What Are Friends For?

by Patricia McLinn

  “Yes. Yes, I do.”

  “Great. And the money doesn’t hurt.”

  Martha had stared a moment as if she’d said something shocking, then chuckled.

  They’d gotten on better after that. Maybe they’d both been too busy to fret much about mother-daughter conflicts. As they both earned more money, things had eased enough for Darcie to fix up the apartment over the garage, and move into her own space.

  She’d ventured past the main house’s kitchen infrequently enough to be caught by surprise by the changes in the library.

  It looked like a different room. She liked it.

  Cars lined both sides of the street all along Mrs. Z’s block. Darcie got lucky, the vice-chair of the church council was leaving and waved to indicate her spot was opening up.

  So much for Zeke’s quiet Sunday afternoon to work. Apparently Mrs. Z and the rest of Drago had other ideas. Darcie grinned. Mrs. Z was missing no opportunity to fill her house with guests.

  Darcie spotted a clot of people around the back door, making that entrance an obstacle course, so she went in the front. Another dozen people milled around the living room, including most of the town council and their spouses. Her progress was slowed by hellos, questions and comments, but she gained a spot outside the doorway to the kitchen, which was populated even more thickly.

  She saw Zeke’s head above everyone else’s in the kitchen. Jennifer was beside him. Surrounding them were mothers of Lilac Queen contestants, as well as two members of the church council, the head of the library board and Vicki from the Intelligencer. Amid the voices, Darcie heard Mrs. Z’s, excited and happy, with a crowd in her house to feed and fuss over—especially the tall one in the middle.

  Darcie couldn’t see Zeke’s expression, because he had lowered his head to listen to Jennifer. There wasn’t a chance he was actually happy, but at least his body language didn’t convey rage. That was good.

  Josh Kincannon gave a pained grin as he slid between people to emerge from the kitchen and join her in a sliver of space.

  “Couldn’t take the crowd, huh, Josh?”

  “It is crammed. And I didn’t have any reason to stay.” His grin twisted. “I took a shot with our giant of technology. No go. He’s tough, isn’t he?”

  Uh-oh. “Sorry, Josh.” She winced in sympathy as they both stepped back from the doorway in search of more breathing room. “Zeke can be, uh, blunt. He doesn’t realize—”

  “Don’t worry, Darcie. He didn’t leave any scars.” This time his grin had less twist to it. “He did it really well. Never turned nasty, but didn’t budge an inch. In fact, I wouldn’t mind the kids being exposed to Mr. Zeekowsky and seeing how a truly powerful man can handle himself.”

  She hadn’t really thought of Zeke that way before. A genius, sure—she’d known that since high school. And obviously he was rich. But somehow she hadn’t quite melded all that together into the idea of Zeke being powerful. Wielding that kind of power had to affect a man, had to change him.

  “He’d be a great role model for them,” Josh was saying. “He’s got to be tough to have gotten to where he is, but he’s not mean.”

  “You don’t think so?”

  He wrapped his hand around her arm above the elbow and smiled at her. “Just because he doesn’t do what you want doesn’t mean he’s mean,”

  “I suppose not.” Maybe not mean, but a real pain in the patoot when he wouldn’t do what she wanted—what the town needed.

  Josh chuckled at her morose tone.

  “So tell me about this plan he turned down,” she ordered.

  He launched into a description of his proposal for a multileveled program to provide computer access and training. It sounded great.

  Josh was a far cry from Mr. Grandhier, the principal when she and Zeke had been in school. Mr. Grandhier had been about a hundred years old. Josh was about her age, and had more on his plate than any one person deserved. In addition to being principal, he had three kids and his wife had left them.

  “Looks like you’re in Mr. Zeekowsky’s sights,” Josh said.

  She looked around and saw Zeke making his way through the kitchen crowd, trailing mothers still extolling their contestant daughters. Jennifer remained by the counter, talking with Mrs. Z.

  The clog of people at the doorway stopped Zeke’s progress. Over their heads, Zeke’s eyes locked with hers, and she read his request clearly.

