Satin Sheets and Strawberries

by Marcia Evanick

  "Ms. SantaFe, what does F.F.F.F. stand for?"

  Kelli smiled at a teacher who had brought her first-grade class here every year since Fairyland opened. "It stands for the Freedom Fighters Federation of Fairies. Fairies are very patriotic and loyal to their country, they even have been known to go to war. Gremlins are members of the fairy family who made a name for themselves during World War I and II. These fairies love to tinker with machinery, especially aircraft. Since they are invisible they could cross enemy lines and do mischief to the enemy’s planes. Unfortunately, the enemy had gremlins of their own, and many a good fairy lost his life during those wars."

  Kelli looked out over the transfixed faces and smiled. "You got me sidetracked. Where was I?"

  A freckled-face redhead shouted, "You were telling us how the fairies came here."

  "Oh, yes. The delegation heard I lived alone and had plenty of room for their families. I immediately said they could, provided I could invite people to walk through and see if they could spot a fairy or two. They took a long time to talk this over between themselves before they agreed.

  "We’ll be starting our tour in a moment, so I want to explain the rules. First, and very important, don’t leave the path. You could accidentally step on a fairy or squash their homes. Second, no running. Fairies are very tiny, and so are their legs. You could have the misfortune of running one down." Logan chuckled as ninety percent of the children looked down and nervously shuffled their feet. Kelli raised her voice and said, "Line up with a partner. Two by two." As the teachers and mothers helped gather the children, Kelli waved to Ruth and Logan. With a beaming smile she asked the group if they were ready. As the roar died down, she started to walk into the woods to scout up fairies.

  Logan and Ruth watched as the last child and teacher disappeared from sight. "She’s wonderful with them, isn’t she?"

  A frown pulled at his mouth as he answered his aunt. "Yes, she is." Is this where his Kelli belonged, with the fairies and the children who came to see them? Was he wrong about Utah?

  #

  Kelli turned and answered a question a small girl had asked and chuckled at her grin, that was missing a tooth. First-graders were at the perfect age for Fairyland, still young enough to believe in the magic of the tooth fairy and Santa Claus. Every year the number of tours she performed increased as word spread from school district to school district. What would happen next year when she wasn’t here? Who would spark the imagination of a child?

  As she led the kids to a meadow where a fairy ring was visible she studied her surroundings. This was the only home she’d ever known and she loved it. She knew every tree, every inch of ground, and every animal. Who was going to take care of them when she was gone? What would happen to Angus, Caer, and their cygnets who were about to hatch?

  With forced happiness she gathered the children near the ring and explained, "It’s believed the ring is formed by dancing fairies. It is said if a person steps into the ring they will be imprisoned in the fairy world."

  She chuckled as sixty-two pairs of eyes widened. "This one is totally harmless." With a light step she crossed over the boundaries of the ring and stood in the center. "See, there’s nothing to fear from this one. Would anyone like to step in with me?" Sixty-two heads shook and one hundred and twenty-four little legs stepped backward. "Okay, maybe later." Out of the hundreds of students touring Fairyland each year, she’d only had two kids volunteer to step into the ring with her.

  Kelli pointed out and named different trees and bushes along the way. She gave a brief talk on how baby trees start and grow and drew the kids’ attention to a few bird’s nests. She sighed as they reached the end of the tour without any fairy sightings, except for the statues she had positioned throughout the park. Last year two kids had earnestly sworn they had spotted a real fairy. The first child’s teacher had written it off to the boy’s imagination. When a second boy spotted a fairy two weeks later, his teacher assured Kelli he was the most honest and realistic child in her class. Kelli had smiled politely and said she understood those things, but on the inside she was fascinated. The boys came from different schools and even different towns, they didn’t know each other, yet both boys’ descriptions were identical.

  Chapter Ten

  "Logan, did you know that seventy percent of Utah’s population is Mormon?"

  He glanced up from an article in a journal he was reading. "So you informed me yesterday." With a gentle smile he reached for her hand. "Nervous?"

