“If you liked mine, Cass, I try to go almost every Sunday, so you’re welcome to join me. And, as Linda told you, that’s where she goes, too, when she isn’t confined to a house with a patient.”
“It’s nice having a patient who isn’t confined to bed or home,” Linda added, “Cass and I have been having a wonderful time together. I almost hate for her to get better so I’ll have to leave.”
“Me, too,” Cass concurred with a grin. “But we can still get together whenever you have time. Make sure you keep me posted on your schedule.”
As the two women ate and chatted, Jason wished he were the one who would be entertaining Cass and spending time with her. Considering her improvement, he couldn’t use her health as an excuse to visit her much longer. He wondered how many weeks he should wait before asking her out on a real date and, when he did, would she accept? She seemed to like him and enjoy his company, but she was so conscious of her image and obligations as a recent widow to risk doing anything that might look inappropriate. He just didn’t want her to start going out where she could meet another man and become interested in him before he himself could attempt to win her. Yet, he didn’t want to offend her by pursuing her too soon after her loss. He needed to discover if her marriage had been a happy one and what kind of man Thomas Grantham had been; knowing those two facts would tell him how deeply and how long she would mourn her lost husband.
Sunday evening following his round of golf, Jason received partial answers to his earlier queries when he decided to grab a bite to eat in the Putter’s Club at the Sea Palms Resort before going home, as his friends already had left to join their families for dinner. As he sat in the grill area, sipped his drink, and awaited his food, a colleague noticed his presence and approached his table to speak with him.
“Hello, Jason, how are you doing?”
“Fine. How about you?” he asked the female gynecologist who practiced in Brunswick and often referred patients to him.
“No complaints. I saw you at church and lunch with a new patient of mine, Cassandra Grantham. It’s terrible what happened to her, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is. Does she have any medical problems I need to be aware of? I’ve been treating her for mild anxiety and depression since her husband’s death. I have a private nurse staying with her and taking care of her for a couple of weeks so she won’t be alone.”
“I know Linda Carnes, and I saw her with you two earlier. I assumed they were friends of yours. Mrs. Grantham didn’t mention she’s under your care or on medication. I wonder why.”
Jason was glad he was sitting at a corner table and no one was close enough to overhear their talk. “Probably because she’s embarrassed she went to pieces for a while.”
“I can understand why. I mean, besides losing her husband, she has other worries on her mind. I’ll send you a copy of her blood work, but I didn’t find anything unusual. I ran a full screen and other tests.”
Jason tried to mask his personal concern and to sound only professional. “What other tests?”
“She wanted a full female check-up; she was embarrassed about the situation, but she requested the full range of STDs and an AIDS test. She said she suspected her husband was having an affair when he was killed and she wanted to make certain, if it was true, she hadn’t caught anything from him. I take it she didn’t mention those fears or suspicions to you?”
“No, and I can understand why she wouldn’t. That’s a shame, because Cass is a nice lady. She didn’t deserve that added problem.”
“So, you two are friends; she’s not just a patient?”
Jason waited until the house specialty—Cajaibbean shrimp—was placed before him and the waitress departed before he answered the rather nosy question, “Yes, we’ve known each other since she moved here last fall. I only met her husband on a few occasions, but that’s because he traveled a great deal. I do know her stepson, Peter; he runs Grantham Seafood and Grantham Electronics in Brunswick.” Jason noted the mischievous grin that creased the gynecologist’s face.
“Ah, yes, Peter Grantham; I’ve seen him many times, even been hit on by him at least twice. He thinks he’s a real charmer and irresistible to women. Well, he isn’t my type and I told him so. I pity Mrs. Grantham having to deal with him; he strikes me as being real money and power hungry, and a sex fiend to boot. Perhaps father and son weren’t very different, if you catch my meaning. She was plenty worried about it.”
Jason didn’t like the way she was acting more like a gossip than a physician, but he didn’t stop her, wanting to learn more about Cass. “You said all of her tests were either negative or normal?”
