WG2E All-For-Indies Anthologies: Winter Wonderland Edition

by Scott, D. D.

  Amanda gave her an odd smile. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t seen them since you took them.”

  “Took . . .?” Casey suddenly grasped Amanda’s meaning, and it struck her like a blow. “You think I stole from you?”

  “No one else has been working with me. And I remembered the way you admired the gold belt.”

  “I like lots of stuff in the store, but I’ve never stolen a thing in my entire life. Ask anyone in this town. And, yeah, times are bad for us now, but the idea of taking something from you or anybody. . .”

  “Hear me out,” Amanda interrupted, her tone growing sterner. “I’m not going to press charges.”

  “Press charges?” Casey’s raised her voice in disbelief.

  “But for obvious reasons I have to let you go.”

  Hearing those words sent a cannonball through Casey’s chest. “You’re firing me? For something I didn’t do. It’s so unfair. Do you think I’d actually steal from you if it meant I could go to jail, not mention lose this job?” And she had thought Amanda liked her. A quiver began in her bottom lip and she burst out crying.

  Amanda’s brows arched and her expression softened.

  Casey looked directly at her through a stream of tears. “Why? Why is this happening to me? Is this the way life is? Does everything have to be so rotten and cruel?” She lowered her face into her palms and sobbed.

  A gentle hand stroked her hair. “All right. Maybe you didn’t take those things. Maybe I misplaced them. So we’ll just forget about it.”

  Casey sat up. “You believe me, then?” She needed to know. Not only out of gratitude for the job, but because she really liked Amanda. And her little dance lessons made Casey feel special.

  Amanda sighed. “You may be a born dancer, but I doubt you’re a good enough actress to play out the moving scene I just witnessed. Now drink your cocoa before it gets cold.”

  ##

  Russ sat astride a ladder to caulk the top edges of his bedroom windows. He didn’t usually mind the draftiness of his two-bedroom cottage near the bay. But Amanda had been cold when she stayed here Saturday night. And he wanted her to be comfortable next time.

  There had to be a next time. Russ wouldn’t give up on that. It wasn’t as if she’d dumped him or anything. She was just busy this week. Preoccupied with Past Perfect opening on Saturday. They met for lunch Tuesday, and he stopped by the store each day to see if he could help out. Trying not to call her every night, he found himself killing time, either puttering about at his tool bench or shooting pool with his buddies.

  Geez, if any of them had caught sight of him going into that lingerie store he’d never hear the end of it. He just hoped it made her smile.

  And reminded her of what a great night they had together.

  He glanced at the bed where he and Amanda had positively the best sex of his life. His aging dog lay there now, sleeping with his nose tucked into his paws. “You might be sleeping on the sofa on certain nights, Bernie. Let’s hope so, anyway. She hasn’t said a peep about my gift yet.”

  Russ’s mobile rang, as if on cue. He nearly fell off the ladder trying to get to it, certain it would be Amanda.

  And it was. “Hey, Ms. Kushinski. Nice to hear from you.”

  “I’ve gotten gifts from men in the past, but never a bouquet of flowers with a bra in the middle.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “Luv it. How did you know my size?”

  “I pointed to a woman in the store whose boobs reminded me of yours.” Not too big, but not skimpy either. He remembered how soft they were. “Will you wear it next time we’re together?” He held his breath, knowing he might be pushing her.

  After the briefest pause she said. “Yeah.”

  He pictured her in the blue satin bra he’d bought her.

  “But, Russ, please remember what I told you.”

  “About?” He knew darn well what she meant, but wanted her to struggle with it, maybe even say something different.

  “About me not wanting to get involved. If things develop, so be it, but I don’t know if I ever again want a man to be a priority in my life.”

  “I’m just trying to have some fun.”

  Pause. He could tell she knew he was lying. Finally she said, “Me, too.”

  “So, how about dinner tonight?”

  “Russ, you’re moving too fast for me. Besides, I’m way too busy right now.”

  “Hey, I’m a fisherman. Patience is in my blood.”

