Love on the Line - Deeanne Gist [77]
The sooner they left the better. Hardening his heart, he returned to the task at hand. Only four more hats to go.
Duane stepped to the threshold and leaned against the doorframe. He didn’t speak, but eyed Georgie with interest. Luke opened the last of the boxes, stuffed the hat in the fire, then nudged Duane into the living area.
The switchboard lay on its side, severed wires coming out its back. Necker was nowhere in sight.
“Ya finished?” Duane asked, his voice low.
Luke nodded.
“Then let’s go.”
Returning to Georgie’s room, Luke assured himself the fire was safe, then checked her bindings. They were tight, but not dangerously so.
Her chest rose and fell. Her eyes darkened with fury and loathing.
He picked up her pillow and wedged it between her head and the headboard. He wasn’t sure how long it would be before he could return for her. Hopefully, the pillow would allow her to rest a bit more comfortably until then.
“If you think this puny gesture will make up for how you’ve behaved tonight, then you greatly overestimate your charm.” She set her jaw. “You’re a rogue and a scoundrel. And I’ll make sure everyone in the county knows it the moment I’m free.”
Irritation flicked through him. What was she thinking to threaten the man she believed to be Frank Comer? Had she no sense at all?
He swiped up the handkerchief, wadding it in his fist and holding it in front of her lips. She tightened them and turned her head to the side.
He stood in indecision, wanting to impress upon her the danger of her bravado, but unwilling to gag her.
Duane stepped into the room, grabbed the hanky, and tossed it on the bed. “Let’s go.”
After a slight hesitation, Luke turned and followed Duane from her bedroom, then out the back door.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Grabbing the ax and Honey Dew, the three men headed out. After putting some distance between themselves and Georgie’s lot, Necker glanced at Luke. “You leave her tied up?”
He nodded.
Necker tightened his lips. “The boss won’t like that. He’s particular about the ladies.”
“I can still fetch a Mai tree for her,” he offered. “Then make enough noise to wake the dead when I deliver it. I’m sure she’ll cry out. That’ll be all the excuse I need to go in and free her.”
“Duane, you help him find one, then. I don’t wanna leave her like that any longer than I have to.”
“Where ya goin’?” Duane asked.
“I’m gonna report in.”
Luke suppressed his frustration. If Duane weren’t to accompany him, he could follow Necker and see whom he was working for, then go free Georgie.
Stopping, Necker ran a gaze over Luke. “Gimme my jacket and belt.”
Now that the imminent danger for Georgie had passed, Luke realized his participation in tonight’s activities might have inadvertently strengthened his position with Necker. It was a small consolation.
He returned all articles of clothing to their rightful owners and secured Honey Dew to a tree just inside a copse. Necker continued north while Duane joined Luke and the two moved into the woods.
He glanced at his companion, unable to see much of the young man from the little bit of moonlight filtering through the trees. “I’m sorry about all that back there. Your face all right?”
“It hurts like the dickens. What’d ya go and hit me fer?”
“I told you. I have feelings for her. Weren’t you listening?”
Duane rubbed his jaw. “Not good enough, I guess.”
“You didn’t lose any teeth, did you?”
“Nah. Just my pride.”
Luke slapped him on the shoulder. “Well, I’m sorry, friend. I guess I’m a little touchy when it comes to females. I don’t like to see them ill-treated. Particularly that one.”
Duane grunted, but he wasn’t the type to hold a grudge. Much as Luke would have preferred to talk of something else, Duane relived the excitement of the evening, taking out each moment and recounting it for pleasure’s sake. “What happened while I was out cold?”
“Not much. I finished tying her up, then woke you.”
“Is her skin as soft as it looks?”
Luke growled.
The boy held up his hands,