A 3rd Time to Die

by George A Bernstein

  He pulled her into his arms, trembling at the feel of her, molded against him, her head resting on his shoulder. The horses, reins dropped to ground hitch, were quietly munching grass.

  “I don’t need memories to love you, Ashley. No French countess had anything on you. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known in this life, and that’s good enough for me.”

  “Ah. You love me only for my beauty?” She nuzzled his earlobe.

  “Yes, if real beauty is measured by who you are as much as by how you look. I know you a lot better than I knew Victoria, and there’s never been anyone I’ve loved more, then or now.”

  “Boy, you sure know how to turn a girl’s head.” She chuckled, pulling his face down for a tender kiss.

  “It’s easy when you’re in love,” he said when they finally parted.

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. C’mon, let’s get the horses unpacked. I’m getting hungry.”

  CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE

  The white Jeep cruised slowly through the big lot. A Ford Explorer and horse trailer were parked in a cul-de-sac at the end, not easily noticed at first.

  So, this is where they are. Took their horses down that trail for a little party. Time to join the fun, playing the same old game.

  How interesting to learn we did this little dance twice before. It really makes it so much easier this time.

  The Jeep, in 4-wheel drive, started down the horse path, easily following the clear sets of hoof prints on the recently swept trail. A bulky duffel bag sat on the other seat.

  How fitting for it to end like this.

  Again!

  CHAPTER NINETY-SIX

  Bruce Feldman’s gunmetal gray Acura SUV sped up the highway, heading for Lake Forest and the stables where Ashley boarded her horse.

  A phone conversation with Al Crown, the stable manager verified that Mrs. Easton and Mr. Thornton had loaded Injun into a two-horse trailer and drove off. He thought Billy, the groom who helped them, might have some idea of where they were going. Mrs. Easton usually left that information, in case of an emergency.

  But Billy went home for lunch, so Feldman decided to go to the stables. Wherever they went, that would be the starting point. Once he knew that destination, he had just one… no, two more phone call to make, but he could use his cell phone for that.

  An instinctive tightening in his gut told him no more time should be wasted.

  A picnic! How stupid.

  How perfect, an inner voice whispered.

  They were probably headed for one of the forest preserves, dotting northern Lake County.

  Hadn’t they learned anything from all those regressions?

  Jesus, he hoped he wouldn’t be too late. He punched his accelerator a little harder and scanned his rear-view for any sights of police.

  He couldn’t afford to be detained, even for a minute.

  Of all the foolish and rash things to do.

  A picnic, for God’s sake!

  For a moment he wondered again whether he was hurrying to save them… or kill them. He sensed this was the time. Another may be there, planning their death for the third time. The timing was just too perfect.

  He intended to help them, but would his anger transform him, like the Incredible Hulk, into an abettor to a murdering monster instead? Just like before?

  He couldn’t be sure of the answer, and that scared him.

  ~~*~~*~~*~~

  Feldman’s SUV hurried West on State Road 60 toward Mundelein and the state park that lay beyond. His phone calls were made, and now he concentrated on making time on the narrow, two-lane highway. Thank God traffic was light.

  He was really worried. The first call, filled with sinister news, verified his concerns. A nemesis was stalking for a third time those whose new-found love threatened a position not easily relinquished.

  And the two young fools have offered a perfect opportunity if that one were still homicidally psychotic. No reason to expect anything had changed.

  The second call was made in a panic, searching for help. But there was no guarantee any would arrive in time. Was that what he was subconsciously hoping for… leaving it just to the four of them?

  He glanced at his watch: 12:45. Still lingering over their picnic, he hoped. Probably safe for the moment. Maybe today wasn’t the day, after all. If so, they would be okay, fully forewarned for the future.

  But Feldman wasn’t optimistic. Too much was aligned for things to go wrong. He might be all the help they could count on, so no timid lingering allowed.

  He grimaced. With only him to rely on for their lives, they were in serious trouble. He was no macho man, no action hero. But, if they were in danger, it was largely his fault. He had to try to make it right.

  He would handle this alone, if he had to. He wedged his conscious mind against the inner vault, bubbling with blinding heat.

  Hate!

  How had he come to harbor so much hate, especially after what he had learned about his companion in previous mayhem?

  He snapped on the radio to a local station, seeking distraction. The first thing he heard was a breaking news story that set his heart hammering against his ribs. How strange for that to have happen just now. Was there a connection to his current mission?

  He hoped not.

  Things were complicated enough.

  CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN

  She refilled his glass with the red wine, a Beaujolais. It was her favorite. No surprise there! They polished off most of a roasted chicken and a tasty Caesar’s salad she had prepared herself. A loaf of French garlic bread was the perfect complement to the meal.

  “Time for dessert,” she said, bringing a small plastic container out of the seemingly bottomless basket. He was stretched languorously on a brightly colored wool Navajo blanket. Struggling comically into a sitting position, he rubbed his belly and groaned.

  “You’re kidding. I don’t think I could squeeze down another mouthful.”

  “French pastries.” She opened the container and passed it back and forth under his nose.

  “Umm, smells good. French Pastries, huh?”

