The Ring of Fire: The Dragon Dream: Book Two

by Robin Janney

  Les twitched as he recognized his daughter-in-law’s ringtone. He turned his head slightly to listen better as Craig pulled his phone out and answered.

  “Hi Angela,” his son said in greeting. Les wished he could hear both sides of the conversation. His son’s voice was filled with longing and love. Why was he trying to say he was tired of caring for his wife when he quite clearly wanted to be with her? “No, I’m sorry but it’s going to be another late night. It’s the welcome back to work party for Dad.”

  From the corner of his eye, Les saw Craig’s amused smile. “Alright, if I’m home before then, it’s a date. Okay, bye honey.”

  Les thought about asking what time limit had been set but refrained. His son was under no obligation to stay the night with him, but Les knew his son wouldn’t leave until he did. How quickly could he politely extricate himself from a party held in his honor?

  Twenty minutes later, the limo was parked and Les was back in his wheelchair. His sat in the middle of the elevator with his spouse on one side and his son on the other. He was a little anxious for tonight’s party but didn’t want either of them to know it.

  Once the elevator doors opened, it was a blur to Les. Coworkers and friends and court employees filled his time. Three things stuck out to him: his wife left early, Andy Miller’s wife had not stayed home, and Andy didn’t seem upset over the attention his wife paid to a former boyfriend. Out from Veronica’s watchful eyes, Les was able to watch his son and Katie together. And he made sure his displeasure didn’t go unnoticed.

  C raig leaned down to speak into his father’s ear two hours later. “Dad, I’m going to walk Katie down to her car. I won’t be gone long.”

  His father’s stern look bothered him. A couple slow dances with Katie didn’t mean anything. The other woman put no pressure on him the entire time they’d been out dancing at clubs, and so tonight it had been easy to dance with her.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing, son,” said his father, disapproval heavy in his voice.

  “Dad,” sighed Craig. Why did he keep having to say this? “She’s just a friend. Why doesn’t anyone believe me?”

  Les’ expression didn’t change, “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to. Go walk your ‘friend’ to her vehicle. I’ll be waiting here for you.” He lifted the wine glass resting on the small table next to him, taking a drink and keeping it in his hand afterward.

  Craig straightened with a grimace and walked away. He met Katie by the elevators and put a smile on his face. Just because he was pissed at his father was no reason to take it out on her. He offered his arm to her, and her dainty hand snaked through to rest against the suit sleeve.

  “Your dad didn’t look very happy tonight,” Katie commented as the doors opened and she stepped into the large elevator; her eyebrows rose in questioning expectation. “Every time I looked his way, it looked like he was frowning at me!”

  “He hasn’t really been happy about anything the entire time I’ve been here,” commented Craig neutrally, hitting the button to take them to the parking garage. It wasn’t worth sharing with her about the conversation he and his father had before the party. “It’s been a long summer.”

  “I’ll bet. How much longer do you think you’ll be staying?” Katie smiled up at him.

  “I’m hoping to leave next week,” answered Craig. He shrugged. “Dad’s been doing well enough learning how to live with the wheelchair, and Veronica’s been doing her part.”

  Katie nodded. “You’ll be missed when you’re gone. Your dad was always such an active man. It must be hard for him.”

  “It is.” Craig escorted her out of the elevator as the doors opened. He smiled at the starkness of the parking area, how it must clash with their outfits. It was nice to know that she’d miss him. His smile faded as a comparison of the two women vying for his attention began in his mind again; it hadn’t been the first time in the past few weeks. Angela had missed him from the moment he’d left, was missing him at this moment, had probably started missing him before his truck had disappeared from her sight. “What row is your car in?”

  “E-15.” Katie smiled again as they walked into the sea of vehicles. “You know you didn’t have to walk me down here. I’m a big girl and can handle myself.”