“That’s right; I gave her the good news when she called me on Friday. I couldn’t miss her sigh of relief even over the phone. I’ll send you a copy of her file for your records.”
“Thanks, but don’t mention that to Cass; she’ll be embarrassed. Would you like to join me?” Jason felt compelled to ask the woman.
“Thanks, but I’m joining friends in the Main Course. They’re probably waiting for me now and wondering where I am. Perhaps we can get together another time; I hope so. It was good to see you.”
“You, too,” he half-lied before she left for the main dining room.
As he ate his food with a now lagging appetite, Jason didn’t know if he should be elated or saddened by the news of Tom’s adultery. Without strong suspicions or proof she’d found in Tom’s possessions, Cass wouldn’t have requested those humiliating tests and examination. If it was a recent discovery, he reasoned, that betrayal and her health fears could have been partly responsible for her emotional crash. His heart ached over her sufferings. He didn’t understand how her husband could have been unfaithful to such a wonderful woman. It was selfish on his part to hope Tom was guilty, because an adulterer would be easier to get over, wouldn’t he? He wanted to be the man to teach her to love, trust, and commit again. If only his lover’s skills could match his medical ones, he could help heal her wounded heart and injured soul.
While Jason was eating alone and worrying, Cass was having a rather nice time at home while Peter grilled steaks by the pool for her and Linda, who prepared baked potatoes, a garden salad, and rolls to accompany them. Cass was stretched out in a cushioned chaise while Peter and Linda stood near the grill and chatted.
She noticed that Peter was being charming and genial with the nurse, though not flirtatious, which she was certain disappointed Linda who seemed enchanted by him. Peter—dressed in casual navy slacks and a red shirt from his golf game this afternoon at the Sea Island Club—was in a jovial mood tonight, one he claimed was brought on by shooting an eagle and several birdies on six holes. He laughed and smiled often, told amusing jokes, and made certain he drew her into the conversation every few minutes. He looked sexy with that ever-present lock of ebony hair falling onto his forehead near his left temple. As with Jason, Peter’s tan had deepened with his increase of outdoor sports. With his dark coloring, the shade of his fiery shirt was flattering. She had to admit, he was attractive and virile. There was an earthy, seductive sensuality about him and she understood why so many women found him irresistible. She couldn’t deny that Peter Grantham was a superb catch, if his reputation wasn’t true. As if he read her thoughts, that was the very topic about which he joked next.
“Did you enjoy church and lunch this morning?” Peter asked.
“Yes, I did. Linda and Jason are good company, and it was nice to get out of the house for a while. Perhaps you’d like to attend next Sunday.” If he comes, Linda, you owe me big for this favor.
“The congregation would probably faint if I walked in. I’m afraid too many people around here put too much stock in unfounded gossip about me. They might think the world is coming to an end this week if I attended.”
“No, they wouldn’t,” Linda refuted. “I’m a member there and I would love to have you attend. You can sit with me and Cass and I’ll introduce you to everyone. They’re nice people, so they’ll behave themselves.”
Peter told the nurse, “I’ll think about it. First I have to go to New York on Wednesday morning, but I’ll be back on Saturday afternoon.” Peter looked at Cass. “There’s a big real estate deal I have to check on and either accept or reject it. Would you like to tag along, Cass? We could catch a play, and you could go shopping while I’m busy, or laze around and enjoy room service.”
“Not this week, but perhaps another time. Thanks for the invitation.”
“I’ll keep you informed about my business trips in case you want to go along on one of them.”
After eating their meals and doing the clean-up chores, Peter asked, “Anybody game for a swim? I could use the exercise.”
Cass laughed and said, “Not me; it’s too chilly for my blood.”
“What about you, Linda?” Peter asked.
The nurse was delighted he had started using her first name. “Sounds good to me; I have a swimsuit upstairs. I’ll go change.”
