Blinded by the Trees Read online

  Johanna saw Frankie’s face drain of all color, which made her even more nervous. Her legs were shaking so badly she thought she’d fall to the floor at any minute.

  “Who is it, Frankie?” she whispered in a choking voice.

  Frankie patted her arm. “It’s George,” she whispered back.

  A surge of relief shot through Johanna, but it didn’t ease her trembling legs. She took a couple of deep breaths and slowly exhaled.

  “Thanks for letting us know, George. I’ll tell Johanna and my mother.” She had a look of disbelief on her face as she hung up the phone.

  “What’s wrong, Frankie? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” Johanna said.

  She didn’t answer right away, but moved back to the seat she’d vacated. She sat staring into the flames while Johanna and Selma seated themselves.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?” Johanna asked again. “Has something happened to Kate or Arlan?”

  She turned her attention away from the merrily crackling log and focused on the women. “That was George. He said he’d tried calling us earlier on our cell phones, but didn’t get an answer.”

  “I left mine on vibrate. I’ll bet you did, too,” Johanna replied.

  “Yeah, I did. He called because he didn’t want us to hear it on the news.”

  “Hear what, Frankie? Tell us. Did something happen to one of the deputies?” Selma asked, wrapping her royal blue robe tighter around herself.

  “It’s Eve.”

  “Eve? Did they find out she’s been faking her split personality?” Johanna asked distastefully.

  “No…she’s dead.”

  “Dead? What happened?” Selma demanded. “How did she die?”

  “Overdose.”

  “How is that possible?” Johanna’s forehead creased.

  “Joe Barnes asked if he could talk to her privately for a few minutes.”

  “He’d had a change of heart?” Selma asked. “I thought he never wanted to see her again.”

  “Well, he gave George a sob story about it being Christmas and Eve having had such a hard life. He wanted to see her one last time before he left.”

  “So he slipped her some pills?”

  Frankie nodded. “They were still waiting for her paperwork to be processed in order for her to be transported to the psych ward. When a deputy checked her later he thought she was sleeping. About an hour later, when the officers arrived to transport her to the hospital, they couldn’t awaken her. She was rushed to the ER, but all attempts to revive her failed.” She scratched her head. “It doesn’t make sense why Joe would do something like this.”

  Johanna’s eyes widened. “Wow! That’s unreal. I can’t imagine the rage he must have been feeling.”

  Frankie bit her bottom lip. “That’s the funny thing. George said Joe was calm before and after the visit with Eve. His theory is that Joe was giving her the chance to take the easy way out.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  Frankie was thoughtful for a minute. “I don’t think he wanted to go through a long trial. It was his way of sparing his family months of scrutiny.”

  “And since he probably made it clear to her that he never wanted to see her again, she took the last bit of help he was willing to give her,” Johanna added.

  “So will Joe be charged with murdering her?” Selma asked.

  Frankie swept a hand through her dark hair. “No, Mom. The most he’ll be charged with is giving her some prescription medication. He didn’t force the pills down her throat.”

  Johanna exhaled loudly. “This was such a tragic case.”

  Selma looked at her. “That whole family was dysfunctional. When I tell this story to my friends, they’ll never believe it.”

  “Well, you make sure to tell them what a big help you were, Selma.”

  She flushed. “Like I said before, I wouldn’t want to do this for a living. This was the first and last case I intend to poke my nose into.”

  “And like Johanna and I have been telling you, Mom, that’s why we quit the force. This whole case was bizarre, but believe me, nothing like this has ever happened around here before.”

  She looked at her daughter. “Well, that’s a relief. Let’s just hope there aren’t too many Eve Barnes’ running around out there.”

  * * * *

  “Did you get enough sleep, Mom?” Frankie asked, handing her a brightly wrapped package. “You look a little tired.”

  “Yes, I did, honey. In fact, last night was the first good night’s sleep I’ve gotten since I’ve been here.”

  “The coffee cake was delicious, Selma. Even if our Christmas breakfast turned into our Christmas lunch.”

