Mirror Image

by Curry, Edna

  She swallowed a laugh, and agreed, “Thanks. I’d like that.” Actually she would. She shivered in anticipation at the idea of sitting close to him while he taught her lots of things she already knew, but could pretend she didn’t.

  Susie piped up, “Mommy already knows a lot. She gots the same cards game you got on yours, Daddy. She let me play it this afternoon.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Jass raised an eyebrow.

  Laurie shrugged. “Just solitaire. It’s the same game as we played as kids with a deck of playing cards.”

  “Can I play another game before bed?”

  “Ask your father.”

  “Daddy?” Susie turned wide blue eyes on Jass, who visibly melted.

  He grinned. “I guess so, Sweetheart.”

  They played one game, then Susie watched an hour of television curled up on the sofa next to Jass, before Laurie read her a bedtime story.

  After she tucked Susie in and kissed her good-night, she felt the need to pull back the drape to check the lock on the window. She stared out into the night. The window lock was secure and everything seemed as usual. But still, she felt uneasy.

  Telling herself she was becoming a regular worry-wart, she went back downstairs.

  She found Jass at her computer, where he was still playing solitaire.

  He looked up and grinned boyishly. “You caught me. I like this game too. You’re spoiling Susie. She’ll claim the computer if you let her, you know.”

  “Who’s spoiling her?” she derided, admiration for the little girl in her voice. “You’ve been letting her play on yours. She’s already very good at it.”

  “Yes, she is, isn’t she?” Jass’ voice echoed her pride as he closed the solitaire game.

  He stared uncertainly at the various icons on her program manager, and muttered, “As soon as I figure out what Laurie was using here, I’ll—”

  Laurie swallowed, more than a little nervous about letting him see all the software on her hard drive, until she remembered the programs and files were supposed to be her sister’s work, not hers. She could pretend ignorance. Still, she fidgeted as he tried to open a couple of files and frowned at the pop-up box asking for a password.

  “Protected. Damn. Well, I don’t suppose we’ll ever find out what’s on those files. Let me try something else.”

  She didn’t want him messing anything up while figuring out what it was, so she casually suggested, “Your computer is similar, isn’t it? Maybe it would be easier to show me on yours, where you’re familiar with all the files already.”

  “All right. That might be easier.”

  He shut down her computer and led the way to his den, where he pulled up an extra chair for her and turned on his computer.

  A chill ran over her as she realized that she couldn’t possibly have learned all she knew about computers in college. Most of it hadn’t been developed yet six or seven years ago. She'd better watch what she said and did.

  Looking over his shoulder as he talked, she pretended to have forgotten lots of things since college, and asked questions she thought a person who’d been away from it for a while would ask. Luckily, his was not the latest model, so her college training wasn’t as outdated as it might have been.

  “You’ve learned a lot already. I noticed you were using Laurie's word processor like a pro this afternoon.”

  She laughed lightly. “Thanks. Laurie showed me some stuff.”

  “Sure. But let me show you some of the finer points of it.”

  After a couple of hours of sitting next to him and letting him guide her, she stretched.

  “Tired?” he asked. When she nodded, he added, “Let’s hit the sack. We’ll have another go at it tomorrow night.”

  “Sure.” Laurie was more than willing to quit. She wasn’t really tired, but pretending ignorance was a strain, and her senses were humming from his nearness.

  He was evidently aroused, too. He shut down his computer and rose, pulling her into his arms. He trailed kisses along her throat, groaning.

  She responded immediately, opening her lips to his.

  He slid a hand down her back to urge her closer against him and she reveled in his obvious arousal. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that for the last hour,” she murmured.

  “Your bed or mine?” He unbuttoned her blouse and slid aside her bra to release her full breast.

  “Yours is closer,” she said, gasping in delight as his lips closed over the tip of her breast.

