Page 68 of Sweet Poison

"Thanks for the heads-up. Continue to keep your eyes on them. Any news yet about Arianna?"

"Paganini took her to a charity auction two nights ago. She looked okay, but she’s lost some weight and … er … she looked high. High, like ‘out of it’ high."

"I see," I said thoughtfully.

“Sorry to give you the bad news.”

"It is what it is," I told her. "Keep me updated."

"Sure," she agreed, and the call came to an end.

I sat for a little while, scowling and trying to process the information about Arianna. This was something I did not account for. High on what? What was he giving her? What was his plan? Why was he turning her into a junkie? To subdue her. To pimp her out. To hurt me?

Then Anya called me over. Her cupcakes were ready for the oven.

"Nice," I complimented.

She nodded solemnly. "Do you think Miss Moore will like them?"

"She will love them," I said and put the tray into the hot oven.

Chapter 40

Montana

As I drew even nearer to Duck Pond house, I felt equal amounts of excitement and nervousness. The talk with the girls in the bathroom had seemed light at first, but after several days of pondering about what I truly wanted, I realized that they were right. I didn’t want a relationship based purely on sex. I wanted more, far more, but I didn’t know if that was what he wanted too. The painful truth was: he didn’t even bother to call me, and if we had not met again totally by accident, we would never have seen each other again … and he was okay with that.

When the renovations first started on Duck Pond house a few months ago, people wondered who was moving in. There seemed to be an awful lot of work going on. There were stories of much digging, lorries carrying soil away even in the night, and huge trailers bringing in material that looked like reinforced steel blocks, but from what I could see it still looked very similar to what I remembered to be before all the works. Maybe there were new windows, definitely a new coat of paint and some landscaping work too.

I’d always loved this house and it seemed even more lovely and peaceful against the setting sun. I couldn’t help just sitting in their driveway and wondering about how it would feel to be a part of this pretty picture. It didn’t take a lot of time for me to come to the conclusion that I’d LOVE to be part of this picture.

Now I was just being foolish. Building castles in the sand. Heck, I hardly knew the guy. I admonished myself to keep a level head and to judge things as they were, as they were present to me rather than based on the wild fantasies in my mind.

I straightened and gave my appearance one last look in the rearview mirror, then pushed the car door open and got out.

I had dressed simply today. A white linen shirt, a striped pink skirt, and strappy sandals. Everyone was constantly commenting on how I always dressed like a boy, but with this outfit, there would be no question of whether I was a boy or a girl. To further emphasize the difference I opened two more buttons on my shirt to show everyone just enough that I had breasts and a worthy cleavage. For a minute, I was sure it was too much given that his daughter would be there, but in the end, I decided that she wouldn’t notice. I wouldn’t have at her age.

I rang the doorbell and it was opened almost instantly by the man I had been unable to stop thinking about for every single moment. After our last encounter, we’d only seen each other briefly with other people around when he came to pick Anya up. There was a bus service for the kids, but he said he wouldn’t allow her to participate until she had completely adjusted to her new surroundings. I could see just how protective he was of his daughter, and it was something quite impressive. If only all dads would protect their girls like that, the world would be a better place. As for me, Anya had quickly grown to be one of my favorite students, not only because of her kind, gentle nature but also because she was incredibly affectionate.

"Am I too early?" I asked.

“Not at all.” His eyes lingered on the skin between my open buttons. Then he leaned down and placed a light kiss on my cheek.

“Come in.” He stepped back to allow me in.

Before either of us could say another word to each other, a bundle of joy dashed out from the garden beyond and ran straight for me.

"Miss Moore. Miss Moore," she cried joyfully.

Her unbridled excitement was infectious and I instantly got down onto my haunches and pulled her little body into a big bear hug.

She was so happy to see me it was surprising. Especially, given that we saw each other pretty much every day in school. Her father, I noted, was as surprised.

"We made you lots of things to eat," she said enthusiastically. "Dad said you’d love them."

"I will love them," I affirmed, as I was pulled over to the counter and indeed there was a very wonderful-looking spread waiting for me.

I glanced back at him. "I hope I haven’t caused you too much trouble."