Chapter 11

 

Susan knew she couldn’t get out of going to the dinner party on Saturday night. But Keith coming to pick her up seemed too much like a date. I’ll call him and tell him it’s not necessary. She actually had her hand on the phone when she had second thoughts. Maybe that would be making too big a deal out of the whole thing. After all, they were friends. There was nothing wrong with two friends riding to a party together. Was there?

Torn by indecision, she did nothing. On Wednesday night he called her.

“I’ll come by to get you about twenty minutes to seven on Saturday, okay?”

“All right.” What else could she say?

“I’m looking forward to it,” he added, his voice deepening.

Something warm slid through her. “Me, too.” God help me.

For the next two days, Susan thought about nothing else. It had been such a long time since she’d gone out for the evening. The few times she’d gone to movies and dinner with Zoe weren’t the same.

Even Scott was excited. Because he thought he was too old for a babysitter, especially now that Emma was away at school, Susan made arrangements for him to spend Saturday night with his friend David. David’s mother suggested Scott come early so they could go out for hamburgers together, so by four o’clock on Saturday, Susan was free to concentrate on getting ready.

She tried on at least six different outfits before settling on a short turquoise sheath. With it she wore the single strand pearl necklace and matching earrings Laverne had given her on her thirtieth birthday. She hoped she wasn’t too dressed up, yet it was a dinner party.

Even though she took her time with her hair and makeup, she was still ready far too early. Too nervous to read or watch TV while she waited for Keith, she paced around downstairs. Good thing Scott wasn’t there, she thought ruefully. He would have thought his mother was crazy, the way she was acting.

When the doorbell rang a few minutes before six-forty, her heart gave a leap. She took several deep breaths before opening the door.

Oh, my, she thought at the sight of Keith. He looked incredibly handsome in a black dress shirt, black slacks, black jacket, and a burgundy silk tie.

“I call it my Mafia look,” he said, grinning. “Nice dress.” His tone and eyes said a lot more.

She ducked her head. “Thanks.” She knew she was blushing again and could have kicked herself. Why couldn’t she be one of those cool women like Zoe who took compliments and admiration in their stride?

The drive to Patrick and Jan’s home on the west side of town didn’t take long. Keith pulled up in front of the sprawling ranch-style house just as another car did, and when its occupants got out, Susan recognized the Temples. Sophie Temple was a lovely woman, and Susan was glad to see her again. They all greeted each other and walked to the front door together.

“Well, hi!” Jan said, opening the door. She looked cute in a red dress and sparkly red earrings. Patrick, grinning broadly, stood behind her.

Susan was relieved to see that she wasn’t overdressed at all. Sophie wore a silky blue dress, and her husband wore a jacket, just like Keith.

A few minutes later, the other two guests arrived. Together, Susan saw, so they must be a couple. That meant Jan had invited her for Keith. Oh, you knew that already. Don’t pretend you didn’t.

Jan introduced the newcomers to Susan and Keith, who obviously didn’t know them, either. Susan liked Alan Maravek right away. He had an open, boyish face and a nice smile. She wasn’t so sure about Jackie MacMillan. The woman was very attractive, with a lean, sinewy dancer’s body, thick, curly black hair and startling green eyes, but there was something cold about her. She was polite to Susan but obviously not interested in her, and she quickly turned her attention to Keith.

“I’ve met several of your brothers now,” she said in a low, throaty voice. She gave Keith an admiring smile. “What is it with you Callahans? You’re all so handsome.”

Oh, barf, Susan thought.

Keith shrugged. “I think my brothers are pretty ugly, personally.”

Patrick Jr., who was standing a few feet away, said, “I heard that.”

Keith laughed. “I said it for your benefit.”

“Take it from me,” Jackie said, linking her arm through Keith’s, “you’re wrong.”

Even though Susan wanted to smack the woman, she turned to Jan and said brightly, “Jan, the house looks so nice. I love the wallpaper here in the foyer, and that table is gorgeous. Where’d you get it?”

Jan answered as they all moved into the living room, where Patrick Jr. fixed drinks for everyone and Jan served appetizers. It quickly became apparent that something was wrong between Jackie and Alan, for she continued to ignore him. Susan felt sorry for him and when he walked over to talk to her—Keith was talking to Tucker Temple—she made an effort to be as warm and friendly as she could, even though normally she disliked making small talk with people she didn’t know, especially men. He seemed pathetically grateful for her attention, almost too grateful, she thought uncomfortably, because he stuck close, even when she tried to move away to join Jan and Sophie Temple, who were standing to one side talking animatedly.

