Point of Attraction

by Margaret Van Der Wolf

  Easy for you to say, she thought and sighed, easy for you to say. Firmly putting that aside, she concentrated on the evening to come. She would have to stop at the store on the way home. What started out as a foursome had now turned into a simple gathering, leaving her with more food to buy.

  As she poured out last night’s coffee, her rings clinked on the glass pot and she slipped them off her finger to hold them up to the daylight. Oh, Sam, she thought, and sighed with a small smile.

  She caught sight of Daisy. That back end of the yard had become the Schnauzer’s place to investigate lately. Back and forth she went, and always going back to the far left corner of the yard.

  “What is with that?” Georgie murmured, set down the rings on the sill so she could slide open the window to call the dog when the phone rang.

  “Hi, Mom,” Paula said.

  “Good morning to you too.”

  “Just thought I’d call and ask if you wanted us to bring anything?”

  “I think I have it taken care of,” Georgie said, putting water into the pan for her oatmeal. “By the way, it’ll be a few more people for this evening. Hope that’s okay.”

  “Oh, sure.”

  There was just a hint of a pause and Georgie thought to ask what was up, when Paula asked, “Mom, have you noticed a change in Steven?”

  “Like what?”

  “Not sure. Just something.”

  “Hmm. I’ll know more when I cut his hair.”

  “I think you use cutting our hair to sneak peek into our heads.”

  “It’s taken you this long to find out my secret?”

  “Okay, Mom, okay. About seven then. Love you.”

  “Love you too.” But Georgie knew they’d be here at six, ready to help get the whole thing together. She had always heard that when your children arrive early for gatherings it meant they enjoyed coming home. And this warmed her as no coat could.

  ~~0~~

  Georgie was glad her day at Dare To Care was busy. It helped she to ignore the shop TV. The main topic of the day: the shooting of a man by the police officer, as yet unnamed.

  “What were they thinking?” the public interviews went on. “Were they out of control, these police officers? They were just too eager to fire their weapons.”

  Georgie had heard it all, not just this time, but many times before in other incidents. And, normally, Georgie would have jumped right on it. It always amazed her what the public asked of in their police officers. Put your life on the line, but don’t defend yourself. Let yourself be stoned, but don’t defend. Put yourself on the line of fire, but don’t fire back too soon.

  “It’s all about the money, Georgie,” Sam used to say. “When a person decides to do wrong, they suddenly have more rights than the person they have done the wrong to. A criminal can be the worst to be had, but when he’s dead, he suddenly becomes this kind and wonderfully gentle misunderstood person, and valuable in a lawsuit. It’s all about the money. The moment they say it’s not about the money... you know it is.”

  All Georgie could think of was Mason having to make the decision to shoot, and the weight of sadness in his voice as he spoke to Nick. What if the man dies? She thought.

  “I wonder what your Officer Montgomery has to say about this?” Emmee asked.

  “What?” Georgie almost jumped. She was washing out her color bottle when Emmee poked her head around the corner.

  “You think he knows the officer?”

  “I don’t know,” Georgie answered, forcing a weak smile. “I’ll have to ask him next time I see him.”

  “Then you are going to see him again?”

  There was eagerness in Emmee’s voice, and Georgie nearly told her what all had gone on, but thought better of it. There was really nothing there to talk about, was there? A night’s adventure was just that... a night. But this shooting was going to be with Mason for a long time. They would release his name soon enough. She just wished the touch of his lips on hers was not so, so...

  “So are you?”

  “What? Oh, Emmee, don’t go there.”

  “Okay. I just think you...”

  The shop’s door opened with its ping. Emmee jerked her head back to see. “Oh, oh.”

  “What is it?” Georgie asked.

  “Something I never thought I would see,” Emmee murmured, eyes wide in awe.

  Georgie leaned over to take a look and her mouth began to drop open.

  “Hi, Steven,” Brandy was saying as she looked over at Georgie. When she made eye contact with Georgie, Brandy quickly returned to the blow-dry she was working on. But Georgie could see her stylist’s sight lift to look into the mirror as Steven walked past her with a girl on his arm.

