On Ice (33 page)

“
No, of course not! I’m just recalling that my husband wouldn’t allow me to breast-feed my babies. He thought my body belonged to him.” There was a long silence.

“
I’m sorry. It’s natural, and,” she giggled, “it’s handier than going to the store in the dead of winter.”

Rene smiled down at her. “You’re very lucky.”

“
You made me appreciate my husband even more than I knew.”

When the baby was settled once more, Cindy set up an account and showed Rene how to e-mail. They practiced on Nadine. A quick reply was their reward.
What are you goofy girls doing?

“
That’s it? It was so easy!” Rene shrieked.

“
Now, answer her,” Cindy commanded.

Rene thought a moment then typed and sent her message.
Cindy’s been teaching a dinosaur how to surf.

They both laughed as Rene and Nadine bantered back and forth. Cindy gave Rene the e-mail addresses of all the people in town she could think of, the URLs of the library in Anchorage and the University of Alaska and taught her to use Google.

“
These are information sites for when you get stuck doing a cross-word puzzle or when the kids ask you a question and you don’t want to admit you don’t know everything.” Cindy showed her how to make a loop so she could e-mail several of her friends at once.

“
I included Father Paul, Ben, Nadine, Honeybee, Hank and Bernie, Brett, and of course, me.”

“
Brett?” Rene’s voice faltered again.

“
Yes, Brett,” Cindy said with finality. “I refuse to give up on the two of you.”

“
I think we’ve given up on each other,” Rene said.

“
If that was true, you wouldn’t feel so bad.”

~*~

“
This is the day!” Ted announced, almost bouncing into the bedroom.

“
It’s Tuesday morning, Ted.” Maddy stopped brushing her gleaming ash-blonde hair to gaze at her husband’s reflection in the mirror. “Please pardon me for saying so what, but...so what?”

“
It’s more than Tuesday, my beloved.” Ted seemed to be gloating.

“
It’s not our anniversary and it’s not anybody’s birthday that I can recall.” She gave her hair one final stroke and tossed the brush into a drawer. “What’s so special about this particular Tuesday?” Turning to place her palms against Ted’s chest, she splayed her fingers out, her manicured nails making a scratching sound against his starched shirt. She leaned against him, the warmth of her body penetrating his crisp armor through her filmy negligee.

“
You’re quite delectable in this peach froth, dear one.” Ted enfolded her in an embrace, but managed to slide his hands down her sleek backside first, giving her derriere a loving squeeze. After years of practice, they seemed to know just how their bodies should fit together and just how their lips should touch and caress each other.

Maddy’s eyes widened as Ted pulled away.

“
Get dressed, quickly.”

“
What?”

“
You know
. . .
apparel, clothing.”

“
I had rather thought I might be unclothed after that kiss.” Her voice held a petulant edge.

“
I’m more than a plaything. You can’t always use and abuse me.” Ted was clearly enjoying her discomfort.

“
Oh, yes, I can. It’s in the fine print.”

Ted took a deep breath as his gaze swept over the slender woman standing before him. “Don’t be naughty, dear one.”

“
I’m always naughty. It’s an art form.” She circled his torso with her arms.

“
Not now, Maddy.”

“
What? Has the magic gone out of our marriage? Is the honeymoon finally over?” She stood with her fists on her hips.

“
Nothing of the sort. It’s just that we have guests coming?”

“
So early? What were you thinking?” She stomped into her dressing room. “All right, tell me who’s coming at this ungodly hour?”

“
T.J. McCann, for one.”

“
For one! Does this mean she has something to report?” Maddy held her breath.

“
That’s why our other guests are coming.”

“
Oh, you beast! Don’t torture me,” she said. “Tell me the whole story, before I scream.”

“
The Chief of Police and his most trusted detective are coming to take a real report on Mark’s attacks. This report won’t be wiped out of the computer. T.J. can give an account of his current activities and tell how she located him.”

“
Oh, finally! Payback time for Mark Desmond.”

~*~

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The knocking on the door was strong and persistent.

Rene’s head jerked up from the papers she was grading. A chill scurried along her spine, although the cabin was cozy enough.

Seth and Sara had been constructing a colorful tower of interlocking plastic building pieces, but they appeared to be frozen in place. The fear in their eyes mirrored Rene’s.

Once more, she considered their isolation. They were at the mercy of predators. The knocking resumed, imperious, demanding attention. Quietly, she lifted an edge of the curtain and peered out into the gathering dusk.

A tow truck was in the clearing, but how had it gotten there without her hearing it?

“
Who is it?” she called through the door.

“
Ernst Schraeder,” boomed the gruff reply. “I vant to talk about the truck.”

“
Oh, yes. Just a minute.” Rene sucked in a deep breath and pulled the heavy bolt from the doorframe.

He looked like a grizzly bear looming over her as she opened the door. A rush of cold air swept in, causing the flames in the fireplace to dance. He stamped his feet and ducked to avoid striking his head as he crossed the threshold.

“
Let me take your jacket,” Rene offered, but he shook his head.

“
I just stay a little.” He shifted from one foot to the other and pulled the eared cap from his head. He shoved it in his pocket and removed his gloves, slapping his open palm with the gloves several times. His big rough hands were reddened from weather and hard work.

“
I made fresh coffee. Won’t you please join me for a cup?” She gestured toward the table.

“
I don’t vant to trouble you,” he said, dropping his voice to a whisper.

Rene poured coffee and set cookies on a plate close to his elbow. She sat across from him and smiled encouragingly as he slurped the contents of his cup.

“
What’s the word on the truck?” she said when he seemed reluctant to speak.

