The Neighbor

by Gerri Hill

  Or maybe that was the problem. There was always—always—a date.

  Chapter Twelve

  Laura had made quick work of Cassidy’s lawn. As expected, she had it mowed in less than an hour. She turned the mower off and sat there, mentally estimating how long it would take to complete the tedious trimming and edging. Another hour? At least. Then she turned and glanced at the pool.

  Inviting, to say the least. It was nearly noon. The sky was clear. The temp was over eighty. Sweat clung to her skin. How wonderful would it be to strip off her clothes and…

  “Don’t even think about it,” she murmured. With her luck, Cassidy would come home unexpectedly and catch her. But it was Thursday. Surely Cassidy wouldn’t pop over on a Thursday.

  She would finish trimming and edging. She would map out where she would put flowerbeds…and then, she would get in the pool.

  Laura found herself humming as she walked around a particularly large oak, buzzing off the grass along its base with the weed trimmer. At the edge of the lawn, where the woods grew, she paused, wondering if any of her old trails were still there. Probably not. How many years had it been since she’d played there? Twenty or more? Of the ten-acre lot, she guessed the house, pool, and lawn took up only two. As Cassidy had said, she’d left most of the woods intact. When she was a kid, Laura had thought the woods went on forever. She never seemed to run out of places to explore. She smiled as she remembered the leaning tree. It was at the edge of a clearing and—after climbing the tree—there was a perfect view of the summer sunset. The land wasn’t hilly by any means…just gently rolling hills here and there. But from that tree, she’d felt like she was on the top of a mountain, looking down as the sun disappeared below the horizon. She made a mental note to sneak over one afternoon and see if she could find the leaning tree again.

  But not today. No, today—after the yard was done—she was going to sneak into the pool.

  And pray that Cassidy didn’t come home early.

  * * *

  Maybe stripping off her clothes wasn’t the brightest idea, but she was hot and sweaty and going home to change into one of her two swimsuits did not sound appealing. Besides, in the backyard and pool area, no one could see her. No one. Unless, of course, they were upstairs in her writing room, using binoculars!

  So, without delaying any longer, she tossed her clothes into a pile at the edge of the pool, went over to the outdoor shower to rinse off the grass that still clung to her legs, then jumped feet first into the water. She was smiling as she swam across to the other side. It was refreshingly cool and felt like silk against her skin. Oh, yeah. This could become a habit.

  She spent a good half-hour splashing around, cooling off. If this was to become a habit, she would need to get a float of some kind. She knew Cassidy had some but, looking around, she couldn’t tell where they were kept. There appeared to be a closet of some sort at the edge of the outdoor kitchen. Maybe they were in there. Of course, “borrowing” her pool was one thing. Rummaging through her closet looking for pool toys was quite another.

  She finally made herself get out, and she stood in the sun, letting the breeze dry her off. She wished she had thought to bring a towel and clean clothes. Putting on her filthy mowing clothes seemed quite uncivilized after her swim in the pristine pool. But she shrugged and put them on anyway.

  She went back to the front where she’d left her weed trimmer. She took a look around the yard and nodded. It looked good. Tomorrow morning she’d get out Frankie’s old tiller and work up a flowerbed for Cassidy. She would at least get a few flowers in before she came for the weekend.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Nice kitchen. I love it,” Becki cooed. “Do you cook?”

  Cassidy nodded. “I do.”

  Becki smiled seductively. “With all of this…and you love to cook, how is it that you’re still single?”

  Cassidy laughed appropriately but didn’t bother with an answer. She walked through the double doors that opened up onto the patio. “Do you feel like a swim before dinner?”

  “Oh, I’d love one.” Another seductive smile, then red-tipped fingers glided up her arm. “Clothing optional?”

  Cassidy glanced over to the two-story house next door, wondering what their vantage point was. Could Laura Fry see into her yard? She smiled then—a true smile.

  “Yeah…clothing optional.”

  * * *

  “Oh my freakin’ God,” Laura murmured, her eyes glued to the pool. Did the blonde really just drop her clothes? “And where are you…tall, dark, and handsome?”

