Regina introduced herself. “Great to meet you.”
“You, too,” Leonie said. Stock niceties, reflexive. Then reality kicked in and she reverted to form: “What’s this about?”
“We’re in town for a few days,” I said. “I wanted to check in, see how Shasta’s doing.”
Bowie lunged, forcing Leonie to grab at the doorpost. Her body wobbled, her eyes were bleary. “Better. Thanks.”
I held up a pair of Apple AirPods, new in the box. “These are for her.”
“To replace the ones she lost,” Regina said.
“Oh,” Leonie said. “That’s... It’s very kind of you.”
I said, “Would you mind giving them to her?”
Regina and I smiled simultaneously. What a lovely couple.
Our plan was to forge a connection with Shasta — an opening to exploit, if not now, then at some later date.
It worked faster and better than expected.
Leonie said, “You can give them to her yourself.”
We trailed her as she dragged the dog through the foyer and into the living room. An open wine bottle and stemless glass sat on the coffee table. Cooking smells drifted from the kitchen, where an exhaust fan bellowed.
Leonie released Bowie. He ran to me, rising on his hind legs to greet me.
“Hello again, Big Guy,” I said, rubbing his head.
“Lee? Is someone there?” Jason Clancy came to the kitchen doorway, wearing an apron over corduroys and a green broadcloth shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows. “Oh. Hey.”
“You remember Clay,” Leonie said.
“Yeah, of course. Good to see you again. Sorry, I’m covered in fish... Jason.”
“Regina.”
“They brought something for Shasta,” Leonie said.
“Right,” Jason said. “Cool.”
“Would you mind if I used your restroom?” Regina asked.
“Down the hall.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll let her know you’re here,” Leonie said, starting up the stairs.
With both women gone, Jason turned to me. “Beer?”
“Sure. Thanks.”
He wiped his hands on his apron, went behind the bar, and popped open two Sierra Nevadas. “Couldn’t stay away, huh?”
I smiled. “We came to look at a property.”
“Oh yeah?” He handed me a bottle and sat on the couch, patting the cushion for Bowie, who curled up next to him. “Which?”
“One eighty-five Beachcomber.”
“I didn’t know that was for sale.”
“Beau Bergstrom took us to look at it. Sounds like there are other offers, though.”
“Huh. Well.” He tilted his beer toward me. “Good luck.”
Leonie returned. Shasta was two steps behind, barefoot and dressed in loose gray sweatpants. The puka shell necklace had been replaced by a thin silver chain tucked beneath a Rolling Stones big-tongue T-shirt.
“Hi there,” I said.
“Hey,” she said. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. We didn’t know if you got new ones already.”
“No, I’ve just been using my old wired pair. This is great.”
“How’re you feeling?”
“Fine. Full recovery.”
“Back on the bike?”
“We’re taking it slow,” Leonie said.
“I have to build up my stamina,” Shasta said. “I wasn’t allowed to ride for six weeks.”
“We agreed we wanted to be careful,” Leonie said, reaching to brush hair from Shasta’s face.
Shasta tilted away in annoyance.
“You got a new necklace, too,” I said.
“Just the chain,” Shasta said, fishing the rooster pendant out from her shirt. “I was going to get the same thing, with shells, but I kinda prefer how this looks.”
Regina reentered. “Hi. You must be Shasta. I’m Regina.”
“Hi,” Shasta said. “Thanks for that.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“Who’s watching the kids while you’re away?” Leonie asked.
“Clay’s mom,” Regina said.
Jason said, “They’re thinking of buying one eighty-five.”
Leonie raised her eyebrows. “Oh.”
White light bleached the room, followed by a peal of thunder that rattled the windows and a crash of rain.
Bowie began to howl.
“Easy, pal,” Jason said, stroking his head.
“Well,” Leonie said. “Thank you for—”
Shasta said, “Do you guys want to stay for dinner?”
I looked at Regina. “Well—”
“You can’t go out in this weather,” Shasta said. Cheeky smile. “You could have an accident.”
I laughed.
Regina said, “That’s so sweet, but we wouldn’t want to impose.”
“You’re not. We have plenty of food. Right?” she asked Jason.
“...Yeah,” he said.
“Great,” Shasta said. “I’ll set the table.”
“I’ll help you,” Regina said.
“Can I give you a hand?” I asked Jason.
“Cut tomatoes?”
“I think I can manage that.”
Leonie picked up the wine bottle and refilled her glass.
As soon as we sat down to eat, Bowie began running in circles, herding us in our chairs, forcing us closer and closer to the edge of the table.
“Can you please crate him,” Leonie said.
“It’s instinct,” Shasta said. “He can’t help it.”
“Am I a sheep? Look at this. Bowie.”
The dog rested his paws on my back and began nuzzling my neck.
“Down.” Leonie rapped the tabletop. “Down.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said.
“Bowie,” Shasta said. “Come.”
She induced him to settle at her feet by dangling a piece of rockfish.
Jason Clancy was an accomplished cook and a first-rate provider: He’d caught the fish himself and grown the vegetables. The wine, a Sauvignon Blanc from a Humboldt vineyard, was quickly finished and another bottle uncorked. Leonie drank the most, although Shasta did her part, surreptitiously topping off her half glass when her mother wasn’t paying attention.
Regina said, “Everything’s delicious.”
“Thanks,” Jason said.
Leonie said, “You can see why I married him.”
“How’d you two meet?” I asked.
“Online,” Jason said.
Shasta reached for the wine.
“Excuse me, young lady,” Leonie said.
“You said half a glass.”
“You’ve already had more than that.”
“It complements the food.” Shasta poured a full glass, nosed. “Fruity.”
Leonie looked to Jason for help.
“Kitten,” he said.
Shasta, ignoring him, said, “How much is Beau charging you for one eighty-five?”
“Shasta,” Leonie said.
“What.”
“That’s not polite.”
“We’re all adults here,” Shasta said.
“You’re not.”
“Not yet.”
“I’m just asking a question.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“I mean,” Shasta said, swirling her glass, “we could be neighbors, so it kind of is.”
I said, “We haven’t settled on a price yet.”
“Why would you want to live here?”
Leonie said, “They like it, obviously.”
“It’s beautiful,” Regina said.
“There’s lots of beautiful places,” Shasta said.
Jason said, “More salad, anyone?”
“Yes, please,” I said.
Shasta said, “How old are your kids?”
“Four and one,” I said, accepting the bowl.
“Are you planning to raise them here?”
“Shasta,” Leonie said.
“I’m just asking.”
“We were thinking it would be part-time,” Regina said.