by Devin Morgan
“Here lad, take the reins.” The boy caught them as I let them loose. “Take care of my animal and there will be a crown for you in the morning.”
The boy smiled a broken toothed smile at his luck. It was more money than he had ever seen. “Thank ye, sir.” He led the huge animal inside the shelter as I turned to walk toward the inn.
The large room was dingy and dirty but the fire in the hearth was warm as I found a seat.
A great beast of a woman approached me. Her hands were filthy and her nails were broken, black dirt encrusted beneath their ragged edges. “Small ale,” was all I said to her. She grinned an evil grin as she saw the fat purse I brought out to pay her.
“Bill, what ye doin’ inside.” Her voice was loud and harsh as she turned from my table and saw the small stable lad huddling by the fire. “Get out with the animals.”
“But ma’am, I’m so cold. And I’ve bedded all the horses.” He looked hungrily at the pot of stew bubbling over the fire. “And I haven’t eaten since yesterday. I am so hungry.” He held his small stomach as if it needed his hands on it to keep it inside his body. “Please ma’am.”
“Get out!” She swung her huge leg toward him and kicked him in the shin so hard he fell to the ground. She grabbed him and tossed him like a sack of sugar. He howled as he bounced on the stone floor. He was limping as he hurried out the way he came.
“Woman.” I spoke, anger emanating from my very core.
“Sir,” She turned and her vacant, miserable gaze was now on me.
“Bring the lad inside. I will pay for his dinner.” She looked at me with evil pig eyes as I demanded, “Do it now!”
She ambled toward the door and disappeared from the room. When she came back she carried the small ale to my table.
“Let me speak with the boy.”
“He’s busy just now. I’ll feed him later.”
“You will feed him now or you will deal with me.”
The look on her face was one of hate and fear. “I’ll feed him now.”
“After he eats, send him to me, madam, or there will be hell to pay in this house.”
Some minutes later the child came through the door. He walked shyly to stand by my side. He grinned with gratitude in his eyes and spoke quietly. “Thank ye. I was so hungry my eyes weren’t seein’ proper and now I am doing so much better. You are a kind man.”
His words made me smile. I reached down and tousled the boy’s hair.
“Go, sit by the fire lad. She will not mistreat you again.”
“You’re wrong sir. She beats me daily just because she can.”
”No boy, she will never beat you again.”
The child moved quietly to sit on the stone hearth near the warmth of the fire.
I downed the bottom of my small ale and climbed the stairs to my room. I knew without doubt what was to come. The evil greed showed in her eyes when she laid them on my heavy purse. Closing the door to my room, I piled the dirty blankets in such a way as to look like a sleeping man. I placed my purse on the spindly table next to the bed, crossed to stand behind the door and waited.
Time passed as I stood, still as a statue. The hours moved slowly however I felt nothing of their passing. I became like the stone of the fireplace. Still. Waiting.
Just before dawn the door opened slowly. I heard the heavy step of the proprietress as she made her way into my room. She moved with stealth toward the table and my purse. Just as her hand reached to lift it, I moved more quickly than light.
I grabbed her, wrapped my arm around her greasy head and held her tight as I pulled her head back to expose her throat. She tried to call out but before she could, I sank my teeth into her fat neck. She twitched and struggled for only a moment. Then she went limp in my arms. I drained her quickly.
Before I released her, I snapped her neck so there would be no question as to how she died. I carried her dead body to the window, opened the shutters and tossed her hulk into the garbage heap behind the inn. She rested where she belonged.
Wiping my mouth on my handkerchief, I felt a smile deep within me. My body felt warm and I knew I had done the countryside a service.
As I rode from the stable at dawn, I tossed the stable boy a small sack filled with golden crowns.
“A promise well met.” I hummed a sweet song as I found my way back on the road to York.
CHAPTER 23
It was a perfect early summer day, just made for a wedding. A few cotton ball clouds played tag in an otherwise clear blue sky. A soft breeze rustled the bright green leaves in the cottonwood trees surrounding the gazebo.
