Whispering Pines

by Mavis Applewater

  “Happy birthday, Shawn,” she whispered, smiling when Shawn began to caress her thigh. “We should get moving. The guys need to break down the tent.”

  Shawn murmured softly while Faith assisted her off of her lap and to her feet. Shawn swayed slightly as the alcohol hit her. Instinctively, Faith wrapped her arms around Shawn and held her steady. As they hurried through the rain to the van, their arms remained around each other’s waists.

  Faith helped Shawn up into the van and climbed in behind her. They nestled against one another. Faith’s body warmed as she relaxed into Shawn’s touch. During the ride back to Danvers, they continued to cuddle. Faith refused to give in to the fear that was calling out to her, that things were happening much too quickly, and that neither of them was sober enough to think clearly.

  Instead of listening to her fears, Faith slipped her hand from Shawn’s waist and began caressing Shawn’s hip. Having Shawn back in her arms, even for one night, she reasoned, was worth the risk. She could feel Shawn’s breath on her neck and Shawn’s head resting comfortably on her shoulder. Faith inhaled the scent of Shawn’s hair. She hummed softly as the sweet aroma of peaches filled her.

  Faith managed to brush aside the pang of guilt and the troublesome thoughts that were creeping up, simply enjoying the feel and scent of her former lover. For the first time since she had arrived on the north shore, she was thrilled that they were sharing a room. Her hands continued to caress Shawn’s body under the guise of warming her.

  Shawn’s fingers crept up along Faith’s body until she was caressing Faith’s neck. Faith smiled blissfully when she felt the cool metal of Shawn’s silver bracelet touching her skin. She kissed the top of Shawn’s head and once again drank in the soft scent of peaches. She couldn’t help the way her heart swelled knowing that Shawn was still wearing the bracelet.

  Each time she saw the silver band that was engraved with two swans on Shawn’s wrist, she felt a small glimmer of hope. Perhaps someday they would be together again.

  Before she had left the country and her lover behind, Faith had wanted to offer Shawn a token that would tell her how she really felt. Each time Faith had tried to verbalize her emotions, the words either failed to come or came out wrong. It amazed Faith that she could stand calmly in front of a news camera while mayhem surrounded her, but she couldn’t tell one pesky little blonde that she was in love with her.

  When she had found the bracelet in the dusty old antiques shop in Boston, she just felt right about it, and prayed that Shawn would see the deeper meaning. She found the bracelet not long after their visit to Whispering Pines. She’d bought it on the spot and then tucked it away, waiting for the right time to give it to Shawn. Little had she known that the right time would end up being a good-bye.

  Despite the heavy clothing they were wearing, they managed to snuggle so closely that Faith could feel the rapid beating of Shawn’s heart. She stifled a groan, feeling Shawn’s fingers drifting back down the front of her body and slipping beneath her coat. Faith scanned the van in order to see if any of their fellow passengers were watching them. Clyde was seated up front with Seth, the driver. The two of them were engaged in a heated debate over baseball. Althea was busy working on her laptop, while Steve loudly snored next to her.

  Feeling confident that their actions were hidden, Faith allowed her hands to continue exploring Shawn’s body. She released a soft murmur when Shawn cupped her breast. Faith felt her nipples tighten as Shawn began to kiss her neck.

  Faith was thankful for the cloudy, rainy day that cloaked them in darkness. She allowed her head to fall back, offering her neck up to Shawn’s warm kisses. She filled her hands with Shawn’s backside, quivering as Shawn’s tongue teased her sensitive neck. Her skin tingled with excitement and her stomach clenched. Shawn’s touch could always send her body into turmoil. After years of not being allowed to give herself to Shawn, Faith was ready to explode. She clenched her jaw tightly when Shawn began to suckle the pulse point on her neck.

  Faith’s heart was pounding as they instinctively shifted their bodies so that their legs became entwined. As long as she doesn’t kiss me, I’ll be fine, Faith reasoned, feeling confident that they could still stop what was happening between them. Despite her unrealistic rationalization, her body was already taking control as her hips thrust against Shawn’s firm thigh. Their bodies became one. Faith continued to caress Shawn’s body. Shawn’s lips traced Faith’s jaw. Faith dipped her head as Shawn inched closer. Their lips met in a searing kiss. Faith was lost in the taste of Shawn’s mouth as they fondled one another. Her heart raced out of control, and she began to tease Shawn’s nipples through the thin material of her bra.

