by Sarah Markel
Melissa shrugged, and Zeke nodded. Eli nodded as well, and Dani didn’t miss the triumphant look he shot his twin.
“Lunch sounds great,” Eli said with a smile.
***
“Mom, I’m home!” Dani called as she stepped into the house, “and I’ve brought friends for lunch.”
“In the kitchen!” Max called back, “Everyone come in and grab a seat.”
Melissa, Zeke, and Eli left their things on the porch and followed Dani’s lead when she removed her shoes before walking on the carpet.
“Wow, it smells great in here, Ms. Willows,” Melissa complimented when the group rounded the corner and entered the dining room.
Max smiled as she greeted their guests. “Have a seat, kids,” she instructed, appearing every bit the devoted mother she was pretending to be, “I made enough for everyone.”
The teens sat quickly, each practically salivating at the delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen.
“Did you have fun, Daniela?” Max asked as she carried in a platter loaded down with various fried foods.
She set the tray on the table and kissed the top of Dani’s head. “Sweetheart, you were supposed to use the sunscreen,” she said, frowning at the angry pink tint to Dani’s face and shoulders.
Dani rolled her eyes and huffed. “I forgot I had it, Mom. Besides, I was having too much fun in the water to think about putting it on.”
Max clicked her tongue and shook her head. “You kids dig in. Daniela, come with me so I can get some aloe on that sunburn. Make yourself at home, kids. There are some cold sodas in the fridge, help yourselves.”
The teens thanked Max as she took Dani’s hand and pulled her toward the stairs. “Can’t we wait until later?” Dani protested, for the benefit of the others, “I’ve got friends over.”
“No,” Max said firmly, “if we wait, you’ll end up with blisters.”
Once safely in their bedroom, Max bent and kissed her wife. “Learn anything interesting?” she asked when the kiss broke.
Dani shrugged and followed Max into the master bathroom. “Possibly,” she admitted as she watched Max pull a large bottle of Aloe from under the sink. She pulled her mostly dry hair off her shoulders and turned so Max could slather her back.
“I’ll explain after they leave,” Dani said, “If we’re up here too long, they might think something’s up.”
Max nodded her agreement and made quick work of covering Dani’s face, neck, ears, and chest with the soothing gel. When she finished, the couple returned to the dining room and joined the others at the table.
“What did you kids do today?” Max asked pleasantly as she claimed a chair next to Dani.
“We showed Daniela the stairs,” Melissa explained, “then took her down to the swimming hole.”
Max shot Dani a motherly smile. “I’m glad to see you’re having fun, sweetheart,” Max said, patting Dani’s hand, “but please make sure to text me with where you are. You know I worry about you.”
The others shared a knowing look as they ate. “Don’t worry, Ms. Willows,” Zeke said, reaching for another chicken strip, “our town may be small, but we always manage to make our own fun. We won’t let Daniela get bored.”
“As long as it’s safe and legal,” Max replied. “Have any of you finished your assigned reading? We’ll be discussing it on Tuesday.”
Eli offered an innocent smile to his teacher. “We’re good kids, Ma’am, we don’t get into much trouble,” he said reassuringly, “Do you two attend Church?”
“Mom does,” Dani replied truthfully, “but I’m not big on organized religion.”
A shadow darkened Eli’s features, but his bright smile quickly pushed it away. “That’s okay, Daniela,” he said with a shrug, “Church isn’t for the faint of heart. Not everyone is cut out to understand the workings of the Lord Almighty.”
Max stiffened and fixed a look of curiosity onto her face. “Just because Daniela isn’t active in the Church, doesn’t mean she’s ignorant of his teachings, Elijah. God gave us the gift of logical thought for a reason. Not believing in organized religion is not the same as not believing in God.”
The teens seemed to sense Max’s irritation with Eli’s comment, and Zeke sought to ease the tension. “He didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” he offered, shooting his brother a venomous look, “He doesn’t like to think before he speaks.”
Eli shifted uncomfortably and nodded apologetically. “Zeke’s right. I’m sorry for sounding so judgmental. Our father is a pastor, and religion has always been a big part of our lives. I’m sorry, Daniela.”
