A Wishing Moon (12 page)

Jade was no longer engaged to another woman! Arabella wanted to shout it from the rooftops. She couldn’t wait to tell Evangeline. She soon got the chance, the day was winding down and Angelique gathered them all to have some of the fragrant jambalaya and bread. When everyone had taken their seat, she made the announcement, “I called Kate Thompson’s house and I found out a couple of things.”

“
What did you find out?” Evangeline asked between bites of French bread.

“
Jade is alive, but badly injured, and Kate Thompson is no longer his fiancée.”

“
Do you think that woman broke up with him because of his injury?” Angelique asked.

“
Yes, I do. And I hate he had to go through such a betrayal, but I am also happy he is not involved with anyone else, either.” Arabella realized her feelings were very tender and conflicted. “Tonight, I intend to find out what Tranquility means.”

“
You will,” Nanette assured her. “This is meant to be.”

Arabella wished she felt as confident as her grandmother did. “Speaking of good looking men, what happened with Detective Garrison?”

“
He’s coming for dinner tomorrow,” Elizabeth happily reported. “As for what happened at Rachel’s, Tyler had agreed to begin an extensive excavation the day after tomorrow.”

“
I will be glad for those poor souls to find some comfort. Now, if we can only find the killer.” Angelique looked pointedly at Nanette.

Nanette picked up on her train of thought. “Let’s follow last night’s routine. Double-check the windows and doors and everyone wear their red flannel bags. Tomorrow is Christmas Day, so let‘s all get a good night’s sleep.”

Chapter Six

Arabella was so tired all she did was tuck the dream pillow underneath her own, hold on to the small shape as if it were a direct link to Jade, and before long fell, easily, asleep. Exhaustion forced her into a dreamless state for a few hours, but soon her heart overrode her tired body.

She became aware of a celestial wind, which blew the stars across the sky. Enchanted Rock glowed with a strange light and, as always, a hawk cried in the distance. She stared out over the rock and saw him coming from the farthest side of the dome. Her heart dancing with joy, she ran to meet him. She leapt into his arms and he caught her easily. Their lips met with passion and relief. Kissing him deeply was not enough. She wanted all of him. Tearing her mouth from his, she showered his face and neck with kisses. “You’re real—it’s all true! I found your picture on the Internet. Then, I found your engagement announcement and I thought I would die. I talked to her housekeeper and she told me the wedding had been called off and I came back to life.”

“
I want to make love to you. This may be our last few minutes together.”

What he said made no sense to her. Their time together had just begun. Arabella was convinced she would be able to find him in only a matter of days. Regardless, she could no more resist him than she could deny her next breath. He eased her lace camisole over her head.

“
You are undoubtedly the most beautiful woman in the world.” He reverently cupped the underside of both breasts and lifted them, tracing the shell pink nipples with his fingers. “Arabella, you are perfect—so delicate. Your skin is so soft. I can’t get enough of touching you.” He easily picked her up and carried her to a bed of grass nearby. Laying her on her back, he gazed down at her. “You have made Hell bearable for me. I will never forget you. Let me love you, please.”

“
I want you, Jade, desperately.” She held up her arms and welcomed him. He lay down beside her and caressed her face. His eyes studied her features, as if committing them to memory for eternity. He bent down and began kissing her brow, then playfully kissed down the bridge of her nose before capturing her jealous lips. Their tongues intertwined, tasting the passion that had arisen so quickly. His fingers teased her nipples and soon she was lifting her hips up from the ground in the soundless rhythm of life. His hand moved lower and eased the satin panties down her legs and out of the way.

Leaving her lips, his mouth began a tortuous, incredible journey down her throat, over her breasts, past her navel and into the petal-soft folds of her femininity. This had to be a dream, because nothing could have felt so good. He sweetly kissed every inch of her, his tongue foretelling the wonders to come. Moving upward, he found her pulsating, ultra-sensitive pearl and licked the little bud with the tip of his tongue until the constellations crashed and the sun exploded in the sky.

“
Hold me, I’m afraid I’ll disappear.”

He did not let her leave him. Ridding himself of his jeans, he covered her with his body. He cradled her until she stopped shaking and her breath returned to near normal. When her eyes met his, for the first time she felt shy. No one had ever done the things to her this man had, even if it was in a dream. Putting aside her reticence, she stared boldly at him, reached her hand down between them and touched the hard, hot erection eager for attention. “Please, inside me, please.”

He raised himself up, sat back and gently spread her legs. With one hand, he opened her tight depths, which were moist and aching to be filled. Never leaving her gaze, he lifted each leg and placed them on either side of his thighs. She trembled in anticipation.

“
Guide me, Arabella.”

Realizing what he wanted, she reached out and closed her hand around his thick, engorged penis. His cock moved in her palm and she was fascinated at the life she held in her hand. Arching her hips, she drew him closer until the head of his member touched the moist heart of her vulva. Ever so gently, he eased himself down into her. The warm, wet haven stretched to accept his entrance.

The interior muscles of her womanhood contracted around his hard, male heat. There was no pain, only pleasure. His driving need thrust into her again and again, and she felt her desire change from joyful acceptance to a burning hunger. As he maintained the pumping strokes, her legs involuntarily wrapped around his waist and she pushed herself even deeper onto his rock-hard shaft. She watched his face as the emotions of overwhelming sensation flowed over him. She had never known how insatiable she could be, as she moved to meet him—lifting her hips to rock against him; hot, wet, and with voluptuous abandon. She did not want this dream to end; she relished every moment and every sensation. Soon, however, urgency began to build and her hands clutched his arms as her entire world condensed down into the pounding strokes that built and built until she could not hold her release back one more moment—she climaxed rapturously in pulsating waves of ecstasy.

