Leigh sipped her coffee without even tasting it.
What had Mattie come to say?
Something about Mace?
If it was, she had a sinking feeling she didn’t want to hear it.
“I know you’re seeing a lot of Mace. And I don’t blame you. Or him. You’re a wonderful lady, Leigh. Money. Nice home. Great restaurant. A daughter who’s a credit to you…”
“And?”
“You don’t know Mace like I do, Leigh.”
“Cut the bullshit, Mattie. Let’s just get to where you’re at.”
“I mean, Leigh, the guy back there in Yellow Bend ain’t the only one who likes to hear a gal scream.”
Mattie finished her coffee. She left soon after delivering her parting shot, leaving Leigh to interpret the conversation as best she could.
Mattie’d spilled the beans, all right, Leigh thought. Leaving me with plenty to think about. Jesus. Most of what she’d said was beginning to make a lot of sense.
Carefully, Leigh picked through Mattie’s words, going over her sketchy innuendos. And, she didn’t mind admitting, it hurt like hell. For chrissake, Mattie couldn’t mean Mace was a psycho? Could she?
Shuddering, Leigh dismissed the thought.
Sure. Mace had a macho streak.
Most men have, she told herself.
But he isn’t a sadist, as Mattie implied. Mace was kind, civilized, and… normal.
Wasn’t he?
Sure he was. Look how he brought me flowers, champagne. Was always around to protect us from Nelson.
But, she told herself, I was the one who encouraged him.
He didn’t jump me.
I was the seducer; he, the seduced…
Leigh hesitated. She held her breath, last night’s little drama fixed firmly in her mind.
Some head, first, honey. Just to get things moving…
A cold shudder ran through her body.
A lot of guys like their head, she reasoned.
It’s all part of the foreplay.
But she’d reacted in such a goddamn crazy way. Like a dumb kid crying “rape.”
On the other hand, if what Mattie implied was true, that whole darn episode could be a taste of things to come…
THIRTY-SIX
“Hi, Mom. Thought I heard voices.”
“That’s right, honey. Mattie dropped by. To see how we’re doin’. Just checking.” She gave Deana a bright smile. “Want some coffee? It’s still hot. Or will be, once I’ve perked it up a little.”
Leigh switched on the percolator. Still thinking about Mattie. What was it with her? She fancy Mace herself, or something?
Way she went on, she all but hated him.
I’ve heard there’s a fine line between love and hate.
Could be she’s just plain jealous…
“Hey, Mom. The coffee’s perked. Pour mine while I get dressed, will you?”
“What did your last one die of, young lady?”
“The usual. Lack of breath, I guess.” Deana left the room, smiling. Mom was the best. Always so cool and nice about everything.
She felt a stab of guilt.
She didn’t like having secrets from Mom. It felt like betraying a friend.
Slipping into blue jeans and a yellow T-shirt, Deana decided the time was ripe to introduce Mom to Warren.
She’d like him. He was so sensible and grown up.
And he had his own business.
That ought to impress her.
Deana returned to the kitchen, her ponytail swinging jauntily. Mom was at the sink, rinsing out the two used coffee mugs. Deana picked up hers from the table.
Wisps of aromatic steam met her nostrils.
She felt better already.
I gotta tell Mom about Warren.
How shall I play it?
Dummy. Why not tell it like it is?
Just go for it, Deana.
“Mom.”
“Yes, dear?”
“There’s someone I’d like you to meet. Guy called Warren Hastings. Lives on Del Mar with his sister. And his dog, Sabre.”
Leighed perked up. She turned to face Deana.
Deana had met someone so soon?
“And how did you meet this… Warren, honey?”
Deana grimaced slightly. The next bit wasn’t gonna be quite so simple.
“He owns a bookstore, Mom. In San Anselmo.”
Yeah. San Anselmo. Where Allan and I were supposed to have gone to the movies that night.
“I ordered a book by phone one day…”
She cringed.
More lies. My God. I can’t believe I’m doing this. What am I—the original daughter from hell?
“But how romantic, honey. You should have told me. And is he nice, this Warren?”
“Yes, he’s real nice, Mom. You’d like him.”
“So when do I get to meet… Warren?”
“I’ll give him a call today. We can arrange something.”
“Dinner would be fine. Just let me know. I’ll get something sent over from the restaurant.”
Leigh’s mind slid back to the night Deana brought Allan to dinner. When he’d met Mom and Dad—was it only ten days ago?
My God.
What can happen in ten days!
Your world turned upside down; a boy dead; your daughter devastated by it all.
Although she appears to be getting over it…
And Nelson… Thank God Mom and Dad hadn’t been around to see it all happen.
She hated herself for even thinking this way, but it was a blessing Mom and Dad made that emergency dash to Colorado. And if it didn’t seem so awful on Aunt Abby, she hoped Mom and Dad would stay there a while longer…
Deana smiled at Leigh.
“Good thing Gran and Pops are in Boulder. They would’ve made things ten times worse. Pops shouting, Gran crying and everything… Missed out on the barbecue, though.”
“What are you, young woman, a mind reader? I was just thinking the same thing. But never mind the barbecue, Gran and Pops had to go to Aunt Abby. She was seriously ill.”
Their eyes met, and Leigh smiled. “Got to agree, honey. They been here, Mom and Dad could’ve made things a whole lot worse!”
“You gonna tell them about Allan and Nelson and everything?”
“Uh-huh. But not for a while, honey. Just let’s see how things go.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
It was dark on Del Mar tonight. Really dark.
A gentle wind disturbed the trees.
Scudding clouds hid the moon and stars from view.
Apart from the rustling leaves, it was quiet, too.
Deathly quiet.
Only Deana’s breath sounded harsh and loud as she hurried toward Warren’s house.
She hadn’t called him, as she’d told Mom she would. Instead, she’d decided to slip out again. Meet up with Warren as he walked Sabre.
I’m the midnight runner again.
A thrill of excitement brought goose bumps to her skin. The hair on the back of her neck rose and prickled.
It was scary out here on the street.
In the dead of night.
It may be scary, but the thrill of running alone through the night was worth every second.
Anyway, with Nelson gone, there wasn’t too much to be scared of.
Except Mommy Dearest and her dog.
Maybe a rapist or two.