Dani nodded her acceptance of the false apology. “Can we talk about something else?” she asked, dipping a tater tot into some ketchup, “Like, anything else?”
The teens laughed, and Max nodded. She knew what Dani was doing, and was happy to let the woman lead.
“What do you want to talk about?” Melissa asked, breaking the breading off a miniature corndog.
“All I’ve been hearing about is those missing girls,” Dani supplied causally, “what’s all the fuss about? Do the cops think something bad happened to them?”
The teens exchanged a hesitant look. Max and Dani watched as the trio seemed to communicate without speaking. After a moment of awkward silence, Melissa turned in her seat to address her new friend.
“No one really knows. One day they were at school, and the next, they weren’t. A couple of them had run away before, so no one really batted an eye. It wasn’t until the fourth disappeared, that people started getting worried.”
“What were they like?” Dani asked with genuine curiosity. Melissa’s voice carried a hint of something, and Dani hoped that keeping her talking would help her identify it.
“They were hoes,” Eli said firmly, “always dressing inappropriately and teasing us boys. They weren’t nice girls, either.”
“What do you mean?” Max asked.
“They would bully anyone they thought was beneath them. If a girl wasn’t up to their beauty standards, they would make fun of her. If a boy wasn’t what they expected him to be, they would make his life miserable.”
“How did they do that?” Dani asked. Under the table, she was discreetly tapping notes about the teens demeanor on her phone.
“Mostly through rumors,” Zeke supplied, “If they decided they didn’t like someone, they’d start a rumor to make that person look bad. Angelica was the most ruthless of them all. Last year, she decided she didn’t like Melissa. She started telling everyone that she’d seen our cousin having sex with Principal Glick. Everyone knew it wasn’t true, but it was all anyone talked about for weeks.”
Dani and Max offered Melissa an apologetic look. “That’s horrid,” Max said, reaching across the table to pat Melissa on the arm.
Melissa shrugged uncomfortably. “The rumor didn’t last long,” she said, rubbing her arms as if trying to fend off a chill. “I was in a dark place for a while, but my Uncle and cousins helped me out of it.”
Maybe it’s not track scars she’s trying to hide under those sleeves, Dani mused silently.
“Did the girls ever do anything mean to either of you?” Max asked the twins.
“No,” Eli replied too quickly for Dani’s liking, “they knew better than that. No one would believe their lies anyway.”
Silence surrounded the room as the women waited to see if the teens would offer any more information about their missing classmates. When Zeke’s phone dinged an incoming message, he groaned.
“Sorry, guys,” he said to his brother and cousin, “Dad said it’s time to come home.”
Melissa and Eli grumbled, but stood and thanked their hostesses. Max and Dani walked the kids out.
“Ms. Willows,” Eli said, as the group stepped onto the porch, “We’d be honored if you’d join us for Church tomorrow. Services start at ten.”
Max slung her arm over Dani’s shoulder, “I’d be happy to,” she said, “and I’m sure I can persuade Daniela to tag along, eve
n if just for the one day.”
Dani rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t hold your breath,” she muttered, just loud enough for the others to hear. Zeke and Melissa laughed, but Eli’s smile was tight.
“That’s okay, sweetheart,” Max said, her voice dripping with sarcastic lightness, “You can stay home and dig the new flower beds along the front of the house. That way I don’t have to ask your uncle Dale to do it.”
Dani turned her head and glared at her wife. “Church it is, then,” she grunted, to the amusement of the departing kids.
***
“You realize I’m probably going to burst into flames when I walk through the doors, right?” Dani asked removing the prosthetic braces from her teeth. “Fuck, these things are annoying.”
Max chuckled and spat into the sink. “That should set the town to talking,” she said as she rinsed her toothbrush, “I think those braces are cute, babe. They make your beautiful smile brighter.”
Dani glowered at Max and snatched her toothbrush from the cup. “Why do I have to wear the stupid things? I haven’t seen any other students with them.”
