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“I appreciate it regardless.”
“And I’d like to make repairs at your place. That ceiling beam is going to cave in if we don’t get some support up there. Won’t take me long to fix it and the front door.”
Marilee wondered why he was offering his help when all she’d done was sit with his mother for a few minutes while the woman had bathed. Was he trying to come on to her? She had no idea—she’d been married so long, she didn’t know how men operated these days. As far as Sam was concerned, all she had to go on was his reputation, and that alone was enough reason to keep her distance. “Why don’t you let me think about it?”
“I don’t expect anything in return, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Even as he spoke, Sam knew it was a lie. He’d had his eyes on Marilee for years, and the thought of spending time with her, even if he was perched on a ladder, was appealing. But first, he needed to find out what was going on between Grady and her.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply you had ulterior motives,” she said quickly, although that wasn’t altogether true. This conversation was making her uncomfortable. “Well, I’d better go inside.”
“You’re right. You don’t want Mrs. Bodine from across the street finding you in the dark with a man of my reputation.”
He sounded amused, and Marilee wondered if he was making fun of her. She hitched her chin higher. “I don’t much care what anyone thinks.”
“Good for you.” He cupped her elbow in the palm of his hand and led her toward her house. “I don’t know what problems you’re going through, Marilee, and the last thing I want to do is butt in. But I’m a good listener if you ever need a sounding board.”
“I’m fine. Thank you, though, for your concern.”
Sam suspected he would be the last one she would take her problems to. She was keeping him at arm’s length, and that made him even more determined to learn more about her. “Thanks again for helping my mother. You probably think I’m overprotective, but she was in a bad way when I first moved here.”
“I understand she lost her best friend.”
“I meant healthwise.”
“Sometimes depression can bring on physical problems,” Marilee said gently. “I’ve spent a lot of time working with the elderly, and no matter how old a person gets they want to feel productive.”
They had reached her door. Sam gazed down at her, thinking no woman had a right to look that good in sweats. She had been pretty as a young girl and still was, though the years had softened her features. “I remember how lovely you looked in the Christmas parade the year you were crowned homecoming queen,” he blurted without thinking.
Marilee couldn’t hide her surprise. “That was a long time ago.”
“You wore a red velvet dress and tiny flowers in your hair.”
“Baby’s breath. I can’t believe you remember.”
“How could I forget? You stole the show.”
Marilee had been avoiding direct eye contact until then, but when she looked up she found him studying her curiously. A light breeze ruffled his dark hair. She remembered how Grady sprayed his hair each morning with something he bought at a beauty supply house that promised extra hold. It would have taken hurricane-force winds to muss the blond mane that he was so proud of. She wondered if she would spend the rest of her life comparing men to Grady. But how could she not, after all the years she was married to him? He might be out of her life, but one did not forget sixteen years that easily. Marilee had absolutely no business staring at Sam’s hair or the dark lock that had fallen onto his forehead. Or feeling flattered that he’d remembered how she’d looked in the Christmas parade all those years ago.
“Did you and Grady have children?”
“A son. He’s fifteen.”
“I remember being fifteen and thinking I had all the answers and everybody else was stupid.” He surprised her with a sheepish grin. “I wasn’t any better at sixteen and seventeen. I suppose that’s why I stayed in so much trouble.”
Marilee chuckled. “Yes, I remember they voted you the boy most likely to spend his life in San Quentin.” He smiled at that, and she tilted her head back slightly. “Are you still bad to the bone, Sam Brewer?” She couldn’t resist teasing and hoped he didn’t think she was flirting.
“I must not be too bad if you’re standing out here in the dark with me.”
He stepped closer, and Marilee froze. She felt her breath catch in the back of her throat. His face was only inches from hers. He was too handsome for his own good, and for one wild and insane moment she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he reached around and opened her door.
“Good night, Marilee,” he asked. “Don’t forget to use the chain on your door until I can fix it.”
She realized she was holding her breath, and when she let it out, hot air gushed from her lungs with such force it made her light-headed. She swayed slightly.
Sam caught her, a look of concern crossing his face. “Are you okay?”
“F-fine,” she said, annoyed that she had been so taken in by his good looks that she’d almost swooned. Swooned, for heaven’s sake! Nobody did that sort of thing anymore.
“You looked mighty nervous there for a moment. You didn’t think I was going to kiss you, did you?” An easy smile played at the corners of his mouth.
Charm and sensuality oozed from him. Yes, he was as bad as they came, at least where women were concerned. “You’re still a scoundrel, Sam Brewer.”
Without another word, Marilee hurried inside and closed the door, securing the chain with trembling hands. On the other side, she heard Sam laugh softly. His morals were still lower than a gopher hole. And wasn’t it just like him to assume he was going to make the repairs to her house? Well, he had another think coming because she wasn’t about to let that…that hellion inside her house, much less in her life.
She came to a halt. Wait a minute. Why was she so upset? The answer came quickly. Because he’d made her feel pretty and breathless and dizzy and she didn’t want to feel those things. She just wanted to feel numb, because it took the sharp edges off her emotions and made life bearable right now.
