by Susan Kohler
At her silence he went on, “Please bring your swimsuits, I’ve got a pool. Unless you would prefer to go skinny-dipping?” He couldn’t resist teasing. “I’ll see you in an hour or so.”
As he walked away both women were watching, they had to, he had great buns.
Kate and Laura pulled on their clothes. Then they started to gather their things, stuffing their towels, books and sunscreen into Laura’s large straw beach bag, and pouring the melted ice out of the small cooler. They opened the last two sodas.
They headed for Laura’s car and put all their things in the backseat. Kate was still arguing that she didn’t want to go to Bob’s house.
“Shut up already! It’s for your own good. I know you better than you know yourself, and I know that if you wait until tomorrow you’ll worry about it all night. You’ll make it into such a major problem in your mind that by morning you’ll be a basket case. I don’t know why it bothers you so much that Bob saw you naked but I know you well enough to know that it does,” Laura explained, feeling like a kidnapper as she pushed a reluctant Kate into her car.
Once she had Kate in the car, Laura quickly flipped through her CD’s, choosing Clay Aiken for the drive home.
Kate continued to protest. “I’m just a prude, I guess, the old cliché of a lonely widow who’s forgotten all about sex.”
“With all those kids, how the heck can you have forgotten about sex? And, you don’t really have to be a celibate widow, you know. Even with all the dangers out there, like rotten men and worse diseases, I could still set you up. Jack has a lot of nice friends.”
“Sure, Jack has lots of friends that want a widow with three kids, all under six. Besides, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that you have already set me up.” Kate was suddenly suspicious. “I wonder why you never mentioned that my new boss was such a hunk.”
“Bob, a hunk? I never noticed!” Laura exclaimed. “After all, I’m a married woman.”
She eyed Kate speculatively. She really hadn’t planned for it to happen, but she was glad it had. They would make a great couple and she was an inveterate matchmaker.
“You’re not blind, just married and not too married to notice a face like that, and the body? The muscles? Even Jack wouldn’t buy that one,” Kate threatened. “I’m going to tell Jack to spank you for lying!”
“Jack would love it but I’d rather pass until my butt wasn’t sunburned, if you don’t mind,” Laura said giggling. “Bob is very good looking, isn’t he? He’s also very nice, thoughtful and considerate, well-built, well-off, not at all a sexist pig, amazing as that is these days, and he can be funny as heck. Hell no, I would never set you up with a man like that.”
“Of course you would, brat. For once, however, I don’t mind half as much as you think I do. Did you notice, uh, his uh, how do I put it?” Kate searched for a tactful word.
“Who wouldn’t?” Laura exclaimed, needing no further explanation. “It was rather hard to ignore, wasn’t it?” She pulled the car into her driveway and parked. “He had a great backside, too. Hi Honey!”
Her husband looked up from working on his car, a classic red Ford Mustang. A big smile crossed his handsome face, his brown eyes filled with warm humor.
“It’s the perverted women! See anyone better than me?” He took one look at Kate’s face and added, “Oh, oh! If Kate’s face is anything to go by, it looks like maybe you did. I think I’m jealous.” He grinned, absently rubbing one hand on what might once have been a white T-shirt.
“Dear, you know you’re the only man on earth for me. I can’t imagine who Kate saw. I didn’t see anybody special, because I wasn’t looking. I couldn’t care less about other men,” Laura replied, but her cheeks were a little flushed. She kissed him. “After all, I’ve already got the best.”
“Stand in the garden while you talk like that, Dearie, it needs the fertilizer,” Jack replied, turning her towards the garden with his hands on her shoulders and patting her behind. “I know you look at other men, just like I know that you’ll always come home to me. So, who was he?”
She turned back to face him and gave up all pretense. “We ran into Bob Simmons. He invited us to lunch and if you’re nice you can come along.” She turned to Kate, “Go, call your mom, and then take a shower. I’ll go over and get the kids and something for you to wear, while you’re getting ready. Jack, don’t let her leave. I just know she’s going to turn chicken!”