  How many times had he heard Angela say that when she tried going on horse rides into their wooded acreage by herself? The two women could not be more different; he wasn’t sure how he felt about those differences. Angela always said this phrase with a hint of impatience, no doubt feeling patronized. When Katie said it, there was something demure about her tone, and far more pleasant. Ignoring his internal discord, Craig smiled and gave Katie the same response he gave to his wife. “Better safe than sorry.”

  Katie’s laughter was light and pleased. Angela would have tossed her short sassy hairdo as she turned and walked away – and he would have enjoyed the view as she did so. God, he missed her. Even if he had needed a break from her issues, Craig missed the woman with them.

  “Well, thank you,” Katie said, her hand brushing at loose blonde curls. “It’s a very sweet gesture.”

  Craig shrugged, feeling his face color slightly. “It’s nothing.”

  “Here it is!” exclaimed Katie happily stopping in front of the low red car. She ran her hand along the sleek hood and leaned against the fender, one shapely calf peeking out of the slit in her skirt. “Wanna go for a ride? I’ll let you drive this time.”

  “Not this time. Dad’s waiting for me and he’ll never say it but he’s more tired than he’s letting on,” answered Craig regretfully. Angela’s car was a reliable Ford Focus, a blue that was almost purple. She rarely drove it, preferring to ride in the truck with him. It had been interesting riding with Katie, but the thought of driving the Porsche was heady enough to give him a rush as he smiled kindly at her. “Definitely before I leave though.”

  “I look forward to it,” sighed Katie. She smiled as he opened the door for her. “Are you always this much of a gentleman?”

  “I try,” he answered. Katie’s high-heel platform shoes put her above Angela’s height, and Craig was surprised when she stepped forward and pressed her lips to his without warning. He should have seen it coming, he really should have. Flinching, he gently pressed her away. “Katie…”

  “But…” She looked at him, her painted eyelids blinking in confusion. “I’m sorry, Craig, have I been misreading your signals? I thought…”

  “I do care for you Katie, it’d be hard not to. But I love my wife.”

  “I see,” Katie said flatly. In Craig’s eyes, it was explanation enough. But this woman was not one to be put off so easily. “Are you sure, Craig? Because I’ve read your comic book series. I read anything my son does, you see. And I couldn’t help but notice how one of the female characters bears more than a passing resemblance to me. One of the ones your knight wrestles with his feelings for, and I’ve always wondered if you regretted our breakup, and maybe had some feelings left for me?”

  Craig rolled his shoulders uncomfortably. Angela liked to look at his sketches but showed no interest for the drafts he sent out for his comics. It saddened him to think that Katie came out on top in this comparison. Thank God it wasn’t a big issue. “Katie, whatever I feel for you is pale in comparison to the love I have for my wife. I’m sorry.”

  “So, you do feel something?” pressed Katie.

  “How could I not?” replied Craig, beginning to grow angry. Whether with himself or with her, he wasn’t sure. He struggled to calm his voice and contain his emotions. “We dated for almost three years, Katie, and we were friends for years before that. But we were kids, and it’s nothing I would ever act on. I prefer to keep you a fond memory.”

  She stepped away from him angrily. Her voice sounded wounded when she said, “I see. I’m sorry then. Goodbye, Craig.”

  “Come on, Katie. Don’t be like this. It doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

  Katie slid into her car, allowing th
e slits along both sides of her long skirt expose her shapely legs up to the top of her thighs as she sat in the low seat. It was a provocative pose, and he noticed it now for what it was…and how her earlier pose had been the same, leaning against the car, asking him if he wanted a ride. Why hadn’t he taken her flirting seriously?

  Anger flashed in her green eyes now, mixing with wanton desire. “Craig, I didn’t believe that line when you dumped me the first time, and it’s even more pathetic now. Andy and I have an open marriage, so if you change your mind before you go – feel free to give me a call. Otherwise, don’t contact me again.”

  Pulling the door from his grasp, she slammed it even as she started the car and revved the engine. Craig stepped back hastily as she peeled away.

  He sighed. Maybe it was for the best. Still, it bothered him to know he’d hurt her again. Rubbing the back of his neck tiredly, he walked back to the elevators and returned to the party.

