In Green

In Green

By

Bridgitte Lesley

Version 1

Published by

Bridgitte Lesley on Smashwords

In Green

Copyright © 2011 Bridgitte Lesley

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a production of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

* * * * *

In Green

* * * * *

CHAPTER 1

Jill sat at the supper table feeling a little nervous and twitchy. She had an important question to ask. And with her brothers it would be even more difficult. They were all fully grown men and could be difficult at times. Due to her being the baby in the family and them being so protective of her. Jill took a deep breath and looked at Roger.

Dad. I would like to have a friend over for a while. Would you mind? Everyone was suddenly quiet. Roger nodded.

Who?

Her name is Kelly. Roger nodded.

A friend? Jill nodded.

You won’t even see her. Or hear her. She just needs a little break. And I said I would ask. Roger nodded. He looked at his four sons and then at Jill.

Jill. I honestly don’t mind. But I can’t really afford to feed another person. Jill nodded.

She said she would pay the equivalent of her rent. What she pays at the moment. But she doesn’t want to stay in the city. Roger nodded.

Kelly? Jill nodded. Gavin looked at Jill.

Why does she want to leave the city? Jill shrugged.

She doesn’t really live there. She’s always away. But that is where she has her apartment. Roger nodded. Chase nodded.

The city is hard. Roger nodded. Liam nodded.

I guess if it’s a woman she can’t eat all that much. Jill nodded.

She’s only little. Normal. Like me. Roger nodded. Max grunted.

Don’t like it. Jill stared at Max.

You don’t have to like it. You won’t even get to see her. She will probably sleep the whole time. Max nodded and looked at Jill.

Something wrong with her? Is she sick?

No. She just needs a break. Like I told you. From the city and her way of life.

Roger nodded.

Be honest with us here Jill. Why? Jill looked at her plate.

Because she killed a man. And she can’t get over it. Max stared at Roger.

I wouldn’t allow it. A murderer? Here. Under our roof? If you allow it I move out. Or I go to the bunk house. Roger nodded. Gavin nodded.

She killed a man? Jill nodded.

She did. But it’s not what you think! Chase shook his head.

Why didn’t she land up in prison? Was there a trial? Jill shook her head.

No. Liam shook his head.

Is she running? Jill smiled.

No. You are all blowing this out of proportion. Kelly is in the army. It was on her last tour of duty. Max shook his head. Roger nodded.

She’s in the army? Jill nodded.

Yes. She’s like a G.I. Jane. You know. A soldier.

Roger nodded.

That’s her chosen profession? A soldier? Kelly looked at her plate and nodded.

Yes, Sir. Roger looked at Jill.

Surname?

Rawlings. Roger nodded.

I don’t have a problem. What is she like? Jill smiled.

Nice. Really, really nice. Everyone nodded and smiled. Chase looked at Jill.

For how long? Jill smiled.

Well, three months. I think. Until she can find a place of her own. Chase nodded.

Where is she looking?

Here.

Here? Jill nodded.

She’s looking at buying a ranch of her own. Everyone stared at Jill. Max grunted.

This woman. A soldier. Wants to buy a ranch. Of her own. Here? Does she have any idea of what it would cost? Max roared with laughter.

Yeah right!

Jill stared at Max.

Max. You won’t even see her. She won’t even eat with us. Roger shook his head.

You can’t do that. Jill nodded.

Dad, that’s how she wants it. She just wants a roof over her head. We won’t even see her. Roger nodded.

Okay. And you say she will pay her rent. Jill nodded.

Same as what she pays now. Liam nodded.

Which is?

Twenty thousand. Max almost choked on his mouthful of food.

She’s got the money? Jill nodded. They all looked at Jill. Jill smiled a little satisfying smile. Roger shook his head.

Okay. She’s in the army. But she can afford that? What aren’t you telling us Jill? And how would she afford a ranch? Jill nodded.

All I know Dad, is that she is in the army. That is all I know. Max nodded.

Hell. We can’t actually say no. Can we? Not to twenty thousand bucks. Roger nodded. He looked at everyone.

I am going to allow it. Anyone disagree? Everyone looked at Roger. Roger looked at Max. They all shook their heads.

Roger looked at Jill.

When? Jill smiled.

Friday. The first. Roger nodded.

Where would you like her to sleep?

The room next to the front door. Might be best. Sort of private. Away from everyone. On her own. Roger nodded.

It’s away from the family. On its own. It is en-suite. Jill nodded.

It’s a nice room. Max nodded.

It is a nice room. Roger nodded.

Okay. But I still don’t agree about her meals. If she is going to contribute then she joins us for meals. Jill nodded.

I’ll speak to her Dad. But I know what she will say. Roger nodded.

Everyone got up from the table. Jill piled the dishes and washed them and stacked them on the drainer. She smiled. It would be nice to help Kelly for a change. Kelly had been a shoulder for Jill when she was at college. Even though it was letters between the two of them Kelly always offered good advice. And sometimes a phone call when Jill really felt blue. Even though Kelly wasn’t much older she was more of a mother to Jill than anyone could have been.

Roger sat at his desk.

