by Thianna D
Ben moaned and rolled over, so small in his flannel PJs, and Roy pulled the comforter over his shoulders. “Let’s see what happens and not get ahead of ourselves.”
God he could be so annoying. But, fine. “We can hope.”
Chapter 6
To Teri’s despair, Ben did not speak when he awoke, right when they did. But his early rising meant there was no time to watch the video. And despite her hurry to wrap things up, relief washed over her. Seeing Melinda, and Shane, of course, alive and well on the television screen would be rip-her-heart-out hard.
She showered and pulled on jeans and a T-shirt then got Ben dressed for the day. The little boy padded in sock-feet to the breakfast table to eat cereal and peanut-butter toast. They spoke to him but also answered for him, a habit they were rapidly falling into. And she missed his happy chatter. Her weekly Skypes with Melinda had often featured Ben playing in the background and, from time to time, sitting on his mother’s lap, sharing their conversation.
“I think I’ll go down to Sam’s office for a while. No matter what is on the video, selling out of the co-op is going to be complicated and I need to know what I’m about. I will ask for a copy of their homeowner agreement as well as some advice about Colorado estate law.” She trailed after him to the front door and accepted his kiss. “We have to see the will, you know.”
Every time she thought of it, her throat tried to close up. “Maybe after lunch, while Ben naps.” Unless she could think of a way around it.
Roy opened the door then turned back to her, a glint in his eye. “How’s your bottom this morning?”
The reminder renewed the sting in her abused backside. “It hurts, you sadistic bastard.”
He grinned. “Why darling, what a sweet thing to say.” He cupped her ass and brought her close to whisper against her hair. “We need to try a little spanking in the bedroom. We keep ending up there anyway.” He gave her butt a slap and she jumped, horrified at the flood of arousal from his touch.
“Get going. I’m going to settle Ben in front of the TV and get to work.”
He frowned. “Is that good? I mean, didn’t Melinda say he doesn’t watch much TV? Weren’t they big on doing things with him?”
Teri gave him a push. “Go on your way. I have things under control here.” She closed the door firmly behind him and leaned against it. Under control. Right. “Come on, Ben. Let’s watch some cartoons.” She returned to the kitchen, but the little boy had disappeared. Heading down the hall, she met him holding an armload of toy trucks and his jacket piled on top. Hadn’t Melinda said something about heading to the park in the mornings on nice days? Well, her sister hadn’t had a day job, unless you counted mural painting, which Teri didn’t.
“No, Benny. We aren’t going out right now. Auntie Teri has to do some work on her laptop and you get to watch any cartoons you like. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
Ignoring her, he took up a position by the front door. Teri clicked on the set, hoping to find something to attract his attention. Flicking through the very few channels, she learned her sister didn’t even have cable, satellite…only one of those silly boxes for those who refused to modern-up when the digital age arrived.
She found a PBS show with puppets. “Ben, come and see. It’s so funny!” She waited but he didn’t respond so she returned to the door where he stood, still holding everything. “Honey, Aunt Teri has to work at her job. Maybe we can go out later, after lunch.” But that was when he napped, or so Roy seemed to think. Did almost four year olds still nap? Had Melinda ever mentioned Ben’s schedule? If so, she hadn’t listened. Biting her lip, she tried to think of another way to distract him, to settle him down so she could get online and deal with the hundred or so financial fires no doubt burning back in her office.
But he lifted his face to her and a single tear trickled down his cheek. Schedules be damned. They would go out. “Okay, for a little while, honey. I have to work.” She took the toys from his arms, piled them into the red wagon sitting ready by the door, and off they went.
Teri had no trouble finding her way to the sidewalk then paused, unsure where to go. Ben, however, made a sharp left and started off. She shrugged and followed. Down the block and around the corner, passing the neat houses with their groomed lawns and beds of colorful blooms. More birdsong accompanied them and the air held the light scent of flowers and freshly cut grass. She tilted her face to allow the sun to warm her cheeks. Only a few high, piled white clouds broke the expanse of blue sky and the mountains in the distance were tipped with white. No wonder her sister and Shane loved it here and had moved so far from home.
