Dreamkeepers (36 page)

The new clothes were hanging in the wardrobe. The housekeeper must have put them away while they were out last evening. She quickly chose a pair of light green wool pants and fluffy sweater to match and slid into them, surprised at the perfect fit. She brushed her hair and looked closely at her face in the mirror. Gazing at herself, she wondered how she could have been so naive to think a man like Adam could desire that reflection in the mirror. She sighed deeply and swept her hair back and secured it with a ribbon, scolding herself silently for indulging in fantasy.

She started for the kitchen, then remembered the diamond earrings. Turning back to the dressing table, she looked under and around everything on the table. They were not there.
Oh, God!
Had she lost them? She went to the living room and searched the floor near where the silver sandals lay. Desperately she went to the kitchen to find the housekeeper. Ganson was there packing boxes.

“Hello. So you finally got up, did you?”

“Good morning. I’m so worried, Ganson, I can’t find the earrings Mr. Reneau gave me. I’ve looked everywhere!” Her voice rose in desperation.

At that moment Adam came through the swinging door. “Looked everywhere for what?”

“I’ve lost the earrings!” she blurted out.

“You haven’t lost them. I have them in my pocket.”

Relief flowed through her. She went to him and leaned her forehead against his chest. “Thank you. I was so afraid.”

“I took them off when you went to sleep last night.” The color came into her cheeks as the memory of the pile of clothes flashed through her mind. “Eat your breakfast. We’ll be leaving soon.”

Adam set the plane down on the frozen lake. He had been silent on the trip back. Molly glanced at him with anxious eyes hoping to see some sign that he was glad to be back, but his face was expressionless.

The weather was changing; there was tension in the air; heavy clouds formed in the east. The sun was already low by the time the plane was anchored, and a circle of silvery light sprang around it. Within this large loop, four shining circles appeared. In each circle, a small, unreal but gleaming image of the sun shone. Looking up at the five tangent suns gave Molly a weird and alien feeling. The silver circles became hazy, the mock suns flashed evilly, the daylight seemed to flicker, and the vision vanished. The true sun sank into the dark clouds.

“You’ve seen the sun dogs,” Adam said, helping her out of the plane. An icy blast of air hit her and his words were almost lost in the wind. “Ten to one we’ll have a blizzard by morning.”

Molly knew that to be true. The Indians were afraid of the sun dogs, thinking they were evil stars trying to kill the sun. They would beat pans and raise an awful racket trying to scare them away.

It was almost totally dark by the time they trudged through the snow to the house. Tim-Two had shoveled a path, but it was filling fast with drifting snow. Adam went to the shed for the snowmobile and sled so he could bring the supplies from the plane. Molly wanted to help, but he hustled her into the house and firmly closed the door.

She was glad to be home again. This is where she belonged. She let her hands run lovingly over the fireplace mantel, opened the glass door of the clock, and started winding the spring. The rhythmic ticking of the clock gave her the feeling of continuance and peace. After lighting the lamps she set about the chore of putting her city things away.

It was snowing heavily by the time Adam returned with the last load of supplies. He was tired, cold, and very hungry. Molly handed him a cup of coffee and quietly went about cooking their supper. When it was ready, he came to the table and ate automatically.

Abruptly he said, in a strangely husky voice, “It’s going to be a long winter, Molly.”

She stiffened at the sound of those familiar words, dropped her eyes, and stared at her plate attempting to hide her feeling of depression.

“Yes,” she said slowly, and pushed herself away from the table to walk to the fireplace, her hands clasped fearfully in front of her.

Adam finished his supper and carried the dishes to the sink, then filled his cup with coffee and sat down in the big chair, studying her rigid back. When he spoke again, it was in a more normal tone.

“You can’t stand up all winter, Molly, so sit down and relax.”

Her shoulders drooped suddenly as she acknowledged the truth of his words. She relaxed even more and turned to him.

“If I did anything to offend you last evening, I’m sorry.” Her voice was defensive. “Not being used to drinking much, I—”

“You did nothing to be embarrassed about, Molly.” After hesitating a moment he added, “Do you have regrets?”

The evening was not as companionable as other evenings had been. Adam sat quietly in his chair. Molly rocked in hers and listened to the howl of the wind around the cabin.

