Texas Heat (34 page)

Since there was nothing she could do about her own condition, she had to start thinking about Cole. He would be her number-one priority. Maggie had forbidden contact with her son, but at this point in time, what Maggie wanted or didn't want was of no interest to her. Like Moss, she would have to leave something behind, something Cole could sink his teeth into. Her dream. The only problem was, she didn't have a dream of her own. She made a note to make an appointment with Cranston. They would be allies. She, for the betterment of Cole; he, for his own reasons.

Now the pen flew over the yellow paper. She had to write Cole—Riley, too. She would put both letters in one envelope addressed to Riley; he'd see that his cousin got her letter.

All things considered, she felt she had a handle on everything. She'd make it if the others gave her space. Adam was trying. So was Grand. Poor Grand. First Riley and then Moss. There'd been such love and worry in her eyes at the airport, but she'd carried it off.

The day Sawyer mailed her letters to Riley, one arrived from Cole. She read it several times and then showed it to Adam, who laughed in delight. “By God, those kids are something. I say we should go for it.”

“Me, too. Did you notice, Adam, that although Cole makes a point of saying it was all his idea, he gives financial credit to Riley? I told you the way the two of them sobered me up over Christmas. That was a joint effort, too. I'm pleased.”

“And well you should be. I'll send the money back to Riley's grandfather,” Adam said generously. “The kids will never have to know.”

“No, no, no, you can't do that! Mr. Hasegawa would lose face. You can't ever return a gift to a Japanese. Besides, he'd give the world to Riley if he could. Money means nothing to them. If his generosity could make Riley and me happy, he'd clean out his bank accounts. He gave blank checks to my mother for my grandfather's plane. Blank checks! No, we're going to accept, but I think three months is too long. Let's go for six weeks and play the rest by ear. Agreed?”

“Sounds good to me. That means I have to get my work in ahead of schedule. I'm not going to have too much time to spend with you. What will you do?”

“Do? Do, you ask? Shop. As in shop. I'm going to run my credit cards to the limit. From here on in it's plastic all the way. Do you need anything? As long as I'm shopping, I can pick up whatever you want. Listen, Adam, we agreed, business as usual. Don't start pampering me now. Get your work done. Get it in so we can leave with free minds. Promise?”

“You got it. You want to rustle up something to eat while I shower? You didn't do the towels, did you?”

“Nope, but I will. It won't kill you to use the one you used yesterday.”

“And the day before that and the day before that,” Adam muttered on the way to the bathroom.

He stood under the shower spray, letting the water beat on his head. In the oblivion offered by the steam collecting on the shower door, he sank back against the tiles. Dry, heaving sobs racked him, the sound stifled by the pounding spray. Where would he find the strength to continue this charade? To go along with Sawyer as if everything were normal, as though they hadn't told him he was losing her forever? He was already grieving, already denying what he knew to be true. Even though she would never say the words he so desperately wanted to hear, he loved her. He couldn't think of a life without Sawyer. In the isolation of the shower he cried his grief, and for long after he remained there, struggling to regain his composure in order to face her again. He mustn't let his emotions show; he mustn't let her see his anguish. If he did, she would send him away, and he intended to share every waking moment with her for as long as they had.

Over breakfast Sawyer asked Adam's advice. “Grand told me about this place high in the hills in Hawaii that Seth arranged for her and Moss when he was on leave. A lady, Ester Kamali, owns it but doesn't live there. I wonder if she could somehow get in touch with the lady and ask if we could stay there. There's a caretaker and housekeeper, or at least there was. Grand said it was the nicest place in the world and one of the happiest times of her life. Once she told me in secret that she thought that was where she fell in love with Thad, only she didn't know it at the time. That's where I want to go. I'll call this morning and write to the boys so they can cancel any condos the travel agency wants to rent them. Grand has pictures. I'll tell her to send them so you can see what I'm talking about.”

“I don't like to bring this up, but I have to.” Adam bit into a piece of crunch toast. “Is it possible that Maggie can stop this trip? She does have sole custody of Cole now.”

“I suppose anything is possible. Riley already has his grandfather's permission. I'm going to talk to Cranston. I don't think we have anything to worry about. Maggie won't interfere. If she does, we'll have to switch to plan B.”

“Which is ...”

“Whatever the boys come up with. You and I are only along for the ride.”

“Then I won't worry about it.... This toast is good. I kind of thought you were going to cook something. You know, something I could sink my teeth into, like eggs or pancakes. Food.”

“I don't have time. I have to do the laundry and go shopping. Maybe I'll stop by Cranston's office instead of waiting for an appointment. He'll see me because he'll think it has something to do with Maggie and Cole. As soon as those towels are in the wash, I'm calling Grand. Get to work, Jarvis. I don't want anything spoiling this trip, even if it is months away.”

Sawyer called her grandmother. Billie's heart soared when she heard her granddaughter's request. “I'll get on it right away. I can't promise anything, Sawyer. It was so long ago. I'll call you back this evening.”

When Billie hung up, she dug out her address book and scanned the numbers. At Sunbridge there were ledgers, journals, notebooks, all dusty now, full of names. Surely Ester Kamali would be listed there somewhere. She called Amelia.

Amelia said she'd drop everything and return to Sunbridge to get the information, then call back as soon as she had news. When Amelia hung up, she called Maggie, who agreed to go to the basement and search out old telephone bills. Thank God, nothing at Sunbridge was ever thrown away.

