“That and more.”She realized her attitude was absurd.Terry was her sister.So, as unemotionally as possible, Lesley related the events of the evening.
But to her dismay both Terry and Robert burst out laughing at Cole’s comment that he would pray for her.Their amusement did little to ease her indignation.Lesley found nothing in her situation worthy of laughter.Pinching her mouth tightly shut, she moved into the crowd and joined the others in a song fest.
Later, the awards for the best costume were given, and Lesley won for the most original.Her smile was tremulous as she accepted the handcrafted bow and submitted to a series of picture taking.But the pleasure of the award didn’t show in her eyes, and she felt drained and tired by the time the party broke up shortly before ten.
Robert and Terry walked out to the parking lot with her.Robert ran a hand along her car bumper.“It hardly shows.Of course, it’s hard to tell without daylight.But by the look of things, you got off lightly.”
“I suppose.”Lesley knew she didn’t sound grateful, but Cole Daniels had ruined her evening.
Terry gave her a funny look that Lesley chose to ignore.
“It’s been a long week.”Robert exchanged glances with his wife, but not before Lesley caught a glimpse of censure in their eyes.
“Yes, it has,” Lesley agreed.“Tomorrow I’m going to look through the want ads and see about finding someplace to move.I can’t take much more of that ill-mannered oaf from next door.”
Lesley saw Terry open her mouth, then just as quickly close it.
“You might sleep on it,” Robert advised.
“I might,” she said more sharply than she intended.“I’ll see you tomorrow.”The comment was directed to Terry.The sisters did their errands and grocery shopping together on Saturdays.
“Night.”Lesley scooted inside her car and started the engine.
“Night.”Robert answered for them both.
Lesley noticed that her sister and brother-in-law were engaged in a lively conversation on the way back into the church.After a minute, Terry’s head bobbed in agreement.Unconcerned, Lesley drove home.She would move.It was the perfect solution.There was no need to live this far out of town.But then she did enjoy the country life and having a large garden.
Lesley recalled how she and Terry had found the duplex shortly after Terry was married.She remembered the pride they had in painting the house and tilling the backyard for the garden.The closeness they’d shared as sisters had been enhanced because they lived so near to each other.
Now everything was different, thanks to Cole Daniels.
His car was in the driveway when she pulled up.Although she felt like slamming the car door, she exercised rigid restraint and allowed it to shut normally.She was reaching across her seat for the empty cookie plate and her purse when he spoke.
“I see you made it home safely.”
Cole was leaning indolently against his door-jamb, his arms and legs crossed as he regarded her with lazy indulgence.
Lesley stiffened and swallowed back an angry outburst.“Yes, I did,” she said tautly, her voice tight, “no thanks to you.”
“I sent the tow truck.”His mouth deepened into grooves as he fought to suppress a smile.
“Am I supposed to thank you for that?”
“A little appreciation wouldn’t be amiss.”
Hands on hips, she glared at him across the short distance that separated them.“Well, thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You...You left me standing out there in the dark and alone.I was worried sick.Because of you I missed half the party and the whole thing was your fault in the first place and—”
“My, my,” he interrupted, the lazy smile evident in his voice.“You’ve worked yourself into a regular snit.”
“Don’t you dare say that word to me!”She pointed her index finger at him accusingly.“You left me there.Anything could have happened after you drove off.”She could see that her anger was affecting him.
Cole straightened, dropping his hands to his side.“And just what was I supposed to do?”he challenged, an impatient edge to his voice.
“Help me!”she shouted.