  Well, this is a turn of events, Georgie thought, and dried her hands.

  “Hey, Mom,” Steven said, letting go of the girl to kiss Georgie on the top of her head. His arm wrapped about her shoulders to bring her to the forefront. “Mom, this is Lucy McBradey.”

  Lucy reached out a hand and Georgie took it. “Hello.”

  “Lucy,” Steven said, “My sister, Paula, and I call this woman, Mom, but her name is Georgina. Most call her Georgie though.”

  “You can pick which ever one you like,” Georgie told Lucy. “This is Emmee, who’s been with me the longest and always on the verge of being fired for her insubordination, and that over there is Brandy. Girls, this is Lucy.”

  Both girls said, “Hi,” back, but it was Emmee who added, “The Boss Lady’s harmless, Lucy. Just humor her like we do and you’ll be fine.”

  “See what I mean?” Georgie said, then looked to Steven. “Okay, get in the chair. I’m ready. You too Lucy. Have a seat. Any chair.”

  As she cut Steven’s hair, Georgie speculated; this explained the change in him that Paula and she had questioned. Lucy was the last thing Georgie would have guessed. Seems the no-time-for-girls guy had finally stopped to take a breath, Georgie thought, and took a quick glance at Lucy. She could certainly see why her son had stopped to smell this flower. Lucy was a breath-taker, but in a very unassuming way.

  Through the years Georgie had seen many women and girls, and there were those that knew they were beautiful and used it. And there were those that had no clue just how attractive they were or could be. Georgie saw nice clean skin beneath what little make-up Lucy was wearing. Her soft brown hair, sporting some well done highlights, was pulled up into a top knot with a clip holding it together. Her clear brown eyes softened when she smiled.

  “So who all is going to be at this soiree, of yours?” Steven asked.

  “Actually it’s your little to-do, and it’ll be the same old group, family.” Georgie smiled, but kept her eyes on the hair as she kept cutting. “You’ll have to stop at the store with me. There’s some extra things I need to get. Think we can still barbecue under the patio? Free-up the kitchen for some other stuff, and we’ll need the extra leaf for the table.”

  “Sure,” he said, “Not a problem.”

  “Where’s the Raggedy Ann doll?” Lucy asked, glancing about. At Georgie’s quick look, Lucy explained. “Steven told me all about her. I work in the Cancer Ward, and that is such a great idea. The bonding during that traumatic time can’t be stressed enough.”

  Georgie kept cutting. So Lucy was in the medical field. Very interesting, Georgie thought. “So you’re in the cancer ward. Are you a nurse? Doctor?” she asked, hoping it would stop her questions about Raggs.

  “Actually I’m a nurse who’s working her way through med-school to be a doctor, then medical research after that.”

  “Hooray for you!”

  “Mom? Where is Raggs?”

  Well, that took care of that, she thought. This would be one secret she wouldn’t be able to keep from the kids. She took the last snip in the cut, took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to tell the tale and minimize it. But how could she do that to Raggs? She used up time checking the cut with her fingers.

  “Boss Lady,” Emmee called from the door, “We’r
e calling it a weekend. The OPEN sign’s off and all is well. Nice meeting you, Lucy. You guys have a great dinner.”

  “Nice meeting you, Lucy.” Brandy hurried behind Emmee. “I hope they find Raggs.”

  Emmee bopped Brandy on the head. “You have got such a big mouth.”

  “What’d I say?” Brandy mumbled as they both walked out the door.

  “Mom?”

  Georgie used the blow dryer to send hair clippings caught on the drape and the nape to the floor. Once that was done, they moved to the shampoo bowls so she could wash his hair.

  “Mom? Are you going to tell me?” Steven asked as he sat back at her station.

  She did her best to explain as she towel dried his hair. “It happened Wednesday night. Someone came in while the girls were here in the back and took Raggs.”

  “Aw, Mom,” Steven said, running his fingers through his hair, pushing it into place.

  With a shrug, Georgie took off the drape and he stood up.

