A Twist in Time

by Donna Raider

  “Oh my God! I can’t breathe,” gasped one of the announcers. “Damn, she is smoking hot!”

  “If that doesn’t melt the ice, nothing will,” the other announcer choked, his throat dry. “I don’t think I can walk.”

  Sensing the announcers were on the verge of embarrassing themselves, the crowd began to yell, “Your mikes are on!”

  The announcers seemed to get themselves under control and began conducting themselves as they should. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it one more time for Mayor Leah Anthal and Priest Mika Cross.”

  As they waited for the judges’ scores, Leah and Mika skated to the side of the arena. Leah leaned heavily against Mika, and she looked down at her. “The announcers are right,” Mika whispered, “you are smoking hot.”

  “And what are you going to do about this fire you have started?” Leah smiled up at her.

  “Chocolate,” she groaned.

  “Folks, it looks like we have a perfect score,” the announcer said, “all tens.”

  The crowd went wild, cheering, whistling, and throwing things onto the ice.

  The announcers finally calmed the crowd and announced that Mika would be skating with Richie Anthal in the teen/adult competition. “We will take a brief intermission while our crew clears the ice of all objects. Please, for the safety of the skaters, do not throw anything onto the ice.”

  Leah pulled Mika into one of the dressing rooms and closed the door. “That was incredible,” she said breathlessly. “I wasn’t aware of anything except your hands on me. It was the most amazing feeling. I wouldn’t have been surprised if we had started flying.”

  “You are magnificent.” Mika pulled her close and kissed her gently. She moved her lips against Mika’s, seeking more contact with her.

  “Whoa.” Mika pushed her away. “You know what you do to me. I have to go back in front of that crowd in a few minutes.”

  Leah laughed the deep, sultry laugh that drove Mika crazy, and she moaned, “Get away from me, lady.”

  ##

  Mika skated along the side of the skating rink, thinking how she and Richie could gracefully lose.

  The announcers began their chatter telling the crowd the final competition of the evening was about to start. The announcers announced their names. Mika and Richie skated to the center of the rink.

  Light reflected from something on the ice, and Mika skated toward the object pretending to thank the crowd for their support. Suddenly her skate hit the object, causing her feet to fly out from under her. She hit the ice hard and lay very still.

  Faster than Mika could imagine, Leah was kneeling on the ice beside her. “Mika, are you okay?” she asked, her eyes filled with fear and concern.

  “I don’t think I can skate,” Mika moaned. “Can you just get me home?”

  “Can she get up?” The doctor on call appeared with his bag in his hand.

  “I think we need a stretcher,” Leah said anxiously. “We’re going to have to withdraw from the competition.” She winked at Richie, who was now on his knees beside Mika.

  Officials carried Mika on the stretcher to the SUV. Emily and Amber had lowered the back seat, making room in the rear of the vehicle to lay Mika. Leah got in first to hold Mika’s head in her lap on the ride home. The ambulance attendants gently moved her from the stretcher to the back of the SUV.

  As they pulled out of the parking lot, Richie let out a yelp and laughed loudly. “Mika, you are awesome,” he said. “Thank you so much.”

  “Hey, son, I’m hurt.” Mika grinned at the boy. “I will have to lie in your Mom’s lap all the way home.”

  Tired from the competition and the excitement of the day, Richie quickly fell asleep in the middle seat.

  Leah looked down at the priest’s beautiful face snuggling into her. She leaned down and kissed her gently at first, then pressing harder as their lips moved against each other’s. Mika moved her tongue along the top of Leah’s full bottom lip, seeking entrance. Leah opened her teeth and met Mika’s tongue as she tentatively moved it into her mouth to taste her. Mika felt a hot, aching pain in the pit of her stomach. When Leah moaned, she knew she felt it too.

