11
Darby stirred and stretched out her legs. When her foot touched something other than Willie’s soft fur, she froze, realizing she was naked beneath the covers. She cracked one eye to see Ben sleeping peacefully, little tufts of hair poking up around his tousled head. Total recall bombarded her, forcing her to close her eyes. They snapped open a moment later. She fought the urge to reach out and touch the man she’d loved from the time she was five years old, even though she’d valiantly tried to get over him throughout the years. Suddenly, she felt like singing.
Willie took that moment to hop onto the bed, and he tried to figure out who he should jump on. He’d been patient for some time, and it was time to go out. Because Russell had taught him manners, he woofed softly. Darby looked longingly at her sleeping partner as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. She pulled on her robe and proceeded down the steps.
While Willie romped in the early-morning sunshine, Darby made coffee, then went into the downstairs bathroom to brush her teeth and shower. When she was finished, she went into the laundry room to fish clothes out of the dryer. Everything was old and wrinkled. A fashion plate she wasn’t, nor would she ever be. Maybe she needed to think about hiring a housekeeper. Someone to cook for her, to fold the clothes in the dryer and maybe iron. Now that Ducky was back, she would insist on getting some household help. Darby shrugged and added hiring a housekeeper to her mental To Do List. She bent down to dry up the puddle of water on the floor from their wet clothes the night before. She picked up the clothes, tossed them into the dryer.
Willie barked at the kitchen screen door. She let him in, turned around to see Ben standing in the kitchen with a towel wrapped around his middle. She suddenly felt hot all over and knew she was blushing. He grinned. “Morning,” he said cheerfully. “Is this going to be one of those moments where we stutter and stammer and try to ignore what happened last night, or are you going to come over here and kiss me good morning?”
The blush disappeared, the heat engulfing her body turned up at least ten degrees as she moved with the speed of light. The kiss was something she’d remember all her life. “Howzat?”
“More, more!”
Willie wiggled between the two of them. Didn’t they know it was almost eight-thirty, an hour past breakfast. When the retriever saw he wasn’t getting anywhere, he picked up his bowl and dropped it on Ben’s bare foot.
Darby laughed. “Time to feed Willie. Your clothes are in the dryer, but they won’t be dry for a while.”
“That’s okay, I’ll walk over to Dodo’s and dress. Walk me to the porch,” he said, putting his arm around Darby’s shoulder. He didn’t ever want to put distance between them again. She leaned into him as they made their way to the back porch, Willie growling his displeasure.
A devil perched itself on Darby’s shoulders as Ben started down the steps. She reached out, whipped off the towel, and ran into the house. She locked the screen door, doubling over with laughter. Willie barked ferociously before he sent his food bowl skidding across the tiled floor. Darby continued to laugh as Ben sprinted across the yard as the construction men at the top of the shoe let loose with catcalls and whistles.
“Okay, okay, I’m making it. Bacon and eggs, okay? I had to do it, Willie. I really did.” Willie sat on his haunches as his new mistress talked to him. “I didn’t think I’d ever laugh again, but look what I just did. Then there was last night. It makes me wonder what kind of person I am. I should be in mourning. I am in mourning, but I know that Russ would say something profound like ‘Life is for the living’ or ‘Just remember me but don’t grieve for me.’ I know he’d say that, Willie, I really do. I just want you to know something, Willie, Ben is a great guy, and boy can he kiss!”
Willie nosed his food bowl closer to the stove. “Woof.”
Darby used the tongs to take the bacon out of the frying pan to finish microwaving it.
The scrambled eggs slid into his bowl. “You know the drill, boy, you have to wait till it cools. I don’t know why Russ didn’t feed you dog food. I know, I know, he’d say, Willie eats what I eat. No one, not even a dog, should have to eat the same thing day after day.”
The microwave buzzed. Darby removed the bacon and crumbled it on top of the scrambled eggs. She gave the mess a good stir before she tested it with her finger. She thought she heard Willie sigh with relief.
