The scent of fresh paint and the vases of lilacs displayed on the dining room and coffee tables accompanied them as they strolled over to the stairs. The second floor consisted of five bedrooms and a playroom. They stepped inside the playroom. “This was supposed to be Kyle’s office.” Violet patted her large bump. “But since we’re about to become a family of six, we decided it was better to have a place for the children to play. Kyle’s office is now where the pool house was supposed to be. He’d imagined nights of debauchery with the Dogs, but instead he’ll have a place to work without the sounds of screaming children.”
Tall shelves ran the length of one wall. Bins of toys and books were neatly displayed. Several child sized tables and chairs were in the middle of the room. A train set occupied one end of the room. “Kyle’s train. He lets Dakota play with it sometimes.” Violet laughed. “I’m kidding.”
They went to the window that overlooked the back yard and looked down at the party. Warm and sunny, the early June day was made for an outdoor summer party. The older couples played cards at a round bistro table under the shade of the awning. Sophie worked the grill and talked with Kara and Maggie, who sat at the long, rectangular dining table. The Mullen brothers and Zane were in the deep end of the pool, treading water and tossing a ball back and forth. Kyle sat on the side of the pool with his feet in the water with baby Mollie, dressed in a pink sunhat and polka dotted bathing suit, on his lap. Jubie and Dakota took turns on the slide in a competition for who could make the craziest arm gestures on the way down. Honor stood on the side of the pool wearing a red bikini no bigger than a few tissues. She was apparently the judge of the slide game. After each child came up from their plunge into the water, she held up fingers to indicate their score. So far, they’d each only received five fingers. “This game may be rigged,” Mary said.
“Yes, I’m afraid so.”
“How wonderful for the kids to have a place to swim.”
“I was a nervous wreck about the pool,” Violet said. “But Kyle took Dakota to swimming lessons all last winter.”
“He’s clearly a natural,” Mary said. “There’s nothing better than a slide when you’re a kid.”
“Whose idea do you think that was? Kyle pretended it was for Dakota, but we all know that’s not true. I swear, my husband’s an oversized kid.” Her voice softened. “Given his childhood, I don’t have the heart to deny him any fun.”
“Have you been all right?” Mary asked. “I haven’t seen you much since that awful day.”
“I can’t say it hasn’t affected us. We’re even more cautious with the kids now. We’re nervous to hire another nanny.”
“You’ll find someone you can trust. Mel was an anomaly.”
“Has Lance talked about it?” Violet asked. “Kyle said he was shaken. I mean, who wouldn’t be.”
“He hasn’t said much.”
“Men.”
“Yes.” Mary stroked the soft curtains. “I have to tell you something. It’s about Lance and me. We’re in love for real. I’m so happy.” She turned to look at her friend.
Violet smiled and pulled her into a hug. They started to laugh as their baby bumps bumped. “And everything’s good between you?”
“Better than I could ever have imagined,” Mary said. “I was foolish before.”
“Fear will do that to you.”
The arrival of several more guests distracted them. They watched Maggie greet Pepper and Lisa, who were dressed in sundresses that barely covered their perky bottoms, and high-heeled sandals. Lisa’s fair hair was swept into a low ponytail and her dewy skin flushed pink from the warmth of the afternoon. Or a really good blush. Pepper’s hair was the same color as her name and hung just below her ears in perfect waves. Dark sunglasses covered half of her heart-shaped face. An aura of glamour floated about them like golden-era actresses.
Mary smoothed the front of her maternity dress and wished she’d made more of an effort with her hair instead of simply putting it into a braid.
Beside her, Violet sighed. “Do you see their flat stomachs?”
“Yeah.”
“God, they’re both so pretty. Like movie stars,” Violet said.
“I kind of hate them.”
“Me too.” Violet sighed again. “Do you think I’ll ever have a flat stomach again?”
“I don’t know. We might both be a mess after this.”
“We’re not inviting them next summer,” Violet said with a dry laugh.
Mary wrapped her arm around Violet’s shoulder. “But think of the beautiful babies we’ll have next summer.”
“Right. And all they’ll have is their perfect little bodies and their gorgeous faces.”