  “Yep. Filled with an amaretto cream.”

  “Oh, you’re so wicked. That’s my favorite.”

  “I know. That’s why I baked them.”

  “You baked ‘em?”

  “Sure. I’m a damned good cook. Always especially loved to whip up something French. I guess that shouldn’t be a surprise.”

  “I guess not. Keep this up, though, and you’re gonna turn me into a blimp.” He reached for one of the sweets.

  “Wait. I’ve got hot coffee to go with that.”

  “You amaze me.”

  Chuckling, he held the powdered sugar-covered confection where he could savor the odor while she poured steaming black coffee from a thermos into a wide bottomed mug. Empty plates and plastic containers were neatly stacked on one corner of the huge blanket.

  “Yum,” he said, taking a bite. “You’re gonna spoil me.”

  “I hope so.” She settled next to him, snuggling closely. He lay his head against her silky copper tresses and sighed.

  They hung together for several minutes, each happily filled by the other’s presence. He set down his empty coffee mug, and she wiggled deeper into his arms. The fresh scent of lilies… always his favorite… was in her hair, while he smelled of leather and saddle soap, wonderful, happy odors to her. She chuckled softly.

  “Something funny?”

  “Not really. I was just remembering something from high school.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “Oh, it was nothing really. I went on a picnic like this… but no horses… with this guy I was dating, Allen Clarke.”

  “I thought you dated Keith in high school.” His fingers gently caressed her hair as he planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

  “Allen was between Keith… and Keith.

  “I liked him. We’d had our picnic and were getting… well, kind physical...”

  “Like this?”
Now Craig’s tongue was gliding along the side of her neck and into and around her ear while his other hand was working its way lightly along her thigh.

  “Oh, nowhere nearly this good...” Her lips sought his, a hand sliding up the back of his neck and into his hair, tangling her fingers in his thick, dark curls.

  “What happened then?” His voice was muted as his mouth ventured teasingly over the sweet curves of her throat. She sucked in a quick breath, already overcome by raging passion.

  Mon Dieu! Thank you Victoria, for opening me to such wonder.

  “I’ll… tell you… later.” She shuddered, racing toward the glory of total arousal, the likes of which she had not known before this man.

  At least, not in this life-time.

  Her hands were inside his shirt, running over his warm, moist skin, his slick muscles trembling with tension. Her flannel shirt slipped to the ground as she tugged at his pants. The muted sounds of opening zippers and the rustle of discarded clothing, and they were tangled in each other’s arms.

  Shrouded by foggy bliss, she barely sensed their nakedness, plunging through gate after gate of pulsating rapture, hot-wired nerve endings aflame. He was in her now, her legs and arms cables, binding him close, as they soared on ethereal wings, engulfed by a volcano of almost unbearable ecstasy.

  And then the red miasma of eruption, hurtling her into oblivion, momentarily lost in a nether-world of angels.

  “Ah, mon amour! Mon amour! Tres bien. C’est perfect.” Still throbbing, she clutched him tightly, legs and arms fusing him to her.

  CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT

  They sprawled together, motionless for several moments, slowly winding down, fluttering back to the world they lived in. Reluctantly, they relaxed, lying in each other’s arms, catching their breath, bathed in the sweet scent of their bodies and the perfume of the meadow.

  “You went back again,” he whispered. “To England, I mean. To Victoria.”

  “No, I was right here with you, every glorious minute. But, Victoria… I don’t know… I guess she just fills my head when we make love. She was so much more freely passionate then me. She just seems to take over. Do you mind?”

  “Not a bit. I loved her then just as I love you now. Anyhow, it’s wonderful, making it with two hot-blooded beauties at the same time.”

  “Oh, you nut.”

  “But, it’s true. I’m just lucky that neither of my lovers will ever mind. Will they?”

  “Nope. Never.” They chuckled softly together. Keeping her close, he groped around, finding his shirt and draped it over their shoulders like a small blanket.

  They lay quietly, snuggled together, savoring the moment. Finally, he broke the silence.

  “So, what were you telling me, before we got so distracted.”

  “Huh?”

  “About a picnic while in high school… ”

  “Oh, yes. Allen Clarke.”

  “Right.”

  “It was sort of strange, thinking about it now.”

  “How d’ya mean?”

  “Well, we went on this picnic at Skokie Lagoons… a place a lot like this, actually, well off the regular paths. I’d found it accidentally once, when I rode off the main trail.”

  “Did you guys go on horseback?”

  “On the picnic? No. He didn’t ride, so we walked. Took maybe twenty, thirty minutes, but it was a pretty summer day, and everything was so green and fresh.

  “We ate the food, then started making out. I’d… uh… never done it before. Not all the way.”

  “So that was your first time? A lot of gals weren’t virgins by that age.”

  “True, but I was still a virgin right up to my wedding night.”

  “Yeah, you told me? So, what happened to stop you? It sounds like you were ready to make the move.”

  “Maybe I was. Things were getting pretty hot. I’d never been so worked up before. I’m pretty sure that was the first time it ever happened.”

  “What? An orgasm?”

  “No, darling. I told you. I’ve never had one of those until you.”