Darby poured herself a cup of coffee. She sipped at it as she beat more eggs into a bright red bowl. This time she microwaved the bacon she was making for Ben and herself. Russ, a health nut, said if you microwaved bacon, it took all the bad stuff out of it. She wondered if it was true. She thought it tasted different. Russ said it was her imagination.
The screen door creaked. Darby turned and almost swooned at the sight of Ben in his khaki shorts and bright yellow Polo collared shirt. Instead of his Docksiders, which were now drying in the sun, he wore sneakers. He looked almost as delicious as the breakfast she was preparing.
Ben poured himself a cup of coffee. “Just so you know, Miss Smart-Ass, there werewomen out there. Two in hard hats and some tourists.They wanted my body!”
Darby tried not to laugh. “No kidding! Your rear end jiggles when you run. Did you know that?”
“No, I didn’t know that. Thank you for telling me. I’ll get you for that.”
Darby laughed again as she scooped the eggs out of the frying pan. “I’ll look forward to it. Look at the time. I cooked, so you have to clean up. What are you going to do today, Ben? I have to work, at least for a while.”
“I’m going to drive to Metairie to see if I can get any firsthand information from the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. I’m not hopeful, but still, it’s worth a try.”
“I agree. I know it’s like locking the barn after the horse is stolen. I am not forgetting for one minute that people are alive thanks to Russ. Some of whom would have died otherwise. I have to get past the…past the part where I think of Russ asscattered all over the place. I need to see, to get in touch with the recipients of Russ’s organs. I can’t go forward until I do that.” She changed the subject and said, “I thought the aunts would have called by now. I find this whole visit of theirs really strange.”
“They don’t need keepers, Darby. Go ahead to your workroom. I’ll clean up and leave for Metairie. If I find out anything, I’ll call you. Otherwise, I’ll see you later this afternoon. I’ll leave my cell phone number here on the counter in case you want to call me.”
They looked at each other, both their eyes full of awe at what was happening to them. “I’m not going to kiss you, Darby. If I do, I’ll never leave, and we both know it.”
Darby’s head bobbed up and down. “Call me.” She touched her fingers to her lips and blew the kiss toward Ben. He smiled, and her world turned upside down, or maybe it finally turned right side up.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Dodo Lane snapped. “Get on with it, Ducky. It’s eight-thirty.”
Ducky stared at the cell phone in her hand. “All right, I’m doing it,” Ducky said as she flipped on the phone. She waited for the dial tone. As she punched in the numbers she’d memorized, she looked at the three women sitting on the bed. She offered up a sickly smile.
“Gunn residence,” a prim voice sounded on the other end of the phone.
“This is Harriet Lane. I’d like to speak to Mrs. Gunn, please. Tell her I’m calling in regard to the Garden Club’s Christmas Candlelight Tour.”
Ducky drew a deep breath into her lungs as she mumbled under her breath. She had her little speech down pat, but she wanted to be sure it all came out just right. She jerked backward when she heard Bella Gunn identify herself.
“What can I do for you this morning, Harriet?” Bella asked sweetly.
“Actually, Bella, I’m calling to invite you to lunch today. Of course, I understand if you can’t make it since it’s such short notice. Honoria called me late last night to say the board is considering nominating your house for the Christmas tour. I
would have called last night, but it was after eleven, and I thought you might be sleeping. As you know, each nominee needs three sponsors and I’ve been chosen to conduct the interview with you. This year we’re only picking two houses to add to the tour. I thought we could meet at the Baton Rouge Inn at noon if you can make it. If not, we’ll have to postpone the interview.” Not waiting for a response, Ducky rushed onward. “You and Marcus must be thrilled and delighted thatArchitectural Digest is interested in featuring your house in their magazine. I think that’s what prompted the board to add a second name to the nomination process this year.” When there was still no response, Ducky plowed forward, rolling her eyes for the benefit of her listeners.
“If this isn’t a convenient time to be calling, you can call me back. Just leave a message if I’m not here.” This time Ducky waited, the silence on the other end of the phone unnerving her.