  She excused herself from Josh and reached the living room side of the doorway. Zeke sidestepped to the near edge and bent to speak into her ear.

  “Did you have something to do with this? All these people showing up.”

  “Me? I just arrived. Could barely get in.”

  He glowered down at her, apparently not buying her innocence, though, really, she was innocent this time. Mostly.

  After Mrs. Z had made the suggestion, she’d only said a few words to a few people…true, a few carefully chosen people. That was one benefit of living in a small town. You knew who to talk to.

  “You shouldn’t have answered the door if you didn’t want to socialize.”

  “I didn’t open it. Ma did. And she insisted I join everyone.”

  She chuckled. Then he leaned closer. His breath stirred her hair, whispering across her ear. The chuckle stuck in her throat.

  “I’ve got to get out of here, Darcie. It’s been like this all afternoon. Besides, I need a steak. I’m about to explode from all Ma’s sauces.”

  Was it a memory that made her imagine the sensation of his lips on her ear, kissing around it, under it, tugging on the lobe… Or a wish?

  “We wouldn’t want that,” she said, amazed at how normal her voice sounded. “Steak sounds like a good idea.”

  “Yeah. So I’m taking Jennifer out to dinner.”

  The cold water of his words went down Darcie’s back, freezing it rigid. “Makes sense. Have a good time. See you later.”

  She turned away. She thought she heard him say her name, but she kept moving. She had to be out of here before he and Jennifer left together.

  Besides, she had somewhere important to get to. Her bathroom. So she could look in the mirror to memorize exactly what she looked like when she was being a first-class idiot.

  At Loris’s Café, crowded with people who’d spent Sunday afternoon visiting Lilac Commons Park or on historical tours, Zeke looked across the table at Jennifer. She was even more beautiful than in high school.

  The first time a beautiful woman had chased him had been a rush. That was also the last time it had been a rush. And Jennifer was far from chasing him. Besides, she was as bad as Darcie. All she wanted to talk about was Drago. Odd, when Jennifer did it, it didn’t get under his skin nearly as much. But it didn’t entertain him as much, either.

  “Who was that guy Darcie was talking to?” he asked in the first lull.

  “What guy?”

  “At my house—my mother’s house. Medium height, dark sport jacket.” He’d wrapped a hand familiarly around Darcie’s arm. She’d looked up into his face as she’d smiled a warm welcome.

  Jennifer laughed. “Only you would say Josh Kincannon was medium height, Zeke—he’s got to be six-one. And you know who he is. You talked to him for ten minutes. He was telling you about his students who’d really benefit by having more computer access. He’s the principal at Drago High.”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  The guy had seemed nice enough. Sure, he’d wanted Zeke to fund the computers, but Zeke had requests like that all the time, and the guy had done it well. He’d even taken Zeke’s refusal with a no-hard-feelings acceptance.

  If it had been a school anywhere else, Zeke probably would have directed him to the foundation. But he’d said no to Josh Kincannon. Because he was the principal of Drago High School.

  Quit thinking everything revolves around you and your old hurts, Zeke. Even if you were right about those hurts—and you’re not—what did these kids ever do to you?

  “Zeke?”

  He became aware Jen
nifer had spoken his name only after she touched his hand.

  “I was—” Listening. No, he wasn’t. “Oh, hell, Jennifer. I’m sorry. My mind was on other things.”

  “I know.”

  He found himself staring. Not because her beauty or her smile stirred him, but because of the comfort he felt with that smile. There weren’t many people he felt comfortable with. The chances of Jennifer joining their number had never occurred to him. He’d worshipped her, been tongue-tied around her and mooned after her. It was a jolt to realize now that she was nice. Beautiful and very nice. And didn’t stir anything in him except liking.

  “You and Darcie have always had a connection,” she said.

  “What?” When had she changed the subject to Darcie? Or had he?

  “A connection,” she repeated. “I remember how different you always were when Darcie was around, like you plugged in.” She chuckled. “Or more like she dragged you out into the light.”

