Free A Cry In the Night by Mary Higgins Clark Page A

Erich was wearing gray silk pajamas and a matching dressing gown. He had turned off all the lights except for the one on the night table and his burnished gold hair was a counterpoint to the glow of the lamp.
    The brocaded cranberry-colored spread was off the bed. The sheets were turned back. Lace embroidered pillows were propped against the massive headboard.
    Erich was holding two glasses of champagne. He handed one of them to her. They walked to the center of the room and he touched his glass to hers. “I looked up the rest of the poem, darling.” His voice soft, he spoke the words slowly:
    â€œJenny kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in;
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in:
Say I’m weary, say I’m sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I’m growing old, but add,
Jenny kissed me.”
    Jenny felt tears in her eyes. This was her wedding night. This man who had offered so much love to her and whom she loved so much was her husband. This beautiful room was theirs. What difference what nightgown she wore! It was such a little thing to do for him. She knew her smile was as happy as his as they toasted each other. When he took the glass from her hand and set it down, she joyfully went into his arms.
    Long after Erich slept, his arm pillowing her head, his face buried in her hair, Jenny lay awake. She was soaccustomed to the street noises that were part of the night sounds of the New York apartment that she was not yet able to absorb the absolute stillness of this room.
    The room was very cool. She liked that and reveled in the clear fresh air. But it was so quiet, so absolutely still, except for the even breathing that rose and fell against her neck.
    I am so happy, she thought. I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy.
    Erich was a shy, tender and considerate lover. She had always suspected that there were far deeper emotions possible than Kevin had ever aroused in her. It was true.
    Before Erich fell asleep they had talked. “Was Kevin the only one before me, Jenny?”
    â€œYes, he was.”
    â€œThere’s never been anyone before for me.”
    Did he mean he’d never loved anyone before or he’d never slept with anyone before? Was that possible?
    She drifted off to sleep. Light was just beginning to trickle into the room when she felt Erich stir and slip out of bed.
    â€œErich.”
    â€œDarling, I’m sorry to wake you. I never sleep more than a few hours. In a little while I’ll go to the cabin and paint. I’ll be back around noon.”
    She felt his kiss on her forehead and lips as she drifted back to sleep. “I love you,” she murmured.
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    The room was flooded with light when she awoke again. Quickly she ran to the window and pulled up the shade. As she watched she was surprised to see Erich disappearing into the woods.
    The scene outside was like one of his paintings. The tree branches were white with frozen snow. Snow covered the gambrel roof of the barn nearest thehouse. Far back in the fields she could catch glimpses of cattle.
    She glanced at the porcelain clock on the night table. Eight o’clock. The girls would be waking up soon. They might be startled to find themselves in a strange room.
    Barefoot she hurried out of the bedroom and started down the wide foyer. As she passed Erich’s old room, she glanced into it, then stopped. The coverlet was tossed back. The pillows were bunched up. She went into the room and touched the sheet. It was still warm. Erich had left their room and come in here. Why?
    He doesn’t sleep much, she thought. He probably didn’t want to toss and turn and wake me up. He’s used to sleeping alone. Maybe he wanted to read.
    But he said he’d never slept in this room since he was ten years old.
    Footsteps were running down the hall. “Mommy. Mommy.”
    Quickly she hurried to