by Corman, Ana
The waiter returned with glasses of water. Catherine placed her hand on her menu. “We would both like a millionaire margarita. We’ll just need a few more minutes to look at the menu.”
“Certainly.”
Catherine turned to Olivia. “Then what happened?”
Olivia stared off through the courtyard. “I tried to call her on her cell but she never answered. When I called home, Echo told me that she must have moved out during the day because all her things were gone.”
Catherine reached for Olivia’s hand. “I’m sorry, Olivia.”
“Me, too. It was hard. I felt like I failed her. I spent a lot of time wondering what I did wrong and what I could have done better. I wondered if I should have put more into our relationship or if it just wasn’t meant to be.”
“What did you do about your lecture?”
“What could I do? I sat in the suite and felt numb. I wanted to get the lecture over with and go home, but I had no desire to go home and find Jessica gone. That’s why I hate the Coronado.”
“Were you ever able to get in touch with Jessica?”
“She called me a week later to let me know she’d moved back to New York. She asked me to forgive her for leaving the way she did. I don’t believe in hanging on to someone who doesn’t want to be there. I wished her well and we’ve never talked again.” She took a breath. “It was so good to see you in the audience tonight, Catherine. It made things so much easier.”
“I’m glad. I had no intention of being in that audience, Olivia. I came early, and you could say I was guided. Now that I’ve heard the whole story, I feel guilty for acting so cold when your lecture was over.”
“I like the way your Catholic guilt keeps you in check.”
“Don’t make light of my faith.”
“I’m not making light of it. Honestly. I admire your faith. It seems very much a part of who you are.”
Catherine studied Olivia. “What about you, Olivia? Do you consider yourself religious?”
“It depends on what you mean by religious. Spiritual, maybe. But no, I’m not drawn to religion. It’s simply not the way I’m put together, and I don’t think it’s just my training in science and medicine. Is that hard for you to take in?”
“A little. I’ve always found so much solace in the church.”
“It doesn’t distress you that so many religious people would judge you for your lifestyle?”
“I know without a doubt that God doesn’t judge me. That’s all that matters.”
Olivia looked thoughtful. “Maybe my resistance to religion dates back to childhood. My mom took me regularly to church when I was a kid. When I was sixteen, she had an affair with her boss. I was furious that she could pray in church one day, and betray my dad the next. “
“You hinted at a rift with your mom that day in the chapel,” Catherine said. “I’ve wanted to ask about it.”
“It was awful. She decided to start a new life with her boss. They up and moved to Las Vegas within a couple of weeks and sent me and my dad into a tailspin. I’ll never understand how it could be so easy for her to walk away from both of us.”
Olivia felt sixteen again, swallowed by teenage anger and the hurt of desertion. “It took me a long time to realize I needed to forgive her so I could shed my resentment and anger. Then I started to appreciate how close it brought my dad and me together.”
Olivia had told this story only to her closest friends. It felt so easy and right to tell it to Catherine.
“I’m glad you could find a silver lining.”
The waiter returned. Catherine ordered the shrimp fajitas and Olivia ordered the carne asada. They spoke of lighter matters as they ate, laughing together.
At the end of the meal, the waiter placed a dish of flan with two spoons between them. “I’ll be right back with the bill, señoritas.”
“Thank you,” Olivia said. She picked up both spoons and handed one to Catherine.
Catherine dug her spoon into the creamy dessert. She tasted the first spoonful and closed her eyes. “You won’t believe how good this is.” She slowly opened her eyes to find Olivia watching her. Impulsively, she dug her spoon in again and held it before Olivia’s mouth. Olivia parted her lips and took the flan. Catherine stared at those full sensuous lips then forced herself to lean back in her chair and look away.
