Tropical Storm

Chapter Thirty

KERRY YAWNED AS she woke up, letting her eyes scan the quiet room, and taking in her sister’s sleeping form with a tiny smile. Dawn was just breaking outside, and the first tendrils of pinkish gray were barely visible between the trees in the backyard.

She lay there for a moment, then decided she wasn’t going to get back to sleep and slipped out from under the covers, padding across the carpeted floor and kneeling in front of her duffel bag. Her body felt a little antsy, and she decided a quick run around the lake wouldn’t be a bad idea. So she pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt over a thick T-shirt, and tugged on her sneakers. Running hadn’t been a favorite activity of hers, but lately, since she’d been joining Dar when she stayed over at the island, and Dar had coaxed her out on nighttime runs at her apartment, she’d developed a taste for it. Or so she told herself. At any rate, it didn’t require any special equipment, and it was comfortably neutral in that it was something both men and women regularly did. “Not a stereotypical gay tip-off,” Dar had said wryly.

She walked quietly down the stairs and to the back door, hearing only the faint stirrings of someone working in the kitchen. She undid the latch and slipped out, sucking in a breath as the cold morning air hit her. “Whoa, boy,”

she muttered, stretching quickly, before she broke into a light jog and headed for the path. “Better warm up fast.” The path was a well-kept gravel one, and she found it with no problem, her feet settling into a familiar, easy rhythm as she allowed her body to wake up. The cold air made her blink a little at first, but she got used to it and took in a lungful as she reached the turn that would take her around the perimeter of the small lake.

It was quiet. She was the only one out here at this hour, and her footsteps against the gravel seemed echoingly loud to her. No sounds but the wind itself reached her, and she realized she’d become so accustomed to Miami’s verdant fauna that the absence of birds and crickets seemed odd and strange to her. She thought about Bob the Duck as she let her strides move her down the lakeside. Bob was an old friend who lived in the drainage canal near her apartment. On summer nights, she often ended up gazing over the black, rippling water, and often as not, Bob would come find her.

She’d taken to keeping bread crusts in her pockets for the old white duck, and on many nights, she’d actually sat down, letting the faint breeze cool her from the muggy heat for a while, until the familiar, waddling shape headed her way. Kerry smiled as she thought of him, remembering the suspicious look he’d given Dar when she’d brought her new friend over to meet her old Tropical Storm 401

one. It had taken ten minutes or so before Bob had grudgingly come over, waggling his tail at the taller woman and quacking a protest to her.

Her breath appeared as a steady, visible stream, and she glanced around, wishing her running companion was with her. She’d had to really push herself to keep up with Dar, since as much as she kidded the taller woman about her love of chocolate and other sinful indulgences, Dar really was in good shape. It showed in the effortlessness of her running, and her ability to add little interesting additions to her morning workout. Like juggling. She’d hardly believed it when she’d first seen Dar scoop up three rocks, then, while they were running around the island, juggle them neatly as she went. She said it developed balance and coordination, and made your upper body work too, when running mostly just did things to your legs and lower body.

Juggling. Jesus. Kerry was positive she’d fall right on her face if she even tried it. She continued on around the lake, going downhill, then rounding the back end and heading back up hill again. That part, she acknowledged, she missed in Miami, where the only hills were freeway overpasses. She could feel the strain in her thighs and calves, but she kept on, pushing through the tightness like Dar had taught her.

It was a two-mile circuit, and she was glad to see the house at the end of it when she made it back up to the top of the hill, her breath coming hard and the sweat standing out against her skin. The sun was up by now, and she slowed to a walk as she hit the path up towards the kitchen door, pacing herself and trying to catch her breath. Dar had said stamina would come to her after a while, and she felt satisfied with the effort as she climbed up the steps and into the yard.

Stopping short at the tall, casual figure waiting there, silver hair outlined in the dawn light. Kerry sucked in a breath. “Morning, Kyle,” she said warily.

“Well, well.” Kyle pushed away from the post he’d been leaning on and walked over to her. “Don’t we look dewy.” He chuckled. “Becoming the regular little athlete, aren’t you?”

Kerry stared at him evenly. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Kyle inquired lazily, wiping a finger through the sweat on her cheek. “I don’t know, you join a gym, start taking karate lessons. Now this, makes me wonder.” His eyes raked her. “Not very ladylike.”

“Ladies can be physically fit,” Kerry commented softly. “And I don’t think it’s any of your concern, Kyle.”

He studied her. “You’d be surprised at what’s my concern, girl,” he replied easily. “Especially when it has to do with my future niece. Got me?”

Kerry’s green eyes narrowed. “I think you’re overstepping your bounds, Kyle.”

“And I think there’s something going on with you that I don’t like, and that your daddy won’t like. It’s going to be wonderful when I find out what that is, Cupcake.” He chucked her under the chin. “Go take a shower. You stink.” He then turned and strolled off, trotting down the stairs and heading out towards the garage.

“Not nearly as badly as you do, asshole,” Kerry enunciated sharply, under her breath. She turned and made her way up the stairs and into the back entrance, where she was spotted by Mary. “Oh. Morning, Mary.”

402 Melissa Good

“Ms. Kerry, g’morning.” The middle-aged black woman nodded at her.

“Were you out running? My goodness, it’s too cold for that, you’re gonna catch your death if you’re not careful.”

