Free Ring Around the Rosy by Roseanne Dowell Page A

around,
but didn’t see anyone. Tossing the rose out the window, she tried to shake off
the feeling of gloom and fear.
    Her thoughts turned to Dave
instead. Just thinking of him kindled a feeling of contentment and security,
not to mention the sexual appeal. She couldn’t help the attraction. Even though
she didn’t want a man in her life, she enjoyed the attention and his company.
And lord, when he kissed her…talk about intoxicating.   
    She entered her apartment,
whistling, and feeling like a giddy teenager. Dave was coming to see her, and
he had admitted his attraction to her when he took her in his arms last night.
    That surprised her.   He didn’t appear to be the type to give in to
spontaneity. It seemed out of character for him, but she had recognized his
desire. He had acted strictly on impulse. Of course, then his logical side took
over, and he pulled away.
    She hadn’t known this feeling with
many men. Most of them shied away from her because of her obsession with her
career. That had been fine with her. She wanted a career, not marriage and
kids, but Dave was different. He seemed to understand her need, her longing to
become a successful reporter.
    Since they had both been eating
fast food the last couple of days, Susan decided to fix him dinner. He’d
probably appreciate a good pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and a salad on the
side.
    Surprisingly, her answering
machine wasn’t blinking. No messages. She relaxed and busied herself in the
kitchen and made a chocolate angel food cake, topped with triple chocolate
glaze, for dessert. The opportunity to cook didn’t often present itself, and
she took full advantage of it.
    She loved to cook and even pulled
out her best china.   This was a special
occasion. Why? She wasn’t sure, but she felt it in her bones.
    Susan liked to listen to the news
while she cooked, so the television played softly in the background.
    “John Matteo has been released for
lack of evidence. Witnesses were unable to pick him out of a line-up, police
sources said.”
    Susan hurried into the living
room, where a film of Matteo leaving the police station next to a man, probably
his lawyer, played on the screen. Since the killer had called while Matteo was
in custody, she knew he wasn’t their man. Of course, the police weren’t letting
that news out.
    Changing the station to a home and
garden channel, she remembered her sister’s earlier call, picked up the phone,
and dialed her number.
    Clare’s voice quivered when she
answered. Something was terribly wrong. This didn’t sound like Clare, her
happy-go-lucky sister.
    Clare’s explanation astonished
Susan. Little Miss Perfect had given in to a whim and had an affair. “I almost
couldn’t tell you, Susan,” Clare said, her voice guilt-ridden.
    “I’m so embarrassed.” She went on
to explain how lonely she was. “Not that it’s an excuse, mind you, but Steve
and I have been distant lately, and he’s on the road so much. If he finds out,
he’ll leave me. I just don’t know what to do,” Clare sobbed. “I couldn’t tell
Mom or Kate, but I had to talk to someone.”
    “What...” Susan tried to ask a
question. She found it difficult to believe. Clare, an affair? Sweet, perfect
Clare? All Clare had ever wanted was to get married and have a family.
    Susan hadn’t known Clare all that
well in their younger years. Four years separated them in age. Clare had gotten
her degree in accounting, but had never worked.
    While Clare rambled, Susan thought
about Dave, and wondered what it would be like to be married to him. Not that
she was looking for marriage-that was the farthest thing from her mind. Where
that thought came from, she’d never know.
    Seemed as if her hormones were
running rampant. The man turned her on, that much was for sure. Every time she
thought about him, she wanted him more.   Okay, so she didn’t have to act on it.
    Clare’s sobs interrupted Susan’s
thoughts, and she turned her attention back to