Olivia felt Catherine’s unease and wanted to fuel the tension sizzling between them. She was dying to know what it would feel like to take this woman in her arms and devour her rather than the tasty flan between them. She scooped her spoon into the dessert and raised it. Catherine’s gaze came back to Olivia’s face. She hesitated a moment, then opened her alluring mouth. Olivia thought she was going to explode with her desire for this woman. She let her hand drop to the table as the waiter arrived and placed the bill between them. She and Catherine both reached for the plastic tray, their fingers brushing.
Olivia slid the bill away from Catherine. “I believe this is my treat. I was the one who asked you to dinner.”
“Thank you, then.” She smiled. “I hope you have enough money to cover the millionaire margaritas. Speaking of money.” Catherine pulled a slip of paper from her purse and slid it in front of Olivia.
Olivia picked up the paper and scanned the information. “Why do I have a receipt from St. Joseph’s Church in the amount of twenty dollars in my name?”
“My mom went there today. I asked her to donate your twenty dollars to the church. Think of how many candles Father O’Brien can buy with that money.”
Olivia laughed. “You gave my twenty dollars to the church instead of using it to pay for my new book?”
“I certainly did. I even included the tip you offered me for making your drink.”
“Man, I have to watch what you do with my money in the future.”
Olivia’s cell phone chimed. She quickly pulled it out of its leather case and looked at the display. “It’s the girls. They left a text message that it’s important.”
Catherine frowned. “You better call them right away.”
Olivia hit the preset number for home and held the phone to her ear. “Zoë, what’s up?”
“I’m sorry for interrupting your dinner, Olivia. But we have quite a dilemma here at the house and you’re not going to be happy.”
“What dilemma? Are you guys okay?”
“We’re fine, but Abbott and Costello are not. The workmen brought the new vanity into our bathroom and began installing it today. Somehow Abbott and Costello have managed to wedge themselves into the base and we can’t get them out.”
Olivia dropped her face into her hand and groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Zoe. Ruth’s flying home tonight, and you’re telling me her beloved rodents are stuck in the vanity? How the hell did Abbott and Costello get into your bathroom in the first place?”
Catherine hid her laughter behind her hands.
“Now’s probably not a good time to start pointing fingers, Olivia. We’ve all been here with Brady and Austin for the past hour and a half trying to get those two damn creatures out of this mess.”
“Why can’t you just move the vanity away from the wall and go after them?”
“The vanity is eight feet long and the workmen permanently fixed it to the wall, Olivia. Why do you think we called Brady and Austin? We thought we could get them to dismantle at least a part of it so we can go after the ferrets. But there’s no way. The opening in the bottom of the vanity is about four inches from the floor. The trim along the bottom of the vanity hasn’t been put on and that’s how Abbott and Costello got into the woodwork.”
Olivia leaned her elbows on the table and pressed the phone against her forehead.
Catherine reached for the cell phone. “Hello, Zoe. This is Catherine.”
“Hello, Catherine. I’m really sorry for interrupting your dinner. We just thought you guys should know and see if you can come up with any bright ideas. We’ve just about exhausted our vast resources here.”
“Have you tried bringing their food nearby so they can smell it?”
“Echo reached in as far as she could and put their food inside. They won’t bite. They’re having too much of a good time watching us sweat here.”
“Can you actually see where they’re lodged?”
“Echo shined a light under the vanity and saw where they’ve happily taken up camp.”
“I think I have an idea. Hang on one second. Olivia, how long will it take us to get to Cocoa Cream from here and then to your house?”
“About forty-five minutes.”
“Zoë, tell everyone to hang on tight. Olivia and I’ll be there within the hour.”
“Okay, Catherine, we look forward to seeing you soon.”
Catherine handed Olivia her phone. “I think I have a plan.”
Eighteen
OLIVIA CHECKED HER REARVIEW MIRROR to make Sure Catherine was right behind her before she guided her black Escalade through the wrought-iron security gates. Olivia drove beneath the arched tower entranceway and parked by the front flagstone steps. She watched Catherine park behind her. Olivia opened the driver door to Catherine’s mint green Volkswagen bug. She extended her hand. “Welcome to twenty-five Carriage House Lane.”