Kerry ran her fingers through her hair. “It’s okay, I got warmed up pretty fast.” She smiled at the servant, who had been with their household since Kerry was a child. “Any chance of some muffins?”

Mary looked both ways, then leaned closer. “Well, you know, your mamma told us not to be giving you stuff like that, on account of her thinking it’s bad for you. But I gotta say, Ms. Kerry, you’re looking mighty healthy to me.”

Kerry now looked both ways, then pulled off her sweatshirt and T-shirt, leaving her in her sports bra. She held out her hands. “Do I look like a muffin’s gonna hurt me?”

Mary looked her up and down. “Mmm, mmm. No, ma’am, you don’t. I’ll be getting you that muffin. But, please, put those clothes back on before one of the gentlemen spots you.”

“Thank you.” Kerry smiled and pulled her shirt back on, waiting patiently while Mary disappeared, then reappeared with a small basket.

“Here you go, two hot blueberry muffins, and something to put on ’em.

You go and enjoy yourself.” She handed Kerry the basket and shooed her away.

The blonde woman grinned in triumph and ducked into the hallway, heading for the stairs and trotting up them as Mary watched her.

Elizabeth walked over and nudged her cohort. “What were you looking at?”

“Mmm, mmm, that girl sure grew up nice.” Mary clucked her tongue.

“She is the spawn of the devil pulling off her clothes like that in front of me—

that was one pretty little navel.”

“You old whore.” Liz chuckled deep in her throat.

“Woman, please, I’d like to know who finally talked some sense into her.

Damn good job it was, too.” Mary shook her head. “Best thing she ever did was get out of this house.”

“Hmm. Best for her if she never came back into it,” Liz stated softly as she reached for the tablecloths to fold.

“DID YOU KNOW we could get this stuff twenty-four of twenty-four a day?” Gerald Easton pointed at the screen. “They keep telling me they got a cable channel for everything; now I believe it.” They were watching the Military Channel, a station which showed earnest programs featuring the armed services. “Damnedest thing. Look at that, Dar, they’re selling fatigues like it was the Home Shopping Network.”

Dar stretched her legs out and crossed them, letting her head rest against the couches soft back. “Makes money. Lots of civs collect and use that stuff.

Jesus, eighty-eight bucks for a pair of reg boots?”

“Hmph.” Easton sucked on his pipe and shook his head. “Modern crap.

What in the hell is someone going to do with a case of MREs? I wouldn’t feed those things to Alabaster. She’d bite me right in the, ah…”

Tropical Storm 403

“Leg,” Dar supplied with a dry grin. “Well, we’re between games, Gerry.

It beats watching ‘Pilgrims: Reevaluating the Conquest of America’ again.”

“Communists.” The general snorted. “Fashionable nowadays to see history in the worst light possible.”

Dar muffled a grin and looked up as Jack appeared in the doorway, hefting a football.

“You up for some catch, Dar?” The tall blond man grinned. “Weather cleared, figure we could work up an appetite outside.”

“You bet.” Dar pushed herself to her feet and followed him willingly outside, laughing as Alabaster plowed past them, anxious to escape the tiny teeth of her nine voracious puppies for a little while. She moved across the still damp lawn as the sun filtered down, and took a breath of the cold the wind swept down, pushing aside the little unease in her guts she’d had since mid-morning. Baby, give it a rest, Dar. Just because Kerry didn’t call you twice probably means everything’s fine. She’s out with her family, and maybe even having a good time. “G’wan.”

Jack tossed her the football, which she caught one-handed, then examined. “Nice one,” she complimented its owner, noting the scuffing of long use before she wrapped her fingers around the laces and tossed it back.

“So, how’s things with the company?” Jack asked, throwing the ball back to her. “Still running the world behind the scenes?”

Dar caught it and whipped it back, putting a little more arm into the throw. “More or less. You win some, you lose some. It’s been a pretty good year for us this year.”

“Yow.” Jack shook his hand as he caught the football. “Jesus, Dar, you can still put a sting on that thing, you know?”

“Sorry.” Dar grinned.

“Yeah, right.” Jack winged it back. “You ever regret doing that stuff?” he asked offhandedly. “I mean, you know, someone with your skills could make good bucks in the service.”

Dar stopped in mid-throw, and put her hands on her hips, or rather, one hand and one football. “Are you trying to recruit me?”

He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked up through boyish eyebrows. “Who, me?” He laughed sheepishly. “I don’t know, Dar, you always fit into the military world. I was just wondering if you didn’t sometimes think about coming back in.”

Dar juggled the football then threw it back. “Too late for that,” she told him. “I’m too used to giving orders, I’d never last a minute.” It was, she knew, an honest admission. “I’d be telling some five-star to get his starched ass out of the way so I could get to a mainframe and end up scrubbing heads with a brillo pad.”

Jack caught the ball and threw it back. “Just a thought,” he commented.

“Can’t blame me for trying, can you?”

They played for a while longer, then switched to a new game, where one of them would take the ball and try to get past the other. “Tag or tackle?” Jack asked, playfully.

“Me and what bulldozer are going to tackle you?” Dar snorted.

“Chicken.” He grinned.

404 Melissa Good Dar felt her competitive spirit surge. “All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She grabbed the ball and took off running as he yelped and jumped after her.

“Shit, Dar! Not fair!” He ran faster, skidding past her as she dodged and jumped over a small hedge in the yard. He jumped the hedge after her, then there was only an open field in front of them. “Ah. I gotcha now.”

