Whispers of Danger and Love (9 page)

They swung their hands and bumped shoulders as they walked into the growing darkness. It was a pleasant night with little traffic and almost no wind. Most folks were at home eating dinner. As they crossed the street, David rested a hand in the middle of her back and reached across to hold her hand with his other one.

I’m protected from the absolute world, she thought. Nothing bad can ever happen to me when I am with this man. I’ve been in love with him for half my life and I sincerely hope he never finds out.

Her grandmother had said he had growing up to do before he would be ready for a real relationship. She never said how many years it would take, but sometimes Cheryl would get tantalizing glimpses of the man he could be.

Cheryl suppressed her feelings as best she could. Her heart was still in serious danger with this man until she could find a way to make him ordinary. He had broken her young teenage heart with a casual promise not kept, but eventually she had recovered. She had gotten over it, but never had she forgotten her disappointment.

David could destroy her if she wasn’t careful and it would only be her fault. She was certain she knew him—what he was and what he wasn’t.

David had many holes in her expectations for a perfect mate. He was never going to qualify as a candidate for a lifetime partner. Was she even in the market for a permanent relationship? His eye was ever roving for one thing. Yes, she knew he was fond of her, but fondness did not hold up to a full-time commitment.

Her grandmother had promised one day David Larkin would grow up and be less callused toward her feelings.

“Young men are pretty self-serving, Cheryl. They need a few years on them before they can see others.”

Cheryl was afraid David would never see her as anything other than the tagalong next-door neighbor she had once been. He would protect her and fight anyone who abused her like the football player on prom night, meanwhile stealing a kiss for himself without a thought to her feelings.

She sighed. What a dilemma.

Chapter 8

Okay, Cheryl admitted to herself, David Larkin was pretty special. She wasn’t the only female who felt that way, and she was acutely aware of it. She was supposed to be working on her account books, but the pouring rain outside was giving her the day off. There was just too much mud to continue the work, and she needed the precious time to catch up on other jobs and paperwork. Besides, they were way ahead of where she expected to be. Even Francine had commented on the efficiency of the workers. Did that have anything to do with David?

She scoffed. He couldn’t arrange all that.

Okay, she agreed he was a pretty special fellow, but he wasn’t the president or anything. Be hard to think otherwise after that fiasco at dinner the other night. She had chosen the restaurant so she couldn’t blame the waitress’s behavior on David.

She was all over him, hanging those plastic breasts practically on his nose
.
Cheryl thought at first it was an old girlfriend, or a current one, but no. David, to give him credit, didn’t encourage the pushy woman, but he grinned later, leaning over and winking at Cheryl. “Think she likes me?”

Cheryl had acerbically replied that it was probably the tip she liked. But to be honest, she knew better. Big David Larkin, Detective extraordinary at the Hubbard Police Department, was a virile, good-looking male, and the ladies knew it. Some merely cut their eyes as he walked by and some, like the waitress, were brazen enough to flirt right in front of his date. They all treated him like so much male eye candy. It was no wonder David had a difficult time settling down. It must be hard to choose just one piece when you’re let loose in a candy store.

Cheryl reminded herself to steel her resolve against ole Eye Candy Man himself. No way was she going to enter the competition, history between them or not. It was already difficult enough just going through with this ‘let’s be friends’ kick David seemed to be on.

Remember who he is, Cheryl. David Larkin, Hedge Hopper, Plant Killer, and breaker of little girl’s hearts.
As fascinating as he was, Cheryl knew that eventually, if she allowed herself to be drawn into the vortex that was David, disaster would happen. It always had and Cheryl would historically be too intrigued to resist.

Not this doggone time
. She looked up as the bell on the door tingled and the parrot shifted on her perch and squawked, “Come in, come in. The door is open.”

A young couple entered the shop. The attractive redheaded woman was wearing tailored linen pants and a silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Her young executive-type escort sported a blue blazer and charcoal slacks which shouted new money. Both owned expensive orthodontist smiles.

“Hi, welcome to Garden Design for You. I’m Cheryl. How can I help you?”

“Hi, I’m Betts. This is my husband, Jack Malone. We know your parents from the country club.”

They each smiled broadly as if they knew a secret and Cheryl didn’t.

“That’s nice.” Cheryl politely waited for more information. She had a bad feeling about this couple.

“We were chatting with your folks at the buffet the other night, and they thought you would be able to help us with a unique problem.”

Again flashed the dazzling smiles.

“I will certainly try my best. Could you give me a short outline of the task?” Cheryl almost hoped it was out of her league. She had enough on her hands right at the moment.