In the meantime, Susan realized that Jackie had once again attached herself to Keith. Her entire body, clad in a body-skimming green sheath, had assumed a flirtatious stance and several times she laughed—the sound low and provocative.

Susan wasn’t sure how Keith was reacting to the attention, because after that first glance, she tried not to look in their direction. She certainly didn’t want Keith to think she cared who he talked to. But every time she heard Jackie laugh, something inside her tightened.

Finally Jan said it was time to eat, and Keith broke away from Jackie and came to claim Susan. They walked into the dining room and Jan indicated where each should sit. Susan found herself seated between Keith and Alan with Jackie placed directly across the table from Keith.

Great, she thought. Just great.

The next two hours were agony for Susan. Jackie barely spoke to her or Jan, who sat on her right at the head of the table, and she paid no attention at all to Tucker on her other side. Instead, she concentrated her attention on Keith, addressing most of her remarks to him and laughing gaily at just about everything he said. By the time dessert was served, Susan wanted to strangle the woman. She was also less than enchanted with Keith, who certainly hadn’t done anything to discourage Jackie. On some level she realized she was being unfair to him. After all, short of being downright rude to the woman, he could hardly do otherwise than answer her questions. And he had tried to include Susan in the conversation. Jackie was the one who excluded her.

Finally dinner was over. When Jan got up to begin clearing the table, Susan quickly stood, too. “I’ll help you.”

“Oh, no, Susan, that’s not necessary. Patrick will help me.”

“I insist,” Susan said firmly, picking up her plate and Keith’s. There was no way she was going to sit there one more minute.

When she and Jan reached the kitchen, Jan said, “Susan, I’m so sorry about Jackie. I don’t know what’s gotten into her tonight. I’ve never seen her act this way.”

Susan shrugged. “It’s no big deal. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Well, I think it’s a big deal. She’s been awful tonight, practically slobbering over Keith and completely ignoring everyone else. I know it’s been uncomfortable for you.”

“No, really, I’m fine. After all, it’s not like Keith and I are a couple or anything. We’re just friends, so if she’s interested in him, he’s perfectly free to pursue it. I don’t care.”

Jan put down the dishes she was carrying and stared at Susan. “You don’t really mean that, do you?”

“Of course I do.” Susan was proud of herself. She sounded very convincing and even managed to look Jan straight in the eye.

“I know Keith doesn’t feel that way.”

In spite of herself, Susan couldn’t help saying, “You do? Why? Has he said something?”

Jan grinned. “No, but he was making eyes at you the entire evening at the spaghetti supper.”

“Oh, he was not.”

“He certainly was. Even Pat thought so.”

“You’ve discussed this with Patrick Jr.?”

“Don’t worry. He won’t say anything to Keith.”

“I hope not, because I meant what I said, Jan. Keith and I are just friends. And that’s the way it’s going to remain.”

Jan frowned. “Why? Don’t you like him?”

“Yes, of course, I do, but...” She couldn’t tell Jan the truth, and she couldn’t think of a convincing lie, let alone carry it off. “Look, I really don’t want to talk about this. Paul has only been gone ten months.”

Jan looked stricken. “Oh, Susan, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive. I just thought...”

“It’s okay. I know you meant well.” Susan smiled at her to show she wasn’t angry or upset. “I’m not offended.”

“I hope not. I—”

“Really. It’s okay.” Susan gave Jan a warm smile and after a moment the concern in Jan’s eyes faded and she smiled back.

After that, they finished the clean-up, and when it was over Susan told Keith she had a headache and wanted to go home. He readily agreed, even seemed relieved to be leaving. Susan wondered if he would mention anything about Jackie, then decided he probably wouldn’t. And she certainly didn’t intend to. So on the ride home, she continued the fiction of the headache, and Keith considerately didn’t try to make conversation. When they reached her house, she thanked him politely for giving her a ride and apologized for making him leave the party early.

“I don’t mind at all. I’m just sorry you’re not feeling well.”

“I’ll be fine once I take some Advil and get a good night’s sleep.”

He insisted on walking her to the door and waiting until she’d gotten it unlocked. Once she had, he hesitated for a moment, then bent down and brushed her cheek with his lips. “Sleep well,” he murmured.

Inside, Susan leaned against the door, closing her eyes and listening to the sound of his Rover as he backed out of the driveway and drove off down the street.

It had been a mistake to go tonight. A mistake she’d be wise not to repeat.

* * *

“Jackie ruined everything!”

“No, she didn’t,” Patrick Jr. said patiently.

Jan put the last of the dishes into the dishwasher. “Yes, she did. She monopolized Keith, and I know Susan was upset, even though she said she wasn’t. Why else do you think she wanted to leave early?”

