by Karen Baney
“Geez, Niki, you don’t have to look like it’s the worst thing ever. An accountant and product manager. It’s not such a bad pairing.” Marcy laughed.
“Sounds boring.”
“You know me, I’m anything but boring.”
Niki sighed. “You got me there. So, after this proposal and marriage, where are you going to live?”
“Chad has been saving up for a down payment on a house for years. He has enough set aside to furnish it also. He’s really good with money.”
“Hello? He’s an accountant.”
“I know,” Marcy said. Her eyes got dreamy. “And such a handsome one, too.”
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
Just in time, their stylists decided their highlights were done and it was time for the cut. In another twenty minutes, they were back together again, ready for their pedicures. Marcy picked a lime green color. Niki went with eggplant, despite the summer season.
“Put that back,” Marcy ordered when seeing the dark color.
“No. I like eggplant.”
“Really? It’s a winter color. Go with,” she scanned the choices and picked a hot pink, “this.”
“It’s for my toes, not a neon sign.”
“Just do it. Remember, embrace the change.”
Niki caved. Fantastic. Now for their camping trip next weekend she could just wear her flip-flops and her toes would light the path to the restroom.
“So… You were telling me about your dreamy man.”
“Yes, I was. We’ve talked about where we want to live and I’d like to stay in Chandler. The schools are good, and it will keep me close to you so I can keep an eye on you.”
“Interfere is more like it.” Inwardly she was very relieved and touched. She didn’t know what she would do if Marcy moved to North Phoenix or Glendale or…
“Can I hope for a long engagement?” she asked. “Like three years or something like that.”
“Not on your life. I don’t think I can keep Chad’s hands off me that long.” Marcy smiled. When she glanced over at Niki, her voice became sympathetic. “Don’t look so glum. It’s life. We pair off, have a bunch of kids, and grow old with the man of our dreams.”
She stared at the sweet Vietnamese lady as she scrubbed away her calluses. Too bad it wasn’t as easy to scour them from her heart.
“You need more friends. And maybe a man. You don’t have to isolate yourself so much.”
She leaned her head back against the cushioned head rest of the plush pedicure chair. “I know. I’m just scared.”
“Of course you are.” Marcy’s words caught Niki off guard. “You have lost the three most important people in your life. It’s always going to be with you at some level.”
Marcy reached her hand across the armrest to squeeze Niki’s hand. “But, the key is not to stay there. Try to meet people. Get out there. Make friends.”
Then suddenly, as if she remembered something important, Marcy’s eyes lit up. “In fact, next weekend is the perfect solution. I forgot to mention we’ve got a few more people for the camping trip.”
“I’m not surprised.” Typical Marcy. Always springing things on her at the last minute.
Since moving to Arizona for college, the two friends organized a camping trip for the Fourth of July weekend every year. Marcy booked the campground, invited the people, and handled the food. Niki was in charge of equipment and activities—the easy stuff. It worked well for them.
“Who all’s coming?”
“You’ll see tonight. We’re having a meeting to plan.”
Niki smiled. Sometimes she wondered how someone so organized could seem so spacey. Or maybe she told Niki at the last minute so she didn’t have time to back out. It was probably the latter.
“Thanks for letting me know. Here, I thought I was going to waste this perfectly good hairdo with popcorn alone in front of the TV.”
“Not a chance. I’d call Kyle and make him come over to take you out before I’d let that happen.”
Niki’s chin dropped to her chest in utter disbelief. Was Marcy trying to set her up with her brother? She had to know that would never work.
“I don’t date clients.”
Marcy laughed. “It’s just Kyle. You know my pain of an older brother. It wouldn’t even be like a date, especially since the two of you always seem at odds with each other.”
They hadn’t been last weekend when he brought over the movies and popcorn. They actually got along really well. Of course she slept through half of it. Still, he had been really nice. In fact, he had been nice at work, too.