  His mouth twitch. “Dragged, pushed and zapped me with a cattle prod sometimes.” Sort of the way he’d pulled the shade off her academic ability.

  “She is determined.”

  “About some things,” he said.

  Probably saved me from finding out I wouldn’t have made it.

  Darcie still needed prodding, and he was just the man to do it. As soon as Brenda lined things up.

  He found Jennifer giving him a look that reminded him of his assistant.

  “But that doesn’t mean— We’re not…you know,” he said.

  “That’s okay.” She patted his hand. He didn’t like this smile nearly as much as her previous one. “You’ll figure it out, Zeke. I have faith in you.”

  Yeah, it was the Brenda smile that meant he was missing something.

  The best way he’d discovered to avoid being told what he was missing was to change the subject. “I can’t believe Stenner left you.”

  She chuckled ruefully. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you, Zeke?”

  “No. But if you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll shut up. Otherwise I’ll tell you that even for Eric Stenner, it was a stupid move.”

  She studied her hands, folded on top of the table. “Oh, I’m certain some people believe the only reason a hometown hero like Eric would leave his wife and child would be because he discovered something horrible.”

  “Bullshit. Darcie said you haven’t had the easiest time.”

  She withdrew her hands across the tablecloth toward her lap, her gaze following the motion. “Oh, at the start, sure. But Ashley and I are doing fine.”

  He put a hand over both of hers before they could disappear. “Child support?”

  She looked up, clearly surprised at the directness. “I have a job, Zeke. Once I get established in real estate, it’ll be fine. I’ll make it fine for Ashley.”

  He heard fierceness. He recognized it as the fierceness he’d felt in his determination to make something of himself, to escape Drago.

  “I know you’ll do great, Jennifer. I’d sure as hell buy real estate from you if I were in the market here. But sometimes, when you’re starting out, you need something to carry you through. If you need help—”

  “No.” She tried to smile and didn’t achieve it. But the next words were softer. “Thank you, but no.”

  “Do you mind if I… I mean… What the hell happened? Darcie said Stenner Autos is nearly bankrupt, and he left. Was he crazy?”

  “Thank you, Zeke. You’re sweet.”

  “I’m not trying to be sweet—I mean it. What happened?”

  “Let’s say Eric became more of himself.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  She started to laugh.

  “So, how was dinner with Zeke?”

  Darcie’s words came out before she could pull them back. Almost as if she’d followed Jennifer to the refreshment table looking for an opportunity with no audience to ask that very question.

  She wouldn’t have asked, except Zeke had seemed odd about it on the drive here for the second round of queen candidate interviews.

  She’d picked up a vibe while he’d asked question after question about Josh Kincannon. At first she’d answered, thinking he was interested in Josh’s proposal for a computer lab in town. But when he’d zeroed in on Josh’s dating habits, she’d stopped answering the Zeekowsky inquisition.

  If he was worried that Jennifer and Josh had something going, he’d have to ask Jennifer. On the other hand, if there was tension between him and Jennifer, she had a duty to find out. For Drago.

  “Dinner was interesting and pleasant, but not particularly productive, and the aftermath was a near disaster.”

  Darcie felt a squeeze of nausea. “Aftermath? You and Zeke—?”

  “Not Zeke. The aftermath was with Ashley.” Jennifer sighed. “She was furious with me for going out with Zeke.”

  “Why? She hasn’t had trouble with your other dates.”

  “Please, don’t let her hear you call it a date. I assured her it was two old friends catching up. It was either that or be accused of heinous crimes against the sisterhood.” Jennifer must have seen Darcie’s puzzlement. “Ashley sees Zeke as belonging to Cristina.”

  “Oh, my God.”

  Jennifer nodded. “Stop laughing. You don’t have to live with her. I don’t think Zeke will think it’s funny to know he’s been cast in this grand romance. You’ll never guess where Ashley got the idea.”

  “Cristina, of course.”

  Another nod. “Whatever Cristina says is gospel with Ashley. She’s already outraged at the horrible behavior of the other contestants.”

  “Huh?”