  Selma smiled. “Thank you, honey. We’ll have a later dinner. We’re still having all the trimmings so you girls better have a good appetite.”

  “Oh, we will. And I still intend to help with the dinner,” Johanna added. “I want you to know how grateful I am that we can all be together like this.”

  “Maybe next year we can be together again only this time with Gracelyn, also. Ask your mother way ahead of time, Johanna.”

  “I will.” She smiled at Selma. “She’s more relaxed now when she’s around you and Frankie, Selma. It took her some time, but I think she likes kicking back and not having to act perfect all the time. You’ve been a positive influence on her and she enjoys your company. She really likes you, Selma.”

  “I’m just being myself, Johanna. And I do like your mother, too. She went through a lot with your last case.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “Yes, she did, even though she was dragged into the mess unwittingly. But all worked out well in the end.”

  Frankie grinned. “Yes, it did,” she agreed. “A lot of good came out of that bad.” She and Gracelyn had finally formed a bond and now were on their way to building the same kind of relationship that Johanna had with Selma. “I hope you like your present, Mom. Johanna and I picked it out together.”

  She slowly undid the wrappings then lifted the gift out of the box. “They’re beautiful, girls, thank you!” She jumped up and gave them both a hug.

  Johanna smiled. “We knew you’d like them.”

  “I’ve been wanting new slipcovers for the truck. The color is perfect. The beige in the stitching will match the interior to a tee.”

  “We love our gifts, too, Mom.” Frankie shrugged out of her robe, put the new cherry red one on, and twirled around. “It’s so soft and warm.”

  Johanna stood and did a slight turn as she joined Frankie and showed off her new dark blue robe, too. “Thank you again, Selma. It’s so comfortable that I just might stay in it all day.”

  “Now that’s a good idea,” Frankie agreed. “Let’s open the rest of our gifts,” she said as she stooped and pulled more gifts from under the tree.

  * * * *

  Later, after they’d eaten and cleaned up the dishes, they sat comfortably full in the living room staring at the Christmas tree lights as Christmas carols played softly in the background.

  “Dinner was delicious, Selma, but you really should have let us help more,” Johanna said.

  “Nonsense.” She smiled. “I love to cook and it’s nice to have someone to cook for instead of just me.” She shifted in her chair. “This has been a nice Christmas. One I certainly will never forget.”

  “Why don’t you stay a few extra days, Mom? Now that everything’s back to normal we can do some of the things we’d planned to do.” She glanced at Johanna who nodded her consent. “We don’t have to open the office right away.”

  “I think we should take an extra week off,” Johanna said. “We don’t have anything pressing. So please stay longer, Selma.”

  “I’d love to, honey, but I promised the ladies that I’d help get the church ready for the New Year’s Eve party. Every year it grows larger and larger. I’m on the refreshment committee. I’ve got a lot of baking ahead of me.”

  “Figures,” Frankie said then laughed. “I don’t think you’re happy unles
s you’re cooking or baking.”

  “That may be true. Anyway, I’m going to leave in the morning after breakfast. I’ve been checking the weather forecasts and tomorrow night Bradford’s due for a storm. I want to get home before it hits.”

  Chapter 19

  Frankie sat staring at the tree. Johanna came up behind her and put her arms around her. “Missing your mom, honey?”

  Frankie nodded. “She just called to let me know that she’s made it home safe and sound and everything’s fine at the trailer. I was just sitting here wondering how many more Christmases we’ll have together. Life’s so unpredictable. I love when she visits, but I’m always sad to see her leave. Sometimes I wish she’d move closer, but she’d never give up her life in Bradford.”

  “Just be grateful that she has a full satisfying life, sweetie. Just like my mother. They don’t want to lose their independence and I’m afraid they’d think we’d start mothering them. And we probably would. I’m sure we have many more Christmases with both of our mothers.”

  “And they’d be right about us mothering them. We would probably drive them crazy. But it did turn out to be a good Christmas despite all that happened.” She stood and walked to the back of the tree.

  “What’s the matter? Did one of the bulbs burn out?”

