On Ice (12 page)

“
Mark,” she rasped out. Her throat hurt. She struggled to rise, but the room started to spin again.

“
Don't try to get up yet. Mark was here?” Ted looked around. “Where?”

“
He choked me!” she said in a strangled cry.

Ted brushed back her hair, commenting on the purplish bruises on her throat. His face darkened with anger. “Where did he go?” He started to rise.

She shook her head, wincing with pain. “I guess I fainted.” She touched the area of her temple where the throbbing pain was centered. A lump gave evidence that her head had met the flagstone. She recalled Mark's threats of throwing her to the same kind of surface three stories below.

“
You were unconscious when we came in.” Ted found the lump with gently probing fingers. “Let's get you to the nearest medical facility for an X-ray.”

Maddy found herself being carried from the castle and deposited in their vehicle by her own knight-errant. “Who says chivalry is dead?” she croaked, mustering a tiny laugh.

~*~

After the meal, Rene returned to the cabin to find Ben in the middle of his remodeling project. He showed her the railing he was constructing. He’d leaned it against the back porch, awaiting installation.

She admired his handiwork and prepared a sandwich for Ben. She felt touched by his gratitude for small kindnesses. Sitting across the table, Rene said, “Tell me, Ben, have you always lived in Sad Horse?”

“
Yes'm.”

“
Does your family still live here?”

“
No, Miz Reeny. They's all dead. My momma was born in Arkansas. They’s still some kin, but I don’t know none of ‘em.”

“
Oh, I'm sorry, Ben,” she said.

“
Miz Pindar took me in when my father died. They never had any little ones of their own.” He stopped eating long enough to smile. “She was always good t'me.”

“
How did you become such a fine craftsman? Did your father teach you or Mr. Pindar?”

“
I always liked to work with my hands. Mr. Pindar got me some tools and let me do things, y'know? If somethin' was broke, he let me fix it.”

“
You just picked this up?”

“
Yes'm. That'n books. Miz Pindar insisted on teachin' me to read. Mr. Pindar sent away 'n got me The Time-Life Woodworking books 'n then later The Time-Life Home Repair books. I pretty much learned how to do everything we need around here. When folks want something made or fixed they tell ol' Ben.”

He returned to his tasks and Rene poured over catalogs. She selected things considered essential in the civilized world---a microwave oven, cordless phone, curtains. Mindful of Brett's warning about adequate footwear, she chose insulated hiking boots for all. Lastly, she took advantage of an end of season sale on down comforters and jackets. She ordered the jackets a size larger, expecting the children to grow and she to be fatter by the time they were needed. Satisfied, she tackled the task she had put off.

The dated teacher's manuals were useless. She made a simple outline of lessons to get her through the first few days. It felt like an eon since her student teaching experience. There would be no principal looking over her shoulder. She wondered if Brett would want to inspect her lesson plans.

Later, as Rene sat on the porch watching the children play, the Hummer pulled into the clearing. Brett climbed the steps and dropped into the other rocking chair. “I hear you got quite a crowd at your clean-up party.”

“
It turned out that way,” she said. “We threw away the shades. They were mostly broken.”

“
That's what Mrs. Jolly said. She also told me you didn't have any teaching materials.”

“
True. What's there is very old.”

“
I paid quite a bit for new materials last year. I guess the son-of-a---” He stopped short. “The last teacher must have cleaned out the classroom.”

“
He left all the dirt.” Rene managed a laugh.

“
Order whatever you need.” He sighed. “Get what you want for the windows. You may want to show films or power point presentations.”

“
With what?”

“
You mean---” He sat up in the rocker and then slumped down again. “Get what you need.” He handed her a credit card.

“
Thanks. I promise not to steal the materials.”

“
I'm hoping you stick around a long time to use them.” He gave her a long look. “The people in town seem to be quite taken with you. If you're as good as your public image, you're just what we've needed around here. I've been ordered to make sure you stay.”

“
I'll try to perform my job as well as I'm able.” She couldn't seem to meet his eyes.

“
And?” A deep furrow appeared between his brows.

“
And I'll do my best to stay.”

“
If there's a problem, promise you'll give me a chance to fix it. We need you here. I need you---to teach.” His voice suddenly became gruff. Heaving himself out of the low chair he looked down at her thoughtfully. “Just remember that I'll do whatever it takes to keep you here.”

A shiver ran down Rene's spine. “I won't be held prisoner again,” she blurted out. Her cheeks flushed crimson in the fading light.

He stayed staring down at her for what seemed like a long time. “You don't seem to be the felon-type so I think you're talking about some other kind of prison. Most people don't come here unless they're trying to leave something behind. You'll find that we generally don't pry. We accept you at face value. Good enough?” He held out his hand to her.

“
Good enough.” She shook the big hand that enfolded hers, wondering what he would say if he knew the truth.

~*~

Mark traded the black Peugeot for a silver Audi with dark tinted windows. He spent the night in it outside the inn. All the lights were off inside except for one in the lobby. He wondered in which room Maddy slept. He hoped she was as uncomfortable as he.

Damn her to hell.

He could have snapped her neck. He should have done it. Only then she couldn’t lead him to Rene. Surely tomorrow they would meet up with her.

When Mark first arrived in Paris, he’d gone straight to the hotel D’Marseille and demanded to know in which room Rene Desmond was staying. At first, the concierge had been reluctant to share that information with him, but after a fair amount of American green had changed hands, the man’s attitude became most cooperative.

