Safe in His Embrace Page 2

  Senetra understood Mr. Kirill’s reluctance to send another child out into the world. But Mark was his own person and shouldn’t be held accountable for his brother’s mistakes.

  Crossing her arms, she stared across the bay at the mountains until the penetrating cold prompted her to seek warmth.

  Some positive effect she’d had. What a joke. She’d had no impact whatsoever, except frustrating the man further. She’d regroup and think of another strategy. She had to find a way to reach him. She wasn’t giving up.

  The piercing cold had Senetra hovering in her jacket. Alaska was a place she’d always wanted to visit, but never dreamed of living in. Most of the time she’d been there, it had been cold—not the cold of Nome or even twenty miles north, but an entirely different world from L.A. The early March wind here was like a cold hand constantly slapping at her, but no worse than a windy day in Wisconsin, she thought as she drove one block to the restaurant where she was meeting her friend.

  It was bustling with activity. Today was Senetra’s twenty-seventh birthday. There had been a time when she’d wondered if she’d make it.

  At times like this she missed her mother and her old friends. She was Regina Novak now. Ah, no sense in dwelling in the past. Couldn’t do a thing about it.

  A friend and fellow teacher, Kathryn Rimes, was meeting her at six for a birthday breakfast. Why she’d want to meet at such an ungodly hour was beyond reasoning.

  They were going to look at huskies after breakfast. Senetra wanted a dog to cuddle up with in front of the fire. Huskies were trusting. They treated you well. Not like men, who’d worry you and whose tempers you could never predict. She still startled at noises in the night. This summer she’d have time to train a dog. But today she was just going to look.

  Senetra picked up the Anchorage and local newspapers and the waitress led her to a corner table.

  “Just coffee for now,” Senetra murmured. “I’m waiting for someone.” When the woman left, Senetra opened the newspaper and began to read, but she wasn’t alone long. Several of her students and their parents stopped by, as well as several of her new friends.

  Even Charles Palmer, her karate teacher, gave her a pained greeting. Poor man. Senetra hadn’t kicked him intentionally in Thursday’s class. She simply wasn’t very adept at karate.

  A month ago, she’d decided it was time she got off her butt and moved forward with her life. She was tired of looking around corners, waiting for Timothy to accost her.

  She was determined to live her life as if he’d never find her. But she wasn’t a fool. She needed protection and the best protection was to be able to protect herself physically.

  She was the newest student in Charles’s class. She knew he hoped she’d drop out. He’d even offered to reimburse her if she decided the class wasn’t for her. After she kicked him in the thigh Thursday, he’d renewed his offer. But she told him not to fear. She was going to stick it out to the bitter end. He’d grunted as he limped away.

  The week before, she’d missed his groin by an inch. But she was determined to learn. Senetra shook her head. She’d thought karate instructors were adept at dodging mishaps.

  Even the kids made fun of her poor skills and lack of coordination.

  One thing was certain, they could learn from her persistence. Anything worth learning was worth sticking to, even in difficult times.

  She beckoned to Charles.

  With coffee in hand, he limped forward with the enthusiasm of approaching a guillotine. His gray hair indicated late fifties, but you could never tell. Some people didn’t age well. He’d combed his hair to cover a bald spot. Since his cap had disturbed the arrangement, his white scalp shone through.

  “Ms. Novak. A fine morning,” he said through pinched lips, clutching his hand around his cup.

  “I wanted to discuss a proposition with you,” Senetra said, gesturing to a seat. Sensing his hesitation, she said, “I won’t take long.”

  The man paled even further as he slowly lowered himself into the farthest chair from her, but Senetra didn’t take offense.

  “Spring is right around the corner and I’m sure some of the women in the women’s center would love to take your course. I’ll even be willing to talk to the center’s manager and some of the women or help make broch—”

  Senetra stopped when Charles choked on his coffee. He grabbed a napkin and dabbed at his lips.

