Hurricane Season

by BJ Phillips

  “Delightful! Would you like to come to my place for dinner? I could show you what I have in mind, and we could talk about what I would like you to do…Professionally I mean.” She laughed.

  “Right. Well, that would be all right. When would you like to get together? “

  “How about tomorrow night? About eight? I can text you my home address so you can map it, but it’s pretty easy to find. I live in the River’s Edge development. I’ll probably just throw a couple of steaks on the grill, so please just come on over dressed however you’re most comfortable.

  “That works for me. Can I bring anything?”

  “Oh no, you don‘t need to bring anything but your own sexy self… ” Tracy drawled.

  “Uh, all right. I’ll watch for your text and see you tomorrow night.” Shawn hit end on her phone and suddenly felt rather dirty. That was silly, this is just business. Right. So why do you feel like you’re about to cheat on Carrie?

  Chapter Twenty

  AT TEN TO EIGHT, Shawn pulled into the River’s Edge parking lot. Tracy’s condominium was right on the bank of the Caloosahatchee River. This looked like a high rent district, she thought, for a so-called struggling photographer. Come to think of it, though, she never said she was struggling, just that she “paid the bills” by doing portrait photography at the mall. Interesting.

  She found Tracy’s place easily and pushed the buzzer. Tracy answered the door barefoot and dressed in a very short tropical print sarong tied at her breasts, and nothing else as far as Shawn could tell. If Shawn had been a cartoon character, she knew her eyeballs would’ve been on springs, leaping out of her head and bouncing around. She had noticed that Tracy had a cute figure the other night, but that sarong really left little to the imagination. Shawn made herself assume there was probably a swimsuit of some kind under there. Even that did little to stop her brain from wandering.

  Tracy grinned broadly and reached for Shawn’s hand. “Come on in. Don’t just stand there. I won’t bite.” Tracy laughed, a low, throaty sound that did nothing to help Shawn’s brain kick back into normal gear. “Let me show you around. My studio is in the downstairs bedroom. Well, it isn‘t a bedroom anymore.”

  Shawn could smell steaks cooking somewhere. “Don’t you need to check on the steaks? They smell like they need attention.”

  “Nah, they’re fine. I just took them off the grill and put them in the oven to stay warm. We’ll eat in a few minutes. I want to show you what you’re getting into, so I laid out some things for you to see.”

  Shawn followed her down a short hall and into a nice sized room with a large worktable. “My darkroom,” she motioned toward a door leading to an adjacent bathroom. “It’s also a guest bath when people come over.”

  Tracy had something like a dozen photos laid out on the work table, all appeared to be of local beaches or historical spots on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. She picked up and shuffled through the pictures as she showed them to Shawn. “What do you think?”

  “They’re very nice. What’s the theme of the book? Is it just the islands or do you have more of the Fort Myers area?”

  “They’re mostly of Sanibel and Captiva. A few shots are of Fort Myers Beach, and I took some out on Pine Island. What ties them all together is the wildlife. Some of the critters I photographed are endangered now, but all of it could be endangered if not preserved. That’s the idea behind this book…to show what we have currently and what we could lose if it’s not taken care of.”

  “Very nice idea. Your photographs are not the standard pictures of the beach, so that’s great. You’ve enough passion for this that you should be able to write the prose yourself. I don’t think you really need me to do that.”

  “Oh, I want you, Shawn.” Tracy looked straight into Shawn’s eyes and ran her hand down Shawn’s arm slowly. “I think a real writer could do a much better job. Anyway, enough of this for now. I promised you dinner, and it’s ready.” She put her arm around Shawn’s and led her from the room. Once in the living room, Tracy released Shawn’s arm, but trailed her fingers down her hand before letting go. She pointed to the patio. “Right through that door. I’ll be out with dinner.”

  “Can I help?”

  “How sweet of you to ask, but I’ll be right there. There’s some beer in the cooler, several different kinds, so help yourself. Oh, and you can get a Corona out for me.”

