Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

"Yes. The day of reckoning will come soon." he

promised. his eyes sharp with fury.

"How can you ever be sure that such a man will

utter a single syllable of truth when you confront

him?"

"I've had some pretty tough witnesses to crossexamine in court. Willow. I'll get the truth," he

bragged.

I stared at him, admiring his self-confidence. A

successful person had to have a little more confidence

than other people. a little more ego, too. perhaps.

When would I have it? Would I ever?

"But let's drop all this. I should have insisted

we pretend we've just met or something, or we check

our troubles at the door the way cowboys had to check

their guns. This is a special night, a reunion, a renewal

and new beginning for us. Willow," he said, reaching

for my hand again. Then he poured us both a glass of

champagne. "Let's start with the toast. To us." he said.

"To our health and success and love. Let them rise

above everything and everyone."

We tapped our glasses and sipped, fixing our

eyes on each other over the tops of the glasses. "These garlic rolls are homemade." he said,

offering me one. "Wait until you taste the food here.

It's like being in someone's home and not a

restaurant."

"That's what it looks like from the highway. It's

certainly a good hideaway. Why do I have the

suspicion you've used it before?" I teased.

"I will bring you to special places only. and after you and I are there together. they will become off-limits to me unless you are with me. I couldn't imagine ever having a business meeting here again."

he said.