  "Not unless Mormons still practice polygamy."

  He folded his journal and placed it on the coffee table. With a light tug he pulled her into his arms. "Okay, short stuff, let’s see the book." She snuggled against him and placed the encyclopedia on his lap. He pulled her closer as he glanced at the pictures of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. "Ever been camping?"

  Images of a scared sixteen-year-old girl crossing the country on foot filtered through her mind. She had made it from New Mexico to Pennsylvania hitchhiking; she’d only accepted rides from families on vacations. She had been young, but not stupid. Many nights she’d slept out under bridges and on park benches. It really couldn’t have been called camping. "No."

  "Look at these mountains and canyons, they’re perfect for camping." His voice held a catch of excitement. "Have you ever seen country like this?"

  "Yes, I was born and raised in northern New Mexico."

  "Damn." He closed the book and dropped it on the table. He tenderly raised her chin and kissed her. "I’m sorry, Kelli. I didn’t mean to bring that up. I thought you were raised in Pennsylvania."

  "No. I didn’t come east until I was sixteen."

  "Why did you pick Pennsylvania?"

  "I didn’t. I was planning on Maine."

  "Maine?"

  She chuckled. "I opened a map and Maine was the state that was the farthest away. I was going to celebrate my independence with a lobster dinner and then get a job with a small fishing fleet."

  "I take it you like lobster."

  "Never had it."

  He laughed. "Lord, woman, what am I going to do with you?" The answer was expressed by her suddenly darkened eyes. "Did I tell you I love you today?"

  She felt the heat of his glance and melted. "Only twice."

  Logan lowered her to the sofa and stretched out beside her. He traced her lower lip as lightly as a butterfly. "Tomorrow I’ll call and cancel the interview."

  "Why?"

  "Because it upsets you. Utah is too close to memories you want to forget."

  She was genuinely touched. He was willing to give up Utah because he thought it might upset her. Well, it did upset her, but not for the reasons he thought. How could she admit to a rational man like Logan that she was distressed for far different reasons. She’d read everything she could get her hands on about Utah . . . and not once were fairies mentioned.

  "Don’t worry," Logan said. "I got a very encouraging letter from Texas today. How do you feel about rodeos and snakeskin boots?" he asked in a serious tone. A small giggle escaped her parted lips. No doubt about it, he is the sweetest man alive, and he’s mine. "Logan, I want you to go to Utah and knock their socks off. I’ve dealt with my past, it’s behind me now. This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Go for it."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Positive. I’ll even read up on camping while you’re gone." She smiled devilishly. "Come to think of it, the sporting-goods store sells sleeping bags that zip together to form one large one. I always thought that sounded sinfully erotic."

  "The hell with Utah, is that store still open?" asked Logan.

  "It’s ten o’clock at night."

  He positioned a leg over hers and pressed her deeper into the couch. With unsteady fingers he slowly started to unbutton her blouse. "Please come with me to Utah for the interview."

  Pleasure surged through her with every brush of his fingers. "We’ve been over this before. I can’t. The play opens Friday night and I have to be here."

&n
bsp; He moaned as he unfastened her lacy bra with a flick of his fingers. Her satiny smooth breasts were begging for his attention. He lowered his head, capturing a dusky peak with his lips and pulled it deep into his mouth.

  Kelli arched her back and entwined her fingers deeper into Logan’s thick hair. Excitement raced through her. She should be used to his touch, his kiss by now—but she wasn’t. Every kiss was better than the first, his every touch excited her, and every time they made love she grew to love him more.

  Raising his head, he looked down on her flushed face and said, "Three nights away from you. Lord, I’m going to miss you."

  She rotated her hips, moving herself closer to him. "You don’t leave for another two days."

  In one fluid motion Logan stood up, cradling her in his arms. He took the steps two at a time. "Then why are we wasting time talking?"

  #

  "Thanks, Josh, I really appreciate it."

  "No problem. Does Kelli know you’re asking me to check up on her every night?"

