Facing Evil Page 8

  Abby tried to quash the smirk growing on her face as Sarah rambled on. She already knew that it was something Sarah did when she was nervous. “And...and when I tried to grab for something, all there was... Wait! You dove in after me with your cast on.”

  Abby looked down at the blue fiberglass, “Yeah. It got a little wet inside, but it’s fiberglass.”

  “I know that. Still, it had to hurt.” This time Sarah’s hand came up and she held Abby’s chin while she turned her face to see the side of her eye and cheek. “That’s going to be nasty. I wish there was something I could do to make it better.” Sarah caught the look on Abby’s face and she turned her chin to look in her eyes.

  The room was suddenly thick with silence in a new atmosphere laden with unspoken desires. Never before had Abby been so drawn to someone, a woman she knew very little about, yet wanted to. Many thoughts went through her mind, but there was one screaming the loudest. What if she’s not...echoed repeatedly in Abby’s head as she looked long and hard into Sarah’s eyes.

  Abby knew she couldn’t hide who she was any longer, any more than she could hide her fear of the “what ifs” going around in her head. What if Sarah isn’t? What if she hates gays and lesbians? Or worse, what if she’s with someone — male or female? The questions flashed quickly through Abby’s mind. Her answer was that she had to tell Sarah and then hold her breath as she waited for a response. “Sarah, I think there’s something I had better tell you,” she said in a voice barely louder than a whisper.

  Telling someone she was gay was one of the hardest things for her to do. It was a gamble, no matter how confident she was. She knew of parents who had disowned children, brothers who had walked away from sisters, and friends who had disappeared faster than their mother’s hopes of a big white wedding and grandchildren. Optimistic people would say: “If they love you, it won’t matter”, and in a perfect world, that would be true, but the world Abby lived in wasn’t perfect. In her world, people judged without knowledge and hated without reason. When she met someone new, inevitably the time would come when she would have to decide: do I tell or don’t I? She weighed the risk versus the desire for honestly. Should she tell friends? Should she tell colleagues? Who should she tell, and when? She knew it was a gamble, it always was when she had to tell someone something so private and personal, but it was worse if she didn’t tell and they found out on their own.

  “Abby?”

  The sound of her name pulled the woman from her thoughts. Looking into Sarah’s face, she suddenly lost courage. The price of honesty, losing Sarah’s friendship, was too high. “I, umm...” She let her eyes drift downward, though she was vividly aware of the soft touch of Sarah’s fingers still on her chin.

  “You, uh...” Sarah once again lifted the detective’s chin, “you saved my life, and for that I am, and always will be,” she leaned forward and placed a soft and gentle kiss on Abby’s cheek, “grateful.”

  Abby closed her eyes and wallowed in the moment. She leaned forward, wanting acceptance, wanting another kiss, this time one of passion — on the lips, and as she looked down at the mouth inches away from her own, she was certain Sarah wanted it too. Kiss me like you want me. I know you want me, I can sense it. She wants me, and I want her— her lips, her—

  “Abby! Sarah!”

  The sound of Günter’s panicked voice pulled them apart but they continued to stare into each other’s eyes. There were questions and reactions but no words as Günter’s voice boomed, “Abby, are you in there?” His heavy steps pounded across her deck.

  Looking into Sarah’s eyes, Abby couldn’t find the words she wanted to say as her eyes drifted downward to Sarah’s lips.

  “Abby!”

  “You’d better answer him,” Sarah whispered as she looked away.

  Is she embarrassed, ashamed? Look at me, Sarah. But Günter wouldn’t be ignored. “We’re in here, Günter!” Abby hollered to the ceiling as she observed the rising pink in Sarah’s cheeks.

  “Are you two all right? Another guest told us you got into trouble out on the lake.”

  They locked eyes as Günter’s words preceded his presence in the bedroom.

  Standing in the doorway, his gaze took in their proximity and their wet appearance before he finally saw the color on Sarah’s cheeks. “Are you two okay? I saw the canoe floating out on the lake. I was...”