Catherine stepped from her car, taking in the sprawling estate of flagstone walls and Spanish tiled roofs, not knowing what to think. “Wow. I’m starting to understand why you call your home a monstrosity.”
In fact, the place was beautiful. The huge windows and turret towers added a medieval air. The massive double front door was embossed with rainbow-colored beveled glass that gleamed like crystals. But she was taken aback by the home’s sheer size. Her house could probably fit in the four-car garage. “Your home looks like a Spanish palace fit for royalty.”
“No royalty, just a bunch of crazy lesbians live here. Come on, let me show you inside.” Olivia grabbed Maya’s pet carrier from the back seat of Catherine’s car and guided her up the front steps.
Olivia opened the front door and followed Catherine inside. She set Maya’s pet carrier down on the tiled floor and closed the door behind them. Catherine stared up at the stained-glass dome adorning the ceiling of the entranceway.
“What do you think?” Olivia asked.
“This must be amazing when the sun shines through all that stained glass.”
“It’s about time you both got here,” Echo said.
Catherine looked through the spacious living room to see Zoe and Echo approaching. Their presence made the house seem much less daunting.
They all hugged. “Hello, ladies. It’s so nice to see you both again,” Catherine said. She placed her hand on Zoe’s rounded belly. “Hello, little one.”
Zoë slid Catherine’s hand around her belly to the spot where she could feel the baby moving.
Catherine smiled as she felt something bumping against the palm of her hand. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel like the Pillsbury Dough girl. Another eight weeks seems like an eternity right now.”
Echo cautiously slipped her arm around Olivia. “Are you angry?”
“I’m pissed, and I’m holding you both directly responsible for the rescue and capture of two menacing pains in the butt.”
“Don’t worry about Olivia,” Catherine said. “Maya’s here to save the day.” She pointed down at Maya patiently waiting to be freed from her prison.
Zoë laughed. “What a great idea.”
Catherine knelt down and opened the cage door, then reached in for Maya. The beautiful Persian settled happily into her mistress’s arms.
“Please tell me that cat is going to be the answer to our prayers.”
Catherine turned toward the wide-open spacious kitchen and saw two very handsome men walk toward them. Both stood taller than Olivia, and Catherine knew right away which one was Olivia’s biological father by his smiling amber eyes.
Austin was slightly taller, with short, thick, light brown hair and vibrant blue eyes. Catherine could sense the loving energy between them as they walked close together.
“Catherine O’Grady, I’d like you to meet my dads, Brady and Austin.”
Catherine cradled Maya against her shoulder and extended her free hand to Brady. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I can see where Olivia gets her beautiful eyes.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet the girl Olivia’s been talking about.”
She wasn’t sure she was ready for Olivia to be talking about her to her fathers, but she composed herself and turned to Austin. “And you, sir, gave Olivia her beautiful smile.”
Austin beamed. “Why thank you, Catherine. I’ve always believed Olivia looks more like me.”
“Can we please dispense with the pleasantries and see if Catherine’s plan will work?” Echo asked.
The entire entourage made its way up the spiral staircase. Two hallways stretched away from the landing. Catherine glanced with curiosity through half-open doors as they followed the hallway to the right, then entered Echo and Zoe’s master suite. She absorbed the warmth in the modern design and decided it suited them both.
They stepped into the bathroom and walked carefully across the sheets of plastic covering the floor. Catherine stopped before the steps leading to the huge marble Jacuzzi. Behind it, three panels of stained glass formed exquisite sunburst patterns. Two people could just fit in her own bathroom at one time. Here, six people and a cat were milling around trying to figure out the fate of two wayward ferrets.
“Everything’s really starting to come together, ladies,” Olivia said.
Echo grinned widely. “Can you imagine how much fun we’ll have in here? Hours and hours of pure sensual pleasure. And now with a longer vanity I can plunder Zoe right up against the mirror.”
