On Ice (27 page)

Just then, Brett strode onto the porch, stamping snow from his boots. He carefully removed them in the entryway, stuffed his gloves in a pocket and hung his jacket on a peg.

She has him very well trained.

The expression on his face melted her heart and made her feel guilty of uncharitable thoughts toward Mrs. Jolly.

“
How’s the patient?” He kissed her forehead before plopping down beside her.

“
Ouch! You could have said anything but that.”

“
How about, I thought about you all day. Does that sound better?”

“
A bit. What’s going on in the real world?” She tried to find a comfortable position so she could face him, but gave it up, returning her gaze to the fireplace. “Come on! Give me the local dirt.”

“
Let me see, local dirt?” He appeared thoughtful. “Honeybee said hello and asked if you needed anything.”

“
If anyone else asks that question, I may throw up.” She made a face. “There must be something juicy going on.”

“
How about, Dr. Chad’s truck at Dr. Lorelei’s both late at night and early in the morning. That’s pretty bold for this little town.” He slipped his arm around her.

“
Racy, indeed.” Rene nestled into the curve of his arm.

“
The only thing saving your virtue is your frail condition, plus Seth, Sara and Mrs. Jolly as chaperones.”

“
My virtue?” She slid a sidelong glance at him.

“
Of course. All schoolmarms must have spotless respectability. It goes with the territory.”

“
I don’t know if I can measure up,” she said, suddenly serious. “What if I’m not spotless?”

“
Rene, I don’t care if you robbed banks down below. I love you.”

“
I know.”

“
I don’t care if you’re a serial killer.”

“
Oh, yeah? Just wait till I smush your Cheerios. You’ll be sorry.” Peevishly, she stuck out her tongue.

“
I’d gladly sacrifice my oatmeal, my Cheerios, even my Cap’n Crunch for you.”

“
Even that?” She laughed, making a scrunching motion with her shoulders that passed for a hug. She leaned her head back against his arm. “Tell me more dirt.”

“
Pinky has been visiting with a lady from Sitka over the Internet. He’s planning to visit her this weekend. Logan and Gunnar are going to mind the store for him.”

“
You’re kidding!”

“
Got it straight from the horse’s mouth. He’s acting sappy as a teen-ager.”

“
He’s always pretty sappy.” She giggled again, her dour mood slowly lifting.

“
But, wait. I saved the best for last.” Brett smiled at her. “Guess who has a date this Friday night?”

“
Who?”

“
You have to guess,” he insisted.

“
Honeybee and any male breathing?”

“
Not even close. Mrs. Jolly. She and the Reverend are going to see a movie in Barlow Gap. Rated PG, of course.”

Rene stared at Brett. “You just made that up to entertain me.”

“
I swear.” He gave her a solemn look and raised his right hand.

“
So, we’ll have an evening with one less chaperone?”

“
Exactly.”

~*~

Ted watched his sleeping wife. He couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to harm her. She was tough as twisted steel, but gentle and funny at the same time. She didn’t stir as he ran his fingers lightly over her silky hair. It could be the pain pills the hospital pharmacy issued her at discharge. It could be because she was happy to be at home in her own bed.

He felt responsible for what had happened to her. She was willful and prone to rash behavior, but Ted knew he’d somehow let her down. After all their years together, he should have known that she’d reached her saturation point with being cooped up. He should have guessed that her next action would endanger her life. If he had been with her, she wouldn’t have been injured. He could have protected her. He wasn’t exactly sure how but he was certain he would not have allowed Mark to harm his wife.

A muscle twitched in his jaw, the only outward sign of his turmoil. He was through playing by the rules. He had to put a stop to Mark’s aggressions, no matter the cost. From now on it was open season on Mark Desmond.

~*~

Mrs. Jolly twittered around like a schoolgirl. She’d twisted her silvery hair into a sleek coil and Rene could swear a little blush graced her cheeks.

“
I hope Nadine Burkes fixes a decent meal for Seth and Sara. It’s important for young children to have balanced meals, even when they stay all night with friends you know?” Mrs. Jolly addressed Rene, but her eyes hadn’t left her own image in the mirror. She practiced a coy smile on herself. “I honestly don’t know why the Reverend would want to spend an evening in my company, when he could have his pick of--of any number of women.” She smoothed the tendrils that curled around her neck tucking them into the neat do.

Rene wondered what other women the Reverend might have to choose from. She refrained from reminding Mrs. Jolly that the scarcity of single women in Sad Horse was a topic for jokes. “I’m sure he prefers your company,” she said, tactfully. Sitting on the sofa, she tucked her feet under one of Mrs. Jolly’s prize afghans.

“
I don’t want to make a fool of myself.” She turned from the mirror to whisper, “He’s younger than I.”

“
Really?” Rene’s lips twitched as she tried not to smile. She judged that younger meant about fifteen years.

By the time the Reverend Goodnight pulled up in front of Brett’s house, Mrs. Jolly was trying to talk herself into canceling the date. “I could just say I’m having a little headache. . .or you could tell him. That’s it! You tell him I’m not feeling well, and...and...”

“
I can’t do that.” She pointed to her oxygen concentrator. “Besides, I couldn’t lie to the Reverend. I think you should go. Have a good time. You deserve it.”
And I deserve an evening without your constant smothering.

“
I’m sure you’re right.” Mrs. Jolly smiled, uncertainly. She straightened her shoulders and threw open the door. “Hello, Reverend.” Her normally strident voice took on a sing-song quality.

“
Good evening Willona.” He smiled as he fixed her with his piercing gaze. “Don’t you look lovely tonight?”