The more she got to know him, the more she thought the old Kyle from high school was gone. He turned into a pretty decent guy.
And he was really easy on the eyes.
Stop it, Niki. It’s Kyle. You can’t just forget all the trouble he caused you in school. And you don’t date clients.
She smacked her hand down on the armrest, resolving not to think about him anymore.
“Well, it sounds like we already have plans for tonight anyway. No need to call in any favors for me.”
Marcy scrunched up her nose. “It’s going to be loud and noisy. Wouldn’t you much rather be on a quiet date with a handsome guy.”
Niki frowned. Now she was just pushing too far. “No. You know I don’t date.”
The nail tech asked Marcy a question, distracting her for the moment. Good. She really didn’t want her friend to get any more ideas about her and Kyle. That would never happen. Not a chance.
Chapter 20
Niki folded the potatoes into the creamy mayonnaise dressing for the potato salad while Marcy greeted their guests. She had no idea what possessed her to use her domestic skills today, but she had. She made both the potato salad and brownies from scratch. She almost forgot she even knew how to cook since most of her meals alone were some tasty salad or microwavable deal from Fresh & Easy.
Kyle was the first to arrive. “Don’t tell me you can actually cook?” he teased.
“You’ll find out later when you eat this stuff.”
“And here I wondered if I’d have to do all the cooking.”
Niki felt the heat rise to her cheeks. Why did he do that—keep flirting with her? Hinting at something more? It bothered her even more in light of her conversation with Marcy at the salon this afternoon.
“Mission accomplished,” Kyle announced proudly.
“Still embarrassing my best friend?” Marcy asked as she punched his arm lightly. “Why don’t you get out there with Chad and make yourself useful at the grill?”
“Aw, ma!” he howled as he opened the sliding glass door.
The doorbell rang again, announcing the rest of their guests. She recognized them from the BBQ on Memorial Day, but she couldn’t remember their names. Well, she had been a bit distracted by Trevor—the jerk.
“You remember Matt and Joe,” Marcy said, helping her out.
She flashed a quick smile of appreciation. “Nice to see you again.”
Matt turned on the charm. “You look nice. Did you do something different with your hair?”
“I washed it last week sometime, I think.” As his eyes got wide, she added, “Then I let the salon fix it this morning.”
“Ah,” Matt said with a knowing smile.
He was a nice looking guy, with his short light brown hair and gold eyes. Yah, she was checking him out.
Then she mentally shook herself. She didn’t want to date. It must be the talk with Marcy. She was getting inside her head.
Marcy ducked outside to help Kyle and Chad, not that they needed help. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought Marcy left her alone with Matt and Joe on purpose.
“Can we help with anything?” Joe asked.
Niki pointed to the cupboard. “Plates are there, and silverware there,” she tapped the drawer next to where she was standing.
As she chopped up the rest of the veggies for the green salad, Matt and Joe set the table.
&nb
sp; “So, how long have you been renting this place?” Matt asked.
“I don’t rent. I own the house.”
“Wow. It’s really nice,” Matt said. “Not often you see someone our age and single in such a nice place.”
Niki smiled at the compliment, knowing she should have told him she inherited it. No need to go there now.
Marcy, Kyle, and Chad filed in from outside with the grilled chicken. Niki set the rest of the food out on the table as Marcy filled beverage orders. When they sat down, she started to reach for one of the dishes until she saw everyone else fold their hands and bow their heads.
Chad spoke, “Lord, bless this time together. Help us to enjoy the good food and company. And please bless Niki for opening up her home to this crazy bunch. Amen.”
Can you really pray like that? Isn’t it supposed to be all solemn and drab? Then again, Kyle had prayed kind of like that too, like God was just sitting in the chair next to him. Ugh. She didn’t want to think about this.
“So,” Niki said, “you guys been camping before?”
“Joe hasn’t,” Matt volunteered.
