A Moment in Time Read Online Free Page B

whispered.
"I... I shouldn't have reacted that way, but I wanted this to be a
perfect weekend for us." He drew back and looked into her eyes.
"Forgive me?" he said in a little boy voice. "Please?"
    Valerie couldn't help but smile, even though
she found his behavior immature and inconsiderate. She'd become
inured to Teddy's little temper tantrums. He was a spoiled rich boy
who couldn't tolerate not getting his way.
    She planted a quick kiss on his lips. "Forget
about it," she said, ruffling his hair with her fingertips. "I'm
sorry, too, but I've got to go."
    She rushed to the closet, where she grabbed a
pair of Levis, a T-shirt, and a white lab coat. Tossing them on a
chair, she rifled through a dresser until she found bra, panties,
and socks. She began dressing hurriedly as Teddy stood watching
her.
    "What's up?" he asked. "Somebody's pooch
miscarry or something?"
    She thought she detected a hint of sarcasm in
his voice, but she chose to ignore it. "There's an emergency out at
Stonelair," she replied.
    "Stonelair?" he said, his eyes widening.
"You're not going out there, are you?"
    "Yes," she said, grabbing a pair of sneakers
from the closet floor.
    "Since when did you start working for that
creepy drug lord?"
    "Since now," she replied, pulling on her
socks.
    "Je-sus, Val!" he cried, his voice angry.
"Isn't that a little stupid? Maybe even a little dangerous, huh?"
He stood staring at her, his body rigid, his eyes bright with
intensity.
    She finished tying her sneakers, then got to
her feet, grabbing her carryall and slinging it over her shoulder
in one swift movement.
    "Look, Teddy," she said in a determined
voice, "I don't know anything about the people at Stonelair, and
neither do you. I just know that there's a horse out there that's
in trouble, and I've got to go take care of it. It's my duty as a
veterinarian."
    "But-but. . . you don't even know what the
hell's going on out there, Val," he sputtered. "I mean, those
people could have a drug lab set up or—"
    "I don't care what's going on out there," she
broke in angrily. "There's a sick horse and I'm going to it. And
I'm going now."
    As she started for the bedroom door, Teddy
rushed to her, throwing his long, muscular arms around her. "Just a
quick kiss," he said, all sweetness again.
    She turned to him and let him kiss her, then
pulled away. "I'm in a hurry, Teddy."
    "I know, I know," he said agreeably, nodding.
"So go. Go." He slapped her playfully on the butt.
    Valerie headed out of the bedroom and down
the hallway to the staircase.
    "Val?" he called as she reached the top of
the stairs.
    She quickly glanced back toward the bedroom
door, where he stood, his tall, strong body filling the
doorway.
    "I'll be here waiting for you," he said, one
hand shaking his penis at her.
    Valerie sputtered helplessly with laughter.
"Oh, you ," she laughed, then hurried on down the stairs and
out into the dark and stormy night.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Valerie drove like a woman possessed.
Forgotten now was the lavish dinner and the bedroom frolic. Even
the exquisite canary diamond that still sparkled on her finger went
unnoticed in her haste to get to Stonelair. It was after midnight,
and the summer storm was lashing the countryside.
    Valerie could barely make out the road ahead
of her as she raced over the curving country roads. The rain-
drenched landscape was a void of total darkness, except when the
terrifying streaks of lightning rent the sky, momentarily
illuminating the fields and woods and the occasional house and barn
in an eerie glow. The accompanying thunder came in such ferocious
rolling claps that she involuntarily jumped.
    "Jeez," she said aloud, "it sounds like it's
coming through the roof." Suddenly she wished that Elvis was with
her to keep her company. She reached over and turned on the radio.
It was the next best thing, she supposed. It was set on the
classical station, and strains of Schubert's piano quintet "The
Trout" filled her ears. She laughed nervously,