  Laura felt her pulse increase when she saw Cassidy walk up with towels and a float. Was she going to strip too? Cassidy tossed the towels onto a chaise lounge and flipped the float into the pool where the blonde was waiting.

  “What do you see in these women?” she whispered. “They’re so…ugh. You have such bad taste in women.”

  Then her eyes widened. Oh. My. God. Cassidy unbuttoned her shirt slowly, the blonde’s eyes fixed on her. She was wearing a black bra and Laura had to remind herself to breathe. She knew the binoculars were within arm’s reach, but she adamantly refused to grab them. Not out of a higher moral code or anything. No, she was afraid she’d faint.

  Before Cassidy removed her bra, she slipped her shorts off, revealing matching black panties.

  “Jesus…” Laura hissed. She’s a goddess. She frowned. Did I just think that?

  She held on tightly to the windowsill, resisting the urge to fling the curtains open so she’d have a better view. The bra came off first and Laura felt the blood rush to her face. Her mouth was dry and she had difficulty swallowing. Then Cassidy paused, her head tilting slightly. Laura ducked down to the floor a nanosecond before Cassidy looked her way.

  She leaned her head against the wall, her eyes closed. “God, she’s gorgeous.” Then her eyes opened. This was at least the fourth different woman she’d seen her with. What was she? Some female Casanova?

  “That figures,” she muttered, shaking her head.

  * * *

  Cassidy wasn’t at all self-conscious about swimming naked. She took care of her body. She exercised. She ate reasonably well. She was quite comfortable in her nakedness. But if one more person told her she had a nice body “for her age,” she was going to scream. Especially a woman ten years younger than herself.

  “I went out with a woman who was forty-eight,” Becki continued. “She looked nothing like you.” She made a face. “Things were starting to sag, if you know what I mean. Of course, she had huge breasts. You won’t have that problem.”

  Cassidy silently groaned. So she had a nice body for being an old woman, but she had tiny boobs. Why did she invite Becki out for the weekend? Oh, yeah. Wednesday night’s dinner date hadn’t ended in sex, despite the passionate kiss Becki had drawn her into.

  She ducked under the water and swam to the other side, holding on to the edge as she slicked her hair back. Whatever happened to her vow to spend the weekend alone for once?

  “I love a woman who cooks, by the way. So what delectable meal are you planning for me?”

  “I’m going to grill steaks for tonight. The delectable dinner will be tomorrow night. Chicken scaloppini. I’ve got a nice Riesling to go with it.” She raised her eyebrows. “Unless steak is not to your liking. I can grill you something else.”

  Becki nodded. “I’m not really crazy about steak, but I suppose I could eat a little.”

  Great. Another one who doesn’t like beef. “I’ve got extra chicken breasts. I’ll be happy to grill one for you.”

  Becki swam over to her. “That would be super. I much prefer chicken.” She brushed her naked body against Cassidy. “But I’m not in any hurry for dinner.”

  Cassidy looked past her, noting that dusk was approaching. She’d also skipped lunch. Her gaze drifted up to the neighbor’s house. There was a light on upstairs. She sighed, wondering why she wasn’t more attracted to Becki—a very attractive woman of thirty-four. Oh, well. She sup
posed she could fake it. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  “Let’s go inside.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Laura sipped her coffee, absently listening to the rapid hammering of a woodpecker over in one of Cassidy Anderson’s trees. It was barely daylight, but cardinals were already at the feeders, their sharp, metallic calls piercing the air. Thick clouds drifted over, and she wondered if they might get rain this morning. The lawn could use it, that was for sure.

  She stretched her legs out, mentally planning her day. She would take a few hours to write. Yeah, right. Then, her mother had wanted to get out of the house so they were going to meet Carla for lunch. Laura was having Mexican food withdrawals, and Carla was happy to recommend a place. On the way home, they would make a quick trip to the grocery store—her mother had requested an old-fashioned roast with potatoes and carrots for their Sunday dinner.

  She had to admit, it had been fun cooking. When she lived alone, it wasn’t something she did often. Even though she complained to her mother that she didn’t like to cook, she had been enjoying it. And occasionally her mother would venture into the kitchen to help, if only to peel potatoes or chop veggies.

