"Yes, a very long time. And I've enjoyed every minute of it ... well, almost."

"I am sorry."

"Sorry?"

"About ... before."

"Oh. I knew that. Don't give it another thought."

"You do deserve better," I said. "You deserve the best."

He looked out over the crowd. "Your husband dumped her. At least for now." Josh winked. "The games begin." He motioned toward Wolfgang, who had already changed into his bulky snowmobile suit.

"Isn't he rushing things?" I said. "Linda's party is not exactly over."

"This could be a major hint that he'd like it to be."

The jazz trio ended its number and Wolfgang disappeared from the room. Shortly after, I heard the loud buzz of a snowmobile warming up outside.

"Well, Gwyn, it's been a pleasure," said Josh, "but hubby is coming this way and he's not exactly smiling. Catch you later."

"Bye, Josh."

Trevor marched toward me, his face fiery red. "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"You, dancing with that loser. What? To get back at me? Pretty childish."

"No, and lower your voice. Who's being childish?"

"Oh, to h.e.l.l with it. I'll be outside. I'll see you when I'm done."

I watched him stalk away. Funny how he'd just a.s.sumed I wasn't going.

The jazz group put their instruments back in their cases, and the help staff began to clear the room of stray gla.s.ses and plates. Guests either said their good-byes, or headed to designated rooms to change clothing. Coffee was offered to those left behind.

I wandered to the rear of the house and drew the curtains aside. I could see the headlights of a few snowmobiles parked outside or moving slowly toward the acreage beyond. Josh was gone. Trevor was gone. All of the men had left.

I went off to look for Linda and Caroline.

I found Linda standing alone in the kitchen.

"Aren't you going out?" I asked.

"No, not in the mood. Aren't you?"

"I don't know. I have this cold, and I'm tired. But Trevor's going."

"I wish they'd all go home. The neighbors might get testy if this thing gets too noisy, though a few of them said they'd join in. Wolfgang's planning a big bonfire afterwards." She walked to the kitchen table and sat down. "You want something? Coffee?" she asked.

"Not unless it's decaf."

"It isn't."

I sat down with her. "Your party did turn out great."

"I suppose it did, but I probably should have cancelled, considering how much I've had to do lately."

"So when are you leaving for Hawaii?"

"Thursday ... if I go."

"What do you mean? If you go."

"Because Wolfgang's a colossal jerk." The buzzing of the snowmobiles intensified. She glanced toward the window. "I hope he runs himself into a tree, the b.a.s.t.a.r.d." She turned back to me. "Don't worry. I'm not serious-not yet anyway. It looks like we'll be in Maui the first week, at the Grand Wailea Resort. After that, I don't know. Wolfgang says he wants to surprise me. I'll send you a postcard."

"I'd rather you call."

"Sure."

"Can't talk you out of it?"

"No."

"Have you seen Caroline anywhere?"

"I think I saw her head outside. That's a nice guy she's with. Does she like him?"

"Yes."

"Well, I hope it works out for her."

After a while, Linda left to go upstairs and I again tried to watch the others from a window. Lights bobbed up and down invisible mounds of snow and through the trees at the back of the property. Up by the house, I caught sight of two snowmobiles idling, waiting for pa.s.sengers. I couldn't stand it one minute longer. I had to know if Trevor was with Sylvia.

I changed into heavy clothes, picked out a helmet from a pile near the door, then hopped on a snowmobile that didn't appear to be in use. I gunned the engine and charged off.

I knew the property fairly well, enough to know the hazards. Linda and I had walked it several times before she'd made the decision to buy it.

Most of the snowmobiles were still at the back of the property, following the trails that curved through the woods. I sped across the snow, crouched over the snowmobile as it smacked down over several small rises. Gripping the handlebars tighter, I stood, straddling the machine like a steed in full gallop. I cranked open the throttle, giving it gas. Reaching the open field, I raced across it, then braked momentarily to locate the trailhead. I saw it, and punched the throttle open, flying up the curving path. I was gaining on them. I could see their headlights in the near distance through the woods. So concentrated on their lights was I, that I nearly missed the next turn. I slammed on the brakes and slid out so fast the tail end of the snowmobile arced a hundred and eighty degrees. I'd narrowly missed a big st.u.r.dy pine. I stopped and caught my breath, thinking that it wasn't necessary to die and make it easier for Sylvia and Trevor to be together.

Before I could start out again, I heard what sounded like a whump, then screams and shouts. All activity stopped.

I raced up the trail and saw snowmobiles scattered all over. I jumped off and started running.

People were standing over someone on the ground. Headlights were trained on the body, lying still on its back. Two men crouched near it. As I approached, I could see that the body was a woman's. One of the men crouching over her was Trevor. I ran toward him.

"What happened?" I shouted, but he didn't seem to hear me. "Trevor, what happened? G.o.d, is it Caroline?"

