Fatal Deception: Part I (10 page)

“Every chance I get,” said Marc. “It’s a very special place for me.”

Phantoms, she thought. Why must there always be phantoms? “I gather this was your ‘spot’,” she said calmly.

“My spot?” he questioned.

“Clarice’s and yours,” she said quietly.

He turned to her with an odd expression on his face, and then turned away. “That’s none of your business—on the record, that is. But off the record, yeah, it was. We spent many an afternoon here,” said Marc.

She was he shared that with her. “On the record I didn’t quite get that,” she said. “Off the record, I understand.”

He smiled a little just then, and returned his eyes to her crystal blue ones. Strange, he thought, her eyes are almost hypnotizing. Suddenly, an urge came over him. And uncontrollably, he caressed her neck with his hand and pulled her closer. Their lips just touched when she held back.

“Wait, Marc,” whispered Deidra. “Are you sure you want to do this?” She knew her thoughtfulness would steer him on.

He answered by covering her mouth with his own. She responded with a deeper kiss, encouraging him to do more. He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her passionately, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth as she moaned in pleasure.

Deidra had never felt such passion from a man before. He released years of pent up need for a loving woman in his life.

“Dad!” Alondra cried. Her voice pierced his ears like a sharp knife. He immediately released Deidra and turned to see two pairs of shocked eyes.

Deidra sat up in his lap seeing one pair glaring at her, and the other was blank. She quickly scurried out of his lap and came to her feet, taking refuge next to the tree. Marc stood up and remained silent for a few moments. He was hesitant to recapture their gaze, but knew he had to face them. His eyes went first to Alondra then to Geri. For some reason he felt like a cheating husband who had just been caught. “Alondra, Geri, what are you doing here?” he said with a forced smile, trying to divert their thoughts from what they’d just seen.

“Don’t try to distract me from what you were doing, Dad!” yelled Alondra. “I can’t believe you! You brought her here to the place you always took Mom?”

Deidra looked around wondering how they got there.

“It’s not what you think, Alondra,” said Marc. “We–” he started, but was unsure himself what had just happened and why. He looked to Geri for help, but she raised her hands in protest and went over to the tree eyeing Deidra. She remembered what Alondra had said about her going after her father.

“I don’t want to hear it,” said Alondra angrily. “Geri is right; whatever will be, will be. I’ll be glad when I’m gone from your sight!” she screamed. She turned away not wanting them to see her crying.

“Wait a second, Alondra,” said Marc, coming to a revelation. “What are you doing here anyway? You were bringing someone here too,” he realized.

“I always come here whenever I need to figure things out,” Alondra replied. “I may not know my mother, but for nine months I was a part of her, and that’s a connection not even death can break.” She returned her gaze to her father. “I wanted to share this spot with Geri because today we bonded in a very special way. And I thought it would be nice for her to be here. So what was your reason for bringing Deidra here?”

He stared at his daughter realizing how much she missed having a mother and he didn’t have an answer.

“Okay you two, time out,” said Geri, trying to smooth things over.

Marc heard the voice from behind him and thought for a split second that Clarice had come back. He turned quickly around only to stare into Geri’s beautiful light brown eyes. They connected to each other for a moment as she walked past to Alondra.

“You’re busy, Marc. That we can clearly see,” said Geri. “And Alondra is upset, which I can totally understand. So with your permission, Sir, I would like to take her away, have her stay at my place for another night. Maybe some more away-time will do her some good.”

Sir? Marc replayed in his mind. That’s what Clarice would call him, whenever she was feeling very serious.

“Okay, you’re right,” said Marc turning to reach for Alondra. “Baby, when this is all over, it’s gonna be just us until you leave for college in the fall. How does that sound? We can go anywhere you want to go. It’s my gift to you, just for being you.”

Alondra looked away and Geri gave her a gentle nudge. She realized she was hurting him and that wasn’t something she ever wanted to do. She fell into his arms and held him close. She loved him with all of her being.

Geri smiled seeing them happy and suddenly caught the fierce anger in Deidra’s eyes. Geri’s eyes narrowed, registering Deidra’s expression, and she knew she had to protect Alondra and Marc at any cost. Deidra relaxed her expression, thinking she hadn’t yet been observed, and Geri saw that as well.

“So how did you two get up here?” Deidra asked. “We never heard you drive up…”

Alondra realized she hadn’t told her father. “Dad, guess what?” she taunted him. He held her away from him looking into her cheerful eyes.

“What Alondra? Am I gonna like this or not?” he hated it when she started with ‘guess what’.

“You’re going to love it,” she insisted. “I rode my bike up here and guess who was on it with me.”

He looked at Geri in disbelief.

Alondra began to laugh. Then, unable to resist it any further, allowed her eyes to come to rest on his surprised green orbs.

“Oh really?” he said, regarding her with admiration. “You’re full of surprises, dear Geri. I wonder what other surprises you have up your sleeves.”

“Come on, Geri,” said Alondra. “We’ll go back home and get my things. See you tomorrow, Dad.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and went down the hill.

Geri said an awkward goodbye to Marc and Deidra and left the two alone.

Marc’s eyes followed them and saw where they had been sitting at the little picnic area he had created years before. He watched them mount the bike and ride away. Unbeknownst to him, Deidra hit her fist into the tree. He was still watching the two ladies ride away. She was so close until the brat and the busy body showed up. It’s okay, she told herself. At least you know he has feelings for you.

Marc came back to where she was standing alone. “I’m sorry about everything,” he said.