“I feel sorry for them,” Mary said.
“Totally.”
“I’m starving,” Mary said. “I haven’t eaten in at least an hour.”
Violet giggled. “Me too. Let’s ask Sophie to make us a big fat burger. There’s some chocolate milk in the fridge. We’ll have to sneak or Dakota and Jubie will want some and spoil their dinner.”
As luck would have it, Mary was seated next to Lisa and Pepper during dinner around the long table. Despite her intentions to the contrary, she immediately liked them both. They shared a gift for gab, leaving Mary to merely respond instead of having to think of anything to say. Throughout the meal, they asked her at least a dozen questions. When was the baby due, how did she meet Lance, had she lived here long? What was her favorite book to give as gifts? Had she ever seen a Broadway play? Wasn’t Maggie simply the best singer in the entire world?
After dinner, most left the table to gather around the fire pit, but the three of them lingered at the table. While Mary nibbled strawberries dipped in cream and Pepper and Lisa sipped wine, she learned more details of the women’s pasts.
Lisa had given up on her Broadway dreams and had gone home to Iowa about the same time Maggie had come home to Cliffside Bay. “I figured it was time for plan B, as Maggie and I called it. I went home to the land of the cornfields and good old-fashioned Midwest values. Sadly, I’ve been bored to tears. There’s nothing interesting there, other than my family. And, I’ve given up all hope of ever finding a good man. I thought for sure the one would be somewhere in the middle of all that corn, but they’re just as awful as the men I dated in New York.”
“But tell her what happened last month.” Pepper crossed her legs and leaned forward over her plate, obviously enjoying herself.
“Out of the blue I got a call from Reggie Prince, our old friend from college. Back then he was a bit of a dork.”
Pepper shuddered and waved her waiflike arms like she was batting away a hornet. “A bit? He was awful. He had these clammy hands he was only too happy to share with any girl in near proximity.”
Lisa smiled. Her mouth was the color of a pink rose. How could she eat without messing up her lipstick? “Now, he’s a director. He’s huge now, which we can’t believe.”
“He was a dreadful actor.” Pepper fluffed her hair with her fingertips. “I had to do a love scene with him for a class and I swear it was nearly impossible to pretend he wasn’t just creepy Reggie Prince.”
“Apparently his true calling was directing,” Lisa said. “He came out to Hollywood and somehow wormed his way into a mentorship with Hugh Hill.”
“Hugh Hill? Isn’t he the director that’s in so much trouble?” Mary asked. According to the news, he was accused of harassment and rape of dozens of women, mostly actresses.
“Yes, that’s how creepy Reggie ended up with the director job,” Pepper said. “They ousted Hill and gave it to Reggie.”
“Anyway, it’s a miniseries for HBO. A period piece set in the Edwardian era,” Lisa said.
“Really?” Mary asked, excited. “From a book?”
“No, it’s a new script. A screenwriter out of England.” A blond curl escaped from Lisa’s ponytail and fell over her forehead. She tossed it away with a flick of her manicured finger.
“And he wanted Lisa for th
e main role,” Pepper said.
“I came out last month for a screen test,” Lisa said.
“They start shooting on Monday,” Pepper said.
“So, here I am in California with an acting job,” Lisa said. “It’s the strangest thing. The minute I give up, a job comes.”
The women spoke as if they were one person. What a riot these two were.
Lisa went on to explain that they would shoot the series in Los Angeles for a few months and then she’d decide what to do after that. “Maggie said I could come stay with them between gigs. That is, if I get any more gigs. One never knows.”
“And what about you, Pepper? Are you still in New York,” Mary asked.
“Well, that’s an interesting story,” Pepper said. “I’ve had a bit of trouble.”
“Trouble?” Mary asked. “What kind of trouble?”
“Of the male variety,” Pepper said. “As in, I fell for the wrong guy. Again.”
“Pepper and I don’t have good luck with men,” Lisa said.
“I fell in love with my costar in the last musical I was in,” Pepper said. “When I found out he was married, I had a little incident. Which, unfortunately, involved the law.”
Mary suppressed a laugh. How little was this incident?
“I had no idea the candlestick was that heavy,” Pepper said. “It was a prop, after all.”