Catherine couldn’t help but laugh. “Zoe, you lucky girl, you.”
Zoë rubbed her tummy. “She’ll be lucky to even get me up on that vanity, in this condition.”
Olivia stared at them. “Will you guys please behave yourselves in front of our company?”
Echo grabbed the flashlight. “Please, Catherine’s hardly company. Come see the unwanted bathroom guests.”
Olivia removed her jacket and hung it on the rack behind the door. She got down to her knees and lay beside Echo on her belly. They both peered under the cabinet. “I see them. They look terrified.”
Echo got to her knees and helped Olivia up. “If they’re so terrified then why don’t they get the hell out?”
Catherine looked down into the hole in the cabinet where the sinks were to be installed. “Echo, did you take the food out from under the vanity?”
“I did.”
Austin stood beside Catherine. “I hope Maya’s a good hunter.”
“She’s the best. We once found a mouse in the storage room of the bookstore. She chased that thing for hours till it finally took off out the back door and never came back.”
Brady rubbed Maya’s chin. “You’re a regular Xena the Warrior Princess. How do you want to handle this, Catherine?”
“I think we should all stand away from the vanity. Echo, if you’ll flash the light under there again I’ll let Maya get sight of them. Then I’ll grab her and put her by the hole where the sink belongs and see if she can scare those two out. Do Abbott and Costello have their own pet carrier?”
Echo headed for the door. “I’ll go get it.”
Catherine looked at everyone standing by the Jacuzzi tub. “That way we can hopefully grab them as they run out and put them in a safe place.”
Echo returned with the pet carrier, closing the door firmly behind her. “Got it.”
“Good. Place it over by the tub, Echo. Brady and Austin, is there something we can put under the vanity to block that opening so they can’t get back under?”
Austin found a long piece of wood by the shower stall. “This is the trim they plan on installing tomorrow. Brady and I’ll wedge it in front once those two find their way to freedom.”
“Sounds like a plan. Ok
ay, if everyone’s ready this might be a good time for a quick prayer.”
Olivia scratched her head. “Wait, this plan makes me nervous. What if something happens to any of the animals?”
Echo leaned back against the vanity. “Do you have a better idea?”
Olivia frowned. “No.”
“Have faith,” Catherine said.
Olivia sighed. “If this plan works, I swear I’ll donate enough money to St. Joseph’s Church for Father O’Brien to buy a hundred candles.”
Everyone looked at Olivia in bewilderment as Catherine laughed. “You’re on, Dr. Carrington.”
“Okay, Echo. Lights, action, camera.”
Echo shone the light beneath the cabinet. Catherine lowered Maya down beside her. The well-orchestrated plan then took on a life of its own. The screech that came from Abbott and Costello was enough to wake the dead. Maya flattened her body as much as she could and tried valiantly to wedge herself under the cabinet. Catherine grabbed her, pulled her back, and barely managed to place the writhing cat in the empty frame for the sink. Maya took off through the opening and into one of the cabinets, scratching like a creature hellbent on digging to China to get to those ferrets through the thin paneling of wood.
Echo was once again flashing the light when both Abbott and Costello tore out from under the vanity and ran right across her head. Echo screamed as the slinky moving fur balls headed for the exit. They couldn’t stop fast enough and slid head first into the closed door, then rolled across the bathroom floor like a pair of furry barrels before scrambling onto their feet. Echo screamed, “Grab them!”
Maya poked her head out through the opening and dove off the vanity in hot pursuit. Catherine tried to grab her and just missed.
Abbott dove behind the toilet bowl. Olivia dropped to her knees, reached around, and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. She tried pulling him out and banged her head against the toilet bowl just as Maya lurched off the toilet seat, bounced off Olivia’s back, and darted for Abbott. Olivia fell backward, hit her head against the wall, and tucked Abbott under her arm to protect him from Maya. Catherine grabbed Maya, hauled her away from Abbott, and shoved her into her pet carrier.