  “Are you all right, Mr. Palmer? Can I get you a glass of water or something?” she asked. Beckoning a passing waitress, she started to get up to thump him on the back. “Is the coffee too hot?”

  Eyes watering, Charles raised his hand, vigorously waving her back to her seat.

  “Fine…fine,” he choked out. “The coffee’s fine. Thank you for your offer, but unfortunately, I’ll be leaving at the beginning of the summer. I’m sure the next teacher will be grateful for your assistance.”

  “Oh,” Senetra muttered, disappointed. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I’ve been given two offers and I have a month to make a decision.”

  Frowning with disappointment, Senetra said, “We’ll be sorry to see you go. Is your daughter leaving, too?”

  “She hasn’t decided, but I’m moving because of a family emergency.” He stood and looked toward the door. “Ah, here’s my daughter now.”

  Senetra glanced in that direction. Sure enough, Laura Palmer was standing at the entrance talking to someone and waving her fingers. “She just got engaged.”

  “Congratulations,” Senetra said. “Grant’s a really nice guy. You must be pleased.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Senetra sighed wistfully. “She’s going to miss you when you leave. I hope things work out well with you and your family.” But at least his daughter and he could communicate. He’d know where his daughter was and could pick up the phone anytime and call her, which wasn’t the case for Senetra and her mother.

  “Some things can’t be helped. Have a good morning,” he muttered, and began to move away.

  “I’ll see you at Tuesday’s class,” Senetra reminded him, as if he needed it.

  Senetra wasn’t sure, but it sounded as if he muttered “Unfortunately,” as he hurriedly limped away.

  Laura Palmer dated Grant. He and his older brother owned the Pit, a popular bar near the dock. Grant was forever breaking up fights and getting injuries for his trouble. But he was one of the nicest guys she’d met and Laura was a lucky woman to have him. When Senetra was ready to date again, she could see herself dating someone with Grant’s temperament, not that she was thinking along those lines. It was way too soon.

  Chapter 3

  Alexander Wilson’s dad often forgot the time difference between Wisconsin and Alaska and because he’d farmed his entire life he was accustomed to early-morning hours. However, it often presented a problem for Alex, especially when he took the rare opportunity to sleep in. When the phone rang at five that Saturday morning, Alex dragged his hand from beneath the covers to pick up the receiver, knowing the identity of the caller without glancing at the phone’s display. But he wouldn’t complain. He’d almost lost the older man a couple of years back.

  “Morning, Dad.” He turned over in the bed.

  “Son, I didn’t want to call you so early, but I thought you should know before someone else told you.” His father’s voice was regretful and hesitant.

  Alex sat up in bed. There was no question who his father was talking about. All his conversations about Jessica Potts started out the same way. “What is it?”

  “I wish you had gone on and married that girl,” his father said for what had to be the thousandth time. “You know I’m at the end of my days. Yours is just beginning. I married the love of my life and our life was great together. I wanted the same for you—for all my children.”

  “Dad, your life isn’t over. You’ve got plenty to live for. Things weren’t always perfect with Jessica and me, you know.”

  “It’s never perfect. Yo
u’re two different people, but you have the same basic values, believe in the same things. You loved each other, and that’s the most important thing. The life you could have built together would have been a great one.”

  “If Jessica and I were meant to marry, we would have.” Easy words, but pain still grabbed Alex’s chest just thinking about Jessica being married to another man. She hadn’t waited more than six months after he’d left Wisconsin to move on. He’d asked her not to wait for him, but he thought she’d wait anyway. He’d thought that she’d loved him that much. After all, she knew the reason he’d accepted a job in Alaska. And she knew it was temporary.

  “She’s pregnant.”

  Alex wasn’t prepared for this. Not at all. For moments he didn’t respond. He should have been prepared. She was married, had moved on long ago. Alex shook his head to clear it, but it was useless.