  Les was in the same spot he had been when Craig had left, and habit had him going to the older man.

  “Still just friends?” his father asked, pulling the handkerchief from his suit pocket.

  “Ah, I’m pretty sure she’s not even talking to me anymore,” Craig answered. He looked in confusion at the cloth his father was offering him.

  “You have lipstick on your face,” his father told him blandly.

  “Crap,” Craig muttered. He took the handkerchief and wiped at his lips, grimacing at the pink stain on the white material. It was almost Angela’s shade when she wore lipstick, but not quite. He met his father’s accusing eyes. “I didn’t kiss her back.”

  “Which is why she’s not talking to you now? Good.” But there was no satisfaction on his father’s face as he looked at his wristwatch. “And Angela?”

  Craig looked at the time himself and did some quick math. It was almost nine in Montana. Why did he feel so guilty? He hadn’t done anything wrong! “She’s probably still waiting in hopes I’ll be home in time to chat with her.”

  “Then let’s go home and not disappoint her,” commented Les. He took the handkerchief back from his son, folded it quickly and put it away.

  Craig sighed. “Fine.”

  Without another word, Les’ fingers found the control knob for his wheelchair and took off to say goodbye to his law firm partners. Craig rubbed the back of his neck again, aware of the looks being cast his way, many as disappointed as his father’s expression had been. One more time, he cursed softly before following his father.

  A ngela jolted awake from her light doze at the text chime from her smartphone. Even with the lamp on, it was getting hard to stay awake even as early as it was. Craig had told her he might not get home until late, but they’d missed too many video chats recently and she just wanted to see his face along with his voice. If the conversation went the way she hoped, after she danced for him, she’d tell him the good news Dr. Ryan had given her last week. She had put Princess outdoors until after the conversation, just so she could dance without the silly dog trying to ‘help’.

  Picking her phone up and pressing the button at the bottom of the screen, she frowned at the anonymous number. Whoever was sending her pictures of her husband’s New York activities had sent more – didn’t this person have anything better to do than follow Craig around? Seriously! What a boring life he or she must have!

  Angela sighed and opened the message, wondering what her husband had been up to tonight that this mystery person felt she needed to know about. Her eyes grew dark as she looked at the pictures. Two were of Craig and Katie dancing a slow dance, something they hadn’t done in any of the club photos…he was dressed in a dark suit like what he usually wore, but for some reason was wearing a tie. How strange was that? It wasn’t a look on him she favored.

  Why was there dancing at a party for a man in a wheelchair anyway? Who had planned this? Were they complete idiots? Talk about being insensitive.

  And Katie’s sequined multicolored gown exposed that impressive cleavage of hers and hugged her curves, emphasizing Angela’s lack. In the first photo, taken at a distance, the long slits in the skirt of Katie’s dress showed her shapely legs. In the close-up, she could see their facial expressions. The other woman was laughing at something and Craig smiled that pleased smile of his when he had just landed a punch line or anecdote.

  There was another picture in what looked like a car garage of some kind. Katie was leaning against a sleek red car, one leg completely revealed by the slit in her dress. The look on her face gave away her intentions, and Angela was furious at the appreciative gaze on her husband’s face.

  And in the last picture, they stood next to the shiny car with the door open and that brazen bitch was kissing her husband. Craig’s surprise at the kiss was apparent, and he wasn’t kissing back…he hadn’t, had he? Panic clawed at her throat at the thought.

  She rolled off their king size bed. Of course, he hadn’t. Otherwise this mystery photographer would have sent that picture along with the rest. But that didn’t ease the pain of thinking about the other woman’s lips against her husband’s. If she were there – Angela’s hands clenched into fists, and she realized she’d like to wipe the smiles off both their faces.

  But she wasn’t there, Angela lamented as she stomped down the stairs, because Craig didn’t want her there. Didn’t he understand she was safest when he was with her? It was unreasonable of her to expect him to always be by her side, in her heart she knew this, but he had promised to send for her…and he hadn’t! And the reason why was all too obvious.

