returned to her—a crumpled page from a notebook written by Miss Ida Jenkins.

“I don't want to go to your house, Tim,” Greta said when they were headed back to Dot in his Mustang. “We want to go to our house."

“We? Greta, I told you. Eddie is dead."

“Me and Miz Jenkins."

“Miss Jenkins?"

“You wouldn't understand. I ain't gonna work for you anymore, either. Me and Miz Jenkins are gonna buy that house. She said she'd find the money for us."

“How did you know the house was for sale? The county treasurer called me this afternoon to see if I would be interested in buying it. He told me that the School Board decided just last night to sell the property."

“Miz Jenkins told me."

“You're right, I don't understand. However, Miss Jenkins does not need to provide the money for the purchase of the house. I'll give you the house and there was a hundred thousand dollar reward for information leading to the conviction of the Elliott's murderer. You provided that information. You deserve the reward."

“You don't have to buy my silence, Tim. I didn't tell nothing about what you and Sandy and me done."

“I'm not trying to buy your silence, Greta, but I do want to do something to thank you for finally stepping out and telling what you knew about Eddie. You probably saved Sandy's life as well as Junior's."

“You hear that, Miz Jenkins? Everything turned out just like you said it would."

Tim glanced into the back seat, half expecting to see Miss Jenkins sitting back there. She seemed so real to Greta.

“Tim, me and Maggie ain't working for you no more. Can we still pan for gold on your place?"

“Was it Miss Jenkins who told you to look for gold?” Tim asked.

Greta nodded. “She told me we was gonna get rich."

“Will you cut me in on the profits?"

“How about it Miz Jenkins?” Greta paused as if listening to a voice that wasn't there. She smiled. “Miz Jenkins said since it was your property it's only fair to cut you in, but when we find the mother lode, you have to finance the purchase of mining equipment."

Tim smiled and flicked his headlights to low in order to see the road better through the growing fog. “Tell Miz Jenkins I said thank you."

“Is Sewana gonna be okay?"

“I don't know, Greta. They say she is in bad shape."

“I want her to get well. I want her to be my friend."

“Why don't you ask Miss Jenkins about Sewana. She seems to know everything.” Because there was no air conditioning in the Mustang, Tim's shirt was soaked with perspiration, but he shivered as a sudden chill ran up his spine.

Greta chuckled.

“Something funny?"

“Miz Jenkins said to tell you to keep it in your pants from now on or you'll have to answer to her."

June's legs turned to jelly as the tall, slender man with jet-black hair entered Dot's Diner. She couldn't take her eyes off the bulging biceps while he spoke to her.

“Lovely Lady,” he began, “I'm looking for Maggie Skinner and I'm told that she is working here today. Is she in?"

June's mouth moved but no sound emerged. “Lovely Lady” echoed through her mind and the boyish smile he flashed hypnotized her.

“Sweet Thing,” he said, “are you okay?"

She nodded and again unsuccessfully tried to speak. Her eyes fell to his snug-fitting jeans and her feet seemed attached to the floor.

Suddenly he turned, went out the door and immediately returned. Again, his brilliant white teeth flashed as he smiled and said, “Let's start over. Good afternoon you gorgeous gal. I'm looking for Maggie Skinner. Is she here?"

June burst out laughing and motioned towards the kitchen.

He focused on her nametag and grinned. “June,” he said, “you are the girl of my dreams—pretty as a picture and silent as the falling snow. Your husband is one lucky man."

“I'm ... I'm not married,” she managed to say extending the back of her unadorned left hand for his inspection.

He closed his eyes and dreamily said, “Ah, the voice of an angel.” He looked at her and took her hand in his as his expression changed. “Will you marry me, you cuddly cute creature?"

June's breath was coming in noisy gasps. “I ... I...” She nervously slipped her hand inside the vee-necked collar of her white uniform and adjusted the heavy bra strap.

He pretended not to notice. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, his eyes closed. “It must be wonderful working in a restaurant with all the marvelous aromas, or is that your alluring scent that is making my mouth water?"

“That's the stew Maggie is cooking for tonight's special. It's called Hobo Stew and has lots of hamburger and onions,” she replied as she smoothed the uniform over her thighs.

“May I ask a personal question?"

She fixed her brown eyes on his.

He accepted her silence as an invitation.

“How tall are you—five two—five four?"

She laughed and adjusted the other bra strap. “Five three,” she said.

He nodded appreciatively. “Eighteen—nineteen?"

“Almost twenty.” She felt her heart racing and wondered if her breasts were quivering noticeably.

Here's my real question, you sexy kitten. “How can a woman have such magnificent full breasts and a tiny waist at the same time?"

“Don't let Casanova get to you, June,” Maggie said as she came through the kitchen door. “He has a honey-coated tongue and a heart of stone."

“Maggie!” he exclaimed as she rushed around the counter into his outstretched arms. “Is that any way to talk about your favorite brother?” He yanked the bill of the red baseball cap she always wore down over her eyes.

“June,” Maggie said, hugging him tightly, “this is my brother Frank. Frank, this is June Dinkins.” She pushed the cap to the back of her head.