  “Oh, yeah. It’s just so hard to believe.”

  “Well, Keith was only into his needs, and I didn’t know any better. But, what I meant was, suddenly my head was filled with French words.”

  “Victoria?”

  “Who else? She was the passionate one. Getting so turned on must have dredged up some of those old memories. I got scared.”

  “I can understand that.” He caressed her face, planting a gentle kiss on the end of her nose.

  “I don’t think you do,” she said. “I was afraid of being there. I should have been enjoying all those wonderful sensations, but I was staring in the shadows, looking for monsters.”

  “So you were remembering more than just Victoria’s passion.”

  “I suppose so.” She sighed and wiggled around for a new position. Her right arm had fallen asleep.

  “Then it happened. Something was moving in the brush.”

  “Oh boy!”

  “Yes. I remember yelling something in French, and I was up and running, like some half-naked wood nymph, trying to get into my clothes as I went.”

  “Wow. The guy musta freaked out.”

  “You got that right. He grabbed up a few things and came after me. He was scared and didn’t even know why.”

  “You think somebody was after you then?” He kissed her eyes and neck, his hand slowly working down her back.

  “No. Just a raccoon. Allen went back the next days for the rest of our stuff… oooh, that feels so good… and found an abandoned nest.

  “Ahhhh.” She shivered, turning to him, bringing her lush breasts close to his face. His mouth was a busy adventurer.

  “Never could go to a place like… Oh, God… that again ‘til now. Never felt safe… oh, yes! My darling!… before. Oh, Craig, I love you so!” She clutched his head tightly as his mouth and hands began rekindling one wild fire after another. Snatching his wrists, halting his amorous advance, her head tilted back.

  “Craig…?”

  “What, my love?” He kissed her nose.

  “What’s… what’s going to happen?”

  “When, Ashley?”

  “Now. After our divorces. They’re almost final. Do you… have plans?”

  He grinned, kissing her eyes.

  “I was going to wait for a romantic moment to ask you to marry me.”

  “Something more romantic than this?” Her smile lit up the air.

  “I guess not. Thought maybe we should wait a few months… ”

  She shook her head.

  “… but I guess that’s not necessary. Will you marry me, darling?”

  “Oh, yes! Yes! As quickly as possible.” She planted a short, heated kiss on his lips.

  “I… I haven’t even bought a ring.” He was grinning. “We gotta make plans… find a place for the ceremony… send invitations….”

  “No. No big wedding. We’ll have a minister… or a rabbi... or maybe both! Something quick and private, with just my children, your family, and maybe a few close friends.”

  “Okay, if that’s what you want. But don’t you think we should wait a while before… ”

  “No, we have nothing to prove. I want to be your wife as quickly as possible. I’ve waited three hundred years for this, you know.” They burst into laughter, and she snuggled close, resting her head on his chest, still giggling. Her eyes found his.

  “And there’s another reason.” She smiled softly, gray eyes twinkling. His hand caught her chin, dark bushy eyebrows arched.

  “I missed my period… ” She searched his face, his eyes wide.

  Ashley nodded. “… and the little stick turned blue. You’re going to be a daddy.”

  “My God!”

  “Happy?”

  “You bet! To have a child with you is beyond… ”

  “Shhh.” The kiss was the embodiment of their love, as they melded with ardor new for even them.

  Soon she was soaring
again in the haze of ecstasy, consumed by the raging fires he so expertly ignited. She entangled herself with him, legs and arms, clutching him fiercely, welding them into one.

  Ah, Dieu! Mon amour, mon amour.

  CHAPTER NINETY-NINE

  She was close, hanging on the brink of release, poised for that delirious plunge that would rock her to the very core of her soul. She had learned to do this without fear. She had never...

  What was that?

  Something impinged on the edge of her consciousness.

  Oh, shit! A cold tentacle of fear snaked out, wrapping her heart in its icy clutch. The old fear! Her flaming ardor plunged into a chilly bath. How foolish to think she had dispensed with it.

  She squirmed, fighting for control. Pull back a little, Dr. Caslow had said. Gain control. She was safe here, with Craig. Nothing to worry…

  There was a sound… something at the edge of the woods! Her heart was fluttering, her breath coming in little hyperventilating gasps, she erupted in a cold sweat… all unrelated to her passion of just a moment before.

  Control! Gain control. It was just her imagination… those terrible memories.

  She blinked her eyes, trying to see, but there was only Craig’s shoulder and neck, slick with perspiration. Stay focused. Don’t slide away from such rapture, giving in to the old terrors, so shallowly buried.

  She took several calming breaths, slowly reclaiming the heat of the moment. She was with the man she had loved for centuries—carrying his child. Nothing could…

  There it was again. A twig cracking, the rustle of branches. Were those footsteps?

  Oh, God, heavy footsteps! Just like those she’d heard, twice before. Her stomach heaved, bile burning the base of her throat. Don’t be sick, now!

  Don’t panic. Just my imagination. The wind in the trees, maybe. Still…

  She craned her neck, all passion long gone, fully alert, straining to push Craig to one side.

  “Ashley, what’s wrong?” His voice still thick with his unreleased ardor. “What’s… ”