“Well.” Jack’s face flushed slightly. “I play a little golf, but my game isn’t all that great.” He tugged at his collar, and Betts patted him reassuringly. He grabbed her hand.

“Can you design a golf course with a few holes and a putting green for my backyard?” he asked all in a rush.

Back came the grins. Cheryl decided the smiles were to cover uncertainly and embarrassments and she warmed a bit.

“Certainly I can design a golf course, but how big is your backyard? There are limitations to what I can accomplish without acreage, you know.”

A golf course! Now that was a new one for her. What on earth had her parents gotten her into this time? Bad enough her mother kept encouraging her ex-fiancé. Cheryl could enlighten her that marrying a doctor was only a cliché if she’d listen. She put aside her musings and concentrated on setting the couple at ease.

“We own about five acres but the sub division has restrictions on yard design. We wondered if you could disguise it as gardens. Perhaps with some casual screening from the street to give us a bit more privacy? It could be compact. Just a few holes and a putting green?”

“It would be a challenge, but wouldn’t it be easier for you to just go to a pro shop and arrange for lessons? This could run into some real money, you know.”

The young man flushed. “I can deduct it as a business expense and legitimately too. I entertain VIP clients and they insist on their privacy. Is this something you can do?”

Cheryl was quiet for a moment while the couple waited. It was a strange request. Might be best to consult her lawyer before she went much further. Actually, the situation intrigued her, and she thought she might enjoy the challenge. What was the worst thing that could happen? Her investigation would prove the unsuitability of the project, and she would need to withdraw? That didn’t sound so terrible.

“How about I come by to see your property before I commit? Would tomorrow be convenient?” The appointment was arranged, and the couple left with the parrot singing out that parting was such sweet . . .
awkk
.

“Wow. This could run into a large challenge, not to mention I could use the funds. What do you think, Gany? Should I thank Mom and Dad for the vote of confidence? It was certainly a nice surprise to learn they think I could accomplish a project this size. I’m talking to a bird again. Grandmother would laugh, wouldn’t she?” Cheryl filled the parrot’s food dish with seeds and a chopped-up apple. The parrot murmured approval while tilting its head to one side and eyeing the tastiest morsels before settling down to eat.

If she could work it, she could start this job just as the Toledo one was ending—or meld the two together, phasing one out as the other started up. It might work. She’d need to check out the budget before her head started designing gardens to hide a golf course, even a limited one.

With her imagination firmly in her notebook designing sand traps, Cheryl absently picked up her phone without checking caller ID. And groaned.

“Gordon. Don’t you ever work?” She tapped her pen rapidly on the desk. When would he ever give up and leave her in peace?

“No, no, and no.” . . . She tried to keep her voice quiet to disguise her rising fury. “Those days are absolutely over. I am working, a fact you failed to respect when we were engaged . . . I certainly will not accompany you on a business trip.” She gazed out the window cursing the day she ever met this man.

“I don’t much care what you think, Gordon. Our engagement ended almost a year ago, but you seem to be in some sort of time warp. Listen to me carefully.” How could she get it across to him? What word selection could she choose that would finally penetrate his closed-off mind?

“I do not want you to call this number again unless you are ordering plants for your garden. And even then, I will refer you to someone else. Our relationship is over and at this point, I’m questioning whether I want to be your friend. Let it go, Gordon. Do yourself a favor and let it go.” She listened to his pseudo-calm protestations for a second—she knew he was fuming—but he prided himself on keeping his cool. It was all part and partial of his control issues. He just could not believe a mere woman would dump his bullying behind. Well, she had had it and it was time she got tough enough to convince him.

“Good-bye, Gordon.” She hung up the phone in his mid-sentence and slumped across the desk. Immediately the phone rang again and she glared at it before finally picking it up.

“I told you not to call this number again! If you keep this up I’ll . . .”

Jane was sputtering on the other end of the line.

“Oh, I thought you were that maddening ex-fiancé of mine,” Cheryl interrupted her. “He keeps on acting as if I hadn’t broken the engagement months ago.” . . . She closed her bankbook.

“I know! It’s exactly why I did break off the relationship. He just sees people as something he controls. He manipulates to get what he wants and doesn’t consider the other person’s feelings at all. Probably thinks I’m one of his employees who must do what he says without question.” . . . She glanced at the clock. Her free rain day was rapidly coming to a close and she hadn’t gotten half the work done she had intended.