  Amanda breathed a soft chuckle. “Once the store is open you’ll have to show me more about this mysterious lifestyle of yours.”

  “At your service.”

  “I’ve got to get back to work. Thanks for being such a sweetheart. See you at the opening Saturday?”

  “I’m there.”

  ##

  Parker nearly froze his butt off clearing debris and setting flagstone for the new herb garden he would plant this spring for Mrs. Gentilliano. Yesterday, he’d pushed himself to finish a job for the Melman’s and raced through his repairs of the snowplow attachment on his truck just so his whole Saturday could be spent here. Even though he knew that kiss Tanya had given him last week was a one-time lark solely for her entertainment, he couldn’t deny the part of him that hoped he was wrong.

  All day he kept an eye out for her, but he was beginning to think she’d stayed in the city this weekend. Or else she was somewhere in their fourteen room house spying on him. Or ignoring him.

  Parker hated the way she crept into his mind every minute of the day and night. He had way more important things to think about. But he’d been obsessed with her since he was fourteen and didn’t know if he’d ever get over it.

  His work done, the sky darkening to dusk, Parker loaded his equipment into the back of his 4x4 and took off. He had to pick up his sisters at Amanda’s store. Casey was working at the opening party, but Amanda okayed her bringing Jenna along. They left their mom home to take care of Dad and to have some private time with her husband. She sounded sober when he last checked in. Parker just hoped she managed to stay that way.

  The driveway of Past Perfect was filled with cars. Old fifties rock blared through the windows. Casey had said she’d be finished by five, but the party didn’t look anywhere near over. He hated leaving his truck for long with all his equipment in it. If he managed to keep the business going he might have to invest in a van at some point.

  Parker strode up to the front door and slipped into the crowded entrance. He scanned the room looking for Casey, but his gaze fell on honey-colored hair. Tanya. In a burgundy dress that showed off her tiny waist and soft curves. She must have sensed someone’s eyes on her because she turned and saw him. But instead of a greeting or a smile, she pursed her lips, lifted her chin and turned her head away.

  He almost wanted to leave, but forced himself to wade through the party, his jaw tense. Tanya always managed to make Parker feel ashamed of who he was. Why did he let her get to him?

  “Parker. Hey, guy.” Russ patted his shoulder. “How about a glass of wine?”

  “No, thanks, Russ. I’m just here to pick up my sisters.”

  “Ah, come on. Take a little time for yourself.”

  Parker knew Russ meant well, but he wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. Aside from Tanya looking down her nose at him, he was worried about things at home. “Where is Casey?”

  Russ pointed with his chin and Parker saw people dancing in an open area that had obviously been cleared for that purpose. Casey was dancing with Jenna, shaking and shimmying to “Tutti Frutti.”

  Amanda approached them. “Hello, Parker. Remember me from the paint store?”

  He nodded. “The Sunflower Yellow looks good.”

  She smiled, but Parker wondered if he was the most boring person alive. He never had anything interesting to say. How could he expect a girl like Tanya to be attracted to him?

  “I’m going to steal Russ away for a few minutes, Parker,” Amanda said. She pulled him to the dance are
a. Russ encircled her in his arms, and they moved together in a slow dance.

  Parker hunched his shoulders and looked around for a refreshment table so he could pretend to be doing something until he could convince Casey and Jenna to leave. But once again his eyes met Tanya’s. Only this time she was looking at him with a grim determination on her face. Was she going to chew him out publicly for something he’d done wrong on her parents’ yard?

  When Tanya reached him she didn’t speak. She just took his hand and tugged him toward the people dancing. She pressed her breasts against his chest, slid her arms up to his neck and began to shuffle side-to-side.

  Stunned, Parker put his arms around her the way he saw Russ do. At seventeen, he was pitifully behind. He’d never danced with a girl. He’d kissed one when he was in eighth grade.

  And last Saturday.

  His thoughts whirling, his senses reeling, Parker took in the sweet apple scent of her hair. And its silky smoothness as it brushed his cheek. He couldn’t imagine how her body could be so soft and so firm at the same time. But he guessed that’s how girls were supposed to be.

