by Sally John
“It’s always necessary to extend kindness.” He was smooth. Too smooth in her opinion. “So how did you and Cam meet?”
“In college.” She spread cream cheese on the grainy bagel that appeared to have more seeds than wheat. However in the world did it stick together? Molly would love it.
“I bet he swept you off your feet.”
“Of course. If he hadn’t, no way would I have quit college and worked—even before we got married—to help put him through dental school. Not that I was ever all that interested in classes. Nine to five in the university admin office suited me to a tee.”
“How did he sweep you off your feet?”
“How?”
He nodded. “How.”
“It just happened.”
“In the usual way? I mean like…let me take a wild guess. He was the best-looking frat brother, you the sorority darling. Perfect match. Everyone thought so. He wooed you with surprise gifts and romantic walks in the rain and made a great tennis partner.”
She stared at him. “You’re a psychic.”
He chuckled.“No. Just a lifelong observer of people. What was the clincher? Why him instead of one of your many other admirers?”
Her memory bank presented an old scene: Cam lifting her over a mud puddle, promising to always carry her over life’s mud puddles.
Char blinked and saw Julian across the table, quietly spreading cream cheese on his bagel.“Security. That was the clincher. He was going to be a dentist. People will always need dentists. He was taking over his father’s practice in a Chicago suburb. His parents were much older; his dad was retiring within five years. Everything was in place.”
“Have you felt secure?”
Seventeen years of routine and enough money to prevent concern over making ends meet? “Yes.”
“But you didn’t only love him for security.”
Imagining Cam in tennis shorts made her smile. “No. He was a hunk. And he made me feel special. No one else had ever made me feel that way.” She shrugged. She did not want to remember Cam in tennis shorts and she certainly did not want to imagine him in them now! “Well, not counting these crazy girlfriends of mine, anyway. They made me feel special by promising a trip to Hollywood. Then they all disappear. Tell me there is still time to get there.”
“I’m sure there is.”
“Hey!” The voice came from somewhere behind Julian’s shoulder. “Charlaine Wilcox!”
A figure came into view on the sidewalk.
A dark-haired man in need of a shave, waving a bouquet of flowers, wearing wrinkled khakis and a lime green polo shirt stretched over well-toned pecs and biceps. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes, but she knew they were chocolate brown.
“Hey,” he said again, this time gently, in an Andy Williams croon.
As I live and breathe…
“Todd?”
Thirty-One
“Yow!” Jo flinched and yanked her left foot clean out of Andie’s grasp.
“Sorry. It’s your adrenal gland.” Andie repositioned Jo’s foot on her lap and massaged with less pressure. “Experiencing a little stress, are we?”
Jo considered the question rhetorical. “Your grandma never made it hurt like this.”
“Molly remembers excruciating pain.” Andie smiled. “You never were one to admit pain.”
Jo thought of her previous night’s sobs at the chicken pie restaurant. That was pain exploding like fireworks. “Last night was progress then.”
“Yes.”
She studied her friend’s face. A dramatic change had taken place in the three short days since Andie’s own collapse into tears. The pale freckles were not covered with makeup. Her hair, twisted back and held in place with a banana clip, had not felt the heat of hair dryer or curling iron since her arrival. Her spunk was back, apparent even in the way she carried herself. Without a doubt the real Andrea Sinclair was emerging.
“Andie, I’d say we’re both making progress.”
She tilted her head in question, still methodically kneading Jo’s feet.
“You’re boogie boarding, dear. Assisting at baby deliveries. Cruising the boardwalk all by yourself. Having lengthy conversations with that strange man Zeke. Maneuvering your way through a police cordon to get back home.”
Andie grinned. “And then there’s the major first step. I came here.”
“Yes. You came, you saw, you conquered. Bravo. How do you feel?”
“Exhilarated. Scared.” Her bright blue eyes shone. “Like how Balboa or those other explorers must have felt sailing from Europe to America and discovering whole new worlds. I ask myself, now what? What do I do with this new world? How do I take it home with me?”
