The Summer of Sunshine and Margot

by Susan Mallery

  “I’m not sure they’d get along although they are both intelligent species. They might figure it out.”

  She poured herself a glass of ice water, then sat across from him at the island.

  “They’re leaning toward breaking up the space into different gardens. They might want a maze of some kind and that’s all we’ve got. At some point they’re going to have to pick a direction or kill us. I’m used to clients needing time and hand-holding but nothing like this.”

  “The Huntington gardens are all different. I wonder if that would inspire them or make it worse.”

  “I don’t think I could get through a field trip,” he admitted. “Not without bloodshed.”

  “Yours or theirs?”

  “I have no idea.”

  She laughed. “So you connect different gardens with a thing, right? The material used to construct it or the same planters or a type of plant?”

  “Exactly. Feel free to suggest something. I’m running out of ideas. Last week they wanted all organic. This week they’re wondering about sand because we’re close to the beach. I could work with sand. Sand is great. Until I got an email this afternoon saying sand was too obvious.”

  “Yikes. That’s not easy.”

  “We’ll get there. Like I said, I’m used to hand-holding, but sometimes it’s wearing. Now tell me about your day. Why are you stress baking?”

  Her shoulders slumped and she sighed heavily. “It’s dumb.”

  “No, it’s not. It’s important. Talk.”

  “I started my math class today.”

  “And?”

  “And it was awful. Professor Rejefski is seriously intimidating. The students are all younger than me and I couldn’t follow the lesson.”

  “Not any of it?”

  “Some. But then it got confusing. I haven’t had to study since high school. I never went to college. I signed up but then I met some guy and I took off. I was always an indifferent student at best and I figured when I applied myself, it would be easy or at least doable. But what if it isn’t? What if I was a C student because I’m just not smart enough? What if this is the best I can ever be?”

  He leaned toward her. “Sunshine, it was one day.”

  “I know, but—”

  “One day. Give yourself a break.”

  “I’m afraid I’ve peaked.”

  He held in a smile. “Tell me about making pie.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve heard making the crust is the hard part. Why can’t you just add the ingredients and have piecrust?”

  She frowned. “Weird question but sure. It’s not just about ingredients. You have to feel your way. It’s a texture thing and it takes practice.” Her mouth twisted. “Are you using a pie analogy to make me feel better? Pie?”

  “Technically piecrust and yes. Look, no one is good at everything the first time. Riding a bike, singing, learning to read, going back to college.”

  Sex. The thought came unbidden and he pushed it away. He was enjoying his conversation with Sunshine and he wasn’t going to screw it up by being a guy.

  “It’s been one day,” he repeated. “Give yourself a break and some time. How was the professor intimidating?”

  “She had a lot of rules. And there was something with blue books I didn’t understand.”

  “Rules are good. You know where you stand and what’s expected. You’ll buy blue books at the student store and take your tests in them. She probably said she would collect blank ones from you before the tests, then give you back ones she brought.”

  “Why?”

  “To prevent cheating. Otherwise people write notes and formulas in the books.”

  Sunshine looked shocked. “They do that?” She shook her head. “Of course they do that. I’m so out of touch. Some guy invited me back to his place for a pool party. He’s like eighteen. Why?”

  Declan took another drink of his martini. “You’re asking me why an eighteen-year-old guy wants to go out with you? Is that a serious question?”

  “I meant I’m not looking for that kind of thing.”

  “You’ve sworn off men?” Knowing that would be a big help, he thought. Or at least he hoped it would be.

  “Not exactly. I just don’t want to be all boo—Ah, I don’t want to be dating guys who are just in it for sex and a fling. I want someone who wants a real relationship. Someone smart and kind and funny who sees me as a person.”

  There was a lot of information there—information he would have to think about later. “Seems reasonable.”

  “Maybe. I don’t know. Right now I want to do my job and figure out college.”

  “I was a pretty decent student,” he told her. “Here’s what I can tell you. Keep up with the material. Try to read ahead so you can ask questions during the lecture. Go to the TA sessions.”

  “That’s what Professor Rejefski said. I wrote down the dates, but what is it?”

  “TAs are teacher’s assistants. Usually grad students. They have help sessions where they go over the material. You can get more personal attention. There’s probably a math lab on campus. Check that out. Sit up front so the professor gets to know you. Be engaged. Show interest in the class.”

  “Why?”

  He smiled. “Because she’ll see you’re trying. At the end of the semester, if you’re on the cusp of getting a higher grade, being engaged can push you over the top.”

  Sunshine’s eyes widened. “They do that?”

  “They’re human, so yes.”

  “I’m shocked.”

  He chuckled. “Get over it.”

  “There’s a whole secret world out there.”

  “The cliché is true—success is about showing up.” He pushed himself away from the counter. “You can do this. It will take a while to get into the rhythm of studying and taking tests, but I have every faith in you.”