  Abby rose from the bed as he approached. “We had a bit of a problem, but we’re all right,” Abby said reassuringly.

  Günter was looking over her eye. “All right, you say?” He turned her head to get a better look at her cheek and then he turned to Sarah. “And you, young lady, are you all right?”

  “Yes, thank you, Günter. I fell out of the canoe and Abby saved me.”

  “Well, that would explain why you are both wet, but where did you get the shiner?”

  “Günter, we’re both fine. Thanks for your concern. And now I think Sarah needs some rest.”

  “All right, Abby. I’ll trust you know what you are doing.”

  “She’s a life saver,” Sarah said with a tired smile.

  “She’s more than that. I don’t know what we’d do with this place without Abby—”

  “Günter,” Abby quickly interjected. “If you would be a dear, the canoe is still out there floating around…thanks, Günter.”

  Sarah watched him disappear from the bedroom. Without Abby... What did he mean? Shifting her gaze back to Abby, the thought was forgotten as Abby’s dark eyes turned to meet her. Sarah could feel the heat on her cheeks as Abby’s gaze became more intent.

  Slowly, Abby moved in closer. She remembered the feeling of Sarah’s lips on her cheek and she wanted nothing more than to—

  Sarah held up her hand. “Abby...wait.” I have to tell her. I want to kiss her, but first I have to tell her the truth.

  “Abby, Sarah, hello!”

  The dark head dropped to her chest with a groan, and Sarah covered her grin with her hand.

  “Abby!”

  Sarah watched the expression on Abby’s face at the intrusion of Helga’s concerned voice. “She knows we’re here, so you might as well answer her.”

  “In here, Helga,” Abby called reluctantly.

  “Oh my, we got word your canoe had capsized and—” She came around the corner and stopped short at the sight of the two sodden women. If Helga noticed the red cheeks, she gave no sign of it as she scurried over to Sarah’s side. “You need warm soup and dry towels. Abby, get out of those wet clothes and fetch me another blanket from the closet.”

  “Helga, we’re fine.”

  “Nonsense. You could catch your death in those wet clothes. Now scurry and get what I asked for.”

  Knowing there was no stopping the motherly demands of the elderly woman, Abby looked to Sarah with a shrug of her shoulders.

  “Come on, change into dry clothes and go lie on the sofa. Dr. Enderby will be here shortly.”

  “What? Wait, whoa. You called Dr. Enderby? We’re both fine.”

  “That is for him to say, my child, not for you. Shooting and arresting bad guys, you know; looking after someone’s health, he knows.”

  “Helga, there’s no need to have him come all this way. The man has to be a hundred and two years old.”

  “You do what you know and I will do what I know. Now go and change.”

  “But, Helga—”

  Most of the time, Helga avoided confrontation, never understanding why people would fight for anything other than the freedom to live. However, every once in a while, when someone pushed her the wrong way, she hunkered down and fought back. Turning around, Helga stood her ground against the much taller woman. “This time, the doctor is coming. This time...” She shook her finger at Abby.

  Without so much as a word of reply, Abby turned on her heel and left the room. Helga looked to the floor for a moment, took a deep breath, and then turned to Sarah as though nothing had happened.

  Sarah said little while Helga fluttered around her. No matte
r how many times she told Helga that she felt fine, the older woman just smiled and pulled up her blanket. A short while later, true to her word, she brought in a bowl of steaming soup. Sarah obediently began to eat as Helga showed no signs of leaving. “Helga, you’ve known Abby a long time, haven’t you?”

  “Hmmm.”

  “What happened to her parents?”

  Helga retained the smile on her face. “I think you should ask her that question.”

  “I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “I know, child. Curiosity is in us all.”

  “Helga, when Günter was here,” Sarah searched for the right words, “he made a comment about the resort needing Abby. I mean, not that it’s any of my business, but are things okay around here? Are you two in some kind of trouble... with the law, or with money?” Seeing the glint of amusement in her caregiver’s eyes, Sarah was even more confused. “What? What did I say?”