“Why can’t I go get my kids and meet you there?” Kate was looking for a way out. “And why can’t I wear these?”
“Because I know you, you’ll try to escape,” Laura said, “and because I can think of about a dozen things you have that look better on you, so stop arguing and get going. Go!”
“Okay, you wicked witch, I’ll be good.” But there was a hint of the devil in Kate’s eyes.
“Why would Kate be so upset just because you ran into Bob at the beach?” Jack asked, then realized the answer. “Oh, forget I asked, Miss Modesty. Man, I wish I’d been there. I can see it all now. Wow Kate! What a place for you to get the first glimpse of your new boss.” He said with a laugh, “My wife strikes again. Okay. Laura, you go get the kids. I’ll keep Kate from escaping. Kate, call your mom, then start getting ready. I’ll finish this car and put my tools away. Don’t use up all the hot water.” Jack ducked back under the hood.
“Masterful, ain’t he?” Laura remarked, rolling her eyes as the two women went into the house.
“Laura, I should go get the kids myself, then I can shower and change at home,” Kate pleaded, giving it one more try.
“No way!” Laura protested, “I’m not letting you out of my sight without Jack guarding you. No joke, you really would chicken out.”
The two women stopped in Laura’s kitchen while Kate called her mother. She told her mom that Laura was driving over to pick up the kids. Before she had a chance to hang up, Laura grabbed the phone away from her.
“Hold on a second, Betty.” She covered the receiver and turned to Laura. “Hit the shower.”
“Okay, I give up.” Kate grinned. “You’ll pester me to death if I don’t.”
She went upstairs to Laura’s bedroom, wondering what mischief Laura and her mom would get into over the phone.
Kate wound up taking an extra long shower because her mind kept wandering. As she soaped her body, she kept picturing Bob. His body and his smile were replayed in her mind. At one point in the shower, she could almost feel his hands running over her body, sensually soaping her. She pulled herself back to reality. Kate was surprised at how erotic her thoughts had been while she washed herself. Maybe Laura was right; maybe she had been alone too long. Maybe it was time for her to begin looking forward.
When Kate got out of the shower, she sat on the edge of Laura’s king-sized bed wrapped in a towel and dried her hair. With one corner of her mind, she noticed that the usually neat Laura had left her bed unmade. By the time her hair was dry, she heard the familiar voices outside; Laura had already returned with the kids and a sundress for Kate to wear.
Laura came into the bedroom with a dress on a hanger and a small bag in her hands. She pulled Kate into the bathroom and handed her the bag, which contained her cosmetics, and a pair of lacy panties. No bra, Kate noted, and wondered what dress her mom had sent. Laura sat on the edge of the bathtub while Kate put on her make-up and fixed her hair.
She told Kate, “The little darlings are outside with Jack. We were lucky, your mom had just cleaned them up and they actually look almost angelic.”
“False advertising.” There was pride in her voice in spite of the words as Kate pulled the dress off the hanger. “Hey, brat. Since when did you get too lazy to make your bed?”
Laura grinned. “I did make up my bed this morning, but somehow it got unmade again.”
“Ah, the infamous five-year-long honeymoon. May it never end.” Kate smiled back, then leaned closer to the mirror to finish her face.
She couldn’t help noticing that Laura had picke
d out her sexiest sundress. It was a low cut halter-top that left her back bare, it had big, bright yellow and orange flowers. Thanks to Kate’s skill with needle and thread, there was a lace insert for the neckline that served to cover most of her cleavage. Before bringing the dress over, Laura had thoughtfully removed the insert.
“I see you managed to sabotage my dress.” She looked at Laura with mild accusation. “Where’s the rest of the neckline?”
“Don’t thank me now, wait until later.” Laura grinned unabashed. “Besides I didn’t know that the lace would come off, you’ll have to thank your mother for telling me that. I’m going to take a shower.”
“I’d better go rescue Jack from my little angels.” Kate went in search of her kids. When she found them, they were outside helping Jack put away his tools.