Adam interrupted the silence by saying, “I better get to bed, there’ll be a lot of snow to shovel in the morning.”

Molly nodded, and got to her feet. “Good night.”

“Good night, Molly.”

Adam went out after breakfast the next morning to check on the ski plane. The wind had subsided some, but the snow was still falling. The atmosphere inside the cabin was easier this morning, and Molly went about her duties with an air of acceptance. She chided herself time and again for her illusive dreams. Although his dark eyes had followed her as she prepared breakfast, she sensed a tightness in him that had not been there before.

She was washing dishes when Adam came dashing through the kitchen door.

“I need the gun, Molly!” He snatched it from the wall over the fireplace. Checking its load, he made again for the door.

Molly ran after him. “What is it? What’s the matter?”

“Wolverine. He’s been in Tim-Two’s traps and we can smell him near the shed.” Molly lingered beside the door. Adam stopped in front of her. “I want you to shut this door and stay inside. Do you understand?”

She nodded, shut the door, and went to the window. Dog was running about, barking excitedly.
Dear God, don’t let Adam be hurt. Please, please, please!
“I love him.” She said the words aloud, unaware of doing so. Without a thought of Adam’s orders she slipped into her parka, stepped into her snow boots, and went out the door.

Taking big frosty breaths of the chilling air, she knew the foul-smelling beast was close by as soon as she stepped out the door. Rounding the corner of the house, she could see Dog holding the small wolverine at bay between the shed and the board fence. She heard the savage growling as the snarling beast lunged at Dog. Molly knew Dog didn’t have a chance and screamed at him. He backed off as the undaunted wolverine charged him. Adam dropped to one knee in the snow, aimed the gun, and squeezed the trigger.

The shot hit the wolverine dead center and he dropped into a convulsing heap. Dog charged in, but was reluctant to touch the foul-smelling body. Molly called him and he obediently came to her.

Adam rose and swung around to face her. “I told you to stay in the cabin!” he shouted harshly.

“I know you did, but I was worried for Dog . . . and you.” Her voice quavered in her relief that he was safe.

“You risked your life!” He yelled at her in his anger.

“I didn’t think I was risking my life,” she said in a way of defense.

“The odds were not in your favor with the wolverine. If he’d got past me, he would have been at your throat in a second.” He was so angry now his face had turned red.

Her lips quivered as she realized the danger to Adam as well as to herself. If he had been distracted for even one second by her appearance . . . she shivered and dropped her eyes, abandoning her defense.

“Get inside!” he commanded.

She hurried into the cabin, shut the door, and leaned against it, weak at the thought of what she had done. She could hear Adam and Tim-Two discussing the wolverine.

“By damn, by damn!” Tim-Two was saying. “What a devil! Him would come right to the cabin, no?”

Adam stayed away from the cabin most of the day. He and Tim-Two tried to rid the place of the smell of the beast. He helped the Indian disinfect his traps; otherwise he would have no winter catch. All animals shy away from the smell of the wolverine. Molly suspected he was staying away so his temper would cool before confronting her again.

Darkness set in before he returned. The cabin was filled with the tantalizing odor of cooking meat and vegetables. He sniffed approvingly.

“Something smells good,” he said.

She gave a pleased little smile, but avoided meeting his eyes. She knew that he knew his favorite dish was a peace offering.

She served him the stew and hot biscuits. After being out in the cold most of the day he was hungry and had several helpings. His mood had softened, but she kept her eyes down, not wanting to give him an opening to speak about what had happened. Adam realized this and kept silent.

He was restless and wandered around the room while she was at the sink. She was frantically trying to plan something to do when she finished the dishes. It would be unbearable to sit across from him tonight if they didn’t talk. She finished and was hanging away the towel when he came up close behind her. He put his hands on her forearms and pulled her back against him. She could feel the thud of his heart—or was it her heart—she couldn’t tell which. Leaning his head down, he nuzzled her ear.

“You do understand why I was so angry?” She nodded. “I was terrified at what could have happened to you!”

She didn’t say anything. She wanted to say she was sorry, but she couldn’t get the words out.

