Chapter 12: Loving Wife

Sunday Early

Janelle was standing in the dark. As her vision improved, she recognized the bedroom of Cutie's parents. There was the great antique oak rolltop desk, and the carved headboard that Mike had made for them. A single small body was under the covers, and Janelle heard noises in the attached bathroom and saw a light under the door. The light went off and the door opened; Mike walked out wearing -- nothing! Janelle thought he was handsome, even if he was as old as her father. Seeing him naked took her breath away. Thinking about him sleeping nude warmed her up. Then she thought about Mrs. Dahl, and calmed down. They were wonderful people, and right now one or both of them were thinking about her.

Katie Dahl felt the bed move as Mike climbed in next to her. It was easy to pretend sleep because she was facing away from his side of the bed. A quick peek at the glowing numbers on the alarm clock next to her side of the bed told her that it was very late -- after two am. A more intense focus on his breathing told her that he was only pretending to sleep. Mike must be still thinking about the accident and Janelle. He had worked straight through from Friday morning until two in the morning on Sunday, and he was still worried and thinking about everything. Slowly, silently, Katie pulled her nightgown up, hoping that Mike would not notice; it would be easier if he didn't notice until she was ready. Keeping her breaths quiet, she slipped her panties off and dropped them from under the covers to the floor next to the bed. After more thought, she slipped one arm out of the gown, then turned slightly and got the other one free. Ducking her head got it out of the fabric, and left her naked. Now she was ready.