Kelly Rawlings. He folded his arms and lifted his feet onto his desk. He would have to find out a little more information about Rawlings. She would be under his roof for a while. He needed a little more information. He needed to find out more.

Max walked out the door and walked over to the little wall next to the barn. He had a cigarette, and another. He muttered.

Don’t like this. Roger walked outside. He walked over to Max.

I still don’t like it. Roger nodded.

Max we need the money to survive. It could help. Max nodded.

We have to do something Dad. Roger sighed.

I know. Max sighed.

Maybe I should sell my truck? Roger shook his head.

You need it. Max nodded as he lit another cigarette.

I just hope she is okay. You know. Like Jill says. Roger nodded.

Jill is a good judge of character. When she was at college she always spoke about a friend of hers. I just don’t remember her name. Max nodded.

Kelly. Roger nodded.

Can’t be easy for a young girl without a Mum. Max nodded and sighed.

Yeah. But she is coping pretty well. Roger nodded.

I wish we could get her interested in something other than staying at home. Max nodded. They both walked back inside.

Max sighed. He never smiled. He was always brooding. Thinking. He wasn’t unhappy. But there was no need for smiling. He took life seriously. He had always been that way.

CHAPTER 2

Roger headed to the office the next day. He did a search on the internet. He didn’t come up with anything about a Kelly Rawlings. He made a call to a friend of his on the force.

Vaughn. Roger Cartwright. Vaughn chuckled.

And how the devil is Cartwright then?

Same old. Tell me, do you know of a Rawlings. Woman. Kelly Rawlings. Don’t know what rank or anything. Vaughn was quiet.

Can’t be Doc Rawlings. I don’t even know her name. Roger nodded.

A Doctor?

Yeah. Anything specific you need to know? Roger chuckled.

Jill is having a guest over for a while. Someone named Kelly Rawlings. Just wanted to find out a little more. Vaughn chuckled.

Well, if it is the Doc, then you can’t go wrong. Awesome kid that. Really nice person. Roger sat forward.

You know her?

Met her a couple of times. But she is 24/7 you know.

24/7?

Yeah. Permanent. Always out. Basically one of those that lives in the bush. If there is a tour she is there. Doesn’t take much time off really. Sort of made this her career. Roger nodded as he listened.

How old is this woman? Vaughn chuckled.

You sure you are finding out because she is going to be a guest? Roger chuckled.

Hell if I could get one of the boys married off I would be a lucky man. Vaughn chuckled.

She’s only a youngster. Not old at all. But I can’t help you there either.

Thanks Vaughn. Roger chuckled as he put down the phone. He shook his head.

Well, let’s hope it is you then.

Jill looked at her watch. Kelly would be arriving any minute. She beamed as a huge black four by four came driving down the sand road. Jill ran out. Kelly pulled up to the side of the house and parked her vehicle. She left the keys in the ignition and hopped out. She took out her luggage as Jill ran up to her. Kelly spun her in the air and hugged her.

Hey kiddo. Thanks for this. Jill hugged her.

I am so glad you are here. Kelly smiled.

Are they all here? Jill chuckled.

Only Dad. He’s waiting to meet you. Kelly nodded. Jill smiled.

Why are you still in uniform? Kelly chuckled.

Well, I had a full day. But now I am officially on leave. Jill smiled.

Three months?

Three whole months. I need to see your Dad first. Jill nodded.

Jill and Kelly walked inside the house. Jill walked Kelly over to her bedroom which was at the front of the house. Kelly looked through the window to the outside.

Nice. Jill nodded.

We live on the other side of the house. I thought you would prefer the peace and the quiet. Kelly nodded.

Appreciate that.

Kelly put her luggage down.

Let’s see your Dad. Jill nodded. Jill walked down the long passage. She knocked on the door.

Come in. Jill opened the door.

Dad. Kelly has arrived. Roger nodded.

Give us five minutes Jill. Jill smiled as she walked out. Kelly stood just inside the office. She put her hand in her pocket and pulled out a thick envelope. She walked towards Roger.

Lodgings, Sir. Kelly put the envelope on the desk. Roger looked at the thick envelope.

What is that?

Lodgings Sir. For three months. Roger nodded. He stood up.

I am Roger Cartwright. Kelly put out her hand and shook Roger’s hand.

Kelly Rawlings, Sir. Roger nodded.

Nice to meet you Rawlings. Kelly nodded.

Pleasure Sir. Roger stared at her.

We’re happy to have you here Rawlings.

Thank you, Sir. Roger nodded.

Has Jill shown you your room? Kelly nodded.

Yes Sir. Thank you. Roger nodded.

Three months? Kelly nodded.

Three months Sir. Roger nodded and rubbed his chin.

Are you AWOL?

No Sir. Leave. Legit. Roger nodded. He stared at Kelly. Kelly stared at Roger.

Make yourself at home. Join us for meals. Kelly nodded.

Thank you. But no thank you, Sir. Just the room and facilities, Sir. Roger nodded and smiled.

Rawlings, if you need anything, you just holler. Kelly nodded.

Thank you Sir.

Kelly backtracked and walked out of the office. She walked down the passage to her room. Jill smiled as Kelly came down the passage. Kelly smiled.

I like your Dad. Jill nodded.