What a gorgeous day to be alive.
Sadness clouded her mood at the thought.
Alive.
Yes, she was alive, but her beautiful, artistic sister was not. Her promising life cut short by some hit and run driver who left their mangled car crushed against the tree and fled. How could anyone do such a thing? Yes, the coroner said they’d been killed on contact, but the person who sent them flying into the huge trunk couldn’t have known. The damage to the car had been caused by the tree but a scrape of red paint held the only clue to what had happened.
And the police, while trying to be encouraging, didn’t hold out a lot of hope they would find the perpetrator. On a secluded road, in a rainstorm, if anyone had seen the accident, they hadn’t come forth with information. The man who’d found the car and called 911 had come along at least an hour after the whole thing took place.
Her steps slowed, the sunny day shadowed by her sudden reminder of loss. Someone had robbed her nephew of his mom and dad, leaving her not in the least equipped to repair such extensive damage. Ben trotted ahead onto the grassy expanse ahead of them. Melinda had mentioned all the little parks scattered throughout the community. She’d claimed nobody had to get in a car to enjoy the outdoors—unless they wanted to climb the nearby peaks.
Which, of course, she and Shane had done often. They had hiked in summer and skied in winter. Family photos littered the walls and tabletops. All the adventures they’d had. They’d had great plans, too. Lots of local traveling and they were saving for Orlando in a couple of years when Ben turned five.
Her sister and brother-in-law didn’t have much money, but they had a positive outlook. A future.
Damn the bastard who killed them and stole all the beauty of their life together.
Damn him to Hell.
She blinked back the tears that came too often and followed the winding pathway toward an impressive playset. Ben already lay across a swing on his tummy, kicking himself idly back and forth. His somber face added to her heartache. Why couldn’t it have been her taken out early? What did her life mean?
Sure, her job was rewarding. Her home a showplace.
But her marriage rested on shaky ground and she had no personal life to speak of. If she’d been taken out—not Roy, perish the thought—her widowed husband could have gone on to marry someone capable of giving him the love and family he craved.
She hesitated, wondering if she should play with Ben but a little girl approached and took his hand and led him toward the slide structure. Although only one of them was talking, he seemed okay for the moment. Another preschooler offered more comfort and company than she could.
“Hey, you must be Ben’s aunt from the big city.” Teri jumped and turned to see a young woman on a green-painted bench outside the playground area. “Suzanna, my daughter, and he are big friends, so glad you came by today. Normal is gonna be important to that boy.”
Again with the normal? Teri sighed but joined her, shifting a little to find a comfortable way to sit on her freshly spanked legs. She winced at the sting. “Normal. I don’t even know what that is.”
The woman eyed her with a narrowed gaze then shrugged. “You and Melinda really were alike weren’t you?”
Were…. “Well, identical twins usually do look alike but personality wise, we were night and day.” A deep ache resonated when she spoke of her sister. “A
nd I have no clue what normal is…for Ben.”
“Suzanna, you be careful up there. Those kids have no fear.”
The little girl, blonde ponytail swinging, hung upside down from a set of monkey bars.
“Ben!” Teri started to stand, too late as he slid headfirst down the twisted slide. “Oh, there he goes. Isn’t that awfully high for their age?”
“Maybe but they are on it every day.” The woman, a blonde, blue-eyed grownup version of Suzanna, stuck out her hand. “I’m Kirsten, by the way. I helped your sister with her mural.”
“Teri.” She shook hands and returned her attention to the pair scrambling around like monkeys. What if they fell and got hurt? He’d have her old before her time.
“Don’t worry so much. You’ll get frown lines.” Was the woman reading her mind? “They are just being kids. That was one of the reasons we moved here. So our kids can stretch out and enjoy life.” She patted her nearly-flat belly. “If this little one is half as happy a child as Suzanna, we’ll be doubly blessed.”