While Linda was gone, Peter asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go to New York with me? It would be a wonderful diversion for both of us. Don’t forget, Linda is leaving on Tuesday, so you’ll be here alone.”
“I know, and I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but it’s too soon for me to enjoy a holiday like that. Another time?”
“I’ll hold you to that promise. While I’m gone, if you get scared or lonely at night, just asked Inez to sleep over until I return. And I’ll phone and check on you every day.”
“I’ll be fine, Peter, so don’t worry about me, but thanks.”
After Linda and Peter finished their swim Cass joined them as they all went into her house to watch a movie he had rented at the video store.
As it began, Peter said, “I’ve been wanting to see this for a long time. My secretary told me it’s hilarious. If you two get bored, just tell me and I’ll take it over to my place and finish it there. That won’t hurt my feelings.”
As they watched the comedy, all three laughed, sipped their colas, and nibbled on the popcorn they had prepared.
After it finished playing and was rewinding, Peter asked, “Is there anything you want me to pick up for you tomorrow Cass?”
“Nothing I can think of. Inez keeps everything well stocked.”
“What about if I bring you fresh shrimp right off the boat for supper? I can have it here by five o’clock.”
Cass smiled and thought, You’ll owe me again, Linda, if this works. “That will be fine, if you’ll join us to eat it.”
“I would love to, but I already have a business dinner with a new client for our electronics company. I’ll take a rain check if you’re issuing them.”
“Consider yourself invited for another night. Thanks for buying and cooking the steaks; they were delicious. And the movie was very funny. This has been a most pleasant and relaxing evening.”
“We had a wonderful time, Peter,” Linda added. “Thank you.”
Peter replaced the tape in its clear container, smiled, and said, “I thoroughly enjoyed myself, ladies, and I bid you good night.”
* * *
While Cass and Linda were strolling on the beach Monday morning and Inez was at the store, Kristy Stillman Franklin left a message on Cass’s answering machine.
When Cass returned home and found it, she was elated, filled with relief. She wished she could speak with Kristy that very minute, but Kristy had said she was leaving town immediately because she had rented her house to a golfer who was playing in the Master’s tournament this week. Many local Augustans did the same thing to earn extra money, as most rentees paid enormous amounts to have large and well-located homes at their disposal for resting and for entertaining.
Cass could hardly wait for Kristy’s return home so they could talk, really talk for the first time in years. Kristy sounded just as eager as she was to renew their friendship. Since a talk was impossible today, she went shopping with Linda just to browse and have an outing, though she suspected that Linda was using that excuse to lure her out into public to get her more at ease about doing so.
They looked at clothing at several fun clothing and shoe stores at True Oaks Shopping Center and wandered through Goad’s Gallery at the Shops at Sea Island where Cass purchased a silk screen and a painting by the talented artist and owner. She also purchased a lovely beach scene that Linda kept admiring and presented it to her as a combination thank-you and farewell gift. After those items were placed in Linda’s car, they made several purchases at G. J. Ford Bookshop.
Their last stop was at the Winn-Dixie grocery store at Retreat Village so Cass could pick up boxes to use to pack away Tom’s things later this week, a task she both looked forward to and dreaded.
During their day together, Linda talked about what a good time she had last night and how attractive Peter was. Cass hoped she wasn’t making a mistake by not warning her friend away from Tom’s son, but Linda was an adult and could make her own decisions and form her own impressions. What’s more, she couldn’t risk her comments finding their way into Peter’s ears if he and Linda decided to date, which she doubted would happen. All she could do was hope and pray that Linda didn’t get hurt emotionally.
On Tuesday morning, Cass and Linda hugged and said their good-byes and made plans to continue their friendship with future visits.
“If you need me, Cass, call me and I’ll come over if I’m not working. If I am, at least we can chat. I’m going to miss you and this cushy job.”
Cass laughed at her amusing expression before she said, “I’m going to miss you, too. Call me after you get settled at home.”