Marilee suddenly felt bone tired. She dreaded the mess that waited for her in the kitchen and longed for sleep, an escape from worrying about what she was going to do with her life. She dragged herself into the kitchen to set up the automatic coffeemaker and her mouth formed an O of surprise. The room was sparkling from top to bottom. Winnie.
SAM RETURNED HOME AND STOOD inside the living room, gazing about as though seeing it for the first time. Everything appeared the same, but he felt different somehow, and he knew it had everything to do with Marilee. He wondered if she knew just how close he had come to kissing her. Kissing her! He could only imagine how she would have responded. In fact, she probably would have punched him in the face. He grinned. He liked his women feisty; it was more challenging that way.
Where was her damn husband? And what about the kid?
Nell looked up from her recliner. “You’ve been up to no good, Samuel Brewer. I can see it in your eyes. I hope you weren’t fresh with that young woman. She has enough on her hands, what with losing her husband to the town floozy.”
So that was it, he thought. Marilee’s husband had obviously left her for another woman and taken the kid. Is that why she’d tried to hang herself? No doubt she was feeling the sting of rejection, and Sam knew exactly what she needed. He’d known his share of widows and divorcées, and he knew how to work them.
“And you can wipe that smile right off your face. Marilee is different from the sort of women you’ve known.”
“Mom, I’m hurt,” he said. “I wouldn’t think of taking advantage of her situation.”
“I know you better than you know yourself, young man.” Nell suddenly smiled. “Oh yes, guess who called while you were out? Shelly. Remember her? The two of you were married briefly. She promised to call back.”
Sam’s shoulders slumped. The last person in the world he wanted to talk to was his ex-wife, who usually called him because she needed money. As if he hadn’t been generous enough, she’d already taken him to court twice to raise her alimony. He’d let her get away with it because he’d felt guilty. He should have known the difference between love and simple infatuation. He should have worked harder at the marriage. But he had taken the easy way out. He had bought back his freedom.
As if on cue, the telephone rang. Sam stared at it.
“Aren’t you going to answer it?” Nell asked.
Giving a weary sigh, Sam picked up the phone. His ex spoke from the other end. “Hello, Shelly, what is it this time?”
“Sam, I’m so glad you answered,” she said, sounding near tears.
He rolled his eyes heavenward. She needed something and her needs ranged from cosmetic surgery to a new Jaguar. Either way, it was going to cost him. He had offered to put her through college and pay her expenses, but Shelly wasn’t interested in an education. She needed a caretaker and provider, and he’d played the part so well during their marriage that she still clung to him. He glanced at his mother and saw that she was taking it all in with a great deal of amusement.
“Sam, are you there?” Shelly asked.
“I’m here.” He sank into the nearest chair and waited for what was to come, his thoughts still on Marilee. Common sense told him he had no business getting involved with her. She was probably just as needy as his mother and his ex-wife. If only he would start thinking with his brain instead of getting a hard-on every time he saw a pretty face.
But damn, Marilee Abernathy did have the best legs he’d ever seen on a female.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, Marilee found herself filling out an application at the local Job Service center. She had checked the classifieds daily. Prissy’s Pets was looking for someone to groom dogs, the local tavern needed a cocktail waitress, and Darnel Hines was advertising for a mechanic. Slim pickings, to say the least. She would have to look elsewhere.
“Marilee, I just want you to know how sorry I was to hear about you and Grady,” Leanne Davis, who worked at the job placement center, whispered.
Marilee forced a smile to her lips as she handed the woman her job application. She and Leanne had attended high school together and had cheered the Fighting Pirates in their cutesy blue-and-gold cheerleading outfits. Her friend had since married and had three children, gaining at least ten pounds with each pregnancy. Marilee wondered if either one of them would fit in their old cheerleading skirts.
“Thank you, Leanne. You don’t know how much I appreciate that. But I’m going to be just fine.” She didn’t believe it at the moment, but if she said it enough perhaps it would come true.
“I can’t help feeling guilty. After all, I was the one who introduced you to Grady in high school.”
“That was a long time ago. I certainly don’t hold you responsible.”
“That’s why I’m going to do everything in my power to help you find a job.”
With that in mind, Marilee decided to let Leanne feel guilty a little while longer. It wasn’t the Christian thing to do, but she was desperate. “Thank you. I know you’ll do your best.”
“Only trouble is, there aren’t many jobs available in Chickpea.” Leanne leaned closer. “What I want to know is, did you suspect anything?”
“Excuse me?”
“Did you know Grady was sleeping with that slut?”
Marilee shook her head. “I was the last to know.” She smiled tightly. “But I’m trying to put all that behind me now and go on with my life. That’s why I need a job.”
“Of course you do, honey,” Leanne said, patting her hand. “And we’re going to find you something.” She straightened in her chair and considered Marilee’s application. “Hmm. You don’t have a degree.”
Marilee tried to look confident. “No, I don’t. But I’m intelligent, quick to learn, and I’m a hard worker. There isn’t much I can’t do once I put my mind to it.”