“Two so close together will be a handful.”
“I’m fortunate my husband makes a good living. We agreed I would stay at home at least until our kids are older. We may have a couple more. I’m a teacher so we are considering home schooling them. But the schools here are as good as any in the country. I’m just selfish enough to enjoy having Suzanna around all day.” She laughed and Teri tried to join her but the idea of four kids?
Kirsten called out, “Honey, go get a drink. I swear, if you don’t remind them, they will dry up and blow away.” The two kids dashed over to a gleaming stainless steel fountain.
Teri stared. “Is it safe for them to drink out of that? Aren’t public fountains full of germs?” She would have called him over for bottled water—had she brought some. The boy would be lucky to survive her care to adulthood. What if she forgot to feed him?
“The water supply here is among the best there is and the parks are meticulously maintained, the fountains cleaned every day. I’d prefer our tap water to anything you could buy in a store.”
“Good to know.” Her butt ached and she stood up to take the pressure off. “I think I’ll try it.” She waited behind the pair who splashed one another then dashed off again, Suzanna chattering away, Ben silent, but at least energetic. Teri stepped on the foot pedal and bent low to take a drink from the kid-height fountain. “Delicious!”
“Didn’t I tell you?” Kirsten dug in her bag and pulled out a zippered bag. “I have some goodies for the kids. You don’t mind if we share with Ben?”
“Mind?” No, she should have brought some, too. But she hadn’t planned to be at the park long…. “Do you always bring something?”
“Always.” Kirsten handed each child some kind of a bar. “I make these myself. Cookies, but with lots of added nutrition. I’ll give you the recipe if you like?”
Baking? “Yeah, thanks. That would be great.” The nanny she’d hire might be able to handle it. Did nannies cook at all? Would she need a cook, too? Takeout sushi might not be a good diet for a toddler. Was he a toddler at almost four? She knew nothing! Panic rose, again.
Returning to the bench, she sat gingerly, trying and failing to find that almost comfortable spot. She jumped up.
Kirsten giggled. “You and Roy are a perfect fit for Corbin’s Bend. I don’t suppose there’s any way you can stay here?”
“No, we have to get back to work as soon as possible.” She rubbed absently at her thigh. “I don’t see us as a perfect fit. We are city folk.”
As she settled back again, Kirsten winked at her and smiled. “That’s not what I meant. But I understand if you like the hustle bustle. We moved here from Denver ourselves and I was worried about whether I’d feel comfortable out of the City. But after a couple of weeks, I couldn’t even remember what I’d liked about being in the thick of things.”
“It’s so quiet and all these birds!”
She giggled. “I know. It’s sure different from traffic.” Kirsten pulled her phone out of her bag and checked the time. “Another few minutes and I want to get going. OB/GYN appointment.”
Teri stood up. “I should go, too. If I don’t keep up with my clients online, I’ll be too behind to ever catch up when I get home.”
Kirsten stood, too. “I heard you are staying to give Benny a chance to recover a little.”
“Yes, the doctor thinks we should not move him until he’s ready to talk again, but I’m sure that won’t be long.”
“Maybe not.” The blonde waved. “Suzanna, time to go! Mommy has her appointment and I need to drop you off at the sitter first.”
“Coming, Mommy.” The little girl headed for them, towing Ben by the hand. “Why can’t I go to Ben’s house?”
Kirsten bent and dusted her off then tweaked a ponytail. “Because you can’t. Maybe some other day.”
Her lip jutted out and grip tightened on Ben’s hand until he grunted. “He wants me to come. Doesn’t his new mommy like me?”
New mommy. Her heart squeezed so hard, Teri gasped and the trio stared at her. “I…I like you fine, Suzanna, but your mom doesn’t know me very well. She probably would rather you went to your regular babysitter’s house.” While she had no idea how his friend could tell what Ben wanted, without a word passing his lips, she wished she could lighten the serious expression on his face. “But I would love to have you come to visit.”
