“You were very happy at what he was doing to your body that first night I came. Are you going to do that again?”
Her mouth fell open. “What?” Then she shook her head. “Never mind. Jenny, I had no idea you were— Do you know what a peeping Tom is?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what you did when you watched me and Joe—” But did she watch? Was she just attuned to Eve and aware of her feelings? “Whatever you did, that was a private moment and not to be shared without invitation. Do you understand?”
“But I liked it. It was … happy and excited.”
“Yes, it was.” And a happiness Jenny would never know. So many experiences she would never know. “But it’s still private, and you shouldn’t intrude. Okay?”
Silence. “I guess.”
Reluctant at best. Eve wasn’t sure that she either understood or would comply. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Still that thread of wistfulness. “But I didn’t mean to hurt anyone…”
“I know you didn’t. And you didn’t hurt me, Jenny. It’s just the way people feel about—” Oh, give it up. She didn’t even know how much a nine-year-old Jenny knew about sex. She was glad that she didn’t seem to feel anything horrific connected to it. It was always a fear in a child’s murder. “Good night, Jenny.”
“Good night, Eve.”
*
“Is she finished?” Joe asked drowsily as Eve climbed into bed forty-five minutes later.
“Yes.” She cuddled close. “It turned out exceptionally well. She has a very memorable face. She kind of reminded me of a young Audrey Hepburn. Unusual…”
“Everything about her has been unusual.” He brushed his lips across her temple. “But I’m glad that she’ll be out of your head soon.”
But would she? Eve wondered. Jenny was full of mysteries and contradictions, and Eve was irresistibly drawn to try to solve them. “I suppose I’ll be glad, too.”
“Suppose?”
“Jenny is appealing. She … touches me. Do you know, I’ve been wondering if there’s some reason why I can communicate with her. That maybe I was meant to help her.”
“You are helping her. You did her reconstruction.”
“Maybe I was meant to go a step further.”
Joe was silent, his arms tightening around her. “I’m not going to argue with you. You’ll do what you think is right.” He added harshly, “But I don’t like it, dammit.”
“I’m not sure I do, either. And I’ll probably send her off to Sheriff Nalchek tomorrow. He can do more than I can to find out who she is. It’s just…” She wearily shook her head. “She’s become too close to me. I feel as if I’m responsible for her.”
“Eve.”
“I know. I know.” She suddenly chuckled. “I wish Bonnie would drop in and have a chat with me. I could use a little advice from the other side. Jenny isn’t nearly as integrated there as Bonnie, and she seems to be missing key memories. Maybe Bonnie could help her out.”
“Send your Jenny to Nalchek,” he said firmly.
She nodded. “You’re right.” She turned in his arms and clasped him tightly. “I can’t be responsible for everyone. I have to pick and choose.” She kissed him. “And I choose you.”
“And I humbly thank you.” He raised himself on one elbow and smiled down at her. “Does that choice offer fringe benefits?”
“You bet it does.” She kissed him, long and deep. She felt the familiar stirring, the hot need that never changed and yet was forever new. She pulled her sleep shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor beside the bed. “All you have to do is put in a request.” She climbed on top of him. “Or not.”
He chuckled. “Consider it entered.” His smile faded, and he was suddenly intense. “And then let’s do a little more entering.” His hands were on her breasts. “And I’ll prove you didn’t make a mistake in making that choice.”
And would Jenny be aware that they were making love, Eve wondered suddenly. It was possible. She was curious. She had liked the warmth.