by Boone, Lisa
Could Sarah actually be interested in him romantically?
Surely not, Madison thought, dismissing the idea almost immediately as she studied the man underneath her eyelashes. He was completely different from the men Sarah usually dated. She normally chose safe, clean cut young men with good jobs.
Nice, dependable, boring, young men, Madison thought with a small smile as she remembered Sarah’s last boyfriend. The oh-so-serious history major writing his thesis on Victorian women and… Madison frowned …And something or other. Madison tried to remember if she had ever heard him speak above a soft whisper in the three months they had dated last year. Sarah had a type and it wasn’t Jamie.
So why did Sarah keep looking his way? And with that painfully sad look on her expressive face.
Madison gave Jamie another long look. “Pretty night out tonight.”
Jamie looked toward her. “Very pretty.”
“A bit cold though.”
He nodded politely before glancing down at the toe of his boot.
Well, he was certainly as talkative as the men Sarah usually dated, Madison thought wryly.
They both turned their attention back to the door as Sarah stepped out carrying a cardboard box. Her gaze traveled first to Jamie and then to Madison. She gave her sister a partly fearful, partly hopeful look as she came closer, limping slightly. “Do you remember last night when we were talking about pets?”
Madison eyed her sister suspiciously, as the crown of a furry red head appeared at the top of the box. “Yeah? What about them?”
Sarah looked down at the box and then back at her sister.
“Oh no,” Madison said.
“We were talking about getting a pet anyway.”
“Yes, and we decided to wait until after you were fully healed.”
“I am fully healed.”
Madison gave her sister a look. “You were just limping.”
“It’s not my leg. It’s my feet. My boots are killing me. They’re pretty but they are a pain to wear.” She gave her sister a small smile as she held out the box. “Just take a look at him. He’s so cute. You’ll absolutely love him. He’s got the cutest little floppy ears.”
Madison groaned. “Floppy? We discussed getting a cat. Cats don’t have floppy ears, Sarah.” She glanced in the box. A tiny red squirming ball of fur with large brown eyes stared back at her. His tail wagging, the puppy climbed over a towel, a small box of kibble and three squeaky toys to get closer to her. He planted his front paws on the edge of the box and let out a loud bark as he tried to scramble up and over.
“He’s the sweetest little puppy,” Sarah cooed as she shifted the box under one arm and petted the puppy’s back. “He’s so helpless. He was found in an empty garbage bag inside a dumpster yesterday. Someone just threw him away like he was trash.”
Madison watched as the puppy climbed on top of the kibble, planted two small paws against Sarah’s chest, and began bathing the underside of her chin with kisses.
Madison held out her hand and allowed the pup to sniff it before picking up the puppy and holding it close to her chest. He wiggled happily in her arms.
“Isn’t he cute?” Sarah asked, her big blue eyes wide and hopeful.
Madison glanced down at the puppy who was staring up at her with his own big brown eyes. She sighed. It was obviously two against one. “Adorable,” she said with a smile as she looked at the little fur ball in her arms. “What is he?”
Sarah cocked her head to the side as she gave the puppy a critical once over. “I don’t know. He’s definitely a mix. I think he might be part chow. He’s got the cutest little black tongue.”
“A chow?” Madison asked in horror. “Do you know how big those dogs get?”
“I said he might be part chow. Might be.” Sarah leaned over and nuzzled her face against the puppy. “Maybe the vet can tell us. I’ll see if I can’t get an appointment for Tuesday.”
Madison took the box out of her sister’s arms and handed the puppy back to her before turning around and heading down the street. She glanced at the lamppost, surprised to find that Jamie had disappeared. “What’s Jamie doing for Christmas?” she asked casually.
Sarah looked at her in surprise. “I don’t know.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t ask him to join us.”
“Why in the world would I do that?”
Madison shrugged. “I have no idea.”
They lapsed into silence as they continued down the street and turned a corner.
“He wouldn’t come even if I asked him,” Sarah said softly. “So, I didn’t ask.”
“Okay.”
Sarah pressed the puppy closer to her chest. “Besides, Jamie would much rather spend it alone than with me.”
Madison pressed her lips together. She had discovered long ago that her little sister had a tendency to clam up if she felt like she was being interrogated about something. Especially if it was something she didn’t want her big sister knowing. It was clear that if Madison wanted to know more about Jamie, she was going to have to approach the subject very carefully. Oddly enough, just staying silent or noncommittal often worked the best. Sarah hated silence. Eventually, she would talk.
“What?” Sarah asked suspiciously.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“I don’t know why you would think I’d ask him to come to Grandpa’s.”
“No reason.”
“If I was going to invite anyone it would be Derek.”
“Good.”
“What do you mean by good?”
Madison laughed. “I like Derek. He’s nice.”
Sarah’s lips quirked up. “He is nice. He called me today while you were getting the car.”
“What did he want?”
“He just wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas.” Sarah suddenly stumbled. Wincing, she hissed in pain as she looked down at her leg. After a few seconds, they continued down the street a bit slower than before.
When she stumbled again, Madison’s gaze dropped to Sarah’s leg.
