Normally, Regina would have forbade Michael to stay this long away from home, but she was not up for a fight right now. If Wayne could take a three day weekend, then so could she. “All right, but I want you home by ten a.m. tomorrow morning. Understand?”
Michael seemed shocked at the ease with which he had gotten permission and blurted out, “Yeah. Sure.”
“Mom!” Meryl whined. “No fair! How come he gets to go on another sleep over, and I have to stay home with some skanky baby-sitter!”
Regina tried to ignore her daughter and searched the road for Meryl’s ride to soccer. The street was deserted except for her son walking towards town. It struck her as strange that Evan’s parents did not drop by to pick him up. For a second, Regina truly feared that Michael might really be running away. Panicked, but not wanting to show it around Meryl, Regina rushed to Michael’s room. Her daughter was hot on her heels, complaining the whole time. Luckily, Regina found Michael’s room to be in its usual chaos, and her son’s most prized possession -- his CD collection was still in place. That boy would never leave home without it.
Sighing in relief, Regina closed her son’s bedroom door. She was probably just edgy and nervous because of Quinton. Besides, Michael had walked over to Evan’s before. There was nothing to be so flustered over. Meryl, however, felt there was much to be upset about. The girl was still incessantly whining about Regina’s leniency with Michael. The woman had to admit that her decision was not one of the fairest she had ever made.
Recanting, and vowing to do it only this once, Regina turned to Meryl. “I’ll arrange another sleep-over at Sabrina’s tonight. Will that make you happy?”
“Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes!” Meryl squeaked as she jumped up and down, kissing Regina on the cheek.
Moving back to the window, Regina was relieved to see a car turn into their driveway. “Now, get your cleats on. The Murray’s are driving up right now.”
Meryl’s good mood was short-lived. “Oh, not them! Couldn’t you have at least gotten me a better ride?”
“What’s wrong with Trisha? I thought you two girls got along?”
Meryl curled up her nose. “It’s not her. It’s her big brother. He farts the whole time. The car reeks by the time we get across town.”
Regina nearly pushed her daughter out the door as the phone began ringing. “Suffer through it. You’ll survive.”
Hastily waving to Mrs. Murray, Regina made a dash for the phone. Her ears burned as soon as she realized it was Quinton, but his breath was all rushed. The words went by so quickly that Regina could barely comprehend what he was saying. The police might uncover their meeting last night? She tried to ask what in the hell the Sheriff had to do with their trip to Queen’s Court, but Quinton’s pace was rapid fire. Despite his ominous words, Quinton’s voice sounded excited and urgent. Regina wondered, if things were so dangerous why was he still talking about meeting that night? Shouldn’t they keep things quiet? Let this all blow over?
The conversation was such a whirlwind that Regina did not even realize that she had agreed to met Quinton at seven p.m. out on route fifty-nine until she hung up. What were they thinking? She knew Quinton had nothing to do with the equipment sabotage at her husband’s company, but if the police started digging into the stranger’s whereabouts, Wayne was certain to find out about their relationship. Granted, she could try to say that last night was just a friendly dinner, but Regina knew that she could not lie that well. Oh, her stomach ached and her head was pounding.
A thought flitted her mind. She could get out of this. She could stand Quinton up. Equally quickly, Regina dismissed the notion. Now that, that was a ridiculous thought. She could not imagine hurting Quinton in that way. Regina had her chance to decline, and she had not. Besides, Wayne was only spending one more night out of town. This would be their last night to rendezvous. Regina knew she could not maintain this clandestine behavior if Wayne was around. The stress alone would kill her. No, tonight was her last evening to play out her fantasy life before harsh cold reality set in again, and she was not going to miss it for the world.
The knock at the door startled Regina so badly that she whirled around and knocked over a vase filled with flowers. The crystal shattered and sent water and petals all over the entryway. Nervously, Regina pushed the mess aside and answered the door. Natalie was through the front door before Regina could say hello.