  "It’s not checking up. Think of it as looking in."

  "She doesn’t know." Josh chuckled.

  "She’d have my hide."

  Josh laughed harder. "She already has that. Heard congratulations are in order."

  "Thanks. I would like you to be one of my best men along with my uncle. We haven’t set the date yet; that will depend on this trip."

  Josh leaned back against the police cruiser and rubbed his jaw. "I know you love Kelli, she loves you, and I think you’re perfect for each other. But are you sure about moving to Utah?"

  "A man has to have a job to support his family."

  "Kelli hasn’t voiced any objections to moving?" he asked doubtfully.

  "None. She’s dug up more information on the state than their own chamber of commerce." Logan frowned briefly. "I’ve thought about staying here, but there aren’t many requests for geologists in the local want ads." He looked over to where Kelli was helping the stage crew set up lighting and sighed. "I can’t imagine Fairyland without her." Josh stared at Logan as if he’d said something profane. "There won’t be a Fairyland without her. Kelli is Fairyland."

  #

  Kelli stood in the middle of the bedroom and nervously ran a sweating palm down the front of the red satin nightshirt she wore. Logan had bought it for her soon after she’d explained why she always wore red. Solitary Fairies always dressed in red, while Troop Fairies wore green. Since she had started Fairyland alone, she’d decided she was the former and had begun dressing accordingly. With a nervous gesture she shifted a wrapped box behind her back. When Logan came into the room and closed the door she blushed.

  Logan raised an eyebrow. "You sure did hurry out of the bathroom."

  "I bought a going-away present for you."

  He was more intrigued by her blush than by the idea of a present. "I don’t leave for thirty-six hours."

  Kelli took the brightly wrapped box from behind her back and handed it to him.

  Amused, Logan studied the swirling lime-green and shocking-pink wrapping paper. He slowly slipped the canary-yellow bow off the package and ripped off the paper. Under two sheets of orange tissue paper he spotted his gift. Two pairs of satin boxer shorts, one boasting purple horseshoes, the other green shamrocks. "Oh, Kelli, they’re fabulous. Where did you find them?"

  "I had to drive all the way into Somerset to get them. Sadie Foster doesn’t carry anything but straight Fruit of the Looms. She was quite shocked when I asked if she stocked satin boxers."

  He sat on the edge of the bed and laughed harder. He had met Sadie Foster. The woman still thought saddle shoes and beehive hairdos were the height of fashion. With great care, he pulled the shorts from the box and held them up. "I love them."

  "You’re to wear them during the interview and they will bring you good luck."

  "Which pair?"

  "I’m not sure. I couldn’t make up my mind, so I bought both." She gave the matter some serious thought. "You decide once you get there."

  Logan looked at the woman standing in front of him and grinned. Lord, how I love this woman. He put the box on the floor and opened his arms.

  She didn’t need a second invitation—she flew straight into his arms. She heard his groan as he tumbled backward under her weight and smiled as she bent to kiss away the pain.

  #

  Ruth planted her hands on her ample hips and glared at her nephew. Logan was systematically destroying her once-gleaming domain. "Are you sure you know what you’re doing?"

  He glanced at the growing pile of pots and bowls. Silently he acknowledged that his aunt’s question was justified. He was more comfortable with gravimeters and seismographs than with cooking. Since he was leaving in the morning, he’d wanted to make Kelli a special good-bye dinner. His aunt and uncle had been invited to a covered-dish dinner with a group of senior citizens, leaving them some privacy. Two frozen Maine lobsters sat in Kelli’s sink on a bed of ice, and a pound cake was baking in the oven. Everything was going smoothly. He smiled confidently. "Piece of cake. How hard can it be to throw those two critters into a pot of boiling water?" Ruth tapped her foot and glared at her nephew. "I wasn’t talking about your cooking. I was referring to this job in Iowa."

  "It’s Utah."

  "Same difference."

  Logan knew the people who lived there would not have agreed.

