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.I've had a good life and expect to continue doing so for many years.The whole reason for this depressing story, my dear, is to prevent you from making the same mistake I made."She stood."If you love Will as I think you do, tell him so.Don't make him pay for another man's mistakes.He can't help loving Nancy, but that doesn't mean he'll love you any less.As for the travel, well, you can take trips together that will mean much more than any you could ever take alone.You can grow together instead of separately."With resignation, Aurora stood and paced about the room."I know you're right, Rose.I'd reached the same conclusion myself during the week, but needed reassurance, I guess.That bad experience with Russell made me afraid to trust my own feelings, afraid to trust Will.I thought he might have chosen me because I happened along when he decided to get back into circulation.And there was the terrible fight about my owning my own business.""I'm sure you can work it out, dear.Just give him time and a chance.The only woman in our family who has had a career is me.It will take him some getting used to, having a working wife.It isn't that he doubts you."Before Rose could protest further, Aurora continued, "I knew deep down that was true, but I had doubts.I know that I love Will more than I ever imagined possible."Aurora twirled around to face Rose, "I'll call him now.No, wait, this is not something to be discussed over the telephone.I'll tell him in person tomorrow night at his party--that is, if it's not already too late."Chapter TenAurora could hardly wait for the day to pass on Friday.More than the usual number of customers came into the store, choosing cards as well gifts for birthdays, Father's Day, or a June wedding.There were so many customers, that Aurora found it impossible to get away in the afternoon to make her usual trip to the bank.About half past four, Rose and Vivian came in to take her with them to the ranch.Susan's mother had become ill while her husband and father were on a fishing trip, though, so Susan had left at four to get her children from her mother's home and check on the ailing woman.Emily and her family were on vacation and Mattie back at work, but even with her improved eyesight Mattie could not close out the cash register and make the bank deposit.Surgery’s miracles only accomplished so much.Aurora’s spirits dipped.“I have no choice but to remain until closing.”Vivian hugged her.“Now don’t you worry a bit, dear.We’ll go on and tell Will you’ll be there in time for dinner.”Aurora asked Rose, “Does he know I’ve told Peggy I’ll buy the shop?”“We’ll let you tell him the news tonight.” Rose patted her shoulder.“Everything will be fine, you’ll see.”Finally six o'clock arrived, closing time, and the last customers left by a quarter past six.Aurora hurried to get the day's receipts ready for night deposit.When she finished preparing the deposit, she slipped into the new clothes purchased for tonight.Changing at the store rather than at Rose's would only save a few minutes, but time was precious.She hurried to change clothes and repair her makeup in the mirror of the tiny employee's bathroom.At last, she could slip out the back door on her way to the bank and then on to the party.Vivian and Rose would already be at the party enjoying the evening.She thought again that it was too bad she could not have accompanied them.Actual starting time for the party was at six.When Will told her about the party, he mentioned the meal would not be served before seven to give all the guests time to arrive.Vivian and Rose offered to wait and go with her, but Aurora insisted they go ahead.She assured them she would arrive there as soon as she could.With luck, she could be there by a quarter of seven.Last week, Aurora had spent a large part of her salary from Peggy on clothes for this party.She chose a long blue denim broomstick skirt.At the same store, she found a western-cut blouse with a vent flap in back.Aurora knew the greens in the blouse’s pattern made her eyes turn an even deeper green, a fact confirmed by both Rose and the sales clerk at the dress shop.At Rose's urging, Aurora splurged on a new silver necklace and earrings in a Zuni sun pattern.She wiggled her toes and wished she had taken time to break in her new brown boots.Kelly would approve of the beautiful tooling on the sides, but the stiff leather made them unwieldy.At least the new clothes gave her the boost of confidence she needed to face Will tonight.Reassured, she picked up her handbag, the gift she had for Will's birthday, and the bank deposit pouch.The Jeep sat parked facing the sun all afternoon.Even though she had one of the folding sunshades in the front window, Aurora could hardly touch the blistering hot steering wheel.She folded the sunshade and searched about the seat for something to use to hold the steering wheel.Suddenly, the door flew open and a dirty hand gripped her arm.Connected to the hand stood the bearded blond man who had tried to force her car off the road on her first day in the area.He must have walked up the alley behind her or have been hidden in a doorway.The dark-haired man drove the red truck now rolling to a stop behind her Jeep."Let go of me!" Aurora yelled as she pried at the fingers of the bearded man."We heard you'd been asking for us, honey.We thought we'd help you out.You just come with me, now." The burly man tightened his hold on her arm.She could smell his stale breath and foul body odor as he reached across to grab her other wrist.Aurora bit his arm and then shoved him as hard as she could.She twirled sideways and kicked him in the groin and tried to slam the Jeep door.Doubled over in pain, the cursing man used his shoulder to keep the door from closing.The second scraggly man appeared, coming around the front of the truck to assist his friend.Aurora slid across the seat and exited the Jeep on the other side.The dark-haired man saw her intention and rushed to prevent her escape.Aurora searched around for assistance, but no one appeared.The other stores and businesses which shared the alley were closed and their personnel either gone for the day or working inside."Help! Call the sheriff!" She yelled as loud as she could before a greasy hand clamped across her mouth.As the men dragged her into the red truck, Aurora thought she glimpsed a face in the window of the back door of the feed store across the alley.She prayed she was right, that someone saw her and heard her cries.Suddenly, peering from a window, she saw Eunice Foster's face dawn with the comprehension of what happened.The dark-haired man drove the truck.The blond had Aurora's left arm twisted behind her back so far that she had to turn sideways in the truck seat.The driver gave her a leering grin."Well, well, you think you're purty smart don't you? You 'n that fancy boyfriend of yours, asking all over the county 'bout us.Me and Billy have some nice plans for you to show you what we think of that [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]