Mark learned the lovely Mrs. Desmond and her children had checked out early the next morning. The concierge himself had hailed a taxi for her and assisted her with the instructions to the driver. To the airport, sil vous plait.

There had been no further charges to Rene’s credit card. The airport was a dead end...almost.

If there was a downside to being such a beautiful woman it was that it made one memorable. And Rene was memorable. It turned out she hopped a flight to Scotland using Maddy’s credit card. That proved they were in it together.

Damn them both to hell.

~*~

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sunday morning Rene parked the truck among the thirty or so vehicles outside the old wooden church. She settled on a bench with the children near the exit in the back.

Father Paul, clad in a sweater and jeans, performed the ritual of the mass attended by a blonde youth who could have been his little brother. The sermon had to do with giving thanks and acceptance of the Lord’s blessings. The young, boyish priest urged the parishioners to consider the lilies of the field, to be mindful of the abundance provided by God and to be thankful.

Rene tried to apply what she heard to her own life. She decided it meant she should accept the good things and be grateful. She prayed to stay vigilant and protected from the ever-present danger down below.

She remained seated as others went forward to receive communion. She knelt, praying fervently for the safety of her family, as the parishioners slowly made their way to and from the altar. After the service, Mrs. Pindar latched onto her arm and led them to the “Community Room” where Nadine took them in hand, introducing her husband, Sam. He was stocky and pleasant looking, bearing no resemblance at all to the twins.

Ben brought her a cup of punch and a plate of cookies. Rene spotted tall, gangly Tink Culver with his girls and a small woman with golden brown hair hanging down to her waist. When Rene returned his wave, he ushered them over.

“
You remember Mrs. Nichols?” The girls acknowledged her shyly. They took Seth and Sara to the refreshment table. “This is my wife, Angel.”

Shaking her hand, Rene remembered seeing pictures of her mother in a long dress similar to Angel's, but she had been wearing a headband and making the peace sign at the time. Angel had pale, clear skin, apparently devoid of any cosmetics. Tink grinned proudly down at her.

“
We have to get back to the hotel.” Angel spoke in a soft, almost whispery voice. “But we'll be expecting you and your children for lunch.” They waved goodbye, gathering daughters as they departed.

Father Paul bore down on her with the alter boy and a slightly older replica in tow. The older boy carried a young girl.

“
Rene, I'm so glad you came,” he said.

“
I'm glad we did, too, Father.” He folded her into his warm embrace. He smelled good, like shaving lotion and something else. Perhaps it was the sacramental wine?

“
Meet some of your students. This is Rick Starkey,” he indicated the altar boy, “and Kipp with little Jill.”

“
I'm glad to meet you all. What grades are you in?”

“
I'm in the first,” the little girl piped up.

“
I'm fourteen,” Rick said. “We didn't go by grades.”

“
Oh.” She frowned. “How about you, Kipp?”

“
I don't go to school anymore,” he announced proudly. “I'm almost seventeen.”

The three blonde Starkeys looked as if they could be related to Father Paul. They excused themselves to get in line for refreshments.

“
Welcome to Sad Horse, Rene,” Father Paul said, “and welcome to our unique set of social problems. We have a lot of school drop-outs.” He greeted a young brunette woman with a hug and presented her to Rene. “This is Lorelei King, M.D. She does make house calls.” He departed to greet other parishioners.

“
I'm so happy to meet you,” the doctor said with a softly accented voice. Her large blue eyes sparkled with interest.

“
Where are you from, Doctor?” Rene asked.

“
I'm from Alabama, but I've been here two years. Came right after I passed the boards. Everyone calls me Doc.”

“
And I'm Rene. How did you happen to come here?”

“
It's the money. Don't get me wrong. I like it here just fine and I may get used to the cold someday, but I’m here because of the money.”

“
That’s my answer, too,” Rene said. “Surely a doctor could make great money anywhere. And you're client base here must be much smaller than you would have in a city.”

“
Too true, but I'm in hock for my education up to my eyebrows. The government actually subsidizes new doctors to set up practice in remote areas. Between what they shell out and my patients I'll be able to repay my student loans much faster. Besides, in a city, I would be lucky to be an associate in a large practice. Here I'm the only doctor, and that suits me just fine. There’s a real hospital in Barlow Gap and I have privileges there, but my office is two doors down from the Post Office and I do make house calls.” She gave Rene her card. “Call me anytime.”

“
I feel so safe, now,” Cindy McCorkill said, joining them. “I have my husband, our teacher, my priest and my doctor all in the same room. I'm ready for anything.”

“
You've dropped your load.” The doctor placed her hand on Cindy's stomach. “Buddy, stay close. Won’t be long now.”

The grinning man beside Cindy was introduced as her husband, Buddy. Rene met the three McCorkill children, Sean, Cammy, a replica of her mother, and the scowling five-year-old, Nick.

“
I have a little girl almost your age,” Rene said to him.

“
I don't like girls!” Several people rolled their eyes.

“
Nicky, be good,” Cindy admonished as Buddy picked him up and tried to interest him in the cookies. “He's already acting out, I'm afraid.”

“
Introducing Rene to her little challenge?” Honeybee's velvety voice interrupted. She wore a dress of some deep blue silky fabric that clung to her curves and made swishing noises when she walked. A waft of rich spicy perfume floated around her.

Frenchy Dupuis nodded his greeting and followed close behind Honeybee to speak to Father Paul.

“
I hope you can handle Nick,” Cindy said. “He's a bit more difficult than the first two.”

“
I'll do my best.” Rene noticed an influx of newcomers crowding into the small meeting room.