Fatal Deception: Part I (12 page)

He ran his fingers through his hair which now hung loosely. He was ready and now she didn’t want it? “You’re so strange, Deidra. You’ve been seducing me all day—no, ever since you got here!” His voice, which started low, was beginning to rise from frustration.

Her head snapped towards him angrily. “Seduce you? You tell me you didn’t want this as much as I did? Look me in the eye, Marc Caldwell, and tell me you were reluctant to do this!”

He backed away shutting his eyes trying to decipher through all of this, knowing full well the reason he was angry. It was true. He did want her right now but she was pulling away.

“Marc,” said Deidra; her voice bringing him back. “Look over at the night stand. That’s where your heart is, not with me.” She made it to the door, and rushed out. His eyes went to rest on the picture of Clarice.

Damn, she was so right, he realized. He hurried down the stairs after her, just like she wanted. “Wait!” said Marc. “I can’t allow you to leave like this. Please…” He gently caught her by the elbow just as she stepped off of the last step.

“Marc there is nothing to explain,” said Deidra. “You love your wife and no other woman will be able to fill her shoes.” She never looked at him as she slowly walked into the living room. He followed her, and a smile came on her face, unseen to him. She had him just where she wanted.

The hard liquor, wine, and beer were affecting his better judgment. Normally, he would have allowed her to walk out of the house and back to her hotel room, but not tonight.

“Look, Deidra, that isn’t true,” he said. “I just haven’t found the right woman to help me move on.” He walked up behind her draping his arms over her shoulders, and pulling her into him.

Yes! she screamed in her mind. He was hers to do with whatever she pleased, but it had to be played out just right.

“And you never will,” said Deidra. “I can guess that you judge every woman by her, and if they don’t come up to her standards they’re out the door. In the fall, Alondra will be off to school for years; maybe even find someone to love. Then you will be alone,” she said, pulling away slowly.

He walked past her, mulling over her words. She watched his blood-shot eyes as he pondered.

“You know, you’re right, Deidra,” said Marc. “I have been doing that. I can’t do it anymore.” He sat down on the sofa, defeated.

Deidra looked at him sympathetically, but knew in her heart that this was the time to strike. “You loved her dearly,” she said affectionately. “And no one should try to take that from you. She was an important part of your life–the love of your life! You don’t have to forget your love for her, you just put her in a special place in your heart, and embrace new love.” She came to sit beside him and softly caressed his shoulder.

He looked into her beautiful eyes and felt his heart yearning. “I have an idea,” he said, jumping to his feet and buttoning up his shirt.

Deidra watched him with curiosity when he suddenly took her by the hand, and nearly dragged her out of the house. He assisted her to the passenger side of her Jeep, then jumped behind the wheel and drove away into the night. She had no idea where they were headed.

Alondra woke early as always, and went searching for Geri. When she didn’t find her up, she thought she was still sleeping and knocked on her bedroom door. It was partly ajar, and slowly swung wider with her touch. “Geri?” she called. There was no response.

Alondra stepped further in and called out again thinking she might be in the shower, but still no answer. Then she remembered she liked to go jogging. She turned to walk out of the room when she spotted the briefcase, and pictures strewn about. She knew it wasn’t nice to pry into other people’s things, but she’s become very close to Geri in the last few days and wanted to know more about her.

She eased over to take a quick look and gasped in horror. They were pictures of Alondra’s family. It was her father, her uncle, her aunt. Some of the pictures were old and others were recent. Some were from way back when she was a baby. Then she cast her eyes on a lone picture placed on a pillow. It was a picture of her mother, Clarice. She was young and she was with a girl who looked younger, but very much like her, maybe a sister.

“But Dad never told me my mother had a sister…” Alondra said out loud.

“Because he never met her sister, so he probably has forgotten about her,” said Geri.

Alondra turned quickly to face Geri who was standing in the doorway.

Chapter 22

Cain and Blair came around the bend in the Yukon. Even though they’d shared a blissful night, they were glad to be home. They’d got the car much earlier than they thought they would and when they pulled up, the magazine crew was just unpacking. Cain and Blair went over to greet them.

Blair noticed that Deidra’s Jeep was there. She was partly surprised because Deidra had been late the last couple of visits. Then she heard the guys laughing amongst themselves and pointing at the Jeep. Cain disregarded it, but Blair could not. She thought she heard something poignant. “Could you repeat that?” she asked walking up to one of the men. The others looked away, sorry she had overheard the sly remark.

“No disrespect intended, Ma’am,” said one of the men. “We were just joking around.”

She touched his arm. “That’s not why I asked,” said Blair. “Deidra didn’t come in with all of you this morning?” She looked at each and every one of them.

They tried to avoid eye contact, aware that Deidra had been after Marc since the moment she found out about the shoot. “No, Ma’am. She didn’t sleep in her hotel room and that’s all I want to say.” He threw up his hands and backed away as did the others and returned to their work.

Blair looked down at the ground, all sorts of terrible thoughts racing through her mind. Then her eyes went to the house. She started towards it. Soon she picked up her pace, her heart began to pound. A dreadful feeling came over her. Once inside, she spotted Cain and hurried to him. She stopped at the living room doorway and hadn’t noticed the look on his face until she walked into the room. He had a horrified look on his face. Her eyes followed his to where Marc and Deidra stood by the unlit fireplace; Deidra was grinning from ear to ear.

“Cain, Honey, what’s wrong?” she asked looking from her husband and back to the grinning pair.