“I will, and you take good care of yourself.”
“I promise to obey Jason’s orders to the letter,” Cass vowed, though she was a little surprised and disappointed that Jason hadn’t come by last night or this morning, since he knew Linda was departing. He had simply spoken to Linda by phone and given her instructions to pass along to her. She hadn’t seen or talked to him since Sunday after lunch, and, she realized, she missed his smile, missed his voice, missed him in entirety.
As Cass relaxed and read that afternoon in her private suite, the next call she received wasn’t from Linda or Jason; it was an unexpected one from a man she had seen recently.
Chapter Ten
Inez came to where Cass was reading in the den to tell her there was a phone call for her, as the housekeeper had been instructed not to screen her calls or visitors any longer.
Cass thanked her and lifted the receiver nearby. “Hello, this is Mrs. Grantham speaking.”
“Mrs. Grantham, you’ve been a hard lady to reach. I wanted to extend my condolences for your husband’s death and to see if there’s any way I can assist you if you’re interested in selling your home.”
“I beg your pardon? Who is this? What do you want?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I was so excited to finally reach you that I forgot to tell you my name. This is Samuel Tarver of Tarver Realty Company on St. Simons Island. After your tragic loss last month, I drove by your home and took several pictures, then tried to contact you to see what your plans are; widows often want to move and make a fresh start or get into a smaller place. I was told you were out of town, but one of my agents thought he saw you having dinner with friends Saturday night at Blanche’s Courtyard; he remembered you from pictures in the local newspaper.”
Cass was relieved to discover that one of the inquisitive drivers and the man at the restaurant were nothing more than eager real estate agents wanting to drum up business. Perhaps that was also true for some of the other people whom she had believed were being nosy about her and Tom. Perhaps some had been hopeful buyers of her property. “I appreciate your interest, Mr. Tarver,” Cass responded, “but I haven’t made a decision in that matter, and won’t be doing so for at least several months.”
“Would you mind if I sent you my card and a letter of introduction so you can consider me and my company if you do decide to move? I’m sure I can get you an excellent price and quick sale. Yo
u have a lovely and valuable piece of property, and the market is in your favor at this time.”
Cass was relieved and impressed that the man didn’t seem pushy and persistent.
“Of course you can send that information, and I will give you the opportunity to speak with me if I decide to relocate here or elsewhere. But I’m not ready to discuss the matter at this date. I have other personal and business matters occupying my time and energies.”
“I understand, ma’am, and I appreciate you taking my call today.” Mr. Tarver’s tone was genuinely polite.
Wednesday morning after Peter left on his private jet for New York, Cass decide to start making a few changes in herself and her home to help chase away Tom’s ghostly presence. She would begin slowly to not antagonize Peter by making it appear as if she hadn’t loved Tom and was eager to remove all traces of him from her existence. She wouldn’t redecorate the entire house but would make alterations in needed areas, such as the upstairs suite where Tom had defiled their marriage bed.
First, she removed her wedding rings. She put them in her closet safe temporarily until she came up with the right idea for using the diamonds and gold in another piece of jewelry, if she didn’t decide to sell them. She had burned the video tapes last night while she had privacy, and had placed the naughty lingerie in a paper sack and deposited it in the trash. Fortunately the garbage company picked up on Sea Island on Wednesdays so there was no chance of Inez going through the bags.
At nine o’clock, Cass showered and dressed in a khaki chambray tunic top with khaki-and-white striped sleeves and coordinating striped pants. She slid her feet into beige Nubuck slings by Bruno Magli. On her right hand, she put on an emeraldand-diamond ring; on her left, she wore a diamond-encircled five-karat Russian Alexandrite—her birthstone—which Tom had given to her when she turned thirty-five last June. She clasped a gold watch and bracelet on her wrists and inserted creamy pearl studs in her pierced ears. She applied a light covering of cosmetics, sprayed on Ciara perfume, and brushed her long hair.
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