“Ted, I’m speaking to Detective Gordon McCann, who has been involved in the case from day one.”
McCann nodded to the reporter, snowflakes swirling around his head. “Good morning.”
Sky was right. McCann’s beefy face had slimmed down considerably, and he almost looked handsome.
“Detective, can you tell us what happened this morning?”
McCann nodded, grim faced. “A young woman was nearly abducted right outside Charlie Johns. A suspect in a gray truck reached out and collared her as she was walking out of the donut shop on the way to school. Fortunately, Mr. Lane was shoveling the walkway here,” McCann pointed toward the store, “and ran to her rescue. He struggled with the suspect, who released the girl and subsequently escaped.”
“What did he look like, Detective?”
“We’re getting a composite drawing made up as we speak. We’ll circulate the image as soon as it’s available.”
“Is there anything more you can tell us?”
McCann stared at the camera, his eyes intense. “Yes. Keep your young ones by your side. Do not, I repeat, do not let them walk to school alone. Monitor them at all times. Until we catch this monster, every child is at risk.”
A shiver passed through me. How could this be happening in such a quiet community? It seemed impossible.
I switched off the set and headed for the shower. More than ever, now I really needed the company of family and friends.
Chapter 7
I’d called ahead to my aunt to warn her of my early visit to Mountain Memories, and at quarter to seven that morning, as soon as I jumped out of the van with Dak, she scooted outside to crush me in a hug.
“Hi, Roberta,” I mumbled into her hair. “I’ve missed you.”
My father’s sister held me at arms’ length and studied my face. Her amber eyes glowed, always alive with love and wisdom. One steel gray braid lay neatly on her shoulder. “My sweet girl. Oh, I’ve missed you, too.” She touched my cheek with one cold finger. “Are you okay, chickipoo?”
I shook my head and hitched a sob. “Not really.”
“I didn’t think so. Well, you can tell me all about it inside.”
We hugged again, and after a bit my jealous Bernese Mountain Dog nosed in between us. Roberta bent down at the waist to greet him. “I’ve missed you, too, honey.” She slid an arm around my waist and walked me up to the porch. “Come on inside. Someone’s waiting to see you.”
Mimi stood on her hind legs behind the storm door, tail wagging like a metronome on its fastest speed. She let out a happy “Rowf” and climbed all over us when we entered the building. I noticed the oil diffuser in the corner, and the sweet scent of tangerine oil filled the shop. Roberta had been completely won over last year by the oils like we had, and the knowledge was spreading. Now one glass cabinet was full of colorfully labeled bottles, locked, of course, because of their value.
“Good girl, Mimi.” I patted the Weimaraner’s soft lavender coat and made a fuss over her, while Dak poked his head between us and finally drew her away to play. I hoped they wouldn’t break any of the treasures my aunt displayed in the gift store side of the shop. The shop featured crystals and candles, earrings and artisan’s paintings, ceramics and jellies, hand-woven linens and cute stuffed bears…there wasn’t much my aunt hadn’t collected from the region to sell.
The scent of coffee greeted us, and I swore I smelled French toast. “Have you been cooking already?”
“Of course. Pecan praline French toast. My specialty.” She motioned me to one of the rustic tables in the center of the café. “Sit there, and I’ll bring us some coffee. We can talk a little before Sky and the girls get here.”
She came back with thick china mugs of coffee. “Special Moroccan blend. I seasoned it with pumpkin pie spice. Can you tell?”
I inhaled the steam and smiled. “Oh, yes.” I took a sip. “This is like nectar. That old stale coffee I had at the cabin is so bitter compared to this.”
“I’ll give you a bag to take with you.” She reached for my hand across the table. “Honey. I know it’s been hard. I can see it in your eyes.”
I held the tears in this time, and told her everything. By the time I got to my fight with Quinn on the phone the night before, we saw Callie’s yellow Jeep pull up. Seconds later, Sky arrived in his black Highlander.
Roberta came over to hug me once more. “You’ll work it out, chickipoo. You and Quinn are a forever couple. I know that. And meanwhile, you should pour your love into this great big fool under the table here,” she motioned to Dak, “who needs your attention, too.”
