Teri was the last person to leave the salon that night. She set a final load of towels in the dryer, turned off the lights and headed out the door, locking it carefully before leaving the mall. Her feet hurt, and she was looking forward to a soak in her tub, a microwave pizza and a good book.
The stretch limo in the rear of the mall lot caught her attention right away. As soon as Teri appeared, the car started moving in her direction.
Teri froze.
Sure enough, the car slowed to a crawl and stopped directly beside her. The door opened. Apparently she was supposed to get in, no questions asked.
She bent over and looked inside.
Just as she’d suspected, there sat Bobby Polgar. This car could easily seat ten thin people or maybe eight women her size. Yet the only person inside was the chess player.
“Why wouldn’t you see me?” he asked.
“I told your driver I was booked for the day. I was.”
“Do you have time now?” He gestured toward the seat next to him. She studied him critically—he was of average height and build and wore glasses with dark frames. Quite nerdy looking, really. He didn’t appear to give much thought to fashion…or anything other than chess.
“Why?” she asked, genuinely curious.
Her question seemed to surprise him. “So we can talk.”
“What do we have to talk about?” she demanded.
“Are you always this much trouble?”
“No,” she told him truthfully. “But I had a very busy day and I’m tired.”
He frowned as though he found her statement puzzling. “You weren’t busy last Saturday?”
“I had a lighter schedule. I rescheduled two afternoon appointments in order to get to Seattle.” She didn’t mention the money she’d borrowed.
“Your diagnosis was correct,” he reminded her. He leaned forward and offered her his hand. “I won the match.”
Capitulating, Teri reluctantly climbed inside the limo, which was the biggest one she’d ever seen. She ran her hand over the plush upholstery and gazed up. The ceiling had lights that changed color every few seconds, subtle pastel colors that gave the interior a soft, flattering glow.
“Would you like something to drink?” Bobby asked.
“What’ve you got?”
“What do you want?” was his reply.
“A beer sounds good.”
“A beer,” he repeated as if he’d never heard the word before.
“Preferably a cold one.”
Bobby pushed a button and spoke into an intercom. “A cold beer for the lady, James.”
Teri nearly burst out laughing. “Your driver’s name is James?”
“That amuses you?” He wore the same puzzled look he had earlier.
She did a poor job of hiding her amusement. “It’s just so…clichéd.”
“Is it?” he asked, his expression still bewildered.
The car took off.
“Hey, just a minute,” Teri said, glancing around, suddenly unsure. “Where are we going?”
Bobby stared at her. “To get you a cold beer. Don’t worry. James can be trusted.”
“I trust James. You’re the one who’s got me worried.”
Bobby Polgar nearly smiled. “I like you. You’re a little on the fat side but—”
“And you’re on the rude side,” she interrupted. “Now take me back to my car.”
“In a minute.” He seemed to be in no hurry.
She crossed her arms. Never had she dreamed she’d be riding in a vehicle like this. “I thought you would’ve left the area by now.”
“Aren’t you pleased to see me?”
She shrugged. “Not particularly.”
He frowned.
Teri supposed that Mr. Bobby Big Shot wasn’t used to someone unwilling to pander to his gigantic ego. “You know, you didn’t pay me last Saturday. That’s fine, although payment at the time is customary. I didn’t intend on charging you—but it would’ve been nice if you’d offered.”
“You got the money?”
“Yes, thank you. That was a pretty hefty tip.”
“You deserved it.”
“You didn’t bother to thank me, either.”
“No,” he agreed, “I didn’t. I don’t think much about anything other than chess.”
As if she hadn’t figured that out.
The car stopped. About three minutes later the door opened and James, the man who’d come into the salon earlier, handed Teri a cold beer.
“Thank you, James,” she murmured, stifling a laugh.
The driver began to close the door.
“James,” Bobby said simply, “I’d like one, too.”
James did a double take, obviously wondering if he’d heard correctly. “You, sir?”
