Authors: Joanne Fluke
Eyes (11 page)
Within moments, it seemed, Connie was standing in front of a tall mirror in a dark green cashmere dress that hugged her figure and a pair of high-heeled leather boots that were the exact color of butterscotch candy.
“That looks great on you!” The salesgirl nodded. “We carry a leather coat that matches the boots, but it's on the expensive side.”
“How expensive?”
The salesgirl winced. “Over eight hundred dollars. I know that's a lot of money, but it's high-grade leather.”
Fifteen minutes later, Connie had loaded her purchases into the trunk and she was on her way back to the Lexington Arms. Alan was waiting for her; she could hardly wait to show him her new look. He'd be impatient. She'd been gone for a long while. But he was understanding and knew she had things to do.
She parked in the lot, then juggled her bags as she took the elevator to the second floor. She'd put on her new clothes for Alan, he was bound to like them, and then they'd have a nice romantic dinner that she'd order from room service. After dinner was over and they were cuddling in bed, she'd tell him exactly what she had to do to keep him alive forever.
CHAPTER 13
As she hopped on the freeway, Jill was singing Christmas carols along with the radio. The department party had been fun, and Captain Pierce had loved his Harley Davidson key chain. One of the young detectives had drawn her name. It was obvious that his wife had helped him shop, for Jill had opened her package to find a lovely wool scarf in her favorite shades of blue and purple.
Although she loved the scarf, it was the other gift she had received that was responsible for her good spirits. That was from Doug, and she'd giggled like a schoolgirl when she'd opened it. It was a five-pound box of chocolate-covered cherries in a gold box with a red and green plaid bow on top.
Jill had been embarrassed when she'd seen the photo Myron's assistant had delivered. Myron had caught her in profile with her head to one side, holding the red-and-white pom-poms in outstretched arms. Her skirt was too short and her sweater was too tight. She wondered how she could possibly give a gift like that to Doug.
But there hadn't been time for another photo session, so Jill had decided to make the best of it. She'd written her message on the front of the print with a silver felt-tipped pen, “You're a real winner, Jill.” Then she'd mounted the photograph in the silver frame she'd bought that morning, and she handed it to Doug, blushing.
He had been surprised and pleased when he'd seen the photograph. He'd even hugged her and told her he'd never feel deprived again, now that he had his own cheerleader photo. And he'd said that Jill was much prettier than Caroline had ever been!
Jill took the exit for River Road, stopping at the red light at the bottom of the ramp. While she was waiting for it to turn green, she reached down to lift the lid from her box of candy.
With the sweet taste of chocolate and a cherry in her mouth, Jill turned left and drove the last six blocks. She was smiling as she approached her house, but her smile turned to a frown when she noticed that Helen's blue Honda wasn't parked in its usual place. Neil hadn't had any therapy appointments scheduled for today. Where could they have gone?
Jill pulled into the garage and unlocked the door to the house. There was no need to worry. Helen was a responsible person. If she'd taken Neil somewhere in her car, she would have left a note. But there was no note on the pantry bulletin board or under the refrigerator magnets. Had there been some medical emergency so serious that Helen hadn't had time to call or even scribble a message?
“Helen? Are you here?” Jill's pulse was racing as she rushed into the living room. And then she saw it, a beautiful Christmas tree decorated with all her favorite ornaments.
“Hi, Jill. Surprise!”
Jill whirled around, and her eyes widened as she saw Neil. He was sitting on the couch, all dressed up, in a white shirt, tie, and his favorite tweed jacket. “Neil! Where's Helen?”
“I let her go a couple of minutes ago. We had your secretary call when you left the party, and we figured you'd be home about now.” Neil grinned and patted the couch next to him. “If you hand me that champagne bottle before you sit down, I think I can open it. You might have to pour, though.”
Jill lifted her eyebrows as she spotted the champagne chilling in a silver ice bucket on a stand. “Champagne? But . . . why?”
“It's our anniversary. Did you forget?”
Jill winced. She'd forgotten all about it. “I'm sorry, Neil. I did forget. But
you
remembered!”
you
remembered!”
“That's quite a switch, isn't it?” Neil laughed. “Maybe it's because I'm not working and I've got plenty of time to think about the important things in my life . . . like you, Jill. You're very important to me.”
