He chuckled. “I hope you don’t have a problem with this either. I want you to be my guest at a formal gala next Sunday evening.”
“Formal? Oh, Cabin. I don’t know…”
“It’s very important to me.”
“What’s the occasion?”
He looked at the stars. “Well...it’s a fundraising event, to help raise awareness for the pregnancy support center in Chickasha.”
“Sounds like a good cause.”
“It is. There’s also a silent auction. I’m hoping to raise a few dollars to help with clinic repairs. I want the place in good shape for the teen pregnancy clinic’s grand opening next month.” Cabin cut his eyes to her, waiting for a reaction.
“Cabin! You got the grant!” She knocked him back onto the shoreline, covering his body with hers. “I’m so happy for you!” She peppered kisses over his face.
“You never answered my question. Will you accompany me to the gala?” he asked, as they sat up.
“Of course I will! Scarlett has at least a dozen formal gowns.”
He cringed at her sister’s name.
“I’m sure she’ll loan one to me. It’s amazing how well we’ve been getting along lately. It’s like she’s a different person. She’s taking her medication, and she’s even seeing a therapist.”
He held his tongue, not willing to slash Darcy’s hopes, the way Scarlett had slashed his feet.
“You have your clinic for young mothers, and I have my sister. It seems both our dreams are coming true. And the sweetest dream-come-true of all is that we have each other.”
Cabin nodded, pulling her to him. He stroked her hair as she rested her head on his chest under a canopy of stars.
****
“That’s definitely the one.” Scarlett prodded Darcy’s thighs as she circled her. “It looks perfect on you.”
Darcy stared in her sister’s full-length mirror. “Don’t you think it’s a bit...revealing?”
“Of course I do, that’s why I bought it.” Scarlett tugged at the strapless black bodice, exposing even more cleavage. “It is a formal affair, this is a formal gown.” She knelt, adjusting the fitted skirt. “And, of course, you’ll need these shoes.” She rose, a pair of black patent peep-toes with spiked silver heels looped over her finger.
Darcy clutched her chest. The dress squeezed her ribs as she chuckled. “I’ll break my neck! Or puncture someone’s foot!”
“Nonsense. It just takes a little practice. I’ll show you.” Scarlett strapped the shoes to her ankles, then strutted around the room, as if on the catwalk. “Now you try.” She removed the shoes, handing them to Darcy.
“I can barely walk in this dress barefoot, let alone wearing these ankle-twisters!” She sat on the bed, wiggled her feet into the sleek stilettos and fumbled with the tiny silver buckles. She stood, steadied herself against the bed and squealed, nearly toppling over. “I can’t do this.”
“Of course you can.” Scarlett took her by the arm, guiding her around the room as her ankles wobbled threateningly. “See there, you’re doing fine.” They paused in front of the mirror. Darcy flinched, stricken by the reflection of herself in the strapless gown alongside Scarlett in her bathrobe, as if they’d reversed roles.
“You look younger than me,” Scarlett said, her voice strained.
“Yeah, right. Your face is perfect.”
“My face is plastic.” Scarlett jerked from the reflection, crossing the room. “And plasticizing myself hasn’t made me look younger. It’s merely made people aware that I’m aging.” She tossed her head. “So when did you say this...shindig is going to transpire?”
“Well, I wouldn’t really call it a ‘shindig,’” Darcy said. “The gala is scheduled for the thirteenth. Not this Sunday, but next.” She unbuckled the dangerous shoes from her ankles.
“Ah, yes, that’s right.” Scarlett returned to Darcy and unzipped the back of the formal. “I’ll get this to the drycleaner early next week and pick it up for you on Friday.”
“But it looks fine. The tags are still on it.” Darcy carefully stepped out of the black satin.
“It needs freshening up.” Scarlett lifted the garment to Darcy’s face. “Smells a tad like cigarette smoke.”
Darcy sniffed and shrugged.
“I want to polish the shoes too.” Scarlett replaced the dress on its hanger, hooking it over her closet door as Darcy gathered up the various dresses and shoes littering Scarlett’s bedroom.
Darcy eyed her wristwatch. “Wow, it’s getting late.” She glanced at the window, dark behind the sheer curtains. “Thanks a lot, Scarlett. I really appreciate this.”