“Think so, huh?” Dar leaned forward and sped up, lengthening her strides until she was running full out, hearing his determined steps behind her. “Man, you pilots spend too much time sitting on your butts,” she yelled back as she powered between two tall trees at the end of the rolling field and slowed, letting him roar past her and skid to a halt in the wet grass. “Heh, my score.”

“You…you…” Jack shook a finger at her. “Damn, Dar, for someone who spends all day behind a desk, you sure got a pair of legs on you.”

She flipped him the ball. “Your turn.”

He considered, then bolted away, tucking the ball under his arm with a professional air. Dar gave him a few steps grace, then she started after him, running at a slight angle to his path. She closed on him and waited for him to dodge away. She then changed her angle again and sped up, correctly predicting his next turn and hurling her body against his, wrapping her arms around him and letting her momentum and weight swing them both around.

They landed in the grass with a thump.

“Shit.” Jack sighed.

Dar released him and sat up, dusting the knees of her jeans off as she broke into a laugh.

Jack scowled, then he laughed too. “I should have remembered not to challenge you,” he admitted. “You always had a way of coming out on top.”

She was about to answer when the cell phone clipped to her belt chirped.

She retrieved it and opened it up. “Yes?”

“Happy Thanksgiving,” Kerry’s voice sounded a touch strained, but otherwise warm.

“Same to you. How are things?” Dar stretched her legs out before her and plucked a grass stem, as Jack reclined on the grass, putting his hands behind his head and gazing up at the clouds.

“Okay.” Kerry sighed. “Mom’s been working on me all morning, trying to convince me of how much more appropriate it would be for me to come home now, so she has time to prepare for the wedding.”

“Ah.” Dar exhaled. “So you haven’t broken the news to them yet, huh?”

She kept her tone sympathetic. Alabaster trotted over and nuzzled her, and she petted the Labrador absently. “Sounds like it’s going to cause a big bang.”

“Yeah,” Kerry muttered into the phone. “What are you doing?”

Dar wiggled her sneakers. “Sitting in the grass, actually. I was just playing some catch with Jack,” she admitted. “Getting some exercise in before we go inside and have Mamma Easton stuff us until we explode.”

“Boom!” Jack mouthed, spreading his hands out in pantomime. Alabaster ambled over and nosed him.

“Wish I was there,” Kerry admitted. “Sounds like a lot more fun than it is here. I’m going to run into town for a while with Angela, just to get away from Tropical Storm 405

all the nonsense. I took a look at the mail, by the way, and answered that one you sent and a few others.”

“Good girl.” Dar smiled. “Getting away sounds like a good idea. Maybe after today, they’ll settle down a little.”

“Maybe,” Kerry replied, reluctantly. “Well, anyway, let me get going.

Just wanted to say hi, and I hope you enjoy your dinner.”

“You, too,” Dar answered.

“Not likely,” came the uncharacteristically pessimistic retort. “But I’ll give it the old college try. Talk to you later, Dar.”

Dar closed the phone thoughtfully and clipped it back onto her belt.

Damn, she sounds depressed. “Families can be such hell,” she commented audibly.

“Hmm?” Jack turned his head. “Oh, yeah, I guess. Was that your office?”

“No, my assistant. She’s home and having a tough time with her folks.”

Slowly, Jack rolled over, and propped his head up on one hand. “Dar, I…” He fell silent, then plucked a stem of grass, not looking at her. “I need some advice.”

Dar drew up one knee and circled it with an arm. “Sure.”

He hesitated. “Have you…ever had to tell someone…I mean, someone you really cared about, something you knew was going to hurt them and make them feel…disappointed in you?”

Uh oh. Dar considered carefully before she answered. “Yes, I have. Why?”

He looked up, his blue eyes meeting Dar’s. “Was it hard?”

She nodded. “Very.”

He looked back at the ground. “Do you think, sometimes, it’s better not to tell?” “Well.” Dar sighed. “It depends on what it is, and who the other person is. An elderly grandmother, for instance, you don’t want to go telling that her long-dead husband was actually a swindler. It serves no purpose.” He nodded. “But important things, Jack, they have a way of coming out anyway.” The hypocrisy of what she was saying hit her, and she winced in reflex.

“Funny you should put it that way,” he replied softly.

Her eyes fastened on his bent head, an eyebrow edging up. “You wanna tell me what’s going on? You know I can keep my mouth shut.”

He swallowed and nervously fingered the grass. “Dar, you’ve known me since I was in short pants.” He exhaled. “We grew up together. Did I ever seem…not normal to you?”

Dar let out a snort of laughter. “Jack, you’re the most normal person I know. You’re a stereotype for a Navy brat, and you know it.”

Jack nodded. “That’s what I thought. That’s what I always thought, until last May.” He fell silent for a long moment. “I got a new back seat.”

It took Dar a minute to realize he was talking about his flying partner, and not a car part. “Yeah?” she prodded cautiously.

“Robbie, yeah. Robin Hood, we call him.” Jack seemed intently interested in examining the grass stalks. “We, um…we hit it off real good, you know?

Sometimes you do, and sometimes you don’t. I’ve had some back seats I couldn’t hardly stand to talk to, and some that are my buddies even now.”

406 Melissa Good

“Uh huh,” Dar murmured. “Nice guy, huh?”

“Yeah.” Jack sighed. “We started hanging around together, and I, um, I…

It’s never happened to me before, but…I kept wanting to…to touch him.”