When Thad returned to the house at lunchtime, Billie told him what was going on. Thad looked at her in amazement and then laughed. “Billie, why didn't you call the house in Hawaii and ask to speak to whoever is there? It's possible Phillip and Rosa aren't there anymore, but someone should be. There's also the possibility that the place has been sold.”

“Don't you remember, the telephone number was unlisted.”

“Ah, now that you mention it, I do seem to recall having to carry the number in my hip pocket. That's one for your side. What will you do if you can't get the house?”

“Shhh,” Billie said, placing a finger on his lips. “One way or another, we'll get that house for Sawyer. Trust me.”

“I do. I do. Personally, I think what those two young boys are trying to do is just as wonderful.”

Billie smiled wanly. “Not trying, Thad. They're doing it. By tonight, it will be a fact.”

And so Ma Bell worked her magic, from New York City to Vermont to Texas, from the Pentagon to the Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, then on to Pearl Harbor and ending up in Hong Kong.

Amelia was on one extension and Maggie on the other as they called Billie to give her the news. “We got it for you, Mam,” Maggie said breathlessly. “I tried the number in Hawaii and it's been disconnected.” There was awe in her voice when she said, “I had no idea Seth traveled in such high places. Amelia did some razzle-dazzling that would knock you off your feet.”

“Billie, we have the number for you. Everything sounded positive. The house is empty, has been for years. Rosa and Phillip passed away. There's a grandson who looks in on things. Miss Kamali is living in Hong Kong and has never returned to the island.” She repeated the number twice to be sure Billie had it right. “You should be able to place your call. It's tomorrow over there. Take a shot at it—and good luck.”

“Mam, if there's anything I can do, call me,” Maggie said.

“I'll do that, Maggie. Thanks again.”

“I got it, I got it!” Billie said, dancing around Thad's chair. “Cross your fingers that Miss Kamali gives her okay. I'm going upstairs to make the call. This is going to be woman talk.”

“Go ahead, darling. I'll sit here and smoke my pipe and remember the time we spent in Hawaii.”

“Just don't fall asleep till I get back.”

“What do you have in mind?” Thad leered.

“The same thing you do. Stay alert!”

Thad watched his wife run up the stairs, seeing the young girl he fell in love with. He thanked God again, as he did every day, for his good fortune. He packed his pipe, struck a match, and waited. He would always wait for Billie. Till the end of time, if necessary, and in eternity he'd be there with his hand in hers.

Billie's heart pounded furiously as she placed her call. She crossed her fingers and waited. Six rings, seven, and then a soft voice came on the line.

Billie introduced herself and waited to see if the woman would remember her.

“But of course I remember you. My housekeeper did nothing but talk of you for months after you left. What can I do for you, Mrs. Coleman?”

“It's not Mrs. Coleman anymore. It's Mrs. Kingsley. My husband died several years ago.” Billie quickly explained her problem. “Whatever the cost, I'll pay it. Please, Miss Kamali, whatever it takes, I'll do it.”

“My hesitation has nothing to do with money, Mrs. Kingsley. The house has been closed up for many years. I don't know if it's fit to live in. One of the caretaker's grandsons is supposedly looking after it, but they get lazy, if you know what I mean.”

“That's not important, Miss Kamali. I'd be glad to pay for repairs and to get it ready.”

“Please, call me Ester. I feel as though I know you. May I call you Billie?”

“But of course.” Suddenly Billie blurted out that she had worn the rainbow silk dress that had been packed in the chest.

Ester laughed. “Rosa told me. She said you looked beautiful in it. It made me happy knowing someone got to wear it. My beloved never got to see me in it.”

“You've never been back to that beautiful house since you left?” Billie asked in awe.

“Never. My soul is there. I'll go there when it's time for me to die. For now, my heart is here in Hong Kong. I have a pleasant life with a man who loves me very much.”

“And do you love him very much?” She had no right to ask, but she wanted to know about this faceless woman who could fill Sawyer's life with sunshine for a little while.

“There are some loves that are for yesterday and others forever. My love belongs to yesterday and so do I. For now, what I have is pleasant. I'm able to live quite happily, but there are too many shadows in my life for me to move on. But to give you an answer, of course you may have the use of my house. Your father-in-law was very kind to some members of my family years ago. I could never forget that. If you can manage to send someone to Hawaii to look things over and have the house opened, you have my blessing. There will be no discussion of monies. It will be my gift to your granddaughter, and I will pray for her and for you. I'll send you a set of keys tomorrow.”

Tears streamed down Billie's cheeks. “I don't know what to say. You're the second-kindest person I've ever known. I can accept your generosity only if you allow my family to make any repairs the house may require. It would break my heart to see that lovely place fall into ruin. Please, say it's all right.”

“I accept, but you must tell me who the
first
-kindest person in your life is.” There was a smile in Ester's voice and Billie played to it.

“The person whose love for me is forever, my husband. Thank you, Ester. I'll stay in touch. Perhaps one day we'll meet.”

“I'll look forward to that time. Good-bye, Billie. My prayers are with you and your granddaughter.”

Now she had to call Sawyer and tell her everything was set. Then a quick call to Sunbridge.

Sawyer was delighted. “I'll tell the boys I know of a place. I know they'll be thrilled. Thanks, Grand.”

“For what?”

“For coming through for me.”

“All I did was make a few phone calls for you. Good night, darling. I'll talk to you later in the week.”

The call to Sunbridge left Billie stunned. “Let me do it, Mam,” Maggie pleaded. “Let me go to Hawaii and get the house ready. Sawyer doesn't need to know I'm the one who's doing it. Let her think the place is ready to move into. I'll make up some story about where I'm going for the boys. I
need
to do this, Mam. Please say yes.”