“Thanks, Fred.”
“It’s so funny that you should have called, though.”
“Why’s that?” Kelly asked curiously.
“Oh, well, because Peter called me earlier today too. He wanted to drop by to pick my brain about you.” He chuckled. “I suspect he might have a little crush on you, dear.”
Chapter Five
“What did you say, Fred?” Kelly felt uneasiness in the pit of her stomach.
“I told him I was busy, dear, of course,” he added placatingly. “Nobody will get anything out of me. Your secret is safe.”
“Thank you, Fred.” Kelly breathed a sigh of relief and hung up the phone.
Why in the world would Peter have called Fred? What did he want to know about her and did this all tie in somehow to the woman named Constance? Stephen had said something about her believing that ‘dropped on your doorstep’ story but what had he meant by that? Stephen had been drunk, but it was still an odd thing to have said.
Kelly took a deep breath and sat down on the couch. Maybe she was just blowing this all out of proportion this could all just be a coincidence. Peter seemed so nice, so trustworthy and he had seemed genuinely attracted to her. Maybe he just wanted to get to know her better? But then why was he so secretive about what he does for a living?
“I’m acting like a nut.” The sound of her own voice startled her. After all, she had no proof of anything, why get so worked up?
She decided to just let things lie where they were. She went back to her studio and her paintings.
About two-thirty in the afternoon she decided to take a much-needed break. She grabbed a bottle of ice tea and headed outside. Once in the warm sunshine she took the narrow path that led down to the rocky beach below. The ocean looked choppy today. Not a good day for sailing. That was something she wanted to do, go sailing. She hadn’t gone in years. Stephen wasn’t much interested in anything that involved boats or the ocean, but Kelly loved both.
She sat down on a nearby rock and pulled her canvas shoes off, running her toes through the warm sand. Everything always seemed much better when she came down here. The lulling sound of the waves breaking on the beach soothed her tension. Her life since coming here had really been very uneventful, although lately, it seemed to be making up for lost time. Stephen seemed to be less and less on her mind these days. If anything he was simply becoming a source of irritation.
She had been trying to ignore the feelings, but Kelly wasn’t sure she loved him enough to be with him anymore. The incident in the restaurant had been hurtful and humiliating, but if she was to look deep down into her soul, she would have to admit it had almost been a relief to find a reason to cancel the move.
When she’d met Stephen she hadn’t been looking for a relationship, but Stephen had been so persistent. After all, she was young, and it was hard to hide away and never feel loved or give love. She’d had a couple of casual relationships with men that Gayle had set her up with, but most of them were just visiting for the summer. She’d liked it that way for a time, no real involvement, it was safer that way. But Stephen had been different because he lived here in town. Maybe that was the only reason the relationship had lasted at all it had been convenient.
She sipped her tea and closed her eyes, feeling the breeze ruffling her hair. Peter’s chiseled features drifted into her thoughts. His gentle good-natured manner was really attractive to her, but she was sure there was more to him than met the eye. He was so guarded about his personal information.
She had to admit she was dying of curiosity. Why all the mystery? Peter had said he was here for business and for pleasure, what was the business he was working on?
She was tempted to take this thing by the horns, but where to begin? Peter was definitely out, he was not going to give her any information; in fact he was going to great lengths to keep something from her. Maybe that was just how he operated. He might be very confidential about his work because it involved people’s private lives. Perhaps his secrecy had nothing to do with her at all, why would it? It was possible she was just being paranoid, although she had to admit that the Constance thing was odd. Was the Constance Stephen knew, the same Constance who had called for Peter the other night?
She had no idea how to contact the woman who Stephen had met for lunch, but he would know how to get in touch with her. She needed to talk to Stephen, maybe that would clear up some things.
She jumped to her feet hurrying up the steep path to the cottage, and she reached the top, out of breath, and took just enough time to lock up the house before heading for town. Stephen would certainly be home today after the bender he had gone on yesterday, at least she hoped so.
She arrived at his house and gave a quiet knock, but there were no sounds from within, so she knocked again. Finally a very weak, pale Stephen answered the door. He didn’t have his Greek god looks this morning. His hair was standing on end, and his eyes were a lovely shade of pink.
“Kelly, what are you doing here?”
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Kelly said, smiling.
“Of course, come in.” He stood back and let her in, gesturing to the tan leather couch. “Sit down, can I get you something?”
“Can I get you something would be more like it. You look awful.”
Stephen glanced down at his bathrobe and pushed a hand through his hair.
“I’m not really feeling very well.”
“Well, I’ll get right to the point, I want to know more about Constance.”
Stephen blanched. “Kelly, please I told you she means nothing.”
Kelly bit her lip nervously. “No, Stephen, I don’t mean as in our relationship. I mean who is she? Does she live near here and has she been around lately?”
Stephen turned his back on her and went into the kitchen to fix some hot water.
“Uh well… I don’t know that much about her.” His voice was guarded.
“I thought you two were friends a long time ago in London?”
“Yeah, I mean… you know it has been a while. I meant I don’t know anything about her life these days.”
She followed him into the kitchen and pulled on his arm to turn him around. “Stephen, I’ve known you two years, and up until very recently, I thought I could trust you.”