  “No, I think there’s a gift back here.”

  “I didn’t see anything else yesterday and I checked thoroughly to make certain we didn’t forget something. Of course, this is a huge tree so it’s possible I could have overlooked something.”

  “I think you did. It has your name on it, too.” Frankie pulled out an envelope hidden in a branch and walked over to Johanna. She handed the envelope to her. “This is your special gift. I’m surprised my mother didn’t accidentally tell you and ruin the surprise. She was so excited.”

  Johanna looked curiously at the envelope then tore it open. She removed the tickets then squealed in delight before throwing her arms around Frankie. “Thank you, baby. I don’t believe it! We’re going on a cruise!”

  “I had it planned for quite a while, but I think we both need it now more than ever. It’s only for a few days, but just think…no interruptions. And plenty of time for foreplay.” She winked slyly.

  Johanna kissed her passionately. “I love you so much.”

  “You don’t realize how happy you’ve made me all these years, Johanna.”

  Johanna cocked an eye. “In that case, I want to give you your belated Christmas present tonight. I was going to save it for New Year’s Eve, but I think you can use it tonight. That should make you very happy.”

  “What is it?”

  Johanna grinned. “You’re like a little kid. Now if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”

  Frankie made a face. “Not even a tiny little hint? Please?” She looked around the room. “I don’t see anything.”

  She shook her head. “Nope, not one hint but I’ll get as much pleasure from it as you will. That’s all I’m going to say.”

  Frankie scrunched up her face. “I have no clue what it could be so I suppose I have no choice but to wait and see.”

  “You won’t be sorry, baby. I intend to make tonight a night you’ll never forget. We’re going to tune out the whole world…just you and me.”

  “I can’t wait!”

  * * * *

  “Mmm, you smell so good,” Johanna whispered seductively as she stood by the side of the bed staring at Frankie as her lips curled into a wanton smile. “And you look good enough to eat.” She slowly climbed onto the king-sized bed.

  Frankie smiled at her. “You like?” she asked softly as she enticingly ran her hands down her stocking-clad legs which were secured by a red garter belt. The tops of her perfectly rounded breasts peeked out of the red silk bra.

  “I like,” Johanna said as she lay next to her and propped herself on an elbow looking down at her. “I told you that I’d get as much pleasure from your gift. You’re beautiful, baby. I intend to spend the entire night enjoying it.” She reached over to the bedside table and picked up a set of handcuffs. “I’m not letting you away from me all night, baby,” she purred. “Are you ready to surrender yourself to me?”

  Frankie willingly stretched her arms above her head. “I’ve always been ready.”

  Johanna gently put the cuffs on Frankie and then attached the other end of the cuffs to the bedposts. “Do you trust me, baby?” She trailed her fingertips across Frankie’s flat stomach.

  “Always,” Frankie replied as she shifted her body.

  Johanna brushed a strand of Frankie’s brunette hair from her brow and then tenderly kissed her cheek before moving to her full lips forcing them apart with her tongue. The kiss was deep and passionate and Johanna loved the way Frankie squirmed beneath her. Her own pussy was on fire, but tonight she intended to thoroughly devour her lover and knew that later Frankie would satisfy her. She ended the kiss, slipped off the bed, and walked across the room to the small round table, which sat in front of the window.

  She turned and smiled at Frankie. “I have something to warm you up.”

  “Just looking at your beautiful naked body sets me on fire.”

  Johanna turned and sucked in her breath as she gazed at Frankie. A pang shot through her, but she’d put her own needs aside. Tonight Frankie’s needs came first. She picked up the oil that had been warming on a small candle warmer and dipped a fingertip into it satisfied with the temperature. She moved back to the bed and slowly dripped the warm oil onto Frankie’s smooth firm stomach then tenderly massaged it into her flesh. She teased Frankie’s navel with a fingertip as her other hand sensuously ran up and down Frankie’s stocking-clad inner thigh. Frankie moaned with pleasure bringing a satisfied smile to Johanna’s lips. Johanna looked at Frankie’s beautiful pubic hair and for a moment buried her face in it luxuriating in the feel and scent of her lover.