  “But you did call the cops, right?”

  “Yes. They sent someone out.” If Steven noticed her hesitation, he gave no sign. “They’re looking into it, you know, checking to see if anyone saw anything and if any other businesses had a theft that night.”

  She grabbed her coat, turned off the lights, and patted her son’s arm. He was as tall as his dad; maybe taller, as all sons should be. “But I have to accept the fact a Raggedy Ann doll might not be a priority on their list. I just hope whoever has her doesn’t... well... I hope they take care of her.” She choked back the threatening tears as Steven hugged her.

  “We better get going,” he said, then leaned over to pull Lucy into the hug.

  ~~0~~

  Hearing the car in the gravel driveway a second before headlights shone through the tall slender window beside the table, Georgie said, “That sounds like Paula and Ryan.”

  “But it’s only six,” Steven said as he dipped and turned the chicken in their favorite marinating brine.

  “I know.” Georgie smiled, feeling very pleased with her children.

  As Georgie wiped her hands, she noticed Lucy touching her hair, looking down at her clothes and smoothing out none existent wrinkles. Steven went to Lucy’s side and pulled her to him to add his assurance.

  “You’re fine,” Georgie told the young woman and went out the kitchen door to activate the garage door opener and greet her daughter.

  As always, Paula and Ryan were loaded down with extras: drinks, snacks and chips. Georgie took a paper sack from Paula and whispered, “You were right about a change in Steven.”

  “Is it bad?”

  Georgie burst into laughter, then sobered. “No. At least I hope not. Hey, Ryan. Hope all is well.”

  “Always, Mrs. G.,” he said with a hug, then followed her up the steps to the kitchen.

  “Guys,” Steven started in immediately, before any of them had a chance to unload their bags. “This is Lucy McBradey. We’re a... a thing, sort’a.”

  “A thing? Sort’a?” Lucy asked, eyes blinking wide, mouth slightly opened in disbelief. Steven gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

  “Yeah,” he smiled. “A thing.” And Georgie thought he was ready to burst.

  The always-in-control Paula, now half laughed, took Lucy’s hand, and patted it in sympathy as her face became this overdone sad, sad frown. “Oh, you poor thing. How in the world did my brother trap you?”

  “I’m beginning to wonder that myself,” Lucy said.

  “Thanks, Sis. Love you too,” Steven scolded, his eyebrow arching high. “Lucy, this is Paula and her far, far better half, Ryan.”

  They all said their hellos as the sound of vehicles arriving made its way through the still open garage and kitchen door. Georgie’s heart started to race as she went to stand on the first step to watch them drive up and come to a stop. Don’t introduce him as your friend, Nick had suggested. Okay... so what was she supposed to say?

  Cassie and April’s BMW drove in with Nick right behind them.

  “That’s a motorcycle,” Paula said, hands on Georgie’s shoulders, trying to see over her head. “Who do you know on a motorcycle?”

  “That would be Nick,” Georgie said, as Nick drove directly into the garage with an ear piercing roar, dismounted, and took off his helmet, but Georgie was searching for another vehicle.

  “Uncle Nick on a bike?” Steven asked from the kitchen. “That’s not a bike. That’s a Harley. Awesome.”

  “Oh, Lord,” Paula said, “The Bad Penny’s come home.”

  The car Georgie was waiting for made the circle and parked. With her pulse booming in her ears, Georgie went down the steps and out the garage to meet Mason. She didn’t need her coat.

  “Who’s that?” Paula asked behind her.

  Chapter fourteen

  As Georgie watched Mason get out of his car, she wondered the same thing. Who was this? And how does he fit in my life?

  “Hey, M&M,” Cassie called out, her voice filled with mischief, and Georgie had the urge to flee from the evening.

  “Good to see you,” he answered back, and slowed his stride so Cassie and April could walk beside him, but his eyes were on her, and Georgie smiled back.

  “April,” Cassie was saying, “this is the infamous M&M you’ve heard me talk about. This is April, my soul mate in life.”