He flushed but kept silent.
“Stephen, what is wrong with you?” Kelly glared at him.
“Nothing is wrong with me, Kelly,” he said defensively.
“Well something is up because you’re acting like a clam.”
“I just feel like you're attacking me. I can’t think right now.”
“Why don’t you just tell me the truth?”
Stephen gave a huge sigh and turned to take her hand. She let him, and he led her over to the couch, and sat down.
“Before I say a word, I want to know what is going on with us.” His voice was gruff.
“Us?” Kelly sounded like she was stalling, and knew it, but maybe it was time to break the unpleasant truth to Stephen.
“Yes us, remember us?” His tone was petulant.
“Well, I am afraid there is no easy way to say this.” She swallowed hard, and cleared her throat. “I think we shouldn’t see each other anymore, romantically.”
“I knew it.” His face was as dark as thunder. “What did he tell you about me?”
“Who?” Kelly was completely in shock at his reaction.
“Peter of course.” He sounded furious.
“I haven’t got the foggiest notion what in the world you’re talking about.” Her expression was confused.
“I’m not taking this lying down.”
“Taking what lying down?” Kelly asked bewildered.
Stephen finally seemed to notice her muddled expression, and he covered his face. “Shit, shit, shit.”
“What is going on? What are you talking about?”
“I’m such an idiot.”
Kelly frowned, “I don’t understand any of this, Stephen.”
“Well, I’ve certainly let the cat out of the bag now haven’t I? Damn it.”
“What in the world?” Her heart was thumping madly in her chest.
“You can’t blame me, Kelly. I’m a weak man, and she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” His expression was guilty.
“What kind of offer? Did you sleep with her or something? What exactly are you confessing to?”
“No, I didn’t sleep with her.” His expression was sheepish.
“But you would have, if I hadn’t caught you?” The conversation had taken a completely different turn. “You would have, if I hadn’t shown up, right?”
Kelly stood up and Stephen followed suit.
“I don’t know exactly what I came here to find out… but it certainly wasn’t this.” It was true, her instincts had been correct he had lied to her. Then he’d tried to make her think she was in the wrong. Kelly was furious at him for lying, for trying to manipulate her like that. She picked up a pillow off the couch and aimed it right at his head and let it fly.
“You dirty lying weasel! Were there others?”
“Kelly.” Stephen ducked another soft projectile.
“I can’t believe you lied to me. How dare you treat me like that?” Her cheeks were red, and her blue eyes glittered with fury.
“Come on Kelly. We hadn’t exactly been in sync lately.” His mouth drooped.
“Seriously? That’s your excuse? Why did you want to move in together? Don’t you think the ‘sync’ thing could have been mentioned before you jump into bed with some stranger?”
“I didn’t know how to bring it up. I was afraid you’d break up with me.”
“Of course we should have broken up. Why would we be together if neither one of us wants to be?” she asked harshly.
“I never said I didn’t want to be with you.”
“You’re crazy if you thought a little something on the side would solve all of our problems.”
“I just knew I still loved you, but we had issues.”
“I can’t believe this. Wait.” She narrowed her eyes. “Why did you think Peter would have told me anything? Did he see you with someone else or something?” she asked suspiciously.
“I didn’t say Peter. Did I say Peter?”
“Yes, you most definitely did.”
“I just assumed that he might say something negative about me because if he likes you, then he would want to get me out of the way. You’re a beautiful woman. He’s a man. I really don’t even know the guy.”
“I know you’re lying about something to do with Peter. Who is Constance?” It took a lot of control to ask calmly.
“She’s just a secretary.” He paused then decided to continue. “Peter’s secretary to be exact.”
“She’s Peter’s secretary?” She scowled. “How did you meet her?”
“She came into the restaurant one night when I was on duty. We kind of hit it off.” His eyes were downcast.
“Well it would appear at least the mystery of Constance has been solved,” she said bitterly. She picked up her purse and walked stiffly to the door. “Don’t call me. I don’t want to hear your voice. You’ve destroyed any tiny bit of trust in men I still foolishly might have had.”
She left the house, slamming the door behind her. She climbed into her car and sat behind the wheel for a few minutes. She was furious with Stephen for lying to her. She’d been a fool to think she knew him, or that she could trust him.
The thought of going back to the cottage made her anxious. She didn’t want to run into Peter right now. Maybe he hadn’t known that his secretary was the woman in question involved with Stephen. It was entirely possible that Peter’s secretary didn’t discuss her love life with her boss. But Constance had certainly sounded put out when she found out Peter was rooming with a woman. And why the whispered phone calls? Why not be more open about what he wrote for a living? There were far too many unanswered questions about Peter Barris for comfort.
One thing was for sure: Peter was beginning to worm his way into her thoughts lately, and often. That was not a good sign. The last thing she needed was to have a crush on Peter.
She needed to talk to someone. She knew Gayle was working today, but she stopped by the restaurant anyway. She needed her friend like never before.
Kelly walked into the café, bells jingled as she opened the door. Gayle was taking an order at the table of a young couple, and when she met Kelly’s eyes, she motioned for her to sit over in the lobby.
