McPhee shook his head. Ive already applied and been accepted at the Harris County Sheriffs Department.
This was news to Sonya, and it shook her to the core. She had a hard time visualizing this house, this estate, without John-Michael as a constant fixture. What about your dad?
Dads on the wagon.
Yes, but for how long?
McPhee pushed his plate away without finishing, alerting Sonya to the fact that shed ticked him off. He always cleaned his plate. Ive spent ten years as a virtual prisoner, he said, to my father, to Muffy and to you. Thats long enough. If my father does something crazy and gets himself fired, Ill deal with it. But Im not going to let the fear of that stop me from living. Not anymore.
Sonya hadnt heard much past the word prisoner. If conditions are so wretched here, why didnt you quit? she challenged him.
You dont think Ive tried? But your mother made it pretty clear. If I left, Jock had to go, too. I couldnt do that to him. He has nowhere else to go.
How are things different now?
Your mother is being a bit more flexible, now that your future is secured and my dads behaving himself. I think he finally understands the consequences if he messes up again. Maybe he wont this time.
Sonya wanted to believe that Jock McPhees drinking days were over, but she found it difficult. She recalled all too well the sort of mayhem that ensued when Jock went on a bender. Once hed driven the riding lawnmower right through the living room window and into the middle of one of Muffys tea parties. Another time hed gotten a chainsaw and lopped off half of an ancient oak tree because he was tired of fishing its leaves out of the pool; hed nearly chopped off one of his arms, as well.
Muffy should have fired Jock long ago, but she had such a soft heart she couldnt do it. Besides, when Jock was sober, he was the best gardener in all of Houston and a very nice person. Sonya, as well, had always had a soft spot for Jock. Hed been especially kind to her when she was grieving over her fathers death.
So had McPhee. The teenage boy whod had no use for a ten-year-old girl had suddenly stopped tormenting her. Hed started showing her small kindnesses, offering to drive her to visit friends if Tim was busy, playing volleyball with her in the pool.
That was when shed first fallen in love with him.
Oh, hell, she didnt want to think about that now. Well, I wish you luck in your new career. And Im sorry weve made your life so unpleasant.
No, youre not, he said with a little grin. You did it on purpose. Youve resented me watching your every move as much as Ive resented having to play nursemaid to a spoiled debutante.
Sonya laid down her fork. Boy, youre really taking the gloves off.
I feel a certain recklessness, knowing Ill soon be free.
Now is not the time for me to find out you hate me, she said. I have enough to deal with.
I dont hate you.
You just think Im spoiled.
Anyone who doesnt have to work for a living is spoiled. Its not your fault you were born with so much money.
Sonya wanted to continue the argument. Unfortunately, she knew he was right. Shed never wanted for anything in her life, something shed taken for granted. Did that make her spoiled?
Without a good comeback, she returned her attention to her macaroni and cheese, hoping he would go away.
He did. He rinsed his plate, put it in the dishwasher and left the kitchen without another word.
Sonya felt guilty, though she didnt know why. McPhee was such a thorn in her side, always lurking, nosy about everything she did, every person she saw. But shed known for a long time that being her bodyguard wasnt his dream job. It was boring. Hed never once had to protect her from anything more threatening than a pushy salesman. Yet hed tried to make the best of it.
What a relief it would be for both of them, she supposed, if he went away. Once her mother found out Sonya wasnt getting married, she would try to keep McPhee on the payroll. But she had a feeling his mind was made up. This time, he was really going, really moving out of her life.
A noise at the kitchen door startled Sonya. The Patterson estate had security up the wazoo. At night the gates were locked up tight, and electronic sensors around the perimeter fence would detect any intruder. But Sonya had inherited some of her mothers paranoia, she supposed. Whenever she heard a strange noise at night, or even if a stranger looked at her funny, she mentally reviewed escape routes and the location of the nearest weapons for self-defense.
The sound at the door came again, and then the door opened. Sonya tensed, then relaxed when she recognized the nocturnal visitor. It was just Jock McPhee, John-Michaels father, who was harmless as a baby bird so long as he hadnt been drinking. And even drunk, he wasnt mean, just a bit reckless.
