Playing with Smokeless Fire by Barbara Pietron

Author:Barbara Pietron [Pietron, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scribe Publishing Company
Published: 2022-08-28T17:34:08+00:00

Ice’s knee bounced as he waited for Wenonah to emerge from her dorm. He’d already texted her to see if she needed help with her things and received a negative reply.

One of the large front doors swung outward and Wenonah appeared, shuffling backward so the pack on her back held the door open while she maneuvered a fat suitcase through the opening. Ice hopped out to help her stash it in the back of his Jeep, regarding her with raised eyebrows when he felt the heft of the bag.

She laughed. “I know, I know, it’s only four days. But it’s not just clothes, there are books and my bathroom stuff. And some laundry. I was actually pretty proud of myself for fitting it all in.”

Ice chuckled, nodding to his small duffel bag. “You’re lucky you’re not flying.”

When they were both inside the car, Wenonah said, “If you think we have time, I’ll buy coffee.”

“Let’s see.” Ice held his phone. “What’s your grandma’s address?”

He typed it into his map program, checking the estimated time of arrival. “We should be okay if there’s not a big line at the coffee shop.” He slipped the phone into the mount on his dash and pressed “start.”

Ten minutes later he merged onto I-94, both cupholders equipped with caffeinated beverages for the drive.

“Any more dreams?” Wenonah asked.

Ice shook his head. “No.”

“Did you ask Henry about them?”

“Yeah. Basically, he told me to trust my instincts.”

He could feel the scrutiny as Wenonah turned her head in his direction. “What are your instincts telling you?”

Ice hesitated. He knew the answer to her question, but he didn’t like it because it resolved nothing. “That the dreams aren’t about Jeni.”

“So what are you going to do?”

Ice glanced into his side mirror, and then changed lanes. “I’m going to tell Jeni about them anyway.”

Wenonah shifted so that her right shoulder leaned on the door and she was faced slightly in his direction. “Do you think she’ll try to convince you they are about her? So you’ll help her get her spiritual capability back?”

“I doubt it.” Maybe. Ice assumed Jeni was becoming increasingly worried about restoring her ability. He shrugged, as much to dispel his thoughts as to demonstrate his indifference to Wenonah. “But it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to keep things from her.”

A sigh carried from the passenger seat. “She doesn’t deserve you.”

Uncomfortable, Ice responded with a short chuckle.

The navigation program advised Ice to exit the interstate and continue on a state highway.

Wenonah waited until the electronic voice fell silent, then said, “I’m serious, Ice. Jeni doesn’t deserve you.”

“You can’t say that,” Ice said, shooting her a sidelong glance. “You don’t even know her.”

“I know enough. Your relationship revolves around her problems. You never even would have met her if she hadn’t screwed up at Lake Itasca.”

A crease formed on Ice’s brow. Where was this coming from? Wenonah may have never cared for Jeni—Ice didn’t know, she never came right out and gave an opinion—but she’d always been willing to listen when Ice needed to talk.

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