To Laney, With Love

by Joyce Sullivan

  Caution and anxiety slowed her steps as she approached the side entrance that she used to carry groceries into the house. Just around the corner was a picture window over the kitchen sink that gave her a view of the robins pulling worms from the lawn in the spring. The house had a fairly open layout with wide doorways. She should be able to see into her small dining room and living area through the window.

  Her heart quaked at the possibility of seeing her husband ensconced in his favorite chair, his thick, fair hair barely visible over the pages of the Report on Business section of the Globe and Mail.

  But foreboding settled in her bones and froze the anticipation awakening in her heart when she got a close-up view of the boot print on her kitchen door. The door hung slightly ajar, its jamb splintered from the frame.

  Laney turned and ran.

  Whoever awaited her inside was not her husband.

  Chapter Two

  Ben brought his minivan to a sliding stop on the iceslick street in front of the Munks’ house. The sight of the police car in Laney’s driveway shredded his guts to ribbons. What would have happened tonight had he not invited Laney and Josh to stay for supper? He grabbed the keys from the ignition and bounded out of the van before the engine had finished shuddering. The Munks’ front door opened and he could see Laney’s petite form silhouetted by light.

  “Ben, in here, quick,” she called, her voice carrying unnaturally high in the crisp night air.

  Relief that both she and Josh were unharmed flooded through him as he hurried up the saltsprinkled front walk to join her. She closed the door behind him, shutting out the cold, and gave him a quick, tight hug that didn’t nearly satisfy the need he felt to hold her. Her eyes mirrored all her questions and fears as she pulled away. Ben had a few questions of his own.... Laney had received the valentine today. The timing of the burglary was downright suspicious.

  “Where are the police?” he asked her in a low tone as he bent over to unlace his winter boots.

  “Searching the house. He told us to stay inside. I don’t know yet if they found anyone. What’ll we do if—”

  “Ben!”

  Before Ben knew what was happening, Josh did an end run around his mother and pitched himself at Ben.

  “Boy, am I glad to see you. Where’s Scott?”

  Ben straightened just in time and braced one arm against the wall to keep from losing his balance as Josh caught his legs in a stranglehold. His free arm circled Josh reassuringly. “Scott’s at home with his grandma. I hear you’re having some excitement around here?”

  “Yeah! The police are here and everything. Do you think they’re gonna catch the bad guys who broke into our house?”

  Ben glanced at Laney over Josh’s head. “I don’t know, sport. I hope so.”

  “Me, too. I made sure Mom didn’t go in the house.”

  “He was very brave,” Laney said with a strained smile that told Ben how afraid she’d been. “He followed my instructions to the letter and came over to ask the Munks to phone the police.”

  Ben tweaked the freckled tip of Josh’s nose, noticing the boy still had a firm grip on his leg. “Good job. I’m proud of you.”

  Josh beamed up at him with wide blue eyes. “Am I a hero?”

  “You are in my book, sport. Real heroes do brave things even when they’re scared. And I’ll bet it was a little scary to think somebody could be in your house.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” A flicker of worry crossed Josh’s face. “Do you think the burglar took my Super Nintendo?”

  “I don’t know. We’ll see what the police say. But even if they did take your game, your mom has theft insurance. You’ll get a new one.”

  “Oh, cool. Maybe I can get the new Nintendo 64. Wait’ll Scott finds out.” Josh released Ben’s leg and did an excited dance that looked like something between the moonwalk and hip-hop.

  Ben hoped everything would be as simple as replacing some material items. How long would it take the police to search Laney’s house?

  He saw Mrs. Munk hovering at the entrance to the kitchen, observing them. She pointed in the direction of Laney’s house and mouthed that the police were on their way over. Ben couldn’t see Mr. Munk. Most likely, he was out on their rear balcony watching the action.

  Mrs. Munk pulled a deck of cards off the top of the refrigerator. “Hey, Josh, look what I found,” she said, crowding the hallway further with her wide bulk. “How ’bout we play a game of War to the finish?”

