Tainted

by Tess Thompson

  “This is Pepper,” Lisa said. “Our other best friend.”

  Stone’s gaze flickered to the dark-haired beauty. He raised one eyebrow. “Pepper, like the spice?”

  “Stone, like the soup?” Pepper asked without missing a beat.

  He blinked, then laughed and took the seat across from Pepper. “Stone soup requires more than a little pepper for flavor.”

  Lisa looked over at Mary and rolled her eyes. “A year, my butt,” she murmured under breath.

  Mary stifled a laugh.

  “Nickname?” Stone asked.

  “Guess.” Pepper lifted her chin and glared at him.

  “Given your sassy attitude, I’m going with nickname,” Stone said.

  Kyle stole one of Mary’s strawberries and whispered in her ear. “This is going to be amusing.”

  “Wrong,” Pepper said. “I’m named after my father’s favorite spice.”

  Stone smirked and cocked his head to the side. “I highly doubt that.”

  Pepper widened her eyes in a look of innocence. “It’s true. Ask my mother.”

  “Maybe I will,” Stone said. “What’s her number? I’ll call her right now.”

  “She’s unavailable at the moment.” Pepper looked away briefly. Mary caught a hint of sadness in the tuck of her chin.

  “Would you like a refill of your wine, or are you driving?” Stone asked.

  “I don’t drive,” Pepper said.

  “At all?” Stone asked.

  “Never. I lived in New York City most of my life. I didn’t need to.”

  “I see, a city girl.”

  Pepper’s eyes flashed in the dim light. “What does that make you, Stone Soup?”

  “That would make me a hick, ma’am.”

  Silence followed as the two stared at each other with slightly goofy smiles.

  “How about you, Stone?” Mary asked. “Nickname or given?”

  Stone looked over at his brother. “Would you like to tell them, or should I?”

  Kyle crossed his arms over his chest with one of his characteristic smirks. “His real name’s Stanley, but I couldn’t say it when I was a kid, so it became Stone.”

  “Thus, a true badass was born,” Stone said.

  “You think Stone’s a badass name?” Pepper asked.

  “Isn’t it obvious? I mean, look at me.” Stone tapped his chest and winked at her.

  “Looks can be deceiving,” Pepper said.

  “Not in this case,” Kyle said. “This here’s a full-fledged American hero. Three tours in Afghanistan.”

  “Thank you for your service,” Lisa said, suddenly sounding very midwestern.

  “You’re welcome,” Stone said.

  Mary watched Pepper. Her eyes narrowed as she continued to look at Stone. A trace of wariness, almost fear, crossed her face.

  Pepper jolted to her feet. “I hate to be a party pooper, but east coast time is suddenly catching up with me. Maggie, I’m going to head back to your house.”

  “It’s almost dark. Take a flashlight,” Maggie said. “And stay on the path.”

  “I will.” Pepper smiled, but not like earlier. This was a fake smile, possibly learned. “It was great to meet you all. Good night.”

  With the quickness of a dancer, she leapt away and disappeared into the twilight.

  “What did I say?” Stone asked.

  Mary noticed Lisa and Maggie exchange a knowing look.

  “It’s nothing personal,” Maggie said. “She’s had a bad experience with military guys.”

  “Bad?” Kyle asked. “Like a broken heart?”

  Lisa shook her head. “No.” She looked over at Maggie. “It’s not really our story to tell.”

  Maggie clasped her hands together on the table. “True. We aren’t sure what to say when it comes up. She never talks about it.”

  “She was attacked when we were in college. On the subway,” Lisa said. “By a group of navy guys.”

  “She’s never been the same,” Maggie said.

  “Guys in uniform trigger her,” Lisa said. “Especially if she likes him.”

  “Out of uniform too,” Stone said.

  “Yes, I’m afraid so,” Maggie said.

  “Poor thing,” Kyle said.

  “I should probably go check on her,” Lisa said.

  “I’ll get Jackson and be right behind you,” Maggie said.