“
Vord?” He seemed puzzled and then recovered his focus. “Oh, der truck, she is goot. Vell, not goot but better.”

“
Really?” Rene brightened.

“
Ya, I got her runnin’ but she’s still banged up.”

“
That’s great,” Rene said. “How much to repair it?”

“
It’s more den just repairs. I got to do lots of body vork to get her back to her original shape.” He drained the cup noisily and popped a cookie in his mouth.

Rene refilled his cup. “How much will it cost to fix the truck?”

“
It’s not the money I vant.” His eyes were locked on his coffee.

Rene felt her heart quicken. Not want money? What could he want? She glanced at the children who had returned to their building set. “I’m not sure what you mean, Mr. Schraeder.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “If you don’t want money, what is it you want?” She clasped her hands on the tabletop.

“
I vant you teach me to read,” he blurted out. He nodded his head vigorously. “Ya, I vant to read.”

Rene almost laughed, but caught herself in time. “Oh, Mr. Schraeder. I would be happy to teach you to read, but I have to pay you for restoring the truck.”

“
Dat is not needed. I like vorking on de old girl. She’s a real sveet ting. I mean to tell you.” He grinned for the first time.

“
How about Sunday afternoons? Could you come then?”

“
Ya, it is goot. I told my wife I vood teach her vat you teach me und she can learn, too.”

Rene looked at him over her coffee cup, sipping the now tepid brew. “Mr. Schraeder, why don’t you bring her with you? I think you could learn more easily together.”

“
Oh, ya. Ve vill be here.” He rose from the table with a bounce, his dark mood gone.

Rene bolted the door after him, leaning against the rough-hewn door with a sigh. They would have transportation again. The old girl was running. Maybe Nadine could give her some winter driving tips.

The following afternoon, Nadine and Rene pushed small carts up and down the aisles of Hank and Bernie’s store. The children read comic books, squatting on the rough floor in front of the slightly rusty rack. Rene inhaled deeply. The building seemed to have an aroma of its own. It smelled of baked goods and coffee, spices and pickles. The familiar odors were comforting. She smiled to herself when Mrs. Jolly bustled up behind her.

“
Don’t you just look like the cat that swallowed the canary?”

Rene started, whirling to face her. “Whatever do you mean?” She stared at the woman her mouth slightly agape. The white hair had been dyed a dark brown shade. Rene struggled to think of something to say. She couldn’t remove her gaze from the shining dark cap of curls. Gone was the tightly wound little bun. Not so the white face with powder settling into the lines radiating from her pinched little mouth.

“
I mean, you look mighty satisfied with yourself.”

“
Satisfied with myself?” Rene asked, a feeling of irritation stirring in her chest.

“
I thought perhaps you might be thinking of Brett and his misery.” She sniffed slightly.

“
Brett? Misery? What are you talking about?” Rene struggled to control her rising anger with the old busybody.

Mrs. Jolly looked down her nose and pursed her mouth to the size of a dime. “You know the poor boy has been hurt enough. First his wife leaves him. Then you lead him on and turn your back on him.” She closed her eyes, clutching her hand to her chest. “Oh, cold, cold heart. How could you be so cruel?”

Rene shook her head, opened her mouth to speak and then shut it again.
The gall of this woman! Could she really think she had the right to accuse me this way?

“
Oh, Hi, Mrs. J!” Nadine called. “How do you like that ‘Midnight Bronze’ color? Did the Rev like your new do?” She pushed her cart up to block Rene’s escape.

Mrs. Jolly actually blushed, reaching back to fluff her short locks. “I like it and the Reverend Goodnight was very complimentary,” she looked around the store in a conspiratorial manner, dropping her voice to a loud stage whisper, “he asked me to be his bride.” Her blush deepened.

Nadine grinned widely. “Isn’t that lovely? When’s the happy day?”

Mrs. Jolly sniffed again, looking pointedly at Rene. “I know the Reverend Goodnight needs me and his son certainly needs a mother, but I raised Brett and I can’t turn my back on him now during his darkest hour.”

“
What are you talking about, Mrs. J?” Nadine crossed her arms across her bosom. “In case you haven’t noticed, Brett is a full-grown man and the only thing wrong with him is he’s got too much stuffing in his shirt. Perhaps you should cut down the starch you’ve been putting in them lately.”

“
Why, I never!” It was Mrs. Jolly’s turn to look peeved. “Just what do you know about it anyway?”

“
Not any more than you do, which means we should both keep our noses out of it.” Nadine arched her flaming brows and clamped her fists on her hips.

Mrs. Jolly was forced to drag her cart out of the narrow aisle backwards, still making loud snorting noises.

Nadine caught Rene’s glance and then looked as though she would burst with laughter, her face turning as red as her hair. Rene held her sides as she struggled to contain her mirth.

“
Whoa! What a hoot!” Nadine wiped her eyes.

“
It was funny, but I’m so angry.” Rene watched Mrs. Jolly slam her purchases on the small counter as Bernie began to ring them up on the big shiny brass cash register. “I can’t believe she blames me for Brett’s supposed misery. If he’s so miserable, why doesn’t he call or come over? He’s the one who pulled away. And what does she mean comparing me to his ex-wife?”

“
I suppose it’s natural. Both of you were cheechako’s. He brought her from his college down below.” Nadine shook her head slightly. “She didn’t make it a year. Hightailed it out before the freeze up. I personally think you’re a much better match for Brett.”

“
I came here to teach, not to find a husband.” Rene felt the color rising in her cheeks. “And for the record, I didn’t dump Mr. Brett LeCroix.” She raised her voice slightly at the end of her sentence. Mrs. Jolly’s only response was to snatch her purchases from Bernie and slam the door behind her.