A Pale Paradise

Chapter XI

  Phyl arranged the floral print pillows on the white slip-covered sofa, and glanced down at Bear, curled on his bed in his favorite spot by the fireplace. She was glad that the poor dog could finally relax after bolting into the house when they had returned, and running from one place to another, frantically sniffing everything in sight. The shaded lamp glowed softly on the end table, and the blazing fire made the room feel so cozy and warm. She sighed and walked over to the massive window to straighten the gauzy white drapes, left twisted and disheveled by the burglars, thinking about the call she'd made to Scott and Leah after they'd returned from Pete and Emma's. Luckily, they were still at the hospital with Jonathan, but were leaving the Bahamas within a week, taking their son with them. They were shocked to hear about the break-in, and Phyl felt somewhat sorry for them, as they understood who was responsible for it. She was glad that Jonathan was recuperating well enough to travel to the states, but felt the need to warn them of the possibility of impending danger...

  "Leah, we gave the papers to a lawyer, who is already in contact with the Attorney General," she sighed. "Arrests will be made within the next few days. All of you need to be careful."

  "I understand, Phyl, and we are planning on staying out of the spotlight for a while." Leah kept her voice low. "I can't say any more."

  "I understand." Phyl exhaled softly. "We may have to do the same. I'll talk to Thad."

  "Take care, Phyl, and thank you again for all you and Thad have done." Leah sounded close to tears. "We are so very sorry for the troubles you both have endured. Please stay safe."

  "You too, Leah." Phyl sighed again, and she replaced the receiver...

  After straightening the drapes and pulling them closed for the night, she glanced at her watch, and was surprised to see that it was almost midnight. She headed to the stairs.

  "How is it going?" She leaned on the balustrade and called down.

  "Almost finished." Thad smiled up at her as he tested the new dead-bolt. Satisfied, he began picking up the screwdrivers, and arranging them in the tool chest. "I think that will suffice."

  "Can I get you anything?"

  "Well, normally, I would say ' yes, a glass of chilled white wine,' but that's out of the question tonight." He went into the laundry room and set the chest on a shelf.

  "And this is the one night that I really, really need a glass of wine," she lamented. "I'll call Dr. McMillan's office first thing in the morning and see if he can see me on such short notice." She smiled at him as he entered the living area, and he wasted no time in wrapping his strong arms around her and they held each other for a long moment.

  "We'll be all right, Phyl," he whispered against her jaw, and she reached up and caressed his warm neck. He kissed her gently.

  "Thad, it's not like me to be so worried," she sighed as she pulled back and searched his eyes. "Look what we've been through in the Bahamas. But, for some reason, coming home to this has shaken me so badly."

  "I know, Phyl, I know. It's because this is our home. We had hoped that Jonathan's troubles wouldn't follow us here." He narrowed his eyes. "You know, if you want, we can pack up and travel around for the next couple of days, since we're both off work. We could go anywhere you want."

  "I'll think about it," she sighed. "Maybe a good night's sleep is what I need, and I'll have an entirely different outlook in the morning."

  "Just let me know if you want to leave, and we'll head out."

  "All right, I will." She pursed her lips. "Um..m. I hope the arrests begin soon. I know I'll feel differently then."

  "Can you sleep?" I'm ready for bed."

  "I think so." She twisted her mouth to one side. "I'm also anxious to get the doctor appointment over with."

  They pulled apart and headed arm in arm to the bedroom.

  "Everything is back to normal now." Thad gazed around him.

  "Well, we still have to replace the glass on all the photos. Thad, should we tell Beth about all this?"

  "I've considered that, and I think not. She knows that we took a trip to the Bahamas, and that's all she needs to know at this point." He looked down at her as they entered the bedroom. "I don't want to unduly worry her. She has enough stress right now with her studies."

  "I agree." She looked around at the room, now restored to its former state. They undressed, and slid between the sheets of their bed. Thad raised up on one elbow and brushed a long strand of her hair back from her forehead.

  "Good night. Promise you'll wake me if you can't sleep."

  "I'm exhausted," she smiled at him softly. "But, I promise." He kissed her gently, and she rested her head on the curve between his shoulder and chest, and closed her weary eyes.