Chapter 2

She was probably the hottest thing he had seen since coming to Clement Falls. By the way she was dressed he doubted she was a local. The woman had class. She reminded him of that broad whose husband was running for president, Kennedy. Of course, this dame was a redhead, but her hair was fixed the same way, and she had a similar look and body type.

“Gina, any idea who that broad is, the redhead?” Anthony nodded toward the dirt parking lot, where the woman stood by a white Cadillac, speaking to several other women.

Wrestling with her squirming toddler, Gina looked to see whom her brother was talking about. Gina tired easily these days. She had begged Anthony to stop a moment after visiting the small market so she could rest.

“Yes I do. That’s Vera Coulson. But you stay away from her, you hear me. You don’t want to get in trouble.”

“What’s so special about her?” Anthony took a drag off his cigarette, still eying the woman.

“Her family are big shots. Her last name is Coulson. Coulson, Anthony. She is a very important woman.”

“You mean like that town near here?”

“Yes. She’s married anyway, so leave her alone.”

Gina stood up, the child in her arms. “Come Anthony, I’m ready to go home now.”

“You go. I want to finish my cigarette. Leave the groceries, I’ll bring them.”

Gina glanced warily from her brother to Vera Coulson. Her little girl started to fuss; it was time for her dinner.

“Okay Anthony, but please, don’t do anything.” Holding onto the handrail, Gina carried the toddler, as she awkwardly made her way down the wooden steps. It would be a short walk to the boarding house she owned with her husband.

Anthony Marino leaned back in the Adirondack chair, enjoying the view. It wasn’t the quaint, rustic décor of the mountain market or the thick pine forest he found interesting, it was the woman. This might be just what he needed to ease his boredom while things cooled down back home.

He had no intention of following his kid sister’s advice. No one told Anthony Marino what to do. The fact the woman was married didn’t discourage his interest; it simply upped the ante and made the game more challenging. The redhead laughed at something one of the other women said, and it looked as if they were preparing to get into their vehicles. Disappointed that she was leaving, his hope was renewed when she began walking toward the market as her friends got into their cars to drive away.

Vera glanced at her watch. She needed to get off the mountain; it would be getting dark soon, and she hated driving the road from Clement Falls to Coulson at night. She had smoked her last cigarette on the drive up the mountain, but that was hours ago. A quick stop at the market to pick up a pack and she could be on her way.

Attending the Clement Falls Historical Society’s lecture had not been her idea. A dreary event, she didn’t understand why her husband, Harrison, had urged her to go. It should be enough that Coulson Enterprise had funded the recent restoration of the small mountain museum. Forced to chat and make tedious small talk with the ladies of the historical society, Vera wondered how her life had come to this. She was bored, lonely, and dissatisfied. Now in her early forties, she was beginning to feel old.

Starting up the wood steps of the porch, she noticed a man sitting on one of the two Adirondack chairs adjacent to the market’s front entrance. Staring at her, he silently smoked his cigarette. He made no attempt to divert his eyes; instead, they looked her up and down as if inspecting the merchandise.

Vera felt herself blush—and she never blushed. Normally, she would have taken offence at his blatant perusal, but he was so damn handsome, she was flattered. When was the last time a man looked at me like that—especially such a good-looking man?

It was impossible to tell how tall he was, since he was sitting down, but he was obviously a large, muscular man. Italian, she guessed, with his brown eyes and jet-black hair styled in a rakish pompadour. Dressed in a silk shirt, tailored slacks, and imported leather shoes, he was definitely not from Clement Falls—or Coulson. On closer inspection, she realized he was probably a couple years older than she was, and she wondered briefly if he colored his hair. He utterly seethes with sex appeal, she thought.

Instead of a dismissive glare, which was more her style, Vera flashed Anthony one of her rare smiles and went into the store to get cigarettes. When she came back outside, he was still in the chair.

“Do you mind if I sit down?” she asked impulsively.

“I was hoping you would.” He smiled up at her, while leaning back in his chair.

She smiled again and sat down.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to have a cigarette before I head off the mountain.” After she said it, she realized it was a foolish thing to ask, considering he had been smoking just moments before.

“Please, go ahead,” he said.

Vera tore opened the pack she had just purchased and pulled out a cigarette. Anthony had his lighter ready. Flashing a flirtatious smile, she put the cigarette in her mouth and allowed him to light its end. She inhaled deeply and then exhaled.

“Thank you. Are you vacationing up here?” Vera asked, eyeing him with interest.

“What, don’t I look like a local?” He chuckled.

“Hardly.” She flashed him a smile.

“I’m Anthony Marino.” He put out his hand in greeting. Vera was about to shift her cigarette from her right hand to her left so she could accept the friendly gesture, when he abruptly took hold of her left hand. He held it for a moment and looked at her wedding ring.

