by Janet Eaves
She looked like an Irish gypsy with a Leprechaun’s smile and sparkling blue eyes. She was one of those women who could pass as early thirties, but had an air of knowledge that could add a decade or two.
Lilly returned her smile. “Hi, I’m Lilly Peach, and I guess you are Suzie, owner of this lovely home.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m Suzie Schul.” She reached out and took one of Lilly’s large suitcases before leading the way into the house. “Welcome. Come on in. You’re my only guest tonight.”
Lilly followed her into the house and instantly fell in love. The entryway opened into a large living space filled with floral padded wicker furniture, house plants of all sizes, and mosaic topped tables that complemented the lakefront colors and patterns in the room. Even the windows were adorned with similar colored glass balls and beads. Promising herself the opportunity to get a closer look at everything later, she followed Suzie up the stairs to the first of two doors.
“You have a bathroom that adjoins the two bedrooms up here. For tonight, at least, you have it all to yourself.” She opened the door and stepped back. “I hope this suits you.”
Lilly stepped into the room and felt a sense of peace envelop her. “It’s perfect. It’s all so perfect.” To her horror tears sprang from out of nowhere. She lowered her head and wiped at her eyes, unsure what had hit her so hard, and even less sure what to do about it.
“Oh, honey. What’s wrong?” Suzie sat the suitcase down and touched Lilly’s arms.
That only made things worse. “I’m sorry. Oh, good grief. I’m so embarrassed.” Lilly sniffed, wiping at her now running nose. She shook with the effort to control the overwhelming rush of emotions. “This is so stupid. I’m fine. Really.”
Compassion suited Suzie’s freckled face, Lilly decided, desperately determined to halt the tears. “I’m sorry,” she repeated, looking around for a tissue. “This is embarrassingly stupid.”
Suzie slid open the single drawer of the bedside table and handed her a small box of tissues. “It’s not stupid. Sometimes we just need to cry. I’ll give you time to let it out. And then, if you are sure you’re all right, I’ll go make us some tea. Or if you prefer, a martini.” The leprechaun smile was back. “And if you feel up to it, we’ll sit out on the sun porch off my kitchen and get to know each other.”
Lilly was tempted to claim fatigue, but the soft, mysterious Irish tunes, the incredibly seductive scents filling the home, the aura of kindness from her host, as well as the need to be a part of something normal for a change had her accepting. “I’d love some tea. Thank you.”
Suzie left her to the privacy of the room she would call her own until she found a house to rent. This room, just like the one below, was designed with vacationing on the lake in mind. The full size bed, covered with what looked like a hand sewn quilt in varying shades of turquoise and sand, had a large wicker headboard. The matching night stand held a small lamp and cordless telephone. The long dresser, the last piece of the set, had more than enough drawers to accommodate her few possessions.
The first order of business was to pull herself together. What, she wondered, had brought on the tears? She hadn’t cried in…forever. Not during all the years she’d been in hiding. Or even before that when she’d had to face a hard truth and turn against people she’d once loved. But she wouldn’t think about that now. She preferred to never think of it again.
No! She would never think of it again. It was a promise. A prayer.
After a quick splash of water on her face in the small but lovely bathroom, Lilly placed her clothing neatly in the dresser drawers and closet and laid out her toiletries on the little tray provided just inside the bedroom by the bathroom’s door. What a neat idea, she thought, since she would likely be sharing the bathroom before her stay was over.
After checking to make sure that door, as well as the one leading to the hallway were locked, she pulled out the money she had hoarded over the past four years, as well as what the agency had provided for her new start. The agency money would be plenty to establish a checking account for business and personal expenses. Her savings would keep hidden until she was certain she could relax and make a real life for herself in Legend. She stuffed her savings into a zippered pillowcase and tucked it back into the suitcase’s false bottom.