“You’re welcome.” Scarlett kissed Darcy on the cheek. “After all, that’s what sisters are for.”
Chapter Nine
Scarlett screwed the lid onto the silver flask with one burgundy-tipped thumb. “I told you I would pick the dress up for you.” She stirred her coffee, spoon clinking noisily against the oversized mug.
“I ran an errand in downtown Chickasha Friday after school. The drycleaner was right next door.” Darcy slid from the stool and crossed the kitchen. “Plus, I dropped by the clinic on the way home. I couldn’t wait to show Cabin.” Unhooking the metal hanger from the cabinet knob, she cradled the plastic-shrouded gown and walked it to her bedroom. “Did you bring the shoes?” she called, nudging the formal between two sundresses.
“No...I’ll bring them over shortly. And don’t squeeze that freshly pressed gown into that ridiculously cramped closet of yours. You’ll absolutely ruin it!” Scarlett’s voice rang through the open doorway.
Darcy reopened the closet and removed the dress, then bent the hanger over the closet door.
“Here, sister dear. I hope it’s white enough for you.” Scarlett handed her a mug as she stepped into the kitchen. The liquid swirled like a whirlpool.
“Thank you.” She took a sip. “It’s perfect.”
Scarlett smiled. “So, what time is Cabin picking you up?”
Darcy returned the mug to her lips, taking a healthy swallow. “This is delicious. Oh...sorry, you asked me a question. Cabin isn’t picking me up tonight. I’m meeting him at the Chickasha country club. He has to arrive early, around five, because he’s on the pregnancy support center’s board of directors. Plus, he needs to organize and display the art pieces for the silent auction.” She drained the coffee, then looked at the empty mug, amazed. “I’d better slow down before I get the jitters.”
“Nonsense,” Scarlett said, pouring another cup for her sister. “Run into the living room and grab the magazine I left on the sofa. I want you to see how amazing your hair is going to look tonight. It’s an up-do. Your appointment is at three o’clock with Larry. He’s fabulous. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“But it’s Sunday—the salons are closed.”
“Closed for everyone else. Larry’s opening exclusively for you, because you’re my sister.”
Darcy skidded from the stool, her head light. She grasped the countertop for support. “I’m a little dizzy for some reason.”
“Whoa, slow down. You jumped off that stool like it bucked you.” Scarlett chuckled.
Darcy walked to the living room and searched the sofa for the magazine.
“Do you see it?” Scarlett called over her clanging spoon.
“It’s not here.” She shifted the pillows, peering under them.
Scarlett entered the room carrying Darcy’s mug. “Huh. I must’ve forgotten it. I could have sworn I brought it.” She searched under the same pillows. “Oh well, no worries, I’ll bring it over with the shoes in a sec.” She handed Darcy the mug.
Darcy held her hand up. “No thanks. I think I’ll stop.”
“Oh, come on, Cinderella, have just one more little cup with me. Tell your sister all about the ball you’re attending as she grows positively green with envy.” She guided Darcy by the arm, sitting her on the sofa, placing the mug into her hand. “I’ll be right back to join you.”
Dar
cy sighed and took a drink of coffee, relaxing into the soft cushions. She listened to Scarlett click around the kitchen tile in her Gucci slides, the footfalls seeming to fade, then grow unbearably loud, only to fade again. It seemed the living room light was dimming and brightening as well. She took another sip, aware of a strange tingle on her mouth. Rubbing her lips, she laughed loudly—they’d turned to rubber. Tugging them, she called her sister. “Scar! Hey, Scar, check this out!” She pulled her bottom lip and squealed. “My lips are Silly Putty!”
Scarlett returned and laughed with her. “They certainly are. How are you feeling, dear?”
Darcy closed her eyes, a comfortable hum filling her head. “Fantabulous!” She swigged her coffee, dribbling it down her chin, sloshing it onto her pajamas. “Ouch! It’s hot.”
Scarlett took the mug from her trembling hand.
“It’s just a little warm. You’re fine.” She guided her from the sofa.