  Out on the back patio, Shawn found a table set up for two with a cooler by the door. She opened two Coronas, placing one on the table and opening one for herself. The view from the patio made these condos so expensive. She could see across the mile-wide Caloosahatchee to the upscale homes on the other side with their boatlifts and party decks. Some had boats the size of yachts moored at docks along the sea wall. Just as she was wondering what one specific boat cost, she heard the slider open and she hurried to help Tracy carry the food out.

  “Thanks! I’m so used to doing this myself, but it was nice to have someone help. Especially someone like you.”

  “Dinner smells and looks delicious. The view is wonderful, too,” Shawn turned again to gaze across the river. “I guess you’re used to the view, living here. Does it ever get old? Looking at the river I mean.”

  “No, it doesn’t. I love it. What’s nice is that the condo association takes care of mowing all the grass and the rest of the outside upkeep, so I can just enjoy the view. We recently had the seawall redone, creating a river walk along it. We can take a stroll out there after dinner if you want. It’s really pretty at dusk when the lights along the other side of the river start to come on…It‘s very romantic.”

  “I’m sure it is,” Shawn’s attention came back to Tracy. “I don’t know if I’ll be here late enough for that, though.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to rush off tonight. You could stick around and enjoy the view for a while.” Tracy reached over to brush her fingers across the top of Shawn’s hand.

  Shawn pulled her hand back, and then reached for her drink. “Well, let’s see. Now, about that book of yours...”

  “Yes, my…our book,” Tracy said, grinning. “Let’s talk about that after we finish dinner.”

  An hour later, and a few more Coronas, and Shawn was feeling rather more relaxed. She also had to pee. Coming out of the downstairs bathroom, she found Tracy waiting in the living room for her. She could see it was starting to get dark outside on the patio, where Tracy had lit a couple of jar candles.

  “I’d like to show you something.” Tracy said. “There’s a special reason I love living here.”

  “What would that be?”

  “Come upstairs with me.” Tracy moved toward the staircase. Shawn’s eyes followed the line of her thigh exposed by the sarong as she climbed the first stair.

  “Why, Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?” Shawn laughed.

  “Ah, you like old movies?” Tracy laughed, a low, throaty sound. “Maybe I am, but there’s something else. Come on.” Tracy reached for Shawn’s hand and led her up the curving staircase. She led her into what was obviously the master suite, a much larger room with a wall of windows facing the river, directly above the patio. Darkness was falling fast and she could see lights were coming on across the river, dancing on the waves kicked up by the evening breeze. Boats with fore and aft lights slowly drifted either upriver toward Lake Okeechobee or down toward the Gulf of Mexico.

  “Wow, what a spectacular view!” Shawn said. “No wonder you like it here. This would be quite nice to wake up to or go to sleep with.”

  “It definitely is,” Tracy said softly. “It is even nicer with someone to go to sleep or wake up with,” she whispered, standing closer and running her fingers lightly up Shawn’s arm to her shoulder.

  Shawn took a deep breath. This was what she had sort of thought and maybe even hoped would happen. But it just didn’t feel right. Standing there in the twilight of Tracy’s room with the river view spread out below them, it was not as easy to decide what she wanted to do. Or what she should do, for tha
t matter. Tracy was one luscious woman, for sure, and she was very obvious with her intentions. Shawn’s insides thought whatever Tracy had in mind sounded like a good idea. Hell, the rest of her body was quickly joining in on that vote.

  Tracy reached up and kissed Shawn once, lightly. She didn’t wait to see whether Shawn was receptive or not before she kissed her again, and this time Shawn kissed her back. Shawn suddenly felt drawn underwater. She could feel her body responding to Tracy’s touch, her kisses. Standing there in the deepening shadows, she was done for.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  CARRIE HADN’T SEEN SHAWN for a few days. Her last view of her had been her back as she walked out of the porch floodlight to her Jeep, leaving her standing there wanting her. Shawn’s house was nearly finished, and she hoped to throw her a little housewarming celebration in honor of the new addition.

