by Lynn Cahoon
She closed her eyes as the warm water tried to wash away her tension, but for some reason, something was nagging at her and making her even more anxious. Jessi had passed on the worry with one quick chat.
When Cat came into the kitchen, Shauna took one look at her and poured her a cup of coffee. “I was just about ready to bring coffee up to your office since I assumed you were working this morning.”
“No such luck.” She took the cup and sank down into a chair at the table. “Jessi came to talk to me this morning, and now she feels better and I feel worse.”
“You have a habit of taking on others’ problems.” Shauna arranged two slices of French toast on a plate and slathered them with butter and syrup. She then set the plate in front of Cat. “Eat. You’ll feel better.”
The maple smell reminded her of Sunday mornings with her mom and dad. She would have said she wasn’t hungry before entering the kitchen, but now her stomach gurgled in delight at the upcoming meal. “Thanks.”
“Before you ask, Seth already ate. We had a perfectly polite and civilized discussion about the craziness last night. Even with the Peeping Tom the other night, Seth’s convinced it was a student messing with us.” Shauna took a sip of her coffee. “Sometimes he’s just so practical, it’s frustrating.”
“But you’re not as sure,” Cat deduced from the look on her friend’s face.
“The guy was staring into the kitchen right at me.” She set the cup down and played with her spoon. “Honestly, I don’t know what to think. But there’s been too much happening in the last month to that girl. She loses her jewelry and finds out her best friend has been stealing it and another friend has been pawning the stuff. Then she loses that friend to what may be random violence or may have been a failed attempt on her own life. And that’s not even bringing in the cheating boyfriend. I swear, Jessi needs a whole crop of new friends and business associates.”
“I agree. And I should have told her that this morning during our talk. But she kept apologizing for the mistakes she’d made during the retreat. Like all this was her fault, just for being Jessi. I swear, she had some unhelpful messages drummed into her as a child.”
“She looks so confident, but really, she’s always trying to make everyone else happy. I guess I can understand her a little, at least. I’m probably a pot calling the kettle black.” Shauna got up and made a second plate of French toast for herself.
“You’re strong. Yes, you like taking care of people, but you also take care of yourself.” Cat paused, wondering if she should say more. A knock came to the kitchen door.
Glancing through the window, Cat’s heart sank. Martin Mathews stood outside the door. The guy was the last person she wanted to talk to or even let in her house. She turned toward Shauna. “Make sure Jessi’s not going to pop in the kitchen, would you?”
“Do you want me to stay?” Shauna set her plate down on the counter. “Or call Pete? Or at least Seth?”
“I can deal with one wannabe gangster.” Cat put on a smile, then went to open the door, hoping her words were true.
CHAPTER 15
Martin Matthews stood in the doorway, his hands up in surrender. “Look, I know I told you I wouldn’t come by again, but I need to talk to Jessi. Uncle Dante asked me to check in with her.”
“I’m not sure I should let you.” Cat leaned on the doorway, watching the young man in front of her. “I really don’t want you in my house.”
He ran a hand through his too-long blond hair. “I’m sorry. I know I was a jerk. I just heard about the break-in last night, and I want to make sure she’s all right.”
Cat’s gaze narrowed. She lifted her hand to look at her watch. “It’s just past seven and you’ve already heard about something that happened six hours ago?”
He shuffled his feet. “I kind of have people watching out for her. Especially after I heard about Danielle. I never trusted that chick. When I’d visit her at the dorms and Jessi wasn’t looking, she got the strangest gleam in her eyes.” He turned to Cat and smiled. “I know I’ve been a jerk, but can I just talk to her?”
Cat moved to unblock the doorway, then swept her arm out in a welcoming manner. “Wait here. I’ll go and ask her if she wants to talk to you. Don’t touch anything.”
He plopped down in a chair, so much like Jessi had earlier that morning, Cat had to bite her lip to keep from smiling. He held up his hands. “I’ll be right here. Touching nothing. Man, you know how to hold a grudge.”
