“Jenny overheard you talking with some friends at The Vintage. It was something about how our marriage was rocky and once we divorced you wanted us back together. Then someone heard you saying that I visited in your apartment whenever I could and how much easier it was while Jenny was away. I want you to stop,” Cal repeated.
Pat’s look of complete shock surprised Cal. It seemed to take her a minute to find her voice. “You’re out of your mind, or Jenny is. I’ve never said anything like that! I will tell you that Jenny isn’t popular with our old friends. They told me they’d thought she was pregnant and tricked you into marrying her. They said they knew the marriage wouldn’t last and I should get back with you after you two divorced. I didn’t say it, our friends did!
“And then the other day one of them teased me about inviting you over to my apartment since Jenny was out of town. I didn’t even know she was out of town!
“You listen to me, Cal Bennett! If I’d have come back to Washington and you were still single, I might have wanted to give it another try, although right at this moment I can’t imagine why. But you’re married and I never gave it a thought.”
Pat took a moment to try to calm herself. After a deep breath she went on. “It was Jenny outside my window with a drone the other night. I got that from the police. Was she the one who trashed my apartment?”
Suddenly Cal was on the defensive. “It was her with the drone. But no, she didn’t trash your place.”
“And you know this, how? Because she said so? Like she was so truthful in reporting what I’m supposedly saying around town? Before you attack me, maybe you’d better look to your own house!” And with that she turned and slammed out of his office, leaving Cal more than a little confused.
~~
All anyone at The Landing wanted was a little peace and for the next week that’s what they had. Everyone was healing nicely. Between the poultices and arnica cream that Lily insisted on applying daily and the passage of time, the bruises were fading. Yet neither Cassie nor Sue looked good yet. Richard’s prediction of the greenish yellow colors was spot on, but they were definitely healing.
The lessening of the bruising was increasing Cassie’s anxiety. Often, she’d catch Tom staring at her thoughtfully. Waiting for all signs of the accident to disappear she supposed. She did hate the waiting and worrying about the spanking that was to come, but not enough to mention it. After all, there was that one chance in a million he’d forgotten or changed his mind. But she didn’t pin her hopes on it.
In Cal’s mind the peace only lasted a few more days. Just over a week after the drone incident he heard from Paul Waters late one evening as he was working to finish up paperwork.
“Cal,” he began without preliminary, “we’ve had another incident at Ms. Harris’ place. Are you close by?”
“I’m at the office. I’ll be there in just a minute.” He didn’t take a car, instead he quickly walked the two blocks. An officer met him at the downstairs door of Pat’s place and let him in. He jogged up the stairs and saw the problem as soon as he entered the apartment. A broken window stared him in the face. There was a large piece of concrete on the floor and glass shards were everywhere. Pat was coming from the bedroom smoothing a large bandage on her hand. The look she gave him was one of anger.
“Were you hurt?” he asked.
“No, not really. Just a couple of cuts on my hand. Your wife’s aim must be off,” she challenged.
Cal turned from her and sought out Paul among the officers there. “What have you got?”
“So far… nothing. They are still canvasing the street but there weren’t tons of people out and about. The ones we’ve talked to so far saw nothing. She said it happened just a while ago, just after nine this evening.” Quietly he spoke again, “I have to ask Cal, where’s Jenny tonight?”
Cal looked at him in surprise. “I don’t know. Home, I’m guessing. Are you telling me she’s really a suspect?”
“I’d just like to know where she was tonight about that time,” Paul repeated.
“Do you need me for anything else?” Cal asked.
“No. But you wanted to be kept informed about any problems here.”
Cal nodded. “I’ll let you know about Jenny,” he said and then without looking at Pat he left.
Suspicions on the River,
Book Three
(a Cassie’s family story)
Cal and Jenny have a nearly idyllic marriage. There are rare trips across his lap for minor problems, but most of those trips are just for fun. Could that be changing? Pat, Cal’s former lover, has moved back to town and she wouldn’t mind giving it another try with Cal. She feels he can’t be serious about this little twit that he married so quickly. Pat feels that once Cal realizes she offers him a better option, he’ll choose her. But soon mysterious things begin happening to Pat. Is someone trying to run her out of town? Could that someone be Jenny?
Cassie and the whole river family try to keep Jenny occupied and out of trouble, but suspicions just go from bad to worse. Both Jenny and Pat want Cal and they’re willing to fight for him. How dirty will this fight get?
These ten books introduce Cassie. She is my friend and has been since she wandered into my imagination fifty-four years ago. She is married to Tom, the man who loves her in a way that makes my heart nearly burst with happiness for the two of them. He loves her, guides her, protects her and when necessary, spanks the fool out of her. I’ve been told that their adventures are exciting, funny and realistic. Their love-life is passionate and fulfilling – but you’ll hear no graphic details, Cassie is a lady and giving too much detail would not be proper.
Cal’s Law series
Cal and Jenny are one of my younger couple. The spanking in their relationship began mere minutes after they met, and Cal hasn’t let up much since. There relationship has it’s struggles, but these two are meant to be together. They live in the same town as Cassie and Tom and there is a lot of interactions among the character of both series. Jenny is not as reluctant as Cassie to openly discuss her sex life, so you’ll find a little more spice in this series.
On the River series
In this, my latest series, everyone is around – all the characters I’ve grown to love over the years are living on the area of the river that they call The Landing. Their lives, their adventures, even their spankings sometimes intertwine. By this time in the series, I’m just typing as my characters tell me what’s happening. And I love it!
I’ll close today with a review on the latest book. This is one of the finest reviews I’ve ever had.
Starting with the first Cassie book until now, I have never been disappointed or failed to wait expectantly for the next one.
And, of course, the links -
Cal's Law series
On the River series
On the River (book one)
Secrets on the River (book two)
Suspicions on the River (book three)
Family on the River (book five)
Sunset on the River (book six)