  Unbuttoning and unzipping as they went, they crossed the hall. He locked the door, then turned to finish undressing her, kissing each new bare area as he uncovered it. When at last she stood naked before him, he whispered, “You’re so beautiful!”

  She smiled in pleasure at his compliment, then reached out impatiently to help him finish undressing.

  He held her gaze, then dropped his jeans and briefs, revealing his arousal as though he were daring her to stop him.

  She swallowed and went into his arms. Together they fell into his bed, intent on exploring every inch of uncovered flesh.

  His mouth covered hers in a searing kiss. One hand slid lower to cup her mound and a finger teased the nubbin there. She gasped and arched up toward his hand, heat running through her.

  He moved lower and ran his tongue along one nipple, then closed his lips over the hard nubbin and sucked it hard, sending more ripples of need through her.

  She pushed him onto his side, then reached down and closed her hand around his erection, slowly sliding the skin up and down and getting a groan from him in response.

  She grinned. “Like that?”

  “Oh, my God. If you keep that up, I’ll explode right now.”

  She removed her hand. “Not yet. I want you inside me, first.”

  “You asked for it.” He moved back over her, and with another searing kiss, reached down to spread her lips and ease inside of her.

  She sighed in pleasure. “That feels wonderful.”

  “For me, too.” He began to move, first slowly, then faster and faster until they both exploded in delight.

  She thought she’d discovered every possible pleasure in her dreams of him. But he soon taught her that the reality of his lovemaking was much nicer than her dreams.

  ***

  The next afternoon she was again at her computer when Jass came home after work. She heard his angry footsteps coming down the hall. Now what?

  “LaRae?” he called, “Where are you?”

  “In here, Jass.” She rose and turned toward the door. His face held an angry scowl.

  “What is the meaning of this?” He reached in his suit jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope, thrusting it at her.

  Nerves on edge, she took it and pulled out the contents. Oh, no. LaRae meant it when she said she was filing for a divorce.

  What could she say? “I’m sorry, Jass. I changed my mind and forgot to call the lawyer.”

  His face relaxed a bit. “Then you will cancel this?”

  “Yes, Jass,” she said carefully. “I definitely do not want a divorce. I’ll call and tell the lawyer first thing in the morning.”

  His shoulders visibly relaxed. “I thought you’d changed your mind about a divorce. I mean, you weren’t acting like you wanted one anymore. But when this came to my office, I didn’t know what to think.”

  Laurie put the envelope in her desk drawer and turned back to him. “I’m sorry, Jass. I guess I’ve had too much on my mind lately. I’d forgotten about it. Will you forgive me?”

  He stepped forward and took her in his arms and kissed her. “You’re forgiven.”

  She snuggled closer in his arms and returned his kisses. Susie came running in and announced, “Agnes says to come eat, Daddy.”

  Jass winked at Laurie and said, “Later,” then took Susie’s hand and they walked down the hall together.

  Laurie sighed in relief and followed them, her stomach still in a knot. She’d survived another close call.

  Chapter 10

&nb
sp; Jass had a meeting the next day, even though it was Saturday. He promised to pick up the cake and be home in plenty of time for Denise and Ken’s party.

  Cathy picked up Susie to take her and Cindy to the school for swimming lessons and Diane had gone to a friend’s baby shower. She assured Laurie she’d be back by five, and would baby-sit Susie while they went to the party.

  So Laurie spent most of the day alone. She took advantage of the time to study photo albums, maps, newspapers, and LaRae’s old letters.

  She phoned Aunt Martha, who said she wasn’t feeling too well. No, she didn’t want a doctor, she’d be fine with a bit of tea and a night’s rest.

  “I wish I could drive over to see you. I’m getting very frustrated having to be driven everywhere.”

  “Yes,” Martha chuckled. “I’m sure you’re not used to feeling tied down.”

  Laurie had no more than put down the phone when it rang again.

  “Hi, LaRae. It’s Lisa.”