Her questions startled Jo. “I think…that’s how I’m feeling too, though I hadn’t put it into words yet. I mean, I know I can’t take ‘this’ home. ‘This’ is the realization that I don’t want my old life. I don’t want to go home, so to speak.”
“But a new life is staring you in the face.”
“But not without tremendous upheaval and changing my entire lifestyle. I have doubts I can do that.”
“That’s the scary part.”
“How is it scary for you, Andie? You just go home, take the new spunk with you, and your family benefits like crazy.”
Her hands stilled, and she looked down at Jo’s foot. “The new spunk doesn’t quite know what to do with Paul and his girlfriend.”
“Oh, hon.”
“But I am narrowing down the choices.” She flashed a smile. “Anyway, Molly has been gone a long time. Should we try to find her?”
They had discussed the situation earlier. Andie had missed the departure scene when Molly declared she needed time alone to think. Trusting in past experience, they knew that was how she operated. Since childhood she had truly meant it whenever she said she wanted to be alone. Still, she had never encountered a surprise pregnancy at the age of forty.
Jo said, “Yeah, let’s go find her. If the cops are still out there, you’ll have to lead the charge. I’ve never faced a gun before.”
Andie giggled and set Jo’s foot gently onto the rug. “I simply asked the police officer to escort me to the door, which was only a short distance and within sight from where he stood.” She straightened and glanced sideways toward the open door. “Molly!”
Their friend pulled aside the screen door and entered the room. Her eyes were puffy.
Andie went to her, arms ready to embrace her.
Molly fell into the hug. “Ladies.” She inhaled shakily. “I can’t do this one alone.”
Thirty-Two
“Todd!” Standing beside the table, Char laughed into his shoulder and returned his hug. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“Delivering flowers to the birthday girl.” With a flourish he handed the tissue-wrapped bouquet to her.
“My word!” She giggled, fully aware of how the sound revealed her totally discombobulated emotional state. What was he doing there?
Todd reached across the table and stretched his hand toward Julian. “Hi. Todd Brooks. Chicago neighbor.”
“Julian. Beach house neighbor. Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” He pulled out a chair and sat.
“Would you like something?”
“Iced tea would be great.” He picked up a napkin and wiped his forehead. “I feel like I’ve been driving round and round in the desert. Of course, a convertible with the top down in this sun didn’t help matters.”
Char bumped her knee against the table as she slid back into her chair. Buying time to gather any semblance of aplomb, she burrowed her nose into the fresh flowers, unaware of any particular scent or species. “Mmm.”
“Afraid they didn’t have your favorite—gardenias, right?—at the airport,” Todd said. “What a nutso place! I think I almost found your house, but cops have all the alleys cordoned off. I couldn’t get near it. Then I hit this red light here and noticed a familiar blonde sitting in the corner restaurant.”
&
nbsp; She smiled.
Julian signaled the waitress and called to her, “Iced tea, please.”
“So. Sugar.” A half moment passed before Char managed to come up with another word. “What are you…” Her mind quit again, offering no help to complete the sentence.
“I’m on my way to Phoenix. Remember?”
They had discussed the subject the other night. “Business. Tomorrow.”
He shrugged. “I thought, why not go early and swing by San Diego to surprise you? I got you, didn’t I?”
“You sure did. I owe you one. I still can hardly believe I’m looking at you. Didn’t we just talk?”
“Last night. I was on my way to O’Hare to catch the red-eye.” He grinned. “I called you first chance I had this morning to wish you a happy birthday, but Molly answered.”
“Oh, yes. Long story.”
Julian stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll move along. Nice meeting you, Todd.”
He shook his extended hand. “Please, don’t go on my account.”
“I have work to do.”
“What line are you in?”
“I rescue stranded women.” Again that little nonsmile. “By the way, if you need a place to stay, I have a spare apartment. You’re welcome to it. Happy birthday again, Char. See you.” With a wave, he meandered off toward the restaurant’s door.