“I can’t do this.” Colleen sat on the grass with her legs crossed Indian style, her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. “I just can’t.”
“Colleen, for God’s sake, snap the hell out of it.” Sarah squatted in front of her friend. “Of course you can do it. Look, you love him. You’ve known him forever. You’re in the same line of work. Good Lord, the guy cooks. What the hell has come over you?”
“Nothing.” Tears streamed from the bride’s eyes. “Nothing. I’ve always known I couldn’t do it. I just went along with it to shut everybody up.” She sniffed, rubbing her nose on the sleeve of her shirt. “I never wanted to get married.”
“C, do you love Bob?”
There was a moment of silence before she answered. “You know I do. That isn’t the question.” Her words were barely coherent through her sudden sobs. “It isn’t about love.” She cried like a child who is afraid of the dentist. “It’s about marriage.”
“What about marriage? You two have been living together for over a year. What’s so different about marriage?”
“My parents were married.” She whispered, drying her tears, combing her fingers through the grass growing green and thick on the ground in front of her. She raised her eyes. Sarah recognized fear and something more in them. “They hated each other.”
“Honey, you two are not your parents.” Her voice became soft. She took Colleen’s hands in hers. “Bob is a great guy. He knows the difference between right and wrong. He isn’t an alcoholic. He isn’t abusive. He loves you with all his heart. He’s handsome as hell.” She smiled. “And, like I said before, he cooks. Where else are you going to get such a bargain?”
The sob caught in Colleen’s throat. She gulped down a giggle. Throwing her arms around Sarah’s neck, she squeezed her tight. “What would I do without you?” Releasing her, she smiled back. “And you’re right. He’s a damn good cook. I guess I’ll just have to go through with it.”
“About time. Now, the wedding is in four hours and you look like hell. We better get to work or he’s not going to say ‘I do’.” Sarah stood, pulling her best friend to her feet. “Now move it.” They wrapped their arms around each other’s waist as they walked down the sidewalk toward the hotel and the bridal gown.
#
Colleen was as radiant as a bride was supposed to be. Sitting in the place of honor at the head table, she removed her satin headpiece. She placed it on the table next to her plate of half-eaten food. Grabbing her new husband’s hand, she lead him onto the dance floor. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as he held her tightly to him. She laughed out loud at something he whispered in her ear.
Sarah sat watching them. She thought about her own wedding and the anticipation she had felt to be starting a new life. It seemed like so long ago. She never imagined that it would all end with a crash, that she would be sitting here alone. She realized in that moment that she had been lying to herself for a long time. Her emotions were only superficial, clean and organized as her home, but deep inside, there was a longing for something more. Passion, yes, and something even greater. She felt passion for Jeff when they were first married, but it faded in the day-to-day routine. Her desire was for something that would never fade. She wasn’t sure what it was. Bonnie called it love.
She thought of Aris. He searched for his one true love though eternity. Was it he or was it Carlos who so longed to find
their soulmate?
She heard a scraping noise as the chair next to her was pulled away from the table. “Hey.” Carlos looked handsomely uncomfortable dressed in a dark gray suit. His white shirt was tieless and open at the collar. He unbuttoned the jacket as he sat down. “I came in late and didn’t have time to see you before the ceremony.” He nodded at the bride and groom. “She looks great. I hope they have a happy life. Married to a cop? I don’t know about that but she’s kind of strange anyway.” He laughed, resting his hand on the back of Sarah’s chair. “Want to dance?”
“I didn’t know you danced, Carlos.”
“There’s a whole lot about me you don’t know.” His black eyes locked onto hers. He stood, holding out his hand to her.
He led her onto the dance floor, holding her close as they began to move to the music. The room was warm in spite of the French doors that were open to the patio. The fragrance of the roses in the center of all the tables permeated the heat. Slow music with a Latin flavor was being played by the band and Sarah sighed, enjoying the happiness of the moment. She was surprised by the smooth steps and strong lead of her partner.
