Dangerous Relations (7 page)

"I'll escort you upstairs."

"Not necessary. Thanks for a great evening."

Agile as a cat, she slid out of the Jeep and disappeared inside the building.

Now
that
was a total no brainer, Ardin scolded herself as she unlocked the
door. She grinned, knowing she wasn't in the mood for a lecture. Her heart was still beating
wildly from the glorious way the evening had ended. She caught a glimpse of herself in the
medicine chest mirror--lipstick smeared, hair mussed--and burst into giggles. Someone
would thing she'd been out on the town carousing. Which she had been, in a sense.
Drinking and dining and
laughing,
for God's sake.

"And kissing," she said aloud, and pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. "We mustn't
forget kissing."

Kissing Brett had been the most delightful experience. It would have to serve as a beautiful
memory because she definitely wouldn't allow it to happen again. The emotional baggage she toted
around put the kibosh on any future romance. She couldn't help it--when it came to men, her level
of trust was subzero.

Ardin put on her nightgown, and returned to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She winced
as she recalled her conversation with Corey. Two minutes of his lies were enough to make her cast
Brett as Mr. Hyde. She had no idea why Corey claimed Suziette had been afraid of Brett, nor did it
matter. Corey was a liar, and Brett was a man of his word.

Ah, Brett. The kiss and its magical potency had stunned both of them. Still, she'd better not
forget Brett had one thing on his mind--adopting Leonie. He considered Ardin a friend sympathetic
to his cause.

The long day and previous restless night sent her to sleep the minute her head hit the
pillow. And then, for the second time in two nights, she was awakened, this time by the incessant
ringing of the phone.

"'Lo," she mumbled into the receiver.

"Hello, Ms. Wesley? Ardin? This is Detective Rabe."

Ardin's heart shot up to her throat. "Yes? What's wrong?"

"I'm afraid your aunt's suffered a massive coronary. She's in the Intensive Care Unit at
Halliday Hospital. She'd like you to go to her home to look after her grandchild."

Ardin sat in frozen disbelief as she absorbed the detective's words.

"Are you still there?" Rabe said.

"Yes, yes. I just--" She thought a moment, then she said, "Why are
you
calling?
Does this have something to do with Suziette's murder?"

After a pause, he said, "We've checked the house inside and out. There's no sign of a
break-in, or of injury to your aunt."

"Thank God for that! Where's Leonie? Don't tell me she's all alone!"

"Of course not. A policewoman's there, looking after her."

Ardin jumped out of bed. "I'm on my way."

Numb from shock, she changed into jeans and a polo. She packed a small bag of her
belongings and hurried to her car. A policeman met her as she pulled into Aunt Julia's driveway. He
told Ardin the grounds and the house had been thoroughly searched. His partner, a pretty blonde
woman in her thirties, opened the front door. She held her finger to her lips.

"Officer Clarence, Ms. Wesley," she said softly. "Sorry about your aunt. Leonie finally fell
asleep."

"Thanks for looking after her."

Ardin peered into the living room--at the rumpled sofa cushions and the empty take-out
coffee cups scattered about the coffee table. Clearly, several policemen had come and gone,
checking things out.

Officer Clarence left, and Ardin went upstairs to look in on Leonie. She lay flat on her back
with one arm around Mr. Bonkers, her blue eyes open wide.

Ardin forced a smile. "Hi, Leonie. I thought you were asleep."

"I pretended. They took Grannie to the hospital."

"I know." Ardin sat beside the child. Leonie remained solemn and still, except for the hand
reaching out to her.

"Is she going to die like Mommy?"

A chill permeated Ardin's body. "I don't think so. She's a tough old bird."

"Now I can go home and live with Daddy forever and ever."

"You'll be with your daddy tomorrow night. But after that, we'll see."

Leonie squeezed her hand. "Will you be here when I wake up?"

Ardin had to swallow the lump in her throat before she could speak. "Of course I'll be here.
Right in the spare bedroom across the hall."

Leonie yawned. "Goodie. See you in the morning, Cousin Ardin."

"Good night, sweetie." Ardin kissed her forehead and left the room, leaving the door
ajar.