Char guessed he was going inside to pay. And she hadn’t even thanked him!
Todd made a tsking sound. “Turn my back on you for three days and another Prince Charming steps to the plate.”
“Prince Charming? Julian? Hardly. He was just keeping me company. The police should finish up their business anytime now.” She leaned back in her chair, still unnerved by Julian’s digging into the past and unearthing fond memories of Cam. Not to mention Todd’s sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?”
A smile spread across his narrow face. His intense gaze heightened her discomfort. “Charlaine, you really have no idea? You really didn’t pick up any of my hints?”
Hints? What hints? Harmless long-distance teasing about missing her? Wishing somehow things were different? She shook her head.
He placed his hand atop hers, the one that still clutched the bouquet lying on the table. “I’m here to steal my neighbor’s wife.”
Thirty-Three
With a feeling that a vise gripped her heart, Jo watched Molly as she blew her nose and added the tissue to a growing pile beside her on the couch.
What was it about the beach house? Jo finally admitted to herself that there was a presence. Some undefined influence emanated from the walls—sunflower yellow walls at that—and made them feel safe. How else to explain the softness creeping into her heart? How else to explain strong Molly’s display of total uncertainty?
A stray tear slipped onto Molly’s damp cheek, and Jo handed her another tissue. “Thanks.”
Jo said, “You’re welcome. What are vacations for, if not to come unglued? At least we’re taking turns at it.”
Andie smiled. “We’d better add Kleenex to the grocery list.”
Molly said, “Maybe they sell them on Rodeo Drive.”
They shared a laugh, a welcome relief, Jo thought, after the litany of woes Molly had recited concerning the pregnancy.
I’m so old! There is a greater chance of birth defects. The career is on hold. Interminably! Eli could have a kid of his own in eight years. I would have a grandchild and this one in the same school system at the same time!
Molly had wailed at that point. She sat, shoulders hunched and legs crossed, not buying into any positive comment Jo and Andie suggested. Now her face puckered anew, a hint of a forthcoming sob.
Jo said, “What is it?”
“I just had a horrid thought.” She clamped her mouth shut and covered her face with her hands.
Andie said, “Oh, hon, no matter what, we won’t love you any less.”
“Moll.” Jo scooted across the couch and placed an arm around her shoulders. “Come on. You’ve seen me at my absolute ugliest. It never stopped you from loving me, did it?”
She shook her head and wiped fresh tears from her cheeks. “After Abigail, before Hannah…I had a miscarriage. Part of me hopes—” A sob cut off the sentence she didn’t have to complete.
Jo hugged her tightly. “Moll. You know you don’t mean it, not truly, not deep down inside. If nothing else, you are all about life. You feel guilty eating seafood because some fish has to die.”
Andie sat on the arm of the couch and embraced Jo and Molly. “Honey, it’s understandable, just now when you’re upset.”
Molly only cried harder.
Jo heard the door open and looked up to see Char walk in, followed by a man.
Char hurried across the room, a bouquet of flowers in her hand. “Another cry fest!” She knelt on the floor, placing her hands on Molly’s knees. “And I almost missed it! You all should have called me.”
The tone underlying the Southern drawl puzzled Jo. Char sounded almost glib.
Molly raised her head. “Oh, Char. We couldn’t call you. I have your phone!”
“Now, now, sugar. I know that.” She cupped Molly’s face in her hands. “Shh, it’s going to be all right. A baby is wonderful news. He or she will be such a bundle of joy in your old age. Although I admit I am glad it’s you and not me. You’re a natural with kids. You always were. Come on now. Time to get out from under the pile.”
Char was trying, but Jo didn’t think she was quite getting there. What was going on with her? She seldom faked ooey-gooey; her compassion was always sincere even when she disagreed with them. And who was that stranger leaning against the doorjamb, a cockeyed grin on his face? He looked like an aging version of a has-been yuppie.