I nodded and Dak’s tail thumped. “Dak’s been great company. I love him so much.” I glanced down at Mimi. “And I know Mimi has filled your life, even though you never had children, like me.”
She smiled. “Not being able to have little ones is hard at first, but it all depends on how you manage that disappointment. In my life, I was able to get past it and be very happy, honey. I’m sure you will, too.”
The door pushed open, and I felt my heart melt. My best friend in the world, California Lissoneau, burst into the room followed by her gorgeous six foot tall black lover, Officer Claire Runyon, whom I’d nicknamed Copper. The name had stuck, and she’d been Copper ever since.
“Marcie!” Callie ran to me, kissing my cheeks and hugging me until I couldn’t breathe. “Oh, Marcie. How I’ve missed you.” Her violet eyes sparkled.
Copper leaned down to kiss me, too. “Your cabin all set? Sky told us last night he helped you out.”
I nodded and glanced at Sky, who stood shuffling his feet in the doorway waiting for our love-fest to end. “He did. He basically rescued me and Dak from freezing to death.” I motioned him inside and for a split second saw that look in his eyes again, the one he’d successfully hidden last night when he’d been busy with the breakers and fixing dinner. My heart thumped.
Oh God. Quinn was right.
I’d seen that same expression of deep yearning once again in his sea green eyes. Those eyes…they spoke volumes. They spoke of unrequited love, of rejection, of great need.
I shook myself and took his hand, pulling him into the room after a hug that lasted a little too long. “Come on, everyone. Roberta’s made us a treat.”
We ate and talked and laughed. I didn’t bring up Kimi, nor did anyone else. I needed a break from the pain, and I guess my friends sensed it. Sky must have told Callie and Copper about Quinn and me, because nobody asked where he was. I was glad for that. It was hard enough spilling your guts in front of one person, never mind at a table for five in the middle of a busy café.
Roberta’s assistant Belinda came in, followed by her cook, and soon the place started to fill. One large table by the window said “reserved” on it, and it wasn’t long before a troupe of lawmen began to filter in, grabbing coffee at the counter before they sat at what looked to be their customary table. I saw State Police insignias on several officers’ uniforms, local police, and two men dressed in outdoorsy winter gear. I looked up when the door chimed again and met the surprised eyes of Gordon McCann.
I jumped up to greet him. “Detective McCann, it’s good to see you.”
“Call me Gordon, remember?” He pumped my arm and smiled, something I’d rarely seen on his stern face. “Marcella.” He actually leaned forward to give me a brief hug. “What are you doing here this time of year?”
I hardly wanted to share the disaster that was my life in front of him and his police buddies, who all craned their heads to stare. “Just a little winter break for me. I missed Roberta and my friends.”
He smiled, took a long look at my ravaged face, and squeezed my hand. “If you need anything, you know my number.”
I forced a weak smile. “Thanks, Gordon. And by the way, you look amazing. What happened?”
He rolled his eyes. “Type II diabetes happened. Stupid sugar.”
“Oh, no. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Got my sugar levels down without
any meds. I run every morning.”
“You? Run?” I laughed, not unkindly. It was just such an unexpected picture. My old McCann was wily and brilliant, but he’d rather sit with a box of donuts or bag of McDonald’s than take a ten-minute walk in the woods. I remembered how his patrol car used to overflow with Big Mac wrappers.
“I know, I know.” He held up a hand. “I run. I go to the gym. I eat like Gandhi. Counting carbs and all that.”
Roberta whisked passed us. “I’ve got your slice of whole wheat toast with peanut butter all ready for you, big guy.” She winked and hurried to the table.
“See? Everyone’s helping. Lunch is usually a bowl of your aunt’s soup. Or a salad.” He sighed. “At first it was hell. But I’m getting used to it now. And I kinda like wearing size thirty-four again.” He stuck his thumbs under his belt and pulled on the waistband. “See? They’re even getting loose on me.”
I hugged him again. “I am so proud of you. You must be your doc’s poster boy for type II, Gordon. And you look amazing.”
