Читать книгу Deadly Deception - Brenda Gunn - Страница 12
ОглавлениеDuring those next few weeks, they settled into married life. Brenda went back to work and Glen began job hunting. At first he seemed confident, but then he began looking discouraged. A month passed, then two, without job offers. Since nothing came through for him, he started fixing up their house and the ranch house Brenda had bought as an investment the year before from her friend Jane, who was now living in it and paying Brenda rent.
On Tuesday, when she had a few free hours, Brenda went over to the ranch house both to see her friend and to look at Glen’s handiwork.
“I can’t believe all the work Glen’s done,” Jane said showing Brenda some moldings Glen had replaced. “You know he and I mix like oil and water. You know I don’t think he’s good enough for you, but he does work hard to improve your life.”
Brenda smiled, her pride evident. “You wouldn’t believe all he’s done at our house. He practically built a three-car garage single-handedly. The only things we had to pay out were for one guy to help spread the cement and a couple more to help with the roofing. The rest Glen did by himself.”
“Well, even I will have to admit he’s pretty good if he finishes building that barn for my horse,” Jane said. “He may really be a good find, Brenda.”
Brenda’s face turned serious. “He is. I just wish he’d find a job. He’s getting antsy. I bought him a brand new Dodge Ram truck and even that hasn’t improved his mood.”
Jane looked at her. “Where’d you get all of your money? Glen boasted to me that you have two more houses. You never told me any of that.”
“I didn’t want to brag, especially with all your marital and money problems.”
“Brenda, you’re always thinking of others first. Maybe you ought to start taking care of you.”
Brenda blushed. “I have been taking care of myself, Jane. At least, financially. I’m heavily insured and a while back I started a retirement package savings account. My parents thought it was funny for someone to do that in their twenties, but now I have a tidy nest egg, so when this house came up at a good price, I decided to buy it for a rental property.”
“That’s using your head. Just how much insurance do you have now?”
“Too much. Because of my bonuses, I have over half a million, and a full million if I die from an accident. And if I don’t die, I’ll be prepared to retire at age fifty and start an animal sanctuary—larger than the one in my backyard. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
“I’ll bet you’d be good at that,” Jane observed.
Brenda shook her head. “Meanwhile, especially with Glen not bringing in money, I need to work my head off and I’m studying for my biology degree to boot,” she sighed.
“Working all the time like this must be hard on your relationship with Glen, especially with him not having regular employment. I wonder why he can’t find a job?” Jane’s face was inscrutable.
“It seems to be getting harder all the time. Glen is feeling miserable about not working and he says he wants to move to the country. I don’t, but—”
Jane broke in, “Well, just remember, I’m a real estate agent, so let me make the commission if you move.”
As they sat in the kitchen drinking tea, Brenda was surprised to see Glen walk in.
“Hey honey, what are you doing here?” she said as he bent down to kiss her.
“Finishing the fence. This property is so big it goes on forever. I think Jane’s increasing the acreage to keep me busy. Anyway, I came in to get something cool to drink. Jane said I didn’t have to die of thirst even though I’m the handyman.”
“I’m all heart,” Jane said nodding.
Glen took a 7UP from the refrigerator, kissed Brenda again and left saying: “I’ll be home before dark.”
“He’s a pain, but he does have a cute butt,” Jane said.
Brenda shook her head. “You think so? I think he’s gotten too skinny. He’s lost a lot of weight doing all this outdoor work.”
“Nope, he certainly is looking good.”
“And I think you’ve been alone too long,” Brenda laughed self-consciously, trying to make a joke. She really didn’t like her friend making remarks about Glen’s body. But she told herself it was just Jane’s way of being cute and let the thought go.
“Jane, I’ve got a long day, so I’ll be on my way,” Brenda said. “Come over real soon.”
“Sure,” Jane said as Brenda gathered her things and headed for her car.
At 8:00 P.M., when Brenda got home from her appointments, to her surprise Glen wasn’t there, despite his saying he’d be home before dark. She got her biology book, grabbed a sandwich and decided to devote the extra time to study. A short time later she looked up to see Sniffer cock one ear and growl while the dogs outside went into a barking frenzy.
Glen walked in, looking weary and discouraged. Seeing Brenda studying, he complained, “I think you love those damned books and grimy animals more than you do me.”
His sudden outburst of anger surprised her. “Glen, I love you more than anything. I’m just trying to better myself.”
“Excu-u-use me!” His voice was hurt.
“What’s wrong?”
He blurted out, “If you were ever here, you’d know what’s wrong.”
“I’m here now. Tell me,” she said, closing her book.
“Brenda, I have to get a job soon but nobody’ll hire ‘cause my family hasn’t lived here for four generations. This town’s so snooty. We’ve got to get away from here.”
“You want to go somewhere for a three-day weekend?” she asked, as she filled a cup with water and put it in the microwave.
“No. I mean move away from here.”
“We can’t move. Where would we go?”
“To the country where it’s quiet and there’s nobody around—just you, me and the fireflies.”
“We can’t afford to buy another house, Glen.”
“We could sell this house.” His voice had a forlorn tone to it.
“No!”
“Then take $50,000 out of your nest-egg and we’ll borrow the rest.”
“I don’t know.” Brenda didn’t like dipping into her retirement for anything, especially for something she didn’t really need nor want. The microwave timer went off. She took the cup of hot water out and stirred in some Café Vienna coffee. She held it out to Glen.
“Please. I know it’s this uppity town that’s making me edgy,” he said, looking at her with desperation in his eyes.
“I’ll think about it,” she said softly.
“Please do that,” Glen said in a flat tone, staring into his coffee. “I’m going back to our room and try to relax.”
She nodded. She knew that asking her for money was hard for him. After all, he was the man and he felt he should control the finances. What an archaic notion, she thought, but she understood that his pride was hurt.
A short while later her thoughts were interrupted when Glen came up behind her and began rubbing her shoulders. It felt good and she rolled her head in an arc to relax the muscles in her neck. Glen moved his hands off her shoulders and onto her neck. That felt good, too.
She stood up and took his hand and led him back to their bedroom. As they undressed, Brenda said, “By the way, Jane thinks you have a cute butt.”
He turned and began to tickle her. “You think that’s funny, don’t you?”
“Maybe she’s after you.”
He walked over to the bed and lay down. “She’ll never even get near my butt if I have something to say about it,” he said curtly. “That…that woman treats me like a servant.”
“Well, she is a lot of talk, but she’s beautiful,” Brenda sighed, “and a flirt.”
“The only one I want to flirt with is you,” Glen smiled. “Come here.” He crooked his finger.
“So, you think that’s all you have to do to get me, don’t you?”
“Come a little closer and I’ll show you that you’re my wife and I can do anything to you I want because I love you.”
Brenda lay down beside him. “I love you, too,” she said.