  No sooner had they left than Stone excused himself. “I’ve got an early morning, so I best get some sleep.” He traipsed off in the opposite direction from the ladies.

  “Where’s he headed?” Mary asked.

  Kyle explained to Mary that Stone had a trailer on the other side of the property where he’d been staying while he’d built their house.

  Lance and Violet joined them at the table. Mary noticed then that Sophie, Janet, and Doc had left. She’d been so caught up in the moment, she hadn’t noticed.

  “What happened to your merry group?” Violet asked.

  Kyle gave her the rundown. “Major sparks until I mentioned his military background.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Mary said. “There are some things that can’t be forgotten.”

  A week later, Mary was finishing up with a customer when Janet Mullen came in to the shop. They greeted each other with a quick hug.

  “I won’t mince words,” Janet said. “I came by to talk about Flora. Do you have time for a break?”

  Mary looked around the shop. They had two staff members on today to deal with crowds of summer tourists. Lance said their revenue numbers for June had been a new record. Although it was only the middle of July, he felt certain they’d beat June’s numbers. He’d been right about the café and soda fountain bringing business to the book section of the shop. What he hadn’t totally predicted was how many people would buy coffees after they bought a book.

  A line for ice cream spilled out the door. Hot summer afternoons made everyone scream for ice cream. A dozen or so folks milled about the bookshelves, stopping to read or look at back covers. Her two staff members seemed to have everything under control.

  “I haven’t taken a break yet today. Would you like coffee?” Mary gestured toward the coffee shop.

  “No, I’ve had plenty for today. I don’t suppose you’d want to take a short walk?” Janet’s eyes went to Mary’s stomach. With her due date a month and a half away, Mary’s stomach had grown to the size of a watermelon over the past few weeks.

  “I can still waddle down the street,” Mary said. “A little slower than usual if you don’t mind slowing your Mullen pace a bit.”

  “Dax is always commenting on how fast I walk.”

  “Lance does too. Normally, I can keep up with him just fine, but lately it’s been a struggle.”

  Mary let her staff know she’d be back shortly. They exited onto the crowded sidewalk. The scent of sunscreen and sea mixed to create the smell of summer in Cliffside Bay. Weaving in and out of tourists, they meandered toward the beach. The crowds made it impossible to chat until they reached the beach. “Shall we wander down to the sand or walk on the boardwalk?” Janet asked.

  “Boardwalk,” Mary said. “I have to go back to work and the sand gets in my shoes.

  The boardwalk was as crowded as town, but it was split in half, so that everyone on one side walked in the same direction.

  “Lance came by yesterday,” Janet said. “I’ve never seen him so content. You’re a blessing to us.”

  “He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “Is Flora right that you two married because of the baby?” Janet asked. “I’m sorry to be so blunt, but I have to know if I’m right.”

  “We’re in love. That’s all anyone needs to know,” Mary said. “How exactly we got there doesn’t really matter.”

  “I suppose that’s true,” Janet said. “As long as you’re both happy, then I’m happy.”

  “I feel joyful,” Mary said. “For the first time in a long time.”

  They walked without t
alking for a minute or so until Janet brought up Flora again.

  “Flora tells me you two haven’t exactly made headway on forging a friendship,” Janet said.

  “Despite Lance’s wishes, no.” They skirted to the far right of the sidewalk to let a bicycle pass them.

  “She can be trying,” Janet said. “But she means well.”

  “I know.” So everyone keeps telling me.

  “She has her ways, and everyone just has to follow suit,” Janet said. “Other than Kara, I’ve never seen anyone get her to back down.”

  “I wish I could be like Kara, but I can’t think on my feet. Flora’s too quick for me.”

  “Kara has a way with her. She has her convinced that the lasagna recipe she uses is the one Flora always made. I can tell you with great certainty that it is not.”

  “How does she do that?” Mary asked.

  “No one knows. She has secret Flora powers. Brody’s convinced Kara’s a witch. She charms you with a potion or something. I don’t suppose he’s wrong, given the way Kara tamed him.”