  Leah slowly unbuttoned her blouse as she kissed Mika. When she pulled her lips away, Mika nuzzled her face between Leah’s breasts and moaned deeply. Leah was wearing a bra that hooked in the front. She quickly unhooked it, giving Mika free access to her magnificent breasts. Mika caught her breath as she hesitated for only a second before slowly beginning to trace circles around Leah’s breast with her tongue. Leah sharply inhaled as Mika pulled her nipple between her teeth, setting her on fire. Mika gently moved her lips and tongue as she pulled more of Leah’s breast into her mouth, nursing quietly.

  The mayor was glad her son was asleep. She didn’t want him to see her and the priest making out all the way home like horny teenagers, in the back of the SUV.

  Stopping in front of the rectory, Amber pushed the automatic door opener and the back hatch popped open. Mika slid out of the SUV and offered Leah her hand as she helped her out.

  The sheriff joined them as Leah emerged from the vehicle. “Your blouse is buttoned crooked, Madam Mayor,” she said coldly.

  “Oh, so it is.” Leah smiled a knowing smile at the priest. “I wonder how that happened?”

  Mika found it hard to keep the smile off her face. It always amazed her that nothing seemed to fluster her fiancée.

  “It appears you have made a miraculous recovery.” The sheriff scowled at the priest.

  “It is amazing what good nursing will do for a woman.” Mika smiled. She was immediately confused as both Emily and Leah choked back sounds of laughter.

  “You had better go to bed, darling.” Leah kissed her softly. “You obviously have some brain damage.”

  Mika watched as the SUV pulled away with the four people who were now a major part of her life.

  Mika showered, but she didn’t go to bed. She went down on her knees and prayed for strength as she had never prayed before. She knew she moved her line a little bit every time she was with Leah. She knew what she had to do. She had to obey the rules.

  Mika knew that souls were on the line, both hers and Leah’s. Leah was the lead in a major production, and she didn’t even have the script. Mika prayed she would have the strength to give her the right cues as they danced the dance for their souls.

  CHAPTER 8 - Consecrated Ground

  Leah walked into the diner amid cheers and handshakes. Everyone wanted to congratulate her on bringing home the skating trophy and check from the festival. She sought out Isaac’s father and informed him that Mika had posted a job opening on the Town Hall bulletin board. “I think she could use your help,” she informed him. She graciously visited with the townspeople before taking a seat in their booth.

  Leah checked her watch. They always met at eight, and Mika was always early. She was now officially thirty minutes late.

  “Your usual, Madam Mayor?” Ruth smiled at her. Leah nodded, and the waitress returned with toast and coffee.

  “By the way, you were smoking hot last night,” Ruth growled. “You and Mika are great together. In more ways than one.” Ruth raised both her eyebrows and Leah knew Emily had regaled her with tales of the priest and mayor in the back of the SUV.

  “Thank you.” Leah smirked. “I’m getting worried about her. She took a fall last night and is late this morning.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Ruth rolled her eyes. “I’m supposed to tell you she won’t be having breakfast this morning. She grabbed a cup of coffee around seven and headed for the church.”

  Leah got her coffee to go and went to the church. The heavy front doors were standing open, and she could see Mika working with a cloth, lying across the front pews. Leah took a deep breath and crossed the threshold of the church. She stood with her eyes tightly closed, waiting to turn into a pillar of salt. When nothing happened, she slowly opened her eyes.

  The priest was standing with her back to the door. She was almost beside her bef
ore Mika realized anyone was in the church. She gasped when she laid her hand on her arm.

  Mika whirled around, “Leah, what are you doing here? You startled me.”

  As Leah looked into her eyes, she realized Mika had been crying or at least fighting back tears. Leah stared at the cloth spread across the pews. It was the Sermon on the Mount tapestry. She had tried to incinerate it in her fury with Father Murphy. She had been amazed when the ancient cloth wouldn’t burn, but she had done considerable damage to it.

  She could tell that Mika was very distressed by the beautiful hand-woven tapestry and the damage she had inflicted on it.

  “How could anyone try to destroy something so sacred?” Mika whispered.

  “Can’t you get it repaired?” Leah inquired reverently, sorry that she had almost destroyed it in her rage.

  “I’ve called everyone.” The priest shook her head. “No one will even touch it.”