  “Make love to me,” Frankie moaned. “Please, baby?”

  “I intend to, sweetie, but I want to get you so hot you can’t stand it.” She moved unhurriedly back up Frankie’s body slowly massaging her as she made her way to her chest. She reached behind Frankie and removed her bra, then dripped some oil onto Frankie’s hardened nipples loving the tremor that tore through her lover’s body. She stared into Frankie’s eyes for a moment and enjoyed the hot sensual pleading look in those big chocolate brown eyes. She caught Frankie’s bottom lip between her teeth and slightly tugged on it before her own lips sought the pleasure that only Frankie’s lips could provide.

  Johanna’s breath caught in her throat as the kiss lingered on igniting her passion to depths that only Frankie’s familiar touch could quench. She straddled her then slowly eased her body down on top of Frankie’s. Frankie’s strong legs immediately went around her holding her tight.

  Johanna ran her fingers through Frankie’s hair losing herself in the kiss as her heart swelled with so much love and emotion that it almost made her cry. She gently eased her mouth away from Frankie’s. “I have another surprise,” she whispered and quickly moved back to the round table and retrieved a dish of melted chocolate and a bowl of large plump juicy strawberries.

  Frankie’s eyes widened. “How did you find strawberries this time of year?”

  “I have my ways.” She smiled playfully. “I know how much you love them. And nothing’s too good for you.” She dipped a strawberry into some chocolate then held it tantalizingly close to Frankie’s waiting mouth. “Would you like a taste, baby?”

  “You’re such a tease,” Frankie said with a grin. “Are you going to feed me or leave me here drooling?”

  “Oh, I intend to feed you.” She held a hand under the berry as she brought it to Frankie’s waiting mouth. Frankie took a bite and sighed contentedly. Johanna watched her delightedly finish off the strawberry. She dipped another one into the chocolate. She watched as the chocolate clung to Frankie’s lips. After Frankie finished, Johanna leaned in and with the tip of her tongue took her time licking the chocolate from F
rankie’s lips.

  Frankie squirmed. “I need you now, baby. I can’t wait.”

  “Not yet, my love.” Johanna moved back and smiled seductively at her. “I still have another surprise for you, sweetie.”

  Frankie turned her head and watched as Johanna opened the nightstand drawer. Johanna positioned her body in front of Frankie’s line of vision. She intended this to be a total surprise. She moved back to the bed. “Bend your knees, baby, and put your feet flat on the bed.” She watched while Frankie followed her instructions, and then enjoyed the view of Frankie’s hot ready pussy. “Are you ready, baby?” she asked in a throaty voice.

  “Yes,” Frankie panted. “I need you honey.”

  “That’s my girl,” Johanna whispered as she guided the strap-on into Frankie. “How’s that feel?” she asked as she moved it in and out very slowly.

  “Oh God, that feels wonderful,” Frankie groaned.

  “I had it specially ordered just for you. I knew you’d enjoy it.” Johanna expertly guided it in and out while her hands caressed Frankie’s breasts with her fingertips tenderly massaging the hard nipples. She gazed into Frankie’s eyes enjoying the pleasure evident in them. Frankie arched her back as she slowly began to climax finally erupting into a shuddering crescendo.

  Johanna kept the dildo inside her and rested her face between Frankie’s heaving breasts for a few seconds. “Did you enjoy that, baby?”

  Frankie sighed happily. “I loved it, sweetie.”

  Johanna withdrew, removed the strap-on, then moved to the headboard and undid the handcuffs.

  Frankie wriggled her wrists then enclosed Johanna in her arms planting kisses on her neck and throat as she wound her fingers through Johanna’s long auburn hair. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

  “Yes and I never tire of hearing it,” she replied, resting her head on Frankie’s shoulder.

  “This is the best gift I’ve ever received,” she murmured. “I loved tonight.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Johanna said as she ran her hands up and down Frankie’s stocking-clad legs. “I’m going to make love to you all night long. So you’d better be up for it.”