Watson - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,23

take it with her. Instead, she leaned back on the couch she was sitting in and looked at her sister.

“You’re not welcome here, Becky. I am, I hope.” Rayne nodded, and Selma nodded. “Thank you. I’ve only just decided I’d like to live close to the two of you and my dad. I think I’d enjoy having some young company around me in my golden years. Are you going to have children?”

They both answered yes that they wanted several. James danced a jig, an honest to goodness jig, right there in the living room. Then he looked at his other daughter, asking her why she was still there.

She glared at Rayne. “She’s filled your head with terrible things, Father. I won’t have it.” Wats stood up. “Oh, do sit down and behave before I have to smack you around.”

“Try it, and it’ll be the last thing you ever do. Now, you were told to get out of our home. You aren’t welcome here. I’ve had enough bullies in my life that I don’t need someone else trying to take the wind out of my sails, as I’ve heard James say several times since he’s been living here. So, unless you want to be the next headline in the newspaper or the obits—I don’t care which—you will leave here. On your own, or I put you out.” She told him she didn’t care for his tone. “Like I give a fuck what you care for. Barkly, call the police for me, please. Ms. Oliver has overstayed her welcome. And if you wouldn’t mind making up one of the suites for Ms. Woolen, I do believe she’s going to be staying here.”

“Oh, how lovely. I’m not even going to pretend like I don’t want you to do that for me. I believe I will enjoy this even more.” Selma stood up and kissed him on the cheek. “Yes, you’re a good man, Watson. A very good man indeed.” She looked at her niece. “Come on, Rayne, let’s you and I go find us something more substantial to have to eat. Why don’t we? I’ve been eating crap food long enough. Dad, I’m so happy you’ve found a good man for Rayne. She of all people deserves it.”

As they left the room, he and James stood there with Rebecca while either the police took her out or she left on her own. He wondered if she’d say she’d change her ways. But the moment she lifted her chin, he knew that there was no changing her mind about them or what was going on.

“I’m going to have you investigated. The moment I find any dirt on you, I’m going to put it in the paper.” Wats didn’t even bother telling her to go ahead. “You’ll rue the day you messed with me, young man. See if I don’t make you suffer.”

“You have fun with that.” The police were let into the room. “Will you show this lady off my land, Officer Donald? She’s not welcome here any longer.”

As she was forced out of the house, Wats turned to James. Telling him that he was sorry for what happened, the man hugged him. Telling him that he’d never been so proud of anyone in his life than him standing up to Becky.

“She’s always had it in her head that her way was the only way. That’s why she couldn’t find herself a man. Too bossy. But I love that you did this. Wats, I’m proud to call you my grandson-in-law. You did this old man some good today.” Wats said it had felt good to him as well. “Good.”

After another hug, James left him in the living room. He could hear his laughter as it rang out through the house. When he got to the kitchen, Wats right behind him, the man was still laughing and having a good time. For a man in his nineties, he sure could dance like he meant to.

Chapter 5

Dinner wasn’t what she’d had in mind, but Rayne was enjoying it all the same. Aunt Selma told her how she’d been wanting to leave her sister’s grips for some time. Aunt Becky had moved in with her when Uncle Markus had passed away.

“I don’t know what she was thinking when she did that. We’ve never gotten along well. And to be honest with you, I don’t even know why she thought moving in with me would help me get over Markus’s death. The poor old soul was so