From Glowing Embers Read Free Page A

two of your patient explanations and I can forget everything that happened?”
    “That’s not what I meant...”
    “I think it’s time for you to leave.” Dillon stood and faced Gray. “The lady is getting upset.”
    “Stay out of this. It’s none of your business,” Gray told him.
    “The lady made it my business before you got here.”
    Julianna’s anger receded as she watched the two men. She hadn’t believed it would come to this. Their raised voices had drawn the attention of the passengers across the aisle. She wondered how many others were witnessing the confrontation. “Just go, Gray,” she said, reaching out to put a restraining hand on Dillon’s arm.
    Gray shook his head. “I’m going to talk to you, and
I’m
not leaving until I do.”
    The two men were well matched in height. Gray assessed the Australian. Whatever advantage the other man had in weight, Gray knew he could probably make up for in speed. He never settled his problems with his fists, but he knew he could if the occasion arose. And the occasion would arise if the Australian took a swing at him.
    “Gentlemen, please.”
    The two men broke eye contact at the sound of a woman’s voice.
    “Everyone is supposed to be seated. The seat belt sign is on.” If the young flight attendant knew exactly what she had interrupted, she didn’t let it show in her voice. “Sir, will you please take your seat? And you, sir, will you sit down and buckle up? We’re heading into worse turbulence, and we don’t want anyone to get hurt.’’ She emphasized the last part of her sentence.
    For a moment Gray considered ignoring her. But he knew he had lost this round. He gave the young woman a curt nod, then addressed his next words to Julianna. “I know where I can find you, both at work and at home. So we’ll talk, whether you think it’s a good idea or not. Maybe by the time we do, you’ll realize how childish you’ve been today.”
    “This isn’t Mississippi. The Sheridans don’t own Hawaii. If we talk it will be because I want to. And that won’t be until hell freezes over!”
    “We’ll talk.” Gray turned and strode down the aisle, disappearing into the next cabin.
    Dillon made sure Gray was out of sight before he sat down again. He buckled his seat belt before he spoke. “Are you all right?”
    “I’m so sorry.” Now that Gray was gone Julianna blinked back tears. “I never use people the way I used you.”
    It was obvious that Dillon would have been more comfortable throwing a punch than he was with Julianna’s tears. “Nothing happened,” he reminded her. “And he’s gone now.”
    “For a while.”
    “Will you be all right?”
    “He won’t touch me.”
    “Maybe you should have talked to him. Now you’ve got to worry about meeting him again.”
    Dillon’s words were only an echo of Julianna’s own thoughts. She listened to the sounds he made settling back in his seat as she cursed her own behavior. She’d been childish and spiteful and so full of fear and anger there hadn’t been room for anything else.
    There had been a time when things were different. Once there had been room inside her for much more. Those days were gone, but as the plane hurtled through the storm-filled skies, she remembered them. She was powerless to do otherwise.
     

Chapter 2
----
     
    “JULIE ANN!”
    The coltish teenager with the legs that went on forever and the arms that seemed to, looked up from the tub of mud-colored water and blew a strand of mud-colored hair out of her eyes. “Dory, I’ve got Pedro in the tub,” she shouted back. “I can’t come right now.”
    “How long’s it take to wash a Chihuahua, honey? Two swipes, two and a half if you’re bein’ thorough.”
    “I’m bein’ thorough,” Julie Ann said, imitating Dory’s accent. “But since you pay me so well, I might even do three swipes.”
    “Well, hurry up. We’ve got a rush job just come in.”
    “Hear that, Pedro?” Julie Ann lifted the shivering dog out