She stopped at the threshold to Suziette's room. It was exactly as her cousin had left it
when she'd moved out at the age of nineteen. A hand-made multicolored quilt covered the
four-poster bed. Posters of movie heartthrobs and rock groups popular seven years ago, their corners
curling, splashed across the walls.

"Look at all the trouble you've caused," Ardin said softly. She shivered, imagining her
cousin's silvery laugh mocking her.

Ardin entered the smallest bedroom and, for the second time that evening, changed
into her nightgown. As she drifted off to sleep, it struck her that life suddenly offered
possibilities she'd never allowed herself to imagine. The successor guardianship wasn't a
legal contingency off in the wild blue yonder, but something plausible and real.
She
could be Leonie's guardian and watch her grow and change from day to day, keep her safe
and sound. Ardin nestled under the covers and fell asleep with a smile on her lips.

* * * *

"Get up, Cousin Ardin, or I'll be late for school."

Tiny hands tugged at her arm. Ardin opened her eyes and for a moment had no idea where
she was. She looked into Leonie's animated face and remembered.

"Are you sure you want to go to school today?"

Leonie looked exasperated. "Of course I do. Don't I, Mr. Bonkers?"

Ardin noticed the plush giraffe on her quilt. Leonie scooped him into her arms as Ardin
stepped out of bed. "I'll be in the kitchen starting breakfast," Leonie told her. "Hurry!"

Ardin used the bathroom, and then went downstairs. Leonie was at the kitchen table
drinking orange juice. She'd dressed herself, Ardin noticed, except that her sneakers were untied
and her long blonde hair needed care.

"What do you like to eat for breakfast?"

Leonie wrinkled her nose. "Not that awful cereal Grannie makes me eat."

Ardin smiled. "Would you rather have toast and jam?"

Blue eyes lit up. "Right on! Strawberry, please."

Ardin put up toast and started a pot of coffee for herself.

"Daddy's taking me to the playground after school," Leonie said.

"Yes, I know." Ardin suddenly felt shy. "He invited me to come along. Would you like me
to?" She held her breath while Leonie thought this over.

"Sure," she finally said. "We'll have fun. Daddy is the greatest."

The toast popped up. Ardin spread jam and cut it into pieces for Leonie.

Leonie took a bite. With her mouth full, she said, "Are you going to visit Grannie
today?"

"Yes. I'll give her your love."

"And a big kiss."

After breakfast, Ardin brushed Leonie's hair and promised repeatedly she wouldn't forget
to drop off Leonie's backpack filled with necessities for her overnight at Brett's. Hand-in-hand, they
waited outside for the school bus to arrive. As the yellow bus came barreling down the street,
Leonie threw her arms around Ardin.

"See you later, Cousin Ardin. Don't let anything happen to you."

Ardin waved until the bus disappeared from sight. The unaccustomed morning activity
after a night of broken sleep left her exhausted. But the pleasure of Leonie's company had her
humming as she straightened up the kitchen. What a bundle of energy! Not yet four-years-old,
Leonie was a person in her own right and full of surprises.

Half an hour later, she hopped in her car and headed for the hospital. She'd called earlier
and was told Aunt Julia was resting and wanting to speak to her. She found her aunt in a small
private room, hooked up to IVs and monitors. There was no way she could kiss her cheek, so Ardin
patted her hand.

"Thank you for coming, dear." Julia waved to the chair beside the bed. "Please sit down so
we can talk."

Ardin perched on the edge of the chair.

"First of all, how is Leonie?"

"Fine. She said to give you a kiss."

A smile spread across Julia's face. "My little sunshine. She's the only reason I have to go on
living."

"Aunt Julia! Don't talk like that."

Her aunt gave her a wan smile. "Don't worry, Ardin, I'm not suicidal. But I've a long
recovery ahead of me, and I'm in no position to look after Leonie."

Ardin's heart began to pound. She hadn't let herself think beyond today, but she knew what
she was about to say, even as the words formed in her mind.

"I'll stay and look after Leonie."

Her aunt's eyes widened in concern. "Are you sure, Ardin?"

"I'm sure."

"But your job! I wouldn't want you to lose it. Maybe Brett could take her. Yesterday he told
me--"

"No!" Ardin's voice rang sharply through the small room. "I mean, I'll stay at your house
and take care of Leonie until you're better. Then you can decide what you want to do."