“Thanks.” With an embarrassed smile and a shrug, he headed for his table and sat. Belinda scurried to the men with pad in hand, and the loud hubbub in the café resumed.
Roberta leaned forward. “They meet here every morning before they patrol the river banks.”
I shivered, my mood shifting gears. I’d been so happy to see McCann I forgot why he was here.
How horrible to search for and then ultimately discover the body of a young girl on the cold stones by the river’s edge.
The conversation bubbled back and forth across the table, flitting from dogs to food, to snow, and back to dogs again. Callie and Copper had left Beau at home, and that great big lovely dog was the reason I’d fallen in love with Bernese Mountain Dogs.
I sat across from Sky, catching him looking at me with that sweet-on-me expression from time to time. My heart beat faster every time I noticed it, and I wondered how strong I would be in the middle of nowhere, rubbing proverbial shoulders with an ex-lover who still adored me. He looked so rugged and beautiful at the same time, and the pain he’d endured traced faint lines in his face. I felt my heart go out to him again, and couldn’t help but wonder what our lives would have been like if I’d accepted his proposal nineteen years ago.
Chapter 8
I gently interrupted the chatter about whether IAMS was better than Science Diet, and which dog food had the most natural ingredients. Placing both hands on the table, I raised my voice above the din. “Sky?”
He set down his coffee mug and raised his eyes to mine.
I barreled on. “I wondered if you could use an extra hand at Project Hope. I need to keep busy this week, and I have a few skills that might help up there. I can type. I can make phone calls. I can sweep.” I offered a humble smile. “I’m not sure if you need extra hands, or if I’d be in the way…”
One of his eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?” Sky reached for another piece of French toast and poured syrup over it.
Although my motivation was in truth selfish, I widened my eyes like a good little volunteer in search of salvation. “Seriously.”
He stabbed a big bite of French toast. “We can always use help. Callie will tell you that.”
Callie fluttered her long lashes. She nodded with enthusiasm. “Oh, yes. We’ve got so much to do, Marcie. We’d love your help in the lab. You could enter numbers in the computer for us; we’re really backlogged with data entry. Or you could help with the patients. Sort of like a Candy Striper.” She giggled, enjoying her own joke.
“Great,” I chuckled, reaching down to pat Dak. “I look very nice in pink and white stripes. By the way, can I bring my dog?”
Sky snorted a laugh, as if the question was so ridiculous he couldn’t believe I’d asked it. “Everyone brings their dogs, Marcie. We’re a progressive company. Beau’s there every day.”
“Good.” I said, ruffling Dak’s ears. “I miss Beau, guys. How come you didn’t bring him with you today?”
Copper chuckled, refilling her ice water glass. “Can you imagine Beau, Dak, and Mimi playing in this place full of breakables?”
I glanced around the room at the crystal figurines, decorated china teacups, bottles of homemade vinegar with fancy herbs inside, and other fragile collectibles. I could just imagine three big dogs frolicking in the room and the ensuing disaster. Copper was right. “Good point.”
Even Dak and Mimi seemed to get it; both tails whomped the floor in a syncopated rhythm, as if they couldn’t believe my naiveté.
Callie stood and started to collect dirty dishes to carry back to the kitchen. “Marcie, how long are you planning to stay up here?”
I froze. I hadn’t thought that far ahead, I’d taken one day—no, one hour—at a time. I had no vision of my future. No idea whether I’d make up with Quinn, or if this was the end. Not thinking about it had been easier than facing my fears and uncertainty. “I haven’t the slightest idea,” I said in a small voice. I looked down at my hands.
Callie’s face fell and she looked horrified at her gaff. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
Copper and Roberta exchanged glances. It was obvious they’d been tiptoeing around me, trying not to upset the delicate flower who was me.
“Guys,” I said, gathering my courage. “It’s okay. I haven’t thought much about what’s coming in the next few days or weeks. I’m just kind of numb right now. Quinn and I have a lot to work out, but I need this time away from him to think. To get over the pain of losing Kimi.” There. I said it.
