LETHAL OBSESSION (7 page)

      "That
it will, Princess.  Come here."                            

      Ellen
walked to Gene as he took her in his arms.  Their lips met in a gentle, loving
kiss as she melted against his hard body.  The kiss deepened carrying them back
to that breathless place.

Gene
pulled away and looked at her.  "Wow, we'd better stop this.  You are
driving me wild, Princess."

      "I'm
sorry.  I don't mean to be a tease.  I feel wild too.  I just wish... "

      "You
will, just give yourself time.  Meanwhile just remember how much I love
you."

      Ellen
smiled.  "That will keep me warm for now.  I'm so glad it was you that
day."

      "Me
too."

      Holding
her hand, Gene was so loving and attentive on the drive home that Ellen felt
herself happy and glowing long after he left.  She wondered what kind of a
sheriff's wife she would make.  Shaking her head she banished the thought.  It
was way too soon to be thinking along those lines.  Gene said he loved her and
Ellen felt this to be true.  But how long would he be willing to wait for the
reward of sex?  She was never in this situation before. 

      Ellen
did not date in college although she had many opportunities.  Her studies were
top priority but the real truth was she never felt comfortable with the
opposite sex.     Perhaps her parents' violent relationship instilled a fear of
getting romantically involved.  Whatever it was, Mark was blessed with a virgin
bride.

      Now
Ellen was getting those old feelings back again.  She knew it was too soon to
get into a serious relationship with Gene.  But at the same time, she wanted him
to make love to her.  After today their relationship would be forever changed. 
Gene was no longer a platonic friend.  Ellen examined how she felt about that
but the glow was there and the anticipation felt fantastic. 

      Mark
would not have wanted her to stay alone forever.  They had even spoken about it
once.  He told her that if anything ever happened to him he wanted her to find
another love as soon as possible.  She was a beautiful, loving woman and
deserved to have a life with a good man.  It was so like Mark but the
conversation had been upsetting to her. She was angry that he would even bring
up such a topic for discussion.  They were going to grow old together and get
on each other's nerves as crotchety octogenarians, end of story.

      When
she stormed out of the room he let her stew. Then in his own special way, with
gentleness and love, Mark brought her back to reality. He was not planning on
going any time soon, but if the worst happened, she was not to grieve on and on.
If she did he promised to come down and haunt her.    Thinking about it made
her smile.  She looked around her breakfast nook.  "So, where are you,
Mark?  Come on down here and haunt me like you said." 

      The
following morning Ellen heard nothing from Gene.  That was disconcerting
considering the intimacy and love talk from yesterday.  Maybe he'd had a change
of heart when the sex wasn't forthcoming.  Perhaps that's the way men thought
about it these days.  She had no idea but not hearing from him stung,
especially after his declaration of love.

      Taking
a sip of her morning coffee, Ellen gazed out the picturesque window taking in
the breathtaking view surrounding her. Fall leaves had turned the mountains
into a fantasy world of scarlet and gold.  There was a crispness in the air now
reminding her of cozy popcorn evenings cuddled with Mark in front of the
crackling fire. That familiar aching loneliness was creeping up on her again,
trying to invade her senses and drag her down.  No, she would not allow it this
time.  Ellen didn't want to go into that dark pit again.  Get over it now, she
told herself.

      Ellen
glanced at the morning newspaper for distraction.  She looked at her watch. Damn,
why hasn't he called her?  After hearing from him every day this was just
weird.  She thought for sure Gene would stop by this morning like he usually
did.  Ah well.  He must be busy.                                

      Something
in the paper caught her eye. Ellen picked up the section and scanned the
column.  The Greenland county fair was on. She loved fairs.  Some years when
her parents were in their happy moods, they would drive to Memphis if the car
was running.  The Mid South Fair was so much fun. There was funnel cake and
cotton candy which always gave her a belly ache but it sure tasted good.

