Donna and Don were so in love these days and happy just being together. They spent most weekends together, either at Donna's Lakeside home or at Don's apartment in downtown Dallas. Both excited about being in love but both still old fashioned enough to wait for it to bloom into a "rest of your life" feeling that was quickly growing to just that!
Don had to go to Washington D.C. this weekend so Donna would have some recuperative time at home and some time to catch up with JoAnn. Donna had been off since her injury from the tornado that destroyed her home!
Donna texted JoAnn and invited her to spend the weekend with her while Don was away on business. JoAnn texted back "yes" and do I have news for you but it will have to wait until I get to your house. Have wine chilled and ready, lol!
Donna went to the local supermarket to get some items for the weekend. She needed the basics, plus some champagne for mimosas, veggies and fruit so the two of them could veg out!
She was rounding the corner heading for dairy, when she looked over her shoulder and glanced a strange looking older man watching her. Donna had seen it all working at the hospital so she just dismissed it at first but when she rounded another corner, there he was out of the corner of her eye. Then she made an intentional turn to ladies hygiene products and there was the stranger again. When she decided to speak to him, he disappeared. It left Donna with a feeling of foreboding. Still, she had company coming so she switched back in gear. Once she got her groceries, she paid the cashier and headed to the car. Once she got the car loaded and started to back out, the stranger came out of nowhere up to her door and motioned for Donna to roll the window down. When she saw him, her heart fell in her lap and she couldn't move at first. He simple demonstrated that he wanted her to roll her window down. In her mind, Donna thought, " I don't think so. I'm hitting the gas and getting out of here." But when she looked back, the old man was walking away. Donna got a cold chill up her spine like something dark was hovering. Okay, that was strange, she thought!
Once she was sure she was away from him, she pulled the car over and started to call the police but then she thought better. What if he was just a beggar and was scouting me out for a sure hit for food, wine or worse, drug money!
Don called Donna on the way to the airport to say he would miss her and that he loved her but she didn't want him to worry about her while he was gone so she didn't mention the stranger, besides Donna was used to Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson traveling with her. She had a license to carry a concealed weapon also which meant she was usually carrying a pistol in the car with her or in her purse and was an excellent shot. Don and Donna both went to the gun range almost every weekend to perfect their aim and calibrate their pistols and hunting rifles.
Almost home now, she touched base with JoAnn. She needed to tell JoAnn in case she changed her mind about coming or felt threatened or uncomfortable with it.
Donna started with "A funny thing happened to me at the grocery store today."
After hearing the whole story, JoAnn seemed to think it was probably just an old homeless man not able to communicate too well but not that much of a potential problem for the two of them. So it was settled, JoAnn and Donna would be okay to spend the night at the Lake house. They had an alarm system and backup and the police department was just a down the street a few blocks. Besides that, John also had a storm/safe room added to the lake house.
Donna and JoAnn drove up to the lake house and started unloading groceries. "That's really strange", Donna said. "I remember closing the blinds on the back door before I left. I don't feel good about going in." Donna called the Community Police department for the Lake homes and asked for a police car to check out her home for a possible burglary. She and Joann got back in the car and locked the doors and were waiting for the police when they noticed a dusty, older model car, skidding on the gravel to make a fast getaway. "Wow" said JoAnn. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" "Maybe, but let's wait for the police to check the house out first.
The police arrived quietly and motioned for the ladies to come to the police car. "Ms. Jamison, you are the homeowner right? "Yes sir", Donna spoke up. You two ladies stay here in the squad car while we take a look at your house. The police took close to ten minutes before they came back.
"Ms. Jamison, we couldn't find an actual break and entry but there was some food left out on the counter that looked fresh, did you eat something before you left?" "No, I grabbed something at McDonalds on the Main Street before going to get JoAnn. "Did you by any chance have a key hidden outside?" "Yes but we thought it was well hidden! " "Was it under this frog?" Why yes, how did you know?" Half the Lake houses have them. They must have had a sale on them, both officers were laughing at this point but as soon as Donna gave them that no nonsense look of hers, they stopped laughing and they told Donna that the wires to the alarm system had also been cut and to top it off, someone had eaten there and possibly showered before they left." Donna was clearly upset when she realized someone made themselves at home in her house. "There's no one there now. You must have surprised them when you ladies drove up."