Jill winced again. He was obviously waiting for a response, and she didn't want to hurt his feelings when he was being so thoughtful. “Thank you, Neil. You're very important to me, too.”
“How do you like the Christmas tree? We had it delivered this afternoon. I told Helen where you kept the decorations, and she trimmed it.”
“It's beautiful!” Jill sat down on the couch and gazed at the tree. Helen had done a marvelous job.
Neil popped the cork on the champagne and covered the mouth of the bottle with a clean, white towel. “I hope I didn't spill any.”
“Not a drop.” Jill reached out to take the bottle. She poured two glasses. “Thank you, Neil. I really wanted a Christmas tree. This was a lovely surprise.”
Neil grinned. “But that's not all. Helen set the table in the dining room, and we're eating in style tonight. The caterers will be here at six.”
Jill blinked and took a sip of her champagne. “Caterers?”
“That's right.” Neil seemed pleased that she was surprised. “We're having a smoked Norwegian salmon appetizer with capers and toast points, and an endive salad. The main course is filet with Bearnaise sauce. It comes with fresh asparagus and Lyonnaise potatoes. After that, we'll have coffee and strawberries Romanoff for dessert.”
Jill was so surprised, she almost dropped her glass of champagne. “But, Neil . . . that's exactly what we had for our wedding reception!”
“And you thought I didn't remember.” Neil reached out to hug her. “I remember every moment, Jill, and I love you even more than I did then.”
“I . . . I . . .” Jill was so flustered, she wasn't sure what to say. “I just can't believe you planned all this!”
“I didn't do it alone. Helen helped a lot. She even took me shopping. I've got an anniversary gift for you.”
Jill's mind was spinning as Neil reached under the cushion and took out a small gold box,
“Open it now, honey.” He handed it to her. “I can't wait to see if you like it.”
Jill's hands were trembling as she lifted the lid and drew out a beautiful heart pendant. A diamond was set in its center, and it hung from a delicate gold chain. “Neil! It's . . . it's gorgeous!”
“I thought you'd like it. Helen took me to a jeweler. I told him exactly what I wanted, and he made it for me. It's an original, honey. No one else has anything like it.”
Jill blinked back the tears of happiness that threatened to spill from her eyes. Neil was being so sweet. If things could only stay this way, they'd have a chance to make their marriage work.
* * *
The dinner was absolutely delicious, and after the caterers had left, Jill curled up on the couch with Neil. With the stereo turned to a classical station, she sipped the fine brandy the caterers had poured and smiled in contentment.
“Are you happy, honey?” Neil slipped an arm around her shoulders.
“Yes.” Jill nodded and snuggled a little closer, “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Neil.”
He began to grin. “But it's not over yet. Finish your brandy and let's go up to bed. I've got another surprise for you. I think Helen was a little embarrassed, but I bought something else for you at the mall.”
Jill's mind was whirling as they climbed the stairs, Neil's hand warm in hers. If only this moment could last forever, she could forget the mistakes of the past. Neil seemed to love her. He really did. Could she love him again if she let the painful memories go? Was it possible that they could start over and make their marriage work?
“Look under the pillow, honey.” Neil smiled at her as they entered the bedroom. “I think you're really going to like it.”
Jill walked to the bed and lifted the pillow to find a tissue wrapped package. She held it in her hand for a moment, regretting that she didn't have anything to give him in return.
“Go on, honey. Open it.”
Jill opened the package and gasped. Nestled inside the tissue paper was a lovely blue silk negligee trimmed with soft, fine lace.
“Do you like it?”
He sounded anxious, and Jill reached out to hug him. “I love it, Neil! But I really wish I'd remembered our anniversary. I didn't give you anything at all.”
“I can think of something you could give me.” Neil chuckled as he unzipped her dress and slipped it off on her shoulders. “And you wouldn't even have to go out shopping.”
Jill laughed. Then she kissed him. Neil wanted to make love to her, and it felt almost like their wedding night. He'd planned the perfect dinner, given her the perfect presents. He seemed like the old Neil, the Neil she'd married, and her body began to respond to him.
“It's been too long, honey.” Neil kissed her neck; then his lips traveled lower as he began to undress her. “I may not be able to see you, but I remember how lovely you are.”
Tears began to gather in Jill's eyes, and she reached out for him. Neil needed to know that she still loved him. What kind of wife would she be if she refused him?