A sudden hand on her shoulder stopped her in her tracks. “Sarah, may I cut in? I’d like to have a dance with my ex-wife.”
Carlos stiffened. His hand gripped hers so hard it hurt.
“Jeff, I didn’t see you.” She saved her hand from her partner’s crushing grip yet stood with her other one still resting on his shoulder. “Were you at the ceremony?”
“Yes, I was in the back of the church. You looked beautiful standing by the altar.” His voice was almost a whisper and he gave her a very private look. “It reminded me of our wedding day.”
Carlos let go of her waist, turning quickly to walk away. Sarah looked after him. She began to move toward the exit where he was heading.
“No Sarah, I must talk to you. Don’t leave.” He took her hand and swirled her into his arms. “Just for a moment. Just like old times.”
She looked after Carlos but he had disappeared through the crowded room.
“Alright Jeff.” She scanned all around but couldn’t find him. “One dance for old time’s sake.”
#
“And then he actually started talking to me about Susan again. Right there. At your wedding.” She sat on her bed in her blue and white pajamas pulling her hair brush through her hair. “Can you believe that?”
“Sure, I can believe anything about that guy.” Colleen’s voice was light and happy coming through the telephone. “What does he want you to do, counsel Susan on how to become a successful divorcee?” She was happy to be talking with her friend. She was enjoying her honeymoon in Hawaii but she wasn’t much of a beach girl. After two days of sun and sand, she missed her work and her normal life. Home was sounding better every hour. It would be easier for her to ignore the whole marriage thing when everyone was back to the day to day of living.
“I don’t know. I just threw my hands up and walked away. I looked everywhere for Carlos but I couldn’t find him. By the time I came back inside from the gardens, you were throwing your bouquet and getting ready to leave.” Placing her brush on her bedside table, she leaned back on the pillows. “I haven’t talked to him since.”
“I only saw him for a moment but he sure cleans up good. He is one good looking man.”
“You are a married woman now. No more checking out the merchandise.”
“Am I married or am I dead? As long as I’m breathing, I’ll be checking out the produce. I’m not in the market to buy but squeezing the tomatoes isn’t against the law, you know.” She laughed.
Sarah reached to turn off her light. “Yeah, well I’m not telling Bob what you said. Miss you and see you soon. Good night and sleep tight Mrs. Drake.”
Colleen’s voice was playful when she answered. “Don’t you ever ‘Mrs.’ me again if you plan on staying friends. Miss you too. Night.”
#
She hadn’t been sleeping long when her phone rang.
“Miss Hagan, that Havarro fellow is down here in the lobby. He wants to come up to see you.”
She turned on the light and wiped the sleep from her eyes. The clock read twelve thirty. “Carlos? In the lobby?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, but he said it was an emergency. From the look on his face, I believe him.”
“It’s okay. It’s fine. Send him up.”
Sarah got out of bed, threw on her sweats and ran a comb through her hair. She brushed her teeth. Just as she stepped from her bedroom, she heard a knock at the door. She flicked on the lights as she crossed the room to let him in. She opened the door and he stepped across the threshold. She could see fear and anger in his eyes.
“What’s wrong, Carlos?” After locking the dead bolt, she went into the kitchen to brew some coffee.
His voice was gruff as he answered. “I just finished my shift at the store when some of the guys I used to run with showed up. I don’t know how they found out where I was.” He paused for a breath. “Sarah, I swear, I’ve been straight. I’ve stayed off the street and away from all of them except when I confronted Manu.”
“I know you have. I trust you and I know you wouldn’t lie to me.” The smell of the brewing coffee filled the little kitchen. She reached into the cupboard for two mugs. She kept her voice calm as she spoke, “What did they want?”
He paced the tiled floor staring at his shoes. “Same thing they were after me for last time. They want me back in the gang. I know too much for them to let me go.” He stopped pacing. “Sarah, they had my little brother with them. I don’t want him in the same mess I just got out of.”