“You’re lucky I didn’t press charges on you.”
He flushed. “Point taken.”
In the hallway, Shauna was standing outside the kitchen door and rushed to her side. “You okay?”
“Fine. Where’s Jessi? I told him I would let her know he wanted to talk to her.” Cat rolled her eyes. “Although I don’t know why. The kid is so full of himself.”
“She’s in the study. I can go get her.”
Cat put a hand on her friend’s arm. “Let me. Maybe I can soften the request a little.”
“Then I’ll just stay outside this door and make sure he stays in there.” Shauna folded her arms and leaned against the wall, staring at the kitchen door.
“I’ll be right back.” Cat made her way to the study. Shauna was tough. She’d been as effective in moving out troublemakers as the bouncers in the bar where she used to work. If Martin tried anything, Cat was certain that he wouldn’t get past the fiery redhead. Especially not in the mood she’d been in for the last few months.
She found the study door open. She paused at the doorway and glanced inside. Jessi was sitting with her feet curled under her in Michael’s chair. A laptop rested on her lap, and a notebook and pen were on the desk in front of her. If Cat wanted to snap a picture of a day in the life of an author, she couldn’t have staged it any better.
“Jessi? I hate to bother you, but do you have a minute?” Cat saw the flint of irritation of being interrupted on the girl’s face, then she glanced at her watch and sighed.
Jessi hit some keys on her laptop, then closed it and put it on top of the notebook. “I need to get up and stretch anyway. I try not to sit more than an hour at a time. But I can get lost in the story. I have a watch that alerts me, but I’m not sure where it is.”
Cat moved into the room and shut the door behind her, just in case any of the other guests decided to use the study this morning. She crossed over to the desk. “I’m just going to ask this, but you don’t have to say yes. Remember that.”
“You’re making me a little nervous. What’s going on?” Jessi’s hand went to her hair and pushed it back away from her face. Cat had noticed the tell before. It’s what the girl did when she was concerned about something or unsure of what was happening.
“It’s not a bad thing. I just want you to understand you are under no obligation to see him.”
“Who? Max? Is he here?” Jessi’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe he got the balls to try to fix this with me. The guy’s such a loser.”
“No, it’s not Max.” Cat held up a hand before Jessi could guess again. “Martin Mathews is here, and he would like to talk to you.”
Relief came over the girl in an instant, and Cat watched as Jessi’s shoulders dropped into her more relaxed stance. “He’s cool. Kind of full of himself, but he’s part of Dante’s family. You know, my mom’s friend? He comes by once in a while just to chat. I wonder what he’s doing here?”
“He heard about the break-in, and I think he just wants to make sure you’re okay.” Cat glanced toward the door. “Do you mind talking to him? He’s in the kitchen. I can stay with you if you want me to.”
“I don’t care.” Jessi glanced at her laptop and notes. “You mind if I keep those here? I’d like to finish up this chapter before I go figure out why my bank hates me.”
“Saving your space?” Cat crossed over and opened the door for her.
Jessi caught up. “You better believe it. These women have rules, and if you don’t mark your territory, it’s up for
grabs. I learned that the hard way on Monday. Connie commandeered the study and I had to beg to get my notebook out so I could keep working. Where’s Martin?”
“In the kitchen.” Cat followed her out of the study and into the hallway. When they got to the kitchen door, Shauna held it open for her. If Martin thought he was going to bully Jessi into doing something, he was going to have to go around both Cat and Shauna to get to her.
Martin sat in the same place Cat had left him, but this time, he had a plate of French toast in front of him and he was halfway through eating. He looked up and grinned. “Whoever made this is a goddess. A food goddess. I swear, I’m moving in.”
“Not in my lifetime.” Cat pointed Jessi to a chair. “I thought I told you not to touch anything?”
