Iris Johansen - Stalemate

"They're gone." He turned away from the window and strolled back to the bed. "By tomorrow they'll be safely tucked away in their cozy cottage by the lake."

"You don't seem upset."

"There's no use being upset." He poured a cup of coffee for Miguel and lifted it to his lips. After the boy had taken a few swallows he set the cup on the saucer. "It's counterproductive. And you know that's not my way."

"So what will you do?"

"I'll go and put my Nalia in her final resting-place. Then I'll take you to that Emory Hospital and get you well. I'm very tired of waiting on you like this. I think you're beginning to enjoy it too much."

Miguel smiled slyly. "Maybe."

"And then I'll put you into a school and make you slave at the books."

Miguel's smile faded. "I'm staying with you."

"Who said I wouldn't be there?"

"All the time?" Miguel asked suspiciously.

Montalvo's glance returned to the window. "I might take a few excursions while you're otherwise occupied."

Miguel's jaw set. "I won't be 'otherwise occupied.' Not if it means you're dumping me somewhere. I don't give a damn about your books."

Montalvo looked back at him and he slowly shook his head. "What am I going to do with you, boy?"

"Keep me around. We've got to be together, Colonel."

Montalvo nodded, and carefully avoiding Miguel's bandaged hands, he grasped his forearm with affection. "I believe you're right," he said softly. A warm smile lit his face. "We've got to stay together."

Lake Cottage

The sun was going down and casting a glory of pink-and-purple mirror images on the lake.

Mirror…

Would she ever be able to think of that word without remembering Montalvo, Eve wondered as she leaned back against a pine and linked her arms about her knees.

Of course she would. It would only take time. Good heavens, she hadn't thought of him more than a few times during the entire two months that had passed since they had left the compound. In a year she wouldn't remember Montalvo existed.

"Yes, you will."

She glanced sideways to see Bonnie leaning against the tree a few yards away. A surge of love swept through her.

"You know nothing about it," she said. "You're a kid."

Bonnie sighed. "I told you that doesn't make any difference now."

"You always tell me what I want to hear. That's very suspicious, you know."

"I want to make you happy. It doesn't mean I don't tell you the truth."

"As you see it."

A luminous smile lit Bonnie's face. "As I see it."

"I am happy," Eve said softly. "Whenever I see you, I'm happy. Of course, that makes me pretty wacko."

"And are you happy with Joe now, Mama?"

"Of course I am." It was the truth. Why shouldn't she be happy? They had each other and the peaceful life they had almost lost. "Why do you ask?"

Bonnie just looked at her.

"Okay, there are things to work out. It's not as… smooth."

"Smooth isn't always good. Perhaps you needed shaking up, Mama."

"Not like that," she said dryly. "I'll pass."

"He was good for you."

"Montalvo? You don't know what you're talking about."

"It was like being caught in a storm. You had to fight to survive, but it excited you. It made you come alive. I like to see you all glowing and intent."

"I'm glad I made you happy. It wasn't so much fun for me." She gazed out at the lake. "And it's over. I'm only waiting for Joe's wounds to finish healing and we'll be going after a man who may have killed you. Did he do it, baby?"

"I told you that I don't think about things that happened that night. It makes me-I don't think about it."

Eve closed her eyes as she thought about the horror of that night. "I forgot," she whispered. "I'm sorry, baby. I could just use a little help."

"You'll have help. You have Joe." She smiled. "And you'll have Montalvo."

"I don't have Montalvo. I'll probably never hear from him again."

"You'll hear from him. He's there, waiting."

"Then I'll send him on his way. I don't need him."

"Whatever you say," Bonnie said gently. "It's getting dark. Joe's going to make steaks on the barbecue tonight. He's wondering where you are."

"Then I'd better go hack to the cottage." She opened her eyes. "I don't like to-"

Bonnie was no longer there. She felt the familiar pang of sadness and loss.

"Good-bye, baby," she whispered.

She got to her feet and strolled down the path toward the lake cottage.

Joe had come out on the porch and waved to her.

She waved back at him.

Contentment and love flowed through her as she saw Joe leaning on the porch rail and smiling at her. Her pace quickened with eagerness as she moved toward him.