Savage Land Read Online Free PDF Page B

tough spots, but this time he wasn't there and she was on her own. She just couldn't go into that room knowing how that old man in the wheelchair would mock her. That was it. He was in a wheelchair; he was a sick man like her mother had been. Many times during the years that Coley had nursed her mother, the distress had become more than her mother could bear and she had been irritable and snappy. Uncle Ben must have the same problem. And her mother hadn't liked Coley to change things, clinging steadfastly to the familiar. That would explain why Uncle Ben resented her and Danny being there, disrupting his household. She had never been frightened of her mother, so why should she be frightened of Ben?
    A bright light now gleamed in her eyes as she rapped lightly on the study door.
    'Come in, come in,’ was the gruff reply.
    Coley stepped into the oppressive study. The maroon drapes were closed, shutting out the morning light while the dark panelled wails added to the gloom. She glanced at the grey-haired man behind the desk. He didn't look very sick.
    'Would you like me to turn on a light?’ Coley asked timidly.
    'What's the matter? Can't you see?’ he growled.
    'It is a little dark in here.'
    'It's foolish to have the electricity on during the day. A waste of money! The sun's plenty of light,’ his tone reproached her sharply.
    Coley glanced over at the closed curtains, wondering if she should say anything more. ‘Perhaps I could open the curtains?’ she suggested hesitantly.
    'Persistent little snip, aren't you?’ Coley swallowed nervously waiting for him to speak again, not trusting her voice not to tremble. ‘Think it'll improve my sunny disposition, do you?’ His eyes squinted threateningly at her, a glint of humour lurking at the corners. ‘Very well, open them, if it pleases you.'
    Gratefully Coley walked over to the window and pulled the cord to the maroon curtains, allowing the sunlight to tumble in.
    'Satisfied?’ he snorted. He waved a bony hand towards the chair in front of his desk. ‘Come over here and sit down, now that I can see you.'
    Coley did as she was directed and managed to sit quietly under his disconcerting stare. She rather liked his sarcastic humour. It made him a little more human and gave her a little more courage.
    'There's not much to you,’ he said disparagingly. ‘Can't you do anything with that hair of yours? It looks like you forgot to brush it.'
    His blue-grey eyes saw her look at his own bushy hair. ‘I don't like backtalk, so you might remember that,’ he said severely. ‘Now, let's get down to business. There's no such thing as a freeloader on this ranch. Everybody pulls his weight or leaves.’ He paused to allow his words to sink in. ‘What are you good for?'
    'I can cook and clean,’ Coley answered, ‘and I took typing in school, but I'm not very good.'
    'We got a housekeeper and the house isn't big enough for two. Don't need any typing done. What else?'
    'I nursed my mother for several years.'
    'I don't need any nursemaid!’ he bellowed, raising himself in the wheelchair.
    'No, I didn't mean ... I mean...’ Coley stammered. She leaned forward, her smooth forehead drawn together in an anxious frown.
    'Get out of here! Go on!’ Ben shouted, running a gnarled hand through his grizzled hair.
    'I'm sorry.’ Coley's round eyes began to mist with tears. ‘I just don't know how to do many things.'
    'I'll find something for you to do,’ he growled. ‘Now, get out of here. I've heard enough of your prattle. Your aunt will be wanting you anyway.'
    Coley rose numbly from the chair. Through the shimmer of tears, she saw Ben's hand plucking nervously at the chair handle. She ruined everything. She should have known how sensitive the poor old man would be about his incapacity. Why couldn't she have been more tactful? Twice now since coming here, she had referred to two people's afflictions, first Jason's and now Uncle Ben's. When would she learn to keep her big mouth