  “My dear girl, you need to have a few more conversations with Abby.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Helga turned to Sarah. She pulled up her blanket and smiled pleasantly. “Sweet child, the resort isn't in any trouble. The resort needs Abby, my dear, because she owns it.”

  Chapter 8

  Dr. Enderby arrived and, after examining Sarah, he went to look at Abby who was waiting impatiently. “Little Abigail, haven’t you grown into a beautiful young woman.”

  “Dr. Enderby.”

  “Your friend in there is lucky you were around.”

  “How is she?”

  “She’s fine, Abigail. I gave her something to sleep.”

  “Actually, it’s Abby now.”

  “Of course. Now let me see what you’ve done here.” After a quick examination he opted to remove her stitches, but informed Abby that her cast needed to be replaced. There was no arguing with the elderly doctor and she knew it.

  Before departing with the good doctor, Abby went to check on Sarah. As quietly as possible she opened the bedroom door. The movement made Helga turn and put a finger to her lips while motioning Abby out the door.

  “I have to follow Dr. Enderby back to the clinic. He needs to replace my cast.”

  “She will be fine, Abby. She will be here when you get back.” Helga held out her arms and the two women hugged. “She has questions, that little one does, questions you need to answer.” Helga pulled out of the embrace. “I spoke something and I wonder now if I shouldn’t have.”

  “What? What did you tell her?”

  “I told her the resort belonged to you.”

  “What?”

  “I didn’t think it would matter.” Helga watched with remorse as Abby turned away and looked out the front window. “Why, child? Why do you wish this to be a secret from everyone? It’s been so long, surely it can no longer matter.”

  Helga waited, but no answer came as Abby stood looking out over Lake Alouette. Her tall body and broad shoulders carried a weight few knew, and Helga wondered how long she would bear the burden alone. Without turning around, the somber woman walked out of the room.

  The long drive to the doctor’s clinic in Dexton was exactly what Abby needed, and exactly what she didn’t need — time to think. Her mind was a whirl of questions and her body was experiencing a mass of unfamiliar emotional reactions. This morning she had pulled Sarah from the deep of the lake, and then there was the kiss — the kiss that had left her wanting more.

  What is happening to you, Stanfield? Pull it together, it was only a kiss. One kiss and you’re falling into a schoolgirl crush. But it’s not a crush, and it wasn’t just a kiss. Or was it? There was no answer as Abby powered her Jeep along the winding road leading away from Gold Creek. Her mind was jumping back and forth between want and fear, desire and apprehension.

  Sarah now knew what only a handful of people did, that she was the owner of the resort. Günter and Helga had run it for her father, and they were happy to continue to do so for her. It had been hard not to tell Lincoln and Carla when she had sent them there on their honeymoon. Günter and Helga had respected her wishes then... So why did Helga have to tell Sarah now?

  Abby knew why. Sarah had a way about her, a way that made you want to open up, to tell her things you hadn’t spoken about in years, to look into her eyes and release the ghosts that haunted your past. To say goodbye to the nightmares with a wave and a kiss—

  A kiss. Was it a kiss or a “thank you”?

  The questions flew back into her mind. Abby knew she needed answers, and if she couldn’t get them, maybe she needed a new train of thought. A small gas station was coming into view and when she spotted the phone booth, Abby geared down. Dexton wasn’t that far away, so good old Doc Enderby could wait. She dialed a familiar number on the payphone.

  “Detective Quinn.”

  “Hey there, big guy.”

  “Abby? Holy shit, I thought you’d died. How the hell are you?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Good? Did you say you were good? Okay, what’s her name?”

  “Sarah.” Abby said without hesitation. She was smiling, and she couldn’t help it.

  Lincoln laughed, but his playfulness quickly sobered, “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Holy shit. You’re in the middle of nowhere and you meet someone?”

  “I met her at the resort. She’s in the cabin next to mine.”

  “Great. All we had was some guy with a hairy back, who spent all day out on his dock in a Speedo. Ugh. And what do you get? Some babe in a bikini, I bet. Sarah, huh? Well, she must be something.”

  “She’s something special...really special.”