Bella’s voice was smooth as silk when she replied. “This is short notice, Harriet. I’m looking at my day planner. I think I can cancel a meeting I have at the Gunn Foundation scheduled for eleven-thirty. I have to be honest with you. I thought you would be upset with my plans for the houses in the shoe.”
“Personally, Bella, I consider those two houses eyesores,” Ducky said through gritted teeth. “I’ll see you at noon then. Say hello to Marcus for me.”
“I’ll be sure to do that, Harriet.”
Ducky clicked off the phone and threw it across the room. Sweat dripped down her cheeks. “The lady is one cool customer under fire. She didn’t by so much as a word indicate she’s been lusting after this nomination for almost thirty years.”
“She’s probably in a state of shock right this minute. Five bucks says she’s rushing around changing her outfit. What are you wearing, Ducky?” Dodo asked.
“My Donna Karan original, what else? Diddy, did you remember to bring the different forms from the committee you ran off from the Society’s Web page?”
“Yes, and I can’t wait to see how she fills out the personal information. If we can get even a smidgen of background information on her that to date has been the world’s best-kept secret, the private detective will have something concrete to go on. We all keep saying it was like Bella was born the day she arrived here. Everyone has a background, we just haven’t found hers yet. Bear in mind that people who hide their background have a past they don’t want anyone to know about. That’s when you ask yourself why?”
The women exchanged knowing looks. “All right, ladies, in case you didn’t notice, it’s a bright sunny day,” Trixie announced, “which means Marcus will be dining outdoors.”
The countdown was on for what Trixie McGuire called the Hatch and Snatch Caper.
Ducky closed the door behind Trixie and her sisters at eleven forty-five. Childishly, she crossed her fingers that nothing would go wrong with thecaper they were about to attempt. She looked down at her watch. She had a good ten minutes until it was time to go downstairs. She spent the time adjusting her hairdo, which was pulled back into a fashionable French twist. Her Donna Karan dress was special. She’d been saving it for just the right occasion. She did so love the color lavender, and the dress fit like it was made for her. She wasn’t overdone; nor was she underdone, she decided. Small pearl earrings, definitely understated, graced her ears. She also wore a magnificent canary yellow diamond ring and, of course, her diamond-studded Rolex watch. She stared at the watch and decided she didn’t need it to complement her outfit. She removed it from her wrist and dropped it into her purse.
Ducky checked her purse one last time to make sure she had all the forms Diddy said were needed by the Garden Club. She reached for a pen from the hotel desk.
She was ready with five minutes to spare.
Ducky exited the elevator a scant two minutes before Bella Gunn walked haughtily through the plate-glass doors. Ducky watched as Bella nodded curtly to the doorman, sashaying into the lobby, her eyes searching out Ducky.
Bella looked around, trying to gauge the attire of the female guests, wondering if she measured up. She’d taken great pains with her outfit this morning, settling for a beige suit with matching shoes and bag. She wore a single strand of pearls with matching earrings. She wore no rings or even a watch. Her see-through hair twinkled in the overhead lights, thanks to a spray that promised highlights.
She spotted Ducky and waved languidly.
Ducky managed to paste a smile on her face as she walked across the lobby. “It’s been a long time, Bella.”
“Yes.Years,” Bella responded.
“Shall we,” Ducky said, taking the lead to head for the dining room. Her stomach churned, knowing Bella’s eyes were boring into her back. All she wanted to do was to get this over with so she could return to the shoe to wait for Diddy and Dodo. A lump settled itself in her throat when she envisioned herself bailing them out of jail.
A sweet young hostess in a short tight skirt and spike-heeled shoes greeted Ducky with a smile. “It’s nice to see you again, Miss Lane. I told Mama you were coming in to lunch, and she sends her regards.”
Ducky offered up a sickly smile. “How is Lalie?”
“Just fine. Her arthritis isn’t so good in this humidity, but she manages,” the hostess said, leading the way to a secluded table. She pointedly ignored Bella Gunn.
The lump in Ducky’s throat grew as she looked around the crowded dining room at all theRougie ladies having lunch. She wished they would close their mouths and not stare at her the way they were doing. She did her best to ignore them by whipping open the oversize menu. She was almost afraid to look across the table at Bella Gunn. For a moment, she almost felt sorry for the woman.Almost.
