Chapter Ten

Not a dime or friend to her name but on the open road she went. Nothing left but demands, demands, and demands. Demands from her daddy and sickly demands from Lucas. Correction her father's request were just as corrupt and sickly too. After Mr. Fredricks's assault, she had enough. Down the road she walked.

With only one road out of town cars rumbled past her kicking up dust in her path. She coughed when a particularly fast car sped by leaving a cloud of dirt. Behind her the rocks crunched as a car pulled up beside her. She looked. It was Lucas.

"Trying to run Merly Ann?" he asked through the open window.

Merlyn stopped in her tracks. "I ain't going nowhere."

Lucas pulled over and exited the vehicle. "I see. So why do you have all your earthly possessions wrapped in a pillowcase?" Grabbing the sack from her hands he dumped it out and tossed the empty bag to the ground.

"Why?" she cried out.

With a strong hand Lucas grasped her chin. "Listen here Angel Face. Your daddy and I made a deal and that deal needs to be fulfilled."

"That's not my problem anymore." She jerked away and proceeded to pick up her belongings. His shadow loomed over her.

Lucas dug his toe into the dirt and looked around nonchalantly. "Perhaps your right. You're nearly a woman, old enough to be on your own. I'll just have to talk to your cousin Gail. I am sure she has the experience needed to please a man."

"You said you'd leave her alone."

"And I have. I'm a man of my word but I wonder if you will keep yours."

He was right. She promised to obey and in return he swore to leave Gail alone. Sensing her surrender Lucas opened the passenger door and motioned Merlyn to get in. "Let's get you home."

Down the road Lucas started to talk. "I have heard things that make me shudder. They say a good, sweet church girl has been passing out favors. You wouldn't know anything about that?"

"No, no I don't," she lied. If Lucas knew Mr. Green touched her, he would kill her or worse pull Gail under his control.

He patted her knee. "I know you may not believe this but I am a gentleman. And I will never, ever let another man touch you. You are mine and mine alone."

If his words were meant to comfort her, they did the opposite. The possessiveness in his voice frightened her. By leaving town she hoped he would forget about her and find some other girl. However, after hearing his voice she believed she was all that stood between Lucas and her family.

Cicadas chirped as Gail walked home from work. After a few days of looking, she was offered a job at the hospital. With her writing skills she qualified for a book and record keeping job. However, she received the cold shoulder from several of the nurses when they learned she had no medical experience. Said she only got the job because of her looks. It did not help when Dr. Mat Crower caught her eye and she his.

Lucas's patrol car pulled into the drive when she reached the porch. Seeing Merlyn in the front seat she waited. She looked pale.

"Evening Miss Emory." Lucas leaned out the window. "You mind helping Merly Ann to the house? She's feeling a bit light headed. I would but Ben's hollering for me over the radio."

Gail caught Merlyn as she stumbled out of the car. A knapsack was in her hand.

"I swear. . ." she started, ready to give the almighty Lucas Buck a piece of her mind.

"Gail please," Merlyn shook head. "I don't feel good."

As requested, Gail helped her to the house and straight to bed. Holey shoes came off with equally holey socks. Merlyn wiped her face down with a wet rag, removing the dust from the road. Her dress was traded for a night gown before Gail tucked her into bed.

When Merlyn remained in bed sick and weak the following day Gail insisted she visit the doctor. Gage nearly refused to take her. Said it cost too much but when Gail told him of her employee discount he conceded. Gail lied to him but she had no choice.

Matt arranged time to see Merlyn in his rounds without question. During the appointment Merlyn begged Gail to stay with her. She seemed unnerved. And understandably so.

Gently and slowly, Matt performed his duties. Gail shared with him Merlyn situation and after his last encounter with the girl things became clear. He sat down with his notes and looked at the poor girl sitting nervously on the exam table.

"Merlyn, from what I can tell you are overall healthy but you could use a few pounds. This sickness you're experiencing will pass, however, I would like to run a test to confirm."

"What test are we talking about here Matt?" said Gail.

Merlyn looked at him for the first time during the exam but said nothing. Her sad eyes matched his.

"I believe you might be pregnant Merlyn."

"No," said Merlyn before passing out on the bench.