“Pizza? Sure, but could you bring it over here? I still have work to do and if I leave . . . right. Around an hour from now? Pepperoni and mushrooms, oh, and green peppers and olives, sausages if you like them. Thanks, friend. You’ve cheered me up. See you in a little bit.”

Cheryl hung up and turned to the parrot. “You about ready to retire, Gany? It’s been a busy day in spite of the weather, hasn’t it?” Cheryl knew she sounded just like her nana, talking to a bird as if she could understand. She pulled the cover over the cage and turned out the lights.

“Just time for a few words on my column. What shall I write about this week?” She sat down at the kitchen table and opened her laptop.

“Shopping for your Plants”

by Cheryl

There are many places to obtain plants for your garden. Local nurseries are probably the number one choice. You can inspect the merchandise on the spot. The nurseryman can answer any questions you have about the plant, including the particular zone it thrives in best. Know your local agricultural zone. A plant can be gorgeous during the summer, but unless it is winter hardy to your area, you are not likely to see it another year. Think Florida and then Maine. The plantings would need different requirements: Florida flora must withstand the heat, whereas Maine plants should stand up to harsh winters. Most local nurserymen are ethical and will notify you of the plant’s hardiness. This is not always true about the plant sections of the box stores.

For one thing, the clerks might not know. They are taught to water the plants and to service the checkout counter. Plant people they may not be. The lower price could be tempting, but what you gain in bargain hunting may be lost when your plant fails to thrive.

Form a relationship with the person you buy your plants from the same as you would in any other professional relationship, with the exception of those people who absolutely insist on nursing a sick plant back to health or playing hospice to the ones who die. Another word of caution, examine the plant carefully before you purchase. Look for diseased leaves and pest that may be lurking. One ill plant could infect your entire garden.

Farmers’ markets and neighbors are two good sources for plants. Farmers who bring their merchandize to market are local citizens. They know the zone and the conditions of the area. Neighbors who garden need a place to unload excess perennials which have been split. Lucky you if you have a neighbor like that.

A knock on the door made her pause but she didn’t turn around. She needed to finish the column.

“Come on in, Jane.” She kept working and jumped when a kiss and scratchy beard landed on her bare neck. David. She looked up and held his gaze. She could see immediately that he was tired, wet, and upset. He slide into the chair beside hers and put his head on the table.

“I need you, Cheryl. Please?”

She closed her laptop and rose to stand behind him. “Who helped you when you were away?” she asked as she kneaded his shoulders and massaged his neck. He groaned in ecstasy as she dug into the tense muscles.

“No one ever could help me like you do, little Cher. You have the magic fingers of a saint. Ahhh, just a little to the right.”

“What’s got you upset? I can see you are in a twist about something. Come on, out with it.” She tugged his ear gently and ran her fingers through his thick hair.

“Can’t tell you. Some things are best left unsaid, but I can attest to the fact that there is no limit to what man can do to man. Some sort of quote there, I think, but it’s true. And disgusting. It gave me a major headache. You know how I feel when it concerns young people.”

He straightened up and shrugged his massive shoulders back and forth. Then he reached for her hand. “You are the sweetest, Cher. It feels so much better. Did I hear you say Jane was coming over?”

“Yep, and I hope she’ll have enough food for you too. How about I make a salad to round it out? Why don’t you go into the bathroom and towel off until the pizza gets here? She might have wings too.”

He nodded but leaned over to kiss her on top her head while holding her to him briefly. Cheryl leaned her head against his chest and made no protest. He was harmless when his stress headache was acting up. Tension could and often did trigger it. He’d suffered with them since puberty.

As he left the room, Jane entered the back door laden with food. She did indeed have Buffalo wings as well as a large pizza. David must have sniffed it out. She dropped it all on the table and collapsed into a kitchen chair.

“Whew. That rain is fierce. Could hardly see to drive that last mile. Do we need to build an ark? What’re you making? I thought I’d covered all the bases. Oh.”

Jane stared, and her mouth dropped open as David, partially wrapped in a blanket, came bare-chested into the room.

“Oh my,” she said. “You’re here. Hello, David. How are you?” She started to babble staring at the tangle of black hair on his chest which arrowed down in an intriguing v and disappeared into a pair of well-fitted jeans.

Cheryl turned away. She couldn’t blame Jane. David was a spectacular sight. Cheryl had to busy herself to maintain her own calm balance at the sight of the partially naked detective.

“Can I dry your shirt, David?” she asked without turning around. She waited until he handed it to her then hurried to the back utility room. She leaned over the washing machine and took a deep breath.