“I didn’t touch anything. Well, except the food. I was just hungry.” He molded his face into a look of pity and innocence. “You wouldn’t turn away a hungry child, would you?”
“Martin, you’re such a user. You’re not starving. Besides, I bet your debit card still works. You seem to always have money to burn.” Jessi tried to grab the plate, but Martin held it up out of her reach.
“Sorry, kid, you’re not getting this until I’m done. Seriously, who’s the chef? This is better than the Diner’s French toast, and I thought they were top notch.” He took the last bite of the stolen breakfast, then stood and took the plate to the sink to wash. “I’d pay just to eat meals here. You’re the lucky one, Jessi. I can’t believe you get to spend all day with this kind of food.”
“Can we get past the love fest? I don’t have time to play your games, Martin. I have to go clear up a banking issue.”
He turned and watched her. “Buying too many purses again?”
“No, I’ve been good.” Jessi frowned and rubbed a spot on the table. “I must have messed up my accounting, but the last time I looked, I had tons in checking. There’s no way I spent that in the last month. It’s got to be a bank error.”
“No weekend jaunts to the Caribbean?” Martin sat down next to her.
She slapped his arm. “I think I’d remember something like that. And before you ask, no, I don’t do drugs. I don’t know where that rumor came from, but according to both Max and Danielle, it’s all over the school. I had more than one dealer come up and try to sell me stuff.”
“Wait, you’ve never done drugs?” Cat thought about her talk with Jessi’s money manager, what was his name? Darryl? Hadn’t he insinuated something similar?
Martin laughed. “Jessi tried pot at a frat party her first year here. She choked, then went on to tell everyone how stupid they were for even trying it. She’s a bit of a straight arrow in that area.”
Jessi held her hand up in a salute. “They all called me Girl Scout after that party. And since then, I haven’t been invited to the really wacked-out ones. Anyway, as fun as chatting has been, why are you here, Martin?”
As they talked, Shauna and Cat stood in the corner. Shauna leaned close, then asked, “So now the rumor of using drugs has been taken off the table. What do you think that Darryl guy was talking about?”
Cat looked over at the two, who seemed to be actually talking and not just rubbing each other the wrong way. “I don’t know, but I think we should try to find out. If he’ll actually tell me anything. He’s supposed to be confidential with her dealings.”
Jessi walked over and stood in front of the women.
“Cat, Martin’s going to go with me to the bank. He’s sure it’s just a glitch. But sometimes, it’s easier with a guy around. Stupid, I know, but true. I’d call my money guy, but I don’t want to drag him down here from Boston if it’s something I can take care of. I guess we all have to learn to adult sometime.” She glanced at the clock. “If I don’t get back before lunch, tell the group I’ll meet them at Reno’s at eleven thirty. I owe Cora a meal.”
“Be careful, and if something weird is happening, call me.” Cat watched as Martin pulled out his phone and appeared to check his messages.
“I think you need to be more specific. This week, a lot of weird crap has been happening.” Jessi grinned. “I’ll text you when I’m at Reno’s. That way you don’t have to worry.”
“Thanks.”
Cat and Shauna watched as the two left the house.
“Do you think she’s safe with him?” Shauna asked as the door closed.
Cat considered the question. “If he fears his uncle, then yes, she’s safe.”
Shauna went back to her plate she’d left on the counter and put the cold food in the microwave. “Well, at least the kid knows good food. I was afraid he was serious about moving in with us. I’m not sure we could afford to keep food in the house if he was here.”
“You are a food goddess.” Cat grabbed a cup of coffee and a couple of cookies. “I’m heading up to my office to check email and maybe grab some words. The idea of a long-lost brother showing up for Tori is plugging away at my subconscious. Maybe I just found a new plot line for this book.”
“You mean the book that’s almost done?” Shauna leaned on the counter and watched her.
As Cat pushed the kitchen door open, she paused. “It’s not done until deadline. I thought you knew that about me?”