“Yes, me.”
“Right away, sir.”
The door closed. “You like yes-men, don’t you?”
Bobby studied her a moment and once more, came close to smiling. “When you’re as rich and celebrated as I am, most everyone is a yes-man.”
She flipped back the pull tab and took a long, thirsty swallow. “Not me.”
“So I noticed.”
The door opened again, and James gave his boss a second can of beer. Bobby took it and examined the top. He reached for the tab, but apparently couldn’t get his finger under it.
“Oh, for the love of heaven,” Teri muttered. She grabbed it, balancing her own can between her knees. “You’re helpless.”
Bobby met her gaze and then he did smile. “You’re the first person to really see that, Miss Teri Miller. I am rather helpless.”
Twelve
“Cal’s here,” Linnette said loudly, peering out the living room window on Easter afternoon. She’d been helping her mother in the kitchen, preparing dinner, and had begun to set the table. Dropping the curtain, Linnette hurried to the front door, but then felt she needed to give her family a reminder. “Mom, Dad, please don’t embarrass him,” she cautioned.
Her father glanced up from the Seattle newspaper, which he read from front to back every Sunday. “About what?”
“He’s been seeing a speech therapist in Silverdale and he’s kind of self-conscious. Sometimes he hesitates between words, but don’t pay any attention to that, okay?”
“No problem.” Her father went back to reading the paper.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” her mother said from the kitchen doorway.
The doorbell chimed and Linnette opened it to Cal, who couldn’t have looked handsomer had he tried. He wore a tan leather jacket, polished boots and pressed jeans. His beautiful blue eyes searched hers out, and Linnette reassured him with a grin. Reaching for his hand, she pulled him into the house.
“Hello, Cal,” her father said, briefly lowering the paper.
“Welcome, Cal,” her mother called from the kitchen.
“It smells good in here,” Cal said without stumbling over a single word.
Linnette’s heart swelled with pride at his fluent delivery. “That’s the ham. Mom coats it with brown sugar and maple syrup and tops it with cloves. I’ve never tasted any ham better than hers. It’s just wonderful, so be sure and compliment her.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll package up some of the leftovers for you. There’s always plenty.”
“Hey, don’t be giving away my ham,” her father chastised in a humorous tone.
Cal looked around the room and Linnette knew what he was thinking. She answered the question he’d wordlessly asked. “Mack’s on his way,” she said. “He phoned. Apparently the bridge traffic is a nightmare.”
“Gloria?”
“Will be here by four.”
“She’s working. Low man on the totem pole,” Roy explained. “In this case, low woman.”
Her newfound sister was a Bremerton police officer. Before moving to Cedar Cove, Roy had worked for the Seattle Police department. Linnette found it interesting—and very fitting—that Gloria had chosen the same profession.
Sh
e’d initially made contact with her birth parents by sending anonymous postcards, flower arrangements and other benign but puzzling messages. Eventually, Roy unearthed the mystery and Gloria was welcomed into the family. However, they were still finding their way with one another, treading carefully, creating a new dynamic. This afternoon would be a test.
“Gloria said we should start without her,” Linnette murmured, “but I told her we wouldn’t.”
“She’ll call if she gets held up,” Roy said confidently. He’d spent quite a bit of time with Gloria, and at first Linnette had been afraid that sharing her father would be difficult, since she and her dad had a close relationship. But it didn’t bother her at all—mainly, Linnette believed, because she had Cal. Since their working hours often conflicted, they weren’t able to see each other as often as they would’ve liked. If it was up to Linnette, that would be every day. But she had to be content with phone calls and seeing each other twice a week, if that.
Lately Cal had been in town more often because of his visits to the speech therapist. He usually stopped in to see her on the way to his appointment or afterward. The progress he’d made in such a short time was truly impressive.
“I was putting the finishing touches on the table,” Linnette said. “You want to help me?”
