Sultry

Dolly was the first to roll hers heavenward. “Don’t you worry none. Mr. Mitch will take care of this mess.”

At the mention of Mitch’s name, Lindsay’s heart suddenly turned over. What would her heart do when he actually got here? No matter—she was glad he was on his way.

Lindsay’s gaze roamed the room. Dolly had called this a mess. Well, that was a gross understatement. The tree, sprawled across the balcony just shy of the French doors leading into her room, was a disaster.

For the past two days it had done nothing but rain—the hard, earth-soaking kind. Still, Lindsay had had no idea that the weather could topple a big oak.

“It could’ve been worse, child.”

“You’re so right, Dolly. It could’ve crashed into my room or hit my computer.” Lindsay shuddered to think about that, because she’d put in so many hours at that screen, working on her project. Of course, she had a backup diskette, but it was beside the computer, which meant it could easily have been destroyed, too.

“It could’ve hit you,” Dolly pointed out. “I’m not worried about some ol’ machine.”

“I am,” Lindsay muttered.

“Do you need me to stay here?” Dolly asked.

“Absolutely not. You go ahead and do whatever you have to do.”

Dolly nodded. “I’ll tell Mr. Cooper to come up when he gets home.”

“Oh, I’m sure you won’t have to. There’ll be more commotion around here than if the alarm had gone off.”

Dolly merely shook her head. “I’ll check on you later.”

“Thanks, love,” Lindsay said, watching the housekeeper waddle out the door.

Once she was alone, Lindsay plopped down on the edge of the bed, wondering how long it would take to clean up all the debris and repair the balcony. Several days, she suspected, since the damage also affected the rooms directly under hers.

At least something positive had come out of the day. She had made contact with her two wealthy, charity-minded friends, Ash Fisher, an oilman with mega bucks, and Peggy Potter, a socialite with the same big bucks. After pitching her project to them, they were both very interested and wanted to be kept informed as she went forward.

While neither had actually committed funds, Lindsay knew their money would be forthcoming if she could pull the details all together. She had held her breath, waiting for at least one of them to ask about Cooper’s role in her undertaking. To her relief, that particular question had not been asked.

She doubted her daddy had given their conversation any further thought once he had gone on record with his disapproval. He undoubtedly figured she would drop the idea like a hot potato.

Wrong. Now that she had someone else interested, she was determined to steamroll ahead. Most likely, there would be a price to pay for her flagrant show of independence, but she would gladly pay it.

If only she could get Cooper to the shelter… Lindsay smiled a bitter smile. That was never going to happen. But if he were ever to weaken and walk through the doors, he would understand where her passion stemmed from.

Today would have been a perfect example of how critical the circumstances were. After she had left her friends, she had gone to the shelter and spent the remainder of the morning there, meeting with the director, Rita Thomas.

If ever there was a saint, it was Rita. Lindsay admired her more each time she met with her. She was doing an outstanding job with the women and the budget. But sometimes the load seemed too heavy to bear.

Still, Rita never complained. She was undoubtedly one of the sweetest and warmest women Lindsay had ever known. Though she was only in her early forties, she had lived a lifetime, having barely escaped with her life from an abusive husband. But since his death several years ago, Rita had gotten herself back together and made her life count for something.

Lindsay often thought the reason they had hit it off so well was that they had both suffered terribly, though in totally different ways and for totally different reasons. But it didn’t matter. They had each weathered some severe storms and had come out the stronger—or at least Rita had.

Lindsay wasn’t so sure about herself. It seemed she still had a lot to learn and a long way to go. However, she never failed to draw strength from Rita, and today had been no exception.

“So what’s up?” Rita had asked, once she had poured them a cup of coffee and sat back down at the two-seater table in the small kitchen.

Lindsay studied her friend, thinking something was different about her. Yet she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“It’s my hair,” Rita admitted in a shy, hesitant tone. “I cut it.”

“Right!” Lindsay exclaimed. “And it looks great, too.”

A blush crept into Rita’s leather-textured cheeks, giving her a glow that had heretofore been missing. “Thanks. It’s so much easier to take care of now. It doesn’t take me nearly as much time.”

“And time is something you don’t have enough of.”

Rita’s face sobered once more. “You can say that again. We have so many women to place with nowhere to place them, that it’s completely overwhelming.”

“I know.”

They were quiet for a minute, each sipping on her coffee.

Rita was the first to break the silence. “So, again, what’s up?”

“How do you know anything’s up?” Lindsay tried to contain her excitement and keep a straight face, but she knew her eyes had given her away. They always did.

“Your eyes.”

“I knew it.” Lindsay grinned. “But you’re right, I do have something up my sleeve.”

“Let’s hear it. I need some good news.”

“Well, here goes.”

By the time Lindsay finished outlining her plan, tears were running down Rita’s face.

“Oh, Lindsay!” she cried. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything yet. It’s not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination. We have to raise the money.”

“Do you think that’s possible?” Rita’s voice was filled with awe.

“I’m going to give it my best shot.”

“Then I know it will come about.”

“Meanwhile, I certainly need your input. When you get some spare time—ha, that’s a joke—jot your thoughts, needs, ideas and goals down on paper.”

“Consider it done.”

They both swallowed another sip of coffee as they got up. Then Lindsay gave Rita a hug. “I’ll call you later.”

“I’ll walk you to the door. Come on.”