Chapter Thirteen
Flash Point
Meris actually saw it happen from the pond. Lauren, with the towel. The bold approach, the graceful dip as she swept it off the ground near the minor log, the dunk into the lake and the sopping slap against the muddy embankment as she dragged it back onto shore. She was meant to see, for Lauren stood at the water’s edge, the heavy, soiled towel dangling from her hand, impudently challenging Meris with her dark eyes.
The others were loosely collected in the general vicinity as Meris slowly made her way to shore that fateful afternoon when everything changed. They stood like statues, towels and combs frozen in mid stroke, watching as Meris climbed the bank and the two rivals finally stood face to face. The tall brunette, proud and tan in the sunshine, the litt