That left one last item nestled in the bottom of her case. Lilly stared at the holstered Lady Colt, a .45 automatic pistol she’d been trained and licensed to carry. She hesitated, then closed the suitcase and stored both cases upon the closet shelf. She wouldn’t sleep with the gun under her pillow, nor would she carry it in her purse anymore. If Polly was right, and she was staking her life that Polly was, she was safe. The gun would stay stored. She would get a normal life.
It wasn’t so much to ask.
Good Lord, she thought, please don’t let it be too much to ask.
One deep breath and Lilly made her way downstairs. She followed the smell of something incredible to the very updated, gourmet’s dream kitchen. An amused light flashed in her hostess’s eyes as Lilly entered the room.
“I couldn’t resist. I’m trying a new twist on my chocolate swirl cream puffs before my class tomorrow. I’ve started teaching cooking classes on Saturdays and I wanted to perfect these before I shared the recipe with my friends. If they turn out well enough, I’ll add the change to the cookbook I’m putting together.” Suzie went to the large stainless steel range and poured steaming tea into two tall mugs adding a long cinnamon stick before handing the mug to Lilly. “I hope you like this. It’s my own blend.”
Lilly shook her head. “You cook, you teach, you’re writing a cookbook, and you no doubt decorated this lovely home. Please tell me you aren’t responsible for the incredible gardens outside, too.”
Suzie just shrugged. “My passions are many.” A bit of the sparkle left her eyes. “And they come at a price.” With a slight shake of her head her smile was back in place. “But then so does everything worthwhile.” She took the cream filled puffs from the cooling rack and placed one on each of two boldly colored saucers then slid one towards Lilly. “Come on, I want to show you why I bought this place.”
Exiting the kitchen through the back door they entered a screened-in porch, lit only by a dozen or so candles. The porch, like the house, was designed for comfort and relaxation. Lilly followed her host to one of the two overstuffed patio chairs and placed her still steaming mug on a coaster-covered frosted-glass tabletop. She took a bite of the pastry and quietly moaned with the pleasure of it. Suzie smiled her approval of Lilly’s reaction, then bit into her own.
Chirps and croaks, the gentle whoosh and whistle of the breeze through trees, and the rhythm of water lapping against shore were so peaceful Lilly yawned, making her afraid she might just fall asleep right there. She smiled at her hostess, a woman who seemed comfortable in her own skin and content to just sit quietly as if she had known that that was what Lilly had really needed. “This is lovely. I know I keep saying that. But really, I’ve never felt so instantly at peace anywhere.”
“Thank you. Neither have I.” Suzie chuckled. “But I haven’t been many places either. Born here, lived here all my life except the two years I went to culinary school, and plan to die here.” She rose and went to stand looking out into the now complete darkness, made darker by the many tall pines foresting her land.
“I did take a couple of months’ vacation once.” Suzie turned back with a distant look of wonder and loss. “It was wonderful.” She glanced at her wrist and then at her guest. “I’d better get on to bed. Early to bed and early to rise for me has kept me healthy, and if not actually wealthy, at least doing okay, but wise? Hmmm.” She grinned and shook her head as if trying to dislodge something funny.
“I hope you’ll come to my class tomorrow. It’ll give you a chance to meet some of the locals, including our town’s living legend.”
Chapter Two
“Dammit to hell, Kyle! Catch that damned ball!”
Coach Jim Hood
grabbed the scruff of his wide receiver’s neck and pulled him close. “Son, what’s the problem? You haven’t made one play worth a damn today.”
The boy, all six foot of him, shrunk under his coach’s scrutiny. “Don’t know Coach. Just off, I guess.” Kyle Sanders pulled off his dark green helmet with its golden dragon emblem and glanced at the sidelines, then lowered his head once more.
Jim followed his gaze and put two and two together. Sissy Clark: blond. Well endowed. Cheerleader. And Kyle’s girlfriend of two years. If you didn’t subtract the times they broke-up. “Trouble?”
Kyle shrugged. “Ain’t nothin’.”
“Good. Then get your butt back on that field and catch that damned ball or you can sit out starting next game.”