Kirsten shrugged. “If you don’t mind, I feel like I know you. Melinda talked about you all the time. Are you sure it’s no trouble?”
“I, no, I….” But the other mom shoved the bag of healthy cookies in her hands. “Sure, that would be great. Thanks for trusting me.”
“Suzanna has no allergies, so feed her whatever you plan to give Ben for lunch and I will be back in a couple of hours. I’ll text the sitter and tell her we won’t be over today.” She flipped her ponytail and started off down the path to the sidewalk. “Be good, Suzanna. Do whatever Ben’s new mommy says and I’ll see you in a little while.”
Dear God, she was responsible for two of them. Planned for lunch? Allergies? She tried to remember whether Melinda had mentioned Ben having any. Standing straight, she winced at the sting in her bottom. “Let’s go, kids.” Maybe after she fed them, they would play together or nap and she could get some work done. Two might be easier than one. Right. Yeah, sure. “How do you feel about omelets?”
Suzanna giggled. “With peanut butter?”
Chapter 7
Roy turned the last sheet of paper over and added it to the stack on the attorney’s desk. “It seems straightforward, Sam.”
“It is, but I would have preferred you got the information from the video. Your late sister in law was quite insistent your wife watch it. A transcript doesn’t carry the emotional impact.”
He leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee. “Yes, I am aware of that and we do intend to watch it. But we didn’t want to do so when Ben might come in and be confused seeing his mother on the screen. One day, sure. But the doctor warned us not to do anything to exacerbate the trauma he’s already suffered.”
“That poor boy. He deserved better.”
“Than us?” Roy gave a bitter chuckle.
“No, no. I can see you are good people. I mean….” The elderly attorney’s bow tie wobbled as he searched for words but Roy waved a hand.
“I understand. No child should lose both his parents so young.” Sure, they might not be ideal for the job, but they would do their best to take care of Ben. The thought of the driver who left a three year old’s mommy and daddy to die at the side of the road enraged him. “The bastard didn’t even know they were dead. For all he know, he could have saved them.” Fists clenched, he gritted his jaw.
Sam’s expression matched Roy’s emotions. “There’s nobody in CB who doesn’t feel the way you do. The investigation is involving the sheriff’s for three counties and several police departments. There’s also a call out for anonymous tips. And the reward for arrest le
ading to conviction is growing daily. Corbin’s bend doesn’t take crime lightly. Especially one so serious. They were good people, your relations.”
Roy tucked the transcript into its manila folder. “I can take the copy?”
“Sure.” Sam stood and ushered him toward the door. “Are you in a hurry?”
“Not a hurry, but I should get back and see how Teri and Ben are doing, why?”
Sam locked the door behind them. “My secretary is out today. I’m going to get a bite to eat, and if you have time, I’d welcome the company.”
“I’ll need to call home but I think that will be fine. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts about practicing law in a community like Corbin’s Bend.” Roy pulled his cell out and paused to dial. “I think it might be just the kind of town I’d like, if only I could convince Teri. And if you think there’s enough business for another attorney without stepping on your toes.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “Just the kind, eh? Well, could be. There’s something about you….”
Roy held a hand up. “Teri, I’m going to get lunch with Sam if you’re doing okay. What? Two kids? Where did you get another…oh, I see.” He covered the receiver. “She has a friend over to play with Ben.” Listening, he nodded. “Okay, sure. I won’t be long. Peanut butter, right. Eggs? No, sandwiches, yeah. See you soon.” He stuffed the phone back in his pocket and started off again. “Who’d expect her to be handling one child, much less two. I think I underestimated my wife.”
They strolled past a row of storefronts and turned the corner. On the side of a building, a riot of color blossomed and Roy’s steps slowed. A perfect depiction of Corbin’s Bend, but in springtime. The style was unmistakable, but one corner was incomplete.
“She didn’t get to finish it.” The older attorney rested a hand on the bricks. “One more thing that criminal stole from us all.” He stroked it reverently. “I don’t suppose your wife shares her twin’s gift for painting?”