  She smiled. “That’s about the nicest thing you could have said. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  They looked at each other. Declan wanted to tell himself there was a bit of tension sizzling between them but he had a feeling that was the martini talking. He slid off the stool.

  “I’m going to check on Connor, then come back and help you pack up the baked goods.”

  “You don’t have to. I’ll take care of it. Dinner at six?”

  “Sure. See you then.”

  And with that, order was restored to exactly what it should be.

  * * *

  Three days into Bianca’s training, Alec had to admit Margot was less of a disruption than he would have expected. She was quiet, unobtrusive and, except for when she was in the dining room to collect her breakfast, he rarely saw her.

  From what his mother had told him, they were mostly working in the greenhouse until the temperatures warmed enough for them to be outside. Bianca seemed happy, his house was quiet and that was all Alec required of the situation. He still had his doubts about his mother’s ability to adapt to Wesley’s lifestyle, but that was not his problem.

  He returned to the house and saw Margot standing in the cloisters, a cell phone in her hand.

  “You piece of shit. Leave me alone.”

  He was reasonably confident she wasn’t addressing him, so rather than respond, he paused and cleared his throat.

  Margot spun to face him, her face flushing with color.

  “Sorry,” she said, tucking her phone into a pocket. “I’m having a moment.”

  She wore a sleeveless red dress that fit to her waist before flaring out to just above her knee. Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. She had on flat shoes, no jewelry save a watch, and minimal makeup. She appeared competent and capable and yet he found himself keenly cognizant of the fact that she was both a woman and incredibly beautiful. A combination that seemed to, as his mother
would phrase it, rattle his cage.

  He shook off his awareness. “Do you need assistance?”

  “Thank you, but no. I’m fine.” She hesitated. “An old boyfriend is trying to get in touch with me. I’ve changed cell numbers and moved, all without telling him. One of my friends thinks I should give him a second chance. Which would technically be a fourteenth chance. I said no. She thought I was wrong.”

  Before he could decide how to respond, she continued.

  “It’s not him, it’s me. I’m a relatively smart person. I know what I want in my life and I make it happen. But when I’m around him, I make absurd choices. I completely accept my responsibility in everything that has gone wrong. It’s really me. So the best thing is to avoid him. Which is getting easier. I just don’t want to see him.”

  Alec felt a sudden and unexpected loathing toward a man he’d never met. How peculiar. “I’m sure everyone has someone in their past they wish to avoid.”

  “Even you?”

  “Even me.”

  She flashed him a smile. “You’re very kind, but I suspect you’re just trying to make me feel better.”

  “On the contrary, I’m telling the truth. I was engaged a few years ago. She was also a scholar. That was how we met. We were well suited and I suppose we fell in love.”

  He paused knowing he could go either way with the rest of the story. He could say what he always said, or he could tell the truth.

  He briefly looked out in the garden. No, not the truth. It was too personal, and far too humiliating.

  “She was well published, or so I thought. It turns out she had been plagiarizing someone else’s work. An obscure historian who had published in the 1940s. She was eventually caught.” He returned his attention to Margot. “It wasn’t the cheating so much as what it said of her character.”

  “Of course. If she would lie about that, what else would she lie about?”

  “Exactly.”

  “People are sometimes confusing,” she said. “I apologize for my outburst.”

  “No need. I’m sure he deserved every word.”

  She laughed. “He did, but still. All right. Change of subject. Things are going well with your mother. I would like to plan a couple of social events.”

  Alec instinctively stiffened. He didn’t enjoy social events. There were too many people he didn’t know and he found small talk tiresome. Why did he have to put in the effort to get to know someone he would never meet again? How was that enjoyable? He wanted to say as much but he had a feeling Margot had only mentioned what she did because she wanted him to be there.

  “Such as?” he asked, hoping he sounded enthused rather than resigned.

  “First I want to meet Wesley. Getting to know him will help me understand the dynamics of their relationship. I was thinking drinks somewhere.”

  “Oh. Wesley is easy to talk to. Probably the result of his diplomatic training. Invite him here. My mother will be more relaxed and that should help you with your observations.”

  She smiled. “Thank you, Alec. That’s very kind. I’ll get going on that right away. The second event is a dinner. I want a combination of people Bianca knows and those she doesn’t. The dinner would be fairly formal. Several courses, a lot of passing of plates and choosing the right fork. The purpose is to see how she does with the etiquette and with the stress of the people. I would appreciate if you could be there. I’ll ask Wesley, of course. I’m thinking of inviting my sister, if that’s all right.”

  “You have a sister?”

  “A fraternal twin. Sunshine.” Margot smiled. “She’s a nanny for an eight-year-old boy. I’d also like to invite her employer and his son. Children always shift the dynamics. I’ll find a restaurant with a private room so we’re not dealing with outside influences.”

  While he would never choose a dinner like she described, he saw the purpose immediately. When working with people, observation was an important tool.

  “Have the dinner here,” he said impulsively. “Edna will be thrilled to cook something more challenging than food for the freezer. She is forever hinting I should host a party.” Something that was never going to happen. He did not, as a rule, like strangers in his house. He didn’t like situations where he was not completely in control. But somehow this was different.