  “She was supposed to be your—”

  “No, she wasn’t.” Alex cleared his throat and swallowed hard as if it would change anything. “You’re going to send your blood pressure up worrying about that. We’re still good friends, Dad. Will always be friends. I saw her in church the last time I was home,” he said. “Just think about it. Would she have married another man if she was really in love with me?” Alex was saying this more for himself than for his dad. But he couldn’t stop the…He didn’t know what he felt. Did he still love Jessica? Had their love been the love of a lifetime? Was there such a thing as the connection his parents had had?

  Worst of all, was the sorrow he felt for losing Jessica or was it for the loss of a dream? He’d wanted a love like the one his mom and dad had experienced. He knew his father would never again find a love like what he’d felt for his late wife. And her love for him had been equally powerful.

  Raymond sighed. “Women get tired of waiting, son. And it’s been a while since you saw her.”

  “You’re talking like I’m an old man. I’m in the prime of my life.” Was it too much to expect a woman to wait two years? What were two years in the scheme of life? Alex was twenty-nine. He tried to tell himself if Jessica could give up on him this quickly, their relationship wouldn’t have survived the hard times.

  Maybe he was at fault. Perhaps if he’d asked her to wait, she would have. It was too late for what-ifs. Since he didn’t ask her, he’d never know.

  “Life doesn’t sit still for anyone. Come home, son. It’s time.”

  “In a couple of years. And I’m coming to visit you this summer for a week, not the usual day or two. Who knows, I might have someone with me.” This again was for his father’s benefit. He didn’t believe for a moment he’d find anyone.

  “Jessica is a good woman.”

  Alex heard the sadness in his father’s voice. He’d liked Jessica.

  “I’ve messed up your whole life. It’s just after your mother got so sick, I let some things go that I shouldn’t have. But she used to take care of the insurance and farm paperwork.”

  “Stop blaming yourself.” It saddened him to hear his father talk this way. He’d been a hardworking man his entire life—worked from sunup to sundown until the accident. He and Alex’s mother paid for college educations for all their children. They’d even brought Alex, their youngest, a car while his sisters and brothers had shared family cars.

  “I’ve never regretted being able to do something for you for a change. Not ever. You’ve done a lot for me—for all of us. And I’ve moved on. It’s time you do, too.”

  Alex wanted to forget Jessica existed. He swiped a hand across his face. “So, tell me, how are you?”

  “Doing great. Finished with the therapy.”

  “That’s good, really good.”

  “Do they have some nice young women where you are?” His father’s voice had a desperate appeal.

  “Some, but don’t worry about that. Take care, Dad.” Alex hung up. Placing his hands behind his head, he stared at the ceiling.

  He had been a day from asking Jessica to marry him when his father was injured. The tractor had tipped over and trapped him while he was working. It took several surgeries and months of rehab to get him walking again, and even longer to get him to where he was. But he was walking without a cane. If Alex had to do it all over again, he’d make the same decision without a thought.

  His father’s insurance had expired a year before the accident, but none of the children knew that. Somehow he got the idea that his parents would live forever. But his dad wasn’t old enough for Medicare, so he would have had to sell the farm to pay for the surgeries and therapy.

  All of Alex’s siblings were married and most of them had children, some almost ready for college. Alex was single and no one depended on him. A friend of his worked for Arctic Oil and had asked him to work with him. He’d always declined. Jessica couldn’t move with him and wouldn’t move there even if she could. But the pay was way above average. It took him less than two years to pay off his father’s medical bills.

  He’d made the last payment a couple of months ago. Now that his dad was old enough for Medicare to kick in, supplemental insurance was easier to get. But now Alex was building a cushion. The one thing the accident had taught him was to be prepared for the unexpected.

  Alex glared at the ceiling. Jessica was married—and pregnant—and he had no one to rush home to anyway.

  No sense in lying in bed. He climbed out, showered and dressed for the day. He packed his overnight bag and added a couple of energy bars. He was on leave for a week. His friend, Rick Cardwell, had invited him to a birthday celebration for the weekend starting with breakfast. They had been roommates in college. Alex shook his head. It seemed like a lifetime ago. The two of them were going to take off for some fishing afterward.