“Because she had a headache.”

“Headache! She didn’t have a headache. She was tired of watching Jackie hanging all over Keith.”

Patrick Jr. didn’t answer for a moment. Finally he said, “Well, Jan, I warned you not to meddle, didn’t I? Now I hope you’ve learned your lesson.”

Jan gave him a dirty look.

In answer, he just laughed, patted her behind, and said, “C’mon, wipe that frown off your face and let’s go to bed.”

* * *

Autumn in Rainbow’s End was Keith’s favorite time of year. The heat of summer declined during September, yet the rainy, cold winter was still months away. The kids were all back in school, and although the trees didn’t have the variety of colors found in New England, there were enough maples, aspens, and red and Spanish oaks to turn the valley into a veritable feast for the eyes.

Throughout September Keith spent as much time as possible with Scott and Susan. At least a couple of times a week, he would stop by on his way home from work. He never stayed too long; he didn’t want Susan to feel obligated to invite him to eat with them. He’d be there just long enough to shoot a few baskets with Scott or, on the occasional rainy day, to play a game of checkers or to admire the antique cars.

While he was there, he would ask Susan if there was anything that needed doing around the house. At first, she always said no. But gradually, as she became more comfortable around him—and as the memory of the disastrous evening at Patrick Jr.’s faded—she started allowing him to do some minor repairs, like oiling a squeaky hinge or fixing a dripping faucet.

At least once a week, he invited them to go out for pizza or a hamburger. It was always a casual invitation. Keith constantly reminded himself that he had to take the relationship slow. He was especially careful of his words and actions for days around the first anniversary of Paul’s death in late September. And when Susan didn’t acknowledge the anniversary, he refrained from mentioning it, either, knowing instinctively she had to be the one to initiate any more conversation on the subject.

He couldn’t tell if his taking-it-slow strategy was working or not. He could see Susan was skittish. Whether her skittishness stemmed from their rocky past or from some other reason didn’t matter. Keith still felt if he pushed too hard, he could lose all chance of any kind of future with her, and he wasn’t willing to risk that. His feelings for Susan and Scott went too deep. They were too important to him, so no matter how long it took, he would be patient. Right now his main goal was building Susan’s trust as well as their friendship. And for now, that was enough.

In October, Keith felt his campaign was gaining ground. Susan seemed glad to see him when he stopped by, and she always said yes to his invitations. He began to think about asking her out on a real date. Scott was going with his grandmother to California for a week. It would be the perfect time to try to see Susan alone.

He got his opportunity the following Thursday. A friend of Scott’s was at the house when Keith dropped by, so he had a few minutes alone with Susan.

“So Scott’s leaving for California on Saturday?” he said.

She smiled. “Yes. He’s so excited.”

“I’ll bet. You’ll miss him, though.”

“Yes, I will. But I guess I’d better start getting used to it. One of these days he’ll be going off to college.”

Keith laughed. “C’mon. He’s only nine. He’s got a ways to go before college.”

Susan laughed sheepishly. “I know, but the time goes so fast. It’s just unbelievable. Wait till you have kids. Then you’ll see.”

For some reason, she seemed flustered after saying this and wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“I was thinking," he said. "How about if I take you out to dinner Saturday night? You know, somewhere only adults go. Maybe that new Italian place that opened up on Riverside Drive.”

She looked up. ‘‘Saturday?’’

“Unless you have something else planned?”

“No, I don’t, but...” She seemed undecided about something. “Well, actually, there is something else....”

Keith felt a quick stab of jealousy. If she was going out with another guy...

“Saturday’s the annual faculty dinner dance at the college,” she continued. “I told my boss I wasn’t going to go, but if you’d like to go with me...” Her voice trailed off uncertainly.

Keith grinned. “Sure, sounds like fun.”

He whistled all the way home.

* * *

What is wrong with you?

Susan stared out the kitchen window. A squirrel darted up the trunk of the big oak tree on the other side of the driveway. It was quickly followed by another. Normally she enjoyed watched their antics. Today she hardly saw them.

Why had she asked Keith to the dinner dance? Hadn’t she decided, after Jan’s dinner party in August, that she wouldn’t make the same mistake again? That she would not go anywhere with Keith unless Scott was along? That she would not do anything that could even remotely be construed as a date?

You’re going to be sorry.

Because this is a very bad idea.

* * *

Susan drove Laverne and Scott to the Austin airport Saturday morning. Since you could no longer accompany passengers to their gates, she hugged them both goodbye and spent a couple of hours shopping in the city before heading for home. She got back to the house by three, leaving her lots of time to get ready before Keith called for her at seven.