Laughter followed her into the hallway. Cat knew Shauna didn’t think she was serious, but she was. Deadly serious. She quickly made it up the two flights of stairs and went into her office, closing the door behind her. Grabbing a notebook, she brainstormed all the ideas running around in her head about the story she was working on. Then, drained, she turned her focus to her email. She’d let the ideas percolate a little before inserting them into the current plot, but she thought she had a great addition to the series.
When that was done, she still had an hour to kill before Tammy from the bookstore came to talk to the group. She hoped Jessi would be back in time for that, but she guessed money issues took time to unknot. She put on her tennis shoes and made her way downstairs.
Popping her head into the kitchen, she saw Shauna on her laptop. “Hey, I’m running into town for an errand. If Tammy shows up before I get back, can you help get her set up? I should be back in plenty of time, but I don’t want you caught off guard.”
“Of course I can.” Shauna considered Cat over the edge of the laptop. “You’re not doing something that Pete is going to make you regret, right?”
“No. I’m just running in to check on something.” Cat hurried out of the room so she wouldn’t have to lie again. Besides, she was just running into town to check on something. Shauna didn’t need to know what exactly she was checking on. Or should she say who?
The June morning was beautiful. Birds sang in the large oak trees that lined Warm Springs. Some of the houses still had the original hot springs heating system from when the houses were built. Cat’s house had been renovated to a gas furnace before she’d bought the house. That was her one regret, that the house had been modernized. Although Shauna seemed to love the kitchen, so she guessed it wasn’t all bad.
When she walked into the gym, Cindy shook her head. “Please tell me there’s not going to be another fight? My boss told me I should have called the police the other day.”
“There’s not going to be a fight.” Cat smiled, holding up her phone. “And if there is, I’ll call Uncle Pete myself. I don’t want to get you in trouble. I take it Max is here?”
“In the weight room like normal. I swear the trainers have told him to follow an actual schedule, but he thinks he knows everything. No wonder Jessi dumped him. The guy’s a tool.” She glanced around the open area of the gym. “You know the way, right? I’m working on the monthly billing, and if I stop, I have to log in and get all set up again. Their billing system is an antique.”
“I know the way. Good luck with your project.” Cat made her way through the empty cardio room. Every time she came into the gym, more machines were empty than actually being used. Didn’t matter what time of day, or what day of the week. She wondered if the ratio changed during the first
two weeks of January where everyone was on a weight loss challenge. She had to admit it, she was looking forward to Seth getting their private gym completed. If she was going to sweat, she might as well do it at home.
She walked through the small hallway that went past the locker rooms and then paused at the door to the gym. Max was alone, sitting on a bench, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. He must have heard her footsteps because he jumped up and spun around to face her. Disappointment filled his face.
“What are you doing here?” He picked up a towel and wiped his face.
Cat didn’t think he had any sweat to wipe away, but she had seen tears in his eyes. “I wanted to ask you about Jessi.”
“What about her?” He sank back onto the bench. “She and I are done. You heard what she said.”
“You were sleeping with her best friend.” Cat leaned on the doorway, watching for a reaction. Instead of the defiance she thought she’d hear, Max let out a sigh.
Running his hand through his hair, he nodded. “I really screwed that up. I mean, I never thought Jessi would even care. It’s not an excuse, but Danielle threw herself at me. And then when Jessi asked for a break at the beginning of summer, I thought maybe she wanted to sow some wild oats too. I’d already started seeing Danielle on the side by then. I should have known better. That girl is as loyal as you can get. And I blew it.”
“I’ve heard that Danielle thought you were going to ask her to marry her.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. Like I could take her back to introduce her to my family? No way. Jessi has the right creds for my mother. Danielle wouldn’t have made it a week.” He shook his head. “I know she kept pushing me about staying together. Like she could drive up to Harvard and see me. But I told her after September, this was over. That I had to get back to my real life.”