  “Ahem,” Althea’s voice disrupted their groping session. “We’re at the hotel.”

  They stumbled out of the van and into the hotel lobby. Shawn took Faith by the hand and pulled her towards the elevators. Neither of them spoke; their hands remained linked while they rode the elevator to their floor. Faith could feel the electricity flowing between them. She was excited and terrified. Something about the way Shawn’s thumb was rubbing across the back of her hand was driving Faith insane with desire.

  Faith released a strangled breath as they lingered for a moment outside of the room they were sharing. She could feel the heat coming off Shawn’s body. Faith swallowed hard, the nervous excitement taunting her. She was trapped by the dark pools of pure desire she could see in Shawn’s eyes. Faith knew that she should protest, or simply put Shawn to bed and leave before she was led astray by her desires. Instead, her hand tightened around Shawn’s as Shawn opened the door to their room.

  Faith released Shawn’s hand and assisted her in removing her wet coat. She turned her back to Shawn and removed her own coat. She could feel Shawn watching her. Slowly, Faith undid her damp shoelaces, in a valiant struggle not to look back at Shawn. She heard Shawn’s shoes thumping across the carpeting. A jolt tore through her body when she heard the distinctive sound of a zipper being lowered.

  Faith refused to turn around, knowing that seeing any glimpse of Shawn’s body would be her undoing. She fumbled with her heavy, wet top. She jumped slightly when she heard Shawn softly sighing as the sound of wet jeans made contact with the floor. Faith’s hands froze with her shirt halfway up her torso.

  “Faith. If you don’t want to, just say it,” Shawn whispered.

  “You know I do,” Faith said, her resolve crumbling.

  She bolstered her courage and turned around. Her heart nearly stopped when she looked down at Shawn reclining on the bed, dressed in nothing but her top. Why did I walk away from this? She crossed the short distance to the bed and knelt before her.

  “I wish I knew,” Shawn answered her unspoken question, brushing Faith’s wet hair from her brow.

  Faith chuckled. “I hate it when you do that.” Her hands came to rest on Shawn’s thighs.

  “I told you, stop thinking so loudly,” Shawn said playfully, sweeping the back of her fingers across Faith’s cheek. “The first time we let Clyde ply us with tequila on my birthday, this is how I wanted the day to end.”

  “So did I,” Faith confessed, clasping Shawn’s wrist. Tenderly she ran her thumb across the bracelet she had given Shawn. She raised Shawn’s wrist and placed a soft kiss on the cool metal. She could feel Shawn’s pulse racing just beneath the silver band. Her lips moved to the palm of Shawn’s outstretched hand, and she blew against her skin before brushing her lips against Shawn’s palm.

  Shawn cupped Faith’s face and drew her closer.

  “You’re the birthday girl,” Faith said in a hushed tone, falling into Shawn’s embrace. “What do you want?”

  “You did promise me a spanking,” Shawn replied breathlessly.

  The kiss was shy and gentle. It always amazed Faith how Shawn’s kisses could be so soft and so electrifying at the same time. She was certain that her toes were curling from the intensity the tender kiss was invoking. Her body leaned into Shawn’s as the kiss deepened. She felt Shawn t
easing her lips.

  Faith caressed the bare flesh of Shawn’s thighs. Shawn’s hands laced in her hair, and Faith’s fingers dug deeper into Shawn’s flesh. Faith released a moan from the back of her throat when she felt their bodies become one. She was stunned when Shawn suddenly broke away from the fiery embrace.

  “Deb,” Shawn gasped.

  Faith’s heart broke. She lifted her body, pulling slightly away from Shawn.

  “I know it’s been a long time,” Faith growled, glaring down at Shawn, “but my name is Faith.”

  “No,” Shawn said, her eyes filled with panic.

  Quickly unwrapping her legs from Faith’s body, Shawn pushed her away. Faith stumbled backward before standing.

