One Thanksgiving in Lusty, Texas Cara Covington (books for 8th graders .TXT) 📖

best, after all.” He sighed again. “Now you can do what I know, deep down in your heart, you want to do. I’ve been paying attention, sweetheart. I know you’re in love with one of those Texan doctors, though I have to say I’m not sure which one. I know they’re leaving in a few weeks to head back home.”

Pam felt her face color. She hadn’t realized how much she’d spoken about Adam and James Jessop or that her heartbreak, knowing they were leaving soon, had shown.

Her attention was drawn to her father’s trembling hands that lay across that glossy magazine.

“What’s that?”

He snorted. “I thought it was the answer to my prayers. Instead, it was just a con, apparently. One that was played on me—or that I fell into. Fell, hell, I practically jumped! Damn it!”

The words tumbled out of him, then, how he’d seen an ad in the paper about an investment opportunity with guaranteed fantastic returns. How he hadn’t believed it at first but went to a meeting, regardless, and listened. How he read the prospectus and then called some of the people who’d given testimonials in the literature he’d received.

“Each person I spoke to raved about these guys, about the money they’d made for them. So I…aw, hell, Pammy, I gave them everything I had, as well as clearing out the line of credit at the bank.”

Fury and terror and shock ripped through her. That had to be nearly a hundred thousand dollars—money set aside to make the balloon payment due at the end of July! She’d known he was close to having it all there—and now it was all gone?

“I feel so stupid. When the check I was expecting didn’t come, I called the number I’d used to get in touch with them, but the number had been disconnected. The same with those so-called satisfied customers. All their phones had been disconnected, too.”

“What were you thinking? Did you check these guys out with Uncle Ted, first?” Ted Mahony was the Franklin’s long-time lawyer.

“No. I figured he would just try to talk me out of it. It just…they seemed so genuine. And I thought, at the time, that this was my chance. My one chance to set things right and get back to where we’d been before…”

Before Elizabeth Franklin had died. Her father was still so grief-stricken he rarely said those words. “You’ve got to go see Peter.” Peter Gilcrest was a captain with the Baltimore County police and one of her dad’s oldest friends.

“I did. I swore out a complaint at the precinct against that so-called company, the Genesis Fund, and the men I’d met with, John Adams and Tom Jefferson. Peter took copies of everything here. He figures these guys were real pros, and those weren’t even their real names. There were at least three other people as stupid as I am who fell for the same scam in the county. They’ve also sworn out complaints against them in the last few weeks.

“The long and the short of it is, they were con men, and now, they’re long gone. And so is my money. It’s on the record, so if they ever get caught…” He shook his head. “Who knows if I’ll ever see anything back, even if they do get caught. Likely all I’ll be able to do is testify in court against them, and I don’t care how stupid I’ll look to the world at large, I will.”

When he looked up at her, his eyes teared. “I screwed up, Pammy-pooh. There’s no making up for this, I know. I…I’m so sorry.”

Calm down. Yelling won’t solve a thing. That she wanted to yell shocked her. This was her father, and yes, he’d done something stupid, but she doubted she could kick him as hard as he was already kicking himself.

“Let’s just let this settle, for now. I’ll go make supper, and then I’m going out. Adam and James are coming…” She didn’t know if she could get through the evening, but she couldn’t stay here. She needed to get her emotions under control. She needed to…do something.

Pamela refused to believe that all was lost. That wasn’t in her, to think that way. Maybe Adam and James would have an idea of what she could do to help her dad.

Her father nodded. “I don’t blame you for wanting to get away for a bit. I’ll be telling your brothers tomorrow. But I needed you to know first. I’m so damn sorry, honey.”

“I know, Dad. Like I said, let it sit. Don’t tell the boys just yet. Maybe there’s something we can do.”

* * * *

“We’re almost out of time,” James said. “Adam, we’re scheduled to fly back home on April fourth!”

“I know it.” Adam had memorized the route to the Franklin farm, even though they’d only been there once. Still, he kept his eyes on the road. He barely flicked a look at his brother as he spoke. “I’ve never felt so frustrated—with myself and with the circumstances. We both know Pamela is the woman we’ve been looking for. Damn it, James, in my heart, she’s our wife already.” He barked out a short laugh. “Hell, we haven’t even kissed her yet, and still that’s how I feel.”

“I feel the same way. It has to be tonight, brother. We have to tell her how we feel about her tonight.”

Pamela. Beautiful inside and out. Her soft brown hair with auburn flashes was cut in a sweet style that cupped her face. Her hazel eyes could be brown or green, depending on her mood. She loved life, and when she focused on him, he felt like the king of the world. Her lips looked moist and sweet, and all he wanted to do was sink into them.

James was right. They did have to tell her how they felt about her tonight, but… “Every time I think about doing just that, an awful terror seizes me. What if the idea of being married to the both of us