she slept the night through.
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The next day, she didnât watch out the window while Ted worked his horses. She put on a pair of too-largejeans and an equally large T-shirt with a Texas logo on it and curled up in a chair to read the paper sheâd begged from Mrs. Bird.
The news was depressing. She glanced at the comics page, and finally settled on the word puzzle. It kept her mind busy, so that she wouldnât remember that Ted wanted her out of his house. She was still too wobbly and sore to do much. An employer was going to expect more than she was capable of giving just yet. She hoped Sandy would come home today. Her friend would help her escape from this prison Ted had made for her. He hadnât told her to stay in her room, but heâd made it very obvious that he didnât want her around him.
It was after lunch when she heard a car drive up. Minutes later, a smiling Sandy came into the room and fell onto the bed in an exaggerated pose.
âIâm tired!â she groaned, smiling at Coreen. âI thought Iâd never get that new computer system put together for our client. But I did. Now I can take a day off and spend some time with you. Howâs it been going?â
âJust fine,â Coreen said blithely. âCould you help me find an apartment?â
Sandyâs expression was comical. âI gather that Tedâs been at it again?â she muttered.
âWeâve had this discussion before,â Coreen said quietly. âYou know how he feels about me, about having me here. Heâs accused me of leering at him again, and maybe I have. God help me, I canât seem to stopâ¦â She bit her lip. âOnly, it isnât leering and it isnât lust. You canât know how it was with Barry,â she added, her eyes wide and tragic. âIf you did, youâd realize howincredible it is that I can even look at a man without shuddering!â
Sandy sat up, brushing her hair out of her eyes. âMaybe if you talked to Tedâ¦â
âWhy?â Coreen asked solemnly. âHe doesnât want to know anything about my marriage, or about me. Heâs made it very clear that Iâm here on sufferance and that he isnât interested in me.â
âMrs. Bird mentioned that Lillian came to supper last night,â the other woman murmured. âDid you get to meet her?â
Coreen shook her head.
Sandy sighed angrily. âHe canât help the way he is. Iâm sorry, Corrie. Iâm very sorry that I finagled you into this corner. I had hopedâ¦well, thatâs not important now. Do you want out?â
âYes, pleaseâ came the immediate reply.
âOkay. We can both move up to Victoria, into my old apartment. I never have gotten around to leasing it, so itâs still empty. Itâs plenty big enough for both of us, and you wonât have my brother to contend with.â
âBut your jobâ¦â
âI work at our branch office in Victoria as well as the headquarter office in Houston,â Sandy reminded her.
âI donât want to impose,â Coreen said firmly.
âYouâre my best friend. How could you impose?â
âIâll need my things from the house,â she said hesitantly. âI hate to ask, but could youâ¦?â
âOf course I can go get them for you.â
âHenry has a key. Heâs still living in the chauffeurâs quarters, Iâm sure, because Tina will need him to take care of the place until she moves in. My clothes willbe in the closet, in the second bedroom on the right upstairs. There isnât much in the drawers, and Iâd already packed up my own books and tapes, and the few things Mother gave me.â
âIâll run down there this afternoon, if you like.â
âThank you, Sandy.â
âWhat are friends for? Now you stop worrying! By next week, weâll be in Victoria and all these bad memories will be