Ring of Fire

She was on her knees, with the upper half of her body under one of the beds to wipe the floor under it, when a voice suddenly spoke from the doorway with biting sarcasm. “Well, this is a new experience! Have you had a conversion? The beautiful Bree Lindquist on her hands and knees doing housework!” Lannie’s head jerked up and she bumped her head on the hard base of the bed. She came out from under the bed, her heart suddenly thumping in her chest. She got up from the floor, rubbing her head, and stood facing the man in the doorway. His face was set, his mouth grim, and his eyes as hard as slate. But his eyes widened with surprise as he looked into Lannie’s face. “Who on earth are you?” he asked, in anything but a friendly tone. When it had become apparent that she would not be able to leave the farm before Luke’s return, she had accepted that her identity would be revealed, and she had been wondering what she would do and say when she saw him again. She didn’t want to lie to him or his mother, but she didn’t want to be asked any awkward questions either. She thought that even if they pressed her to stay, which they probably would, she would just say she had been passing through when she found Sabrina, and she was expected elsewhere, so would have to leave as soon as possible. She really hadn’t thought he would be fooled by her hair. “I’m L...Leigh,” she said, making the split second decision to remain unknown. “Leigh S...Smith.” But he had noticed the slight hesitations. “A likely story!” he sneered. For a moment Lannie thought she would burst into tears. Where was her beloved, kind, caring Luke? His body had been hijacked by this horrible, scornful, rude creature. Then anger stiffened her and she said with matching sarcasm: “Would you perhaps like to see my ID or my driver’s licence?” “Never mind that,” he said testily. “Who are you and what are you doing here? Where is Bree?” “I am just a tourist who found Sabrina sitting in front of the hotel on Saturday afternoon, while your brother was drinking himself to death in the bar! I brought them both home, and as I have no means of getting back to town, and as I am not accustomed to leaving small children to care for themselves, I have remained here – at great inconvenience to myself! – until such time as one of her parents remembered they actually have a child! As for the whereabouts of your wife, I myself would dearly like to know!” She stood there glaring at him. He had been watching her impassively as the torrent of indignation poured out of her, but by the end of the tirade his eyebrows had gathered in a puzzled frown. “Do I know you?” he asked. “No, I don’t know you at all!” she said emphatically. Well, it was perfectly true. She didn’t know him. He was not her Luke! Nor did she want to know him, the ungrateful oaf! *** When Lannie had come into the lounge of the Lamb’s home, where Luke was sitting waiting for her, he had been pleasantly surprised. In fact, that was something of an understatement. She looked wonderful! Since he had left home, he had only had fleeting meetings with her, and it was at least two years since they had last been in each other’s company. And those two years had obviously been very kind to her, he decided. She had been dreadfully gangly, all arms and legs, but now she was a young woman of grace and elegance. The dress she was wearing suited her to perfection. He had never before noticed the warm tints of her skin, and the flush on her cheeks emphasised the sparkle in her eyes. He had always thought she had brown eyes, but tonight he saw there were green lights in them. And as for her hair... well, it was absolutely glorious. It hung to her waist, and as he held the car door for her and she turned to get in, it brushed against his hand. It gave him the oddest feeling. For a moment he was tempted to reach into the car to touch it again. He pulled himself together sternly. It was when they got up for the first dance of the evening, and she looked up at him, her eyes glowing and her lovely, dimpled smile lighting up her whole face, that he made another discovery. She might not be a beauty like Bree, for instance, but when she was happy, and wearing makeup, only the meanest critic would have called her plain. In fact, Luke found himself almost staring at her. How could anyone not see how attractive she really was? He had to drag his eyes away but, fortunately, she didn’t seem to notice. At first he found it difficult to dance with her. He was no great dancer and Lannie also seemed not to have had much practice. He stepped on her toes and she began to giggle. Then she tripped over his foot and would have fallen had he not grabbed her firmly. She began to laugh helplessly. He had to laugh as well. She had always had such an infectious chuckle! When she had regained control of herself, they tried again. Before long they were swirling, rather inexpertly but with great enjoyment, around the floor. Then a new torture arose for Luke. He held her lightly, but the touch of her hand on his shoulder, her other hand small and soft and warm in his, and the fragrance of her hair, all began to affect him in a way he had never expected. It was not just that it was a powerful, physical attraction – ashamed as he was to admit it – but it was the sense of rightness that astounded him. It was as though she belonged in his arms. It was insane! He was relieved when the dance ended and they were able to sit. He began to wish the evening would come to an end. He was being extremely disloyal to Bree! For a moment he felt an intense self-loathing, and then he noticed Lannie looking at him with concern. Oh, dear Lord! Don’t let my insanity spoil her evening! At last the band announced the final dance, to his huge relief. Everyone crowded onto the floor until there was no space for any dancing, other than a slow and very close shuffle. Lannie’s young and supple body pressed so close to him was further torture. He forced himself to relax, still determined that nothing should spoil her night. Her head rested lightly against his chest and he felt the familiar racing of his pulse. It was wrong! Wrong, but so right! *** Just before dawn Luke woke, drenched with sweat, his throat parched and sore from soundless screaming. He had dreamt there was a blazing fire with flames that leapt skyward. It was racing towards a little girl who was running away from it. She kept stumbling, hampered by the weight of the dog she carried in her arms. He tried to run towards her, but his legs were lame and he could not move. As she came closer he saw she had red pigtails and that it was Lannie. She kept screaming his name. Again he tried to run to her, and again his legs appeared to be lame. The only way he could move towards her was by lying on his stomach and pulling himself along the ground with his arms. Suddenly he became aware that Lannie was not a little girl but a woman, and her long, flaming-red hair streamed about her. She was no longer carrying a dog but a child. Then the flames engulfed them, and the child in Lannie’s arms screamed with fear and stretched out her arms towards him. He could clearly see her face. It was Bree. *** Luke went to the phone and dialled her number. It was picked up almost immediately, but no one spoke. “Hullo! Is there anyone there?” he asked. Silence. He could make out uneven breathing. “Lannie!” he almost shouted in alarm. “Is that you? Is something wrong? Lannie! Are you all right?” The phone clicked in his ear. The receiver had been replaced. He immediately dialled again. It rang and rang. Either it was being ignored, or the phone had been unplugged. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as goose bumps ran unpleasantly up and down his spine.