  Panic tightened her throat. Who was Lisa? “Oh, Hi, Lisa. How are you?”

  “Fine, dear. I heard you were back. I just wanted to remind you of our bridge date on Wednesday night. Can I pick you up as usual?”

  Bridge. She’d forgotten Martha had told her LaRae played bridge. Yikes, I can’t play bridge! She hedged, “Haven’t you heard? My arm’s still in a cast. I think I’ll skip it for a few more weeks, if you and the others won’t mind?”

  “All righty. I’ll get Barbara to fill in for you. Talk to you later, then.”

  Laurie hung up. So far so good. But her cast would be coming off soon. Then she’d no longer have such a handy excuse. It was time to learn how to play bridge. And fast. Time to learn a lot of things.

  She went to her computer and logged on to the internet. After searching for a while, she found a game of bridge that she thought would serve her purpose and downloaded it. It had standard instructions and settings for varying levels of skill. The computer played for the others, and could even suggest moves in various situations. She played with it for an hour, then Susie arrived home and she let Susie switch to solitaire.

  ***

  That evening Laurie stood in front of her closet, trying to decide what would be appropriate to wear to Denise’s birthday party. She was ready except for her dress and shoes.

  Why hadn’t she asked Cathy what she planned to wear? She should have figured out a way to learn what kind of party this was going to be. Would it be an outdoor barbecue? Indoor formal affair? Something in-between? She jumped and turned when she heard her door open.

  “Aren’t you dressed, yet? We’re going to be late!”

  Jass sounded annoyed, not a good beginning for the evening. She felt nervous enough about meeting lots of people who would think she was LaRae, without having to deal with his irritation.

  “I can’t make up my mind what to wear. What do you think?”

  “Honestly, LaRae. Just hurry up, will you?” He came forward and surveyed the rack of clothes, then pulled out a short, full-skirted dress of blue taffeta. “How about this? It always looks great when you’re dancing. And it’s sleeveless, so it should fit over your cast okay.”

  There would be dancing? “Sure,” she murmured, relieved. “But I don’t think I’ll do much dancing with this cast.”

  She quickly slipped the dress on. Jass helped her zip it up, and put her sling back around her neck to support her arm. “I’ll be so glad to get rid of this thing,” she muttered.

  Jass leaned forward and gave her a kiss. “Me, too, Honey. Me, too.”

  She inhaled his spicy scent and desire surged in her. She reached up to caress his smooth jaw and kissed him again.

  “Hey, keep this up and we’ll never get to the party.”

  She laughed and slipped into a pair of comfortable pumps, then quickly ran a brush through her hair. “Okay, I’m ready.”

  “Better take a sweater or shawl. It’ll be chilly out on their deck.”

  On their deck? They walked down the hall together to say good-night to Susie and Diane who were watching television in the family room.

  Susie jumped up and clung to Laurie, sending a sudden strong wave of protectiveness through her. The memory of her nightmares of Emy’s murder flitted through her mind, making her throat tighten.

  She felt an urge to ask Jass if they could stay home but knew she couldn’t do that. “We’d better leave a telephone number where we can be reached,” Laurie said instead, looking anxiously at Jass.

  “It’s inside the front cover of the phone book, Laurie, with all the other emergency numbers. Diane knows all that.” He turned to look at Diane, adding, “We’ll be at Denise’s if you need us, Diane.”

  Diane twisted a lock of her long black hair around one finger, looking at Laurie as she spoke to Jass. “Sure, Mr. Markham.”

  Laurie couldn’t let it end there. “Please stay here in the house with Susie, Diane. Don’t go to your apartment until we get home, okay?”

  Diane rubbed her cheek, and shifted from one foot to the other. “Yes, Ma’am. I always do that.”

  “What’s wrong with you, tonight, LaRae? Diane knows the routine. Come on, we’ll be late.”

  “Did you remember to pick up the cake?”

  “It’s in the car, LaRae.”