Max rinsed her mouth and turned to lean back against the counter while Dani brushed her teeth. “It’s just to help sell the image, honey. How many teenagers have you met with teeth as perfect as yours?”
Dani’s father was a dentist. Thanks to his careful attention, her teeth were perfectly straight. She’d worn braces for most of her youth and was diligent about oral hygiene.
Unfortunately, Dani’s teeth were the only thing about his daughter that Daniel McKenna cared about. After revealing her sexuality to the man, Daniel had chosen to ignore Dani’s existence. The only contact the father and daughter had, was a yearly reminder card for Dani to have a dental check-up.
“They still suck,” Dani said, wiping her mouth on a hand towel.
Max smirked and reached for Dani’s waist, pulling the shorter woman against her. “You’re so sexy when you’re being petulant, my love,” she said with a chuckle.
Dani’s eyes narrowed, and she smacked Max on the chest. “You want to see petulant? I’ll show you petulance,” she said, stepping out of her wife’s embrace, “I’m not having sex with you tonight.”
Max quirked a brow at Dani’s defiant stance. The redhead had crossed her arms over her nude breasts and set her face into a firm mask of resolution.
“You don’t have the resilience to stick to that,” Max said confidently, “I’ll just wait until you’re asleep and tease you awake.”
Dani suppressed a smile, but remained as she was. She knew Max was right, she wouldn’t be able to resist if her wife started touching her. “Try me,” she said, her voice determined despite the arousal beginning to spread through her.
Max saw the pink flush creeping over her wife’s lithe body and smiled at the challenge the smaller woman had imposed.
Moving quickly, Max reached for Dani and spun the woman around. She fitted herself against Dani’s back, and bent to nip roughly at the vein pulsing in the side of the redhead’s throat.
Dani gasped and let out a moan as the slow simmering arousal morphed into an inferno of lust.
“You’re being a very naughty girl, Daniela,” Max growled, her hands laying claim to Dani’s breasts as her mouth devoured the soft flesh of Dani’s shoulders and neck, “I think it’s time to remind you who’s in charge here.”
Dani whimpered, her knees buckling when Max’s hand found her center. “We both know who’s in charge, baby,” she moaned.
“Bed, now,” Max directed sternly. Dani allowed herself to be pushed toward the bed and turned to face her wife.
“Am I getting detention, Mrs. Prescott?” she asked seductively, easing herself onto her back on the bed.
“Oh, you’re getting much more than detention, young lady,” Max replied, crawling on top of Dani and claiming her lips in a deep, possessive kiss.
Chapter 7
The next morning, Dani and Max sat in the back row at Falls City Fellowship of God. While Max cheerfully greeted the many locals that flocked to introduce themselves to the newcomer, Dani sat quietly in the pew. Her fingers danced on the screen of her phone as she made notes and did her best to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
While Max had no problem being surrounded by religious people, Dani was uncomfortable in the Church setting. She was an atheist and while she supported and respected Max’s religious views, Dani preferred to keep herself distanced.
“Oh, my, your daughter is beautiful,” a woman’s loud voice boomed, startling Dani.
Max smiled and patted Dani’s arm. “Daniela, this is Lilah Fisk. She’s Ezekiel and Elijah’s mother.”
Dani looked up to see a large, imposing blonde with wide green eyes and a wider smile. The only family resemblance Dani could see between the woman and her sons, was the smile. Mrs. Fisk’s cheeks dimpled when she smiled, just like Zeke and Eli.
“Hi,” Dani greeted, offering a wave, “Your boys are very kind and polite. So is Melissa. They’re all great people to be friends with.”
Mrs. Fisk’s smile grew impossibly wider. “What a sweetheart you are!” she gushed, leaning over Max to hug Dani tightly.
Startled by the affection, Dani patted the woman’s back awkwardly. Mrs. Fisk, sensing the redhead’s discomfort, righted herself and straightened the bust of her dress.
“I’m sorry, child. It just sends my heart soaring to hear such compliments about my babies. Oh, dear, what a nasty bruise. What happened? Are you alright?”
Dani’s eyes narrowed in confusion, and she glanced at Max. “Bruise?” she asked, looking down at her chest. Seeing nothing, Dani looked up into Mrs. Fisk’s concerned face.