Her stomach tingled in anticipation, especially when she looked at the new dress she’d purchased that day. It was the prettiest dress she’d ever owned—a shimmering column of gold with a long slit up the back. She’d really splurged on it. It cost far more than she should have spent, but the minute she’d seen it, she’d been unable to resist at least trying it on.

“Oh,” the salesclerk said in admiration. “It looks wonderful on you.”

And it did, Susan had thought as she twisted and turned to see herself in the three-way mirror. The gold silk brought out the gold highlights in her hair and the tawny flecks in her eyes.

And it was a perfect fit, just skimming her body, not too tight, not too loose. In it, Susan felt beautiful. More, she felt...sexy.

“I’ll take it,” she said, ignoring the little leap of guilt over the price.

She’d quickly gotten over the guilt. After all, she was working and earning money. And she so seldom spent any on herself.

She took her time getting ready, indulging herself in a leisurely bubble bath, which was so deliciously soothing, it almost felt sinful. She washed and conditioned her hair, then set it on big rollers so that it would be easier to style. She used a scented body lotion that matched her favorite perfume.

She took great pains with her makeup, using a sparkly gold eye shadow and mascara and eyeliner. Foregoing her usual pink-toned lipstick, she put on a vivid red. When she finished her makeup, she worked on her hair, brushing it till it shone. She spritzed herself with perfume, put her diamond studs—a gift from Laverne the previous Christmas—in her ears, and finally, stepped into her dress.

It was a struggle to get the back zipped up by herself, but she managed. Then, heart beating a little too fast, she studied herself in the full-length mirror on her closet door. She hardly recognized the glamorous creature staring back. And although she was nervous and even a little scared, she was also excited—an excitement that hollowed out her stomach and made her feel the way she did when she looked down from a great height.

What would Keith think when he saw her? she wondered. She remembered how admiring he’d been the night they’d gone to dinner at Patrick and Jan’s. She also remembered how that evening had ended. It was odd how they’d never talked about that episode. She certainly would never have brought it up, because she had no intention of ever letting Keith know how it had bothered her to have another woman flirt with him like that. And he obviously was pretending it had never happened.

Giving herself one final look in the mirror, she picked up her satin evening bag, turned out the bedroom lights and slowly walked downstairs to wait for Keith’s arrival.

* * *

Keith was momentarily speechless at the sight of the breathtaking woman standing before him. He whistled softly. “Wow.”

Susan smiled slowly. “Thanks. You look pretty nice yourself.”

Keith self-consciously straightened his bow tie. “It’s been a long time since I’ve worn a tux.”

“I know. I haven’t worn a long dress since high school. It’s kind of fun to get dressed up, though, isn’t it?”

He smiled. “Even though I’ll probably get thrown out of the he-men club, I have to admit it is fun. Well. You ready to go?”

“Yes.” Susan walked over to retrieve her purse and a black velvet jacket, which were lying on a small antique table in the entryway.

Watching her, Keith sucked in his breath. What was it about a slit skirt that was so sexy? He’d seen more of Susan’s legs when she wore shorts, yet the flash of leg exposed by the slit in her skirt was a real turn-on. Hell, be honest, he thought, everything about Susan was a real turn-on.

Keith reached for the jacket and helped her put it on, then held her arm lightly as they walked outside. Her skin felt firm and warm, and the gossamer fragrance of her perfume drifted around him seductively, making his head spin.

How did she do it? he wondered. She wasn’t a flirt. She wasn’t what you’d call a babe. She was just a pretty, girl-next-door type, wholesome and nice. And yet she turned him on as no other woman ever had.

But his feelings weren’t just about sex, although he certainly wanted her. No, what he felt for her went way beyond sex. He liked her and he liked being with her. She made him feel good.

In addition—and maybe most significantly—she aroused all kinds of protective feelings in him. He wanted to take care of her and Scott—wanted to make sure nothing ever hurt them again. He had never felt that way about any other woman.

Ruefully, he remembered how he had teased Paul about “having it bad.” The tables had certainly turned, because Keith now had it bad himself.

He wished he knew how Susan felt about him. He was sure she liked being with him. But did her feelings go deeper? He wished he could just come right out and ask her, but he knew it was still too soon.

Be patient. Things have been going well lately. Don’t push your luck.

“Did you buy a new car?” Susan said as he opened the passenger door of Rory’s BMW and helped her in.

“No. I borrowed this from Rory.”

“Just for tonight?”

“Yep.” He closed her door and walked around to the driver’s side. Once they were on their way, he said, “I couldn’t see us going to a fancy dinner dance in my sorry old truck.”