“You will never believe what is happening! We’ve got our own little soap opera going!”
Regina let the blonde prattle on as she cleaned up the mess on the floor. Wayne would kill her if the Oriental rug was water stained. The last thing Regina wanted to do right now was talk with Natalie. Did the younger woman not know that Regina wanted to take a nice long bath and prepare for meeting Quinton? But how could she? Natalie still thought of Regina was some out-of-step, old prude. Little did the younger woman know of Regina’s transformation.
“Don’t you think it’s noble?” Natalie asked, but Regina barely heard her. When Regina did not answer, Natalie became even more insistent. “Well? Don’t you think it was so very honorable for Ralph to lie about last night? I mean he could have used me as an alibi, and had this whole thing with the cops would be over with, but he didn’t.” Now that Natalie had Regina’s attention, the younger woman moved into the kitchen and started scrounging for snacks. How the girl kept her figure, Regina would never know. Between bites of chips, Natalie continued, “I think chivalry is kind of sexy. What about you?”
Trying to act ignorant, Regina finished cleaning up. “So what’s going on?”
“God, Regina. You’ve got to stay more in touch. The police are bearing down on Ralph and his boss. They are totally trying to frame them for all this crap going down out at the lumberyard.”
“Do they have any other suspects?”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “Please! They have two strangers to accuse. Do you really think that tub of lard your husband got elected to Sheriff is going to look any further?”
“No. I guess not,” Regina answered as she paused briefly. It made no sense. Crow’s Landing was practically crime-free. Her husband did not take being humiliated and desecrated very lightly. Regina felt a shiver go up her spine. She might want to take that into account when she met Quinton tonight.
“But the absolute killer is that Quinton is seeing someone in town!” Natalie nearly squealed like Meryl. “Can you believe it? And someone married to boot! Oh, I would love to know who he hooked up with. That would be the juiciest of juicy tidbits.”
Regina stiffened. “What else did Ralph tell you?”
Natalie opened up the refrigerator. “Oh, the brat wouldn’t give me anything more specific. Ralph just said that Quinton took this woman out to dinner in Queen’s Court. The reservations he made are their alibi for last night.” Digging around, Natalie came out of the refrigerator with a box. “Hey. Calamari. Mind if I nuke it?”
“Go ahead,” Regina answered even though she was distracted. The last thing she wanted was for Natalie to figure out who Quinton was seeing. The blonde would blab it all over town, and Regina would not have to worry about how Wayne would find out. Natalie would take care of that her. Suddenly, Regina realized that the younger woman was eating out of the take home box from the restaurant last night.
“Are these frog’s legs in here? Boy, somebody must have gone to...” Natalie voice trailed off before Regina could whisk the box away.
“You know, I kind of got ill on those. Let me throw them away,” Regina said, but Natalie would not let go of the box.
“It’s you! Oh my god! Regina!”
Nearly distraught, Regina jerked the box away from Natalie and poured the contents down the garbage disposal. The sound of the blades grinding the bones was nearly sickening. Regina felt ready to vomit. How could such a perfect evening be transformed into this horrible feeling? Finally, Natalie turned off the disposal and forced Regina to turn back towards her.
“Regina, honey. What were you thinking? You c
an’t be out catting around with Quinton just because Wayne is gone.”
“What?” Regina said in shock. “But you said the other night... You know... that... you did...”
Natalie led her back into the front room like Regina was a feeble old woman, which was not far from the truth. Regina was glad to sit on the couch and let her wobbly knees recover.
The younger woman patted Regina’s knee. “Honey. Gus and I have an arrangement. You and Wayne don’t.”
“But you couldn’t believe that I had stayed faithful. You made it sound like I should have --”
“Regina. I was as high as kite that night, hun. I’ve got to screw up all my courage and act all brash if I’m thinking about cheating. I’ve got to sound brave and crass. You can’t listen to me! Your husband owns this town. He’s going to blow a gasket if he finds out.”