Sarah sighed as she linked her arm through Madison’s. “Don’t start.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Good.”
They walked on in silence for a few minutes. “It just seems to me,” Madison began over Sarah’s groan, “that it would be better if you wouldn’t push yourself so hard. Take more breaks.” She glanced at her sister’s high-heeled boots. “Wear sensible footwear.”
The puppy let out a low growl as they neared the park across from their apartment building. A young couple kissing stood near the entrance to the small park. They stepped back into the shadows as the girls approached. The puppy let out a series of yips and growls as they passed through the large metal gates leading into the park.
Sarah tried to get the dog’s attention, but it wasn’t until the couple was out of sight before the puppy returned to licking Sarah’s face.
They turned down a small gravel pathway that travelled down the center of the park towards their apartment buildings.
Madison loved this park. It was one of the reasons she chose her apartment. She had a great view of it from her bedroom windows. In the summer, it was full of flowers and in the winter, especially this time of year, it was like their own private winter wonderland.
There wasn’t much snow on the ground. Only a light dusting left over from the night before but it was enough. Along each side of the pathway was a knee-high hedge decorated with Christmas lights and just beyond the hedges were various fir trees decorated with colored lights. Old-fashioned gas lamps, next to wrought iron benches, lit the way giving the whole park a romantic feel. Madison closed her eyes for a second imagining that it was Ethan beside her as she walked.
She felt Sarah lean in close and opened her eyes as her sister dropped her voice to a whisper. “Did Jamie say anything to you while you were both outside?”
“Not really. We just talked about the weather.”
“That’s it?”
; “That’s it.”
Sarah leaned away. “So, have you got anymore strange phone calls yet?”
Madison shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Good. I think if we have anything to worry about it’s with that Paul Harris guy. What does he look like?”
“I should get a picture of him and give it to you,” Madison said before describing Paul Harris once again for her sister.
Sarah dropped her arm from around Madison’s and held the puppy out in front of her face. “Did you hear that, dog? You see anyone like that you make sure to bark.”
The puppy let out a little yip, its tail wagging so hard its entire body shook.
“We’re safe now,” Sarah said confidently. “He’ll never get past our little protector.”
“Little is the operative word. What do you expect the dog to do?”
“Attack if necessary.” She held up the puppy to Madison’s face. “Look at him. He’s ferocious.”
The puppy reached forward to lick the tip of Madison’s nose.
Madison giggled. “I see that.”
Smiling, Sarah said, “I better pull him back before he sinks his teeth in to you.” She cuddled him against her chest. “He’s a dangerous dog. You can see it in his eyes. Don’t worry. If anyone goes after us, he’ll go for their Achilles tendons. Then we’ll have the creep right where we want him.”
“I feel safer already. What are you going to name the little guy?”
“Cupcake.”
“Cupcake?” Madison asked with a laugh as they passed through another gate and crossed the street. “That name may be too strong for such a ferocious animal. What about Cuddles or Sprinkles? You know, something to strike fear into a man’s heart.”
“I sense sarcasm. No, see, you have to give him a cutesy name. Lull the bad guy into a false sense of security. He’ll never see Cupcake coming until it’s too late.”
Madison set the box she was holding down on a bench in front of their apartment building. Smiling, she pulled out her keycard. “Somehow, I don’t think Cupcake fits him.”
Sarah looked down at the puppy in her arms, eyeing him critically. “Hmm, maybe not. We’ll have to go online and get some suggestions. We definitely need a good name—”
“How about Rory?” a voice called out from behind them.
Madison spun around to find Jamie only a few feet away.
“It’s Irish for Red King,” he said coming to a stop behind them.
Sarah stared at him in silence for a moment before lifting the puppy up and looked into his eyes. “Rory.” Her face lit up as the puppy barked. “I think he likes it. Rory it is.”
Unnerved to realize the strange young man had followed them from the pub, Madison asked, “What are you doing over here, Jamie?”
“Going home,” he said as he passed them. She watched as he continued down the street, and then made a right at the stoplight.
As soon as he disappeared around the corner, Madison looked back at her sister. “Does he live around here?”
“The next block over,” Sarah said as she set the puppy down near a tree.
Madison snapped her fingers. “I knew I recognized him from some place.” She bent over to retrieve the cardboard box. “I’ve seen him over here before. What’s his last name?”
Sarah looked at her suspiciously. “Murphy. Why?”
“Just curious.”
Once Rory was finished inspecting the tree and everything around it, Sarah picked the puppy up and carried him up the stairs while Madison unlocked the door.
“Did you know Jamie was outside our building the other day when I came home from work?” Madison asked as they walked to the small elevator at the end of the hall.
“What was he doing?”
Madison stifled a yawn as she looked at her watch. “Just walking.”
Sarah’s lips quirked up as she pressed the third floor button. “Sounds sinister.”
“Are you ready to go to Grandpa’s?”
“I just have to pack up my makeup and we can go. It’ll take me a few seconds.”
“I think you better call Grandpa first and see if it’s okay if we bring the puppy with us.”
“Already did,” Sarah said, stepping off the elevator and walking to their apartment door. “I called him from the pub and he said it would be fine.”