Hello, Jock, Sonya said, alert for any sign that the gardener had been drinking. Jock was probably no more than five-ten, small and wiry. There was some resemblance to John-Michael in the lean face and the shape of his jaw, but that was where the resemblance ended. His coarse hair, once a dark brown, was salt-and-pepper, and it stood out from his head in unruly tufts, as if hed just gotten out of bed. His cheeks bore a dayold, silvery beard, and his front teeth were slightly crooked, though still a bright white.
His most startling feature was his eyes, a vibrant sea blue. They hadnt faded with age. And in this instance, they were clear and alert. No sign that hed fallen off the wagon. His work pants were old and faded, but clean, held up by his trademark rainbow suspenders.
Hello, Miss Sonya, he said with a tentative smile. He spoke with the faint trace of an Irish cadence, a legacy from his home country. I couldnt sleep, and I saw the light. I hope you dont mind the intrusion.
Of course I dont mind. Would you like some macaroni and cheese?
He shook his head. Im not very hungry these days. I just cant seem to settle down since they carted Miss Muffy to the hospital. Nothing bads happened, has it?
Sonyas heart went out to the man. Hed lived on the Patterson estate since he was a baby, when his mother came here to work as a cook. He and Muffy had grown up together. They often fought like a couple of bulldogs over what should be planted and where. Muffy had some old, decrepit camellia bushes that she absolutely refused to let Jock replace or even prune, though they were overgrown and past their prime, and they argued about those silly bushes on a monthly basis. But Sonya knew there was a deep, mutual fondness between the two. No one had given Jock much thought the past couple of days, but he was probably devastated over her mothers health crisis.
My mother is doing better, Sonya said. I just heard from the hospital. They might even move her out of Intensive Care tomorrow.
Oh, praise the heavens, Jock said, sinking into a kitchen chair. Ive been just sick with worry. Is there anything I can do? Oh, of course there isnt, but thats what everybody asks at a time like this.
Im sure my mother would appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers, Sonya said gently.
Do you thinkwould it be all right if I visited her at the hospital? I wouldnt stay long. I could bring her a few blooms from the greenhouse.
Do you thinkwould it be all right if I visited her at the hospital? I wouldnt stay long. I could bring her a few blooms from the greenhouse.
She would love to see you, Im sure. Ill let you know as soon as shes allowed visitors.
Thank you, Miss Sonya. I imagine this has put a kink in your wedding plans.
We may have to delay the ceremony, she confirmed. Every time she said it, she felt relieved. When would it be appropriate for her to call the church and give up the date shed selected, January eighth? Once the wedding was no longer scheduled, it would be easy just to never reschedule. Then it would be easier still to convince her mother shed changed her mind about tying the knot with Marvin. Maybe she would never have to tell Muffy what a fool shed been, allowing Marvin to fleece her. The whole subject of Marvin could just quietly disappear.
I was looking forward to making your wedding bouquet myself, Jock said quietly. I know youve hired a big fancy florist to do all the arrangements, but I was hopingwell, I have some of the most beautiful roses youve ever seen in the greenhouse.
Why, Jock, Id be honored to have you do that for me. She knew he was up to the task. He often put together fantastic arrangements for the house. Dont pick out the blooms just yet, she added hastily. But whenever I do get married, I definitely want you to do my bouquet.
He seemed pleased to hear her say that, and he offered her a warm smile. Thank you, Miss Sonya. You and your mother have always been so good to me, even in bad times.
Your son tells me the bad times are over, she said.
Im working real hard, Jock confirmed. Im in AA. In fact, I thought Id head out to a meeting right now.
Do they have meetings at this time of the night?
Just about any time you need one, you can find it. And I need one. This thing with your motherwell, if a man cant drink when someone he cares for is at deaths door, when can he drink?
Sonya wasnt used to Jock speaking so freely about his drinking problem, but she supposed it was a good sign that maybe he really had made lasting changes in his life.
Dont let me keep you, she said. And Im proud of you. I know it cant be easy, changing the habits of a lifetime.
There are some habits you can change, he said. And some you cant. With that cryptic comment, he tipped an imaginary hat and departed.
