Barbara Michaels - Shattered Silk

"I already did," Mark grunted.

"What kind? No, don't tell me-red roses?"

"What else?" Mark smiled faintly.

There was a brief silence. Then Cheryl said, "It's stopped raining. The sun is coming out."

"I'm starved," Karen said suddenly.

"What would you like?" Cheryl started up. "There's some salad-"

"I don't want anything healthy. I want ice cream. Lots of ice cream."

"Sounds good," Tony said, grinning. "What kind?"

Karen thought. "Pralines and cream. Or butter pecan.

"I'll see what's available." Tony got to his feet.

"Chocolate," Mark said absently.

"Cheryl?"

"Can I come with you?" Cheryl asked.

"Sure." Tony's grin expanded. "Let's go, babe."

As they left the room Karen called, "Pralines and cream and butter pecan."

"I thought you were on a diet," Mark said.

"Not anymore." Karen settled herself comfortably in her chair. "I'll never be a size 6 again, and I don't care. I like myself the way I am."

"Do you think I don't recognize a cue when I hear it?" Mark pulled her out of her chair and onto his lap. "Okay, I like you the way you are too."

After a long interval, during which she discovered what had been missing in Tony's kisses-only one thing, but it was the one that counted most-Mark said, "I guess we'd better get married. Ruth won't like my moving in unless we're properly engaged."

"Your concern for Ruth touches me, but I wouldn't want you to do anything rash."

"Look what happened the last time I forgot to ask you."

After another, longer interval, Karen murmured, "That wouldn't happen again."

"Oh? I was beginning to worry about Tony. Did he-"

"None of your business."

"Right. None of my business. Do you think he and Cheryl will make it?"

"I'm more hopeful than I was. I'm going to suggest that he refuse to rent to us unless she puts out."

"My dear girl, how vulgar," said Mark, imitating Mrs. Grossmuller. "So you're going ahead with the shop, are you?"

"Any objections?"

"God, no, I wouldn't dare object. Besides, I've always wanted a wife who has her own income."

"Mark."

"Mmmm?" said Mark, his lips against her ear.

"It was sweet of you to minimize what you did to spare Tony's feelings-"

"Sweet, hell. I was threatened with extreme bodily harm by my own sister if I didn't."

"-but I know what you did, and I think you're brave and noble and brilliant and wonderful…"

This time it was the telephone that interrupted them. Karen went to answer it. Her exclamation of delight brought Mark to the door.

"Pat! Pat, darling, where are you? Still in Borneo? How is Ruth? Is Mrs. Mac all right? How are you? Oh, great. Yes, I'm fine. What have I been doing?" She glanced at Mark, and laughed softly. "Well, Pat, you aren't going to believe this…"

Pen name of Barbara Mertz, who also writes as Elizabeth Peters. Under the name Barbara Michaels, she writes primarily gothic and supernatural thrillers. The name Barbara Michaels was chosen by her publisher since she had already published one nonfiction book on ancient Egypt, and the publisher wanted her novels to be distinctive and not be confused with her other historical book.