  Margot touched his arm. “Thank you, Alec. I really appreciate your help in this. Let me check with Bianca and get back to you with dates. You’re all right with me inviting my sister and her employer and his son?”

  “Of course.”

  She’d rested her fingers on his forearm for barely a second, yet he felt the imprint as if she’d branded him. How peculiar.

  She pointed at the gardens. “Sunshine’s boss is a landscape architect. He’s going to love what you’ve done here.”

  Information clicked into place. The landscape architect, the eight-year-old boy, the nanny possibly hired because...

  “Does she work for Declan Dubois?”

  “How did you know?”

  He nodded toward the gardens. “That’s his work. He’s been to the house dozens of times. I’d forgotten he lost his wife a few months ago. I know Declan, but my mother’s never met him.”

  Her mouth curved up. “And people say LA is a big town.”

  “It may be but Pasadena is not. As I said, my mother doesn’t know him. She didn’t come see the house until my remodels were finished. He and his son will be strangers to her.”

  “Excellent. Then we have a plan. I’ll be in touch with the details. Thank you again, Alec. I appreciate the support.”

  “Of course.”

  She walked inside. He watched her go, telling himself that he simply wanted to help his mother. There was no other reason he had agreed. It certainly wasn’t to impress Margot. What a ridiculous thing to think.

  Chapter Seven

  “Five, four, three, two, one. And take it down. You have thirty seconds to catch your breath.”

  Margot lowered her butt to the seat of her bike and adjusted the resistance. Her thighs were on fire and she was breathing heavily, but in a good way. Spin class always got her heart racing.

  “I hate you,” Sunshine gasped from the bike next to her. “Why would you make me do this?” Her sister was sweating and red faced. “Who thought this up? It’s hideous.”

  Margot laughed. “You said you’d go to an exercise class if we were sitting down. We’re sitting.”

  “Not all the time. The instructor keeps telling us to get our butts off the seats. What’s the point of having a seat if you can’t use it?”

  Before Margot could answer, their rest period was over and they had to crank it up again. Sunshine groaned before increasing the resistance and standing in the pedals. When Margot glanced at her, Sunshine mouthed, “You are dead to me.”

  Margot grinned.

  Twenty minutes later the class was over. Sunshine wiped the sweat from her face and neck as she limped toward the door.

  “I’m never coming back,” she muttered.

  “You say that every time we do this class.”

  “And I mean it. Later I forget, but this time I’m getting a tattoo so it doesn’t slip my mind.”

  “Wasn’t there a movie about that?”

  “Someone hating spin class? I don’t think so.”

  Margot smiled. “Using tattoos to remember things. It doesn’t matter. Come on, I’ll buy you a smoothie.”

  Sunshine rolled her eyes. “You mean at that juice place, don’t you? How about a milk shake from a burger place instead?”

  “You just burned a bunch of calories and did something good for your body. Wouldn’t you rather have a vegan smoothie?”

  “No.”

  “I think you’re just pretending.”

  “I’m sure that’s it.”

  They walked across the parking lo
t to the juice store. Margot ordered her usual green drink of spinach, parsley, cucumber and kale with a little red apple tossed in for sweetness. Sunshine chose a protein drink with almond milk, cacao, banana and vegan vanilla protein powder.

  “I’d rather have ice cream,” she said as they sat with their drinks at one of the outside tables. “You should care about my happiness.”

  “I care about your health, too.”

  “I don’t mind being fat. I’ve accepted my body shape. It is what it is.”

  “You’re not fat.” Not in the least, Margot thought. Sunshine was lush and curvy. She looked vibrant and sexy and alive.

  Margot, on the other hand, looked cool and distant. There was something about the way she talked or moved that put off people who didn’t know her well. She knew that technically she was considered beautiful, but in an “under glass” kind of way. People didn’t see her as approachable or warm.

  “How are things?” she asked.

  “Okay. Work’s good, but school is hard. The second day was slightly less overwhelming than the first. I did the homework and I got most of it right, so that’s good. But the professor intimidates me and everyone is a lot younger. I worry they’re also smarter than me or at least used to the going to college thing.”

  “You’re feeling out of place,” Margot said.

  Her sister sighed. “Don’t try your Jedi mind tricks on me. I’m immune.”

  “They’re not Jedi mind tricks, they’re techniques and they could help you feel more confident.”

  “Um, no. But thanks for asking.”

  “You don’t respect what I do,” Margot said, her tone mild.

  “I respect it immensely. I just choose not to participate in it. I need to find my own way. You know that.”

  “I do.”

  Sunshine had always been the one to strike out and forge her own path—something she’d inherited from their mother. Margot liked making a plan and then following it. She liked lists and goals and knowing she’d made progress.

  “School is big for me,” Sunshine said. “I know it’s the right thing to do and I’ll get through it, but it’s a shock to my system.”