  She’d already lured Josh into the kitchen by the time the patrol officer knocked on the door and asked Laney to come next door with him. He had the lean, hardened look of a cop who’d seen it all.

  “Did you catch anyone?” Ben demanded.

  The officer jerked a thumb at him. “Who are you? Her husband?”

  “He’s a friend,” Laney explained, zipping up her coat. “Can he come, too, Constable?”

  Ben threw the constable a look that suggested he’d have more than he could handle if he tried to stop him.

  “Of course.” The constable waited until they were outside before he told them he’d searched the house from top to bottom. “There was no one inside. Doesn’t look like much was taken. I’d say they were in and out in a few minutes. They were probably watching the house—it happens a lot. They learn your schedule...what time you go out, how long you’re gone. Usually they’re after quick drug money.”

  “They? Was there more than one intruder?” Ben asked, keeping a protective grip on Laney’s elbow as they crossed the icy driveway.

  The constable shrugged and glanced down at a little black notebook he carried. “There’s two different sets of footprints on the kitchen floor. Have a look around. We’ll need you to make an itemized list of what’s missing.”

  Laney nodded mutely, her eyes huge in her pale face. Ben clamped his jaw tightly in anger when he saw the single boot print on the kitchen door and realized how easily Laney and Josh’s home had been violated. Hell, one kick. Ben listened carefully as the officer explained how the integrity of the lock could be strengthened by securing the latch plate to the jamb with longer screws. He’d make damn sure this didn’t happen again.

  Laney stared at her kitchen as if she’d never seen it before. It looked almost the same as when she’d left it hours ago. The walls were still a pale rose with a black-and-rose floral wallpaper border at ceiling level. The counters and shelves were still cluttered with her collection of teapots. The only difference was that her purse, which had been hanging on the coatrack near the door, now lay on the dirty black-and-white ceramic tile floor along with its contents—except for her wallet. One of the burglars had stepped on her favorite lipstick and broken its case. She could see a trail of carmine smudges leading toward the hallway, telling her everywhere the intruders had been. A numb rage cloaked her senses. Why had this happened now—the same day she’d received Reese’s valentine?

  Was the burglary a coincidence? Or were the two incidents somehow related?

  Woodenly, she retrieved her purse and clutched it against her middle as she fumbled inside it for her wallet. Reese had bought her the purse in Italy on a business trip. Her purse was empty. It was a hollow victory knowing the thieves had netted thirty-five dollars and her credit cards.

  She couldn’t imagine Reese breaking into their home with an accomplice to steal from them. That didn’t sound remotely like the man she’d married. But then, she’d never imagined the man she’d married would abandon her and their son for fourteen months. “My wallet’s gone,” she shakily informed the constable and Ben. She suddenly felt reluctant to venture any farther into the house. What other discoveries would she make?

  Ben must have guessed her thoughts, because he clasped her hand and pulled her toward the dining area. Laney could feel the warmth and strength of his firm fingers shoring her up, coaxing her to follow him. Before Reese had died she’d always been the strong one, capable of handling anything on her own. Was it fear making her so dependent on Ben now?

&nb
sp; “I can’t tell that anything’s missing here,” he said. “The living room looks okay, too. The TV’s still there, and the piano.”

  Laney forced herself to open her eyes and look around. Ben was right. Everything looked in place. There were just those mocking lipstick marks on the polished pine floorboards and the area rugs.

  Feeling braver, she led the way to the narrow stairs and followed the marks into Josh’s room. Someone had gone through her son’s dresser drawers. His Winnie-the-Pooh piggy bank was on his unmade bed—along with a penny the thief had missed. Laney picked up the penny and rubbed it between her thumb and index finger. “They took the money Josh was saving up for an aquarium, but everything else looks normal—” She broke off with a short laugh. “Normal. My life feels anything but normal right now.”

  Ben touched her cheek, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. The gentleness of his fingers made her want to lean her head into his hand.

  “It’s only money,” he said with a lopsided grin that made her heart flip-flop.