“Come on into the hall with me,” Mrs. Fisk said, glancing around to make sure no one was paying too much attention.
Max and Dani stood, exchanging a confused look before following the older woman into a narrow hallway.
“Sweetheart,” Mrs. Fisk said, pinning Dani with a firm stare, “did someone hit you?”
“What!” Max exclaimed, her voice louder than she intended.
Mrs. Fisk’s motherly gaze hardened as she swung her eyes accusingly at Max. “We don’t take kindly to people who abuse children in this town,” she said firmly.
Max’s color drained when she realized what the woman was accusing her of. “Mrs. Fisk,” she said, her voice strained with anger, “I don’t know why you’re insinuating child abuse, but I have never raised a hand to my Daniela. Please, show us what bruise you’re having such a fit about.”
Mrs. Fisk’s hand shot out and tugged down the collar of Dani’s pale blue dress. Thankfully, the woman was careful to keep from exposing Dani’s chest. There, just below Dani’s collar bone above her right breast, was a dark purple bruise. The older woman probably wouldn’t have noticed it had she not been in the perfect position to look down the redhead’s dress.
The color that had fled from Max’s face returned, with a vengeance. Dani glanced down, and a blush heated her cheeks.
“Oh,” Dani said sheepishly, “That’s a bite mark. I was trying to comfort my two-year-old cousin and she bit me. I didn’t realize it bruised like that.” She’d attempted to conceal the mark, but obviously hadn’t done it properly.
Max internally applauded her wife’s lie. Their love making the night before had been aggressive, but Max hadn’t meant to leave such a noticeable mark.
“Honey, why didn’t you tell me she bit you that hard?” she asked, sounding every bit the concerned mother. She turned an apologetic smile on Mrs. Fisk and picked up Dani’s yarn.
“My niece tends to bite when she’s mad. Usually, all Daniela has to do is cuddle her to calm her down, but it didn’t work this time.”
Mrs. Fisk crossed her arms over her ample bosom and stared at the pair. After a tense moment, the older woman chuckled and shook her head.
“I’m sorry, Max,” she said, draping an arm over Max’s shoulder as she directed the pair back
to the Sanctuary, “I shouldn’t have jumped to such conclusions. Toddlers sure are a handful, aren’t they? I’m sure your Daniela had her moments at that age, too.”
Max glanced over her shoulder and smirked at her wife. “She still does,” she chuckled.
Mrs. Fisk led the couple back to their pew, before moving along to her place beside her children. Max and Dani settled back in their seats and waited for the sermon to begin.
***
“Max,” Mrs. Fisk called, stopping Max and Dani as they stood to leave. Max had enjoyed the service, but Dani was ready to be anywhere else.
“I’d like you to meet someone,” the older woman said, when Max and Dani stepped aside. “This is my husband, Pastor Ezra Fisk. Ezra, this is Max Willows and her daughter, Daniela. Max is the new English teacher the twins were telling us about.”
Ezra Fisk was tall and thin; an almost exact older copy of his sons. Max and Dani had been thoroughly briefed on the man the previous evening, thanks to Lieutenant Weston.
Considered a hypocrite by some, Pastor Fisk had a strong following in the community. While he was a passionate advocate for living one’s life according to the word of God, he was also an outspoken supporter the LGBT community.
“Ah, Ms. Willows, it’s wonderful to meet you. My sons and niece have talked our ear off about the two of you.” Ezra shook hands with both women, before slipping them into the pockets of his gray slacks. “How are you ladies liking Falls City?”
“I love it out here,” Max said honestly. She’d immediately fallen for the lush greenery and quiet serenity of the small town. She fully intended to see if she could persuade her wife to move out to the area, once the case was solved.
“What about you, Dani?” Pastor Fisk asked, shifting his gaze to the younger woman. Dani didn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on her chest, and she made sure to get it on camera.
“Daniela, please,” she said, her voice devoid of emotion as she stared the man down, “I don’t like having my name shortened. Even my mother calls me by my given name.”