Dar’s eyes closed briefly, and she shifted, biting her lip. “Yeah, and?” She kept her voice interested, but unalarmed.

“And, at first, I thought I was just…I thought I was sick, okay? I hadn’t had a girlfriend in a while, and… Well, you know.” He looked miserable.

“And I-I…I just told myself that I should go into a corner, and…and…”

“I know,” Dar replied softly. “So what happened?”

He ripped a few blades of grass up. “I was coming back from the shower, and…and he came into my quarters, and he, um, he…” He fell silent again.

“He touched you?” Dar guessed, and got a tiny nod. “And you liked that.” Another tiny nod. “All right.”

Finally, Jack looked up, fearfully peeking into her blue eyes. “You don’t think that’s sick?”

Dar reached out and put a hand over his. “That would be incredibly hypocritical of me.”

Dead silence. Jack blinked at her. “Bu…” His brows knit. “You?”

Blue eyes met his evenly. “Do you think that’s sick?”

“Dar, that’s insane. You could have any guy you wanted. I don’t…I mean…you’re gorgeous. I…” He spluttered, winding down.

Dar waited. Finally she sighed. “No, I don’t think it’s sick, and you shouldn’t either.”

He thought about that. “We were both kind of…we were pretty weirded out.” He sighed. “But after a while, it just seemed okay.” He paused. “Until I thought about telling my father.”

Dar exhaled. “Yeah.”

“Dar, it would kill him.” Jack looked up at her. “I’m his only son. He wants grandkids. Jesus, he’s given me everything, done everything in his power for me. I…” His blond head shook back and forth. “I can’t do that to him. I love him too much.”

What a problem. Dar felt for both her friend and for Gerald Easton. Who, certainly, would be devastated at the news. She didn’t really blame Gerald; he was a prisoner to his generation, his upbringing, and his lifelong devotion to the service. “Tell you what, just put it aside for a few days. Let me think about it. Maybe I can come up with an idea,” she told him sympathetically.

He looked up at her pathetically. “If you can find a way out of this for me with honor, I’ll owe you for the rest of my life, Dar.”

She ruffled his hair gently. “That’s what friends are for, Jack, and I don’t have many, so I take care of the ones I do have.” She gazed at him. “You know, I told your father if I was going to marry anyone, it’d be you.” He blushed a deep, fierce red. “You know…” she kidded him gently. “Worst comes to worst I’ll bear you a grandkid for your dad.” He turned a color so dark, his eyebrows stood out in stark whiteness. She ruffled his hair and chuckled again.

Tropical Storm 407

KERRY CLOSED THE phone and went to find Angela. “You ready?” she asked her sister, finding her in the living room.

“Mmm-hmm, let me just get my bag. Hang on.” Angela nodded, leaving the room and returning a moment later. “Let’s go. They’re having a choir recital at the downtown church, I thought maybe you’d like to hear it.”

Anything. “Sure,” Kerry agreed readily, following her out the door. They got in Angela’s car and drove onto the parkway, passing endless rows of tall, thin, bare trees. “This place is depressing, Angie,” Kerry said softly.

Her sister eyed her. “You’re just now noticing that?”

“Guess I never had a contrast before. You have to come visit me sometimes in Miami,” Kerry responded. “It’s so different. I could take you out to Bayside, or the Grove, maybe down into the Keys. I think you’d like it.”

Angela sighed. “Maybe if Brian and I end up running away from home, we’ll end up down by you,” she told her sister wryly. “Is there a market for earnest lawyers down there?”

Kerry gazed at her a long time. “Have you talked about that, or are you just razzing me?” she asked. “Of course there’s a market for lawyers, are you kidding? He could make a living alone just representing one of our politicians on voter-fraud charges.”

Her sister exhaled. “We talked about it,” she admitted. “A lot had to do with how you…I mean, you know.”

“Reacted to the news?” Kerry smiled.

“Mmm, more or less, yeah. I don’t know, it’s such a huge step, but if I try to separate or divorce Richard legally, you know I’ll never get out of here.”

She navigated an interchange. “You know he’ll demand custody, and you know Father will just go crazy.”

“Yeah,” Kerry acknowledged softly. “I don’t know, that seems really drastic, Angie. But I won’t lie to you and tell you I wouldn’t be glad to have you down there.” She smiled at her sister. “In fact, I know a nice apartment in Kendall that might be available sometime soon.”

Angela darted a look at her. “Oh, really?” She signaled and turned off the expressway, heading into town. Low, brown brick buildings began to travel by on either side of the road. “That’s moving kind of fast, isn’t it?”

Kerry leaned back and braced a knee against the dashboard. “It was just something Dar said, before I left. She said next year we’d have Thanksgiving on the Island. It surprised me, because she’s someone who really values her privacy, you know?” She exhaled. “But when we’re together, it’s like there’s no…personal space, if that makes sense. She doesn’t get on my nerves or make me uncomfortable to be around, and I don’t make her that way, I don’t think.”

She paused reflectively. “I know that when I woke up this past Sunday, I realized I wanted to wake up with her next to me for a long time to come.”

Angela slowed to turn into the church. “Well, don’t take things too quickly. I know you guys really like each other, but that’s a big step, Ker.”

Kerry laughed gently. “I have to wait for her to ask, you know? It could take months, and I was trying to figure out how she’d do it. Probably really matter-of-fact… ‘You know, Kerry, it would be more cost efficient to use one car to go to work, and my place is closer. What about it?’ ”

Angela laughed. “Really?”