The threat brought Kyle’s head up and had his feet moving. The only thing more important to him than winning every game they played was starting. Jim hummed in satisfaction when Kyle sprinted like the wind to catch the ball in the end zone. He raised his brows when Kyle looked back to see if he’d been watching. Kyle pulled off his helmet and sent him a goofy grin. Jim snorted. There was no doubt the kid would get several athletic scholarship offers this year, he was that good. But a girl could mess a guy up. And Sissy Clark, also in her senior year, had already made herself a reputation of messing guys up. Kyle was lasting a lot longer than the rest, but it showed on him at times. Like today.
Winning the High School National Championship was within the Dragons’ grasp this season. They hadn’t lost a game yet. And he didn’t plan to let them start now just because one of his seniors had his head up his ass. He’d have another talk with the boy and his dad as well. The Colonel, as he was known, would make sure Kyle got his priorities straight. Sissy’s mother just might get a call, too, although Jim knew he’d probably just be wasting his breath. Candy Clark was an older version of her daughter. She’d already been married four times and was looking for husband number five. Jim cringed, remembering the way she always looked at him, but he knew he’d have to make the call.
This was football. And they were up against a mean, tough team next Friday night.
The school, and he as head football coach, had a reputation to uphold. The town supported his team at every level, from financial sponsorship to attendance. You wouldn’t find a soul out in town on game night. They were always in the stands, always faithful, even on the road.
Jim made sure his boys knew it, and gave back as much as they had to give. It was great to have the talent to back up his program. It was even better to have a community to back up his team. And this team was his best yet.
So good in fact, a producer from California was filming a documentary about them, covering not just all this season’s games and practices, but showcasing the everyday lives of his starting seniors. They had wanted to follow him, too, but this wasn’t about him. It was about his program. His players. Football.
And these kids deserved it.
Everything he demanded, they gave. Sometimes with complaint during their two, two hour practices each day. But come game night, every Friday come rain or shine, they gave it all. Body, mind, and soul.
Satisfied with their morning’s practice Jim blew his whistle. Accustomed to the cameramen, he ignored them as his players gathered around smelling of hard sweat and dirt. He nodded his satisfaction to them. “Okay, guys. Good job, but we’ve got to step it up. We’ll meet back here at six.” He glanced at Kyle. “Leave all your garbage off the field. We have three more games to get to state and we play Larkstone next.”
Pure pleasure filled him at the fire that entered his players’ eyes. Larkstone was a long time rival, and the Dragons’ only real competition this season. The other competitors, the high school teams in their division as well as those statewide, feared the Dragons based on their success alone, even more so since he’d taken over the program five years earlier. The Dragons had won the state title every year since he’d started coaching, but they’d yet to take the national title.
This one game had the potential to make or break their chances. The Larkstone Larks were not only talented they were a whole other breed of people. Just plain mean. And not just the players; the entire Larkstone community got in on the act, which required the Legend athletic staff to hire extra security any time they were scheduled to play together.
The Larks had hated the Dragons for as far back as Jim could remember, even when he had played high school football. And they hated the Dragons even more now that his seniors were wearing their third State Championship ring and had a real shot at not only a fourth, but a chance at Nationals as well.
Larkstone had expected to get those rings and the coveted trophy last season, figuring purposely injuring Dragon players on the field could win them the title. A last second touchdown had taken the win away from them, and the Dragons had celebrated their fourth State victory in a row. Now there would be hell to pay.
“Listen up, boys! Larks play dirty, you all know that. Watch yourselves and your teammates. They’ll be out for blood. So get any other issues you have off the table or put them on hold. This is it, guys! Be prepared. This week’s practices are going to hurt and I expect you to give everything you have.
“See you at six.”
With shouts, punches, kicks, and a lot of mouthing, his players jogged toward the school and their showers. Except one. Jim watched as Kyle headed to the sidelines and Sissy. He turned to talk to his coaching assistants to leave instructions so he could get home to shower himself before going to Suzie’s B&B and his cooking class.
