Mountains of Dawn

"Oh," Tanya said. "Is it that juicy?"

"See? You already started."

"Well, it can't be a sad story, considering the results. Long stem, beautiful yellow roses…a symbol of friendship."

Judith lay on her stomach and pulled a pillow under her chest. She propped her elbows on the floor and rested her head in her cupped hands. Tanya imitated her and lay in front of her friend.

"So-this phantom boyfriend. I'm curious about him. Besides, I want to know the name of the person who's poisoning us with all this strong perfume. It's a good thing we aren't allergic to roses."

"Tanya, be serious, or I won't be able to talk about him."

"I see that the roses aren't without effect. Looks like the man isn't without effect, either, judging from your sensitivity."

Judith tossed a pillow at Tanya's head.

"Okay, okay…I'll be good. Promise," Tanya said. "Start now. You made me curious."

"I was assigned some special duties concerning Brian Miller. Brian is a brother to Malcolm. They grew up together after Malcolm's parents died. I stayed at the Miller residence for five weeks. Brian is rich, fun to be with, and he is-he has-he is-" Judith stopped speaking, flustered.

"He's a good toucher," Tanya said with a smile.

"Um…yes, he surely is that."

"And so…?" Tanya asked.

"In short, I fell in love with the wrong man."

"Oh, I never thought that would happen to super-agent Judith Abramson. You always looked in control: neat, precise, courteous, with a solid sense of mission. Sexy enough to attract men and cold enough to shake them off."

"I couldn't shake this one off. At least, I didn't make it yet."

"Maybe you don't want to shake him off."

"Yes, I do. He's been mean to me. I took the job of protecting him seriously and he made a mockery of it." Judith gave a quick report of her days at the Miller residence. "He was mean," she repeated as she finished her story.

"And he made you fall in love with him, another big crime," Tanya said, laughing softly. "Don't you think his interest in you is sincere? He may have fallen for you, too, you know."

Judith rose to cut a raspberry-rhubarb pie she had baked earlier. "That's what he says. That's what he repeats in his notes. Every Friday he sends me roses. Friday is the day we first made love." She gave Tanya a piece of pie and helped herself to another.