On Ice (42 page)

“
No, Tina. Just run along home, now.” Ted patted her awkwardly on the arm. Tina gathered her things and left the office, a tissue clutched to her mouth. A heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the sound of the girls playing in Ted’s office.

“
He must have gotten her key, somehow.” Maddy leaned her head back against the leather chair.

“
It wouldn’t be hard,” T.J. said. “Tina’s head is in the clouds.”

“
But how could Mark access my e-mail?” Ted asked. “Only Maddy knows my password.”

“
It’s not hard to guess someone’s password,” T.J. said. “People usually choose a nickname or some numbers, such as a birthday or other important date in their lives. If he’s your brother-in-law, he must know a lot about you.”

“
We’re not exactly close,” Ted said.

“
Ted, it’s not that hard to guess your password would be Dr. Ted.” Maddy shook her head.

Terrence spoke for the first time, his voice reflecting his concern. “The locks must be changed immediately.”

“
Yes, of course,” Ted said. “I’ll call a locksmith right now.” He rose and reached for one of the thick Houston telephone directories.

“
I could just scream,” Maddy said.

“
Yes, I’m afraid Tina has placed your sister in grave danger.” T.J.’s expression was somber. “You must warn her to leave her hiding place right now.”

~*~

This weekend was even more perfect than the last. Nadine kept the children and the puppy. Rene and Brett shopped for groceries at Hank and Bernie’s, picked up a couple of videos at Pinky’s and managed to snag pastries just before Cindy closed the bakery. It was dark early in the afternoon now. They walked Cindy out and waved goodbye. The street lamps cast a bright light, making the freshly fallen snow glisten like crystals.

They hurried to Brett’s place, prepared dinner together and watched one of the videos.

The commitment she’d made to move in with him weighed heavily on Rene. She hadn’t broached the subject to the children. Sara would be eager to make the move but Seth might balk at the prospect. She planned to speak to them after the reading lesson on Sunday afternoon.

“
You’re in a strange mood,” Brett commented, adding another log to the fire.

“
Not strange. I’m just being quiet.”

“
Too quiet. I can’t tell what you’re thinking.” He sank down beside her on the sofa.

“
Who said you were supposed to know what I’m thinking?” She flashed a grin, tucking her feet up under her.

He made a grunting noise. “It would be sort of a companionable thing to share with the man who loves you.” His smile warmed her heart.

Rene reached out to stroke his cheek, tracing the edge of the neatly trimmed beard. She tried to gather her thoughts into some ordered bundle to present to him, but shook her head helplessly. “I’m sorry. I’ve had a lot of things on my mind. Too many to name.”

“
Okay, I’ll buy that. How about naming just one?”

“
What?” She laughed at his request.

“
If you don’t want to reveal everything, just throw me a nibble. I want to know what sorts of thoughts take you so far away from me.”

“
Ah, I understand.” Rene nodded her head, embracing her knees with both arms. “I was thinking of Houston and my past--and I was thinking of Sad Horse and you.”

“
That’s a lot of territory.” Brett turned so he could face her.

She resisted the urge to turn toward him, though she knew she presented a less than inviting image as she sat curled into a tightly wrapped ball. She stared into the leaping flames, mesmerized by their dance, enjoying the warmth on her skin.

“
And I’ve been thinking of my future here with you.”

Brett let out a breath of air. “I was afraid you were going to tell me you were going back to Houston.”

“
No.” She darted a quick glance at him. “I’m happy here. I think the kids are happy here. At least, Sara is.”

“
Seth is unhappy?”

“
He’s happy enough on a day-to-day basis. There are so many unresolved issues. He’s torn by mixed feelings for his father. I’m sure, on some level, he loves Mark. But he fears him and for good reason. I hope it will all straighten out in time.”

“
At least, we can work on it together.” He stroked her unruly hair, now long enough to touch her shoulders.

“
Yes, we can. Seth needs you in his life. He needs to know that all men aren’t cruel. That they don’t hit. You wouldn’t hit us, would you?” As her eyes sought his, a glimmer of doubt flashed a warning.

“
Rene, I’m not going to say I’ve never hit anyone, but I would never hit a woman or a child.”

“
Who, then?” she asked.

“
In my wild old days, I may have thrown a few punches in the name of good-natured, boys-will-be-boys fun. Nothing serious. Nothing you ever have to fear. You don’t, do you? Fear me?”

“
No. I don’t have any fear of you, except for my heart. You seem intent upon stealing it.”

“
Retaliation.” He tucked a stray loop of hair behind her ear. “I must have fallen in love with you when I picked you up at the airport. You looked so scared and helpless.”

She threw him a look from under arched eyebrows. “And that scared and helpless thing really appeals to you?”

“
Sure. You made me feel big and strong and important. I wanted to protect you.” He hauled her over as he stretched out on the sofa, carrying her with him. “You and the kids made me feel needed.”

“
That’s it!” Rene pulled up on her elbows, her face close to his. “I feel needed for the first time in my life. I feel important too.”

“
You’re very important to me and you know I need you in my life.”

She leaned down to kiss him. “I know, but it’s more than that. I’m important to my children because I can take care of them. I’m important to sixteen other children because I’m their teacher. I’m part of this community by design or by accident. I’ve been taken into their center where they trust me and I can’t let them down. I’m beginning to trust myself, too.”

“
Trust yourself?”

“
Not to fear. To stand up for myself and for Seth and Sara. I’m not the same person I was when I first arrived.”

“
Whoever you are, I love you.” Brett smiled up at her.

“
I think I love me too, now.”