Ellen
wondered if Gene might be busy at the fair. That's probably why he hadn't
called.  The article also said that the Cedar Grove Jaycees were planning a
bake sale at the Shriner's Pavilion. Proceeds would go to the Cripple
Children's Hospital in Knoxville.

      Ellen
had a recipe for lemon squares to die for. Now she had a reason to whip up a
batch plus a chance to make new friends.  Getting up with her coffee, Ellen
went to check for ingredients.  Perfect, she would start baking this morning.

      What
an excellent opportunity this might be to get out and mingle with people. The
fishing tournament was so much fun Ellen wanted to repeat the experience.  God
knows she needed some friends other than Gene Stone. Maybe they would have a
life together but until then, Ellen needed to make a life for herself. Mark had
been her whole world and her need for other people was simply not there during
her marriage. A circle of lady friends to have lunch with would be so much fun.
 This fair might be just the thing to get the ball rolling.    

      Amplified
banjo and guitar music could be heard from the parking area mixed with the
gleeful squeals of children. The giant double Farris wheel and other carnival
rides twirled above the treetops. 

Carrying
her dish, Ellen paid her fee and walked thru the piped turnstile.  The
fragrance of fried funnel cake and corn dogs made her stomach rumble for a hot,
crispy treat.            

      Ellen
studied the brochure with the attached map to see how to get to the pavilion.  Carrying
her lemon squares, she picked through the crowd making her way to the Shriner's
Pavilion.     She might even see Gene here.  Wouldn't he be surprised to see
her out and about.                                 

      Ladies
were standing in small groups talking when Ellen walked in.  There was a main
table adorned with pumpkin, colored ears of corn and fall dried flowers.  Ellen
placed her dish on the table along with the others and looked around feeling
self- conscious. 

      No
one noticed her come in.  There were no welcoming smiles or handshakes in
greeting.  All the women knew each other. Ellen was the outsider.  For a brief
second she felt the strongest urge to bolt for the exit but she fought it
down.  Taking a deep breath Ellen looked around and decided to approach a
circle of ladies who appeared to be close to her age. When there was a lull in
the conversation, Ellen extended her hand. 

      "Hello,
I'm Ellen Anderson.  I brought some lemon squares for the bake sale." 

The
women immediately responded with smiles and handshakes. A pleasant, friendly
woman took Ellen's hand in both of hers. 

      "It's
so nice to meet you, Ellen.  You must be new in town.  I'm Martha Stone and
these ladies are some members from my church.  This is Susan Bradley, Cynthia
Wood, Mary-Louise Carter, and Dorothy Simpson."

      Ellen
was delighted. "Oh, are you related to Sheriff Gene Stone?  He's such a
wonderful..." Ellen paused and looked around. It seems the ladies had all
stopped talking and were staring at her.

"I'm
sorry.  Perhaps I'm mistaken."

      Martha
smiled at Ellen. "I guess you could say I'm quite related to the good
sheriff.  He's been my husband for close to twenty years.  We have a son who's
away studying at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  If you know Gene,
he must've helped you in some way. I think he works way too hard in our
community, but he loves helping people and I'm sure that's why he got elected. 
I am so proud of him for that."         

      Ellen
knew her mouth was hanging open in shock.  She struggled to pull herself
together and not look as if she had been slapped silly.  Oh my God, Gene was
married.  What if she had not stopped when they were in bed at the cabin?  And
to think she actually harbored thoughts of a future with this man.  He said he
loved her. She trusted him. Oh my God.  

      Taking
a shuddering breath Ellen tried to hide all the volatile emotions crashing
inside her. She plastered on a smile and struggled to keep her voice from
sounding wooden.  Ellen wasn't ready to talk about Mark with strangers but she
had to come up with a plausible explanation. The women had gathered close to
listen like they were anticipating a juicy piece of gossip. More than likely
some of them had been at the fishing tournament and saw her there.  Ellen was
beyond mortified.    

      "Sheriff
Stone was very kind to me a while back during a tragic family crisis.  He's a nice
person and I do owe him a debt of gratitude."                                              

      The
women seemed to suddenly wander away. Right at that time Ellen heard a familiar
deep voice and she quickly ducked behind a large bulletin board.