  “Yes it is.” She narrowed her gaze, not caring that Shawn was clearly panicking. “Has been for some thirty-odd years now.”

  “Faith,” Shawn growled, bouncing off the bed. “She’s on her way up here.”

  “Who?” Faith felt suddenly sick.

  “Deb!” Shawn was looking frantically around the room. “She’s in the elevator.”

  Faith felt as though she had been hit by lightning. She watched Shawn struggling to climb back into her wet jeans. Faith clenched her jaw as her fear turned to anger. She folded her arms defiantly across her chest.

  “Good, I can’t wait to meet her.”

  Chapter 22

  Stewart, Massachusetts

  1912

  Anna smiled as her son raced through the garden, squealing happily. His aunt was pursuing him as he darted about. That Richard was home added more to the light that Catherine had brought to Whispering Pines. Sadly, her husband had also returned. Anna’s smile dimmed. She looked around to ensure that her husband wasn’t watching. If he knew that any of them were enjoying themselves, he would certainly put an end to their merriment. Why is he always so unhappy? She watched Catherine scoop Richard up in her arms.

  “I’ve got you now, you little scamp!” Catherine laughed, spinning around her precious cargo who was laughing loudly.

  Anna’s smile returned; she was caught up in her son’s laughter and the way her lover’s hair glimmered in the afternoon sun. Her smile dimmed once again when she felt a sudden chill. A dark shadow clouded the moment. Richard’s laughter died on his lips, and his tiny body froze in fear. Catherine looked at both of them with confusion. Anna felt the chill running through her as she cast a cautioning gaze towards Catherine.

  “Richard,” Anna said with a tremor in her gentle tone. It broke her heart to see the panic filling his eyes.

  “Boy, come here!”

  Anna flinched, hearing her husband call her son with no more respect than he would offer to a stray dog.

  “Richard, go to your father,” Anna said. She had known her husband was behind her long before he spoke. A darkness always preceded him.

  Richard squirmed out of Catherine’s embrace. She seemed reluctant to release her hold on him. Anna gave her a pleading nod, silently requesting that she not interfere.

  “Are you running the household now?” the captain demanded from behind her.

  Anna’s body tensed, knowing what was about to happen. She didn’t offer any resistance. She simply stood there, allowing his fist to tighten around her neatly wrapped hair. She stifled her painful cry when he yanked her back.

  “No, Husband,” she squeaked out, looking up into his cold, dark eyes.

  “Brother!” Catherine cried out.

  “Don’t, it will only make it worse,” Anna heard Richard whisper to his aunt.

  Anna braced herself, watching her husband raise his open hand. “You will not interfere with my family,” the captain snarled at Catherine, who was now standing beside Anna and shielding Richard with her body.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” Catherine responded coldly.

  Horatio’s grip remained firmly wrapped in Anna’s hair. Helplessly, she watched the siblings square off, each standing their ground. Anna understood something at that moment; the captain wouldn’t strike his sister. Anna and Richard were his property; his sister somehow fell out of his domain. Horatio’s hand still hovered above Anna’s face. She turned pitifully towards her lover.

  “Husband,” Anna choked out. “It’s late, shouldn’t I be preparing the evening meal and tending to the boy?”

  “Yes.” The captain scowled in agreement, finally releasing Anna from his grasp. “Get to the kitchen where you belong. You,” he addressed Richard, who was clinging to Catherine’s skirt. “Why are you wasting the day by following these women around?”

  Anna chewed her lip nervously as tears welled up in her son’s eyes. “Answer me,” Horatio demanded in a ferocious tone.

  “M-Mother insisted,” Richard tearfully stammered out.

  Catherine looked down at the boy with a horror-stricken expression. Anna simply nodded to her son, silently encouraging him to continue.

  “She said that I needed to get outside, because if I stay inside all day, I’ll grow to be lazy.”

  Anna allowed a thin smile to emerge on her lips as she listened to her son skillfully retell the lie she had taught him. The captain seemed stunned by the boy’s words. “Quite right,” the captain gruffly grunted before walking away from the three of them.

