You Again

by Ashlee Mallory

  “Really?” His mom sipped her wine, a strange light in her eyes. “And who has she spoken to so far? Anyone I might know?”

  “The biology teacher, Tim Allred. We were on the varsity soccer team together. Brother Luther, Señora Sanchez. I believe she still plans to speak to Liz Fuller, the P.E. teacher, Jeremy, and any other members of the administration who are willing.”

  “Señora Sanchez? Interesting choice. What did she have to say?” The question was casual, but he could see a tiny muscle tick just below his mother’s eye. His heart sank a little.

  He toyed with his roast. “Not much, actually. Just gossip.”

  “I remember the woman. She was your Spanish teacher and was going through a nasty divorce when we first met her. She couldn’t stop hitting on your father. It was downright embarrassing. Your father found it amusing, though. Needless to say, after your freshman year, I opted to let him handle any dealings with her at school. I can’t imagine she’d have anything useful to say. Or Jeremy, for that matter.”

  That struck him as odd. “Jeremy was a guidance counselor on the faculty back then. I would think they’d have worked together. Enough to have a few words to say about the man.”

  “Hmm. I seem to recall there being some rivalry between them. Mr. Borrows, the vice-principal, was moving back to Washington, and Jeremy and Jackson Williams were both being considered for the position. Jeremy wasn’t a big supporter of Mr. Williams.” She started to take another drink and paused. “By the way. What was that rumor Señora Sanchez was trying to spread?”

  Interesting choice of words. “That Mr. Williams was having an affair with the mother of one of the students. A married mother, apparently.”

  His mom sipped and thought about that for a moment before setting the glass down, her expression blank. “I’d take whatever she says with a grain of salt. She’s hardly a reliable source. And from what I knew of Mr. Williams, I daresay he would never have taken that woman into his confidence.”

  Which is exactly what Allie had said.

  “Actually, I was surprised to see you at the meeting the other night. I thought you were stepping down from an active role on the board. For now.”

  “I have, dear. But I’m not dead yet. I still want to have a say in things that matter.”

  “Is that why you supported Allie’s proposal about the memorial for Mr. Williams? I hadn’t realized you knew him all that well.”

  “As well as you can know any of your son’s teachers. I’ll admit, he was one of your better teachers. He always spoke quite highly of you and your accomplishments at parent-teacher conferences. You respected him, and he was such a positive influence on you, both at school and athletically. And look at what you’ve become. How could I complain? I agreed with Allie’s point. Jackson Williams deserved more respect and time than they were giving him the other night.”

  “For what it’s worth, so do I,” he said.

  She wiped her mouth with a cloth napkin and set it on the table. “You’ll have to excuse me, Sam. I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go lie down for a while.” She stood, only to sway to the side, and dropped her hands on the table to anchor herself.

  “Mom. Let me help you upstairs,” he said worriedly, already at her side.

  But she waved him away. “I’m fine. I just stood too quickly. Good night, sweetie.” She kept her head high as she left the room.

  He waited until he heard the soft closing of her bedroom door upstairs before he sat down again and turned his mind back to their conversation. That had been more than Sam hoped for. It wasn’t as if he could just come right out and ask her something of this magnitude. And now he was almost certain he knew the answer.

  His mother and Mr. Williams had been lovers.

  Chapter Ten

  “Hi Mom! Hi Aunt Laney!”

  Violet and her friend Ava giggled and whooped as they whirled around in the teacup ride set up on the grass at St. Mary’s spring carnival on Saturday morning. Just watching them spin around so quickly left Allie’s stomach churning.

  Her head was still throbbing, but not with the piercing pain of earlier.

  The day could have started better. Heaving in front of the toilet for the better part of the morning wasn’t her idea of a restful Saturday. She’d even had to cancel her date with Claire and Molly for soccer this morning, which had earned her a few ribald comments from Molly about morning sickness. Assuring her of the physical impossibility of such a state only made things worse.