Gayle finished up, dropped the order at the cook station, and hurried over to Kelly. “I told Vic I’m taking my break, let’s go outside.” Gayle gave Kelly’s pale face a concerned look.
Once outside, Kelly’s eyes filled with hot tears that spilled over onto her cheeks. “He was lying all along, Gayle.”
“Who was lying? Stephen?” Gayle put her arm around Kelly’s shoulders giving her a tight squeeze.
“Yes. I can’t believe what a creep he is.” Kelly sniffed.
“I can,” Gayle said harshly. “But what happened? Something else must have happened.”
“Well…” Kelly straightened her shoulders and wiped away her tears. “I got a phone call the other night. It was from the mysterious Constance.”
“You mean the woman Stephen met for that secretive brunch? But I thought she was just passing through town?”
“That’s what Stephen said, but apparently she’s Peter’s secretary.”
“Are you sure it is the same woman?” Gayle said, shaking her head.
“Well, I wasn’t, but after talking with Stephen, I’m positive now.”
She frowned. “Do you think Peter knew his secretary was the women Stephen met at the diner?”
“I’m not sure. I just know that Peter is acting very strange. When she called the other night, and I took a message for him, he went into his room to return the call on his cell phone. He seemed pretty irritated that she had called on my house phone. He’s trying to hide something, but I’m not sure what it is.” Kelly rubbed her face with her hands.
“Maybe he was just uncomfortable about her calling because he did know she was the woman Stephan cheated with.”
“Maybe.” She rubbed her temples. “My head is going to explode from all the lies.”
“Poor baby,” Gayle said, stroking Kelly’s hair. “Are you heart-broken?”
Kelly gave a gruff laugh. “I think I am more angry at being lied too than I am heart-broken.”
“Good, you’re actually fortunate to have discovered Stephen’s little deception now, instead of later.” Gayle shivered. “What if you’d actually moved in with him?”
“I know. I know. But my pride is a little bruised. It makes me wonder what other dirty little secrets he had that I didn’t discover.” Kelly sighed.
“Well, what’s done is done. You’re rid of him at last.” Gayle gave her an uneasy look. “Right?”
“You’re damned right I am.” Kelly’s eyes were stony with anger.
The door to the restaurant opened, and a Latin man wearing a white paper hat poked his head out. “Gayle, we need you in here.” When he saw Kelly he smiled warmly. “Kelly. When you coming back to work for me?”
“Didn’t I break enough of your dishes?” She smiled weakly.
“I got new ones. Just let me know if you want your old job back.” Joey grinned, and tugged on Gayle’s sleeve.
“I’ll be right in.” Gayle nodded to her boss. “I’ve got to go. Call me tonight okay?”
“I will.” Kelly promised as she hugged her friend.
When Kelly arrived at the cottage, she was relieved to see Peter’s car wasn’t there. She went inside, slipped into her bathing suit, grabbed a towel, and went down the cliff path toward the ocean. Kelly dropped her towel on the sand, and waded into the brisk ocean. She dipped under the water and then surfaced, blowing out some air. She swam out past the breaking waves, to where the sea was calmer. She lay back and bobbed on the surface of the water, the events of the day spinning
around in her head.
Finally her suspicions had been vindicated. It was painful that Stephen had turned out to be a rat. But she was very glad she had found out now, not later. Never again would she let any man that close. Two men had made a fool of her, and she’d had her fill.
Peter’s smiling green eyes came into her mind. She slapped at the water in anger. “Go away.” She shoved away thoughts of her roommate and swam to shore.
She spread her beach towel on the sand, and slathered on some sun lotion. Lying down she closed her eyes and listened to the screeching seagulls, and the crash of the waves. The sooner Peter was gone the better. She’d have to keep her distance during the next three months though. There was definitely something about him that seemed to entice her.
Kelly stayed down on the beach longer than intended. The sun was starting to go down by the time she climbed to the top of the path. It was chilly now, and she felt goose bumps prickle over her skin. She opened the door to the cottage, noticing Peter still wasn’t home. She shook herself. Why was she even noticing if he was there or not?
She went into the living room, and then froze when she saw a figure out of the corner of her eye. Spinning around to confront the intruder, she immediately recognized Constance. “What are you doing in my house?” Kelly demanded.
Pressing her hand to her chest, Constance seemed to regain her composure. “Hello again,” she purred.
“Why are you here?”
Constance lifted her eyebrows as she took in Kelly’s half-clad state. “I’m meeting Peter here, of course.”
“How did you get in?” Kelly was breathless, as she held up her towel self-consciously. The brunette was so perfect, she made Kelly feel ugly by comparison.
“The door was unlocked. I called, but no one answered.”
“Couldn’t you see Peter’s car wasn’t here?”
“I didn’t think he’d mind if I let myself in.” Her voice was soft and insinuating.
No, Peter and any other man would probably never mind her inviting herself in. She was a stunning woman. Her hair was a coal black, and her skin was flawless and creamy. She was slightly taller than Kelly, and her cool brown eyes stared down her perfect nose at Kelly.
The Art of Hiding Page 7