“Oh, Reverend, how you do talk.” Mrs. Jolly turned a becoming shade of pink.

“
Please, Willona, you must call me by my given name.” He stamped the snow off his feet and crossed the threshold.

“
Yes, Josiah.” She closed the door behind him shutting out the cold night air.

The Reverend and Mrs. Jolly chatted with Rene a few minutes and then took their leave.

Rene leaned back and, removing the nasal cannula, closed her eyes.

Brett surprised her by gently awakening her with a kiss. “Wake up, sleeping beauty.”

“
Does this mean my prince is here?”

“
I can be your prince.” He kissed her again, stirring feelings that had been buried somewhere within her.

“
Whoa! I’m getting dizzy. It must be a lack of oxygen.”

“
I think you need more mouth-to-mouth.”

His kisses sent waves of passion coursing through her. A tingling sensation deep inside reminded Rene of the pleasures a man and woman can enjoy
. Better change the subject or I’m in big trouble.
“Mrs. Jolly left our dinner on the stove, but you’ll have to serve.”

“
I think I can do that.” Brett grinned at her, the blue of his eyes contrasting sharply with his deeply tanned face. “Then we can take up again right where we leave off.”

Rene took a deep breath, without the aid of the oxygen concentrator.
I’m already in big trouble.

~*~

“
Ted, you don’t have to hover over me every moment.” Maddy had tried to take a nap but found it difficult to relax in Ted’s presence.

“
I beg to differ.”

“
Mark isn’t lurking behind the drapery.”

“
One never knows.” Ted refused to be baited. He studiously cleaned his already clean glasses.

“
If you’ll just run along downstairs, I could catch a few zees, as Genna says.”

“
I’m quite enjoying your company or lack thereof,” Ted insisted. “Besides, you might take it into your head to climb out the window and drive yourself to visit a dental hygienist.”

“
I can’t even stand straight,” Maddy protested. “I doubt I’ll be hoisting myself out any second-story windows in the near future. I just want to take a nap.”

“
Go right ahead, dear one. I’ll be right here hovering over you.”

“
Oh, Ted.” She sighed in mock exasperation but couldn’t suppress a smile. “At least you could make yourself useful.”

“
How might I do that?” He noted the smile as he rose from the armchair.

“
I’m sure you can think of something. Not every part of me is injured you know.”

“
Is that so? And on which uninjured parts would you like me to make myself particularly useful?” Placing his glasses on the bedside table, he leaned close to her.

“
My lips are fine.” As she spoke she unbuttoned his shirt, her fingertips lightly tracing little swirls from his collarbones to his ribs.

“
I concur. Let me examine your fine lips.” He kissed her tenderly as her touch sent tingling sensations through him.

“
This part is good.” She tossed her hair back, exposing her neck and shoulder.

Ted trailed kisses down her neck. A soft moan escaped Maddy’s throat as he gently caressed her body. “Shall I prove my usefulness by helping you remove all that cumbersome clothing?”

“
Just lock the door first.”

~*~

Rene watched Brett bustling around the kitchen. He served dinner, but he didn’t seem to have much of an appetite. He stared at her as though she might disappear if he looked away. A pair of long unused candles were put into service, casting a gentle glow over their faces. They talked of inconsequential things, somehow unable to speak of what was in their hearts.

After dinner he settled her back on the sofa and threw another log on the fire.

Opening a bottle of chilled white wine, he poured some in a slender crystal wine flute. “Mrs. Jolly doesn’t approve of what she calls spirits, but I thought we should celebrate your recovery. I hope you like this.” He handed her the flute.

The feel of fine crystal brought back painful memories. A slight tremor ran down her spine as she recalled the many times when she had fallen short of Mark’s expectations of perfection. A frown clouded her features.

“
What’s wrong, Rene? Don’t you like the wine?” Brett reached to take the flute from her hand.

“
I like it. I’m sorry. I just thought of something sad.” She sipped the cool liquid, letting the crisp flavor linger on her tongue. “It’s delicious. Really!”

“
You don’t have to drink it to please me.” He smiled at her, thoughtfully. “Just having you here pleases me.”

“
You have a lovely home, Brett. I appreciate your generosity in taking care of me and the children. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

“
Lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out.” He pushed her fluffy locks back from her forehead, letting his fingers caress the side of her face.

“
What does that mean?”

He moved closer, gently wrapping her in his embrace. His slow and deliberate kiss instantly reignited the flame.

A voice in her head warned Rene to stop, but the flame blazed out of control. Her heart throbbed wildly in her ears as Brett’s kisses devoured her resolve. She pulled him closer, ignoring the tenderness around her ribs.

“
Rene, I want you to stay with me,” he murmured against her cheek.

She couldn’t imagine being elsewhere. Brett’s gentle passion seemed to erase the damage done by Mark’s cruel lust.

“
I want you to marry me,” he said. “You’re the woman I’ve needed in my life. I didn’t know it until I met you. You’ll be the mistress of this house. You’ll be my wife.”

“
What?” Rene pulled away from him. “What are you saying?”

“
We’re great for each other. I want to be the kind of father Seth and Sara need. I love you, Rene and I love them, too. We’ll be a family.”

“
I can’t!” Rene tried to disentangle herself from his arms. “This isn’t--I mean, I didn’t know--”

“
Don’t tell me you don’t know how I feel about you?”

“
No. I mean, yes, but I didn’t think you were thinking of this, this--” she stammered.

“
Marriage? Is that the word you’re looking for?”

A sharp edge to Brett’s voice warned Rene she was on dangerous ground. The tingle of fear rose from the pit of her stomach.