The man shook his head now as if in disbelief and cleared his throat. “Excuse me.”
Jo felt Andie raise her head. Char turned. Molly leaned to peer around Char.
He went on. “Did we forget this is the twenty-first century? Women have rights over their own bodies.”
As one, the four of them glared daggers. Jo knew she wasn’t alone, sure as she knew anything. Though only two of them were still practicing Roman Catholics, there were certain beliefs they held in common, as much a part of their makeup as a beating heart. Abortion would not be an option for any of them.
He held up his hands as if being arrested. “Whoa. Sorry. Don’t mind me. I just stopped by to wish Char happy birthday.”
Char chuckled nervously. “Where are my manners? This is my neighbor Todd Brooks. This is Jo, Molly, and Andie.” She pointed to each and then turned back to the group hug. “He was on his way to Phoenix and came here first to say hey.”
Jo wasn’t sure when San Diego had been moved to a new location between Chicago and Phoenix, but she was sure a major wrench had been thrown into the schedule.
So what else was new?
Thirty-Four
To Char’s relief, the group hug dissipated. Molly seemed recovered enough, though she still wiped at her eyes. Jo faced forward on the couch, and Andie stood by the fireplace.
Char rose from the floor and sat in one of the overstuffed chairs, still holding the bouquet, and smiled. “Y’all don’t mind if Todd tags along with us, do you?”
Of course they would mind. She knew that even before his thoughtless comment about pregnancy in the twenty-first century. He was an anomaly to them. A male friend who not only remembered her birthday but flew halfway across the country to surprise her? How heroic was that? But it would make no sense to the unromantic, the unadventurous. There was no place for it within the stuffy sense of propriety she’d felt the others bundled themselves in like mink coats on a warm summer’s day.
Todd, naturally affable, stepped further into the room and sat in the nearest chair with a gracious smile. “I said I would take her to Beverly Hills myself, but she has her heart set on spending the day with you three. My rental is a four-seater convertible, otherwise I’d drive the five of us.”
&nbs
p; Molly blew her nose.
Jo coughed.
Andie said, “It’s your day, Char. Of course we don’t mind if you bring along another friend. The more the merrier. Though I can’t imagine a man all that interested in a women’s gabfest and shopping on Rodeo Drive.”
It was as near a lecture as Andie would deliver. Char suspected the others would hold their tongues for a while. Still, the palpable tension wasn’t exactly what she’d planned on for her birthday. With friends like them, who needed enemies? Todd Brooks included.
While the others changed clothes, Char waited with Todd outside on the patio. As usual the whole area was bathed in sunshine. They sat at the round table under its umbrella. The chairs were plain white inexpensive resin—not an Adirondack in sight!—but she had improved their looks and comfort with floral cushions from a closet.
“Char, I am sorry for intruding. I thought my visit would be a lark for you.”
“It is! Don’t you worry none. They’ll be fine.” She paused. “I do have one favor to ask you though.”
“What’s that?”
She smiled. “Please don’t repeat that line you used on me about stealing your neighbor’s wife.”
His wide grin lifted his cheeks and dark sunglasses. “Sounds like an invitation to blackmail. You have to give me something if I promise not to tell.”
“Todd Brooks! You are audacious!”
“I hope so.” He stretched out his legs and leaned back in the chair, a little smile on his lips, the same kind worn by a cat assured that the mouse had to come out sooner or later.
Char shivered in delight. He had sworn at the restaurant that his comment was a joke. But…the way he looked at her—eyes at half-mast, head tilted—she knew he left the next move up to her. Whether or not it remained a joke was her choice.
Well, she was choosing to treat it as a joke.
Which only made the flirting all that more luscious.
They zipped along the freeway in Jo’s SUV. Char sat between Andie and Todd in the back seat. The two of them chatted on and on about their sons while she mentally scolded herself. Surely the tension she felt was simply her imagination run rampant.