  Laney smiled at him, feeling her eyes water. “You’re right.” She squared her shoulders and gripped the penny tightly in her hand for good luck. “Two more rooms to go.” An audible sigh of relief escaped her as she walked into her office. She gave her computer screen a pat, glad she wouldn’t have to scramble to get a new system up and running, and decided she could overlook the mess someone had made emptying her desk drawers. Her office hadn’t been all that tidy to begin with.

  “Funny the computer’s still there,” Ben commented. “Looks like the constable was right and they were only after cash.”

  The burglars had rifled her mahogany bedroom dresser with the same efficiency. All her knickknacks, photos and perfume bottles had been swept clear off the dresser top, along with the lacy Battenberg runner. Had the thieves hoped she’d hidden hundred-dollar bills beneath the runner?

  The only items of value she kept in her bedroom were the pieces of jewelry Reese had given her, and trinkets he’d collected during his travels. Worry formed an acidic lump in her stomach as Ben helped her pick through the sweaters and lacy lingerie that littered her floor, looking for her rosewood jewelry box. Neither of them could find it.

  Hands on her hips, Laney gulped in dismay as the realization sunk in that that all her jewelry had been whisked away. She toed a pair of nylons peeking out from beneath her eyelet bed ruffle. A lucky penny obviously didn’t buy much good luck anymore.

  “My wedding band and engagement ring were in there,” she said, feeling her chin wobble. She bit down hard on her lower lip to keep from crying. Her head ached from the disconnected thoughts crowding into her mind. What would Reese think if she showed up to meet him without her rings?

  Ben’s eyes held a mixture of compassion and something else she couldn’t define. For some reason it seemed very important to her not to go to pieces in front of him again. She needed to be strong for herself. For Josh. “I suppose you’re going to tell me it’s only jewelry?”

  “Nope. It’s a symbol of Reese’s love for you. Even though the symbol’s been stolen, the love remains in your heart.”

  Laney glared at him. Spoken like a pragmatic engineer. The man had an answer for everything—except for why a man would stay away from his wife and son for over a year. There his wisdom had dried up. Laney knew it was because Ben was too kind to suggest the obvious possibility—that Reese had stayed away because he didn’t love her anymore.

  Had she nagged him too much about being away from home so often?

  “Has anyone ever told you you’re too practical?” she snapped.

  Ben shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, his expression bleak. “Yes, lots of people. Many times.”

  Laney had the impression she’d hit a sensitive nerve and it sucked the anger from her. She’d never seen Ben look so vulnerable before. The dull gleam in his blue-black eyes suggested his thoughts were far from pleasant. Why was she blasting him, anyway? That damn valentine was responsible for seeding the bumper crop of doubts in her heart, not Ben.

  All in all, Ben was right. She’d been lucky. “I’m sorry,” she said, massaging her temples with her fingers. “I realize the burglary could have been a lot worse. I should be digging out my homeowner’s insurance policy and the last appraisal on my jewelry instead of snapping at you for trying to make me feel better.”

  “Well, go dig them up,” he said, brushing off her apology. “I’ll meet you downstairs. I’m sure the police officer has other emergencies to tend to and Josh will be worried.”

  Her office files were still intact and Laney had no trouble finding the documents. But she took a moment to splash cold water on her face before she went downstairs. After the constable left, Laney straightened up Josh’s bedroom. Then she went next door to get Josh while Ben rounded up some tools and scrap wood in the basement to effect a temporary repair on the door.

  Laney brought Josh home by the front door, hoping to get him directly into bed, but her overexcited son made a beeline for Ben as soon as he had his boots off. Laney knew there was trouble ahead when he vociferously objected to the blocks of wood Ben had nailed up to secure the door for the night.

  “It’ll be fine,” Ben patiently assured him, tapping a block with a hammer. “I used lots of nails. No one’s coming through here.”

  Josh didn’t look convinced. “But what if they come back after we’re asleep? I wish Dad was here.”

  Laney’s heart twisted with a pang as she put her hands on Josh’s narrow shoulders and felt the tension stiffening his body. Was it her fault Reese wasn’t here with them now? “We’ll be fine, honey.”