Her aunt sighed deeply. "Well, if you're sure that's what you want. It takes a big load off my
shoulders. Then afterwards--"

Ardin squeezed Julia's hand. "We'll talk about afterwards when you're up to it. Now get
some rest. I'll come visit tomorrow."

* * * *

Vera was less enchanted with Ardin's decision to remain in Thornedale. Ardin was forced
to listen to her mother's objections as she pushed the wheelchair along the path circling the lawn
behind the residence's buildings.

"First of all, you know nothing about children. Second of all, or maybe first of all, you could
lose your job."

Ardin braked the wheelchair beside a bench and sat down. "I might. Tom was furious when
I told him I wouldn't be back on Monday."

"All the more reason to let Brett take Leonie."

Ardin did her best to ignore the pang of guilt her mother's comment triggered. "Mom, in
case you've forgotten, Suziette named me successor guardian. Besides, Brett has to work all day.
He'd only hire a woman to take care of Leonie."

Vera chortled. "And you're going to play stay-at-home mom? Ardin dear, what's gotten into
you?"

"I--" she began. The warm, maternal feelings that had overwhelmed her last night, blotting
out all consideration for her New York life and job, still held her in their thrall. She took a deep
breath, and opted for the truth.

"I want to adopt Leonie and be her guardian. She's growing attached to me, and I love her
dearly. Besides--" Ardin bit her lip. "She's the only child I'll ever have."

Her mother dismissed that with a wave of her hand. "Nonsense! You'll marry again
and have your own children." A sly look came into Vera's eyes. "Maybe Brett will be the
lucky man."

Ardin sprang to her feet, suddenly too agitated to sit still. "Mom, will you stop
playing cupid? Brett's not interested in me or in
any
woman, after all he's been
through. And the last thing I want is an emotional entanglement."

"But that's plain stupid." Vera leaned forward. "Ardin honey, you have to open your eyes to
see not every man is mean and lowdown like Corey MacAllister. Besides, I warned you about him,
remember?"

Ardin sighed. "You were drunk at the time."

"But I was right."

Ardin shook her head. "Why are you so determined to see me married? As I remember, you
weren't very happy in the wedded state."

"Then you remember it wrong," Vera snapped. "Your father and I were madly in love when
we married. We were doing fine, too, until some know-it-all person convinced him we'd be better
off rich, and drove him to his death. Ended up making paupers of you and me."

"You're not going to start in about Frank again, are you?"

"No. Best to let old dogs lie." Steel-gray eyes met dove-gray eyes then looked away. "I want
you to have the same romantic happiness your father and I shared. Maybe that will help make up
for the awful mother I turned out to be."

"Oh, Mom. You're not awful. At least, not now."

Ardin got up to hug her frail body. Vera's grip was fierce as they clung to each other for the
first time in many years. A rush of emotions swept over Ardin. She was touched by her mother's
good intentions, but her unhappy childhood and miserable marriage had taken their toll. She tried
to smile.

"I'm glad you and Daddy loved each other. But after all that's happened, love and marriage
aren't in my future."

"Of course they are," her mother insisted.

Ardin sighed. Why couldn't her mother have shown this concern when she was growing up
and needed her care and support? She glanced at her watch and saw it was a quarter to twelve. She
had to call Brett to tell him she wouldn't be going out with him and Leonie. She couldn't possibly,
now that she'd decided to adopt Leonie herself.

"I have to go, Mom. I'll bring you back inside."

"Sure, honey. I'm sorry I upset you. I only want you to be happy."

Ardin patted her mother's shoulder. "I know."

"Walk back the pretty way," Vera directed as Ardin released the brake. "Past the oriental
garden."

"Okay." Ardin decided she'd drop off Leonie's backpack at the nursery school and
have the school secretary tell Leonie she had to see Aunt Julia and couldn't go out with her
and Brett, after all.
My one and only lie,
she vowed.
After this, I'll never lie to her
again.

They passed several residents sitting in wheelchairs or on benches, or walking slowly with
walkers, all making the most of the good weather. She was surprised that many of them called out
greetings to her mother.

"You've sure made plenty of friends in the short time you've been here."

"Not friends, Ardin, acquaintances. Might as well make the best of it, since I'll be living here
a long time."