On Ice (38 page)

“The white one is the mother of the younger litter,” Thomas said. “The big gray is the father of all.” He spread his arms expansively.

“The best.” Brett drew her over to where the children sat surrounded by wiggling puppies. He squatted amid the furry creatures and pulled Rene’s hand down to pat them. “What do you think?”

“Ooh, they’re so soft.” Rene cooed. “Its fur is so thick. No wonder they stay warm in the snow.” She knelt and the puppies surrounded her, licking her hands and jumping up on her. She fell back and one licked her cheek.

“Look at her little tail.” Sara uncurled the fluffy white pouf that waggled enthusiastically. “And her little ears are curly, too.”

“Mine, too.” Brett climbed in beside her. The puppy whined from the back seat as the children argued about who was going to hold her.

Rene listened to the happy din. It was a noise that wouldn’t have been tolerated in the past. She framed a silent prayer that was all feeling, but only contained the words, “Please, God—”

~*~

Mark felt some loathing for what he was about to do. In the past, he had strayed from his marriage vows, but only when the temptation had been worthy. The women who had entertained him were beauties, anxious to please him. He knew he was the best and he deserved the best in return. He’d never deviated from this belief. Now he was preparing to deviate from everything he’d considered normal in the past.

He selected a gift tag to go with the small box of Godiva chocolates and printed a message. If anyone read the card later, they couldn’t identify his handwriting from this precise sample. He held the card and read it over, ‘A little something sweet for my sweetie’. That in itself made his gag reflex throb. He wasn’t proud of his actions but no one would ever have to know he’d sunk this low. What he had planned for tonight strained the limits of his sensibilities. He had to be convincing in his role as suitor to the kind of person he could have never imagined himself touching, let alone having physical intimacy. He wondered if the pasty white flesh would envelope him like freshly risen dough.

He shook his head. He only had to be convincing until he got what he wanted. He needed continued help to have access to Maddy’s communication and this was the only way. It didn’t have to take long. Just long enough to gain trust, and then.

It was now or never. He’d said he would do anything to find Rene and now he had to prove it. Rene deserved to be punished for making him sink so low.

~*~

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The next Saturday morning, Rene awoke in Brett’s arms. Opening her eyes to the soaring beams overhead, she momentarily forgot where she was, forgot their lovemaking the previous night and forgot that they had talked about their future as though they actually had one. She lay quietly, keeping her breathing even, enjoying every sensation. Brett’s skin was warm where it touched hers. His breath against her neck sent a tingling sensation down her spine.

Twisting her head slightly, she noticed an expression of peace and contentment new to his face. He looked younger, somehow more vulnerable.

Relaxed for the first time in as long as she could remember, Rene wanted the moment to go on forever. Of course it would end. The little moments were never long enough. She tried to soak up every feeling, every scent and every thought she was having.

He stirred a little, his arm slipping lower across her torso. She felt his fingers caress her midriff. He was waking up. Brett stretched and kissed her shoulder. The perfect moment was ending.

“
G’mornin’”, he mumbled against her skin. The stubble of his beard tickled her shoulder sending a shiver down her spine. “Cold?” he asked.

“
Hmm-unh.” She feigned sleepiness. Squeezing her lids tight, she savored the tenderness, snuggling against him.

“
If you’re not cold, it must be love,” he whispered in a sleep-husky voice.

“
Must be,” she agreed.

~*~

“
Have you heard anything from your great and good friend, the Chief of Police?” Maddy asked. “Wake up, Ted.”

“
I’m awake, dear.” He opened his eyes and groped for his glasses. “Whatever are you talking about?” He had fallen asleep in the sitting room adjacent to their bedroom.

“
I’m talking about time, dear. Time is going by and Mark Desmond is still out there. Has it occurred to your influential golf buddy to make an arrest?”

“
Why, I’m sure he makes arrests, dearest.” Ted yawned and stretched luxuriously.

“
Just not the right one.” Maddy tied the sash of her peach negligee, folding her arms across her breast. “I want to know what they’re doing.”

“
Who, dear?” Ted asked.

“
The police! What are they doing?” Her voice had risen in timbre.

“
I’m sure I don’t know, dear.” Ted turned on his side. “Why do you ask?”

“
Because I want to be sure they won’t bother to arrest me when I maim, mutilate and murder you for irritating me beyond the limit of human endurance.”

“
What did you say, dear?” He turned back to face her. She regarded him with a steady gaze. “I said,” she said slowly, “I want to know what progress your friend, the Chief of Police, is making on the arrest of Mark Desmond on two charges of assault and attempted murder.”

Ted succeeded in locating his glasses and fumbled the gold wire rims into place. “Let me see, I know that they’re working on it.”

“
Have you talked to him at all this week?”

“
The fact is, dear,” he paused, “No.”

“
Would it be possible for you to pick up the telephone and ask this man what progress he’s made?”

“
You seem to be upset, dear.”

