“Please don’t tell me you’re still mad at that. I told you not to date him but you didn’t want to listen.”
Kylie just pursed her lips and changed the subject like she always did. “Speaking of not wanting to listen, didn’t you sleep with goofy Eddy Rhyhole back in college?"
"Rhyman!" Lucy corrected.
"Whatever. I told you not to have anything to do with him but you didn’t want to listen." She threw it back at her.
"Not listening had nothing to do with it. I was really, really drunk," Lucy buried her face in the towel and both girls dissolved into laughter.
“I was a little tipsy myself last night.” Kylie thought about it for a minute, and the heat of it started seeping back into her. Resting her head on the back of the chaise, she watched the boats move on the lake. Windsurfers dipped and soared across the sparkling blue water while a few motorboats raced in the distance.
“And you think that’s the only reason you were with him? You’re sure that you’re not the least bit attracted to him?”
“It’s not that,” she let out a breath. “Max is simply not my type.” She reflected. “Actually, I think that Paul has more of the qualities that I’m looking for.”
Lucy stared at her sister’s profile. “I thought maybe you’d like him, but don’t like him for all the wrong reasons Kylie.”
Kylie shrugged it off and stretched back in the afternoon sun. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Paul seems like a nice guy. And wasn’t it you who brought him over here, so I could meet him today?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Anyway having a cop around might be a good thing right now.”
“Well I’ve got one and I don’t always feel that safe.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Frank works many evenings. Sometimes I just wish he had a normal job.”
“What, like an astronomer?” Kylie raised her brows.
“All right you got me.” Lucy picked up a towel and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“Anyway, forget about men for a minute and tell me about these murders. Were all the people who got murdered, from around the lake?”
Lucy winced, but knew she’d have to talk about it eventually. “The first murder happened about twenty years ago. It was a woman who lived here year round. The second one was about a year ago, a man in his early thirties, from the same family.”
Kylie’s eyes popped opened. “Well, wouldn’t that be enough of a connection to find out who did it?” She wondered. “That has to narrow it down somewhat.”
“Well that’s what they thought, but the third murder is completely unconnected.”
“Is it also someone from around the lake?”
“Yes, but they were hardly ever here though. It was their summer house and they rented it out half the time.”
“Weird.” Kylie muttered.
“Yes, it is weird because there’s no apparent motive. It wasn’t theft related so it’s got to be something else.”
“A vendetta.” Kylie speculated. “Was there any relationship between the first two murders and the third one?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well what if the first murder wasn’t even related to the second one. What happened to the first women anyway?”
“She was found murdered in her basement. Her throat was slit opened.” Lucy whispered.
“Oh.” Kylie felt those hairs standing up on the back of her neck again. “What about the second murder, the man?”
Lucy looked over at her sister and hesitated. “Throat cut.”
Kylie inhaled deeply. “All right, since we started this, tell me about the third.”
“Well the third person was a man in his late forties. They think he was pushed off a balcony but they’re not sure.” Lucy said this as if she were delivering some good news.
“Well then it could have been an accident.” Kylie demanded.
“Well maybe.” Lucy said slowly.
Kylie knew her sister better than that. She knew that she was holding something back but didn’t feel like prying it out of her. Maybe if she stopped thinking about it, it would all go away. The whole thing seems like a family affair anyway, and there was probably no danger to her if she didn’t get involved with the wrong people. Besides, she had no intentions of associating with the neighbors. Maybe she was a little reclusive after all.
“I’ll bet you the third one was just an accident. This whole thing is probably all over with. I’m sure it’s all going to be forgotten soon enough.” Kylie said positively.
“I sure hope so.” Lucy made a silent wish.
The lake seemed empty now, the boaters had gone home for dinner and all was quite except for the continuous chatter of birds settling down for the night. Kylie loved it here. It was as if it was separated from the rest of the world. Only the Lake and mountains existed, and she had to remind herself that there was a world beyond them.
Frank came back with Paul around six o'clock. When Kylie saw him her eyes beamed with pleasure and Paul looked the same way.
Lucy studied them once again and wondered what was going to happen. Paul was a one-woman man. The settling down type that Kylie needed, the type of man she hoped her sister would fall in love with. But now there was Max. Was he really a one-night stand to Kylie? If she knew her sister the way she thought she did, she knew it wasn't over between her and Max. She had a feeling that Kylie just couldn’t believe that a man could fall into her lap that way, and was going to prove it otherwise by getting involved with Paul.
"So what are you doing tonight, do you want to come back to our place for dinner?" Lucy interrupted their trance.
"Or would you like to have dinner with me?" Paul added quickly but smoothly.
Kylie was sure he was blushing to his toes. It must have been hard for him to ask that in front of Frank. Frank on the other hand didn't look surprised at all; he stared out at the lake in thought.
"I would love to," Kylie answered. "I'll just need to shower and change."
"All right then, Frank and Lucy can drive me home and I'll be back in an hour to pick you up."
"Great!"