“Linnette.” Her father’s voice betrayed some impatience. “Cal’s our guest. I don’t think it’s good form to ask him to set the table.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she muttered, smiling at Cal.
Cal grinned back and sat down on the sofa. Her father handed him a section of newspaper, which Cal accepted.
Linnette returned to the kitchen. “The least Dad could do is talk to him,” she told her mother.
Corrie shook her head. “You know your father.”
“This is the man I’ll probably marry.” She truly hoped that was the case. Cal hadn’t brought up the subject of marriage yet, but as far as Linnette could tell, they were definitely headed in that direction.
The doorbell rang again, and before anyone could answer, Mack walked into the house bearing a tall lily with three huge blooms. Her brother had trimmed his hair and actually looked decent. Well…halfway decent. This was an effort to appease their father, Linnette guessed. He wore jeans, sandals and a flowered shirt that made her shudder slightly. He needed a woman to help him dress better, but she wasn’t volunteering. Lucky followed him in and settled by the fireplace.
“Happy Easter, everyone,” he said. “When’s the Easter egg hunt?”
“You’re too old for chocolate bunnies,” Corrie laughed, coming out of the kitchen. She kissed her son on the cheek and made a fuss over the lily, then placed it in the center of the dining room table.
Cal stood, and the two men shook hands. Linnette was immediately concerned. She hadn’t mentioned to her brother that Cal was working with a speech therapist and feared Mack might say something that would unintentionally embarrass him.
“What’s for dinner?” Mack rubbed his palms together, as if he was ready to start eating that minute. “I’m starved.”
“Good. We’ll begin as soon as Gloria gets here.”
“You mean you didn’t make those little cheese rolls?” Mack asked, clearly disappointed.
“Yeah,” Roy said, setting aside the newspaper. “What about a few appetizers to tide us over?”
“They’re coming,” Corrie said. “Roy, could you see what everyone wants to drink?”
“Mom bakes these little cheese-filled biscuits Mack loves,” Linnette explained for Cal’s sake. “You’ll want to taste them, but don’t overdo it or you’ll ruin your dinner.”
“I won’t,” he promised.
“No matter what holiday it is, Mack wants Mom to bake cheese biscuits. Easter, Thanksgiving. Christmas…”
“Groundhog Day,” her brother added, as their father got to his feet to offer drinks.
“They sound good,” Cal agreed.
“I’ll have a beer, Dad.”
“Me, too, Mr. McAfee,” Cal put in.
Mack suddenly turned to him. “Hey, Cal—”
Linnette kicked his ankle.
“Ouch. What was that for?” Mack demanded.
Linnette blushed. “Oh, sorry, did I kick you?”
“Yes, and it hurt.” Her brother rubbed his ankle.
“Come help me in the kitchen, would you?” she said pointedly and half dragged her brother out of the living room. As soon as they were out of earshot, she whispered fiercely, “Don’t embarrass Cal! He’s seeing a speech therapist about his stutter. Having everyone comment only calls attention to it.”
“The only person embarrassing Cal,” her brother said in a whisper, “is you. Give the guy a break.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re suffocating him,” Mack insisted. “And if you keep doing that, you’re going to lose him.”
Linnette started to tell her brother he was being ridiculous but then the doorbell rang a third time. Gloria had arrived. She still wore her police uniform. “I didn’t take time to change,” she said, “I hope that’s all right.”
“Where’s Chad?” Linnette asked. She knew that Chad Timmons, the physician she worked with at the clinic, was interested in Gloria.
“I didn’t ask him to join us,” Gloria said as she removed her jacket; Roy took it to hang in the hallway closet.
Linnette was disappointed for Chad, who’d been hoping for an invitation.
“Can we eat now?” Mack asked impatiently.
“Did I hold up dinner?” Gloria wanted to know.
“Not at all,” Corrie assured her. “I thought you wanted appetizers,” she reminded her son.
“Oh, yeah.”
“Well, they’re on the way.”