  “April,” Mason said, extending his hand. “I shudder to think what she’s said about me.”

  “All good,” April said, “Trust me.”

  Georgie slowed her step. There was no hesitation in him, no facial change that she could see in the light from the porch and garage. Until this moment, it never occurred to her that Mason might not accept Cassie and April as a couple. It appeared he had, but was it mere politeness? She hoped not.

  “Hi, guys,” Georgie said, almost reaching for Mason, wanting physical contact with him, but rubbed her arms instead.

  “It’s cold out here, George,” Mason said. “What are you doing without a coat?”

  “Then let’s go inside,” she said, making a quick turn before she did reach for him. Last night may have been nothing more than a moment. Cassie did a double step to catch up to her while Mason and April walked behind them.

  “This is nice,” Cassie whispered, leaning into her.

  “Cassie,” April warned, “behave.”

  Cassie waved that she heard, but Georgie doubted Cassie would follow the request. It just wasn’t in her friend to let such a moment pass. Cassie looped her arm around Georgie’s as they made their way to the garage where Steven and Ryan were looking over Nick’s motorcycle. As they entered, Nick nodded at April, looked to Mason, but neither offered anything more. Georgie wanted to ask them about Jeffrey, but bit her lip instead.

  “You know,” Steven was saying, “If Mom had let me, I would have gotten one of these years ago.”

  “Right,” Georgie said. “Blame it on mean old Mommy. Let’s go inside so we can get all the intros done in one sweep.” She took a pinch of Mason’s jacket and held him back. When he leaned down to her, she whispered, “What happened at Jeffrey’s?”

  “Mom? You coming?”

  “Yes, Steven,” she said, and motioned Mason to go in. As they made their way up the two steps to the kitchen she activated the switch to close the garage door.

  Once inside she stood beside Mason and looked about the room. They were all suddenly strangers, waiting, and she took a deep deep breath. “Okay,” she started out. “New comers to our little family to-do this evening; this is Lucy McBradey, Steven’s friend.”

  “He said, thing,” Lucy said, her brown eyes playful. “I was his Thing... ” Then motioned finger quotation marks to underscore. “Sort’a.”

  “Some clarity here,” Steven rushed in to save himself. “I said we. We were a thing. Big difference.” And gave Lucy a firm squeeze.

  Friendly chuckles fluttered over the room and slowly ebbed. The moment had arrived, and Georgie swallowed hard. “And this is Mason Montgomery. He’s in the w
riting class with Cassie and me. Mason, this is my family; Paula, my daughter and mother-to-be of my first grandchild, and her hubby, Ryan Sheldon. My son, Steven, the doctor-to-be, and Lucy. Lucy, this is Cassie and her April.”

  “Her April?” April asked. “Sounds like you own me.”

  “You got it,” Cassie confirmed as she leaned into April with a nudge.

  Georgie noticed the small twitch in Lucy’s eyes at Cassie and April’s introduction, but let it slide. “Everyone know everyone?” she asked.

  Nick cleared his throat politely, and Georgie smiled. “I was saving you for last. This is Nick Underwood, Prince Of The Insane, but Cassie and I would have him no other way.”

  “And you thought your intro was bad,” he told April.

  For a heartbeat, no one said anything until Steven broke the silence. “Well, let’s get this to-do going. I’ll get the barbecue started.” He went through the laundry room and out to the patio with Lucy at his side. Georgie caught the young woman’s quick backward glance.

  “Georgie Girl,” Nick murmured, bringing her out of her deep thought. “Can I take a shower?”

  “Sure,” Georgie told him. “I’ll get you some towels.”

  They went down the hall. Nick did a quick step into the living room where he pulled out a small satchel from behind the couch then hurried to catch up with her, minus his jacket. When she gave him two large towels, he whispered, “You dodged the bullet on that one, Georgie Girl.”

  “Try not to drown,” she told him.

  “Don’t let me forget my jacket. It’s behind the couch. And you’d better go save Mason. Paula has her cross-hairs out and Dudley Do-Right is dead center.”

  “And you’re going to go hide in the shower?”