Diamonds and Dreams by Brenda Bone

just to be near her.   He loved touching her, kissing her, but these gestures couldn’t begin to
compare with his rising emotions.   Not
since before he witnessed Dan’s accident had he relaxed as much as when he was
with Lindsay.   He closed his eyes and was
lulled to sleep by the humming sound of traffic outside.

 
    Brant
was gone the next morning when Lindsay awakened.   He left a note, informing her that he
arranged with the garage for someone to repair her car and deliver it to her
home.   He also scribbled the message that
they could cross the bridge around noon.   She stretched and glanced at her wristwatch.   It was almost noon now.
    As
she smoothed the bedspread, Brant quietly entered the room.   “Good morning, Beautiful.   Time to check out and
return to the real world.”
    She
didn’t want to admit it, but she almost regretted leaving since the time they
spent alone had been precious to her.   “Thanks for taking care of everything concerning my car,” she told
him.   “May I impose upon you one last
time and ask you to give me a ride home?”
    “You
never impose when you ask me to do favors for you.   Of course, I’ll take you home.”
    They
enjoyed breakfast together and on the way to Lindsay’s house, she told him all
about her latest purchase—a sophisticated new digital audio mixer.   “Come inside and see it,” she said when he
turned the car into her driveway.
    As
soon as Lindsay approached the front porch, she knew something was wrong.   “The front door is partly open.”
    “You
wait outside and I’ll take a look around,” Brant offered.
    “I’ll
go with you.”
    He
shoved the door open the rest of the way and surveyed the living room cluttered
with cushions and books strewn about on the tables.   “Is this the way you left the house or have
you been vandalized?”
    “I
left these things here, Smartie .”
    He
sighed.   “Still the
world’s worst housekeeper.”
    “It’s
gone!” her voice broke miserably after she noticed the new audio mixer was
missing from the family room.
    Brant
joined her and saw that someone knocked over plants and chairs lay sideways on
the thick carpet.   “You’ve been
robbed.   I’ll check the rest of the house
to make sure no one’s hiding anywhere.”
    After
he made a quick tour and found no one, he advised, “Have a look around and make
a note of everything that’s missing.”
    “The
computer is gone along with the flat screen TV’s, my gold chains, my coin
collection and…”
    “Call
the police and report everything that’s stolen.”
    “No.   It won’t help.”
    He
looked at her blankly.   “What do you mean
it won’t help?   Someone broke into your
house and stole your possessions!   Don’t
you want to try to catch the thief and do whatever you can to retrieve your
belongings?”
    “I
don’t want any of the stolen items back.   They’re ‘dirty’ now.   Tainted.   Already I
feel like I should wash everything in the house.   The robber made off with more than my
possessions; my peace of mind is gone.   How
can the police get that back for me?”   Bitterness filled her voice.   “I
don’t even know if I’ll ever feel comfortable in this house again.”
    “Sure
you will.   You’re not thinking clearly,
honey.   If you won’t call the police, I
will.   You need to also call your insurance
agent and report this incident.”
    “It’s
easy for you to stand there and act rational; you aren’t the one that got
robbed!”
    “Do
you remember if you locked your door the last time you went out?   As I recall, you used to be pretty careless
about that.”
    “I
don’t remember.”  
    His
hands in his pants pockets, Brant paced the room.   “We’re calling the police, Lindsay.   Do you want me to stay and help you clean up
later?”
    “No.   I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
    After
she filed a report with the police, Brant asked again, “Are you sure you don’t
want me to stay with