  She felt better by late morning, and since they’d been planning this excursion for weeks—it was kind of an annual thing for the three of them, and Vi would have been brokenhearted—she’d put on her big girl panties and kept to the plan.

  “So how’s your friend the author doing? Been spending any more time with him?”

  Allie had known they’d get around to this discussion at some point today. She was just surprised it had taken her sister this long. She looked away from the spinning ride and tried to focus her attention on anything stationary—other than Laney’s probing stare.

  “He stopped by yesterday to see my progress on Mr. Williams’s video. Nothing more.”

  “Huh. I wonder what happened?” Laney mused, more to herself than Allie. “I could have sworn Sam was interested in you.”

  “Mom, did you see me?” Vi asked, bounding over with Ava. “Can we ride the train next?”

  “Okay, one more ride, but then we’re going to eat.” The girls ran to get in line, and they followed.

  “How did things go with you and Mark last night?” Allie asked tentatively, remembering Laney’s big plans.

  She didn’t say anything for a minute. “Not so well. He came home exhausted. Not even my prancing around in black lace could get a rise out of him—so to speak.” She smiled, but with little humor. “I need to tell you something, but you can’t mention it to anyone else. Least of all, my mother.”

  “Okay. I’ll fight the urge to call Peg over so we can do some scrapbooking together while I tell her all the intimate details.” She smiled at her own joke and looked over at Laney. She didn’t look as though she’d even heard the comment.

  “I think Mark might be…having an affair.”

  Allie’s jaw dropped. “Mark? Mr. Sensitivity himself? No way. I can’t see it, Laney.” Mark just wasn’t the type of guy to mess around. He’d be too afraid of facing judgment, both here on earth and afterward. “There has to be some other explanation.”

  “He’s been avoiding me for months. He never wants to be intimate with me anymore. I think the last time we had sex was Thanksgiving. Five months ago. What else could it be if not another woman? And nothing I do seems to get him to notice me.”

  Such as starving yourself?

  Allie wrapped her arm around her sister. “I’m so sorry, Laney. I don’t know what to say. I hope it’s not true. Mark doesn’t seem the type who can be so…deceitful. He’s always been so thoughtful and considerate.”

  Laney blinked back tears. “Anyway. Let’s go eat.”

  As was tradition, a big, open tent had been set up on St. Mary’s expansive lawn for its annual spring auction and raffle to protect attendees from the elements, be it sun, rain, snow, and one year, even hail. It was also where the food was being served.

  They wandered over and found a table at the rear that would afford them the best view of the stage and, coincidentally, the dessert table, a mere six feet away. They’d nearly finished their lunch when the festivities started.

  “Okay folks. We’re about to call out the winners of the big raffle,” announced Tom Finnegan, the emcee for the day’s events. “Remember, our grand prize is a romantic getaway for two at the Canyons in Park City.”

  “Just what I need,” Allie whispered sarcastically to Laney, who just looked like she was going to cry, so Allie shut up.

  Tom continued describing the many prizes as Allie attempted to get Violet to finish her hamburger. Which, naturally, Vi objected to, and started to complain about wanting bro
wnies instead.

  But Allie barely heard. She was too distracted by two new arrivals standing by the refreshment table. She tried to breathe, but it felt as though her chest was closing in on itself.

  Sam Fratto looked casual and sexy in khaki shorts and sandals that showed off his amazing calves and thighs. A simple, short-sleeved, white shirt emphasized his tanned skin and those defined biceps—amazing. Well, for a writer, anyway. Meredith was mesmerizing in a Kelly green wrap dress that emphasized her trim figure and her dark hair shimmering down her back. Together, they looked like they had just walked off the pages of Town and Country magazine.

  Allie, on the other hand, figured she looked like she’d walked off the pages of “Mom’s Needing Makeovers” from Woman’s Day. Three months past needing a haircut, her ends were ragged. But the tightness of her usual pony-tail had sent her headache soaring, so she’d pulled it out, letting her hair air-dry since she didn’t have the energy to hold the blow dryer. Limp and stringy were the two words that came to mind. Then there was her makeup, weekend minimal with only the barest brush of mascara and a cherry stain on the lips—although, she was certain she’d eaten it off with the brownie. Her ensemble consisted of navy capris and a sleeveless white top that, although not terrible, wasn’t particularly fashionable or sexy. Especially if she’d known she was going to run into Sam.

