Starlight (4 page)

Matthew’s eyes showed understanding. “I won’t say a word,” he assured her. “A man needs his pride.”

Karen relaxed against the back cushion of the chair and sighed gratefully. “Thanks, Dad.”

“As for Rand being blind, I would wish a sighted man for you, but that’s my own
selfishness. You’re twenty-three now, and if you aren’t an able judge of character, your mother and I have failed. I trust that in you, Karen. Your mother and I taught you well.”

An overflowing love for her parents warmed Karen. “That you did, Dad. That you did.”

Karen watched the phone all day, almost willing it to ring. She needed Rand to call just to confirm that last night had been as real to him as it was to her, and that the night hadn’t been a romantic dream she’d conjured up with the moonlight. When he didn’t, she couldn’t contain her disappointment.

The next morning, Karen met her friend Audrey in a small coffee shop for their midmorning break. Both girls were employed by Tacoma’s largest cable television service. Karen was the supervisor for the data processing department. Audrey had also been a candidate for the position but was relieved when Karen had it. Of the two, Karen had been the natural choice, having displayed tact, discretion, and forethought in a multitude of situations. Hiring a female supervisor had been only a token gesture by the company toward equal rights. Karen had stepped into a cesspool of resentment from her male counterparts. But it wasn’t long before she grudgingly won their respect. She was good at her job and knew it.

“Do you realize I only have fourteen more days to finish my Christmas shopping?” Audrey announced as she set her cup opposite Karen’s on the small table.

“Luckily, I did mine weeks ago,” Karen said without meaning to sound like the methodical, organized soul she was. “I guess it helps when things have to be mailed.”

“You’d have had it finished, anyway.” Audrey sighed jealously. “I don’t suppose I could interest you in fighting the crowds with me tonight? I thought we might have dinner out.”

“Not tonight. Sorry, Audrey. I’m expecting a phone call.”

“Someone I know?” Audrey quizzed with unleashed curiosity.

“No,” Karen said pointedly.

Rand dominated her thoughts. Was he experiencing doubts about their evening? Had he decided this thing between them was the result of too much wine and music? Karen could only venture a guess at his musings. She had never longed to hear from someone so badly. Randall Prescott had her feeling very much like a schoolgirl praying that special boy would ask her to the prom. The melodious song in her heart was now replaced by an aching void of unanswered questions.

The phone was ringing when she let herself into the apartment that night. Karen dropped her purse and rushed to answer it, her heartbeat accelerating wildly. It was a
carpet-cleaning salesman with a pitch for steam-cleaning her rugs. She definitely wasn’t interested.

Audrey was at Karen’s desk first thing the next morning. “Did you get your important phone call?” she asked before adding another pile of papers to Karen’s workload.

“No, I’m afraid not.” She tried to sound nonchalant and didn’t bother to look up from her paperwork.

“I don’t think you have much to worry about,” Audrey said kindly. “He’ll phone; only a blind man would be immune to your charms.” Shock held Karen rigid. “I’ll bet he phones tonight.”

But Audrey was wrong. Rand didn’t contact Karen that night or the next.

Friday night, Matthew was in Karen’s apartment, waiting for her.

“Dad!” she admonished irritably. “The next time this happens, I’m going to have my lock changed.”

“As soon as ye know why I’m here, you’ll be singing my praises.”

Feigning indifference, Karen hung her coat in the closet and went into the kitchen to make coffee.

“Don’t you want to know what I found out about Randall Prescott?”

“Not particularly,” she lied with an ease she didn’t feel. Walking into her bedroom, she examined the contents of her closet.

“Karen, lass.” Matthew followed her, his voice full of exasperation. “Hold still a minute. I want to talk to you.”

“Sorry, Dad, I haven’t got time now. I’ve got a date.”

Matthew’s puzzled features relaxed. “Ah, you’re meeting Rand again.”

“Not Rand.” She pulled a crisp taffeta blouse and black velvet skirt from the closet, laying the outfit across her bed. “Jim Malloy is picking me up in an hour.”