She hid a bruising hand behind her, not wanting him to see it. “It’s quite all right,” said Deidra. “Who knows what would have happened if they hadn’t have shown up,” she said innocently. She tried to make it sound as if it were a good thing they had been interrupted in order to ease his mind. “Do you mind driving back? I’m feeling a bit tired. It’s been a long day,” she said feigning a yawn, still toying with his emotions.

Chapter 19

Cain sat in a chair while Blair put her clothes back on. They’d been instructed to meet the doctor in his office when she was finished dressing. Cain stood up as she hooked the last button on her blouse. She stared nervously into his eyes and he caressed her cheek. “It’ll be all right,” he said lovingly.

They left the examining room and went down the hall to get the results. The doctor was sitting behind his desk reading her file and peered over his wire-brim glasses when they entered. “Come in; come in, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell.”

They sat in two chairs in front of his desk while he finished looking at the chart.

“Well, I’m waiting for the final test. Then I’ll be able to tell you for sure what is going on,” he said. He sat back in his chair eyes darting back and forth from Cain to Blair.

“Look, Doc, patience is not my strongest virtues, so if you don’t mind, please tell us what you think is wrong with my wife,” said Cain. His anxiety was getting the better of him.

Before the doctor could speak, a nurse walked in with a sheet of paper and handed it to him.

He leaned forward after taking the paper and scanned it quickly. He then smiled and faced the couple. “Well, you don’t have to wait any longer,” he said.

Blair was relieved. Cain squeezed her hand.

“All of your tests look normal. You’re going to be just fine.”

Cain finally breathed and Blair placed her hand over her heart.

“You are definitely pregnant, Mrs. Caldwell,” said the doctor.

Cain and Blair then froze in their chairs.

Alondra finished packing her overnight bag and joined Geri in the living room. Geri rose from her chair. It was going to be fun having her spend another night. She was enjoying their time together and finally getting to know her. What’s more, she hated being alone, but knew it was the price you pay for your independence.

“Want to go to town and get something to eat first?” Alondra asked as they were heading out the door to the motorcycle.

“No, I’m going to cook. It’ll be nice to have someone to cook for,” said Geri.

Alondra looked at her surprised. Geri caught this.

“You didn’t think I could cook?” said Geri with a laugh.

Alondra smiled; embarrassed that Geri had read her so well. “Well, no. You seem too hippie, you know what I mean?” she explained.

“Hey! Us hippie gals know how to do a lot of things,” Geri corrected playfully.

Alondra gave the house a quick glance over, thinking how she would miss the place when she left in the fall. Then she started the bike with Geri on the back and sped away.

Marc and Deidra were coming up the road when the motorcycle tore out of the driveway and turned up the road. Marc sighed heavily. That girl is just too sure of herself, he thought. He hoped she would have the good sense to slow down.

Deidra watched the motorcycle, mad that those two had spoiled her date. But she had a thought. Maybe she could salvage it after all. That is, of course, if his brother and sister-in-law weren’t back from the doctor.

Marc pulled the Jeep in the front of the garage. He saw that Cain and Blair had taken the Yukon instead of their car.

Deidra was bewildered. Damn, she thought. Another plan gone awry.

“Do you want to come in, and rest up before you make that trip to town?” asked Mark. “Oh, wait—I’ve got an even better idea. Let’s get something in our stomachs. I know you’re hungry.” He started to walk to the house.

She hadn’t expected this after what had happened at the lake. She was lost for words. But she held onto hope that Cain and Blair would get stranded on the road in the Yukon she had tampered with; and with Alondra gone to Geri’s for the night, she and Marc would be all alone. Things couldn’t have worked out any better.

“Sure, why not?” she said, catching up and hooking her arm with his.

Chapter 20

“
What’s wrong with it?” asked Blair. She watched as Cain made another one of numerous attempts to start the Yukon.

“Hell if I know Blair. How often do I drive this thing?” he snapped and gave it one more turn of the key to see if it would turn over. “Shit!” he yelled hitting the steering wheel with both fists. He looked over to Blair who seemed as if she were about to cry. They had just received the most shocking news. They were going to be parents and now this. “It’s okay, Baby,” said Cain calmly. “I’m gonna get you home, you know that.”

She looked in his eyes and found comfort. “I know, Honey,” said Blair. “It’s just that our lives as we know have changed with one phrase: ‘You are going to have a baby’. How everything becomes much clearer,” she said.

He nodded in agreement. “Yes it does. I’m gonna check under the hood.” He popped the hood and got out to check. Blair could see him fumbling around with something.

“Blair!” he yelled. “Scoot over to the driver’s seat and turn it on!”

She slid over and did as asked but nothing happened.

“Damn it!” he said loudly and walked back to the driver’s side.

Blair stared at him as he stomped towards her and could see he was getting very upset. “What are we going to do?” she asked timidly.

He glanced at her for a second then looked down the street to the garage. “I’m gonna see if Jack can come and take a look at it. Wait here,” he said.

She watched him distance himself from where they were stranded, grabbed the phone out of her purse and called Marc.

“Okay, have him call me when he gets back,” said Marc. He hung up the phone, and walked back to the dining area where Deidra sat, and paused at the door with his hands on his hips.

She could see something was wrong from the expression on his face. “Bad news?” she inquired, hoping it was Cain and Blair.

He scratched his head and came to take his seat at the table. “That was Blair,” said Marc. “She said the Yukon broke down. Cain has gone to Jack’s Garage to see if he can find out what’s going on. I hope he can because I just had that thing serviced last weekend. And it’s only a couple of years old.” He seemed very disturbed.

Deidra stiffened slightly in her seat. She was sure they’d find the loose cable. But it didn’t really matter. No one could tie it to her anyway. She relaxed once more. “How unfortunate, Marc,” she lied.