The atmosphere seemed more relaxed after I brought the whole Kimi thing out into the open. The chatter began again. Eventually, after Belinda cleared and mopped the table, we stood out on the porch and made plans. Sky would expect me at Project Hope tomorrow.
“Why don’t you all come for dinner tonight?” I asked. “I know I'm not the world’s best cook, but I can throw spaghetti in a pot and open a can of sauce.”
Sky laughed. Copper and Callie glanced at each other.
Roberta grimaced. “Sorry, sweetie. Harrison and I have a date tonight at his place. But any other night…”
I hugged her. “It’s okay. I don’t want to mess with true love, Roberta.” I winked at her.
She blushed and gave me a little shove. “Oh, come on now. We’re just a pair of old fogies.”
I’d watched them together over the last few months and thought them the perfect couple. Harrison’s wry sense of humor was an ideal match for my mountain-woman aunt’s straight-shooting personality. His outdoorsy good looks didn’t hurt, either. Six months ago he’d taken us up on horseback for a camping trip under the October sky. We’d helped Quinn’s little niece, Catori, connect with her past through a very spiritual process using moonlight, Seneca traditions, crystals, and frankincense.
Copper frowned. “I’m sorry, I’m on duty tonight, sweetie. We’ve got to catch this sick bastard. Somebody has to. And soon.” She hugged Callie sideways, as if trying to rid herself of the terrible thoughts of the killer. “But Callie will come to dinner.”
Callie almost hopped up and down with excitement. “Oh, yes. You and me and Sky. Just like the good old days when we were teenagers, Marcie. Imagine that!”
I loved her enthusiasm, but my bitter thoughts intruded.
Not exactly like those teenage years. I won’t be making wild love to your brother in the pontoon boat or out in the tent in the woodsy hills overlooking Honeoye Lake. We won’t be kissing ‘til our lips are sore behind the woodshed, or sneaking into the warm lake at night to make mad love under the dock. No, it won’t be exactly like old times, my dear friend.
I stopped myself from going there. Those thoughts were dangerous. “It’s a deal. Come when you can. I’ll get some fresh salad ingredients and garlic bread at Charlie Johns.”
After we finished one more round of hugs, I swung north on Route 30. This time I swore I felt Sky’s lips brush my neck before he kissed my cheek. Today he’d smelled of balsam fir, whic
h I found intoxicating.
I headed for Charlie Johns country store in Speculator, one of my favorite places in the Adirondacks. Chock full of everything a vacationer, camper, or hunter would need, they had it all. Groceries, repair supplies, kitchen gadgets, books, wine glasses, sheets, toys, and more…if you needed it, you’d find it at Charlie Johns. It took about ten minutes to get there from Mountain Memories, and when I did, I noticed a cop car sitting in the parking lot behind the donut shop, and another at the intersection in a highly visible spot with two officers inside. It made me feel safer, and I hoped it would deter the killer from trying to abduct another young girl from this intersection near the school.
I shopped for an hour, and stopped at the liquor store on Route 30 to buy some wine. Why shouldn’t I entertain my friends in style? After all, who has a pasta dinner without red wine?
Okay, so the lingering hugs and brushes with Sky’s lips bothered me in more ways than one. First, I worried that he couldn’t control himself anymore, and that without Quinn around to watch us, he might make a move. Secondly, I was deeply concerned that with my current attitude toward Quinn, I might do something stupid to spite my husband.
That would hurt both men.
I’d never done anything of the sort, never even thought about it. Well, I’d thought about it a lot, to be honest, but I’d never act on the thoughts. There’s a difference, right? Cheating on my husband wasn’t within the realm of decent human behavior. Yet…the fear lingered.
Sky still attracted me in a very physical sense, but it was our remembered times together that affected me the most. My mind played over the movies from our youth with crystal clarity. Although I begrudgingly had to admit that my husband did a very capable job making love to me, well—more than capable—I also had to admit with Sky it had been like entering some heavenly parallel dimension filled with the nectar of excruciatingly pleasurable sensations that never ended, cresting upon themselves and swelling and growing to dimensions I never knew were possible. I’d thought of it as ambrosial sex, worthy only of the gods.
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