There was a long silence. “Yes.” She glanced back at him, then turned and strode from the room.

“
Maddy! Maddy, come on. Don’t walk away,” he called after her.

She stomped down the curved stairway, feeling a certain satisfaction as her bare feet slapped against the cold, polished marble floor in the foyer. A twinge of guilt assailed her as the sound of Ted’s voice trailed after her.

It was a glorious sunny day, probably cooler than it appeared from indoors. Maddy felt stifled and bound. Wishing she had dressed for the outdoors, she realized it would mean going back up to change. Ted would probably stop her; tell her how dangerous it would be to go out into their back yard. A guttural sound escaped Maddy’s throat, something like a growl, but born of pure frustration.

“
I can go out if I want to,” she said aloud. “And woe onto Mark if he’s out there.”

Maddy punched the code, disarming the alarm and slowly twisted the knob. Cool air swirled around her. The negligee rippled open, revealing her slender legs as the chill caused her nipples to tighten. Enjoying the effect, she smiled. She drew in a deep breath of fresh air and stepped outside onto the long porch leading to the pool. Standing beside the wrought-iron fence, built to keep small children from falling into the water, she enjoyed the sensation of sunshine falling on her shoulders. The breeze stirred the surface of the water, sending her hair flicking across her face. She reached to brush her hair back just as strong arms grabbed her from behind, lifting her off her feet.

Maddy let loose with a blood-curdling scream, a scream that came from the very tips of her brightly polished toes. A scream that her former karate instructor at the fitness center would have applauded. Screaming, she drove her elbow into Mark’s ribs.

“
Ooof!” he said as he released her. She landed on her feet and rounded on him, driving her fist into his slightly paunchy middle with all her might.
Wait, Mark isn’t paunchy.

It was Ted who sat on the concrete holding his stomach. “I realized you were a bit snappish, dear,” he said looking up at her over the rims of his glasses, which had slipped to the end of his nose, “but it never occurred to me that you would go so far as to strike me.”

A wave of remorse washed over her as she quickly knelt beside him. “Darling, what have I done?” She put her arms around him, hugging him awkwardly. “Of course, I would never intentionally strike you.”

“
Oh, my mistake.” He opened his arms and slid her onto his lap. “I could have sworn that was what happened.”

“
Yes,” she said, anger and frustration forgotten. “But I thought you were Mark. I was trying to use what I learned in karate.”

“
I would say that you got your money’s worth with those classes, dear.” He pulled her closer. “And outside of the initial shock, I really like this.” He kissed her lips.

“
Me, too,” she said, “but I think we can get arrested for this indecent display.”

“
Didn’t you say something before about getting arrested?”

“
Yes, I did,” Maddy said. “Now that I have your attention, I want to find out what’s going on with the police investigation.”

“
I can do that.”

“
I want my sister back,” she said. “And my life, I want my life back.”

“
Then, let’s go inside,” Ted suggested. “I’ll call the Chief.”

~*~

They had done absolutely nothing all day.
Almost nothing
. Rene smiled as she recalled their activities. She lit candles and prepared to serve dinner. She enjoyed puttering around the kitchen and put together quite a fine meal from Mrs. Jolly’s well-stocked larder.

Exploring the house proved to be a treat as well. Brett showed her all the nooks and crannies. It was impossible not to imagine which room would be Seth’s and which one Sara’s. She envisioned her possessions, so perfect in the small cabin, relocated to this big cavern of a home.

The puppy trailed after her. When Rene went in the kitchen, the small white ball of fluff followed her. As she cooked, the puppy untied her shoelaces. Rene had to watch her step to avoid tripping over her little white shadow.

The best thing about Saturday was the talking. They talked about everything. She told him about her childhood, sharing her feelings about growing up in the old bungalow with her parents and Maddy. She described her relationship with her sister and her dreams of becoming a teacher. She told him how much she loved teaching at the little one-room school.

Brett told her about growing up as the only son in a traditional family in Seward. His older sister worked with his parents in their accounting firm. His younger sister studied music, then moved to St. Paul where she married a chemistry teacher and played cello in the symphony. His close relationship with his grandfather influenced his life. Determination to resurrect the town and operate the mine had directed his life, up to this point. Marriage to his college sweetheart ended less than a year after he brought her to Sad Horse. The town was smaller then and the mine less successful. She left without saying goodbye.

“
You didn’t hurt her, did you?” Rene asked.

“
I must have, or she wouldn’t have left me.” He spread his hands helplessly.

“
I mean, did you abuse her?” Rene persisted.

“
Of course not!” He scowled across the table at her, appearing to be shocked rather than angry. “Why would you ask me that?”

“
I guess because that’s what I did,” Rene said. “I left without saying goodbye. I was afraid then. I still am.”

“
I know.” He reached for her hand. “I know.”

~*~

Ted hung up the receiver.

“
What did he say?” Maddy asked, anxious for his something concrete.