“Alright, just calm down.” She handed him one of the mugs, then placed hers under the spigot of the coffee maker. “We’ll handle this, whatever it is. You’re not alone in it. I’m here. Colleen’s here.” They waited in silence for her cup to fill; she shut down the brewing machine, turned off the light then took him by the elbow, leading him into the living room.
Sitting side by side on the sofa, she turned to face him. “Now, who are these guys?”
“I can’t tell you that, Sarah. I’m worried about my brother.” His voice was low and guttural. “My little brother’s had it so bad for so long. He’s taken the fallout for all the crap I’ve gotten into. He’s had enough.”
He fought back tears of anger and frustration but one lone drop escaped and rolled down his cheek. She set her mug on the coffee table. She leaned toward him to brush it away. As her hand touched his skin, he reached for her, burying his head on her shoulder. Her arms wrapped around him to comfort him. She was shocked at the heated response of her body. It frightened her. She tried to separate herself from him but he clung to her tightly like a drowning man holds his rescuer. She held him, hoping he wasn’t aware of the depth of feeling flooding her.
As she breathed in the sweet smell of him, his touch changed. Shyly at first, his large hands began to caress her back. His breath grew ragged. Suddenly, he grasped her shoulders. He held her at arm’s length, looking into her eyes with a burning hunger. She tried to look away but he held her gaze with his longing. He drew her to him. His full, beautiful mouth covered hers in a deep, slow kiss. His lips were sweet, soft and so warm. She disappeared into the kiss and returned it, tasting the salt of his tear on his lips.
Her hand moved to his face. Her fingers caressed his strong jaw.
“No.” The word exploded from him as he shoved her away. “No. Not now. Not this way.” He shook his head to clear his mind, to regain control. Was it him or was it Aris who had kissed her? He wasn’t sure. He stood, crossed the room and unlocked the door. He turned to look back at her.
She sat shaken, short of breath. Wrapping her arms across her chest, she leaned back into the cushions.
“I’ll see you on Friday, Sarah. We’ll never mention this again.”
He opened the door leaving her alone in the night with nothing but her thoughts to warm her.
CHAPTER 24
The sou
nd of the grand piano was soft in the background of the elegant restaurant as the waiter placed their plates on the table. He carried each one in a thick, white napkin and reminded Sarah and her mother that they were hot to the touch.
“Tell me, dear, how is your friend Colleen and her new husband?”
Sarah laid her napkin across her lap. She sipped her water before she spoke. “They’re doing great. It was hard for Colleen at first, but she’s getting used to the routine.”
“I’m glad. She is such a nice girl.”
“She’s hardly a girl, Mother, she’s thirty-five.” Sarah laughed when she thought what her friend would say to being called a girl. “They really are happy. They’re made for each other.” She took a bite of her salad as her mother cleared her throat.
“I’ll be honest. I wanted to have lunch today because I’m worried about you. You’ve become so involved with your work we hardly see you anymore. I can’t remember the last time you came for the weekend. You’re too thin and you seem nervous.” Her mother leaned in as she spoke. “Sarah, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Mother. I’m just really busy with clients and . . . well, just busy with clients.”
The older woman wanted more of an answer from her only child. “That’s not enough. You’ve been busy with clients before. You wrote that book; you published it. You still had time for your family. What is it? Are you involved with a new man?”
Sarah sat silent for a moment. “Yes, I suppose you could say that, in a way. But not the way you think.” She took another bite before she answered. “It’s a client. He’s in trouble and I want to help him and his family. That’s all.” Even as she spoke, she knew she was telling a half truth. She was more involved with Carlos than she could explain, even to herself.
#
He walked into her office without looking at her. He crossed the room to the recliner and lay down, closing his eyes before his head touched the cushion. His body was tense, his forehead wrinkled as if he was in deep thought. “Let’s get started, okay?”