Shaking, Regina had to hug her knees. Reality was not nearly as appealing as fantasy. Why had she let Quinton and her cross that line? Why had she not just let the relationship stay safe and perfect in her head?
“Don’t worry, Regina. I won’t tell a soul. I swear,” the younger woman actually sounded sincere. The usual bubbly, blank expression was replaced by a somber frown. “But you’ve got to end it with Quinton. I’m pretty sure that Ralph hasn’t told anyone else. If you play the good wife from here on out, Wayne may never find out.”
Choking sobs erupted from Regina before she could stop them. Natalie held her and rubbed her back. “Shh. It’s all right. I felt like this the first time I strayed. You’ll be okay.”
“But I think... I think...”
“I know. We always think we’re in love with ‘em until they squeeze the tooth-paste wrong, then we figure out they’re just another guy. Somebody to keep us occupied while our husbands are off occupying themselves. It’s all right. This stage will pass. Just cry it out, hon.”
Regina had this incredible urge to call Quinton and talk to him about this, but that notion was ridiculous. It was that type of thinking that had gotten her into trouble in the first place. If this flamboyant, risky blonde thought that seeing Quinton was a bad idea, it had to be an absolutely horrible plan. Regina sobbed more as she realized she could never met Quinton again. This near miss with Natalie was bad enough. Now that reality had set in, she could not imagine facing Wayne over the truth. Sickened, Regina leaned into Natalie and cried for all the dreams that would never come to fruition.
***
Quinton was getting tired of arguing with his assistant. “Help me or don’t, Ralph. But make up your mind.”
“Boss, look. We snuck out and told our women what was going on. We’ve done our duty. Give it up.”
Fixing his bolero, Quinton answered hotly. “Fine. I’ll do it myself. Just be sure to walk Hurricane before you go to sleep.”
The younger man grabbed his arm. “Quinton. Jesus, man. Stop and think about this. I mean, with all the tension around here, I’m as ready to get laid as the next guy, but you’ve got to think with your other head. We are under suspicion for felony crimes. You can’t just sneak off like this is some kind of --”
Quinton turned and gripped his assistant by the shoulders. He tried to convey his absolute sincerity to the younger man. “I am going. No matter the risk. Are we clear on that?”
“And what if the cops come by? What in the hell am I supposed to tell them?”
“Tell them I went out to buy some sex toys or something. I don’t care. All I want from you is to distract the office manager while I head out.”
“Quinton! Regina is not worth it, man.”
He did not have to think before he answered. “Yes, she is.”
Ralph looked like he wavered for a moment, but then shrugged. “Everyone said you had balls of brass. I’m glad I got to see them in action. Give me a few minutes, and I will have the old bitty eating out of my palm. She won’t notice a thing.”
“You’ll order the large pizza?”
“And turn on the shower and pay with your credit card. Just like you said, boss.”
Quinton shook his assistant’s hand. “Thanks.”
“You owe me.”
He had not doubt at all about that. Nor did Quinton doubt for a moment that Ralph would call that marker in, but Quinton was willing to pay just about anything for the privilege to see Regina again.
Ralph was true to his word and had the office manager laughing so hard that she was coughing that cigarette cough of hers. Quinton snuck by the office and down the back alley without a hitch. As the moon rose above the darkened hills, Quinton headed down the lonely stretch of road that lead to route fifty-six. Excitement fueled his steps and desire burned in his heart. He was only a few hours away from the date of his life.
***
Regina drove down the road. She had no intention of meeting Quinton tonight. None at all. The house needed milk and some potato chips for tomorrow when Wayne got home. There was no law against going to the store was there? Regina shook her head. That excuse might have gotten her out of the driveway, but it did not explain why she had left Fury at home and was traveling the exact opposite direction of the store. She had to face it, she was heading out to route fifty-six.
Once she got to the rendezvous, though, Regina was going to stand firm. She would explain to Quinton why they could not meet any more. At most, Regina could hope for was a sweet, lingering good-bye kiss. The very thought made her mouth go dry and moisture spread in an area where it had been too dry for far too long.