  “Must be, if she’s made a dent in you.”

  “So, what’s happening?”

  “Well, let’s see. I don’t think anyone has mentioned your name on the news for a while, so that’s a good thing. Banks got a new door, so she is no longer on the warpath.”

  “Cut to it, Lincoln.”

  “Billy Ward hasn’t left his motel in weeks. The lieutenant is fighting for authorization to keep surveillance on him.”

  “Fighting to keep watching him, are you kidding me? He kills how many, and they want us to substantiate why he needs watching?”

  “We need proof, Abby.”

  ♥

  By the time she pulled back into her driveway, it was well after midnight. There were no lights on in her cabin, but a wagging tail told her she had been missed.

  “Hey, Buck,” she greeted as she climbed from her Jeep. With a pat to his head, she slipped into her soundless cabin. In the pale moonlight, she tiptoed over to her bedroom door, silently turned the handle, and peeked inside. There on the bed, bathed in the dim light of the moon and looking small and fragile, was the woman who was stealing her heart. Leaning her head against the doorframe, Abby watched the steady rise and fall of her chest as she studied Sarah’s peaceful, angelic features. She had to fight the temptation to walk over and brush back her fallen bangs. She wanted nothing more than to climb into bed with her and hold her close, protecting her from everything.

  In the quiet of the night, in the shadow of her former self, the solemn and single woman had to admit that she was finding a warming comfort in this new companionship. It felt strange but good.

  “Good night, Sarah,” Abby whispered as she closed the door and headed for the sofa.

  ♥

  When Sarah told Abby that she lived most of her life out of a suitcase, it hadn’t been a lie. She was used to waking up in unfamiliar places. And still, the feel of something different woke Sarah from her sleep. Looking around the strange, yet vaguely familiar room, she wondered for only a moment about her whereabouts. Then she recalled where she was and why: Abby’s cabin.

  Yesterday’s nightmarish incident screamed back into her mind and her body shuddered at the memory. Every muscle aching, she recalled her fight for life in the water. Looking up at the ceiling, she forced herself to forget her physical pain, but she couldn’t ignore what was g
oing on in her heart. The inner battles she had been having over her feelings for Abby were nothing compared to the guilt and fear of discovery she was now experiencing.

  Pulling back the covers, Sarah swung her legs around and sat on the edge of the bed. Stiff and sore, she looked down at the wood floor and sighed heavily as she rubbed her hands against her face.

  This was not at all what she had bargained for. I am falling in love with her!

  Sarah’s interest in Abby was more than professional. Falling in love with her subject had been bad enough, but now that same woman had saved her life. That put a different spin on everything. The argument she’d had on the phone just yesterday morning tugged at her conscience as she reconsidered the events that had happened since.

  Reaching for the clothes that Helga had brought over from her cabin, Sarah dressed quickly. Her mind made up, she knew she had to act before she lost her courage. Without a sound she backed out of the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind her. Turning to leave, she stopped when she saw Abby asleep on the sofa. Stepping forward quietly, she looked down at the woman, longing to wake her, to tell her the truth and let the chips fall where they may. I didn’t plan on this. Who could have?

  It was strange to see Abby’s normally intense features so relaxed, and for a moment she listened to her light snoring. Sarah’s conscience tried to guide her, but at the moment she was more aware of the desires she was feeling in her heart. Questions about her intentions were pressing, but Sarah wasn’t sure if she was ready to answer them. This woman had offered her only friendship, with maybe a chance for something more. Sarah took one last look at the dark features of the sleeping beauty. “I’m sorry, Abby,” she whispered tenderly. “I can’t do this. I just can’t.” Sarah turned and was out the front door before she lost her resolve.

  Abby’s eyes fluttered open. She was certain that she had heard a voice and she knew whose. “Sarah?” Abby sat up as she heard the sound of departing footsteps on the deck. Pulling her blanket around her bare shoulders, Abby ran out onto the deck after her, but she knew she was too late when she heard Sarah’s Honda start up. Standing alone on the deck, Abby could only watch the dust the car left behind.