  “Was he wild before?”

  “No, just focused solely on football. There was no time for a serious relationship. I didn’t think he’d ever get married.”

  “What about Lance? Did you think he’d be married by now?”

  “I knew he’d want to be. He’s like his father—made to be a family man.”

  “I feel lucky.”

  “His father was a great man to be married to.”

  “Did he ever cheat on you?” Mary asked. “I’m sorry, that was too personal.”

  “Don’t be. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have. He did not cheat on me.”

  “How do you know?” Mary asked. “Didn’t he travel a lot for his job?”

  “Yes. And athletes are notorious for cheating. But not him. The way he felt about me and the type of man he was—he would never have hurt me that way.”

  “I feel that way about Lance, but sometimes a worry wriggles in there.”

  “It’s only natural, considering the betrayal of your first husband.”

  “Maybe. But Lance deserves my trust.”

  “Over time, he’ll earn it.”

  They turned back to head the other direction. The smell of grilled meat from a food truck made Mary’s mouth water. Umbrellas were a dotted tapestry across the long stretch of beach. Children shouted and laughed as they played in the surf. Summer in Cliffside Bay. Next year, she might be there with the baby, teaching her how to dip her feet in the water.

  There was a time not so long ago this scene would have pummeled her with pain. Today, she saw only possibilities of the future.

  “Anyway, regarding Flora. I have an idea,” Janet said.

  “Do tell.”

  “You should ask her to teach you how to cook.”

  “I can’t imagine anything worse,” Mary said.

  “I’ll do it with you,” Janet said. “Honor says she’s in if you’re in.”

  “For heaven’s sake. You two are in cahoots?”

  “Something like that.”

  Mary laughed. “We better do it soon before this baby comes.”

  “Excellent. I’ll text her now.”

  Mary watched as Flora, wearing a scarf around her curly hair and a wide apron, wrestled a hunk of beef onto a cutting board. She cut it into one-inch squares, talking all the while about the importance of fresh herbs and red potatoes. None of those baby carrots from the bag, God forbid.

  “Get carrots with the stem attached if you can. They’re much better that way.”

  For the past three Sundays, Honor, Janet, and Flora have all met at Lance and Mary’s kitchen for their cooking lesson. The first two Sundays they learned to make Lance’s favorite red sauce for pasta, a whole roast chicken, green enchiladas, a traditional Caesar salad, and a chocolate cake.

  For their third and final lesson, Flora would teach them how to make a proper beef stew. None of that improper stew for Lance.

  They’d each been given a cutting board and knife. Mary cut celery. Honor diced an onion. Janet peeled carrots.

  “Now here’s my secret,” Flora said. “The ingredient that takes this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.” She reached into the bag of groceries she’d brought over and pulled out a can of Guinness.

  “Beer?” Janet asked.

  “Not just beer. It has to be Guinness,” Flora said.

  “All these years, I had no idea.” Janet grimaced as she tugged on a carrot top.

  “You had other things on your mind,” Flora said. “Saving the world as a civil rights attorney.” The pride in Flora’s voice softened Mary a little. “Use a knife to cut the tops off. You’ll hurt your hands that way.”

  Janet nudged Flora with her elbow. “Maybe I should’ve stuck with my law career instead of attempting to cook after all this time.”

  Flora raised one eyebrow. “It is perplexing, I admit.”

  “What’s perplexing?” Janet asked.

  “How difficult it is for you to catch on to the simplest of directions,” Flora said.

  Janet smiled and pointed to the wine cabinet. “Honor, open some wine.”

  Although they’d all learned a lot, Mary wasn’t sure she would remember any of it when it came time to make the dishes on her own. Honor, not surprisingly, was the best pupil. Like with everything she did, she caught on right away. Mary and Janet rolled their eyes at each other every time Flora praised Honor’s work. Mary wasn’t sure she was making much progress winning Flora over, but she was bonding with her mother-in-law. They were both terrible cooks, loved books, and loved Lance. Last week they’d spent most of the lesson talking about Janet’s latest book club pick.