Still holding her, he let his mouth rest on the side of her neck. “You’ll not disobey me again, when I tell you to do something for your own good?”

“No. And I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

He let out a long breath and squeezed her arms tightly. “Let’s put on some music and sit by the fire, okay?” He took her hand and led her into the living area.

Molly sat in her rocker and watched him while he loaded the stereo with the music he had selected. She filled her eyes with him, the broad shoulders, the narrow waist, the lean hips.
I’ll always love him,
she thought.
How could I possibly love another man after knowing him?
She picked up her knitting, so she would have something to do with her hands and have an excuse for not looking at him.

He came to his big chair, sat down, and stretched out his long legs. He was so still Molly thought he had fallen asleep, so she dared a look at him. His black eyes were openly staring at her. She held his gaze for a moment, then dropped her eyes, the color coming up into her cheeks. She saw the long legs draw up out of her line of vision. He got up and came toward her, took the knitting out of her hands, and put it on the floor by her chair. Taking her hand in his, he drew her to her feet, and drawing her along with him went back to his chair and sat down. He tugged at her hand, but she resisted him. He tugged harder and pulled her down onto his lap.

He settled himself comfortably after swinging her legs across the arm of the chair and pressing her head down on his shoulder. Molly attempted to raise her head and look at him, but he pressed her head firmly down again.

“Be still,” he said, “I just want to hold you.”

They listened to the music, much the same as they did the night in Adam’s apartment. Molly snuggled closer in his arms and gave herself up to the joy of being close to him. He was in a strangely quiet mood. He stroked her hair and ran his fingers down the smooth flesh of her arm. She timidly lifted her fingers to his neck, then to his ear, coming to his cheek to find his mouth and trace it lightly. She felt his lips open and nibble at her fingers. She smiled a secret smile against his throat. She loved him, she wanted him, and he wasn’t indifferent to her. The knowledge gave her the courage to allow her fingers to stray to the buttons on his shirt and slip her hand inside the opening to touch his skin. The hair on his chest was slightly rough against her fingers and she felt a shudder go through him as she gently tugged at it.

His lips descended to hers where they teased lightly, sending curious sensations along Molly’s spine, and coherent thought slid into oblivion. She gave a convulsive shudder and put her arms about his neck signaling her complete submission with parted lips. His mouth crushed down on hers, demanding, hurting, and pleasing her. She felt the warmth of his body and the beat of his heart beneath her palms. He forced back her head and deepened the kiss to hot, insistent possession. She made no move to stop him when he unbuttoned her blouse, and his fingers teased the stiff nipples, caressing them so that they hardened even more. Every part of her body ached with the need of him. The little sounds she made seemed to arouse him more and he trembled violently and slid his lips from her mouth to her cheek, then down to her neck.

“Darling . . .” His voice was husky and almost inaudible. He buried his face in her neck. She could feel his lips and tongue. Her body was on fire for him and she felt as if she were suspended in outer space.

Adam lifted his head and his half-closed eyes flashed over her face. His was strangely pale.

“I thought I could hold you and not make love to you, but I can’t,” he said hoarsely. He lifted her from his lap and got to his feet. “Go to bed, Molly.”

She looked at him dazedly, her trembling fingers working at the buttons on her blouse. With bowed head and on shaking legs, she went to her room. She was on the point of tears, tired and drained.

Molly stood in the darkened room for a few minutes before turning up the light and making ready for bed. There was an ache in the pit of her stomach. In her innocence she didn’t realize aroused desire was a tortuous thing. It was twisting inside her now like a small trapped animal, clawing for its freedom. Automatically she put several pieces of hardwood in the round stove and went into the bathroom where she brushed her teeth and washed her face. The cool cloth felt good on her burning skin. When leaving, she did as she did every night, opened the door to Adam’s room, and closed the door to her own. She slipped on her nightgown. Sitting on the side of her bed, she brushed her hair and words that had been etched into her subconscious filled her thoughts. Someday, Charlie had told her, a man will come into your life who will fill it with his presence. He will love and cherish you and give you children. When that time comes, it will be the beginning of an extension of yourself. Molly sat very still. The tension left her. She had reached a decision. After turning out the light, she opened the kitchen door and slipped into bed.