  Jass drove around to the north end of the lake, stopping at a large house surrounded by evergreens. “I knew we were gonna be the last ones here,” he grumbled under his breath. He parked on the road, since the driveway was already full of cars.

  “Sorry, does it matter?” She stepped out of the car. The cool evening breeze whipped her hair into her eyes and she lifted a hand to push it back. Wrapping her knitted shawl around her, she waited as Jass carefully lifted out the large cake box.

  “I guess not, Honey,” he said with a rueful grin.

  They walked up the driveway and followed the sound of music and laughter around to the rear, where a three-piece combo was playing on a large redwood deck.

  Dozens of people who had arrived ahead of them were milling about the tables and chairs. Bows and streamers of bright-colored crepe paper lined the guard-rail. A large banner saying “Happy Birthday, Denise” waved in the breeze. Although it was still daylight, decorative lanterns were already lit.

  Laurie was surprised to find a wide ramp as well as steps leading up to the deck. Handicapped accessible? Who needed a ramp and why? There was so much she didn’t know. Nervous tension speeded up her heart beat. She surveyed the large group of people already filling plates at the buffet table set up along one side of the deck.

  Laurie spotted Cathy in a sequined green dress that really showed off her red hair, and called a hello.

  Cathy waved to them, exclaiming, “Oh, good! The cake has arrived! Now we can sing to Denise!”

  She signaled the band and they broke off the song they were playing. With a flourish, they began playing, ‘Happy Birthday!’ and everyone sang, and then cheered.

  A chubby young woman in a wheelchair looked pleased and embarrassed, making it easy for Laurie to identify Denise. She was a pretty woman, with wide blue eyes and very short, curly strawberry blond hair. Laurie’s heart contracted as she realized the ramp was for Denise herself. She smiled warmly at Laurie as they walked over to say hello, and Laurie felt an instant rapport with her.

  “Glad you could make it,” Denise told Laurie. “Oh, what a pretty cake, Jass. Come get in the food line before it’s all gone. We’ve saved you a place at the table over there. These guys were about to start eating without you.”

  The attentive dark-haired man beside Denise must be Ken, Laurie thought as she watched him clear a spot on the buffet table for the cake.

  Jass put down the cake and they joined the food line. Soon everyone had filled their plates from the extensive assortment of food and found seats at the tables.

  They ate with Denise and Ken and Laurie found them both easy to talk to. The conversation soon moved to local gossip.

  “Have you heard that Noreen lef
t Harold?” Denise asked.

  “No! Where did she go?” Laurie asked. That should be a safe question.

  “Took an apartment in Minneapolis, I heard. Closer to her job, anyway, you know. Too bad for little Davie, though.”

  “Yes, Davie’s staying with Harold for now, anyway. I thought he seemed a little preoccupied at the fire the other night,” Jass said. “Had to remind him a couple of times to be careful, or he’d have gotten hurt.”

  “Really?” Denise said. “Well, I suppose it would be hard to keep your mind on what you’re doing when something like that is going on at home. But you’d think he’d be extra careful around a fire after getting burned so bad a few years ago.”

  “Yes, wouldn’t you? Isn’t this salad delicious?”

  “I must get the recipe,” Laurie agreed.

  “Ask Cathy. I think this was her contribution tonight.”

  “It was?” Ken said with a laugh. “I didn’t know she could cook.”

  Denise leaned over to poke her spouse in the ribs. “Be nice.” She turned to Laurie, rolling her eyes. “Don’t listen to him. I'm not that bad! But he thinks I should be, that every woman should automatically know how to cook, like God passed out the ability with our genes, or something. Men!”

  How Laurie wished that were true! It would certainly help with her current problem of learning how to cook!

  Inevitably, the men’s conversation turned to their business. Ken apparently also worked with computers, although Laurie soon gathered that Ken worked regularly for the bank, and not for the computer company. The two men evidently didn’t always see eye to eye on things.