408 Melissa Good

“Oh yeah, that’s Dar—no flowery speech or anything. She’s very practical and straightforward,” Kerry assured her, then paused. “Though I did come back from lunch to find a rose on my desk once,” she amended thoughtfully.

Angela parked the car and sighed. “Sounds pretty darn romantic to me, Sis,” she commented wistfully. They got out and walked across the parking lot, joining several groups of other people heading for the church’s entrance.

It was a tall, brick building with inset stained glass windows and mahogany pews burnished to a rich glow. Kerry joined Angela in greeting several long-time neighbors, and took some good-natured kidding about her suntan before they seated themselves to listen to the choir. The room featured a huge organ and a triple semi-circle of singers, who delivered a more than creditable performance of some old and well-known hymns. Kerry felt the familiar sounds relaxing her, and she was able, for a few minutes, to forget her surroundings and simply enjoy the music.

“Nice recital,” Kerry murmured as it ended, the last booming tones of the organ echoing softly against the building’s interior. “I liked that last piece a lot.”

Her sister smiled. “Me, too. C’mon, let’s go talk to Pastor Robert.” She edged out of the row and headed back towards the administrative part of the church, waving a little at several friends who waved back and called out greetings to both her and Kerry. She led Kerry to a small door and knocked on it.

“Come in,” a soft, vibrant voice answered.

Angela pushed the door open and poked her head in. “Pastor Robert?”

“Angela. What a nice surprise, come in.” The pastor waved at her.

She opened the door fully and pulled Kerry in with her. “Look who I brought.”

The pastor stood. “Kerrison!” He smiled at her.

Kerry moved forward, smiling back. Pastor Robert was a huge bear of a man, easily six and a half feet tall and perhaps two hundred and fifty pounds.

His bearded face took on a look of delight as she came closer. “Hello, Pastor Robert.”

“Kerrison, goodness, let me look at you.” He took her by the shoulders and beamed at her. “You look wonderful. I can hardly believe it.”

Kerry smiled. “Thanks, you look great, too.” She patted his arm.

“Um, I’m going to get some recipes Mrs. Van Ardyn owes me. I’ll be right back, Ker.” Angela was gone before she could even turn around, and she spared her sister a wry roll of the eyes.

“Sit down, sit down,” the pastor was saying, motioning her to a bench next to the one he’d been sitting on, arranging sheets of music. “Are you home then for good?”

“Just for a visit.” Kerry shook her head. “I’m…very happy down in Miami.”

“Oh.” He seemed surprised. “But I thought your mother…well, never mind.” He sat down and patted her knee. “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing fine. I got a new job, that I really like, and a whole group of really good friends. It’s been great,” Kerry answered quietly. “How about you?”

Tropical Storm 409

He lifted a large hand and let it drop. “As always, the seasons turn, it gets colder, gets warmer, but it’s my favorite time of the year, so I can’t complain.”

He sighed and leaned back. “Things are good in the congregation—prices are steady; we’re not at war. All in all, not bad.”

Kerry regarded him. “That’s good to hear.” She hesitated, then searched his eyes. “Pastor, can I ask you something?”

He nodded. “Yes, of course. Are you having trouble finding a community down there? Can I help? You know you’ve always been one of my favorite people, Kerry.”

She settled her elbows on her knees and interlaced her fingers. “I remember when you used to preach on Sundays, every once in a while you’d talk about…um, something you called soulmates.” The word rolled around her tongue in utter familiarity.

“Yes. In fact, I discussed it at pulpit just last week,” he agreed. “The old fable of each person being born with two heads, and four arms and legs, then being split in two to roam the world ever after looking for the other half.”

“Mmm, yeah.” Kerry rubbed her thumbs together. “Do you believe in that story?”

He paused a moment before answering. “Yes, I do. If what you mean is, do I believe in that special kind of love in which two people seemed to be destined to be a part of each other, yes. Not that I’m rewriting the creation history, you understand.”

Kerry smiled wryly. “I understand.” She patted his arm. “But, how do you know if you’ve been lucky enough to find someone like that?” she asked.

He reached over and tipped her chin up, gazing into her eyes somberly.

“Because when you look at them, you see everything you need in this world to complete yourself.”

Kerry closed her eyes. “Oh,” she uttered softly.

“Have you found someone like that, Kerrison?” His voice was very gentle.

She opened her eyes. “Yes, I think I have.” She exhaled. “It’s someone I met not too long ago, but who I’ve become very close to. And it’s like you said, when I look at them, it’s like I feel their hands closing very gently over my heart.” She paused. “Holding it safely.”

“I never knew you for a poet, child.” A slow, sweet smile crossed his face.

“But it’s not my friend Brian, is it?”

“No,” Kerry replied softly. “He’s one of my best friends, and I love him, but…no.”

Pastor Robert blew a long breath out. “And you haven’t told your parents, I take it? No, of course you haven’t. Your mother still thinks… Ah, what a web of tangles we have here.” He pondered. “Well, perhaps you should consider explaining as you have to me. I’m sure your parents, once they get to know this person, will be happy for you.”

Kerry shook her head sadly. “No, Pastor Robert, they won’t. They won’t accept this person.” She looked down again. “Except for my sister, I’m not close with my family, but this will put something between us I don’t think any amount of time will heal.”