“I was hoping there wasn’t a ring,” he said with a boyish pout. “Perhaps you are a widow? A man might hope.”

She laughed and withdrew her hand. “Shame on you for sounding so cheerful at the possibility.”

“A man can dream.”

“My name is Vera Coulson. The last time I checked my husband was quite alive. But you didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m visiting my sister and her husband. They have a boarding house up here.”

“Staying long?” she asked, her blue-grey eyes sparkling.

“Only if you give me a reason,” he whispered.

“Oh, Mr. Marino, you do know how to flatter an old married woman.”

“Old? Hardly. I might accuse you of fishing for compliments, but considering how you look, I imagine you get them all the time.”

Vera found herself blushing again. It had been years since she had exchanged such flirty banter with an attractive man.

“Well, thank you, kind sir.” I may have dreaded the ride up to Clement Falls today, but at least I’ll go home with a smile on my face. “I hope you enjoy your visit.”

“Actually,” Anthony began as he took out a cigarette and lit it. “I’ve been considering finding a place to stay in Coulson. Weather’s turning and I’d rather not be here when the snow starts falling next month.”

“So this isn’t just a short visit?”

“I have no immediate plans. You might say I’m in limbo, while working on a couple of business deals. Came up here to see my kid sister; I practically raised her myself. So I like to check on her from time to time. Make sure my brother-in-law is doing her right.”

“While Coulson is a small town, it’s much larger than Clement Falls. I imagine you’ll find more to occupy your time there, than up here.”

“Can I be candid with you, Mrs. Coulson?”

“Only, if you call me Vera.” She flashed him another smile.

“I probably won’t be around this area for more than six months. I know you’re married and maybe happily married. I have no idea. But if you ever want some company—something to break up the monotony, I want you to know I would be interested. Your husband would never have to find out.”

“Mr. Marino, are you suggesting what I think you are? I just met you two minutes ago.”

“Life is short, pretty lady. As we get older, we realize opportunities don’t come along that often, and if we don’t try grabbing what we want, we’ll never get anything. And frankly I want you.”

Vera stared at Anthony in stunned silence. While she knew he was flirting with her, she had never expected such a blatant proposal.

“Have I shocked you? I apologize if I offended you. But I had to say it. I’ve never met a woman who I felt such an immediate attraction to. Don’t you feel it at all? Am I imagining it?”

There was something so sweet and heartfelt in his inquiry that she found it impossible to guard her feelings. “Well,” she said shyly. “I confess I find you very attractive. But, like I said, I’m a married woman.”

“I respect your feelings. I’ve been married. Had my wives been more like you, I would probably still be married.”

“Why do you say that?” Vera asked.

“When I was really young, my wife died in childbirth.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was rough. Took me a few years to get married again. But just a few months into the marriage, I found her cheating with one of my friends. I suppose I should have realized marriage was not for me, but I gave it another try.”

“What happened?”

“She decided marriage wasn’t for her, so she just took off. Technically speaking, I guess I’m still married. But I haven’t seen her for a few years.” Smashing his cigarette butt on the patio, he placed his hand over hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Do you ever ask yourself why it is so wrong to give into your deepest desires? Especially when there is no reason for anyone to ever find out. It doesn’t have to change your life, but for a few hours…what I would give to have just a few hours with you.”

He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it before releasing it. “I’m sorry. I know this is totally inappropriate of me. Please forgive me.” He sounded sincerely contrite.

“No… I mean… well I confess I’m flattered.”

“I hope your husband takes good care of you,” he told her. “If you were my woman, well I sure as hell wouldn’t let you come up here by yourself. My woman wouldn’t be running around alone, especially if she looked like you.”

“Are you one of those old fashioned men who expect their women to do as they are told?” She flashed him an impish smile, then noticed his expression was more serious than she expected. She found it unsettling and yet in some way titillating.

Reaching out with one hand, he captured her chin and tilted her face so he could look into her eyes. “If you were my woman and I found you alone, talking to a man like myself, I would drag you home and remind you who you belonged to. It would be a lesson you would never forget,” he said in a whisper.

Wide eyed, Vera was speechless. His passion both frightened and excited her. If Harrison stumbled upon her flirting with the stranger, he would be nothing more than mildly amused. When she had told her husband he was no longer welcome in her bed, he had accepted her decree with as much outrage as if she had announced a change in linen colors. She imagined Anthony Marino would not timidly accept such a decree but would take what he wanted. Her heart raced at the thought.

Anthony leaned closer and brushed a kiss across her lips before pulling away. He stood up.

“Go home, pretty lady. Before I forget myself and take you to some nice little cabin where I can show you just what I expect from my woman.”

Still speechless, Vera sat alone on the porch as she watched the dark stranger walk away carrying a sack of groceries.