“Hey! Wait! Guess what! I wasn’t going to tell you this, but...” Darcy swayed, holding to her sister’s elbow. “We’re Siamese twins! Separated at birth.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Scarlett frowned.
“Maybe not Siamese exactly…but conjoined.” Attempting to lift her right foot, she lost balance and puddled to the floor, eye level with her sister’s feet. “See! See! There it is! You have a scar. Scar has a scar.” Darcy drummed her fists on the hardwood in a fit of laughter. “I’m going to pee my pants!”
“Come with me. I think you need to lie down for a moment.” Pulling her up, wrapping an arm around her waist, Scarlett led her sister to the bedroom.
“No. I can’t! I have to meet Prince Charming!”
“You have plenty of time, dear, it’s still morning.” Scarlett led her to the bedroom, then helped her into bed. “Just rest.” She lifted Darcy’s head, smoothing her hair down around her neck before fluffing her pillow.
“I don’t feel right. I’m scared. Maybe we should call a doctor. Cabin is a doctor!” She alternated giggles with sobs.
“Now, now, you’ll be fine. It’s just all the excitement.” Scarlett patted Darcy’s thigh, a little too hard.
“Don’t leave me! I don’t want to be alone.” Darcy’s lip trembled.
Scarlett rummaged around on the headboard shelf. “Here, let this god-awful thing keep you company.” She shoved Gigi’s doll roughly under Darcy’s arm. It was freezing. Goosebumps pimpled Darcy’s skin beneath its cold bones.
Scarlett took the phone from the nightstand. “I don’t want anyone disturbing you. I’ll check on you later.” She smiled, her eyes distant, and shut the door.
****
Darcy feared her skin would wither and peel from her body, leaving nothing but bones scattered over the bed. She cried out, eyes burning as she blinked her swollen lids. Underneath Darcy’s hair the doll glowed, searing her flesh like hot coal. Clawing the doll from her neck, she frantically checked for blisters.
She shook with terror as an invisible finger scrawled words into the air inches from her eyes, in Gigi’s longhand. That which bonds the skin, binds the bones.
The scrimshaw bones. The skin-tag!
Scarlett’s unpunished wrongs against Darcy. The ill-fated endings to those who betrayed Scarlett. Suddenly it all made sense. The power of the scrimshaw bones was bound, because the doll couldn’t tell where Darcy ended and Scarlett began. It thought they were a single person, one in the same, because of the conjoining skin tag.
Darcy’s gaze scanned the shadows, landing on the blank closet door. The dress was gone. Her hand returned to her neck. So was her diamond necklace.
Cabin!
The doll, meant for Darcy’s protection, had become a weapon to be used against her by a soulless doppelganger. Jagged screams climbed her throat, begging to fill the darkening room, while her scorched tongue, thick and useless, refused to comply.
****
Cabin tugged up the sleeve of his black tuxedo jacket and held his watch to his ear before letting his wrist fall to his side. He hadn’t seen her come in. Although, he had been preoccupied, labeling and displaying art pieces in the adjoined room, preparing for the silent auction.
She wasn’t answering her phone. He milled through people, smiling, shaking hands, declining the offered hors d’oeuvres.
He checked his watch again as he crossed the room, averting a divorced country club member’s obvious advances with a polite handshake. Over the woman’s bare shoulder, through the darkened French doors, a faint red glow caught his eye. Excusing himself, he stepped through the doors, onto the shadowy poolside patio. The silhouette of a woman stood motionless, her gentle curves backlit by the muted light ascending the water.
“May I help you?” He would have to persuade the woman to step indoors. The patio was off limits during the gala. The pool constituted a risky liability.
“You certainly can,” the woman whispered, beckoning him with the outline of her slender fingers.
He cleared his throat, moving closer, hoping he wasn’t stepping into yet another web of unwanted advances. “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you’ll need to return to the building.” He touched her elbow and jolted as if he’d been shocked. The dress. He turned her gently toward him, his eyes sweeping her dimly lit face. “Darcy!” He smiled. “But, when did you...what are you doing out here?”
“I just needed some fresh air.” She stepped closer to him, the heels of her shoes clicking against the tile. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered in his ear, “It’s so good to see you.” She inhaled deeply. “Your aroma is intoxicating.”
