Читать книгу Waiting Out the Storm - Ruth Herne Logan - Страница 15

Sarah considered the previous day’s run-in with Craig Macklin as she aligned a fencing unit along the back hill.

Bad enough that Liv and Brett showed their worst sides, reinforcing current opinion of Slocums in general. But it had to be in front of Craig Macklin. Sheep-hating, sanctimonious…

Who was about to become her new neighbor.

Wonderful. No doubt he’d complain of the dogs’ barking at night, the smells of a working farm by day. Sure, he was a vet, but he kept his visits to sheep country few and far between by design.

Recalling her appearance the day past, she couldn’t blame him. Craig didn’t come off as a guy who got his hands real dirty, regardless of profession. And his current girlfriend fit the profile to the max. Leggy, lithe and lovely.

Sarah tried to thwart a rise of insecurity, but it was no use. Feelings rose within her, how she prayed as a young girl to be normal, look normal, to fit in.

With Tom and Ed ragging on her constantly, she’d longed to be pretty. Attractive, like other girls.

Try as she might, though, nothing paled her deep-toned skin, softened the dense mass of hair or lightened her big, dark eyes. Owl eyes, Tom used to call them, then he’d make bug-eyed faces at Ed until they’d collapse in laughter at her expense.

Sarah scowled at the memory, kicked a raised piece of sod, and shoved the last fencing pole into place with more force than needed.

Standing next to Craig’s latest squeeze, she had realized she had nowhere to go but up in the looks department, at least as far as Craig Macklin was concerned. And contemplating her planned showdown with her half brother and father, she didn’t have the strength to care. Picking her battles had become a strategic necessity.

“Ain’t none of your business, little girl.”

Ed’s words were typical Slocum. Her father used that phrase as well, a means to keep her in her place. It hadn’t worked then, it wouldn’t now. Sarah stood silent and patient, staring at Ed.

He twisted, uncomfortable. “Don’t try your mother’s tricks on me, squaw-girl. This is none of your affair.”

Obviously Ed thought the word “squaw” insulting. Maybe she’d e-mail him some Abenaki history. Her squaw legacy was deep and fulfilling, a blessing for a woman of strength. Counting the longnecks on the table alongside his recliner, Sarah saw that Ed was on beer number five.

Great. He’d gotten an early start. Sarah continued to gaze at him, then angled her head. “I have three children who need their mother, one of whom is your godson. It would behoove you to act in their best interests instead of your own. You have no financial problems, Ed. You don’t need that money. Why tie it up for Rita? What do you hope to gain?”

“You think talkin’ like a highfalutin’ college girl is gonna get you anywhere?” Ed blew out breath that smelled of sour mash and onions. “I may be simple, but I know my rights. Tom and I created that portfolio. Until a court makes me split it, it stays put. Rita can get her sorry butt out of bed and get a job. If she’d been more ambitious, Tommy wouldn’t have had to take that money.”

Sarah’s heart hammered. Her lungs swelled. She wanted to smack him for insinuating Rita was responsible for Tom’s illicit actions.