Fatal Deception: Part I (9 page)

As Marc watched, someone else entered. His heart jumped. As much as he too tried to deny his feelings, his heart told wouldn’t let him. Their eyes locked, caressing each other. He felt a sudden warmth building within him.

Geri’s eyes glistened, taking in the flow of energy emanating from Marc. She felt as if her knees would buckle. She turned away not able to stand what he was doing to her.

Cain watched it all unfold, as did Deidra through her narrowed eyes. Marc had never looked at her that way, although he had looked at her intently. This was different.

Obstacles—always obstacles, thought Deidra. In her mind, she was fuming. “Marc,” she said, intentionally interrupting. “Are you ready to take me on that tour of the ranch?”

The others were oblivious to Cain’s presence. He observed everything and wondered if his brother had a clue yet about Geri.

“Oh, yes! Let’s go,” said Marc. “Uh, Geri! Would you like to join us?”

Deidra tried to hide the fact that her eyes had become large. She desperately hoped this woman would not ruin her plans yet again.

But Geri didn’t want to intrude. And she didn’t want him to know that Alondra had planned to take her for a tour of the ranch as well. She would have to change plans. “No,” said Geri politely. “You go ahead. Alondra offered to take me to check out some cars. I really need to get one. Can’t keep depending on other folks, however nice they are.” She looked purposefully but nonchalantly away from him, but that didn’t stop Marc from rushing past Deidra to her.

“I thought we made it a date for Saturday?” said Marc, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

She glanced at him. Boy, he is huge, she thought. And she was overwhelmed by the intoxicating energy that she felt from him. She moved slightly away to allow some distance between them without him noticing.

“Yes… I know,” said Geri. “But you have so many things going on… I don’t want to impose any more than I already have.”

Marc seemed thunderstruck.

Cain leaned against the wall watching this little scene play out. He hadn’t seen his brother so involved with a woman so quickly; not since Clarice. And again he wondered whether his brother had realized the resemblance.

Deidra was puffing hard, but only Cain noticed.

Marc took Geri’s arm gently with his hand and escorted her out of the room. Deidra flopped down on the sofa angrily.

Cain could see that she had some strong feelings for his brother. He laughed to himself. “I wouldn’t let that bother me if I were you,” he said. “Marc always feels like he has to be the protector, especially with women in distress.” He sat down across from her.

Deidra grinned slightly. She realized she’d shown her emotions too much today. Now it was time to do whatever was necessary. “I won’t let it bother me,” she said. “It’s just that it would be good to see the ranch, and take pictures too. That way the whole day won’t be a bust. You know what I mean? And that thing about Marc and Geri… it’s okay,” she lied.

Then Cain saw Alondra and Blair returning from upstairs. Everything seemed better. He rose to his feet and went to join them. Deidra followed to see if they had straightened everything out, but the way Alondra glared at her told her to keep her distance, so she walked past them and out to the porch. Marc and Geri were nowhere to be seen.

“I know we just met and all,” said Marc to Geri. “But I really want to get to know you better. Hell, I came home and tried to push you out of my head but it isn’t happening, Lady; not by a long shot.”

She was sitting on a bale of straw and staring up at him adoringly and in disbelief. She tried to absorb everything he’d just said. She’d been feeling strongly for him, and to hear him express that he felt the same for her had touched her deeply. She didn’t know what to say.

“Just let me do this thing today and tomorrow,” said Marc. “Then, I’ll be free. I want to be there when you get your next car. Is that still okay?” He’d given up the idea of pushing her out of his mind. He decided he wasn’t going to let her go easily after all. He couldn’t.

He seemed so sincere that she surrendered to his plea. “Yes, it’s okay,” she replied. “I guess I can live two more days being chauffeured around. Not that I really have any place to go.”

He smiled. He was pleased he’d gotten through to her. “Good. Then I guess I’d better get back to Deidra,” he said, reluctantly.

They left the barn, and didn’t notice the pair of eyes watching them.

“I guess I’ll have to play dirty,” said Deidra. “Real dirty if I’m going to get what I want.” She watched them cross the yard and go into the house. She then slipped into the garage and disappeared.

Chapter 17

Marc looked all over the house for Deidra then came back outside and saw her at her Jeep pretending to be looking for something.

“I wondered where you’d gone off to,” said Marc.

“I was making sure I had enough film,” Deidra lied. “This is a job I want to go smoothly, and so far it seems like it will.”

She invited him into her Jeep and he went to the passenger side to get in. As she turned the key she looked over her shoulder to see Alondra and her new friend, Geri, leaving the house and heading into the garage. Her lips curved into a sinister grin.

Alondra saw her father leaving with Deidra and Geri couldn’t help but notice the young lady’s disdainful look.

“Why don’t you like her?” Geri inquired as they made their way into the garage.

Alondra was silent as she went over to her motorcycle and straddled it. She looked at Geri with dark eyes full of anger. “She’s no good,” she said. “And she’s after my father.”

Geri let out a small chuckle and came to stand next to Alondra. She paused for a moment and stared at her in a motherly way. “Honey, take that as a compliment to him. I know he’s your father so you can’t fathom that he’s a charming, generous, and really good-looking man. Any woman would be glad to have him in her life.”

Alondra looked up and a noticeable glimmer in Geri’s eyes. “Does that include you?” Alondra asked.

Geri was caught off guard. She turned away quickly, not wanting to betray the feelings harboring within her, but also not wanting to reveal them to Alondra. “You know,” said Geri. “The first time I saw you, I thought that if my baby had lived, my precious little girl, she would have been your age. And I do believe she’d look just like you.” Geri changed the subject to an even more revealing one. Her eyes were soft and slowly filling with tears.