A waiter appeared with water and addressed her by name. Ducky smiled. “How are you, Peter?”
“I’m well, Miss Lane, and you?”
“Just wonderful. I’ll have a glass of the house red wine. Bella, how about you?”
“I’ll have the same.” The waiter discreetly withdrew to fill their drink order.
“I can personally vouch for the pecan-crusted salmon. The sweet-potato soufflé is just as good. That’s what I’m going to order. Does it appeal to you, Bella?”
“Yes, that sounds fine,” Bella answered.
Ducky reached into her handbag and withdrew the forms her sister had given her earlier. “The president of the Garden Club said to give these to you. If you and Marcus wish to be nominated, you need to fill them out, and don’t omit anything.” She slid them across the table just as their wine arrived. They gave their order to the waiter and looked at each other, Ducky’s eyes guileless, Bella’s filled with suspicion.
“Nowthey want to nominate me. Now—afterthirty years! I’m sure you understand my…reluctance as well as my suspicions. Of course I’m flattered,” she added as an afterthought.
“I’m sorry about that, Bella. As you must know, I haven’t spent all that much time in Baton Rouge in the last thirty years. Personally speaking, I’m not into all that historical…crap.”Oh, God, did she just say that out loud. Diddy would kill her if she heard such blasphemy. “I can’t imagine why anyone would want hundreds of people tromping through their house at Christmastime.”
Bella looked uncomfortable as she sipped at her wine.
“How is Marcus?”
“As well as can be expected. He has good days and bad days.”
“What exactly does Marcus suffer from, Bella?”
Bella sighed. “Years ago he had a stroke that left him mildly handicapped. Then he had a small heart attack, and after that diabetes settled in. It was time for him to retire, and he knew it. He’s doing nicely with his round-the-clock nurses. As I said to you on the phone, we were going to take a cruise in December. I’ll have to discuss this with Marcus,” she said, pointing to the stack of forms at her elbow.
“Lord, I must be getting senile. Bella, please accept my condolences and please, pass them on to Marcus. Losing Russell must have been devastating for you both.”
“Yes, it was
awful. I’m afraid it’s caused Marcus a terrible setback.”
Ducky grappled for something to say. She wished she could look at her watch. “Marcus certainly has had his share of tragedies in his lifetime.”
“Yes, he certainly has, but Marcus has a strong spirit. Benjamin and your niece came to see him. They didn’t stay long. I don’t think Benjamin could bear to see his father in a wheelchair drooling.”
Ducky’s head jerked upward. “Can’t Marcus walk?”
“Oh, yes, but mostly indoors. We have to goad him at times because he gets lazy. The wheelchair is more a precaution than anything else. I certainly don’t want him to fall and break a hip. That’s something I don’t think he could handle. Mobility is terribly hard to give up, especially for someone like Marcus.”
Ducky was saved from a reply when their food arrived. The last thing she wanted was food, but she knew she was going to have to choke down the entire meal along with the salad that materialized after the luncheon plates were placed in front of them. Maybe she could forget about the weeds and eat just the salmon and the soufflé.What time is it? How is the Hatch and Snatch Caper going? The snatch part must already be under way.
“This is very good, Harriet. I must tell my cook to prepare it at home. I think Marcus might like it.”
“I’ve tried to make it myself, but for some reason it never tastes like this. I’m sure they have asecret ingredient they refuse to divulge. They publish the recipe from time to time in the Sunday paper. Everyone says the same thing.” Damn. She was babbling. Ducky forced herself to relax. “By the way, Honoria wants me to pick up the forms tomorrow if you decide to have your name go to the nomination committee.”
Bella stopped chewing long enough to say, “I’ll call you later this evening after I talk to Marcus. Will that be all right?” she asked coolly.
“Absolutely. I’ll be home all evening. I promised my sisters I’d help them finish the quilt they’re working on.” Ducky looked down at her long nails ruefully. “I haven’t quilted in years.”
Hey, Good Looking Page 15