Regina nearly cried out when a man ran out in front of her car. Slamming on the brakes, she smelled burnt rubber. Who in the hell was so stupid? The passenger’s door jerked open, and a man smiled at her. It took her a moment to recognize his face.
“Quinton! What in the --”
The stranger’s smile widened until it was nearly blinding. “Hop out. I’ll drive.”
Quinton was at her door before she could even unhook her safety belt. The man took Regina’s hand and helped her out of the car. Where their skin touched was warm and tingly. Too soon, Quinton was urging her to walk around the car and get in on the passenger’s side. Her vow to not go through with the date was completely forgotten.
“What’s going on?” Regina managed to squeak as she settled into the passenger’s side.
Quinton gunned the engine and fishtailed onto the lonely stretch of pavement. “The cops are watching the motel. Ralph provided a distraction for me to leave. Do you think you were followed?” the man asked as he checked in the rear view mirror.
“Oh god. I don’t think so.” Suddenly Regina’s stomach ached again, and she remembered why she had sworn never to see Quinton again. He turned her insides around and made it hard to think clearly. Just as Regina was about to explain why she needed to go home, Quinton caught her hand.
Not only was his palm warm and inviting, the man intertwined their fingers. Even so, Regina was going to say something, but then he did the most wonderful thing. Every so slowly, he began stroking the base of her wrist with his thumb. Her entire arm tingled. Regina never knew her hand could experience so much pleasure. If Quinton could make her feel like this with just his thumb, Regina shuddered to think what he could do with his whole hand, or better, his tongue.
Her body ached, but now it was with the most exquisite type of yearning. Regina could face anything with his hand in hers. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” Quinton said with a sexy smile on his face.
Did the man have any idea what type of effect he had on her? Regina could only hope that she had an equal impact on Quinton. She did not want this sensory cascade to end any time soon.
Quinton did not take his hand away as he took a right turn onto route fifty-six. Regina again wondered where they were going out in the middle of the boondocks, but she did not bother to ask again. She liked the suspense. It just added to her heightened feeling of anticipation. This evening did not have to go any further physically, and Regina had already been raised up to a higher plane of
sensual expectation. Wayne pinching her ass was not going to be tolerated any longer.
Despite her sensory overload, Regina noticed how strange it was to be a passenger in her own car. It dawned on her that no one else had ever driven this car but her. In the maelstrom of her household, this vehicle had been her only sovereign domain. What did Meryl call her? The Royal Empress of the Road? Regina felt slightly out of control, and not necessarily in a good way about being on the passenger’s side of the car.
“I could have driven ya know.”
“Of course you could have.” Quinton winked at her. “But tonight I wanted to be in the driver’s seat.” He squeezed her fingers a bit tighter and ever so tenderly caressed her wrist. “Don’t worry. I know the lay of the land. I’ll get us there.”
Regina was fairly certain that the man was not discussing route fifty-six anymore, nor their destination. Chills went up and down her body, causing her nipples to tighten with just the thought of his hand upon her. If this was what being a passenger felt like, she would have to try it more often.
As they turned left down a deserted, unlit road, Regina looked around. They really were out in the middle of nowhere. “I thought we were going dancing?”
“Have some faith, m’dear. All will be revealed to you in due time.”
Blushing, and trying desperately to cover it up, Regina only nodded. Again, she knew that Quinton was not talking about their drive. Suddenly, up ahead she caught the glimpse of a huge bonfire. Flames licked upward towards the sky, and even this far away, she could hear the beating of drums. Regina now recognized where they were heading, but this knowledge did not soothe her nerves. If anything, she became agitated again. They were heading towards the Indian reservation. Regina did not like to think of herself as a racist, but in the years at Crow’s Landing she could not help but pick up the local distaste for the Native Americans.
Awkwardly, Regina asked. “We’re going out to the reservation?”
Indian Moon Page 11