“Candlestick?” Mary asked.
“Yes. The one I hurled at his head.” Pepper’s dark gray eyes shimmered with mischief. “Who knew I had a throwing arm?”
“She took out his two front teeth,” Lisa said. “So, he pressed charges. Actors, very vain, you know.”
Mary didn’t know, but she could imagine.
“Sadly, I couldn’t press charges against him for being a pond-sucking-lying-lowlife,” Pepper said. “The cops were entirely unsympathetic.”
“They said being a cheater wasn’t a crime,” Lisa said.
“It should be,” Mary said.
Pepper slapped the table. “That’s exactly what I think. Anyway, I’m coming out west for a fresh start. I’ll be living with Lisa in L.A. and looking for acting work. I’ve also pledged to give up men for one whole year. No dating sites. Not even one toss of a penny into a wishing pond. This is the new Pepper. I’ll be crazy Auntie Pepper to Maggie’s baby and give up on ever finding a man of my own. Honestly, I’m dying to love on that baby. Although, given the number of you knocked up at this point, I’m worried there’s something in the sea air.”
“It is suspicious.” Mary patted her belly.
“Violet’s having twins. So dreamy.” Lisa glanced over at Violet. “I have a twin brother. He’s back home in Iowa with his wife and kids, but we have a special bond no matter how far away I am.”
A male figure emerged from the house and crossed the lawn. It wasn’t until he was several feet from where they sat that Mary realized it was Rafael. She’d never seen him outside of his station at the Mullens’ where he seemed almost frightening in his intensity. Here now, he looked like one of the guys, wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt.
“Hi everyone.” Rafael flashed a shy half-smile and shoved his hands in the pockets of his shorts. He’s shy, uncomfortable in social situations. Mary could relate.
“Would you like to sit?” Mary asked after introducing Rafael to Lisa and Pepper.
“Um, sure, I guess. Maybe I should get a beer first,” he said.
Mary pointed to the bin of drinks on the outside counter. “Drinks are in there.”
He shuffled over to the bin and rummaged through until he came up with a beer.
“Where have the Dogs been hiding him?” Lisa spoke without moving her mouth. “I’ve never seen him around before.”
“That’s the Mullens’ head of security,” Mary said as quietly as she could. “I’ve never seen him at a social event.”
“Lisa likes the dark and swarthy type,” Pepper whispered.
“And I’m not giving men up for a year or otherwise,” Lisa said.
When Rafael returned with a beer, he sat down at the table, nodding politely.
“What brings you out tonight?” Mary asked. “You’re obviously not working.”
Despite his square jaw and hard mouth, Rafael was soft-spoken with a respectful demeanor. Mary imagined him in another era, holding his hat in his hand in deference to the ladies. “I had the night off and Kara said I should come by. It took me all evening to decide.”
“Why’s that?” Pepper asked. “Are you afraid of people?”
He ducked his head with the same shy smile. “Something like that.”
“Don’t be afraid of us,” Pepper said. “We’re harmless.”
“I am, anyway,” Lisa said. “Pepper’s been known to take out a man or two with a candlestick.”
“One guy.” Pepper held up her finger. “Just one. One man. One candlestick.”
“As weapons go, there could be worse choices.” Rafael took a swig of beer.
“It makes me think of that game, Clue,” Lisa said. “Pepper on the set with a candlestick.”
His dark eyes darted from Lisa to Pepper. Mary wished she could rescue him. He wasn’t used to witty, glamorous women that dazzled with their white teeth and clever tongues. She pictured them in a New York coffee shop, like Dorothy Parker and her crowd.
“Do you have a gun?” Pepper asked Rafael.
“Not now, no. But I wear one when I’m working.”
“How does a person get into the security guard business?” Lisa flushed pink. “I mean, it’s not really a business, but you know, a career.”
Rafael curled his fingers around the beer bottle. “I used to be a cop.”
“In Cliffside Bay?” Pepper asked.
He smiled and shook his head. “No. L.A.P.D.”
“Why aren’t you a cop anymore?” Pepper asked.
He patted his shoulder. “A bullet through my shoulder convinced me to do something a little less in the line of fire, so to speak. Plus, I like living here. The city’s not for me.”