“Of course you can, sugar.” Leanne shuffled through more papers. “Is there something you’re particularly interested in? Something you’re really good at?”
“I play the piano and sing. I was choir director at our church for years. But you probably already know that.” She suddenly brightened. “I bake cakes.”
Leanne looked up. “Do what?”
“Just ask me the ingredients of any cake you’ve ever heard of, and I can spout them off word for word. Red velvet, Lady Baltimore, German chocolate, you name it. I personally put together a fifty-page cookbook of my own recipes for a committee I’m on, and we sold several hundred copies.” Marilee clasped her hands in her lap. She could see that it meant nothing to Leanne.
“Too bad Mitch Johnson isn’t hiring over at the bakery,” Leanne replied.
Marilee remained thoughtful. Surely there was something she could do. “I like being around people, for what it’s worth,” she said. “Folks say I have a calming effect on those who are troubled. I’ve spent many a night sitting with the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, and I always tried to be there when someone from the congregation lost a loved one.”
“You enjoy that sort of thing?” Leanne asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste.
“I like helping people. Perhaps I could be a nurses’ aid.”
“You’d have to take classes, and the pay is low, but it’s something to keep in mind.” She studied Marilee. “You say you don’t mind working with the bereaved?”
“Not at all. I’m used to it.”
Leanne seemed to ponder it. Finally, she reached for a file. “Well then, Marilee, I just might have something for you after all.”
THAT AFTERNOON, MARILEE WAS waiting for Winnie when she stepped off the school bus. “I need your help,” she told the girl.
Winnie adjusted the shoulder strap on her book bag. “With what?”
Marilee grinned. “Get in the car, and I’ll tell you on the way.”
“You’re up to something, aren’t you?”
“I want to teach somebody a lesson, and you’re the perfect person to help me.”
“Who’s the victim?”
“Esmerelda Cunningham. You know her?”
“The Queen Bee?” Winnie gave a grunt. “I know of her—rich, stingy and mean.”
“I think she needs a refresher course in manners.”
“Then I’m your girl.”
After their admittance to Esmerelda Cunningham’s grand house, Marilee followed a staid-looking butler into the drawing room with Winnie on her heels, carrying the antique candelabra. Esmerelda was sipping tea from a dainty cup and listening to opera. She looked queenly, her dress crisp as new money and not a hair out of place on her white head.
“I was not expecting guests,” she said coolly, “but I am relieved to find my candelabra in good repair.”
“Just set it over there,” Marilee told Winnie.
The girl set the candelabra on a Duncan Phyfe table with a thump as Marilee, hands on hips, faced Esmerelda. “Yes, I brought it back once I heard you’d accused me of stealing it. I have absolutely no interest in it. I don’t know about you, but I have a life, and I’m not going to spend it polishing silver.” She hitched her chin high and sniffed. “I prefer stainless steel myself.”
Esmerelda set her cup in its saucer so hard Marilee feared it would shatter. “I beg your pardon? Do you dare come into my home and insult me after I was generous enough to donate to your cause? And who is this person with you?”
“Name’s Winnie Frye,” Winnie said. “Hey, I like your place. It’s a bit crowded for my tastes, and I shudder to think about trying to raise a toddler around all these expensive-looking eggs you got sittin’ around.”
“Those aren’t eggs,” Esmerelda said. “They are original Fabergé.” Winnie picked up one, and the woman gasped aloud. “Put that down immediately!”
“Don’t get your panties in a wad, Mrs. C.,” Winnie said. “I’m just curious by nature. I like touching things, you know?” She walked over to a Tiffany lamp. “Oh, now, I like this.”
“Hands off!” Esmerelda almost shouted, causing Winnie to jump and almost knock over the lamp. Esmerelda sank into her chair and mopped her forehead with a handkerchief. She looked at Marilee. “What’s the meaning of this?”
Marilee tried to hide her amusement. “Winnie was living at Blessing Home until it was declared unsafe. We’ve managed to find homes for the other girls, but we haven’t had any luck placing Winnie.” She stepped closer and whispered, “She has mood swings, and her pregnancy has made them worse. I guess you might say she’s hormonally challenged right now.” Marilee cut her eyes toward the girl.
Esmerelda looked from Marilee to Winnie before settling her gaze on Marilee once more. “What does that have to do with me?”
“I was sort of hoping you’d let me crash here on your sofa for a while,” Winnie said. “I’d really prefer my own bedroom, you understand, but I don’t want to put you out. I reckon I could set up a bassinet over here by this window. I want my baby to have plenty of sunlight, and this place is kinda dark, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
“You must be out of your mind,” Esmerelda said to Marilee. “No wonder your husband left you.”
Marilee was surprised the remark didn’t sting as much as it had in the past. “Now, now, Mrs. Cunningham, I know you’re a person of good breeding, and you wouldn’t think of stooping to insults, so I’m just going to state my business. We need a home for Winnie, and you have the biggest house in town. Surely you wouldn’t mind having a guest around.”