  Not that she cared. Because she didn’t, she reminded herself firmly. She was angry with him. And even if she were interested in romance—which she was not—he was not the kind of man she wanted to be involved with. On any level.

  Nevertheless, she watched, chagrined, as Meredith smiled at Sam. Cripes. She was going to have a flipping front row view of their big date. She fought the urge to crawl under the table.

  No. She didn’t care. She did. Not. Care.

  “Of all the rotten luck,” Laney said and looked at her in sympathy.

  “Okay, everyone,” Tom broke in. “We’re going to start by calling the winners’ names as we run through all these fantastic gift baskets,” he said and ran down the instructions to the winners. “Okay, first winner…Jenny Murray. Jenny, are you here?”

  Sam and Meredith, having filled their plates—or in Meredith’s case, three pieces of lettuce and a teeny piece of chicken—were looking around for a seat. Allie held her breath and ducked behind Laney when Sam’s gaze swept over the tables.

  Oh, sweet relief. He didn’t see them. They were heading to a table at the other end of the tent near the refreshments. In the meantime, Jenny Murray had reached the front to receive her basket and was busy speaking with Tom, interrupting the proceedings.

  “I’m ready to head out when you are,” Allie told Laney, trying to sound casual. To Violet, she added, “Finish up your brownie, sweetie.”

  “Can I have some more lemonade first?” Ava broke in. “I’m really thirsty.”

  “Um…sure sweetie. Why don’t you and Violet go ahead and get it yourselves, and I’ll watch you from here.” There was no way she was getting anywhere close to Sam’s table and risk having to say hello to the happy couple. She and Laney tossed their trash, ready for a quick exit, while Tom announced three more winners.

  “And the last gift basket goes to…John Marsh.”

  The girls returned, their cups dangerously full.

  “Come on girls, you can drink those on the way to the car,” Laney said.

  “No. I’ll spill. I want to sit down,” Ava protested.

  Allie bit down a few choice words. “Okay, but hurry.” She tried not to look anxious while the kids finished.

  “And the winner of this beautiful, new bicycle is…Nancy Brewster!” Tim delivered with enthusiasm.

  “Okay. I think you’re done,” Laney said. She swiped the girl’s cups before they could object and tossed them into the garbage.

  “Now what we’ve all been waiting for,” Tim announced. “The romantic getaway for two to the Canyons resort.”

  As he droned on, Allie scanned the table for anything missing, grabbed her handbag, and they headed out from under the canopy, carefully watching Sam to make sure their exit went unnoticed.

  “And the winner is…Allison McBride! Allie, I know I saw you around here earlier!”

  She couldn’t move. Horrified, she looked over to see Laney frozen, too.

  “Allie? Is that you there in the back?”

  People around them were calling out her name and pointing. There was no way she could pretend she hadn’t heard.

  Crapola. She hadn’t even bought a freaking raffle ticket. She would have remembered.

  A memory suddenly trickled through her abject horror. Molly. Hadn’t she mentioned something about putting Allie’s name on the tickets? Molly had really wanted that bike.

  “Mom! You won a prize! We can’t leave!” Vi was jumping up and down in excitement.

  Allie had to go up to the stage. She straightened her shoulders and tried to smile at Laney. “Guess I’ll be right back.”

  Her face went red hot as she made her way past all the smiling faces until she reached the podium. She was careful to keep her gaze well away from one particular table.

  “Any ideas of who you might be taking with you, honey? I’m sure Patty could spare me if you’re interested,” Tom said and winked, to the amusement of the crowd. “Hey gentlemen, just a reminder, this beautiful gal here is single and available. I’m sure I can make something happen, just give me the word.” A few hoots and whistles followed.