  Anna released a heavy breath. She turned and listened to her husband’s retreating footsteps.

  “Come now, we have duties to tend,” she instructed Richard and Catherine loudly, certain that her husband was still lingering about.

  Later that evening, Anna sat at the table in her room with Catherine by her side. They both pretended to be enthralled with stitching.

  “You taught him to lie?” Catherine whispered, keeping her eyes focused on the delicate needlework.

  “Of course,” Anna flatly responded, allowing her fingers to drift from her stitching. She listened to Catherine’s breathing hitch ever so slightly as Anna ran the tip of her pinky along her thigh.

  Anna was learning so many things since Catherine’s arrival. One of them was how to handle her husband. Fabrications were quickly becoming second nature to her. When Horatio questioned her as to why she and Catherine sat up late chatting every evening, she looked up at him innocently like a good wife, and said, “Husband, surely the mindless chatter of females holds no interest to a man as well educated as yourself.” She was proud at the way he nodded in agreement, puffing out his chest as he gave his silent consent.

  Anna wanted to laugh at his bravado. Not once had he stopped to think about how she was better with the written word than he was. She had learned from Catherine that Horatio had been sent to the sea when he was younger than Richard. Her husband was a very wealthy man, probably from ill-gotten gains from smuggling or worse. But Richard was probably better at understanding the written word than his father was.

  “He asked about our sewing sessions,” Anna calmly said to Catherine.

  “And what did you tell him?” Catherine asked nervously.

  “That we are silly females.” Anna smirked, her fingers massaging Catherine’s thigh. “Such an arrogant man.”

  “If he only knew,” Catherine said softly. “Richard is such a charming boy.”

  “Yes.” Anna smiled at the statement. “I will die before I allow him to become his father’s son. You bring out the best in him. As you do for his mother.” Anna’s tone dropped sensually as she captured Catherine’s gaze.

  “If only he could visit when his father was away,” Catherine said in an almost pleading tone.

  “The captain forbids it.”

  “We could—” Catherine began to say.

  “Yes.” Anna nodded, knowing what Catherine was about to suggest. If Horatio was away, then the three of them could run off. “And that, my dear, is probably why the captain forbids it. It’s late. I must read to Richard and tuck him in.”

  Anna placed her stitching on the table, and Catherine followed her actions. “Later, come upstairs and tuck me in as well, my love,” Catherine whispered hotly in Anna’s ear.
<
br />   “Of course,” Anna purred.

  Chapter 23

  Danvers, Massachusetts

  2005

  “Faith, don’t do this,” Shawn pleaded. Her ire was growing as she struggled with her wet jeans that were now very snug against her body. “Whatever problems Deb and I have in our relationship, this would be a crappy thing to do.”

  “Oh, so it was okay when there wasn’t any chance she could find out?” Faith sneered with disgust. “What happened to you, Shawn?”

  “You happened to me,” Shawn answered, a pathetic feeling washing over her. “Please? I’m begging you, don’t do this. She may not be the person for me, but she doesn’t deserve this. She doesn’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with our relationship, which, of course, is part of the problem. Hell, she even got me a present.”

  “Really? What did she get you?” Faith refused to budge.

  “A first edition of Ulysses,” Shawn said. Damn. Twenty-eight-hundred bucks. What was she thinking? We haven’t been together that long. Shawn was still trying to slow the rapid beating of her heart.

  “You don’t like James Joyce.”

  “Faith, try to focus on the bigger picture here,” Shawn pleaded.

  “You don’t,” Faith said. “I seem to recall your exact words on the subject were, ‘Young Catholic boy loses his virginity and throws up, yadda, yadda, yadda.’ Why would she spend what I can only imagine is a huge chunk of change on something you wouldn’t enjoy?”

  Shawn’s head was pounding as she realized that Deb was the one who liked James Joyce. She really hated that Deb was impaired when it came to listening to her.

  “That isn’t the point.” Shawn glared at Faith.

  “Sure it is,” Faith said in a catty tone. “If she cared enough to buy you something nice, she should care enough to buy you something you’d enjoy. A first edition Hawthorne or Dickens would be much more appropriate.”