Authors: Carol Tibaldi
Willow Pond (37 page)
Erich took her hand in his. “When it counted, she told you the truth. I’m certain she was trying to spare you. You’ve been through so much, Laura. I want her at our wedding, and I know you do, too.”
She grinned. “I promised we’d talk about that after Todd came home, didn’t I? We need to pick a date.”
Erich laughed. “With your ex-husband in the next room?”
“He’s the next one I plan to throw out of here.”
There was a knock on the door, and Iris opened it a crack. She peeked inside, looking nervous.
“I hope I’m not interrupting, but Todd … well, he saw the pond and he wants to … go swimming. Yes. If I don’t find a pair of swimming trunks that fit him soon he’ll go in his clothes.”
“There aren’t any swimming trunks in the house that will fit him. Oh, Iris. I don’t think so. The whole idea of it terrifies me,” Laura said.
“He can swim in his underwear,” Erich said. Laura looked at him with pleading eyes, but his smile was calm and reassuring. He squeezed her against him. “Let him. We’ll be there with him. You can’t protect him from life forever.”
Laura and Erich carried two lawn chairs outside. They sat and watched while Todd splashed in the pond. Beside them, Rachel slept soundly in her carriage. Iris, who had clear memories of the kidnapping and was still afraid to go near the pond, watched the little boy from a safe distance.
Erich handed Laura a calendar he’d carried outside with him. “How about the first weekend in December?”
She grinned. “Look at you, Mr. Planner. December? No. Too close to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was thinking about next month,” Laura said.
“Next month? I thought women needed ages to plan these things.”
“You’re right. I won’t have enough time. December is better.” She placed the calendar on the ground and turned her attention to her little boy, who was laughing and splashing in the water.
Erich reached across and held her hand. “The first time I interviewed you, you told me he loved the water most of all. I fell in love with you that day. Did you know that?”
Laura knew she should be paying more attention to Erich, but she couldn’t get her mind off her aunt. Had she been too harsh? Thinking back, she realized Virginia could have lied to her, but she’d chosen not to, even though she’d had to know what Laura’s reaction would be.
“Things will get better between you and Virginia in time,” said Erich, reading her mind. “Not speaking to her isn’t going to help, though.”
“I know, I know. I’ll call her tomorrow.”
Phillip’s voice travelled through the door and Erich got up, meeting him halfway between the house and the pond. When he returned he was smiling broadly.
“Looks like Geoffrey Pierce is not as smart as he thinks he is. The cops caught him trying to board a train to Houston, Texas,” Erich said.
Laura sighed, finally feeling as if she could breathe. “It’s finally over.” She took off her shoes and pushed them to the side, then stood up and waded into the water. When Todd saw her he ran toward her, his arms outstretched.
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