His head slowly turned to her then back to his brother and Deidra. “Honey, look,” said Cain. “Why don’t you let me take you upstairs and lay you down?” He turned completely to her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

She searched his eyes and saw he had a lot going on in there. Shock, anger, and confusion played the biggest parts. “You’re scaring me,” she said. “Marc, what’s going on?” She looked to her brother-in-law with pleading eyes.

Cain bit his lip and turned his head to glare at him then returned his soft stare to Blair. “Promise me you won’t get upset,” he said. “It’s not good for the baby.”

“Baby?” asked Marc. “Blair is gonna have a baby?” Marc left Deidra’s side and went to Blair. He took her in his arms before Cain could protest. Deidra looked at the threesome and started toward them only to get a stare down from Cain. She stopped in her tracks.

Marc set Blair down gently in a chair.

“Well, Little Brother, looks like we both have good news to share today,” said Marc proudly.

Blair could that whatever Marc’s news was, Cain didn’t like it. “What news, Marc?” she asked.

Cain turned away.

“Show her, Deidra,” said Marc.

Deidra was hesitant to near Blair when Cain turned back around and stared at her coldly. She slowly held out her hand.

Blair’s eyes became wide. “Is that what I think it is?” she asked. She was in utter disbelief as she stared at what appeared to be a wedding ring.

“Yes,” said Marc. “We got married last night. Meet the new Mrs. Caldwell.”

Blair felt the blood rushing to her head, and all she remembered was falling into Cain’s arms just before blackness overtook her.

Chapter 23

After the initial shock, Alondra made an attempt to flee the room fearing Geri was one of those stalkers her father had warned her about. She began to understand why her father was so protective. This woman had all sorts of pictures of her family. Yet Geri’s promise to explain everything kept her there. Somehow, she just knew Geri wouldn’t harm her. Nevertheless, she warned Geri against trying anything.

Geri left for the kitchen and Alondra followed.

“Okay, explain!” Alondra ordered. Geri poured herself some coffee and offered some to Alondra who shook her head, no. Geri went to the back door, and stared out picking her words carefully.

“I told you part of my life. It all was true, but what I didn’t tell you is why and how I lost my child.” She took a sip of coffee. Alondra shifted on her feet listening intently.

“I lived in an upscale neighborhood in Texas. Yeah, I’m from here,” said Geri. “In fact, I grew up in this very house. Your ranch and this one were one property. My father sold everything. He wanted to move to the city. That’s where we finished growing up.” She took another sip staring out of the door.

“We?” Alondra echoed.

Geri turned to her and smiled. “Yes, ‘we’,” she said. “My sister and I.”

Alondra’s mouth was slightly ajar. She sat down at the kitchen table. She was getting a mysterious sinking feeling.

Geri stared out the door once again, her eyes fixed on a small hill in the distance. Her mind wandered back to a happier time in her life.

Geri and her sister had been hiking when they heard their mother’s voice calling to them. They raced down the hill, as they’d had always done, the eldest of the two winning as usual. They came crashing into the house, and ran through it seeking their mother. When they reached the living room, the older sister came to an abrupt halt, causing the younger sister to crash into her.

“Why’d you stop like that?” Geraldine said with a giggle. Her sister wasn’t laughing or smiling. She could see that something was wrong by their parents’ expressions.

“What is it Poppa? Mamma?” the oldest girl asked.

Their father took in a huge breath and beckoned the girls to sit down. They obliged. Their mother gazed out the window already knowing what was going to be said.

“I will be selling the ranch…” he began, facing immediately protest from the two girls. He waved his hand to silence them.

“Geri!” Alondra yelled. Her voice invaded Geri’s trip down memory lane.

Geri turned and smiled and took a seat across from her at the table. “I’m sorry I was remembering the day our father told us he was selling this land.” Geri had tears in her eyes. Alondra was feeling sad for her despite the discovery of her family’s pictures in her possession. Then her cell phone rang. “Hello,” said Alondra. “Okay, I’ll be right there!” Alondra hung up fast and got up from the table.

Geri knew immediately that something was wrong. “Do you want me to go with you?” she asked.

“No,” said Alondra. “We need to finish this talk. Until then, I think its best you keep your distance from my family.” She was firm and she left the room. She rushed into the guestroom, tossed her things into her back pack, and ran out the door.

“I deserved that,” said Geri aloud. “How stupid could you be? Stupid! You knew better than that! How could you leave things out like that? And leave the bedroom door unlocked? And now how can I get her to trust me without having to tell her everything?” Geri sat down on the porch, dejected. Her thoughts roamed back to her childhood once more.

“Look! This isn’t easy for me to tell you so please, no more interruptions!” said their father. His voice was louder than they had ever heard it. Their mother glanced backward and his eyes met hers. He nodded and took a deep breath. They were young, and he needed to be patient and understanding. “I love the two of you with all my heart; and you know if it was within my power I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you! You do know that don’t you?” he asked. His voice was very soft and loving.

“Yes, Poppa, we know,” said the eldest sister.

“Good. I have been going to see the doctor for the past two months. I have a rare disease. Soon I won’t be able to take care of this land and I don’t want your mother or you two to bear that burden. That’s why I’m selling everything, and we’re moving to the city.”

The youngest rose from her seat and walked over to her mother silently. Feeling her youngest daughter next to her, Grace gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tried to console her. Then reality hit the oldest daughter. He didn’t want them to bear the burden…

“Poppa, are you going to die?” she blurted, causing a stillness to overtake the room.

Her father stretched out his arms for his daughters to come to him. They flew into them willingly. He held them for dear life. “No, my dear child,” he said. “That’s why we’re moving into the city, so that everything I need will be at hand.”

Grace stared into her husband’s kind and loving eyes and then left him to spend this time with his daughters.