“Hey, I’m a city guy. How rough is roughin’ it?”
“Since Marcy’s a diva,” Niki said, getting a swift kick in her shin from across the table, “we have to have ‘facilities’—if you want to call a slow drip coming from a showerhead pointed at your nose a facility.”
That brought a few laughs.
“The campground is really posh, no wilderness camping for this diva,” Marcy said. “There are restrooms, showers, laundry room, basketball court, and group picnic area. But, don’t worry, we’re still in the great outdoors.”
“Everyone else has been camping, right?” Niki asked, undeterred. Nods all around answered. “What about hiking?”
“Does schlepping through a desert count?” Kyle asked. “Cause I’m pretty sure I’ve done that.”
“I wouldn’t recommend combat boots for this hike, Lieutenant,” Niki teased. She regretted it when a brief shadow fell across his face. “A nice sturdy pair of hiking shoes are a must for this trip.”
“Here we go,” Marcy said putting a hand to her forehead in a dramatic sigh. “Field Guide Niki Turner’s trip prerequisites.”
“Hey, it’s serious stuff. Lest you forget George.”
“George was an idiot,” Marcy countered.
“An idiot that we nearly airlifted off the mountain. And the trail wasn’t even that bad,” Niki shot back. “Who hikes in Arizona—a very dry climate—in the middle of summer with just an eight ounce Dasani bottle? Insane.”
“So, I take it you prefer we bring two?” Kyle asked.
Niki glared at him. “You’re not helping.”
Matt asked, “I supposed Field Guide Niki would recommend two or three liters of water in a Camelback.”
“Well, yes, Junior Field Guide Matt. That’s exactly what I’d recommend.”
“A camel, what?” Joe asked.
“Camelback. It’s a water bladder in a special backpack. It has a little hose from the back to the shoulder strap so you can sip your water while keeping your hands free. A lot better than messing with water bottles,” Niki said.
“No tennis shoes?” Joe asked.
“Be gone from my presence,” Niki said holding her arm at length, turning her head away.
“Maybe we should promote her to Queen Niki?” Chad suggested.
“Great, we’re going camping with a queen and a diva,” Kyle muttered, drawing a round of chuckles.
“In all seriousness…” Field Guide Niki took over. “Good hiking shoes, comfortable loose fitting shorts—not denim—and a good Camelback. There will be no airlifting. There will be no whining from city wimps.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Joe saluted.
Following the meal, they finished the planning for the camping trip.
“For fun,” Marcy said, “I thought we could take the sky lift at the ski resort. It’s open year round now for rides to the top of the mountain. The view is incredible.”
“That’s hiking and sky lift.” Chad patted his belly and said, “But what about food?”
“Oh, don’t you worry, dear,” Marcy said. “I promise you won’t starve.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. He grinned from ear to ear.
Niki put her fingers to her lips and made a fake puking motion. “I think I’m going to be sick. Are we going to have to watch that all weekend? Can’t we leave them here?”
“Of course, what single woman wouldn’t want three dashing men to herself for a weekend,” Marcy volleyed back, creating a round of red faces.
Niki jumped to her feet. “Brownies anyone? Made them from scratch.”
Matt grinned with enthusiasm lighting his eyes. “A woman who bakes.”
Her face heated again. This was going to be an interesting trip.
The Friday before the Fourth, Niki rushed to get ready before everyone arrived. They decided to carpool up to the campground. Since they had so much stuff and only Kyle had a truck, they were taking three vehicles, two passengers each. As usual, she and Marcy were trying to think of all those last minute items.
Kyle was the first to arrive. He looked awful—had all week. He was pale and pasty. He walked stiffer than normal, if that was even possible. The dark circles under his eyes made him look older.
As he carried gear out to his truck, Niki pulled Marcy aside. “I’m worried about Kyle. He looks like he’s ready to drop.”
“I know. But he’s not going to stay behind. He’s too stubborn for that.”