And then they were on the bed, bodies pressing together. His fingers stroked her lovingly, and Jill felt the first warm flush of passion color her skin. His hands were gentle as they moved her to the center of the bed, and she moaned in pleasure as familiar caresses ignited the fire deep within her.
“I missed you, Jill.” Neil's voice was low, and it trembled slightly. “Did you miss me?”
“Yes. I missed you, too.” Jill's voice was choked with emotion. She'd missed the way things had been at the beginning, when she couldn't wait to be alone with Neil. She'd missed his kisses and the way they'd played on the rumpled sheets in his apartment. She'd missed the sense of belonging with him and knowing that he belonged with her, the assurance that came with love and passion.
And then he was inside her, the man she'd loved with all her heart. Jill cried out and lifted her hips, clasping him tightly and moaning deep in her throat. “Yes, Neil . . . yes!”
Time seemed to stand still as they merged and separated, merged and separated, in a rhythm as old as humanity. He followed, she led. She led, he followed. Their lips merged, their breath mingled. It was a dance of lust, their bodies sliding and pressing and swiveling and pounding until passion faded away and they were left with an exquisite memory.
They didn't speak. There was no need. Jill stroked his shoulders and sighed softly. It was a new beginning, and all her bitterness was washed away in a flood of love and passion.
She must have slept then, because daylight was beginning to color the horizon when she opened her eyes. She turned to Neil with a sigh, and he reached out for her again.
“Are you awake, honey?” Neil's voice was soft and caring.
“Yes.” Jill smiled at him in the dim gray light of dawn. “I'm awake.”
His hands were gentle, rubbing her back, and Jill snuggled closer. Then they were making love again, sleepy soft love in the early morning.
When it was over, they slept again until the sun came through the bedroom curtains. Another hug, another kiss, and Jill glanced at the clock on the dresser. “I'd better get up, honey. Helen'll be here soon. Do you want to get up now? Or would you rather sleep for a while?”
“Sleep. Tell Helen not to wake me before ten.”
Neil rolled over onto his side, and then he started to laugh. Jill stared at him for a moment, but his laugh was contagious and she joined in. “What's so funny?”
“Your new nightgown. You didn't even get to try it on.”
“You're right.” Jill grinned as she reached down to pick up the negligee. “But there's always tonight. I'll try to beat the traffic and get home early.”
“Okay, honey. See you tonight.”
Jill gathered up her clothes. So she wouldn't disturb Neil, she took them to the guest room to shower and dress. She felt wonderful, like a bride on her honeymoon, and she was smiling as she hurried down the stairs, got her heart pendant from the box by the couch, and clasped it around her neck.
By the time Helen rang the doorbell, Jill had the coffee ready. She opened the door, smiling. “Hi,” she said.
“Hello, Jill. Did you have a nice dinner last night?”
“It was wonderful!” Jill led the way to the kitchen. “Thanks for helping Neil shop. I just love my heart pendant and the negligee.”
Helen nodded. “I didn't do much. I just drove him around. He knew exactly what he wanted to buy.”
“Isn't it beautiful?” Jill touched the pendant. “He was so proud of himself for getting me something original. He told me he had the jeweler make it up and no one else has anything like it.”
Helen nodded, but she started to frown. “Does Mr. Bradley have a sister?”
“No, he's an only child.” Jill noticed Helen's frown. “What's wrong, Helen?”
“Nothing a little coffee won't fix. What time does Mr. Bradley want to get up?”
Jill began to feel anxious. Helen usually called Neil by his first name, but today she'd called him Mr. Bradley. “Are you sure there's nothing wrong?”
“The traffic was brutal this morning.” Helen walked to the counter and poured herself a cup of coffee. “You'd better allow some extra time. Every snowplow in the city is out.”
Jill nodded. “I'm glad I've got a flexible schedule today. It doesn't matter if I'm a little late, and I'll try to get home early.”
“Good.” Helen nodded. “I'll start dinner if you want me to. There's a nice ham, and you can have the leftovers for sandwiches over the weekend.”
Jill smiled. “Ham sounds wonderful. Thank you, Helen. I really don't know what I'd do without you.”
“Me, neither!”
Helen laughed and that made Jill feel much better. Perhaps she'd just been reading too much into Helen's expression. It really wasn't that unusual for Helen to refer to Neil as Mr. Bradley. She might have done it before; Jill just hadn't noticed.
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