“Hey Jack, do you need to be rescued from these rug rats?” Kate gave all three of her kids a big warm group hug. “You look like you have all the help you can use.”
His newfound help consisted of twin three-year-old girls, and a boy of five.
“Don’t tell Laura I told you, but I could use help like this all the time.” He good-naturedly retrieved a screwdriver from little fingers, and smiled down at the tiny hand tugging on the leg of his faded jeans.
He looked up and grinned at Kate with pride and excitement in his eyes. “And it looks like I’m going to get it fairly soon.”
“Why hasn’t Laura told me?” She grabbed Jack and kissed him. “That’s wonderful!”
He grinned. “It sure is. I think Laura meant to tell you about it today but you two seem to have been distracted. I wonder why.” He gently wiped little fingers. “It couldn’t have anything to do with meeting Bob, could it? While you both were N A K E D?” Jack spelled, teasing her gently. “Here, you can have the terrible trio back while I go get cleaned up.”
Chapter Two
It was still early afternoon when they all landed on the doorstep of Bob’s large, two-story house. The six of them, three adults and three small children made a boisterous and colorful group. Laura and Kate were both in sundresses; Laura’s was a hot pink that looked great against her dark blond hair. Kate’s bright yellow print set off her curvy figure. Jack was in light blue shorts and a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt.
“Hi! Come on in. Who are these little people?” Bob greeted the group, smiling at the three children. He looked cool and wonderful in navy shorts and a white polo shirt.
Kate was proud as she introduced the kids. She smiled down at the girls. “The twins are Suzy and Sarah, and they’re not nearly as angelic as they look,” she warned. “But I think I’ll keep ‘em anyway.”
“Mom, you said we were your little angels,” Suzy protested.
“You are sweetie, but only to me,” Kate told her, hugging the small girl.
The little girls did indeed look like little angels dressed in frilly pink dresses. They had big green eyes and golden blond curls.
“And this guy is Sam, who certainly is no angel; he’s all boy.” Kate ruffled his hair, getting a scowl for her efforts.
Sam had brown eyes, freckles, and his hair was dark red. He had a defiant expression on his little face. He wore red shorts and a Ninja Turtle T-shirt.
“I can see where Sam got his hair, but the girls got your eyes, didn’t they?” Bob bent down to the kids. “Hi guys. I’m glad you came over with your mom.”
“This is Mr. Simmons.” Kate introduced Bob.
The little girls both greeted Bob with nervous giggles, clinging to Kate’s skirt.
Sam looked up at Kate and demanded loudly, “Mommy, I want to go home!”
“Gee, Sam, I guess you don’t want to have some hamburgers and go swimming,” Kate said quietly. “You must be feeling sick; maybe I’d better take you to the doctor.”
“I’m okay, Mommy. We can stay,” Sam said quickly.
“Let’s go out on the patio, I’ve got the charcoal started.” Bob ignored Sam’s outburst as he looked down at the three small visitors.
“Would you like some hamburgers?” Bob asked. The kids all nodded, even Sam. Turning to the adults he added, “I fixed a salad and set up the barbecue. Does that sound okay?”
At their nods, he went on, “I have beer, sodas, milk, orange juice, and iced tea in the refrigerator, everyone serve yourself.”
Soon they were all sitting at the patio table with iced tea. The kids ran around the yard, slowing down only long enough to take sips of orange juice. Bob started grilling hamburgers, and everyone fixed their own buns, except for the kids. They also had the salad, fries, and corn on the cob.
By the time they started to eat, Kate found her initial self-consciousness fading and she began to enjoy herself. Surprisingly enough, the afternoon was really turning out to be fun! Kate thanked the heavens that for once her brood seemed to be willing to eat without pulling any of their customary mealtime squabbles, except for a minor food fight with some French fries. She quickly quelled the spat.
“Kate, why did you say your kids are not the little angels they appear to be? So far they seem very well behaved,” Bob asked her curiously.