  In the kitchen, she helped herself to a plate of the double chocolate cookies she and Nan had made earlier that day and a glass of ice-cold milk. She wasn’t sure if Dr. Ryan would approve of the cookies, but the milk was a winner. Angela stomped back upstairs with her snack.

  Coming back through the open door to their bedroom, she recognized Craig’s ringtone from her phone. She hastily set the dishes she carried on her dresser and dove on the bed to get her phone. She slid her finger along the bottom of the touchscreen and answered, “Craig!”

  “I was beginning to think you were asleep,” came the easy reply.

  It was so good to hear his voice, it was almost enough to bring tears to her eyes. Ever since she’d stopped her medication, her emotions had been running the gamut. At least that’s the excuse she told herself. “I was downstairs getting a snack. Are you back at your dad’s yet?”

  “Yes. You still up to chatting?”

  “Of course! My computer’s ready, just waiting on you.” Angela turned on the bed, awakening the screen on her laptop.

  “Give me two minutes,” replied Craig, a smile in his voice.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll be waiting.” The call ended, and Angela flew off the bed. She all but ran into the master bathroom and checked her appearance in the well-lit mirrors above the sinks.

  Her hair was flat from where it had rested on the bed, that side of her face a little red. It couldn’t be helped, though she managed to poof out her hair. Her clothes were fine, the short pink skirt with the ruffles paired with a white crop top with loose sleeves. She pulled the shoulders of the top down her arms to show the lacy straps of her pink bra and smiled in satisfaction with her appearance.

  Hurrying back to the laptop on the bed, she saw the request pop up from her husband and sitting back down on the bed, clicked it to accept the video request. After only a brief lag, the video loaded and there he was.

  Her husband wore the dark suit from the party he’d been at, though he’d taken the time to lose the tie and loosen the top two buttons of his white shirt. She smiled in relief at the sight of him, seeing the pleased smile on his own face. This was the Craig she knew.

  34

  “H i there,” Craig said softly, drinking in the sight of her. He could see the exhaustion on her face, but it didn’t detract from her beauty any. She looked so adorable in her pink skirt, and – was that a crop top? He felt guilty for keeping her up so late, but now that he had her on his s
creen, he didn’t want to let her go.

  “Hi,” she said back, biting her bottom lip. “How was your party?”

  He shrugged, wondering vaguely what was bothering her. Biting her lip usually meant she was hesitant about something or being shy. “Boring,” he said, in answer to her question. “A bunch of lawyers drinking wine and champagne while eating ridiculously small snacks and pretending to like each other.”

  She nodded at him, and Craig had the feeling she didn’t quite believe him. She looked at something on her iPhone, and her fingers moved across its screen. “I have something I want to do for you.”

  “Oh?” he asked, genuinely curious.

  His wife shrugged and to his surprise, she blushed. How was she able to blush at anything between the two of them after four years of marriage? “Yeah,” she said, a shyness in her voice, “but you have to promise not to laugh.”

  Craig smiled widely at her, wondering what she was up to. “You have my word, Angela. Not even a giggle.”

  She shot him a withering look. “I’ve never heard you giggle. Ever.”

  He laughed. “I guess you’ve never tickled the right spot.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Just give me moment…” He watched with a tilted head as she got off the bed and repositioned the laptop. Behind her were the closet doors with the wide full-length mirrors. She played with the phone again. “Can you see me alright?”

  “I can see you just fine,” he answered her. Both sides of her, he thought happily.

  “Remember…no laughing.” Angela set the phone down close to the computer, and a song began to play. Her smile was both inviting and shy as she leaned back and struck a pose for him…hands on slanted hips.

  He placed the song automatically as an old Madonna song…and then he stopped thinking entirely. His wife was dancing for him, and it was more than a little distracting. The grace that favored her on the back of a horse, and on the karate mat, was missing. That happened sometimes when she was nervous. Her stiffness lessened as she progressed, and he could see she was beginning to enjoy herself.