The ripples of bliss kept her hips rocking as Jade neared his peak. He adjusted her hips so he could raise himself up and sit upright while he continued to pump into her ultra-sensitive core. “This is paradise, baby. I want you to feel so good. Let me play with those tits, again. You like that, don’t you?”

That he remembered how sensitive her nipples were pleased her. As he rode her to another pinnacle, he massaged her breasts and teased the swollen tips. She had not known she was capable of feeling the euphoria of another climax, but as he increased the speed and the intensity of his movements, she again felt herself building to another earth shattering release. He went with her this time, groaning—his magnificent body shuddering with uninhibited satisfaction.

After savoring every nuance of pleasure, he pulled himself from her and lay down next to her side. Pushing her damp hair back from her face, Jade tenderly kissed the tears from her eyes. “Listen to me Arabella. I have to tell you how happy you have made me. My ordeal is almost over. I heard the doctor say my situation is hopeless and they plan to unhook me from the machines and let me die. My organs can be of use to other people and I realize since there is no hope; I am worth more dead than alive. The only regret I have is leaving you.”

She had tried to interrupt him several times, but he had kept two fingers over her lips until he could finish talking. Finally, she reached up, pushed his hands away and cried, “No, no, no—I will come to you. Just tell me how to find you, please don’t leave me. I will come to you, immediately. Tell me how to find you!” She pled with him in a voice, which clearly told him her heart was breaking.

“
I know all of this is futile, nothing can be done for me. I am selfish, though; I would love to see you. Come to me if you can, I am at a place called Tranquility. Remember, when you come, it will appear as if I am just a shell. You won’t know by looking at me, but I can hear and understand everything that goes on around me.” His words tore through her soul. He forced her to look at him, realizing the winds of reality were about to sweep over them. “Thank you for the most wonderful times of my life. You are unbelievable, a beautiful dream come true.”

Arabella woke herself up with weeping. Like a child, she wanted to be comforted. Leaving her bed, she sought the consolation of her mother. Walking barefoot down the hall, she gently opened the door of Elizabeth’s room and crept in to curl up next to the woman who always knew the right things to say, and how to heal every wound.

“
What’s wrong, baby?” Elizabeth asked as she became conscious of no longer being alone. “Oh, Arabella, it’s Jade isn’t it?” She leaned over and turned on the bedside light. “We will find him.” As always, when they were together—words, on her part, weren’t always necessary. She reached over and gathered her grown daughter into her arms. “Don’t cry, sweetie. We will fix this.” She glanced over to the digital clock on the bedside table. “Baby, this is five-thirty on Christmas morning, the best day in the world for miracles. Go take a shower and get dressed. I will get Mother up and we will get ready, too. After you’re dressed, we will look this Tranquility up on the Internet, and then we will high-tail it out to see about this fella of yours. He may be in the wrong political party, but if you love him—that’s all that matters to me.”

* * * *

He had missed killing. The rage that made his brain raw seemed to be assuaged to a certain degree. He dreamt of it so often, this taking of life. He knew this power was his right and his calling. The Lord had told him, in no uncertain terms, that society needed to be cleansed of the impurities which contaminated His creation and he had been sanctified to serve as the Lord’s hand of judgment.

He washed his own hands at the sink. Over and over he’d washed his hands. The blood was all gone, but the stench of sin remained. He tried not to touch the bitch and her squalling spawn, but the microscopic germs of their filthiness had seeped through the rubber gloves he’d worn.

There were others who would soon feel the wrath of God. He could read the signs and interpret the scriptures. There was much work to be done. Whores, unbelievers, faggots and ignorant liberals all must be brought to their knees and he had just the rod strong enough to beat them into submission.

They thought they were so smart, using the devil to locate the dump where he’d thrown the Lord’s garbage. Damn pagans! The Bible said you shouldn’t allow a witch to live. He, the Righteous, intended to follow the teachings of Scripture to the letter.

* * * *

On a normal Christmas morning, they would have gotten up and eaten breakfast. Next, they would have gathered around the tree and opened presents in their pajamas. Today, would be different. There was important work to be done. Evangeline helped Arabella search the Internet for a place called Tranquility. After only three tries, they hit the jack-pot.
Tranquility Place
was an extended care facility, located about thirty miles north, near Llano.

Arabella was anxious. She fluttered around, urging everyone to hurry. They humored her and didn’t keep her waiting too long, dressing in record time. Angelique and Evangeline volunteered to stay and get everything ready for Christmas dinner. Once they found Jade, then a decision would be made as to the wisest way to proceed.

They took Nanette’s Jaguar. Elizabeth turned the English car loose and let the big sedan run as fast as the law would allow, plus a smidge. Arabella was, obviously, as nervous as a canary in a cathouse.

“
I know in my heart Jade has to be in terrible danger. We’ll be able to help him when we get there, won’t we, grandmother?”

“
Yes, baby.” She knew her grandmother intended to move heaven and earth to make her dreams come true.

“
Jade mentioned the doctor said there was no hope; that he would not live much longer and his organs would be harvested to give to other people. What do you think that means, exactly?”