He sighed. “God has a way of healing even the worst of wounds, my 410 Melissa Good friend. How bad can this person be, that they would give up a daughter?”

Kerry hesitated, then took a deep breath. “She’s not a bad person at all,”

she stated simply and let the comment fall between them.

He went quite still for a few breaths, then reached up and tugged on his beard. “Ah.” His voice was quietly reflective. “That’s a toughie.”

Kerry found herself smiling in reaction. “You have any advice? I’m willing to listen—half of me wants to just get it over with, and the other half is scared to death to even start.”

“Hmm.” He cocked his head. “Well, it’s the coward’s way out, I suppose, but what I’d do is wait until you’re ready to leave to go…home.” He smiled at her. “And just tell them then, just a flat statement, and then leave. Get someone else to take you to the airport and just go.” He clasped her hand.

“The holidays are a very emotional time; it’s hard for people to cope with situations while they’re under that kind of stress. Especially on Thanksgiving, which is so family oriented.”

She considered that. “You know, that’s good advice,” she admitted. “Just play along until then, it’ll make the weekend a lot more pleasant.”

He nodded. “That’s what I did,” he told her softly, then put a finger up to his lips.

How had Angela known? Kerry blinked at him in mild shock. “Oh.” She got a pat on the cheek. “I see.” Her eyes darted around the room.

“But…you…”

“Yes, and if they knew, I’d be out of a job,” Robert said quietly. “So I know what it is to live with a secret, Kerry, but there are things in life worth risking that for.” He paused. “A soulmate is one of them.”

Kerry slowly nodded. “It’s worth risking everything for.” She let out a breath. “Thank you, Pastor Robert.”

He gazed at her fondly. “I wish you all the joy in the world, my friend. I’ll pray for you, and for your parents’ understanding.” He stood and waited for her to stand as well, then hugged her. “Be well.”

She smiled and patted his side. “You, too.” A knock at the door made her look up, and it pushed open to reveal Angela’s face. “C’mon in.”

“Silvia Cessnes wants to know if we want to sit down and have coffee with them. You up for it?” Angela asked.

“Yeah, that would be nice,” Kerry agreed. Silvia Cessnes was one of her favorite high school teachers. “Happy Thanksgiving, Pastor Robert.”

“Same to you, Kerry…and you too, Angela. Thanks for stopping by.” He led her to the door and waved at them before closing it at Kerry’s back.

“Everything okay?” Angela asked in a whisper.

Kerry smiled. “Everything’s great. Come on, I bet they have fresh Linzer tortes at the coffee shop.” She tugged on Angela’s sleeve and led her down the corridor.

Never seeing the tall, dark form that watched her go, then walked off in the opposite direction.

“WASN’T SHE A trip?” Kerry laughed as she and Angela climbed up the stairs to the room they’d shared the previous night. “She hasn’t changed a Tropical Storm 411

bit.” She pushed the door open and walked inside, then stopped. It wasn’t obviously messy, but someone had been going through her things.

Angela stopped too, seeing the papers strewn around Kerry’s laptop case.

“What’s going on?”

Kerry’s heart hammered in her chest, and she walked over, looking inside the zippered compartment with shaking fingers. “Oh shit.”

“What?” Her sister peered over her shoulder anxiously.

“The pictures,” she breathed. “How could I have been so stupid?” In pure reflex, she reached for her cell phone, then stopped. What am I going to call and tell her, how dumb I was? “Shit.”

Angela blew out a breath. “Man, I can’t believe they came in here and rifled through your stuff. Kerry, that’s disgusting.”

“I should have remembered. It was standard operating procedure when we were in high school, remember? Looking for god knows what.” Kerry pushed her hair back and tried to think. Were the pictures that incriminating?

A few of the island, pretty innocuous. The boat, also could be anywhere. The two of Dar in her suit… Well… Then she sighed. And the last one, which she’d had Colleen take of them together in her apartment on the couch. Dar’s arm was draped over her shoulders and Kerry’s left leg was slung over the taller woman’s knees. Both of them were smiling, Dar’s eyes on her in unmistakable affection that even the camera had caught. Oh shit.

“What are you going to do?” Angela murmured. “He’s going to go insane, you know that.”

“I know,” Kerry murmured. “I guess I’ll just have to be honest. But Angie, I might need to get out of here.”

“I’ll take you, don’t worry,” her sister replied instantly. “And Brian will be here in a little while, too.” She rubbed Kerry’s back gently. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about them doing this.”

Kerry closed her eyes. “Me, either, and I should have—I know better, especially after what happened the other day.” She turned around and leaned on the desk. “My place got broken into, turned upside down and searched, and someone poisoned my fish.”

Angela stared at her in shock. “You don’t think…”

“Kyle visited, coincidentally, the next day,” Kerry replied shortly. “Dar was there. She was going to keep out of sight, but he started…pawing at me, and she…” A pause. “She stopped him.”

Angela digested this. “Kyle can be really scary. Brian thinks he’s half nuts or something, ever since that military thing.”

“Dar can be scary, too,” Kerry responded. “She’s as tall as he is, and she doesn’t look like someone you want to mess around with too much.” She considered. “She probably kicked him right in the ego.”

“He’d try to get back at her for that,” Angela said softly. “He’s really smart, Ker, and he’s got a lot of tricks up his sleeve. I bet he’s the one who went through your stuff.”

Kerry stood there breathing a moment, then she flipped open her cell phone and punched a button. “Hey,” she said quietly when Dar answered.