Madison slipped off her coat and hung it in the coat closet. Shivering slightly, she turned around with a frown. “Why is it so cold in here?” She checked the thermostat, bumping it up another five degrees. “I think our heat’s out.”
“Good thing we’re going to Grandpa’s then,” Sarah called out from her bedroom.
Madison walked over to the window on the right side of the fireplace. She pulled the drapes shut before walking over to the window hidden behind the Christmas tree on the other side. She flinched as a cold gust of air hit her in the face. “Sarah, did you open the window before we left for church?”
“It’s below forty,” Sarah said as she set her overnight case onto the living room floor next to Madison’s. “I haven’t opened the window since August.” She balled her hands on her hips as she looked down at the puppy. “You need some bowls.” She strode to the kitchen with Rory at her heels frantically trying to keep up.
The phone rang.
“Can you get that, Madison?” she called out from the kitchen.
It’s him, Madison thought as she stared at the phone on the writing desk near the front door. She closed the window with an angry jerk of her hand before striding across the living room and answering the phone.
There was a gasp as though the man on the other end of the line was struggling for breath.
Madison closed her eyes.
“Eight,” he said in a clipped angry tone.
“Quincy? It’s you, isn’t it?” She waited for him to answer. The seconds ticked by without a sound from the other end of the line.
No breathing.
No painful gasps of air.
Nothing.
“Quincy, please tell me what’s happening. I—” The telltale click of the phone disconnecting interrupted whatever else she had planned to say.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SEVEN
MONDAY, DECEMBER 25TH
3:37 P.M.
Madison poured a half a cup of rum into the eggnog. “I’m telling you, someone was in our apartment.” She added another ounce. “That window didn’t open on its own.” She glanced down at the mixture and then added another ounce of the rum.
Sarah reached out and grabbed her sister’s wrist. “Would you take it easy on that?” She glanced down into the bowl. “We’re going to be sloshed before the main course is finished.” She set the eggnog to the side and picked up a tray of candied sweet potatoes. “Nothing was taken. Our jewelry was still there. So was the money I had on my nightstand. I know it was only twenty dollars, but still…”
Madison set the bottle down and leaned against the counter. “He wasn’t after money. He just wanted us to know that he was there.”
“Who? Paul Harris or Quincy Sullivan?”
“I don’t know.”
“Have you told Ethan about it yet?”
“No, I don’t want to spoil Christmas by unloading all my problems on him. He should get a day off at least. Besides, Grandpa hasn’t let me get a word in edgewise since the man walked into the door.”
Sarah grinned as she backed up against the door leading to their grandfather’s dining room and pushed it open with her high heel. “I noticed. Don’t worry, Operation Distract Grandpa will go into effect as soon as dinner is over with.” She glanced down at the puppy circling her feet. “Now be careful, baby, I’m going to trip over you if you keep so close.”
Madison picked up the crystal punch bowl of eggnog and followed her sister into the dining room. Thanks to Sarah, everything was perfect.
Lighted garland hung over a roaring fireplace. A white Christmas tree with blue lights and decorations—which had sat in the attic only a couple o
f hours before—now stood in front of the gigantic bay window that overlooked the lake. The dining room table, previously covered with books from one end to another was now covered with a lace tablecloth that had once belonged to their grandmother. Her finest china was laid out, waiting to be filled with the food that sat on silver platters in the center of the table.
Sarah had worked late into the night preparing for today. She was determined to make a good impression on Ethan for Madison’s sake and Madison couldn’t have been more grateful.
Nevertheless, as hard as Madison tried, she couldn’t seem to relax or get into the Christmas spirit. She knew she was safe and that nothing could hurt her here at her grandfather’s home, a large secluded two-story cottage near the lake and surrounded by woods, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was in danger.
She set the punch bowl down on the sideboard and glanced out the windows toward the lake as she nervously played with the lace runner across the sideboard.
There was no need to worry, she consoled herself. No one knew about the cottage. No one except Ethan knew she was here and she made sure to watch in the rearview mirror for any sign of someone following them last night. To her relief, there had been no headlights for the last five miles as they drove down the narrow, lonely road to her grandpa’s place.
She reached for the eggnog ladle and attempted to pour a glass of eggnog, spilling a few drops on the hardwood floor. A heady combination of fear, anger and confusion was causing her to be a little less coordinated than normal. With an annoyed sigh, she lowered the ladle back into the bowl.
A pair of strong hands lightly gripped her shoulders. They traveled down her arms and pulled her back into a hug.
She leaned back into Ethan’s embrace.
“Are you okay?” he whispered softly against her ear.
“I’m fine,” she said as a feeling of peace and safety washed over her. She leaned her head back, resting it against his shoulder. “I’m glad you came.”
Ethan held her tighter. “So am I. I like your family.”
“Where is my grandfather, by the way?”
“He went upstairs to get a picture of the destroyer he served on during the Korean War. We’ve been trading war stories.” He moved away from her as Sarah reentered the dining room with another dish. Crossing his arms, he leaned against the wall and looked at Madison closely. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