I stopped, and someone grabbed my arm. "No, Gwyn. It's not. I'm perfectly fine."

"Oh my G.o.d, Care. Then who is it?"

"It's Sylvia."

"Oh.... She's not dead, is she?"

"No. But it looks serious. She hasn't moved since she got thrown off. Nate is taking care of everything, along with Trevor. They called an ambulance."

"Did you see what happened?"

"No. Nate and I were at the back of the line. I couldn't see much of anything."

"It's not my fault," said a male voice behind us. I turned to see Josh standing a little ways back. Several men turned around as well and glared at him. I looked from the men to Josh.

"It's not my fault," he said again, seeming dazed.

"Of course, it isn't," I said, hoping to comfort him.

"Why were they going so d.a.m.n fast? I couldn't stop. Is she going to be okay?"

"They're taking Sylvia to the hospital," Caroline said.

"What happened, Josh?" I asked, leading him further away from the men.

"I don't know. They were going so fast. And I don't know how to drive those things. I mean, I've driven them, but ... never at that rate of speed. And every one of those guys has been drinking. It's their fault too. They were going way too fast."

"So, you were riding with Sylvia and she flew off?" I asked.

"No. No. I wasn't with her. I was alone. She was with Trevor."

He seemed to come out of himself, then looked me directly in the eye. "She wouldn't have it any other way, though I tried. I don't know if Trevor was for it or not. Honestly, the woman just jumped on the back. Maybe they'd talked before. I can't say." His shoulders slumped. "I hope I didn't kill her."

"Tell us exactly what you remember," Caroline said.

"Okay, well, I pulled in right behind Trevor and Sylvia. For a while, we drove at a reasonable speed, but then it got faster. The line would speed up, then slow down. Real jerky. I tried to keep a safe distance. It felt safe to me. Then all of a sudden it got really fast, out of control. I kept thinking ... we're going too fast, too d.a.m.n fast. That's when it happened. I saw a flash of brake lights and then I was on top of them, slammed right into them. I flew off, hit hard. Trevor must have stomped on his brakes. I have no idea why. Maybe someone up ahead did something stupid. Maybe he panicked. But I swear, it wasn't my fault."

"None of this should have happened," I said. "This whole snowmobile thing was a stupid idea. Wolfgang should have known better."

"Have you heard anything about Sylvia?" he asked. "Do you know if she's still unconscious? Maybe I should go over there."

My ears picked up the wail of an approaching ambulance.

"Josh," Caroline said, "you should go too, get checked out at the hospital. You took a heck of a hit too."

"No, I'm okay, just bruised, I think. I'll go later, maybe. I think I'll take off now. Tell Nate he can reach me at my mother's if he needs me. He has the number. I'll see you two later."

"Bye, Josh," we said.

"He's pretty shook up," said Caroline.

"Yes. Thinks it's all his fault."

"Legally, maybe it is. But I sure wouldn't blame him. If I blamed anyone, it would be Wolfgang. You know, just between you and me, I think I saw Sylvia open an eye when she thought no one was looking. But I could be wrong. But maybe she's not as hurt as she seems."

"Trevor's okay, isn't he?"

"He said so."

We watched as the ambulance pulled up and gave one last shriek before stopping. The attendants examined Sylvia, and I saw her lift her head to talk to them. They secured her onto a stretcher, and then carefully loaded her inside the ambulance. I could see Trevor and Bob talking, then Bob hopped in with Sylvia. Trevor looked on as they sped away, then turned until he spotted me. I looked down, pretending not to see him, expecting him to walk over. But when I looked up, he was gone.

"Well," said Caroline, "guess I'll go find Nate. You coming?"

"Sure."

"I heard someone say Wolfgang's still planning to start his bonfire. Guess no one could talk him out of it."

"Linda will be thrilled."

We found Nate and the three of us rode our snowmobiles back to the house. I walked inside, hoping to find Linda, but she wasn't around. I stopped for a drink of water, then headed out again.

Wolfgang's bonfire was blazing, and a small group of people were standing near it. As I drew close, I could see that Trevor was one of them. He saw me too and stepped aside, allowing me access to the fire.

"I thought you weren't going to ride tonight," he said. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. I'll survive. Are you all right?"

"Yeah."

Linda approached the blaze from the other side of the circle, then reached toward the fire, seeking its heat. "What time is it?" I heard her ask.

Wolfgang hefted a log and threw it on the fire, discharging a flurry of sparks. Linda quickly pulled her arms back.

"Late," he said, "but who cares? I'm not getting up early. My self-imposed vacation starts tomorrow. I'll be skiing my b.u.t.t off this week, and lounging in the tropics the next."

"I'm going back in," Linda said, barely glancing at him.

"Nightie night," he said.

She ignored him and kept walking.

"Did your friend go home?" Trevor asked mildly, but I could detect the undercurrent of anger.

"Yes."

"What an a.s.shole."

I kept my eyes directed at the fire, not rising to the bait.