"Of course you should come here! Let's go inside, and—"
"No. I don't want… can we just stay out in the sunshine? I feel like I've spent so much time in the dark."
Ruby was frantic with worry, but she tried to keep it off her face. Lorraine clearly should be in the hospital, but she didn't know how to convince her. Plus, doctors were expensive. Also, Mike wasn't due home for a couple of hours, and she was worried about what they'd do if Earl showed up.
"Do you think you could manage the short walk to the barn? We could sit out front and drink tea and I can get you cleaned up."
Lorraine nodded and then winced, as if even moving her head hurt. "Yes. I can give your horse a carrot."
"Bonnie Sue would love that," Ruby said, helping her move slowly toward the barn.
"I thought her name was Bonnie Jolene?" Lorraine said, slightly winded.
"That was Bonnie Sue's mother. All the female horses in Mike's family have been named Bonnie something, for generations, apparently," she babbled, her brain racing with what she should do, who she should call.
"Does Beau know?"
Lorraine stopped walking and clutched Ruby's arm. "No! And don't tell him. Please. He told me the last time this happened that he was going to kill Earl. But Beau's not really violent and Earl is. I'm afraid of what might happen."
"What about the sheriff?"
"No. Just… not yet. I don't want everybody in town to hear about this and see me as a victim." She took a deep breath and started walking again. "Let's just sit for few minutes, okay?"
"Yes, honey. We can sit."
Ruby got her friend situated and then raced off to the house to get hot water, clean cloths, bandages, and the iced tea. She hesitated in the kitchen, staring at the fancy new yellow push-button phone Mike had bought her for her birthday for a long moment, but ultimately she respected Lorraine's wishes and didn't call anybody. If only there were such a thing as a truck phone, she could call Mike.
She shook her head at her own foolishness, gathered up her supplies, and then ran back to the barn.
"Okay," she said breathlessly. "Okay. Here, have a drink of tea, and let's get your poor face cleaned up. Where… where else did he hurt you?"
Lorraine looked down at the ground. "He got in a couple of good shots in on my ribs too. Usually he tries not to leave marks, but he's so angry today. He got fired. He says for no reason, but I have my suspicions, Ruby. I think he—"
But Ruby didn't get to hear what Lorraine thought, because at that moment Earl, engine screaming, fishtailed his Mustang up the driveway and into the yard, almost smashing into the VW and then jumping out practically before the car stopped. Then, red-faced and staggering—could he be drunk this early in the day?--he started bellowing for his wife.
"Lorraine! I know you're here! You get your sweet ass over here or you'll be sorry!"
Lorraine cried out and curled up as if she were trying to become invisible. Unfortunately, they were in plain sight, so as soon as he staggered around, he saw them.
"You get out of here," Ruby shouted. "You've done enough damage already, Earl Packard. I… I called the police! Now go!"
"You better not have called the police, or I'll give you what I gave her," he jeered. "In fact, why don't I pop you one right now and save the waiting? Serve you right for what your precious Mike did to me the last time we were here."
He balled his hands into fists and staggered toward her.
"Lorraine, you need to run," Ruby whispered fiercely. "I'm going to… to distract him. Keep him at bay while you call for help. You get the sheriff out here, or Beau, or everybody. Okay?"
"No. You run. I'll stay."
Ruby shook her head. "No. If he hits you again, he might do real damage. And I can fight him off." She grabbed the pitchfork that Mike had left leaning against the barn. "You just watch me."
Lorraine nodded, first tentatively and then more confidently. "I will. I'm sorry I brought this here, Ruby. I'll get help."
Ruby took a deep breath and called on every ounce of courage she'd ever had. Then she started walking toward Earl, pitchfork up, with the pointy end facing him.
"You stop right there, Earl Packard, or I'll put you down like the rabid dog you are!"
He sneered at her. "Yeah? You and what army? Get out of my way."