“Well, they have been pretty good today. As a matter of fact, they really are pretty good kids.” She paused, smiling proudly at her brood, “But I always warn people because that way if the kids are fairly good it makes them seem even better, but if they’re cranky or bad, people shrug it off and figure that they were warned.”
“In other words, either way, people figure that the kids aren’t as bad as you thought they’d be.” Bob poured her more iced tea. “Very sneaky!”
“For ‘people’ you can read in her mother-in-law, who thinks all children should be quiet, polite, and neat practically from the moment of birth,” Laura said. “These three are plenty old to be taught some manners, in her words.”
“She meant every word when she said that, Laura, but remember, that was when she was almost beside herself with grief and loss. She’s more like her old self lately. In fact, she’s mellowed quite a lot, now that she has more friends with their own grandchildren who really do make my three look like little angels. It’s just that after we lost Joe, she went through a period where she was bitter and felt all alone. She really wasn’t herself. Her husband had died, less than three months before she lost her son. Joe was her only child.” Kate paused, remembering how broken Ida had been. “She shielded herself by turning very cold and controlling. She decided to take over raising my children to fill the void in her life, but she’s a totally different person now.”
“Is she really?” Laura asked. “What caused the change?”
“I forgot, I haven’t told you yet. She has a hot new man in her life. His name is George. He takes her dancing, bowling, and out to play golf. He has definitely loosened her up and he has three small grand-kids that really make my kids all look like monks, not monkeys.” Kate smiled, “He’s so good for her. He’s even good with my kids.”
“That’s great!” Laura said, remembering the woman she had met long ago. “Before everything happened, she always used to be such a free-spirited woman. She was so colorful and bursting with life and energy. I could never understand how she could turn out to be so formal and cold with your kids. It was like Jekyll and Hyde.”
“It took George to help me understand.” Kate smiled sadly, “It was fear. Fear of losing someone else, fear of being hurt again, that’s what made her so aloof. It helped her keep her distance, emotionally.”
Just then the kids started to beg Bob to go swimming in the pool. Kate tried without very much success to remind them that they should wait to be invited.
“But what if he never invites us to swim?” Sam, ever argumentative with his little lower lip sticking out a mile added, “Then we won’t ever get to go swimming. We never get to have any fun.”
“It’s hard to argue with that kind of thinking,” Bob told the boy, smiling, “but I suspect your mom’s right and you should wait until I ask you if you want to swim. Guess I was being
awfully slow to ask, wasn’t I?” He looked over at Kate. “Can they swim?”
“Like little fishes, but I watch them like a hawk, if that isn’t a mixed metaphor,” Kate replied. “Anyway, it’s too soon after lunch.”
“So just go slowly putting all of them into their swimsuits,” Laura suggested, “or try to get them to take a short nap first.”
“Nap? Nap? It’s obvious you don’t have kids. Naps are for moms, not for kids. You can go tell the mini-monsters that they have to take a nap before they can swim,” Kate challenged her. “I’ll just stay here and wait to pick up the pieces after they tear you apart.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if we could get them to watch some videos? That would give us a chance to talk business before we swim,” Bob suggested. Noting the women’s startled expressions, he added, “I have six nieces and four nephews.”
Kate never quite knew what happened next but a short time later the gruesome threesome was lying on the floor in Bob’s den with Jack, watching THE LITTLE MERMAID. All the doors to the outside were locked, plus the gate between the house and the pool. Even so, Jack had been admonished that one of the little dears might wake up and decide to go swimming without waiting for the adults.
“Watch the children, not the movie, and stay awake, okay?” Laura told her husband. “We’re going to talk business.”
“Nag, nag, nag,” Jack muttered, his eyes fixed on the television.
Bob, Laura, and Kate picked up the remains from lunch and took things into the kitchen. Working as a team, they cleaned up the few dishes from lunch. When they had put the leftovers into the refrigerator, they sat at the small kitchen table.
Laura opened the conversation. “Bob, I didn’t fill Kate in on all the details about the special problems that we’re having at work, so maybe we’d better do that, now.”