  She wanted to just happen upon her and talk to her about it. She missed seeing Shawn like they used to nearly every afternoon. She looked forward to Shawn being funny or silly or trying to impress her with learning to ride her bike. Of course that was when Shawn had just moved back to the neighborhood.

  Carrie finally decided to walk over to see if she was okay. At least that’s what she told herself. She brought a note with her that she had written to put on the door if Shawn didn’t answer: Shawn – Haven’t seen you for a few days and missed you. Give me a call when you get home? Carrie

  When Carrie got to Shawn’s house, the familiar red Jeep was nowhere in sight. Well, she figured, Shawn must be out doing something, so she must be okay. Carrie left the note tucked in the door and walked home.

  ***

  Shawn arrived home the next morning after Tracy made them breakfast. She couldn’t believe she’d just spent the night having totally forgettable sex with such a beautiful woman. It wasn’t that Tracy didn’t turn her on. She did. It must’ve been good, but in spite of a thorough search of her own brain, she couldn’t remember what happened past the first kiss or two. She did remember fantasizing that she was with Carrie when Tracy kissed her.

  As she walked up to her front door she saw the note from Carrie. She sat on the front porch chair and read it. Damn, she must’ve put it there yesterday. Now what should I do? I could just…well I should just… She ran her fingers through her hair and leaned back in the chair, staring at the porch ceiling. I could just wait till Carrie gets home and call her then. Or should I call her now? No, that would just make it obvious that I just now saw the note. Am I trying to hide what I did last night from Carrie? Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m overrun with pure unadulterated guilt. Oh God, now what do I do?

  She wanted Carrie, but didn’t want to sleep with her unless she felt she could give her that romantic promise that Carrie wanted. She wasn’t ready for that yet. She didn’t really want Tracy, but she slept with her anyway because she didn’t have any problem with what Tracy wanted. Tracy just wanted a good time. Shawn wanted to have a physical release with someone other than her own right hand. If there was nothing wrong with that, then why did she feel awful? She needed to get away and think. She called her publisher.

  “Hey AJ. Are you finally ready to take some time off? How would you like to get away from it all for a few days? Are you up for a fishing trip?”

  “Well, now, you might be able to talk me into something. I don’t know about fishing so much, but how about some chill time out at the cabin in the Smokies? Come to think of it, we might find some fishing up there.”

  “Sounds good to me. I just need to get away for a while. How soon can we go?”

  “Come on up and we can leave in a few days,” AJ said. “Meantime, you can zone out at my place. Atlanta’s a pretty good place to lose yourself if that’s what you want. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

  “Not yet. Not over the phone. How about if I tell you when I get there and we can have a couple of drinks to wash it down?”

  “Good plan. See you in a couple?”

  “If it’s okay, how about tomorrow night?”

  “That’s fine. I’ll stock the bar and the munchies and we’ll solve the problems of Shawn’s world.”

  “I’ll drive up tomorrow, then. Hey, thanks for being a good friend. I do appreciate you.”

  “Don’t be silly. We’ve been there for each other for years. You’d do the same for me. Hell, you’ve done the same for me. Several times. See you tomorrow night.”

  Shawn smiled as she hit the end button. AJ was right. They’d been through a lot together over the years. AJ had been through several relationships that ended badly, not to mention business setbacks. Shawn had avoided the relationship thing completely until Jen came along. AJ was there to catch her after that one, and had come out to California for a week to listen to Shawn rant, rave, cry, get drunk, and sulk through dealing with her breakup. AJ had also pestered, cajoled, and cheered Shawn through several of her last books. Yes, they’d been there for each other. And they were about to do it again.

  Shawn began packing. She hoped she could come to terms with the Carrie situation while she was away. That’s what she needed—a clear head. She called Carrie.

  “Shawn! Glad you called,” Carrie said. “I missed you. I guess you got my note. Well, yeah, of course you did. Sorry I’m rambling. I hadn’t seen you for a few days and I was just concerned. Everything okay?”