  “I think I can get it repaired for you.” Leah offered.

  “You seem to know everyone.” Mika nodded. “If anyone can get it repaired, I trust you can.” She folded the tapestry and handed it to her.

  Leah refused to take it. “Maybe you should place it inside a plastic bag or something to protect it,” she suggested, afraid the cloth would burn her if she laid her hands on it. Sacred things and the Wicked Queen didn’t get along very well.

  Relieved that she hadn’t broken out in boils or been eaten alive by locusts, Leah got braver. “As long as I am here, may I have the grand tour? I have heard so much about the incredible job you have done restoring the church.”

  Mika beamed. She desperately wanted to share her progress with Leah. “I would love that.”

  She showed her the confessionals and the rooms used for catechism and instructions, and the extra rooms that would eventually serve as offices for church officials. She led Leah to the back of the church, where a gleaming kitchen stood to the side of a large room that could serve as a reception area or a banquet hall.

  “Where is your office?” Leah asked, curious that she hadn’t shown it to her.

  “I am afraid it is unfinished right now.” Mika grinned. “It will be the last one we complete.” If she had told her the complete truth, Mika would have admitted that she rarely let anyone into her office. It was her personal sanctuary. She knew that such an admission would have set Leah on a quest to get into her most personal place.

  “Where does that door lead?” Leah inquired about a door she had ignored.

  “That leads to the rectory,” Mika said.

  “Is there a tour of the rectory?” Leah asked.

  “Ah, um…” Mika stuttered. “I suppose so.” A vision of Leah from last night flashed, unbidden, through her mind. Looking up into Leah’s gorgeous face, leaning over to kiss her as she lay in her lap. She blushed.

  “Are you having unholy thoughts, Priest?” she teased.

  “Yes,” Mika said truthfully. “Why don’t you take your tour? I will wait here. Downstairs is my study and living room. To the right of that are the kitchen, a breakfast nook, and the dining room. My sleeping quarters are upstairs.”

  Leah knew Mika didn’t trust herself with her in the sleeping quarters, so she didn’t insist that she accompany her.

  Leah was impressed with how incredibly neat Mika was. The décor was breathtaking, with a French theme running throughout the rectory. As she stood looking around Mika’s bedroom, she realized the window overlooked her bedroom balcony. The angle was such that one couldn’t see into the bedroom but did have a clear view of the balcony. An oversized bathroom completed Mika’s sleeping quarters. Leah inhaled deeply, letting the scent of Mika fill her senses, sending tiny fingers of desire trailing over her body. She was right not to come up here with me, Leah thought.

  Leah joined Mika downstairs. “I must say, I am impressed with your décor. It is lovely.”

  She picked up the plastic-wrapped tapestry, surprised at how heavy it was. “A little help here, Priest,” she strained. Mika took the package and easily carried it to her car.

  Leah tiptoed to kiss Mika quickly, but she bent her head and pulled the brunette into a passionate kiss that lasted longer than it should have on the main street of their little town.

  “Thank you for coming to the church. I’ve been disappointed that you haven’t wanted to see what we’ve accomplished.” Mika exhaled deeply.

  Leah didn’t have the heart to tell her it would be the last time she would set foot in her church. After the consecration ceremony, she wouldn’t be able to trespass on hallowed ground.

  Mika walked Leah to her office and kissed her, then she hurried off to hear confessions. She wondered if she would hear from the man who claimed to be a monster.

  The days passed quickly, and the morning of the consecration ceremony was cold and cloudy. The priest hoped the threat of snow wouldn’t keep her parishioners away. She wanted to accomplish two things tonight: officially announce her engagement to Leah Anthal and complete the consecration ceremony. She picked up her white vestments from the cleaners and headed for breakfast with Leah.

  “Is that what you’ll wear tonight?” the mayor asked curiously as Mika hung her dry cleaning on a coat rack behind their booth.

  “Yes.” Mika’s eyes danced. Leah couldn’t remember seeing her so happy. “I’m excited about many reasons, but one of the most important ones is that we are announcing our engagement tonight. What will you wear?”

