Read Online Higher Than Eagles (Donovans of the Delta) by Peggy Webb - Free Book Online

size of the contribution struck new terror into Rachel’s heart. When Jacob had sworn to be her shadow, she’d expected that he would be at all her performances, had even expected he would connive his way into her home. What she hadn’t known was that he was willing to pay so much to be with her. Not to be with her, she corrected herself, to find out her secret.
    “He’s a generous man. Too bad he missed hearing you sing.” Louie pocketed his well-chewed cigar. “She’s already done the benefit show, Donovan.”
    “That’s all right. For my money, I expect a private performance.”
    Rachel’s chin came up, and her gaze locked with his. “You’ll get no private performances from me, Jacob Donovan—singing or otherwise.”
    He lifted one wicked eyebrow. “Singing is your only performance that interests me now.”
    “Damn you, Jacob Donovan.”
    The minute they had laid eyes on each other, no one else in the room existed for them. The old man standing at their side, avidly taking in every word and every gesture, was completely forgotten.
    “Rachel, Ra-chel,” Louie chided in singsong rhythm, “the boy paid a king’s ransom to hear you sing. One more song.” He put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed. “For me, sweetheart, then we’ll call it a night.”
    She turned to Louie. “For you.”
    Then she swept toward the bandstand without looking back. She knew Jacob was watching every move she made. She could feel his gaze on her.
    Leaning down, she whispered to the band leader. When he had finished the dance number, he walked to the microphone. “Rachel Devlin has graciously consented to honor us with one more number— As Time Goes By .”
    Rachel thought she could sing the entire song without looking at Jacob. But she was mistaken. The magnetic pull of his blue eyes was irresistible. One look and she was hooked, yearning for him, crooning to him, singing only for him, only for Jacob.
    He knew. She could tell by the satisfied look on his face. Why? Why did he want to torture her? He’d said he wanted the truth, but why did he keep resurrecting the passion?
    She closed her eyes, trying to shut him out as she finished her song. But he was there, imprinted on her mind. His face haunted her, taunted her, making the song so bittersweet a tear trickled down her cheek.
    When it was over, the audience went wild. They rushed the bandstand, congratulating her over and over again, praising her singing, the party, the animal shelter. Louie edged his way to her side, taking in his share of the praise.
    Jacob waited patiently beside the French doors. His time would come. Soon. As soon as the crowd left. He leaned against the door frame, drowning in the presence of Rachel and the fragrance of gardenias suspended from the ceiling beside his head.
    As the crowd began to leave, Louie pulled Rachel aside for a private word.
    “That man, Rachel—Jacob Donovan. You two have been lovers?”
    “How did you know?”
    “A man sees these things.” He shook a cigar from his pack and clamped it between his teeth. “Something’s burning a hole in his heart. Yours, too. You want to tell old Louie about it, sweetheart?”
    Rachel put a hand on his arm.
    “Thanks, Louie, but not now. Maybe sometime, but not right now.”
    She let herself scan the crowd. Jacob was still there. She’d known he wouldn’t leave.
    “I’ve had three wives, Rachel. Loved them all in my own way. I know about love. When you need good, sound advice, you come to old Louie, huh? You come to me, sweetheart.”
    She kissed his cheek. “How would I get along without you?”
    “Very well, my dear. Very well, indeed.” Louie patted her shoulders, her arms, and her cheeks in his fatherly way, clucking and murmuring in Italian. “You come to old Louie, you hear?” With those final words, he followed the last stragglers out the door.
    Rachel leaned against the piano, seeking its solid support, while the band packed to leave. The room was silent except