Page 63 of Edge of Disaster

“I want to take you shopping tomorrow to get a dress for the ball. You up for it?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Once I was ready, we both headed out at the same time. I set the alarm as I left. He kissed me and I hopped into my car and took off.

Traffic was a breeze, getting me to work on time. My manager was thrilled with our performance yesterday, making it a great day at work. The hours flew by because now my manager wanted to write up a plan that everyone would start following when they presented our package to large hospital systems.

It was five o’clock before I knew it and I hadn’t even eaten lunch. I left work and drove home. I quickly grabbed my weekend clothing and sifted through my mail before heading to Pearce’s. Most of it was junk, except for a letter addressed to me. I tore it open, not expecting it to be anything but was shocked to see what it held. The note it contained was anonymous, but I knew who it was from.

You think you’re high and mighty now, don’t you? Remember this. Even the mighty fall.

Immediately, I reached for my purse and looked for my gun. When my hand wrapped around it, I felt much safer. Should I tell Pearce about this? I didn’t want to keep things from him, but I also didn’t want this to get in the way of our relationship either. Ripping the note to pieces, I threw it in the trash. I decided to tell him because he would be upset if he found out I had kept this from him.

When I pulled in his driveway, there was another car there. I really didn’t think anything of it. I ran up the steps to the side door we always used and let myself in with my key. Once inside, I was going to go upstairs to leave my stuff in the bedroom, but I heard Pearce’s voice coming from the front of the house. He was in the formal living area that we never used. What I heard next made me cringe.

It was the banshee.

“But, Pearce, darling, we used to have fun. I don’t understand why you’re acting like this.”

“I’ve told you, Carmody, I have someone in my life that I love, that’s why.”

Okay, I like that.

“Why, you can’t mean that mousy thing you had with you at your parents’ house, can you? If that’s the case, what’s happened to you, honey?”

“Alexia isn’t a mousy thing, and you know it, Carmody.”

“Well, darling, she certainly looked frumpy to me. What was that thing she was wearing?”

I heard Pearce expel his breath forcefully. “Carmody, I think it’s best if you leave.”

“Pearce, I hoped you and I could, well, you know, rekindle our flame. I’d like to wrap my lips around your ...”

“Enough, Carmody!”

I’d never heard Pearce use that tone of voice. Man was he ever angry. It was time to offer him a little help.

I waltzed into the room, and from the horrified expression on her face, I was the last person she expected to see. I went straight up to Pearce, stood on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around him, pressed my body against his, and kissed him. Really kissed him … total tongue, lips, and mouth moving against him and then I ground myself against him until I heard him moan … loudly. When I was satisfied, I released him and leaned back a bit and declared, “I’ve missed you today, Pearce Middleton.”

Then I turned around to the banshee and grabbed her arm and escorted her to the door.

“I believe your visit here is concluded, Carmonkey. Have a nice day.” I shoved her out on the front porch and slammed the door behind her, turning the dead bolt. She couldn’t mistake the sound. It served two purposes. It told her she was not welcomed here, and it showed her the chapter of her life when she’d known Pearce intimately was over for good.

When I returned, Pearce gazed at me with a new kind of respect in his eyes. Then they started twinkling.

“Carmonkey?”

“Yeah, since she called me mousy and frumpy, I thought I’d get her back.”

He threw back his head and roared out a laugh.

“She’s pretty pesky, isn’t she?”

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.”

“I think I do.”

“Come here.”

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