“And don't you believe for one minute,” Frank said to June, “that I have a heart of stone. I'm the most kindhearted, warm, loving, sincere man ever born."

“You big lug,” Maggie said, hugging him again. “It's great to see you. What brings you to Dot?"

“Why, I came to see my favorite sister, of course,” he said.

“I'll bet. We're between rush hours, Frank. Let's sit in the back booth and catch each other up. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Raising his voice so the waitress could hear, he replied, “I sure would if June will sweeten it with her dainty little finger."

June smiled and soon placed two steaming mugs on their table. She made a point of dipping her finger into his coffee. He took her hand, kissed it and gently sucked the liquid from her moist finger.

“Seriously, Maggie,” Frank said when June was again behind the counter, “why is that fantastic female not hitched? Is she a lesbian?"

“I don't think so,” Maggie said. “She's a bit shy, but I swear if I had let you sweet talk her another five minutes I believe she would have stripped and had her way with you right here in the dining room."

“I'm serious, Maggie. That foxy female races my motor."

“She's an innocent girl, Frank. Leave her alone."

“Innocent, maybe, but I'm not going to leave her alone. I'm going to make that charming child my bride."

Maggie grinned. “Then I guess you're not just passing through. It takes three days in North Carolina to get a marriage license."

Frank returned her grin. “No, I'm not just passing through. The garden shop in Atlanta is doing great, but five bosses is four too many. There's no feud going on among your brothers, Maggie. I just decided it's time to go out on my own. I have twenty-five thousand dollars in my jeans and a pickup truck packed with all my earthly belongings. I'm going to open a garden shop in Dot if everything works out."

“Frank, that's wonderful, but why Dot?"

“Your letters, Maggie. I fell in love with the place from your letters. I've already talked with Tim and he says he will throw some business my way."

“Tim Dollar?"

He nodded. “I found him at home a while ago when I went looking for you. I introduced myself and before long, we were talking business. He said he was not pleased with the landscaper he has been using out of Charlotte and would send some business my way to see what I can do. He suggested that he might even finance the heavy equipment I will need."

“Frank, that's great,” Maggie said with enthusiasm and then she joked, “You're not after my job are you?"

“With just a snap of my fingers I could have your job, Maggie,” he bragged, “but I wouldn't do that to you. Seriously, what has happened? The last I heard, you quit your job as manager of the Korner Kafe because the old geezer who owns the place was getting too affectionate. You then took a job as the caretaker of Tim Dollar's farm, but today, I find you working as a cook at Dot's Diner. What's going on, Baby Sister?"

Her expression changed. “You know, Frank, this might work out pretty good."

“What do you mean?"

“Circumstances have changed since I quit the job as manager of the Korner Kafe. I really liked that job and Mr. Bennett has asked me to come back to work for him. I think I would really like to do that, but I have worked for the Dollars such a short time that I hate the thought of walking out on them."

“Now that I am here you can bow out gracefully.” He broke into a wry grin. “It'll be in the Dollars’ best interest. Everybody knows a woman can't do a man's work."

“Screw you, Frank Skinner."

“Okay, but that's kind of kinky. I think it's called incest."

Maggie laughed. “That's why I quit wrestling with you when we were kids."

“What are you talking about?"

“I found out from a friend one day about the facts of life and realized that you didn't really have a roll of quarters in your pocket every time we wrestled."

He blushed, but said, “Even at thirteen your budding bosom was superb, Maggie. It beats me why you keep those delightful delicacies strapped down."

“I wear an athletic bra to keep those suckers out of the way and to keep guys like you from hitting on me."

Frank smiled. “Tell me about this Tim Dollar. Is he really as rich as your letters indicate?"

“Probably richer,” she said. “He owns half the town. The huge recreational complex he built and the housing development he and Sandy are creating around the three golf courses is just the tip of the iceberg."

“Sandy?"

“Tim's wife."

“That must be the sexy broad I saw fishing in one of the ponds beside their house."

Maggie nodded. “She loves to fish, and she idolizes their boy—Tim Junior—but don't sell her short, Frank. She's a writer and a full partner with Tim in Dollar Enterprises."

“You still haven't explained how you wound up here as a cook."

Maggie smiled. “I'm not sure myself. Dottie Frank owns the place. She and George Bennett were bitter enemies for a long time. Dottie was in a wreck early this morning. Mr. Bennett called me at the Dollars’ house and asked if I would fill in here until Dottie is back on her feet. He admitted on the telephone that he likes her a lot and, well, that was when he offered me my job back at the Korner Kafe. He wants to have more time to spend with her."

Frank shook his head. “Doesn't make much sense. You quit working for him because he was pawing you, and now you want to go back. You miss the old codger's attention, don't you?"

“Let's change the subject, Frank. Where are you bunking?” Maggie asked.

“I could stay at the motel, I suppose, but I was hoping that you would put me up until I get some things worked out."

“I'd really like that, Frank. I am renting a very small house from the Dollars’ contractor, Carl Elliott. It's just across Highway 13 from the Dollars’ place. It has a spare bedroom, but I've rented it to a waitress at the Korner Kafe, Sewana. I suppose you can sleep in the living room. The sofa converts into a bed."