Deadly as the Driven Snow

by Agnes Alexander

  “Not me. I work with a woman whose husband won’t let her buy the groceries. She gets upset about it, but I tell her that’d be heaven to me.” She sighed. “She says he even folds the laundry and does several household chores. I’d never get Allen to do anything like that.”

  I put a carton of vanilla ice cream in my almost-full cart. “I’m making a peach pie tonight,” I said because I wanted to change the subject. “Jason likes vanilla ice cream on it. Does Allen?”

  She looked at me as if I’d asked her to explain Einstein’s theory of relativity. Finally, she said, “I don’t make pies.”

  “Really? Jason always likes something sweet after a meal. He’d eat chocolate cake every day, but I try to vary the menu a little.”

  “No wonder Allen was bragging about your cooking the day the power was out. Made me feel worse than I already do.”

  “I didn’t do a lot of cooking then.” I knew I had to change the subject again, or I might say something to her I would regret. “I told Jason the other day I’d like to get to know the wives of the men he works with. Would you and Allen come for dinner one night?”

  She looked as if I’d slapped her. “You want us to come to your house?”

  “I think it’d be a more relaxed way to get together than going to a restaurant, don’t you?”

  “I guess so. Allen doesn’t take me out very often. He’s like all men, just wants me to clean and cook and let him wallow on me in bed whenever he feels the urge and I can’t talk him out of it.”

  I was too flabbergasted to acknowledge the remark. Finally, I mumbled, “I’ll have Jason see what their schedule is like and we’ll see about getting together. Is there any night that’s not good for you?”

  “I usually go to Bible Study on Wednesday.”

  I wanted to say, ‘you sure need to go,’ but I bit my tongue. Instead, I said, “I’ll get back in touch with you.”

  “It was nice seeing you, June.” She began to roll her cart away. “I sure hope your marriage is a good one, but don’t be surprised if the honeymoon fades fast.”

  “Good bye, Gwyn.” I turned back to the freezer. I had no intention of getting more ice cream, but I didn’t want to be in line to check out with her. I was in no mood to continue our conversation. I did end up putting a box of frozen popsicles in my cart, just in case she looked back to see if I was coming.

  As I pushed the cart to the checkout, I thought about what Jason said. My husband was right. I don’t think their marriage is a very good one and after only two years. It will definitely be a good idea to have Charles and Natalie on Saturday without the Ledbetters.

  “Hello, Mrs. Striker,” Lydia, the checkout lady said as I rolled my cart up to the cash register. “Caught any more criminals today?”

  I laughed. “Not today, Lydia. It’s been pretty quiet.”

  “I saw you on television. You really looked good.”

  “Thank you.” I was taking the items from my cart and placing them on the counter.

  “Let me get those for you, Mrs. Striker,” a male voice said.

  I glanced up at Bob, the assistant manager. “Thank you,” I said as he began placing my groceries on the conveyer belt. If Bob was in the store when I bought groceries, he always came to help me. Though he wasn’t the most liked person in the grocery business, his treatment of me stemmed back to last summer when I made him feel like a worm for belittling my sister, April. I think he wondered if I’d still sue the store or something. I was sure he didn’t want to be responsible for making me angry again.

  “Is it cold enough for you?” Bob asked to try to start a conversation.

  “We still have a few days left in February, and I suppose it’s natural to be cold this time of year,” I said.

  “Of course, you’re right. I’m looking forward to spring.”

  “I like spring, too. Of course, I enjoy all the seasons,” I replied and began looking in my purse for my debit card.

  “Me, too.” He straightened as he put the last item from the cart on the counter. “I’ll bag these for you, Lydia,” he said to the cashier, and moved around to the end of the checkout stand.

  She didn’t look pleased, but managed to nod at him. When the bags were filled and placed back in the cart, Bob said, “I’ll take these to your car, Mrs. Striker. Where are you parked?”

  “Thank you, Bob, but I prefer to take them out myself today. Maybe you can do it next time.” Without waiting for him to answer, I turned to the cashier. “It was good to see you, Lydia.”

  “Nice to see you, too, Mrs. Striker. Please come back.”

  Of all the persons I didn’t want to see, J.T. Goodman was going out the door at the same time I was. I couldn’t tell if what he gave me was a sneer or a smile. “Well, what do you know? It’s the sheriff’s famous wife.”

  “Hello, J.T.” I pushed my cart out the door because I didn’t want to talk to him.

  He walked out right behind me. “You’re still a rebel, aren’t you, June?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Not many women I know would fight off intruders the way you did. I don’t know if I would’ve been able to defend my mother in such a manner as you did yours.”

  “I’m sure you would have.”

  “Maybe so. Maybe so.”

  All I wanted to do was get away from him. I didn’t like the way he kept staring at the front of my sweater, and I kept walking forward.

  He kept pace with me. “You really looked pretty on television, June. I must say, old Jason did okay for himself. You’re still as good looking as you were in school. A lot of women I know didn’t hold up the way you have.”

  “Thank you,” I mumbled. I didn’t know what else to say.

  “Yeah. I always had a feeling the way you treated Jason in school was a cover-up. All the time, you two were actually together, so it’s no wonder another guy didn’t stand a chance with you.”