  Alex chuckled. His father wanted him to find a woman in the least likely place on earth—where the men outnumbered women by a wide margin.

  He made his way to the restaurant and glanced around for Rick—and did a double take. It couldn’t be. At the bar, he spotted a gorgeous sister with dark brown hair sitting in a corner reading a paper. Last summer when he’d visited, he saw a couple of black men, but no black women. He considered joining her, but decided against it. She was probably married or with a boyfriend. But he couldn’t stop himself from gazing at her from the corner of his eye.

  On second thought, what was he saving himself for? This was the first complete week off in two years.

  Her head turned as she listened and smiled at someone. At that angle, Alex recognized something familiar about the way she moved. But he was certain this was his first encounter with her.

  Fifteen minutes later, Kathryn Rimes hustled in the front door, her windblown hair gathered into a blond ponytail. She looked startled to see Senetra.

  “Honey, you’re not in a rush, are you?” she called out, approaching Senetra’s table. She was a couple of inches taller than Senetra’s five-five. They taught next door to each other, Kathryn history and Senetra math, and they lived in the same apartment building.

  “I was already out and decided to nurse a cup of coffee until you arrived.”

  “I have to meet someone in the other room. Back in a sec.”

  Senetra waved her on.

  Twenty minutes later and another cupful of coffee, Senetra was feeling jittery and her stomach was growling from the aroma of food when Kathryn made another appearance. “We’re going to the room in back where it’s quieter so we can hear ourselves talk,” she said.

  “Sure.” Senetra wondered why this table in the quiet corner wouldn’t suffice. It was busy, but not that busy. She closed the paper.

  “Just leave it on the table.”

  After leaving a tip, Senetra followed Kathryn, but the room they approached was far more crowded than the one they’d left.

  “Happy birthday!” everyone shouted. There were at least a hundred people.

  It took a moment for Senetra to take it all in. They were here for her birthday? She was a newcomer. Her heart swelled and tears glistened in her eyes. S
he just couldn’t believe it.

  Iris Kirill stood front and center. Mark and Anthony were seated at a huge table with other teens. Iris was somewhere between forty and forty-five and stood no taller than five-three, but she could command a place like the captain of a fleet. She was also the head of the quilting bee, and she was Danya Kirill’s wife. She was one of those sturdy women who were always in perpetual motion. Her chestnut hair was cut to brush her shoulders.

  Kathryn looped an arm around Senetra’s shoulder, squeezed briefly and gathered a plate from the buffet where a huge breakfast was spread out.

  “You guys.” Senetra swiped the tears from her eyes.

  “You don’t have time for tears,” Iris said. “Eat up. We’ve got a million things scheduled.”

  Senetra wondered what those million things consisted of, but didn’t have time to dwell on it. Kathryn handed her a stack of pancakes with seven candles. “Make a wish,” she said quietly.

  Senetra closed her eyes briefly, made her wish and blew out the candles. There wasn’t even a remote chance of her wish coming true, to be able to live in peace, free of her husband’s harassment, but she wished for it anyway.

  She gazed at the happy faces surrounding her. None of her friends knew of her background. Not even Kathryn. None of them really knew her, yet they’d accepted her into their circle. They refused to leave her to her own devices and to live on the fringe as she’d planned.

  Determined not to let Timothy intrude on her wonderful surprise, she swatted his presence from her mind the way one would a pesky fly.

  After a rough hug, Iris guided her to the head of the line. Like well-ordered soldiers, everyone fell in line behind Senetra.

  With difficulty Senetra brought her emotions under control and wiped new tears from her eyes with a napkin. Her plan had been to spend the weekend alone. She glanced at the smiling faces around her. This was their day off. Most had children they could spend the time with. It was a wonderful thing that whatever trouble life dished up, there was always kindness waiting to befriend you, even strangers.