“Weren’t you a former Seal?” Mary asked. She was sure she heard that somewhere.
“That’s right.” Rafael said. “This is my third career.”
“We know how that goes,” Pepper said. “We’ve been waitresses, coat checkers, hotel maids, nannies, shop girls.”
Lisa smiled at Rafael. “We’re actresses.”
“Kara mentioned that,” Rafael said.
“She did?” Lisa asked.
He took a swig of beer and nodded. “It was on her list of why I should come to the party. Like most happily married women, she’s concerned I’m going to die alone with my cat.”
“You have a cat?” Lisa asked.
“Two, actually.”
“I love cats,” Lisa said.
“Doesn’t everyone?” Rafael asked.
“I don’t,” Pepper said. “They’re such jerks.”
“Aloof. They only love you when they’re hungry,” Mary said. “Dogs love you and don’t care who knows it.”
“They say all humans can be classified as either a dog or a cat.” Pepper pointed at Lisa. “She’s a dog who likes cats.”
“I don’t want to be a dog, but it’s true,” Lisa said.
“Why?” Rafael asked.
“Why what?” Lisa swirled the wine in her glass and looked up at him through her lashes. Flirting with the security guard.
“Why don’t you want to be a dog?” Rafael said.
She twirled her ponytail around one finger and looked up, obviously thinking it through. “I don’t know. I suppose it’s because they’re so obvious. You never have to question if a dog loves you. They just do. Even when you don’t deserve it.”
“Which they usually don’t,” Pepper said.
Someone’s phone buzzed.
“That’s me.” Rafael reached into the side pocket of his cargo shorts and pulled out his phone. A flicker of irritation crossed his face. “I’m sorry. I have to take this. Excuse me.” He walked
across the lawn and disappeared into the house.
“Holy God, that man,” Lisa said.
“All dark and mysterious,” Pepper said. “Just your type.”
Maggie joined them at the table. She wore a pair of long cotton maternity pants and a linen shirt. Fair skinned with a million freckles, she almost never sat in the sun without proper coverage.
“You two aren’t corrupting Mary, I hope?” Maggie slid into the seat next to Mary.
“We were discussing the abundance of babies,” Lisa said. “Pepper’s worried, even though she’s sworn off men.”
Maggie smirked. “I heard something about that last night.”
“You say it like you don’t believe I can do it,” Pepper said.
Lisa spoke over Pepper. “But then we were interrupted by Brody and Kara’s hot security guy.”
“Rafael?” Maggie asked. “Yes, he’s dreamy.”
“That’s one word for him,” Lisa said.
The sound of raucous laughter drew their attention to Kyle and his brother Stone over by the pool. Almost dark now, the lights of the swimming pool illuminated their faces.
“Who is that?” Pepper asked, staring at Stone in a way that gave no credence to her pledge of celibacy.
“Kyle’s brother,” Maggie said. “He’s the contractor who built this house.”
“That explains the muscles,” Pepper said.
“New to town. Single. Hot,” Maggie said. “But you’re not interested in men, isn’t that right?”
Pepper blinked, as if waking from a trance. “Correct. Yes. No men for a year.”
“But in that time, he could be snatched up,” Lisa said. “Good men don’t stay single long.”
“Not in this town,” Maggie said. “If they’re under seventy, especially.”
Kyle and Stone headed in their direction.
“Keep your head,” Lisa said to Pepper.
“No worries. I’ve totally got this,” Pepper said.
Upon their arrival at the table, Kyle plopped next to Mary. He smelled like sunscreen and beer. “Lisa and Pepper, have you met my brother, Stone?”
“No, we haven’t. I’m Lisa.” She smiled up at him. “Maggie’s best friend from college.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Stone remained standing as he shook her hand. Mary studied him for a moment. He looked like Kyle. Same intense blue eyes and hawkish nose and high cheekbones, only Stone had him by several inches in every direction. She guessed he was over six feet and built like a tank. His muscular torso stretched his soft, thin t-shirt taut over his chest. The span of his biceps could easily be the size of Pepper’s waist.
Tainted Page 22