Chapter Two
John-Michael quickly noted that Sonya wasnt speaking to him as they rode in the limousine toward the hospital the following morning.
I might have been out of line, he ventured, calling you spoiled.
Stuff it.
Okay. She was under stress and he wasnt helping her any. Shed been acting hinky since shed returned from her mysterious road trip.
Were you having an affair? John-Michael asked. Is that what New Orleans was about?
Yes. With Brenna, she added, deadpan. Thank goodness my secret is finally out in the open.
Tim, who wasnt supposed to be listening, snorted from the front seat.
I just cant imagine what would have drawn you to some of the places you visited over the past few weeks, John-Michael continued. Dallas makes sense. But Cottonwood, Texas? And then, some sleazy motel in Smoky Bayou, Louisiana?
Cottonwood was where Cindy Rheems, another of Marvins victims, lived. Smoky Bayou was one of the many stops theyd made as theyd tracked Marvin across two states, always a step behind him. Will you please just let it drop?
Im responsible for your safety, which means I need to know whats going on in your life.
I hereby absolve you of your responsibility.
Theyd been through this conversation, or ones very similar, countless times since hed taken the job as her bodyguard.
When they reached the hospital, rather than following standard procedure for entering a public building, Sonya charged out of the limousine toward the front canopy of Harris County Medical Center without waiting for John-Michael to check things out and then escort her. Usually there was no need for extreme security. Unfortunately, today wasnt usual.
A reporter with a tape recorder appeared out of nowhere heading Sonya off before she could get to the door.
Miss Patterson, Leslie Frazier from Houston Living magazine. Is your mother all right?
Yes, my mother is fine, Sonya said smoothly, a polite smile pasted on.
A source close to the situation says your mother is in Intensive Care, that shes had a heart attack.
John-Michael was about to jump in and rescue his charge, but she handled the situation just fine.
Shes undergoing tests, Sonya said firmly. I have no further comments.
The reporter, seeing John-Michael, looked at him hopefully, but he wouldnt make eye contact, and the firm set of his mouth apparently dissuaded the perky redhead from asking any further questions.
You shouldnt go charging ahead of me like that, John-Michael said when they were out of the reporters earshot.
Youve been reading your own press, Sonya said, sounding annoyed. She was a five-foot-two bubble-head who probably doesnt weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet. I wasnt in any danger.
She could have been someone more dangerous.
McPhee, in all the years youve been guarding me, has anyone ever threatened me?
No, he admitted.
The danger is all in my mothers head. And youve bought into it. Get over yourself. She switched off her cell phone as they entered the building, reminding him to do the same.
They discovered that Muffy was no longer in the Intensive Care Unit. Shed been moved to a regular room. When they finally located her, she was sitting up in bed, her eyes open, the TV on, though John-Michael didnt think she was actually watching the show. She wasnt exactly a Jerry Springer fan. Though she was still hooked up to an IV and oxygen, she looked about 500 percent less scary than yesterday.
Mother?
Muffy looked over and managed a faint smile. Sonya. And John-Michael, how nice.
He walked up to the bed and squeezed her hand. Mrs. Patterson. You must be feeling better. You look great.
Liar. I mustlook likeday-oldpaté de foie gras. Her speech was labored, and it pained John-Michael to see her laid so low. But at least she was awake, and seemingly alert.
Mother, dont try to talk, Sonya said.
I wantto talk. I have to thankJohn-Michael. I should have said somethinglong ago.
Thank him for what?
For making me goto the hospital. I thought it wasindigestion. And for finding my girland bringing her home.
Sonya flicked a curious glance toward John-Michael. You did that? Brought her to the E.R.? How come no one told me?
It was a group effort, John-Michael said modestly.
Well, thank you, Sonya said. You probably saved her life.
He shrugged. He didnt consider himself a hero. Hed done what anyone would do. Anyway, having Sonyas gratitude felt alien. He was much more comfortable when she was mad at him.
Sonya returned her attention to her mother, brushing her hand lightly against Muffys cheek. Im sorry I wasnt here when you got sick. Shed already apologized several times, but she felt compelled to repeat herself.