They all sat in the living room, waiting for Corrie. Linnette was at Cal’s side and took his hand, entwining their fingers. Her mother had returned to the kitchen and now carried a plate of Mack’s favorite cheese biscuits, along with a veggie tray and dips. Roy passed out drinks—beers for all the men and glasses of white wine for the women.
“You’ll love this dip Mom makes, too,” Linnette said, dipping a carrot stick in a rich creamy mixture and handing it to Cal.
“I was in Cedar Cove earlier this week,” Mack said as he filled a small plate. The cheese biscuits were still hot, and he burned his finger. “Ouch, dammit.”
“You didn’t come by,” Corrie murmured.
“By the time I finished, all I wanted to do was get home and take a hot shower.”
“Finished what?” Linnette asked her brother.
Mack straightened and looked around the room. “I applied with the Cedar Cove fire department,” he announced.
“What does the application process involve?” Gloria leaned forward, serving herself a small plate of appetizers.
Mack took a gulp of beer. “I had to complete a physical test, and I’m not talking about some doc listening to my heart, either. This was running up flights of stairs and stuff like that.”
“How’d you do?” their father asked.
From the gleam in his eyes, Linnette knew her brother had passed. “All right, I guess. I’m taking the written exam next.”
“I guess you like this sort of work, since you’re a volunteer firefighter,” Roy said. “At least you know exactly what you’re in for.” The two hadn’t always gotten along, but Linnette could see they were both making an effort. Roy didn’t add that he’d much prefer having his son a firefighter than working for the post office, although that wasn’t exactly a secret.
“I do,” Mack responded. “I hope they hire me—and the truth is, I wouldn’t mind being closer to everyone on this side of the water. If I do get the job, it means I’ll be attending firefighting school for ten weeks. There’s one near North Bend.”
“We’d love having you live closer,” Corrie told her son, her face glowing with happiness. “And ten weeks will pass quickly.”
“I might be leaving for a while, too,” Cal
said.
“Leaving?” Linnette cried. Why hadn’t she heard of this before? That he’d chosen to bring it up at a family function distressed her. “Where are you going and why? You won’t be gone long, I hope.”
“M-mustangs,” he said, faltering over a word for the first time that day.
“What about mustangs?” she said, pressing him. When they were alone, she’d ask him more, but already she didn’t like the sound of this.
“Wild mustangs—f-feral horses—are being rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management. Then they’re sold. Cliff and I—”
“Cliff is sending you away? When?”
Cal ignored her questions. “These wild horses, some of them, are being slaughtered. The BLM m-m-makes them available for adoption, and several rescue organizations—”
“Cliff wants to add mustangs to his herd?” Linnette asked, too upset to allow Cal to finish. “He can send anyone. He doesn’t need to send you.”
“Linnette,” Gloria said gently, “let Cal talk.”
“I’m going to v-volunteer with the BLM and help round up mustangs and get them to the adoption centers.” He seemed to speak without stopping for breath. “I want to see that they’re p-protected. A lot of them are sold at auction and, like I said, some end up being slaughtered. I hope to work with one of the rescue groups to prevent that.”
“How long will you be away?” she asked.
Cal shrugged. “A month, maybe more.”
“A month?” That was completely unreasonable. Wouldn’t this be a hardship for Cliff? Furthermore, it would be difficult on them as a couple. Surely a man didn’t walk away from a relationship this strong without discussing the prospect with the woman in his life. She didn’t understand why Cal hadn’t mentioned his interest in volunteering before now. Nor did she appreciate the fact that he’d revealed it in front of her family and not told her first.
Perhaps Linnette was overreacting, but Cal was doing so well with his therapy and their relationship was everything to her. She couldn’t bear it if he left—even for a short time.
“I think that’s a wonderful thing for you to do,” Corrie said. Thanks, Mom, Linnette thought irritably.
“I do, too,” Mack concurred. “I’ve read about what’s happening to those wild horses and it’s a crying shame.”