~*~

“
Why are you so edgy, my dear one?” Ted folded his newspaper, hoping this action would show Maddy he was ready, willing and able to converse.

She swished by for the millionth time, tossing her hair as she swept by his chair.

He stood up to meet her on her next pass. “Wait! Sit down for a few minutes.” He held her shoulders, massaging them lightly when he felt her tension. “Come over here and tell me what’s bothering you.”

“
Oh, Ted.” Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes. “I’m so worried about Rene.” She collapsed against him.

He held her close, rubbing her back in a comforting manner. “There, there, dear. I’m sure she’s all right.”

“
N-no, she’s not. I’ve e-mailed her twice a day since Friday and she hasn’t responded at all. Ted, something’s happened to her. I have a sixth sense where Rene’s concerned. We’ve always been connected to each other.”

“
Perhaps she went out of town, dear.” Ted tried ineffectively to lead her to the sofa.

“
Where would she go? She doesn’t have a vehicle. She doesn’t know anyone up there outside of that minuscule town. I’m sure she’s in trouble. I just feel it in my bones.”

“
We don’t know where she is, Maddy. Let’s not assume the worst.” He succeeded in getting her seated only to have her fly up again.

“
You don’t understand, Ted. I couldn’t stand it if something awful happened to Rene. She’s my baby sister. She’s an innocent. She can’t stand up to Mark. How could I let her go to a frozen wasteland? She must be miserable.”

“
Has she indicated to you that she’s miserable?” He gave up on containing her and contented himself by watching her pace.

“
No.” She whirled around to face him. “Now that you mention it, she’s been sending the cheeriest e-mails. She seems happy as a clam.”

“
There, you see. She’s not miserable.”

“
But, why hasn’t she answered me? I know she would respond to the messages I’ve been sending. She wouldn’t want me to worry.” She resumed her pacing. “There’s only one thing to do. I must go to her.” That announcement barely spoken and Maddy headed for the stairs.

“
Wait a minute! What do you mean, go to her? Go to Alaska? That’s impossible!” He rose from the sofa to pursue her up the stairs.

“
I’ll just pop up to see her and then pop right back. Now what should I wear?” She sorted through the clothes hanging on three sides of her dressing room.

“
Maddy, we can’t do this. I have surgery scheduled for Monday. The girls are in school.” Ted waved his hands, aware that she was beyond listening to reason.

“
Of course you can’t go. You must stay here and be Dr. Ted and you must take care of the girls, get them to school and ballet classes.” She whirled suddenly. “My mink! I’ll wear my beautiful mink coat.” She opened a cedar lined closet and removed a dark, shining full-length ranch mink from its protective covering.

“
Maddy, don’t be ridiculous. You can’t go to Alaska on a moment’s notice. It’s impossible.”

“
Impossible for most people but not for me.” She looked at Ted for the first time since her tirade began. “You know I’m right. If everything is as it should be, I’ll have a nice visit and return. But if she needs me, I’ll be there for her. Maybe I can bring them back with me.”

“
What about Mark? Have you forgotten about him? What if you lead him to her?” He followed her into the bedroom where she started pulling things from drawers.

“
Ted, your beloved Miss Bangs already did that. I have to warn Rene.”

He sank onto the bed as his wife tossed a large carry-on bag beside him. “Maddy, please be sensible. Remember that Mark has already made two attempts on your life. You won’t always be so lucky.”

“
You may be right, dear. I’ll agree to take Terrence with me. He owes Mark a lump or two.”

Ted opened his mouth twice and closed it both times, unable to think of anything that might dissuade her.

~*~

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Maddy adjusted the pillow seeking a more comfortable position. She glanced at Terrence snoozing peacefully, a slight smile on his face. He was crammed into his seat, his long legs stretched under the passenger in front, his broad shoulders encroached on her space, but she hadn’t the heart to wake him. She was grateful that he was willing to accompany her on such short notice.

Ted had groused and grumbled, but finally agreed to the trek as long as Terrence kept a close watch on Maddy.

She and Terrence had caught a night flight, sleeping intermittently as they traveled. They changed planes, heading toward Alaska by mid-morning.

Unused to flying economy class, Maddy booked the only available seats. After being in the air several hours, she found it difficult to adjust to the small space.

This trip was for Rene. Maddy couldn’t be sidetracked by minor personal discomfort. She was committed to bringing Rene home to Houston. There were the children to think of. How could they have a secure and happy existence while enduring Mark’s brutality? The pattern must be broken. Rene said she was stronger now, whatever that meant. Stronger, but stronger in what way, she wondered? Had a few months on her own really changed Rene? Had she changed enough to stand up to Mark at his worst or would she cower in the face of his rage?

Maddy set her lips in a firm line. Whatever was to be, Rene would have her big sister standing right beside her. Maddy and Terrence, that is.

She hoped they would arrive in time. She plumped up the pillow once more, arranged it behind her neck and determinedly closed her eyes.

~*~

Rene gave Brett a nervous smile. They had picked up the children and gone to church. Rene couldn’t recall the topic of the sermon, but she did pray for their future together. She couldn’t put words to the prayer, saying over and over to herself, “Please God, Please God.” She thought her meaning must have been received because she felt more peaceful.

Now, she was experiencing euphoria mixed with fear. She had to tell the children they were moving into Brett’s house. There was no easy way to introduce the subject into casual conversation. At least she could put it off a while longer. A half dozen enthusiastic new readers would be converging on the cabin shortly.

Rene thought fondly of the strange assemblage, the gathering of adults who sought knowledge and those willing to help. It was an amazing interaction of positive energy. The helpers were as varied as the citizens of Sad Horse.