CHAPTER EIGHT

      "Martha
Darlin," Gene walked up and gave his wife a kiss. "Are you about
ready to eat?  I'm starving."                        

      Ellen
closed her eyes and crouched down hoping she could somehow just slink away into
the crowd.

      Martha
took her husband's arm. "Come here, I would like for you to meet someone. 
She says you were a great help to her during a family crisis and she wanted to
thank you. Ellen? Where are you?  Oh, there you are."

      Martha
pulled Ellen out of her hiding place. 

      "My
husband is right here and I know he'll be glad to see you again.  Gene, you
remember Ellen Anderson?  She said you helped her at one time."

      Ellen
forced her expression to go blank but anybody with half a brain could see the
look of total disgust in her eyes.  Gene stared with a deer in the headlights
look.  If she didn't feel so betrayed it would almost be laughable.  Ellen
extended her hand and watched his reddened face register total dismay.       

      "It's
so very nice to see you again Sheriff Stone. I was just telling your lovely
wife
how kind you were to help me during my family crisis. It's a shame I haven't
had the pleasure of making Martha's acquaintance sooner.  Hopefully now we can
become good friends."

      Martha
beamed. "That would be delightful, Ellen. Perhaps you would enjoy
attending Sunday services with me sometime."            

      "That
would be lovely. I would enjoy it very much, Martha." 

      The
benign smile on Ellen's face was beginning to ache.

      Fighting
for self control, Gene tried not to fidget. Son of a bitch, what rotten luck.  He
wouldn’t in a million years expect Ellen to show up at an event like this. She never
went out. Gene could tell by her eyes that the easy trust between them was now
a thing of the past. Ellen may never trust him again.  This was bad, real bad. Was
she going to tell Martha?  Gene didn't think so but stranger things have
happened.  If she was then he would just have to find a way to repair the
damage.  It wouldn't be the first time.  He had better start tap dancing right now.
His daddy always said that a bushel of charm could sweeten any sour brew.
Donning his most charismatic political smile, Gene reached out and took Ellen's
hand.                                   

      "Mrs.
Anderson, what a pleasure to see you again. I hope everything is working out
for you."            

      Oh,
it definitely is, Sheriff Stone," Ellen purred in her softest voice.
"I just don't know how to thank you enough for all your time and attention,
and your words of encouragement."        

      Gene
nodded. "I'm very happy I could be of service." His heart was pounding.
Damn he was so close and now this. Gene felt a tug and realized he was still
holding tightly to Ellen's hand.  Martha was staring at him. If Gene was facing
a pride of hungry lions he couldn't have felt more terrified.     

      "Well,
ladies."  Gene pasted on a politician smile and clapped his hands
together.  "What do you say we all go grab a bite of some of this delicious
fair food?"                                 

      Any
women still under the pavilion dispersed quickly, each finding excuses to go
elsewhere.  The ladies manning the bake sale were all staring in Gene's
direction. An uncomfortable silence had fallen so thick that Gene felt his neck
hairs stand on end.  Both Ellen and Martha were looking at him as he tried to
swallow his nervousness and appear as if all was normal in his corner of the
world.     

      Then
Ellen totally surprised him.  She stepped forward reaching for his and Martha's
hand placing them together.  With a sad sweet smile, Ellen spoke softly. 
"Treasure each other always.  You don't know how precious togetherness is
and how quickly it can be gone. I do."  She leaned over and kissed Gene's
wife on the cheek.  "I'm so glad to have met you, Martha. I really need to
be somewhere so I'm going to pass on the fair food, but the two of you enjoy." 

      With
one last smile and a wave, Ellen turned and was immediately swallowed up by the
crowd. Gene stifled the urge to mop his face with a bandana. Cautiously his
eyes slid to Martha, but she seemed to be smiling.  He breathed a sigh of
relief.  Thank you, Jesus, he thought. At least she was happy.