"Oh yeah, I drive a jeep, and I leave the top off most of the summer, do you want me to put it back on?"
"Off is fine," Kylie smiled, "it's going to be warm tonight."
"Okay," Paul smiled back, taking all of her in. He could tell that she was his type of girl, someone he could share his adventurous side with.
Lucy raised a brow at Kylie and started walking towards the truck. Frank was talking to Paul and pointed to some houses around the Lake, so Kylie gave him a see you later look and went after her sister.
"What is it?" She whispered loudly
"Have you forgotten about Max?" Lucy stopped walking and turned to Kylie. "Where is he anyway?"
"You know what, I don't know," Kylie answered sarcastically. "We just made out last night. We aren’t actually dating, so I really have no right to keep track of him!"
"Yes, but you did make out!" Lucy whisper shouted, and then looked back at the two men to see if they noticed. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
Kylie pondered that question. What was she doing? She didn't owe Max anything. He made her crazy, yet at the same time she knew if she was to be honest with herself, she would have to say that she found him irresistible. Paul on the other hand seemed really nice, and she felt comfortable with him and just wanted to get to know him better.
"I don't feel like I've gone that far with Max that I owe him exclusivity, alright." She lied.
"Fine," Lucy countered. Then just make sure of that because if you hurt Paul, I'll be really disappointed in you."
The words slapped Kylie in the face. "It's Paul you're worried about?" Kylie was shocked.
"I'm worried about both of you, you seem out of control." Lucy began walking again, the men closing in behind them.
"Well I'm not out of control. What if I tell you that I won't even kiss Paul good night? I'll just get
to know him as a friend. Will that make you feel any better?" She whispered.
"Well, you know that if you do that, he'll be really disappointed." Lucy said, shaking her head at the same time.
Kylie smiled. “Then he'll just want me more."
Lucy grunted, then kissed her sister goodbye. "Be careful," she said as she rolled down the window.
Paul was getting in the back of the car when he stopped, "I'll take care of her," he said. And with that, they left.
Kylie watched them drive away then went inside to lock the doors. Where was Max anyway? She thought.
When she went to lock the french doors she found a note on the dining room table.
Dear Kylie,
Gone to work at the observatory. Won't be back until tomorrow morning. We can talk then. Lock all the doors.
Max
She must have missed the note this morning when she came downstairs.
He won't be back until the morning, she read again. This was perfect. No explaining to do, just an innocent night on the town with a new friend.
Kylie went around the house, made sure all the doors were locked and checked on the time. It was 6:20, no time to waste; a quick shower would have to do.
At five to seven she was almost ready to go. Her hair was still damp so she slicked it back in a tight pony tail and braided the rest. She wanted to look casual and not too sexy. Last night was a reminder of what looking and acting like a wild thing would do. She stepped into her closet and searched for something pretty and summery, then settled on a sleeveless chiffon dress she knew her mother would approve of. It was light and flowing and demanded a good bra and underwear. But it certainly wasn't dowdy. The print was cheerful and the neckline showed off just enough cleavage to be womanly. Besides it was fun to walk in, Kylie thought. The fabric was so light you could practically float in it.
The doorbell rang at exactly seven o'clock. Paul was wearing black pants, a crisply ironed shirt and a light, tan blazer. He was very handsome and Kylie's face felt flushed when she let him in.
"Smart hair do," Paul pointed to her head.
Kylie wasn't quite sure what he meant. "Pardon me?" She said.
"Your hair, I mean, for the jeep."
"Oh, right." She smiled and touched her hair lightly.
"You also look very summery," he added. Then thought to himself; he should have said what he really wanted to say in the first place.
She stood there not knowing what to do next. Paul wasn’t as slick as Max was with the compliments but that was fine. It just meant that he was probably more of a gentleman.
"Do you want something to drink?"
She got him a glass of iced tea then went out onto the patio to bring in some towels.
It was a beautiful evening. Lazy clouds hung in the sky, backlit by a sinking sun. The mountains and woods reflected on the water atop a gold, red and purple canvas.
Paul was watching her. She stopped for a moment and looked back at him.
“I’m sorry, I’m afraid they’ll blow away if I leave them on the rail.”
"It’s alright. Could you come over here when you’re finished?" Paul asked quietly.
Placing the towels on the sun chair she walked over, leaned her hip on the railing and looked deeply into his eyes. His eyes were a deep warm brown with a few specs of black. Suddenly she was caught off guard. She could see Max's magnificent green eyes and felt a tingle down the back of her spine.
"What I really meant to tell you when I came in is, you're very beautiful and you take my breath away."
Kylie stood there with her mouth slightly opened. That was pretty heavy. She was feeling all undone again and thought that maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
"Thanks it was nice of you to say that, you're not so bad yourself," she tried to reciprocate, then laughed. "That's not what I meant either," she sighed deeply, feeling a little awkward.
"And I'm taking your breath away because you're having trouble breathing right!" Paul added then took his turn to laugh.
"Exactly," Kylie smiled, then turned towards the lake and took a deep breath.