  Tanya sang quietly along with “Angel Baby.” A song he normally would’ve thought was kind of stupid suddenly sounded like the most profound and magical music he’d ever heard.

  When it ended, Tanya led Parker behind some clothes racks and kissed him again. Then she whispered, “Meet me on that little road behind our house at ten o’clock.” And she walked away.

  Aroused and confused, Parker searched a while for Casey. Maybe it was Tanya’s kiss that had him half-delirious, but he just seemed to be wandering in circles not really seeing anything in front of him.

  He finally glimpsed Jenna on a chair eating cake. And Casey was a few feet away listening to Amanda talk about her years as a professional dancer. She was talking to Tanya. Parker heard Tanya say she studied both ballet and ballroom dancing in Manhattan. He could see the sad envy in his sister’s eyes and wished he had the money to give Casey the dance lessons she wanted so badly. He remembered how her face sparkled the day she came home and told him that Amanda said she was talented.

  Parker strolled up to them, trying not to show his reaction to Tanya’s presence. “Ready to leave, Casey?”

  She glanced at Amanda, who said, “Go ahead. Russ and I will handle the cleanup.”

  With the temperature well below freezing, Casey and Jenna bundled into their coats and hats. “I can’t find my gloves,” she told Parker. “The woolen ones with blue leaping reindeer that you gave me for Christmas.”

  “They must’ve fallen on the floor.”

  “But I wedged them tightly into my pockets.” She searched the floor, and Parker chalked it up as teenage girl nonsense when she said, “Maybe there is a thief around here.”

  ##

  When Amanda left New York City for the quiet villages of the North Fork, she’d envisioned becoming some kind of hermit, an anonymous, middle-aged single woman running a dowdy little shop. But as February neared its end a month after Past Perfect opened, she realized she’d become a popular local figure ensconced in the North Cove community. The performer in her loved costumes, and she started having days where she dressed in twenties, forties, fifties or sixties outfits. A flapper dress with a feathered turban and cigarette holder. Sneakers, full skirt and red cat eye glasses. Word spread and customers began showing up from towns all along the North Fork and the South Fork as well.

  She punched in the number of one of her latest. “Hi, Ms. Lutz. This is Amanda from Past Perfect in North Cove. Just wanted to let you know the dress you ordered for your daughter came in. Sorry it took so long.”

  “Thanks for calling, Amanda. Please forgive me, but I went ahead and picked up something else. Her birthday’s tomorrow.”

  “Oh, that’s a shame.”

  “I have no idea if she’ll like it. Whereas, we both saw how crazy she was over that Mondrian Mod mini.”

  Two weeks ago the chubby fifteen-year-old had strolled into the shop with her mother. They told Amanda that they’d just finished lunch across the street and were on their way back to Manhattan. The perky teen fell in love with the sixties classic remake the instant she laid eyes on the dress. As luck would have it, Amanda didn’t have her size. The crushed look on the girl’s face still resonated with her.

  “Tell you what. I’ll overnight it.”

  “That would be great. Are you sure there’s enough time? It’s awfully late in the day.”

  “The UPS store near here is open till seven. I’ll drop it off soon as I close at six.”

  “But aren’t you getting snow out there?”

  “Won’t get heavy till later. Besides, my car’s great in the snow.”

  “Amanda, that is really wonderful of you. She’ll be so happy.”

  As Amanda completed the call she remembered her dinner plans with Russ. Ironically, the fun fling with him that had sparked the rebirth of Amanda’s playful, creative side, a part of herself she had almost forgotten, was turning serious with all the makings of a real relationship.

  She hadn’t planned on that one. In fact, she was still trying her best to avert it. But she had to admit Russ had gotten to her in a way she couldn’t recall ever feeling before. Even with her ex. Amanda decided to just let herself enjoy the ride for however long it lasted, tamping down those little voices inside that said, “Maybe this is it. Maybe he’s the one.”

