Free Fatal Deception: Part I by S.R. Burks

bandana.
    “You’re worried about her aren’t you?” she asked.
    He turned his head to her for a moment, then back to the window. She could see his body rise and fall from deep breathing.
    “She’s like a sister I never had, and I owe her a lot,” said Marc. “She’s looked after my daughter like she was her own, and I’ll always love her for that.” Some sadness was evident in his voice.
    “What’s going on?” asked Alondra, having just entered the room.
    Marc turned as she had caught him off guard. He hadn’t paid much attention to her arrival as she made her way across the yard toward the house. His mind had been too deep in thought.
    “What are you talking about? What’s going on?" she repeated.
    Marc’s eyes held his daughter. What could he say, when he himself had no answers.
    “Where’s Aunt Blair?” asked Alondra.
    “She’s all right–” Marc began. He walked toward his daughter, but she backed away and began to call for her Aunt.
    Cain and Blair came quickly from the kitchen and Alondra ran into Blair’s arms.
    “What is the matter child?” Blair rubbed her head.
    Alondra held onto her for dear life. “Oh thank goodness,” said Alondra. “Dad was talking like something had happened to you.” She pulled her head from her, and stared into her eyes.
    “Come with me,” said Blair warmly. “We need to talk.” Blair took her hand, and led her out of the room.
    As Marc watched, someone else entered. His heart jumped. As much as he too tried to deny his feelings, his heart told wouldn’t let him. Their eyes locked, caressing each other. He felt a sudden warmth building within him.
    Geri’s eyes glistened, taking in the flow of energy emanating from Marc. She felt as if her knees would buckle. She turned away not able to stand what he was doing to her.
    Cain watched it all unfold, as did Deidra through her narrowed eyes. Marc had never looked at her that way, although he had looked at her intently. This was different.
    Obstacles—always obstacles, thought Deidra. In her mind, she was fuming. “Marc,” she said, intentionally interrupting. “Are you ready to take me on that tour of the ranch?”
    The others were oblivious to Cain’s presence. He observed everything and wondered if his brother had a clue yet about Geri.
    “Oh, yes! Let’s go,” said Marc. “Uh, Geri! Would you like to join us?”
    Deidra tried to hide the fact that her eyes had become large. She desperately hoped this woman would not ruin her plans yet again.
    But Geri didn’t want to intrude. And she didn’t want him to know that Alondra had planned to take her for a tour of the ranch as well. She would have to change plans. “No,” said Geri politely. “You go ahead. Alondra offered to take me to check out some cars. I really need to get one. Can’t keep depending on other folks, however nice they are.” She looked purposefully but nonchalantly away from him, but that didn’t stop Marc from rushing past Deidra to her.
    “I thought we made it a date for Saturday?” said Marc, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
    She glanced at him. Boy, he is huge, she thought. And she was overwhelmed by the intoxicating energy that she felt from him. She moved slightly away to allow some distance between them without him noticing.
    “Yes… I know,” said Geri. “But you have so many things going on… I don’t want to impose any more than I already have.”
    Marc seemed thunderstruck.
    Cain leaned against the wall watching this little scene play out. He hadn’t seen his brother so involved with a woman so quickly; not since Clarice. And again he wondered whether his brother had realized the resemblance.
    Deidra was puffing hard, but only Cain noticed.
    Marc took Geri’s arm gently with his hand and escorted her out of the room. Deidra flopped down on the sofa angrily.
    Cain could see that she had some strong feelings for his brother. He laughed to himself. “I wouldn’t let that bother me if I were you,” he