  While Flora washed potatoes at the sink on the other side of the kitchen, Honor pulled a cork from a bottle of wine and poured two glasses.

  Janet took one, looking guilty. “Sorry to drink in front of you.”

  “Don’t be. Five more weeks and I can join you,” Mary said. “Right now, I’d take a milkshake over wine any day.”

  Mary yelped when the baby kicked her left rib. All three women stopped what they were doing and looked over at her. “Baby wants a milkshake too.” She took Janet’s hand and placed it on her belly. “Wait just a moment and she’ll kick again. Sure enough, boom went the little foot.

  “I want to feel,” Honor said.

  Mary did the same with Honor’s hand. All was still. “I think she’s done stretching,” Mary said. “I’m sorry.”

  “It must feel amazing,” Honor said softly.

  Mary nodded. “It does.”

  Janet tucked Honor into a hug and looked over at Mary as if to say, what do we say? Mary shook her head. There was nothing to say. Every human life at one point in time was touched by loss and disappointment. There was no escape from this truth.

  “I count my blessings,” Honor said. “Think of everything I have.”

  “But you can still feel sad that you can’t carry one of your own,” Janet said.

  “Just don’t dwell on it forever. No one likes a crybaby,” Flora said from the other side of the kitchen.

  “Yes ma’am.” Honor grinned. “I certainly don’t want to be a crybaby.”

  Flora set a bowl of small red potatoes near the stove. “But I’ll tell you what kind of baby they do like. Do you see these? Baby red potatoes. For this stew, they must be babies and cooked whole. That way they burst in Lance’s mouth. He loves that.”

  Honor slipped back to her place beside Mary. “They burst in his mouth,” Honor whispered in her ear.

  “Don’t make me laugh,” Mary said under breath.

  When Flora walked over to the refrigerator, Janet spoke barely above a whisper. “Stop causing trouble, Honor Sullivan. You’re going to get us kicked out of here.”

  “You’re such a suck up,” Honor said.

  “I’m afraid of her,” Janet said. “And you should be too.”

  “Stop making me laugh. I’m the one who’ll get in trouble
,” Mary said.

  Flora returned with a brown bottle. “Worcestershire sauce. Gives the gravy a nice tang.”

  “Let me guess,” Honor said. “Lance loves a tang.”

  Flora waved a spatula at her. “Young lady, you’ll be happy you know the secrets when Zane falls even more in love with you after he tastes this stew. Your generation has no idea what power food has over a man.”

  “Is this an expectation for women? Still?” Mary asked at full volume. “We all have to learn to cook?”

  Flora put her hands on her hips and glared at Mary. “How else will you feed Lance?”

  “He hasn’t starved yet,” Mary said. “The microwave works really well for heating things up.”

  Honor kicked her. Don’t poke the bear.

  “The microwave? You’ve been using the microwave for his dinners?” Flora dropped the spatula onto the floor.

  “I’ll get it,” Honor said.

  She watched Honor’s shoulders shake with silent laughter as she took way too long picking up one utensil.

  “Not every dinner,” Mary said. “I made a great steak on the grill one night. Sort of.”

  “Steaks are easily and often overcooked,” Flora said.

  That’s the truth. She’d almost burned them. Damn grill. “I don’t get it, though,” Mary said, suddenly irritable. Bossy old Flora. “How come Lance isn’t learning to cook for me?”

  Flora opened her mouth to say something but didn’t, the muscle in her jaw flexing with the effort of keeping quiet.

  “He can cook for you and you can cook for him.” Janet, the diplomat. “You can share the responsibilities. That’s what Jon and I do.”

  “You cannot with a capital ‘C’ expect Lance to cook,” Flora said. “He couldn’t even make toast when he was in high school.”

  “That’s because you always made it for him, dear,” Janet said, not unkindly. “You never let the boys do much for themselves.”