Gingerbread Man

the way he made her feel. He might be her only chance at knowing that kind of passion.
    But all of that was beside the point. The main point was staying alive, being safe, keeping her mother safe, keeping all the children in the world safe from the predator who stalked them.
    Vince lay on the ridiculous chaise after Dr. Graycloud had pronounced Holly healthy and left them alone again. He hadn't said a word since the doctor had retired, and she hadn't either. The storm was growing more distant with every tick of the clock, and the sky beyond the window was beginning to pale. It would be dawn soon. She wanted to have sex with him. He knew that, she was fairly certain she'd made it abundantly clear. She wasn't going to beat the subject to death. Nor would she beg.
    "I think we need to tell my mother what's going on," she said. "I think she needs to know."
    He lay on his back, never turning to face her. "I think it would upset her for no good reason."
    "This person went after her, Vince. He was in the house while she was there."
    "If he'd been after her, he would've ... she was never a target." He altered the sentence for her benefit, she knew. "If he was in your house, he was messing with your head, Holly."
    "Why? What purpose could that serve?"
    "He's keeping you off balance. Maybe so you'll continue to question your own mind—your own memory."
    "That would only make sense if there were something more I could possibly remember. And I—I don't think there is."
    "You don't want there to be."
    She swung her gaze to him sharply, met his eyes, saw that he knew exactly what she was feeling. "You're right. If I knew something more, something that could have saved my sister, but blocked it—" She closed her eyes. "This is pointless. And off the subject. We were talking about my mother."
    He nodded at her to go on.
    "She has a right to know the man sitting in prison for murdering her daughter isn't the man who did it."
    Vince sighed. It was a deep, heavy sound. As if he had more to say, and had used the sigh to keep from saying it
    "What?" she asked.
    "Nothing. If you want to tell her, we'll tell her."
    "Today," she said.
    "Okay." He flung back the covers, got to his feet.
    "What are you doing?"
    "Getting up. The storm's fading fast I have things to do."
    "Or, maybe you're just in a hurry to get away from me."
    He glanced across the room at her. She felt his eyes on her, sliding from her head to her toes, and warming her right through the covers. "I was planning on taking you with me."
    "Oh."
    "Red, you need to understand something about me."
    She flung back her covers, too, got to her feet "You don't do relationships," she said. "I got it."
    He gritted his teeth. "Sex for me is a function best served by professionals. I don't like it messy. I don't like feelings and emotions involved. I like it straight up, and quick and meaningless. Like taking a shower. You jump in, you do what needs doing, and you get the hell out. Anything more is a waste of time. If it happens between us, that's the way it's going to be. Just so you know, up front."
    She moved closer to him, but didn't touch him. She didn't get close enough to touch him, and when she spoke, she spoke very slowly. "I like long, slow soaks in the tub. Scented salts. Loofah sponges. Expensive shampoos and hot oil treatments. All the trimmings. You ever take baths like that?"
    He had closed his eyes for some reason. "Not that I can remember, Red."
    "Well, then, maybe you're due."
    * * *
    ERNIE GRAYCLOUD OFFERED them a ride back to Holly's house, and Vince took him up on it. They'd showered and had coffee, but passed on the full breakfast Amanda had offered. Vince stood outside the D'Voe mansion, wearing his now-dry clothes—laundered overnight by Amanda—and watching Holly as she thanked Reginald, hugged his neck gently, and moved toward the waiting car. Doc was already behind the wheel.
    Vince took his cue, walked up to where Reggie and Amanda stood. He clasped Amanda's hands. "Thanks for everything," he said.
    "You're more than welcome."
    He reached out to shake Reggie's hand. Reginald slung an arm around Vince's shoulders instead. "I'll walk you to the car."
    "No need," Vince began, but Reggie ignored that, kept on limping along beside him, while Amanda stayed where she was, standing on the front step.
    "You wanted a private moment, I take it?" Vince asked.
    Pausing halfway between the house and the car, Reginald removed his arm from Vince's shoulder, turned to face