After they locked up, they drove into town. Paul past all the usual restaurants then swung up Forest Hill road. A mile past the turnoff they took a dirt road. It was so bumpy Kylie almost bounced out of the jeep.
"Sorry about that, don't want to lose you."
"That's a relief, I thought you were bringing me up here to dump me," Kylie smiled jokingly.
Just as she said that, the road opened up and an old stone house remodeled into a restaurant appeared behind the trees.
Kylie read the sign, "Cache dans le Boise, Hiding in the Woods; that's very appropriate."
Behind the building she caught a glimpse of a lake with a few cottages glowing in the dusk.
Paul parked the car and came around the front of the jeep to open her door.
"By the way, if you were mine, I'd never get rid of you," he said.
Boy was he moving fast, Kylie thought, but Paul's smile was so warm Kylie couldn't help but smile back.
"Come on, I reserved us a place on the terrace."
The lighting inside was dim and cozy. People looked up from their tables to glance at them as they walked by. Outside candles and torches flickered on the terrace that overlooked the lake. The night air was still warm and intoxicating and Kylie was happy to stay outdoors.
"This is really nice." She complemented. "Do you come here often?"
"I've never been here before." Paul confessed. "My brother lives across the lake, he brings his wife here when they need to get away from the kids."
"How many children do they have?"
"Two."
"Do you come from a big family?"
"Five boys." Paul smiled.
"That's a lot." Kylie's eyes widened, as she imagined a house with five boys in it. Poor woman, who had to raise them.
"It's just me and Lucy."
"I know."
"I guess she's told you quite a bit then?" Kylie groaned.
“Not that much, just the basics. I guess I got most of my information from Frank.”
Kylie rolled her eyes. She could just imagine what Frank had been saying about her. Probably, spoiled brat or something like that.
“Frank actually comes from a family of eight kids, so he has you beat,” she changed the subject.
Paul chuckled then stretched back and looked out at the view. "I've always imagined a big family.” He paused. “I hope that doesn't scare you?"
Kylie shook her head hesitantly. He couldn't be serious, they just met. And why would that scare her? People change over the course of a relationship, by the time they came to a decision about having kids, his idea of having a big family may even be different. Wait a second! Why are they suddenly having children together?
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, I’m fine," she snapped back into reality then skillfully guided the conversation away from the topic of children. Fate would decide that subject, she mused.
The evening passed quickly and Kylie couldn't say she wasn't having a good time. Paul's sense of humor was wonderful and his laughter was contagious. They talked about everything that came to mind, and the talking was easy. Kylie began to feel extremely guilty for what she did last night. Why had she jumped into something so quickly with Max? Paul held every value she believed in, and he was pretty good looking too.
"I think we can go downstairs now."
"What for?" Kylie asked.
"You'll see."
The lower deck had a bar with a dance floor. The band was getting ready to play, so they took a seat at the far corner of the room. The area they were sitting in was glassed in except for the dance floor, Kylie was glad because the temperature was dropping. She shivered unconsciously.
"Are you cold?"
"A little."
"I can fix that."
Paul ordered two strong drinks then pulled Kylie to her feet. She smiled and followed him as the band started playing
Moon River. When they got to the dance floor he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to his body.
"This will warm you up," he smiled handsomely.
Kylie could feel his well toned back through his jacket as they swayed rhythmically to the music. After a few seconds she relaxed even more and moved in closer. They were silent throughout the song. The only language that was spoken was body language. His hands caressed her waist as her hips performed a subtle seduction.
Their bodies moved together until Paul's warm lips brushed the side of Kylie's neck. He pulled back slowly to see her response but Kylie turned away. The feeling that crawled down her skin was reminiscent of Max.
Oh Max, don't bother me now, Kylie screamed in her head.
"Do you mind if we go back?" she nodded in the direction of their table.
Paul looked confused but Kylie offered no answers. She downed her drink quickly and then ordered another one.
"You keep drinking like that and I'll be carrying you out." Paul leaned back in his chair and brushed his hand through his hair in a confused manner.
Kylie just smiled at him and wiped her brow. "Woo. It got really warm in here didn't it?"
"That drink will dam near kill you, let alone bring your temperature up by fifty degrees."
She laughed. "That could be it I suppose."
The band started to play some jazz and people were getting up to dance.
"The place is getting really full, do you want to dance?" Kylie asked.
"Yeah sure," Paul answered.
Kylie's drink came and she took another good stiff gulp before she got up.
"Are you okay?" Paul was a little concerned. Kylie was suddenly acting nervous and he didn't know why.
"I'm fine," she said without meaning it.
"I don't think so, come with me."
He took her by the hand and brought her out onto the balcony. The cool night air traced over her skin like a whisper. They walked slowly to the edge of the deck that overlooked the lake.
"Did I do something to offend you," Paul turned to her.
"No, of course not. I'm so sorry. I don't want you to think it was you."
"Well then what happened? There is something wrong isn't there?"
A Familiar Star (Romance Mystery) Page 5