  “Because they fawn all over him.”

  Darcie gaped. How could anyone fawn over Zeke more than Cristina?

  Jennifer giggled first. Darcie was sure of that. But then the contagion hit, and they both stumbled down the hall with their hands over their mouths until they reached the open back door, where they gave in to the amusement.

  Finally, wiping her eyes, Jennifer said, “In a way Ashley’s got a point. Some of the other contestants have started following Cristina’s lead.”

  “And the mothers,” Darcie added. Another giggle erupted. “Poor Zeke.”

  Instead of laughing, Jennifer sighed. “I’ll tell you, Darcie, I wish to heaven I’d refused to let Ashley be the junior princess. I know it’s an honor, but it’s like she’s gone straight from little girl to the deep end of the teen drama pool, and she’s not ready. If she can’t even see what Cristina is, how will she ever cope?”

  Darcie patted her shoulder. “She’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’ll come around about Zeke. Don’t worry about that.”

  Jennifer waved that off as an issue. “Sorry. I’ve been giving in to maternal panic when I should be answering your question about dinner. This could be harder than we thought, Darcie. I kept trying to bring the conversation around to helping out Drago but he was less than receptive. He wanted to know all about Josh Kincannon.”

  Voices from inside reached them. Darcie thought she heard Ashley calling.

  “Yeah, he was asking me about him, too,” Darcie said. “So he might not be as closed off to the proposal as Josh thought. The computer lab would be a great start to—”

  Jennifer shook her head. “What Zeke wanted to know about was if there’s something going on between you and Josh.”

  Darcie replayed Zeke’s questions. “Why? Where on earth would he get the idea something was going on between me and Josh?”

  “Where he got the idea, I don’t know, but as for the why—come on, Darcie. That’s so obvious.”

  Darcie would have requested more explanation, but then Ashley came through the doorway, demanding her mother return because everyone was being just horrid to Cristina.

  Chapter Six

  Zeke had developed moves since he’d returned to Drago that would have made an NFL ballcarrier proud.

  Darcie watched as he eluded Ted Warinke, sidestepped earnest Nancy Lynn, then deked
a pair of mothers, safely reaching Jennifer on the far side of the gathering on the stage. The second round of judging interviews was over and they awaited the director’s return from sorting out technical problems to give them two sets of instructions for the remaining ceremonies, one if the weather was good and one it if wasn’t.

  Jennifer gave him a distracted smile and continued watching the interaction between Cristina and Ashley.

  It was a one-sided interaction. The older girl’s drama eclipsed everyone around her, but it left Ashley practically invisible. Not even the director gave her instructions anymore. Only Warren’s single-mindedness kept Ashley within the realm of the spotlight, although no longer singled out.

  At that moment, Cristina, with Ashley in tow, headed for Zeke.

  Darcie’s muscles tensed in preparation to run interference. She consciously relaxed them. Not only had he improved at fending off Cristina, but she’d be an idiot to go charging in when Jennifer was right there to provide aid.

  Cristina grasped Zeke’s arm and ran her hand down it, as if checking for damage to the goods.

  Without looking at the young woman or interrupting whatever he was saying to Jennifer, Zeke shrugged, dislodging Cristina’s hold, then sidestepped her attempt to reattach.

  Cristina pouted, and immediately moved between Zeke and Jennifer—she clearly wasn’t going to waste a perfectly good pout on his back.

  However, Zeke’s back remained the target of Ashley’s glare of outraged dislike. Boy, Jennifer hadn’t been kidding about how Ashley felt about him. Would Jennifer even consider a relationship with Zeke if her daughter felt that way?

  Lost in these thoughts, Darcie was only half aware when Zeke strode away from the little group and headed into the huddle at center stage.

  “Darcie.”

  She jumped at his voice. Or maybe at the warmth of his hand wrapped around her elbow.

  “I want to talk to you about that guy,” he continued, at the same time pivoting her and propelling her toward backstage.

  Darcie double-checked, first over her shoulder at a stage full of females, then ahead of them.

  “What guy?”