"But who on earth just comes to your house for a snack and a shower and then leaves?", Donna asked? "And are you're sure nothing else appeared out of place?" "Did you have any money or change out anywhere?" No, no money, but I do have my hunting rifle hidden. Other than that, I don't keep my
jewelry or anything out. "Ms. Jamison, there was one thing on the kitchen counter. It was a note that just read "next time." Does that mean anything to you?" "No, but it sure makes me feel uncomfortable." You do have protection don't you?" Yes, and a permit to carry a concealed weapon. We're good." Well, we can be here in a matter of minutes". I'm Officer Leads and this is Officer Jones. We'll be patrolling this area tonight and will keep an eye on the place for you ladies!" If you need us just call 911 and we will be here in a matter of minutes! We'll get this report filled out and get you a copy." We called the alarm system folks and they are sending someone out to repair the wires and reset the alarm. They should be out within the hour. You call us if you have any more problems. Thanks Officers, we appreciate your help and we'll call you if we hear anything."
Donna and JoAnn took the groceries in, cleaned the kitchen counter off with disinfectant and then went to the showers to see which one got the use of their mystery man? woman? They both decided it was probably a man since one had tried to accost Donna at the grocery store earlier in the day. Was it the scary old man? It didn't look like he could do anything of that kind but he could have. Donna told JoAnn, you may have saved my life by me going to get you. Who knows, what might have happened to me if I had come home with my groceries and some stranger is in my kitchen and rapes and beats me to death. "JoAnn looked at Donna and said "Okay now I'm scared!" "I'm sorry JoAnn! I'm always careful but am I careful enough?"
It was starting to get dark outside so the ladies decided to check all the locks and make sure there were no keys missing. That finished, they took turns showering and getting ready for bed while one sat close to the phone and Donna's pistol. JoAnn had shot a gun before but Donna gave her a quick safety lesson just to be sure. Finally both were ready but suddenly the big meal they were going to do ended up being left over chili from the night before and some saltine crackers. They did manage to grab a slice of cheesecake with Raspberry sauce that Donna had bought from the Cheesecake Factory. It was their favorite dessert and it was the ticket to relax them some but not enough to let their guard down.
JoAnn insisted on sleeping in Donna's king size bed because there was no way she was staying at the other end of the house in the guest bedroom. Donna agreed and the two of them got in the bed but JoAnn makes her leave a light on and to promise to take the gun with them if one of them had to go to the bathroom. It was obvious that these two supposedly brave Texas girls were more than a little afraid.
Around 3 a.m., Donna and JoAnn were both sleeping soundly, when they heard what sounded like a key being placed in the keyhole and then being turned. Donna grabbed her pistol and whispered for JoAnn to get behind her and stay there as they both ran to the kitchen to see what was happening. Right as they got there, the door opened and there stood John, of all people. "John, what on earth are you doing here?" Donna asked. "I could have shot you!"
"The alarm company called me and said that they had repaired the wires and reset the alarm system. I never thought about you not going with Don out of town so instead of waking you guys, late at night, I decided to just ride out and check it out myself. Once I turned the key in the door, I thought I heard a noise in the house, so I pulled my pistol out and then I see you two standing here waiting to shoot me. Wow, one of us could have been hurt or even killed. Maybe one of you can tell me what happened out here?" Donna spoke up, "John grab a pillow and cover from the hall closet and get some sleep, we'll talk about this in the morning and I'll explain everything." John spoke up, let me call Deanna and tell her what's happening and I'll see you two in the morning, good nite."
Author's note
Some of you reading this novel probably feel like the real "deceit" came when Donna's designer husband John and Deanna, her best friend, were caught in a compromising position in bed together but was that the biggest deceit or is there more to come? The first "deceit"showed up early in the plot but what if the real reason for deceit is yet to come? There are so many possibilities! I have someone in mind, can you guess who?