“I wouldn’t have minded.”

He glanced at her briefly before turning his eyes back to the road. She wouldn’t have minded, either, he knew. Susan didn’t care about superficial things. That was one of the things he liked most about her. “Well, I minded.”

“This is a nice car.”

He smiled. “Yep, nothing but the best for Rory.” They were silent for a few minutes, then Keith said, “Did Scott get off all right?”

Susan laughed. “Yes, you should have seen him. He was so excited he was up an hour before the alarm went off. He couldn’t wait.”

Keith chuckled. ‘‘I used to be the same way when I was going somewhere.”

“I still am.”

For a while they talked about Scott and the trip. When the conversation died off, Keith put on a Bonnie Raitt CD and they listened to the music until they reached the Rainbow’s End Inn where the dinner dance was being held. You couldn’t miss the place. It was lit up like a Christmas tree, with hundreds of tiny white lights twinkling from the branches of the trees surrounding the stone structure.

“It’s so pretty, don’t you think?” Susan said. “I love the lights. They keep them up all year round.”

“Yeah, that’s a nice touch.”

“I’m told they stole the idea from Tavern on the Green in New York.”

“Do we care?” he said, chuckling.

She laughed. “No.”

Keith pulled into the circular driveway in front.

“We’re sitting with my boss tonight,” Susan said. “Do you mind?”

“No, I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

“Good. I think you’ll like him.”

Keith surrendered the keys to the valet-parking attendant and, filled with pride, possessively held Susan’s waist as they walked into the inn. It was with reluctance that he released her when they walked inside. They were immediately greeted by a pretty, dark-haired hostess who showed them to the private room where the party was being held.

Keith had never been to the inn before. It had been built after he’d moved to Alaska, but he was impressed. The room they entered was large enough to hold a couple of hundred people comfortably, although there weren’t that many there so far tonight. He looked around. At one end of the room was a massive stone fireplace; at the other there was a slightly raised bandstand. Across the room, on the other side from the arched entrance, open terrace doors looked out over a beautiful back garden filled with paths that wound through the trees and flower beds. “This is a really nice place.”

“It is, isn’t it? You know, when it was being built, I wondered if our area could support a facility like this, but they’re busy all the time. They do a great restaurant business, and this room is constantly booked—for weddings and all kinds of parties.”

“I can see why.” Keith made a mental note to ask his father who had done the construction on the place, for the workmanship was excellent.

Susan looked around. “There’s Tom.” Reaching for Keith’s hand, she led him off to a large table in the center of the room.

Keith liked Tom Shaver immediately. There was something about the big man that made it impossible not to like him. And Shaver’s wife, Monica, was just as nice, with a sweet smile and friendly green eyes.

“Well, Susan,” Shaver said with a chuckle, “you sure clean up good.”

“Tom!” his wife said in a horrified tone.

“Ah, she knows what I mean,” Shaver said.

“You look lovely, my dear,” Monica Shaver said, rolling her eyes at her husband.

“Thank you,” Susan said, laughing. “So do you. That’s a beautiful dress.”

“Thank you.” Monica smoothed the skirt of her red chiffon gown with a pleased smile.

“It should be beautiful. It cost enough,” her husband said.

They all laughed. For the next few minutes, they talked easily. Soon they were joined by another couple—a plumpish brunette with a lively smile and a tall, sandy-haired man. Susan introduced them as Rhonda Berringer and her husband Dave. “Rhonda’s our office manager,” Susan explained.

“And chief whip cracker,” added Shaver, eyes twinkling affectionately.

“Some whip cracker,” Rhonda said. “I can’t even get you to work on time.” She turned to Keith. “It’s nice to meet you, Keith.” Her eyes were filled with curiosity as they gave him a quick assessment.

He grinned and almost asked her if he’d passed inspection.

After handshakes and greetings all round, the six of them settled at the table, which was set for eight.

“Who else will be joining us?” Susan asked.

“Jamie and her date,” Rhonda said.

“Jamie’s our clerk,” Susan told Keith. “She’s really cute. You’ll like her.” She glanced up and smiled. “Here she comes now.”

Keith was introduced to a pretty redhead who was accompanied by a tall boy who looked no older than eighteen, but was probably in his twenties. He smiled shyly.

The room was filling with people and getting noisier by the minute. Many of them stopped by their table and they all seemed to know Susan and like her. Once again pride filled Keith as he watched her. The self-consciousness she sometimes displayed in his company was not in evidence tonight. Instead, she was clearly in her element. Suddenly, he was filled with resolve.

Whatever it took, he wanted this woman for his own—not just tonight, but every night.