  “Hey…you out there?”

  Laura’s head popped up and she stared at the fence. “It’s not even seven. What are you doing up?”

  “What? Do you know my sleep schedule?”

  “Just assumed…since you have company and all.”

  “Oh? How do you know I have company?”

  Damn! “I heard voices.”

  “Oh? Now you’re hearing voices? Have you seen a doctor for that?”

  Laura rolled her eyes. “What do you want?”

  “The yard looks nice. And the flowers.”

  “Yeah…I’m just getting started with the flowers.”

  “Did you keep the receipts?”

  “I did.”

  “Okay.” A pause. “So I’m having coffee.”

  Laura raised her eyebrows. “Is that…not a good thing?”

  Cassidy laughed. “I mean, I’m standing here with a cup of coffee. I’m assuming you have coffee too. I thought I’d pop over and pay you for the flowers and…and maybe discuss what else you’re going to do.”

  “It’s…it’s seven.”

  “And? You’re up. I’m up.”

  “I have bedhead,” she said as she quickly ran a hand over her hair, trying to tame it.

  Cassidy laughed. “So do I. I’ll be over in a second.”

  Oh, crap. She was still in her sleep shirt. She was barefoot. Did she have time to run upstairs and put on a bra? No. But she shouldn’t care. This was her time. Her quiet time. She shouldn’t have to be concerned with neighbors popping over at daybreak!

  She narrowed her eyes as Cassidy walked through the dew-dampened grass in flip-flops. She was dressed similarly in a T-shirt and loose-fitting cotton shorts. However, that’s where the similarities ended.

  “You so do not have bedhead,” she accused.

  “No? I just assumed. I haven’t looked in a mirror yet.” She smiled. “Or brushed my teeth.”

  God…so this is how she looks when she gets out of bed? That is so not fair, she thought as she again ran a hand over her unruly hair.

  Cassidy pointed at one of the patio chairs. “May I?”

  Not only did she probably look a hot mess with her bedhead, but she’d apparently forgotten all her manners. She nodded. “Of course.”

  “This patio is great. Inviting,” Cassidy said as she looked around. “Love all the flowers. Have you always had a green thumb?”

  Laura shrugged. “I’m not sure. This is my first attempt at it.”

  “Really?”

  “My mother…well, flowers—plants—that was always her thing. She can’t do it anymore, so when I moved here…”

  Cassidy nodded. “Oh, that’s right. You said your mother was an invalid.”

  Laura felt herself blush. “Well, I may have exaggerated a bit. She uses a walker to get around, mostly. Wheelchair too.” At Cassidy’s raised eyebrows, she explained. “She was in a car accident three years ago. Frankie was driving.”

  “Ah. Your stepfather.”

  “Again…not my stepfather. I couldn’t stand the man.”

  “Yeah, he was a bit on the obnoxious side. To be honest, I couldn’t get that privacy fence up fast enough.”

  “I guessed he was the cause of it. But with the pool and all…I suppose you need one.”

  Cassidy met her gaze and smiled. “Yes. Especially since I enjoy skinny-dipping.”

  Laura tried. She really, really tried. But the blush started at her toes and crept up to her face anyway. She wanted to look away, mainly because she was embarrassed. Cassidy’s expression told her she knew Laura had seen the activity at the pool. Well, there was no sense in trying to deny it.

  “You have the worst taste in women,” she blurted out.

  Cassidy raised her eyebrows. “You think so?”

  “So what happened to the anorexic blonde?”

  Cassidy laughed. “You must mean Claudia. She…well, she wasn’t really my type. I ended that.”

  “And the tall brunette?”

  Cassidy frowned, then nodded. “Oh…Larson.”

  “Interesting name. What happened with her?”

  “Yeah. She was a little…well, she called me old…in so many words. But she was very complimentary about it.”

  “She called you old, but it was a compliment?”

  “She said I had a nice body for my age and that nothing was sagging yet.”

  “Oh my God.”