“Jim Malloy? What happened to Randall Prescott?”

Her throat muscles were so tight Karen could barely speak. “I … I decided not to see him again. You were right about my feelings for him. Randall Prescott is just another lost kitten I wanted to rescue.” She hesitated, then added, “Maybe it was a latent Florence Nightingale complex.”

For several minutes, Matthew said nothing. “All right, Karen, you have to decide what you think is best.”

“I have,” she mumbled, returning to the kitchen to take the coffeepot from the burner. “Help yourself to coffee if you like. I’ve got to shower.”

Scratching his head, Matthew watched Karen head for the bathroom. “Women,”
he mumbled. “They’ll be a mystery to me on my dying day.”

Karen had dated Jim Malloy before. He was what she considered a safe date. He was friendly without being pushy, considerate without being condescending. Jim’s only problem was that Karen found him unforgivably boring. A hundred times during the dinner and movie, Karen wished she could change her feelings. What was she waiting for? Jim may not be a knight in shining armor, but he was nice. She was being stupid, she told herself as he politely escorted her to her apartment. Meekly, she submitted to his kiss. But it was hardly a kiss at all, more a brushing of lips.

Frustrated with herself, Karen opened her mouth slightly to deepen the contact, then moaned in disappointment. Why couldn’t she feel what she had in Rand’s arms? Why was she left with this void, this aching feeling at the touch of another man?

Jim reacted urgently to her initiative, crushing her against him. His hands fumbled with the opening of her coat, seeking her breasts.

Karen jerked away. “Stop it,” she demanded. Her shoulders heaved with emotion, finding his touch repulsive.

“Come on. What am I supposed to think with a come-on like that?” His eyes were glazed with passion. “Let’s go inside, talk this out.” He pulled her back into his arms, his lips nuzzling her neck.

Again, Karen fought him. “No,” she said sternly. “Not tonight. Not ever.”

His dark, beady eyes filled with contempt. “You’re nothing but a tease. Do you get your jollies by turning men on and then—”

“I think you’d better leave,” Karen interrupted him, her voice steady and cold. Placing her apartment key between her middle and index fingers so its steel edge could inflict harm if necessary, she stared directly into his anger-filled eyes.

Jim didn’t ignore the warning. “All right,” he spat viciously, “have it your way.” He left in a hot temper, and Karen heard the squeal of his tires as he pulled from the parking lot.

After letting herself into the apartment, Karen leaned heavily against the closed door. What was the matter with her? A feeling of desperation encompassed her. She had led Jim to believe she wanted more than a good-night kiss and couldn’t blame him for his reaction. For a fleeting second, she almost hated Rand.

“Damn you,” she whispered harshly, and sat in the still apartment, staring into the darkness. She didn’t move for a long while.

The next week passed with intolerable slowness, although Karen made an effort to keep busy. But each time the phone rang, her heart would beat expectantly. Each time, she tasted bitter disappointment.

Five days before Christmas, Karen received a long-distance call from her sister in Texas.

“Judy?” she asked with surprise. “Is everything okay?” With a limited budget, Judy rarely phoned unless it was important.

“I’ve got news too good for a mere letter,” she began.

“You’re pregnant?” Karen guessed immediately. “Well, for heaven’s sake, have a girl this time, would you? Dad is driving me crazy for a granddaughter.”

“Would you kindly shut up?” Judy chided with a laugh. “I’m not pregnant! I’m calling because Mike’s being transferred to McChord.”

“McChord Air Force Base?” Karen asked in disbelief. “In Tacoma?”

“Yes, silly.”

“Oh, Judy, I’m so glad. You don’t know how Dad and I’ve missed you.”

“How is Dad?”

“Wait and see. I swear he’s getting crazier by the day. Everything’s changed since Mom died, especially Dad.”

“I know.” Judy sobered. “Even his letters are getting weird. There’s a bit of bad news, too. Mike’s being stationed in Thailand for a year.”