“Hey.” Dar sounded surprised. “Didn’t expect to hear from you again so soon, not that I mind. What’s up?”

412 Melissa Good

“I’m an idiot,” Kerry admitted softly. “I did something very stupid. Dar, I left those pictures I’d taken in my laptop case, and someone went through my stuff here and found them.”

“Ah.” The executive’s voice sounded thoughtful. “So the cat’s out, eh?

Well, I hope they like my suit.”

Kerry paused, feeling a calming wave pass over her. “You don’t think I’m a total fool?”

Dar hesitated. “Why’d you bring the pictures?” she asked quietly.

“Um…” Kerry blushed. “To show you off to my sister.”

A soft chuckle warmed her. “And I’m supposed to think that’s foolish?

Nah, bad luck, but…keep your head together, and if they’ve got questions, just answer them. Don’t let them rattle you.”

“All right.” Kerry squared her shoulders a little. “Thanks, Dar.”

“Let me know what happens, okay?” her friend urged gently.

“Yeah, I will,” Kerry reassured her. “Bye.” She closed the phone and tucked in onto her belt. “Dar says, just stay cool and see what happens.”

Angela put an arm around her. “She sounds like a good friend, on top of everything else.”

Kerry nodded absently. “She is. I know I can count on her.” She carefully put her things away. “Okay, let’s change and go downstairs. The rest of the family should be arriving, that should give me a grace period over dinner, at least.” She unbuttoned the soft flannel green shirt she’d worn to town and tugged it from her jeans, pulling off the shirt and folding it neatly before she tucked it inside her bag. “I could just make them explode by wearing jeans to dinner, I guess.”

Angela removed a beige, pleated skirt and a long-sleeved shirt from her own bag, along with a pearl-embroidered pink wool sweater. “Kerry.”

She smiled. “Just kidding.” Her jeans followed the shirt into the bag, and she removed the blue-green skirt and jacket outfit Dar had picked out for her in Macy’s. The silk blouse followed, and she pulled out her good shoes.

“There, they can’t complain about that.”

“Wow,” Angela commented as she changed into it. “That’s very nice, Ker.”

Her sister tucked the silk blouse into her skirt neatly and zipped it, then settled her jacket over her shoulders. “Thanks, it’s one of the new ones I got for work when I changed jobs. I really like it.”

Angela finished changing and walked over, brushing a speck of dust from Kerry’s lapel and straightening the sleeves a little. “Nice pin.”

Green eyes glanced down, then back up. “A gift, though I didn’t know it at the time. Dar picked this one out as a favor—she was along so I’d know what kind of stuff to wear to the office.” She grabbed her brush and set to work on her wind-blown hair, arranging it to her satisfaction, then removing a small bottle from her bag and putting on a touch of perfume.

“Mmm, what is that?” Arlene sniffed.

“Polo,” Kerry answered absently.

“I like it,” her sister approved. “C’mon, let’s go downstairs.”

Kerry gazed at herself in the mirror, the soft lamplight in the room highlighting her pale hair and making her green eyes glitter. “All right, let’s go.”

Tropical Storm 413

They walked down the stairs together, hearing a low murmur of voices in the hall, and stepped out onto the landing, heading for the dining room. Eyes turned as they approached, and Kerry felt her back stiffen as she spotted her father’s face, set and angry, where he was standing next to Kyle. She lifted her chin and turned her attention instead to her other relatives, as her aunts and uncles bore down on her. Across the room, she spotted a very nervous-looking Brian, and she managed to catch his eye and smile at him, winking lightly. He visibly relaxed.

“Why, Kerrison, don’t you look lovely.” Her Aunt Agatha tottered over.

“What a charming color on you, my dear. You look so grown up!”

“I’m twenty-seven,” Kerry told her kindly. “I thought it was about time.”

“Oh, aren’t you clever.” The old woman patted her arm. “Eustace, look at how wonderful our niece looks.” She peered over Kerry’s shoulder. “Honey, your daughter looks just great.”

Kerry turned to see her mother bearing down on them. She paused and eyed Kerry, then gave a grudging nod of approval at her daughter’s appearance. “Well, she knows how to make an appearance, of course,” the older woman stated loftily. “Dear, your Uncle Milton desperately wants to say hello to you.”

“Sure,” Kerry replied. “Where is…oh, right. I see him.” Her uncle towered above the rest of the crowd by a good six inches. “Okay, I’ll go over.”

She started towards him but stopped when her mother pulled her aside a little and looked her over.

“You do look very nice, Kerrison,” she finally admitted, pulling at a tendril of Kerry’s pale hair.

Kerry let her smile touch her eyes. “Thanks…Mom, I really like the way I look, and everyone else does, too. So can you lay off on the criticism?”

Her mother stiffened “I wasn’t…”

“I’m over it,” Kerry said very softly.

Her mother stared at her, totally at a loss. “Well, I never.” She shook her head and turned, moving away from Kerry with a bewildered look.

“Jesus, I’d have to apply for a credit card just to order her a clue.” Kerry sighed as she resumed her walk towards her uncle.

She was intercepted by Brian, who approached her tentatively, then more confidently as she waved him forward. He was a tall man with sandy hair and a loosely knit way of walking, large, powerful hands, and a handsome, boyish face. “Hello, Bri.” She pulled him into a hug, hearing him suck in a breath.

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “Really okay.”