  Leah looked at her dumbfounded. Of course she expected her to be there for the big announcement.

  “Are you going to announce our engagement before or after the consecration ceremony?” Concern clouded Leah’s voice.

  Mika studied Leah’s face for a long time. “Before,” she said intuitively.

  Leah gazed deeply into Mika’s understanding eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “I know that not everyone is Catholic, and I respect whatever religion you practice.” Mika smiled. “If you like, you may leave before I begin the Mass.”

  Oh, really, Priest? she wanted to scream at her. You would respect that I practice black magic?

  Of course, she didn’t say that. She simply nodded.

  They finished their breakfast with Mika cheerfully chatting about the upcoming events and Leah wondering how to extricate herself from the celebration. She wanted so much to run, but knew she couldn’t bear a day without the blonde. Leah hoped Mika’s God knew how much she cared for the priest.

  The mayor took the tapestry to her mansion. Without even taking it out of the bag, she waved her hand and restored it to its original glory. She called Mika and asked where she was.

  “I’m in my bedroom, about to get into the shower,” she laughed. “I only have maybe five minutes for phone sex.”

  “Um…how did you know that was what I wanted?” Leah purred, waving her hand and transporting the tapestry to its rightful place on the Cathedral wall.

  ##

  Leah stood with Priest Mika in the anteroom, waiting as the congregation was seated. It looked like the old cathedral was full, with some standing along the walls. An organist from Brighton Parish was playing the organ, which sounded incredible. Mika thanked the Lord that Leah had taken care of the music at the last minute.

  Leah watched the priest from the side. She looked like a Greek goddess. Her white robe and blonde hair set off her golden complexion. She truly seemed to glow. She must be what angels look like, Leah thought.

  Mika squeezed her hand, “Thank you for taking care of the tapestry. It’s incredible. You’re incredible.”

  The organ music grew soft. Mika took Leah’s hand and led her to the front of the church. They were standing between the congregation and the altar. As the organ music faded away, Mika began to speak.

  “I want to thank all of you for coming here tonight. I know the weather is not great, but the Lord knows when you make an extra effort to do His will.” Mika smiled, and it seemed the entire sanctuary became brighter.

  “Before
we begin the Mass,” the priest continued, “I would like to address some rumors that are circulating about Leah and me. I have asked her to marry me, and I have petitioned the church to allow it. She said yes.” Mika smiled again, and everyone seemed to bask in the glory of her happiness. The congregation began to applaud, but she held up her hand to stop them.

  “As your mayor and as your priest, I want to assure you that we will conduct ourselves with the utmost dignity and do nothing to tarnish our respective positions in your community,” she continued. “I promise you that there will be no use of carnal knowledge by Leah and me, until after we wed.” A low rumble ran through the crowd. Mika waited until the parishioners quieted, then she continued. “If you hear malicious rumors to the contrary, please come to me so we can address them immediately.” She clasped Leah’s hand, held it high above her head, and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to present to you my fiancée, your mayor, Leah Anthal.”

  The roar inside the cathedral was deafening as the parishioners applauded and wolf whistled. Mika hoped they would be as receptive of her first Mass.

  As the organ began to play, she led Leah back to the anteroom, where she kissed her in the Lord’s house, in front of the Lord, and so far, the Lord was happy.

  “Just when I think I could not possibly care for you any more than I do,” Leah said as she smiled radiantly up at her, “I find that I care for you a hundred times more than I ever thought possible.”

  Mika led her to the side door of the church and whispered, “Go now, my love. I have other work to do.”

  They had agreed to meet at the diner after the priest completed the Mass. Leah had an hour to kill and decided to walk and enjoy the Christmas decorations that made her little town sparkle. Every year after midnight on Thanksgiving night, she waved her hand and her town was decorated like a gorgeous Currier and Ives Christmas card. She searched all year long for the perfect picture and decorated her town like the picture. Each year the residents were treated to something different. No one ever bothered to ask who had decorated the town.