  "Don’t you want to move to Utah, Aunt Ruth?"

  "It doesn’t matter to these old bones where they are, as long as they have a soft bed at night. It’s Kelli I’m worried about."

  "Why?"

  "Because she won’t be happy there," said Ruth. "She loves you and would follow you anywhere. But it won’t be home for her. Didn’t you see her face when she entertained those kids with tales of fairies and legends. She believes in them. She believes they live here."

  He glared at the bowl of potato salad he was making. "What am I supposed to do? I have to work. Fairyland can’t support this family, let alone a couple of kids."

  Ruth’s expression became dreamy. "Babies?"

  Exasperated, he snapped, "Oh course, babies. We’re talking long-term commitment here. Marriage, babies, orthodontists, and college tuition." He softened his voice and asked, "Wouldn’t you like to hold a grandnephew or niece?"

  "Oh my!" With a stubborn look she declared, "Fairyland is perfect for raising a family."

  For the first time in his life, Logan lost his temper with her. "Dammit, Aunt Ruth. Money doesn’t grow on trees. I want Kelli, Henry, and you to have the best. Our children deserve the best I can give them." He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. "If that means moving to Utah, that’s what we’ll do."

  Ruth blinked and gawked at her nephew.

  Logan regretted his show of temper. It wasn’t Ruth’s fault he had spent a restless night tossing in his sleep tortured by dreams he couldn’t remember. He opened his mouth to apologize when the cookie jar fell off the counter and smashed against the floor.

  They stared at the scattered ceramic pieces and cookies, confused.

  "You must have moved it too close to the edge," Ruth said.

  The soft swish of the pet door caught his attention. He could have sworn all the cats were out. With an apologetic glance toward his aunt, he went and got the broom and dustpan. A frown creased his brow as he swept up the mess. He couldn’t remember touching the cookie jar, let alone moving it.

  After he’d returned the broom to the closet, he lovingly wrapped his arms around his aunt. "I’m sorry I yelled at you." He kissed the top of her head and gave her a gentle squeeze. "You could be right about Kelli, but I don’t know what else to do. If we move to Utah, I’ll buy her twenty acres and let her convert it into another Fairyland."

  Ruth returned his hug. "You don’t need to apologize. I was putting my nose where it didn’t belong. I’m the one who’s sorry."

  "Nonsense. You have a right to voice your opinion. This move involves you too. We’re family, and we’re in this together."


  She placed a motherly kiss on his cheek. "Sink or swim, huh?" Logan laughed and shooed her out of the kitchen.

  #

  Kelli sat back and groaned. "So that’s what lobster tastes like." Logan slid his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. "Ummm . . .

  She tilted her head to allow him more room. "It’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever eaten, but it tastes great."

  "Ummm . . . "

  "Stimulating conversation we’re having."

  Logan laughed and stepped away from her. "I can’t help it. I’m leaving in twelve hours."

  Kelli pretended to pout. "You promised me dessert."

  He quickly filled a tray with the remaining wine, two glasses, two slices of pound cake topped with Cool Whip and strawberries, and two forks. He turned off the light, leaving her standing in the dark. "If you want dessert, it’s in the bedroom," he said as he left the room.

  "Isn’t that a little obscene?" she asked, following him.

  A wicked smile flashed across his face. "Only if you tell."

  She turned toward the stairs. "I wonder if this is what’s known as having your cake, and eating it too."

  #

  "Dammit, Kelli. There’s a strawberry stuck to my knee."

  She giggled as she raised her head. "It goes with the Cool Whip in your hair."

  Logan touched a patch of stickiness in his hair and grumbled something under his breath. Then he glared at the closed door, exasperated. "Why is Tinkerbell whining?"

  "Strawberries are her weakness and she didn’t appreciate it when you locked her out."

  "Well, hell, she drank my wine."

  Kelli reached over and scooped a smear of cream off his chest. She closed her eyes and sighed as she licked the white foam off her finger. "Stop whining, I shared mine with you, didn’t I?"