  “Um, yeah…okay. Listen, I need to run up to Atlanta. I’m driving up first thing tomorrow and I’ll be gone for a while…taking care of some business with my publisher.”

  “Oh. Well, would you like to come over tonight for a little while? I made a chocolate pie yesterday.”

  Shawn started to just say no, then paused. Chocolate pie. Why did it have to be chocolate pie – one of the few things I can’t resist? “That sounds nice. I’d love to. Want me to give you a call when I’m on my way over?”

  “All right. See you this evening.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  CARRIE OPENED THE DOOR just as Shawn reached out to hit the doorbell. “Hi, I saw you coming.”

  “Hi yourself.” Shawn tried to not stare at the undone button on Carrie’s blouse, showing a bit more cleavage than usual. She made a point of looking right into Carrie’s rich brown eyes, but that just made it worse. She took a deep breath, which she could tell Carrie was mistaking for a yawn. She decided a yawn was a good cover, and pretended a little one, then apologized. “Sorry, been really busy lately.”

  Carrie invited her to sit at the small kitchen table, where a tiny lit jar candle gave off just a hint of the fragrance of oranges.

  “I figured as much when I hadn’t seen you for a while,” Carrie said. “I used to see you out there pretty much every day, but I haven’t seen you running in days. I hoped you didn’t get injured or something. Would you like some coffee with your pie?”

  “Sure, love some.” Shawn sat at the table. “No, I didn’t hurt anything. I’ve just been busy. I need to get back out there running again especially after this pie. It looks wonderful.”

  “It’s my grandmother’s recipe. She could whip up a meringue with a fork, of all things. She was a little bitty thing, but we didn’t cross her. She was strong. She was a wonderful woman and we loved her very much. You would’ve liked her…Every time I make that pie I think of her.”

  “I think it’s wonderful that you have something that reminds you of her so much,” Shawn said. “You were very lucky you had her, and lucky again to get her pie recipe.”

  “Believe me, I never forget how fortunate I was to have her around. To get the pie recipe, though, I had to stand right next to her and write down everything she did. She never measured a thing—just a pinch of this and a handful of that. I measured everything she put in it as she made it. It took twice as long, probably. She could practically make pies in her sleep.” Carrie placed a piece of the chocolate pie, on a small flowered china plate, in front of Shawn. “Now, this doesn’t taste exactly like my grandmother’s. We swore that she put her finger in it
or something. Finally I decided it had to be just because it was her making it. Things always taste different when someone else makes them.”

  Shawn took a bite. “Oh, my God!” She took another bite. “Mmm. This stuff is heaven. No wonder you spent all that time with your grandmother learning to make it.” She paused for a second or two. “Seriously, this has got to be the best chocolate pie I’ve ever had. And believe me, I don’t say that lightly.”

  Carrie slowly ate her pie, savoring each bite. She smiled at the compliment. “Thanks. I don’t make it unless I’m giving it to someone, bringing it to work, or having company. Otherwise, I’d sit down and eat a whole pie all by myself.” She laughed. “And we know that wouldn’t be a good idea. I’d have to do an awful lot of bike riding to work that off!”

  “I can relate to that. I sure don’t want to think about how many miles I’d have to run to do the same thing. I do appreciate you sharing this luscious pie with me. It’s wonderful.” Shawn took the last bite of her slice of pie, pushed the plate back, and reached for her coffee cup.

  “So can I be nosy and ask what you’re working on up in Atlanta? A new contract or something?” Carrie also picked up her coffee mug and took a sip.

  “Something like that. Actually, my publisher and I are old friends. The last few years while I was in California, we didn’t get much time to spend together. So although we’ll talk business, we’re planning to have some fun too. We may head to the mountains and go camping. We both deserve some time off, now that my book is finally done. She will, of course, start the pressure for the next one.” Shawn rolled her eyes. “She never stops being the publisher.”

  “Good thing you guys are such close friends. I’d bet it must make it easier to get business done, too. You probably don’t fight too much about royalties and the like.”