  Dear Lord. Strike me down now. Please.

  “Okay, Allie will be taking phone numbers following the event. Let’s give her a round of applause for being such a good sport.”

  She glared at Tom. Thankfully, the music came up, and the crowd turned their attention back to food and conversation. Somehow, she managed to form complete sentences to Delores, who was saying something about signing a form about accepting the prize. She vaguely recognized the dozens of faces that smiled and congratulated her as she passed on her way back to Laney and the girls.

  Finally free of the tent, they headed for the car.

  The sun was bright and shining directly on the back of her neck, and she was suddenly aware of how hot it was today. “Laney, I—”

  Why were the girls spinning?

  Black spots swam through her vision.

  And then everything went dark.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sam watched in alarm as Allie hit the ground in a dead faint.

  What the hell?

  He jumped up and left Meredith without explanation. He had to reach Allie.

  He’d been following her progress across the lawn toward her family when suddenly she’d faltered and wilted to the grass. Now she was just lying there, still as death.

  He’d totally forgotten Meredith until he felt her pulling on his arm, trying to slow him down.

  “Sam, what’s the matter? Is everything okay?”

  He shook her off and kept going, despite the curious stares of the people around them. How the hell had she convinced him to come to this thing? It was one thing to agree to coffee in a private setting, but to let her parade him around like this would give everyone the wrong impression. How stupid could he be?

  A few strides later, he reached Allie’s side, and he didn’t think it necessary to offer an explanation for his haste.

  “Allie?”

  Her sister, Laney, was already kneeling on her other side, her voice frightened as she tried to rouse her. “Allie! Wake up!”

  A young girl was on her knees next to her, looking terrified—Allie’s daughter.

  Sam felt helpless as he dropped to his knees beside Allie and grabbed her hand.

  Her head moved slightly, and her eyes opened, but she grimaced when the bright light hit her eyes. He angled his body to block the sun from her face, and she blinked a few times, disoriented.

  “Hey. Can you hear me?” he asked, then let go of her hand as he realized he was patting and rubbing it, and Meredith was giving him dagger looks. Awkward. />
  Allie nodded. “What happened?” she said and tried to sit up.

  “Hold on a minute. Let’s get you something to drink before you start moving. Violet, do you think you can run and get your mom a drink of water?”

  “Mom?” Violet asked in a shaky voice.

  “Sweetie. I’m fine. Water would be great.”

  Violet and her friend raced back to the canopy to grab a bottle of water. Allie managed to sit up with his arm behind her for support.

  “She was fine just a minute ago,” Laney said, still agitated, and turned to her sister. “You said the stomach bug was gone this morning.”

  “It was. Mostly. I’m feeling a lot better. I’m sure it’s just dehydration and the hot day that got the better of me.”

  Hot? He frowned. It was barely seventy degrees out.

  Laney bit her bottom lip. “We need to get you home. But you’re in no condition to drive, and I don’t know how to work your stick shift.”

  “I can drive Allie’s car, and Meredith can follow in mine,” Sam offered.

  “Of course,” Meredith said, looking less than thrilled.

  Sam helped Allie up and to the car, then bundled Laney and the girls into the back and slipped behind the wheel. Ten minutes later, they were turning onto Allie’s street.

  He took a quick glance over at her in the passenger’s seat. She seemed fine. But all the same, he was worried. Could the stress of everything finally be hitting her?

  Damn. He needed to talk to her. In private. He glanced up in the rearview mirror to the car following behind them like a heat-seeking missile. Somehow, he doubted that would go over well with Meredith. And it wasn’t as if Allie wanted him around, anyway. She’d made that pretty clear over the past week.

  The two little girls were giggling about something in the back seat. That was good. The natural sound of their laughter eased the tense silence in the car. But Laney was watching him, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Another fan. He tried not to sigh in exasperation.

  After pulling into the driveway, he strode around to get Allie’s door before he realized what he was doing. She looked surprised to see him holding the door open for her. Even more surprised when he held out his hand to help her down.