  I didn’t answer, and we were almost to my car when he told me to thank Jason again for calling him about the man in his mother’s house.

  I told him I’d give Jason the message and opened my trunk. He insisted on helping me put my groceries inside. Though it had been years since the high school incident, J.T. still gave me the creeps. As I watched him push my empty cart to the collection area, I wondered how Sadie, or any other woman could put up with him.

  When I got into my car, I noticed a piece of paper under my windshield wiper.

  “Ads,” I muttered. “I hate it when people stick their ads on my car.” I got out of the car, left it running and grabbed the paper. I started to toss it in the trash bag I keep handing on the gear shift in my console but changed my mind. I unfolded it expecting to see some come-on ad to a local business. Instead, written in block letters, I read: Well, well, Mrs. Striker. I’ve been watching you since you’ve come home to Edison and married our illustrious sheriff. Can’t say as I blame him for trying the knot with you. You’re still a looker and as good at getting what you want as you always were. Since you’ve been a busy girl rounding up lawbreakers lately, let’s see if you can catch me before I toss another body. Maybe next time I’ll choose someone you know. Love, The Tosser.

  Chapter Fifteen

  I glanced around the parking lot, but didn’t see anyone suspicious or anything unusual. Before I pulled away, I locked my car. I was trembling as I pulled into the highway and headed home. There were no cars following me at the moment, but I kept an eye on the rear-view mirror just in case.

  When I got home, I opened the garage with the opener and pulled inside. I didn’t get out of the car until I put the door down, then I carried my groceries in through the pantry. It took three loads to get everything inside.

  I tried not to think about the note as I put the canned food away. I moved into the kitchen and put the fresh vegetables, frozen items and meats in the refrigerator. I was headed for the laundry room with the cat food when the phone rang. I jumped.

  “Get hold of yourself, June,” I muttered,
and reached for the receiver. “Hello.”

  “Hi, honey. It’s Mom. Sorry we weren’t home when you called. I had to run to the doctor with your dad this morning.”

  I came to attention. “What’s wrong with Dad?”

  “He’s just fine, but he’s been having an awful time with an ingrown toenail. I finally got him to go have it cut out. He says it feels a hundred percent better.”

  “Why do men wait until they’re in almost unbearable pain before they’ll go to the doctor?”

  “I guess it’s the nature of the beast.” She changed the subject. “You said you wanted to know how to make oyster stew. I didn’t think you liked oysters.”

  “I don’t, but Jason does. I thought I’d surprise him and make him stew for dinner. Of course, I’ll make something else for myself.”

  “I’m proud of you, June. If anyone would have told me this time last year my rebel daughter would become such an attentive wife, I’d have laughed in their face.”

  “At that time, I would have laughed, too. In fact, I would’ve bet my last dollar there wouldn’t be a wedding in my near future, if there was ever one. But now, here I am, playing house and trying to do things just to please a husband. Kind of makes you sick, doesn’t it?”

  “It makes me very happy. Of all the kids, you were the one I worried most about. Now, you’re the least of my worries because I can see how much you love your husband and how happy you are.”

  “Jason is a wonderful husband, Mom. I still wonder why he didn’t blow me off last summer. Of course, I’m very glad he didn’t. As I told you the other day, I never dreamed I’d be this happy. I know we’ve only been married a short time, but I’m still excited when he comes home, and I love being with him as much as when we first married.”

  “Jason waited a long time for you, June. I’m glad you finally realized he was the love of our life.”

  “I am, too. I met the wife of one of his deputies at the grocery store today. She seemed so unhappy and whiny. It made me count my blessings.”

  “Just keep doing what you’re doing, and your marriage will always be a happy one.” She took a breath. “Now, here’s the recipe I use when I make oyster stew for your dad.”

  I grabbed a pencil and wrote it down as she talked. When I finished, I thanked her and hung up.

  After making myself a sandwich, I looked through my spices and checked my staples. I was thankful I had all the ingredients Mom said I needed to make the stew. I decided to go ahead and make it early. That way, I knew if it didn’t turn out well, I’d have time to prepare something else for dinner. Of course, I didn’t know how I’d know if it was good or not. I had no intention of tasting it.

  • ♥ •

  The stew turned out well, or at least Jason said it did. When he finished his second bowl, I was starting on my second half of a tuna fish sandwich.

  “Did you have an exciting day at work?” I asked when he glanced up and smiled at me.

  “Not exciting. Just busy. How about you?”

  “I went to the library, and then the grocery store.” I wanted to tell him about the note I found on my car, but decided to wait until after dinner. “I got the news out of May while I was at the library.”

  “I bet you were right and she’s pregnant.”

  “She is, but I promised I’d act surprised when she told the family. You have to be surprised, too.”

  “I can do that.”

  “I met Gwyn Ledbetter at the grocery store.”

  “Oh?” He lifted an eyebrow.

  “I think you’re right about her and Allen. She had nothing positive to say about her married life.”

  “So, you discussed marriage?”

  I nodded. “Jason, why is…I mean…do you know her?”

  “I’ve met her a couple of times.”