On his way off the field, he glanced back and then rolled his eyes. Apparently whatever drama Kyle and Sissy had was over for the moment. They were lip-locked together, examining each other’s’ tonsils with their tongues. Kyle’s hands groped Sissy’s bottom beneath her short cheer skirt as she wrapped a leg around his uniformed hip. Their bodies pressed together in a way that left nothing to the imagination.
Not as if that meant anything with those two. They could, and most likely would, have sex this afternoon then be at each other’s throats again before tonight’s practice.
Yep. He was going to have to have a talk with The Colonel.
****
“A dollop, Mrs. Hertz. No, wait…Oh!”
Lilly watched Suzie trying to direct the elderly Mrs. Hertz and had to give her points for patience. Ninety-nine and holding was how Mrs. Bertha Hertz introduced herself. She was all of four feet tall, bent over at least a third of that, and had a liver-spotted finger she liked to point. Lilly decided early on to stay out of her way.
She glanced around the room at the assortment of neighbors who had come for today’s cooking lesson. There was one man and five women, including Suzie and herself. Mrs. Hertz was the oldest by far, while a pretty little strawberry blond by the name of Macy was the youngest at nineteen. She was engaged and wanted to learn to cook as a gift for her new husband, she’d said.
Lilly thought it all a little old fashioned, but what did she know? She hadn’t had a boyfriend in a very long time, and had certainly never considered marrying anyone. Her life hadn’t allowed for that. She didn’t know if it ever would.
Then there were the Butlers. Quiet, watchful, and reed thin, Mrs. Butler underplayed what Lilly considered lovely bone structure. The shapeless outfit she wore was too old for her by at least a generation. As was the man she’d married. Prim, proper, and dressed like she was heading straight to church after class was over, Winifred Butler looked as unhappy as any one woman could look. Her husband on the other hand was almost frantically cheerful, his overly large belly encased in overalls making him look like a Weeble that would wobble if someone pushed hard enough. His voice boomed, startling everyone in the room when he spoke, including his wife.
The chime of the door pulled her thoughts back to Suzie who met her gaze with quiet desperation. Suzie inhaled audibly as Mrs. Hertz poured an entire bottle of cooking cherry into her mixing bowl. Lilly pointed to herself and then in the direction of the living room,
indicating she would go answer the door. She hurried through the house, dodging some interesting pieces of freestanding art as well as large palmed plants. A little breathless, she flung open the door.
“Sorry, I’m…late.”
The man standing looking at her grinned suddenly, flashing teeth so white they had to be bleached. Or maybe it was because his tan, a natural outdoorsman brown, was so dark against them. Lilly stared up at him but couldn’t find her voice. Or her brain for that matter. All she could do was stare into his whiskey colored eyes, with their deeply grooved laugh lines.
The fleeting thought that the wrinkles should have made him look old was replaced with wonder at how rugged he looked…and oh yes, all male.
His smile faltered. “Are you all right?”
Lilly felt the blush over her entire body and once again cursed her fair skin. She took a step back and garbled something, meaning to tell him to go on back to the kitchen. Now she didn’t know what to do. She wanted to run and hide, from embarrassment rather than fear for the first time in her life. Instead she licked her lips, saw his gaze flick to the motion, and swallowed. “Suzie’s in back. Cooking. Teaching cooking that is…, uh, Mrs. Hertz.”
He thinks I’m a moron was screaming in Lilly’s head as she turned and all but ran back to the kitchen. She didn’t look back to see if he followed. She couldn’t. No man had ever affected her like that. She wouldn’t have imagined it possible.
She had dealt with life and death situations more than once, and, although she had been frozen in fear, she had never been completely struck dumb. Until now. In front of what was perhaps the sexiest man she’d ever seen.
He had to think her mentally challenged. Hell, forget political correctness, retarded.
Retarded with a capital R.