Watson by Kathi Barton (ebook reader txt) 📕

not be lying to me again, young lady. I’m still your father, and I’m not going to be happy with anything less than the truth. Talk.” She asked him what he was doing here. “I live here. Same as Rayne does. They’re getting together if my eyes are right. But this here young man has welcomed me with open arms, more than you ever did. He’s been taking good care of me too. Never had anyone worry so much about me as an old man as these here two have. Got me a cell phone. Someone to cart my hiney around too. I even got me some walking around money when I need it. Now, you get your butts right back home or wherever rock you slimed your way out from under, and leave the two of us alone.”

“It said in the newspaper that your home has been torn down.” James looked at Selma, who shrugged, then back at Becky when she continued. “I thought it would be just like her to toss you aside and fend for herself.”

“You get out of here, Becky before I have to take a switch to your backside. Don’t you think I’m too old to do it either. Of all the things to say—how much have you done for me? Answer me that. Since you left home, you’ve not done nary a thing for either of us. Even when your momma died, you didn’t bother coming around.” She said she was working. “Working that evil mind you have there. I don’t want you coming back here. I’m sure that Rayne and Wats here will agree with me when I tell you that if you darken the doorway here ever again, he’ll call the police on you. You’re a terrible person, Becky. You have an evil mind and a nasty mouth.”

Becky stood up, and Wats did as well. She looked over at Selma and told her they didn’t seem to be welcome here and that they were leaving. Selma picked up her scone, and Wats thought for sure she was going to ask if she could 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