Page 35 of Return to Telegraph Creek

“True.But, uh…” Oscar smirked and moved closer, snugging into my neck to run his tongue along my throat.I gazed at the ceiling as shocks of desire shot through me.Who ever knew I’d love to be possessed so boldly by anyone.But I did love it.“Jimmy and I are husbands in every sense of the word, if you know what I mean.And I would ask you to respect that.”

Bertha gave Oscar a wink.“Of course, we will, sweetie.Your husband is safe with us, I promise.”

Oscar looked doubtful, but he got off my lap as the door opened.Trick came in, looking flushed and the better for having been out in the wider world.

“Hey, Jimmy.I kept him safe for you.See?”

I smiled at her, cupping my hand o’er Oscar’s shoulder where he sat in my lap.

“I do see.Thank you.”

Oscar laid his cheek against my chest.“How’s your injury?”he asked, glancing at my other side, which he’d been careful to avoid in all his petting.“We oughta get you back into bed.”

The girls hooted and hollered and laughed until Oscar held up his hand.

“Not for that,” he said.“Jimmy needs to rest.”

“Uh-huh,” Bertha purred.“Sure.That’swhy he needs to get to bed.”

“Oscar, I don’t want to go back to the room.I’m losin’ my mind ’tis so borin’ up there.Let’s stay down here for a spell.

Oscar opened his mouth, probably to tell me to get my tail upstairs, when Miss June came into the room carrying two bottles of wine and a little cloth bag full of something.

She placed the wine bottles on the table and tossed the bag to Bertha, who caught it with a cackle.“The girls and I are taking a night off to properly celebrate your return.”

“Woohoo!”Bertha exclaimed, taking what looked like a little notebook out of a drawer and sitting down near the table with the bag, which she opened and bent to sniff.“Oh!Is this the good stuff you got from River?”

“It is.I’ve been saving it for a special occasion.Can you roll us a few, please?”

“Of course, I can.Mmm.”She frowned and gave Miss June a questioning gaze.“We got any peanuts or dried fruit to bring out?You know this is gonna make everyone want a nosh.”

“I’ll ask cook.I’m sure we’ve got something.”Miss June nodded, as if ’twas the only thing missing with her plan and could be remedied with ease.“You girls work hard for me and The Angel.It’s only fair to give you time off for a party.”

“Is that what we’re doin’?”Sally said as Gus came into the room carrying a big bottle of whiskey and some glasses.

Gus was a giant man from some faraway island in Polynesia, Miss June had said, where’er that was.His English wasn’t too good, but he understood enough, and he took real good care of the folks livin’ and workin’ at the Angel.I knew for a fact Miss June paid him a good wage to do so, but he was also a caring, friendly fella, and I reckoned he felt a part of the family.

Someone shrieked and Bertha came and hugged Miss June, burying her face in the older woman’s plump neck.

“Put theClosedsign on the outside of the door, Gus,” Miss June said.“And latch it shut.We’re havin’ a party.”

“A party?”Oscar said from his spot on my lap.“Truly?”

“Yes, Oscar Yates.Now why don’t you stop hogging Jimmy all to yourself and come get him a glass of something?”

Oscar got off my lap and went to grab a glass that Gus had half-filled with whiskey.He brought it to me.

“Why, thank you kindly,” I said.“You get one for yourself, too.You been workin’ hard.”

“But we ain’t found Cal yet—or gotten a lead or anythin’,” Oscar said, a little morosely.

“Never mind,” Miss June replied.“Something will turn up.I’m sure of it.”

“You feel better, Jim?”Gus asked from where he was pouring drinks.

“Yes, thank you.Much better,” I said, raising my glass.

“Good.Miss June, she know how to heal.She a healer.”