  Ben squatted to Josh’s eye level. “Josh, the burglars won’t come back because they know the police will be watching the area. But if the door worries you, I’ll be happy to stay the night on the couch—if it’s okay with your mom. I’m gonna replace the door and the lock tomorrow and you’ll be fine.”

  Laney’s stomach quivered with alarm. Ben stay here all night? Her throat tightened convulsively at the thought of his rangy form sprawled on the floral sofa in her living room. Somehow it didn’t seem appropriate to be wondering what her best friend wore or didn’t wear to bed when she didn’t even know if her husband was alive or dead. Where had that thought come from?

  “Can Ben stay, Mom? Please?”

  She closed her eyes, waffling. Josh would probably be up all night if she said no, and she had to report her credit cards stolen. But she didn’t want him to jump to conclusions about the reason Ben would be allowed to stay over. “Sure, he can sleep on the couch. But only one night, until the door’s fixed.”

  Josh let out a screech of delight that cleared out her ears. “Can we call Scott and have him sleep over, too?”

  “No. Scott’s probably been asleep for hours. Now, upstairs and into bed. You have school tomorrow.”

  “Aw, Mom.”

  Laney shooed him upstairs and prayed he’d obediently brush his teeth and put on his pajamas now that he knew Ben was nearby.

  From the kitchen below she heard the occasional sound of hammering as she tucked Josh into bed and kissed him good-night.

  “Where’s Spidey?” he asked, yawning. He felt the bedclothes for the Spider-Man toy action figure he’d slept with every night since his dad had given it to him on his eighth birthday. “He’s not here, Mom.”

  Laney checked the covers at the foot of the bed, then got down on her knees and looked under the bed. Why did things always go missing at the most inopportune times? She searched Josh’s closet.

  Josh’s voice rose with fatigue. “Do you think the burglars took Spidey?”

  “Of course not,” she said, massaging a tight spot of tension in her neck as she surveyed the room. “It’s probably downstairs by the TV. I’ll tuck it in with you when I find it, okay?”

  “Promise?”

  Josh’s plaintive wail melted her. She gave him another tight hug and a kiss, snuggling her face into the warm curve of his neck for a moment.
The creditcard companies could wait. “I promise. Now go to sleep. It’s very late.” Then she turned out the light and escaped before he could sound another protest.

  Her pulse fluttered at an accelerated rate as she jogged lightly down the stairs with a pile of blankets, sheets and pillows from the linen closet in her arms. Laney felt as if she were escaping one danger-laden zone for another. Ben was downstairs. He was spending the night under her roof.

  “Josh get to sleep all right?” he asked with concern, joining her in the living room as she dumped her bundle on the couch. Laney had never been so aware of his presence before. The rugged maleness of him seemed so out of keeping with the feminine frills of her decor. There was nothing soft about Ben. His angles were hard and lean from his cheekbones to his shins.

  “I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” she said lightly, keeping her eyes averted from him as she scanned the floor area for Josh’s toy. “Spidey’s missing. Josh can’t sleep without it, but I’m hoping he’s too tired to put up much of a fuss.” She looked under the cushion of a burgundy brocade Queen Anne wing chair Josh usually sat in when he played video games. “It should be around here somewhere.”

  “I’ll help you look,” Ben offered, opening the cabinet to the pickled pine entertainment center. He cleared his throat. “I hope you didn’t mind my offering to stay over. Josh seemed kind of worried.”

  Laney risked a glance at him, noting the sleek darkness of the back of his head and the tempting span of his shoulders as he poked through the jumble of video and game cassettes. Guilt that she was even noticing how handsome and capable Ben Forbes was, trickled through her. Her hands trembled as she told herself that millions of married people made similar observations about members of the opposite sex every day. And it didn’t mean a thing.

  It was normal to experience the feelings from time to time, quite another to act on them. She would never do anything to jeopardize her friendship with Ben or the positive influence he had on Josh. Sometimes a child needed a man around, which was all the more reason to find out if her son’s father was still alive. “No, Ben, I don’t mind your staying over at all,” she said, grateful his back was to her.