Alondra felt her own tears coming to the surface as Geri had opened up and given her a little part of herself. “You lost a baby?” Alondra asked. “We have so much in common.”

Geri looked at her unsure of what she meant.

“I lost my mom,” Alondra explained. “I never got a chance to see her. She died having me.” Alondra turned her eyes to the ground and tried to gather herself.

Geri was stunned with this new revelation. She didn’t know that part.

“My daughter died at childbirth,” Geri admitted. “It seems we do have that in common.” Her eyes went to the far wall, her mind traveling back to that day. Then something else from that day came to the surface. “Except for the father in the story,” said Geri. She walked slowly away.

Alondra dismounted the bike, and followed her. “What do you mean, Geri? What happened to your husband?” Alondra pried.

Geri took a seat on the ground with her back against the wall and Alondra joined her. “We were in love,” said Geri. “It was like love at first sight, but I did resist him at first. It was a gut feeling I had, but did I listen? No. And it cost me my baby.” Geri wiped the tears that were now flowing.

Alondra placed her hand on her shoulder trying to console her. “We don’t have to talk about this anymore Geri. Let’s do something fun,” she said.

Alondra jumped up and assisted Geri to her feet. They went towards the Yukon when Geri paused for a moment, and walked over to the motorcycle. An idea formed in her head.

“Wait,” said Geri.

Alondra was halfway in the vehicle but stopped and looked at Geri who had a big smile on her face. She returned to her side.

“Have you ever driven your bike with a passenger before?” Geri asked Alondra.

“Yeah, my dad, when he was teaching me,” Alondra replied with a big smile. Could her new friend and neighbor also like motorcycles as much as she does?

“Good,” said Geri, happily. “Then you wouldn’t have any problems riding with me?” Geri looked at Alondra excitedly and jumped on the back of the bike.

Alondra was speechless. She was very surprised.

Geri sat on the bike grinning. “Come on! I want to fly!” said Geri. She threw her head back with outstretched her arms and mimicked a bird flying.

Alondra grabbed two helmets, gave one to Geri and put the other one on. She jumped onto the bike and started it up.

“Okay, Kiddo! Let’s go!” yelled Geri over the roaring motor.

Alondra was excited. She kicked the stand and Geri wrapped her arms around her waist. Alondra revved up the engine and sped out of the garage.

Cain and Blair were locking the door behind them to leave when they heard the motorcycle. They saw it speed out of the garage with the two ladies on it. Blair ran to the edge of the porch and watched helplessly as her niece and new neighbor disappeared from sight. “What in the hell is she thinking?” Blair blasted.

“Well, she’s been doing this since she could walk,” said Cain. “And she’s ridden with Marc on the back; surely she can balance a small lady like Geri!” Cain looked down at his wife who now turned from him and stared away angrily.

“I’m not talking about Alondra,” said Blair. “I’m talking about Geri. She’s my age. She should know better,” she scoffed.

Cain suddenly realized what the matter was and chuckled a little. “Do I sense a touch of jealousy here?” he asked.

Blair turned back to him and glared. “What do I have to be jealous of?” she asked.

He tilted his head and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “How close those two have become in such a short time,” he answered.

Blair quickly walked away heading toward the garage. “You don’t know what are you’re talking about,” she said over her shoulder.

He caught up with her quickly. “Don’t I?” he said, turning her to face him. He bent his knees slightly to come eye to eye with her.

She gazed into his lovingly searching eyes before turning her head. There was no use hiding it. “Okay, you’re right,” she conceded. “I just don’t get it, Cain. The last couple of days, two new women have come into our lives. One, Alondra hates… the other, she embraces. I don’t understand.”

Cain stood up straighter as his wife paced with folded arms. “It may be the same reason my brother took to her so fast,” he said. Cain looked out over the ranch, his mind in a place and time long ago.

Blair was confused by his comment. He then looked at her with a smile. “You don’t see it either do you?” he asked.

She stared and then shrugged her shoulders. “No—what? Tell me!” She could see he had the answer.

“Think hard, Baby,” said Cain. “Think about Geri. Who does she remind you of?”

Cain watched Blair closely as her mind began churning and deciphering what he had just said. Suddenly, she came to it and her eyes lit up. She looked at her husband in shock. “Oh, my god, I’ve been so caught up with all the commotion and what was going on with me that I couldn’t see what was in front of my face. Do you think Marc sees it?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Not with his outer eyes, but I think he does with his heart,” said Cain.

Blair took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Cain wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her into the garage. “Since Alondra’s on her bike, let’s take the Yukon instead of the car,” said Cain.

Blair nodded and got into the vehicle. Cain started it and slowly pulled out of the garage, driving to the doctor’s office.

Chapter 18

Marc gave Deidra the grand tour of the enormous ranch. She got out at several spots and took some shots of him. It was apparent he was very proud of his place. It had become his solitude from the grueling road trips he used to take while working.

Deidra truly was in awe of the place. She stood for a while looking as far as she could see, then she joined Marc in her Jeep and followed his directions to the next spot. They came upon a lake in the middle of the property. It was partially surrounded by woods and rich green grass.

Marc pointed out a good place to park and quickly got out and went to the water’s edge. Deidra followed, leaving her camera behind, and came up beside him to enjoy the view. It was breathtaking, she thought. Then her mind inevitably began to calculate as it always had. She felt this would be the best place to set her plan in motion. Marc took a seat on the grass under a tree. He watched the ducks, swans, and geese swim peacefully. This was his place of solitude.

“Do you come here often?” Deidra asked as she came to sit next to him.