“Is it his back?” Niki asked.
“Probably. He called earlier this week complaining that the monsoon was aggravating it.”
“Really? Do you think it’s the moisture in the air?”
Marcy sighed. “I don’t know, but I’m worried too.”
She had visions of Kyle being airlifted off the mountain during their hiking. “Just do me a favor. Make him stay at camp if he’s not up to the more vigorous activities.”
“I’m fine,” Kyle said from behind her.
She jumped and spun on her heels. “You are not fine. Don’t be stupid, okay?”
“I can take care of myself without Mother Hen One,” he said pointing first at Marcy and then at Niki. “Or two.”
He went to grab the cooler. Marcy sat down on it. “No, you don’t. You are not lifting stuff.”
“I’m fine,” he growled.
“Still, you’re not lifting another thing.” Marcy squared her shoulders.
He glared at her for a minute. When Chad came in, Marcy stood and let him carry the cooler. Kyle stalked off to his truck in a huff.
Once the vehicles were loaded, the group of six stood in a circle in Niki’s driveway. They prayed again for a safe trip. As she worried about Kyle, she prayed—at least she thought it might be a prayer—that he would survive this trip.
When the prayer ended, Matt stood next to her. “You want to ride with me?”
She looked from Kyle’s grumpy face to Matt’s gorgeous eyes. Tough choice. Not.
“Sure.”
As they pulled onto the freeway, Matt started the conversation. “How long have you lived in Arizona?”
Niki let out a slow breath. “My parents and I moved here when I was fourteen. Then, when they were killed in a car accident, I went to Germany to live with my brother, Jack. He was in the Air Force, stationed in Ramstein. When I graduated, Marcy and I moved here to go to ASU—mostly because I inherited the house so I had a place to live.”
“I’m so sorry about your parents. That must have been hard.”
She debated whether or not to mention what happened to Jack.
“Where’s your brother now? You said he was in the Air Force.”
She looked out the window as they drove through the city, watching buildings whoosh by. That was kind of like her life—whooshing by whether she wanted it to or not.
After a minute of silence, she finally answered. “Jack was killed in Afghanistan a month be
fore I graduated high school. I lived with Marcy and her parents until I graduated.”
“Oh, my. I’m so sorry.”
She looked over at him. He seemed rather upset.
“I suppose it’s about time I started talking about it without bawling my eyes out.” She laughed nervously. “It’s been eight years.”
He nodded. The awkward silence stretched.
“What about you? How long have you lived here?”
“Born and raised.”
“A native! They do exist! I always thought it was a myth.”
“Yeah, there’s at least one or two of us. Though it always amazes me—the large number of people that constantly move here.”
“Did you go away to college?”
“No. I went to ASU, too. Got a degree in Finance.”
“What does one do with a degree in finance, anyway?”
“I ended up as a financial analyst at that big semiconductor chip manufacturer in Chandler.”
Niki was impressed. This guy seemed to have it together.
As they neared Anthem, one of the last major signs of civilization on the way to Flagstaff, Matt asked, “Do you need to stop for anything?”
“Nope. I’m good.”
“So,” he continued. “You and Marcy met in Germany then?”
“Yup. I was the awkward brainiac from the States. Never been on a military base and then all of the sudden I was thrown into this strange group of people—military brats. Marcy befriended me the first day I was at school. It was the middle of the school year, but everyone was used to students moving in and out as their parents got reassigned. Anyway, she made the experience bearable.”
“Did you know Kyle in school?”
She smiled. “Did I ever. He made my life miserable.”
“Ooo. Give me the dirt,” he said with excitement.
“Well, the first thing he did was pick on me for wearing glasses. Then he and his buddies must have been trying for the Guinness Book of World Records for most consecutive days of toilet papering one person’s house. It sucked. Jack made me clean it up every time, usually by myself because he had to rush off to work.”
“I’ll bet he liked you even then.”