  Knowing how much Russ cared for Casey Richardson and her family, even helping them out with what little he had, Amanda hated facing her latest problem.

  After her talk with Casey, no more items went missing from the store. Whether it was the girl getting control over herself or just that Amanda paid more attention to where she put things, she couldn’t say. But in the second week of February the thefts began again. Another belt. A blouse. Cufflinks. A lace handkerchief.

  Amanda wrestled with what she knew she had to do, hoping for a solution other than accusing Casey. But as she kept a subtle, but vigilant watch during store hours, she noticed something. All the items disappeared in the evenings after Past Perfect was closed. A time when only she and Casey were in the store.

  Then it happened, the casualty that pushed Amanda over the edge. Her precious blue silk scarf was stolen. Not some article on sale in the shop, but Amanda’s own favorite scarf that she’d had for so many years.

  The thief who took it would not be getting off this time.

  ##

  At 5:20 p.m., Parker sat in his truck watching the snow. The storm due to hit the North Fork would mean extra money plowing out his regulars as well as picking up a few jobs with folks who just didn’t want to face an hour of shoveling. He peered out at the woods on either side of the small back road, sighing at how peaceful and pretty it was. The whirling clouds of snow turning everything white, painting swatches along black tree trunks and branches.

  The scene was so pretty it almost allowed him to forget what a demeaning trap he’d gotten himself into with Tanya.

  A month ago when she’d asked him to meet her here on this quiet road backing the woods on her parents’ estate he should’ve refused. But that night she’d taken him to a heaven better than anything he’d ever imagined.

  And she hooked him like the dumb fish he was.

  Since that night he lived for the weekends. Two, sometimes three nights of heaven in his bad news life.

  He’d do just about anything for his family, but when it came to his meetings with Tanya, Parker demanded time for himself. That much she’d taught him. A bit of selfishness. Which she had in abundance.

  As the cold began seeping in, he started the engine and turned on the heat. Needed wipers now, too. The snow was picking up steam.

  Tanya often kept him waiting, but she was really late today. He knew she came in from Manhattan this weekend because he saw her BMW in town this morning. But he couldn’t call her. She refused to give him her cell number. Said it was because her nosy parents would find out and fire him.

  Pa
rker knew that was only a small slice of the truth. He knew that Tanya liked to keep him in his place. A workman who had no part in her real life. A dirty little secret only fit for the back road behind her folks’ fancy property.

  The truck’s clock told him she was already forty minutes late.

  She’s not coming.

  Parker hated himself for the panic that set off inside. Hated himself for the way his hunger for her always won out over his pride.

  Before he could stop himself, he gunned the engine and barreled down the road to the Gentilliano’s front gate. He hopped out of the truck and punched in the code he knew well from his regular work visits here. But this time Parker did not drive to the gardens or the sheds or to the lawns around the pool or tennis courts. He left the truck a few feet from the front door, sprinted up the broad steps and rang the bell.

  Parker waited so long he almost turned to go. Then the door flew open.

  Tanya.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “You were supposed to meet me at—”

  “Shhhh!” She shot a glance behind herself and turned back. “I’m busy today.”

  That’s when Parker saw the guy. A GQ Ivy League special.

  “My boyfriend’s here this weekend,” she hissed in a harsh whisper. Then she turned to the guy. “Be right there, Brad.”

  “Who’s at the door?”

  “Nobody. Just the yard guy here with his snowplow.”

  The door closed.

  ##

  Russ jogged through the swirling flakes to the back door of Past Perfect. He used the key Amanda had given him, stomped the snow off his work boots and walked in. “Amanda? It’s me.”

  She poked her head out of the office. “I’m in here. Just finishing up.”

  He strolled to the small room, tracking snow in his path. “We need to talk.”

  Amanda closed down the computer file and turned to him. “As if I can’t guess what it’s about.”

  “Casey doesn’t steal things. What you did to her is unfair.”

  “Oh? Don’t I get a say here?”

  Russ leaned against the doorframe. “I already know you think she lifted the things missing from your shop.”