  Cassidy wiggled her eyebrows. “Well, I don’t really have enough to sag,” she said, pointing at her chest. “I was told that yesterday.”

  Laura refused to stare at her breasts. And why should she? She’d seen her at the pool, naked. She had nice breasts. Small, but nice. At least from a distance. It wasn’t like she’d had her binoculars trained on her. And that was a damn shame. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her thighs. “So really…where do you find all these women? The only time I go out is when friends set me up on blind dates.”

  Cassidy gave her a flirty smile. “What? Do you want to share?”

  “God, no. Like I said, you have bad taste. I’m just wondering where you find them. They’re all thin, pretty…girlie. If you like that sort of thing. I don’t,” she added quickly.

  “I meet them through mutual friends, at parties. Some blind dates too, which I hate.”

  “Me too. They’re the worst.”

  “Some are straight.”

  “That’s creepy.”

  Cassidy smiled. “They’re being adventurous.”

  “They’re being stupid.”

  “Okay, yeah, they are. But at least we got that out of the way. You know…I’m gay, you’re gay.”

  “And you have horrible taste in women.”

  Cassidy laughed again. “If you say so.” Laura watched her watch a male cardinal at the feeder. “The flowers you did for me look good.” Cassidy turned back to her. “What else do you have planned?”

  “That small flowerbed was something I put in so you’d have some color when you came this weekend. Begonias. Nothing fancy. I think you need at least two more—larger ones— in the front.”

  “Okay. What else?”

  “I was thinking some sort of planters out by the pool would be nice, but I didn’t know how much you wanted to spend. Those large pots are quite expensive. I was thinking I could fill them with something that would flow over the sides, like portulacas—moss rose—or purslane or something like that. Those flowers will last all summer long.”

  Cassidy waved her hand in the air. “Whatever you think. Flowers out by the pool would look good. How much do I owe you so far?”

  “That little flowerbed, including the compost and mulch, was only about thirty bucks. I thought, though, since you’ve got stone on your house, you might want me to get some stone to line the bed with.”

  Cassidy nodded
. “Sure. Can you do that?”

  “Hauling stone is a little more labor intensive than just mowing,” she said.

  “So you want more money?”

  Laura smiled. “I was thinking we could trade.”

  Cassidy raised her eyebrows. “Trade?”

  “Yes. I’ll do labor intensive—for the original agreed-upon price—if I can use your pool afterward.”

  Cassidy met her gaze and grinned. “I think that’s a fair trade. You’re not going to drown, are you? Or slip and fall and sue me?”

  Laura stood up. “I won’t drown. I won’t sue you. Can’t guarantee I won’t slip and fall.” She motioned to the house. “You want another cup of coffee?”

  Cassidy hesitated. “I should probably get back. My company might be looking for me.”

  “Oh, that’s right. The young blonde.”

  Cassidy stood up too. “Yes. Becki. And unless you need the thirty bucks now, I’ll add it to whatever you do next week.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Cassidy nodded. “Well…then I guess I’ll see you later.”

  “Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

  Cassidy sighed. “Yeah. You too.”

  Laura watched her walk away, wondering at the heavy sigh. Well, not really wondering. The blonde she’d seen her with at the pool would make Laura sigh heavily too.

  She went back in the house and poured another cup of coffee. Cassidy was nice, she decided. For that reason alone, she should ditch Frankie’s binoculars. And she should also stop spying on her when she knew Cassidy had company out at the pool. That would be the proper thing to do. In fact, she vowed right then and there that she would not peek out of her window later today when they were at the pool.

  That is, of course, providing they weren’t naked. If they were, then all bets were off.

  She rolled her eyes. She really needed to get out of the house.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cassidy closed her eyes, relaxing as the sun’s rays peeked through the clouds. It was a little cooler today, especially after the brief rain shower they’d had, but it wasn’t enough to keep her out of the pool. Becki, on the other hand, had opted to stay inside. She was in the entertainment room, watching a movie on the giant TV in there. Theater seating, surround sound, a bag of popcorn, and a bottle of water—Cassidy had left her on her own. Becki hadn’t seemed to mind as she’d settled down onto the comfortable seat, waving Cassidy away.