He relaxed and allowed his arms to circle her, giving her back a hug

“Kerriboo, I’m sorry.” His voice was very soft. “I should have called you, I…”

“Shhh.” Kerry patted his back. “It’s okay, don’t worry about it, I’m fine. It worked out better this way, honest.” They broke apart, arms still loosely linked about each other. “You’re still one of my best friends, okay?”

He smiled and touched his forehead to hers, while aunts and uncles cooed around them. “Aren’t they cute?”

Green eyes and gray ones met and rolled together. “C’mon, if I have to run the gauntlet, you should at least be with me,” Kerry whispered, taking him by the arm and starting across the floor.

414 Melissa Good It was a long dinner, around the huge table, in the formal dining room.

Kerry found herself seated between a gaggle of her older relatives, with Brian down the table somewhat and her sister at the other end. Her father and Kyle, fortunately, were also at the other end. She kept her table-mates entertained with stories about Miami and the customs there until the dinner was over, and they were all standing up, ready to move into the living room for drinks and conversation.

Maybe she’d get lucky, Kerry mused, and they’d leave it for tomorrow; in front of all the family would be a bad move. She allowed herself to be dragged into several conversations, and before she knew it, the clock was ringing the midnight chimes, and the guests were starting to leave. She stood and got Angela’s attention, then made her goodnights and headed for the stairs.

“Kerrison.” Her father’s voice.

Kerry exhaled, taking a moment to compose herself before she turned around. “Yes?”

He was standing in the doorway, face very grim. “I need to see you in my study, now.”

Oh well, wishful thinking. Kerry ran a hand through her hair and gathered up her courage. “All right,” she replied, and walked towards the study door.

She opened it and passed through. Kyle was in there, perched on her father’s broad desk with a smirk on his face. She heard the door close firmly behind her, and Kerry knew, as a shudder passed through her guts, that she was in trouble.

Her father walked past her and went behind his desk, then pushed a very familiar file folder across it towards her. “I’d like you to explain this.”

Kerry remained silent while she pondered her options. Well, conciliation wasn’t going to do any good, so… “Only if you can explain why you feel it necessary to search my personal belongings,” she responded quietly, putting her hands on the back of the chair before the desk and gazing evenly at him.

“Don’t smart-mouth me, girl,” her father warned.

“I’m not, but I am an adult, and I have the right to carry around whatever things I want to in my briefcase, Dad.” She kept her voice reasonable. “And not have to worry that people inside my own parents’ house are ransacking them.” Her temper was building, though. She could feel it.

He thumbed through the pictures, then looked up. “You know what I think? I think I know the reason you all of a sudden decided you wanted to stay down in that hell-hole.” Kerry remained silent. “I think it has nothing to do with your damn little job and everything to do with that bitch you work for.” He slammed his fist down on the table. “What did she do to you, Kerry?

Minute movements of her eyes as she studied him. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? You call this nothing?” He picked up the folder and threw it at her, scattering colorful photographs over the carpet. “I’ll have the law on her!

It’s obvious to me what’s going on, Kerry. In fact, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” He paced back and forth. “Didn’t you think I could help you?”

Kerry’s brows knit. “Just what is it…you think she did?” she asked, honestly puzzled.

“Forced you into that job, of course! Her reputation… Well, I can’t say that in front of you, but it’s obvious what she’s after…my god, girl!” He threw Tropical Storm 415

up his hands. “First thing we have to do is get you out of there, then I’ll file a formal protest. Don’t you worry, girl, she won’t be able to come after you.”

“Whoa!” Kerry held up a hand. “Let me get this straight, you think Dar’s trying to seduce me?”

Her father reddened. “Watch your language, young lady.” He cleared his throat. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Kerry exhaled. “No, Dad, she’s not trying to seduce me, and she didn’t force me into that position, either. It was my choice.”

“Stop trying to protect her!” Senator Stuart barked. “It’s no good, Kerry, unless you can give me another reasonable explanation of those pictures!”

Long silence. “All right,” Kerry finally said, very quietly. “It’s a lot simpler than you think. We’re in love with each other.”

She could hear the carpet fibers unraveling in the deathly stillness that followed her words. The building creaked around them, and she became very aware of her own breathing. She had not, in the furthest stretches of her imagination, considered this conversation going in quite this way.

“What?” her father finally said, stepping around his desk and facing her.

Kerry felt curiously calm. “Dar’s a very special person, and we’re in love with each other,” she repeated. “And she didn’t force me into…”

The impact slammed her against the filing cabinet next to the desk as her father slapped her hard across the cheek.

“Don’t you dare say that.” His voice was a hiss. “No daughter of mine is one of those.” Kerry straightened up and put a hand to her cheek, staring at him. “You are going to resign from that godless company, and I’ll have your apartment packed up and brought home,” he enunciated softly. “And we’re not going to hear you say anything like that ever again, are we?”

Kerry could hear her own heartbeat thundering in her ears as she came to a personal crossroads. She stared at him for a long moment, breathing hard, then took a final deeper breath. “Go to hell.” She spat the words in his face.

“I’d rather live homeless than come back here.”

He started forward, but she backed up and put the chair between them, so intent on his progress that she forgot there was another person in the room.

Until a hand slipped over her neck and something foul and sharp-smelling was pressed to her nose and mouth. She struggled wildly, but the grip was too strong, and her body made her breathe through the stink.

A numb feeling came over her, and a growing darkness, and a chilling cold.