Cabin swallowed hard and looked over his shoulder, into the French doors.
“Relax,” she breathed. “No one can see us out here.” She placed his hands on her hips, gliding them over the smooth satin. “Do you like my dress?” she asked, molding herself into him.
He backed his head from her, examining her shadowed face. “Your voice...”
“Hoarse. Yes, I know. You can thank my evil twin for that. She took me to her salon today, for this.” She unlaced her fingers from his neck and smoothed them over her hair, her firm breasts pressing against his chest as she arched into him.
His hands slid to her curved back, his fingers slipping down her spine.
“Fumes from styling products filled the place.” She released a delicate cough. “I’ve been raspy ever since.” The diamond necklace slid over her fingers as she caressed her throat, stirring him with desire. “Scarlett had the nerve to tell me I sounded like her, like I’d been smoking, for heaven’s sake. Ridiculous.”
He returned his hands to her hips, pressing her to him, enjoying this impish streak she’d concealed from him, wondering what had freed it. He brought his lips to hers, his passion ignited by her hungry kisses. He slid his mouth from her, knowing this was neither time nor place, knowing he was too far gone to care.
Eager fingers stroked his body, setting him on fire.
“Cabin... I can’t wait any longer. The pool house is unlocked. I have everything ready.” Her fingers encircled his wrist as she led him from the patio. “I want to make your special night a dream come true for both of us.”
****
Darcy rolled from the bed to the floor, unable to stand. She splintered her nails against the hardwood as she crawled, raking her legs across the boards. Pulling herself up on the nightstand, she writhed in pain, her head throbbing sickly. The phone. Where was the phone...
She flung herself against the door and rattled the knob, finding it locked. With a frustrated sob, she brought her knee up hard against the doorknob, jarring the tumbler free, falling through the opening into the hallway. Walking her hands up the wall, she rose, then hobbled to the kitchen and swept the countertop with her eyes. Her purse was gone. With an outraged cry, she lurched to the spare bedroom.
She flipped on the light. The old-fashioned telephone shone from the nightstand like a beacon. Her knee throbbed painfully beneath her sleep pants, inflating against the fabric. Li
mping furiously, she reached the phone and dialed Cabin’s number. No answer. She dialed Liz. Please pick up. Please pick up...
“Hello?” Liz’s perky voice soothed her like salve.
“Liz! Oh, thank God!”
“Darcy? What’s wrong?”
“You have to come. It’s a nightmare. She’s impersonating me. She has Cabin!”
“...Who has Cabin—Scarlett? On my way.”
“Hurry!” Darcy slammed down the phone and hobbled from the room.
****
Cabin followed her into the pool house, then turned to her, his breathing labored as she brought his hand to her lips, pressing his fingers to her mouth.
She pushed the door shut, locking it. “Come here, you aqua-eyed animal.” She crushed him to her, pressing him into her black satin.
“Darcy...I...”
“Shhh...” She kissed him deeply, rousing an inkling in the far corner of his mind. The slight flavor of tobacco lingering beneath her breath mint...the uncharacteristic behavior...
Intent of wrongdoing?
Cabin pushed the thought to the back of his brain, letting his libido rule. He shaped her around him, then thrust his fingers into her hair, shaking it free of pins. He slid his hands to her face, holding it in his palms.
A trace of malice?
He dropped his hands.
A smirk played on Scarlett’s full lips, her eyes curious.
Cabin’s heart stopped. He felt it, knew what it meant. Perspiration drenched him. He clawed at his chest with clammy hands. His lungs failed and he wheezed, tripping toward Scarlett as she backed away. His head cracked against the floor. Scarlett chuckled as he closed his eyes and succumbed to the darkness.
****
Liz bumped into the driveway, blaring the horn. Darcy staggered down the front steps toward the headlight beams, still wearing pajamas.
“Oh my God, Darcy, are you okay?” Catching her on the last step, Liz threw an arm over her shoulder, then limped her to the car.
Darcy drew her knees in painfully as Liz slammed the door, rounded to the driver’s side, and jumped behind the wheel. She jerked into reverse, gunning the accelerator.
Skinbound Page 9