  “She seemed…well a little bit…I don’t know how to explain it.” I hushed, because I couldn’t come up with the right words.

  He put down his spoon and took my hand. “You mean she’s a negative person, don’t you?”

  I nodded, and he went on. “Once in a while, Allen will say something about how nothing seems to please her, but I haven’t been around her enough to form an opinion for myself.”

  “She seemed unhappy to me. She was complaining about shopping and wondering why husbands don’t do more of it. When I told her I was making you a pie for dinner, she looked at me as if I had two heads.”

  His eyebrow shot up. “She didn’t intimidate you into not making it, did she?”

  I laughed. “Of course not. Are you ready for it?”

  “Not yet. I’m enjoying this stew.” He kissed the back of my hand and let it go. Picking up his spoon again, he said, “I’m a lucky man. How many husbands out there have a wife who’ll cook something they don’t like just to please their man?”

  “I bet there’s more than you think.”

  “Well, poor Allen doesn’t seem to be one of them.”

  “I wonder how he and Gwyn got together. They seem so different.”

  “From what I heard, he was at a party alone and so was she. He’d been dumped by a girl he really liked, and was hurting. Gwyn had been dating someone else and it hadn’t worked out, so I think they kind of drifted together because they were both lonely. He only dated her a few months before they married.” Jason shook his head. “He did confide to me one time that he wished he’d never married her, but since he had, he’d stick it out.”

  “He deserves better. I wish…”

  “Now, June, you can’t start trying to fix their marriage.”

  “I know. It’s just that I’m so happy, I want everyone else in the world to have a marriage like ours.”

  “I wish things were better for Allen, too. He and I have been friends since high school. We were both outsiders, and we kind of drifted into a friendship.”

  “What do you mean, outsiders?”

  “You know I was always thought of as the son of that crazy woman, and Allen’s father was the town drunk. They always lived so far across the tracks that the poor people in town wanted to give them charity.”

  “I don’t think I remember it like that. I thought Allen was kind of a lady’s man in school.”

  “He tried to be, but he was like me. If he hadn’t been on the football team, he’d probably never have had a date.”

  “You had dates, Jason. I remember them.”

  He chuckled. “I had a few, but for some reason, most of them ended up breaking up with me after we went out a few times.” He looked at me and kind of smirked. “I think they were all afraid of you.”

  “Me? Why me?”

  “You and I knew how our relationship was, but to the outsider, it kind of looked like we were together.”

  “And we should have been,” I mumbled.

  He pushed back his bowl. “I agree, but it doesn’t matter, because we’re together now.” He winked at me. “Now, I think I’ll have that pie.”

  I jumped up. “I’ll get it for you.”

  “June, you don’t have to wait on me.”

  “I know I don’t.” I leaned down and kissed his cheek. “I guess that’s why I love doing it.”

  I cut two slices of peach pie and put a scoop of ice cream on each. “Want some coffee with it?” I asked.

  He nodded.

  I put the pie on the table and filled two cups with the decaf coffee I’d already made, and rejoined him.

  He said, “I knew being married to you would be an adventure and probably lots of fun, but I never dreamed I’d reap all these extra benefits.”

  I frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

  “I didn’t think June March was the type of woman who would take such good care of her man.” When I started to protest, he shushed me and continued. “I thought I’d have to do most of the things around the house while you pursued your goals. I never dreamed you’d pamper me the way you do.”

  “It’s a two-way street. Look at all the things you do for me.”

 
; He took a bite of his pie. “Our marriage is a special one, June, and if we both want it to be, it’ll always be that way. I don’t want us to ever fall into a relationship like Allen and Gwyn have.”

  I shuddered. “Neither do I, honey.”

  “If that’s what we both want, it’ll always be what it is today.”

  “I want that.”

  He gave me one of those grins that melts my heart. “Me, too.”

  We finished eating and I started toward the dishwasher with my plate. As I went by, Jason playfully reached up, took my arm and pulled me down into his lap. I put the plate on the table and locked my arms around his neck.

  “Thanks for a great dinner,” he whispered.

  “You’re more than welcome,” I whispered back.

  He kissed me, then let me up. “Let’s get these dishes in the dishwasher, then go cuddle in front of the TV.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jason held the threatening note in his hand and glared at me. “Why didn’t you tell me about this last night?” His voice was the sharpest he’d ever used with me.

  “Please don’t be mad. I meant to tell you. I really did Then we got kind of carried away while we were watching that romantic movie on TV…and, well, you know… I didn’t want to break the mood.”

  “June, this is too important not to tell me about it right away.”

  “I’m sorry.” Tears were close to forming in my eyes.

  “So, you came out of the supermarket and this was on the windshield?”

  “Yes. I didn’t notice it until I had the groceries in the car and was getting in. I almost put it in the trash without reading it. I thought it was one of those ads people plaster on every windshield in the lot.” In spite if all I could do, a tiny tear slipped out of the corner of my eye. “You don’t have to treat me like a suspect or something.”

  He put his arms around me and his voice softened. “I don’t mean to be harsh, sweetheart. It just scares me when something like this happens.” He kissed the top of my head. “You know I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.”