“Judy, no.” Karen’s voice filled with sympathy. Her sister and husband had been separated before. It was a miserable time for them both.

“I guess I should be used to it by now. But at least this time I’ll be by family.”

“I’m so glad you’re coming home.” Karen tried to disguise the unhappiness in her voice.

“You don’t sound right. What’s wrong?” Judy and Karen were too close to hide anything from each other. Judy quickly detected the tiniest voice inflection and knew immediately things were not well with her sister.

Karen hesitated. How could she possibly explain? “I can’t talk now. I’ll tell you everything later. I promise,” she said in a long, uneven breath.

“Count on it, sis,” Judy said softly.

Judy’s news was just the tonic needed to brighten Karen’s Christmas. The news did a world of good for Matthew, too, Karen noted as they traveled to the Forsyths’ on Christmas afternoon. Matthew seemed happier than Karen could remember since her mother’s death.

At first Karen was a bit uneasy at her uncle’s, fearing he would mention Randall
Prescott, but the day passed comfortably, with no allusion to him or the party.

Everything moved very quickly after Christmas. Within a week, Judy and her family had arrived and moved into government housing. Mike, an aircraft mechanic, was due to fly out Monday afternoon, and he worked around the clock to settle his family before departing.

Karen volunteered to keep the boys Saturday night so the couple could spend the evening alone.

“Are you sure about this?” Judy questioned hesitantly. “James and Carter can be a handful.”

“Of course I’m sure. I’ve been looking forward to this all week. If I were you, I’d make the most of my generous offer.” She batted her eyelashes seductively and watched her sister blush.

“I know, but—”

“No buts. Dad and I’ve got everything planned. We’re going to have a great time, aren’t we, boys?” Immediately, the two lively youngsters flew into the room, bounding with energy.

“Will you buy me a squirt gun, Aunt Karen?” six-year-old Carter asked.

“Carter,” Judy warned in disapproval.

“We’ll see.” Karen affectionately ruffled the top of his blond head. “Get your sleeping bags loaded into my car. I’ll be there in a minute.” She placed her empty coffee mug in the kitchen sink and gathered her coat and purse. “Dad and I’ve got everything arranged. I’m taking the boys to a movie this afternoon, and then we’re picking up Dad at the chess club. He’s playing in that tournament this weekend,” she explained needlessly. “From there we’re going to have Chinese food.”

Judy walked down the steps with her. “The boys will love it.” Her expression softened. “Mike and I appreciate this more than you know.”

Karen gave her sister an affectionate hug. “The pleasure’s mine.”

Judy laughed slyly. “Tell me that tomorrow afternoon; then I’ll believe you.”

“Come on, Aunt Karen. We’re ready,” the boys called from her compact Dodge, having rolled down the window.

“See what I mean?” Judy said.

The movie was a western comedy the boys ate their way through. After three bags of popcorn, two soft drinks, and a candy bar each, Karen wondered where they’d put the meal she’d planned for later.

“When’s dinner?” James asked on the way to the parking lot.

“Dinner?” Karen gasped, then laughed, shaking her head at her nephew. “I can
see I’m going to need groceries before we pick up your grandpa.”

They made a quick trip to the neighborhood market, buying breakfast items and a few between-meals snacks, just in case the boys got hungry during the night, they told her.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the chess club. James and Carter looked around, curiously watching the players sitting at the long tables. Although the club was filled to capacity with nearly a hundred occupants, the noise level was surprisingly low. Glancing about the room, Karen easily caught sight of her father. He sat at one of the tables, intently involved in his game. She pointed him out to the boys and explained why they must be quiet and wait patiently. They sat in the back of the room, watching as each of the players made his move, then hit the clock, setting the other player’s timer. The boys asked a couple of questions, but otherwise were content to sit and watch.

Briefly surveying the room again, Karen’s attention moved to a table with three players. Instinctively, she stiffened, her emotions muddled and confused. “Rand.” She spoke his name softly, her voice barely above a whisper. James and Carter glanced at her questioningly, but she didn’t notice.